Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 8

परितुष्टस्तु सुग्रीवस्तेन वाक्येन वानरः। लक्ष्मणस्याग्रतो राममिदं वचनमब्रवीत्4.8.1।।

parituṣṭastu sugrīvastena vākyena vānaraḥ| lakṣmaṇasyāgrato rāmamidaṃ vacanamabravīt4.8.1||

Sugriva, the monkey was very pleased with Rama's words and said to him in front of Lakshmana:

सर्वथाऽहमनुग्राह्यो देवतानां न संशयः। उपपन्न गुणोपेतस्सखा यस्य भवान्मम4.8.2।।

sarvathā'hamanugrāhyo devatānāṃ na saṃśayaḥ| upapanna guṇopetassakhā yasya bhavānmama4.8.2||

'Since one like you endowed with all virtues has become my friend I am (now) worthy of grace of the gods in all respects. There is no doubt.

शक्यं खलु भवेद्राम सहायेन त्वयाऽनघ। सुरराज्यमपि प्राप्तुं स्वराज्यं किं पनः प्रभो 4.8.3।।

śakyaṃ khalu bhavedrāma sahāyena tvayā'nagha| surarājyamapi prāptuṃ svarājyaṃ kiṃ panaḥ prabho 4.8.3||

'O Rama, my sinless Lord, it is possible to attain even the kingdom of the gods with your help, what to speak of my own kingdom?

सोऽहं सभाज्यो बन्धूनां सुहृदां चैव राघव। यस्याग्निसाक्षिकं मित्रं लब्धं राघववंशजम्4.8.4।।

so'haṃ sabhājyo bandhūnāṃ suhṛdāṃ caiva rāghava| yasyāgnisākṣikaṃ mitraṃ labdhaṃ rāghavavaṃśajam4.8.4||

'O Rama, since you, born in Raghava dynasty, have become my friend with fire as witness, I have become equally honourable among my relatives and friends.

अहमप्यनुरूपस्ते वयस्यो ज्ञास्यसे शनैः। न तु वक्तुं समर्थोऽहं स्वयमात्मगतान्गुणान्4.8.5।।

ahamapyanurūpaste vayasyo jñāsyase śanaiḥ| na tu vaktuṃ samartho'haṃ svayamātmagatānguṇān4.8.5||

'You will come to know slowly that I am also a friend worthy of you.It is not proper for me to speak of my qualities( flatter myself).

महात्मनां तु भूयिष्ठं त्वद्विधानां कृतात्मनाम्। निश्चला भवति प्रीतिर्धैर्यमात्मवतामिव4.8.6।।

mahātmanāṃ tu bhūyiṣṭhaṃ tvadvidhānāṃ kṛtātmanām| niścalā bhavati prītirdhairyamātmavatāmiva4.8.6||

'The affection of exalted souls is exceedingly stable like the patience of selfcontrolled and wellcomposed men like you.

रजतं वा सुवर्णं वा वस्त्राण्याभरणानि च। अविभक्तानि साधूनामवगच्छन्ति साधवः4.8.7।।

rajataṃ vā suvarṇaṃ vā vastrāṇyābharaṇāni ca| avibhaktāni sādhūnāmavagacchanti sādhavaḥ4.8.7||

'Good friends consider(valuables such as) silver or gold, clothes or ornaments of worldly wealth indivisible.

आढ्यो वापि दरिद्रो वा दुःखितस्सुखितोऽपि वा। निर्दोषो वा सदोषो वा वयस्यः परमा गतिः4.8.8।।

āḍhyo vāpi daridro vā duḥkhitassukhito'pi vā| nirdoṣo vā sadoṣo vā vayasyaḥ paramā gatiḥ4.8.8||

'Whether rich or poor, afflicted or happy, flawless or guilty, a friend is the ultimate refuge to a friend.

धनत्यागस्सुखत्यागो देहत्यागोऽपि वा पुनः। वयस्यार्थे प्रवर्तन्ते स्नेहं दृष्टवा तथाविधम्4.8.9।।

dhanatyāgassukhatyāgo dehatyāgo'pi vā punaḥ| vayasyārthe pravartante snehaṃ dṛṣṭavā tathāvidham4.8.9||

'One will not hesitate to sacrifice wealth or happiness or even life for the sake of a friend like you.'

तत्तथेत्यब्रवीद्रामस्सुग्रीवं प्रियवादिनम्। लक्ष्मणस्याग्रतो लक्ष्म्या वासवस्येव धीमतः4.8.10।।

tattathetyabravīdrāmassugrīvaṃ priyavādinam| lakṣmaṇasyāgrato lakṣmyā vāsavasyeva dhīmataḥ4.8.10||

As wise Lakshmana, brilliant like Indra stood witness, Rama said, 'it is true as you say' to Sugriva who spoke pleasing words.

ततो रामं स्थितं दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणं च महाबलम्। सुग्रीवस्सर्वतश्चक्षुर्वने लोलमपातयत्4.8.11।।

tato rāmaṃ sthitaṃ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇaṃ ca mahābalam| sugrīvassarvataścakṣurvane lolamapātayat4.8.11||

With mighty Rama and Lakshmana standing by, Sugriva cast his eyes eagerly all round the forest.

स ददर्श ततस्सालमविदूरे हरीश्वरः। सुपुष्पमीषत्पत्राढ्यं भ्रमरैरुपशोभितम्4.8.12।।

sa dadarśa tatassālamavidūre harīśvaraḥ| supuṣpamīṣatpatrāḍhyaṃ bhramarairupaśobhitam4.8.12||

Then the chief of monkeys saw a sala tree looking lovely with tender leaves and flowers graced by bees.

तस्यैकां पर्णबहुलां भङ्क्त्वा शाखां सुपुष्पिताम्। सालस्यास्तीर्य सुग्रीवो निषसाद सराघवः4.8.13।।

tasyaikāṃ parṇabahulāṃ bhaṅktvā śākhāṃ supuṣpitām| sālasyāstīrya sugrīvo niṣasāda sarāghavaḥ4.8.13||

Sugriva cut a branch of the beautifully blossomed sala tree with plenty of leaves, spread it (on the ground) and squatted along with Rama.

तावासीनौ ततो दृष्ट्वा हनूमानपि लक्ष्मणम्। सालशाखां समुत्पाट्य विनीतमुपवेशयत्4.8.14।।

tāvāsīnau tato dṛṣṭvā hanūmānapi lakṣmaṇam| sālaśākhāṃ samutpāṭya vinītamupaveśayat4.8.14||

Thereafter Hanuman also broke a branch of the sala tree and seated Lakshmana on it.

सुखोपविष्टं रामं तु प्रसन्नमुदधिं यथा। फलपुष्पसमाकीर्णे तस्मिन् गिरिवरोत्तमे4.8.15।। ततः प्रहृष्टस्सुग्रीवश्लक्ष्णं मधुरया गिरा। उवाच प्रणयाद्रामं हर्षव्याकुलिताक्षरम्4.8.16।।

sukhopaviṣṭaṃ rāmaṃ tu prasannamudadhiṃ yathā| phalapuṣpasamākīrṇe tasmin girivarottame4.8.15|| tataḥ prahṛṣṭassugrīvaślakṣṇaṃ madhurayā girā| uvāca praṇayādrāmaṃ harṣavyākulitākṣaram4.8.16||

Now Rama, seated comfortably on the best of mountains overgrown with trees full of flowers and fruits, appeared tranguil like an ocean. Extremely delighted and excited, Sugriva spoke to Rama words that got mixed up with softness and sweetness out of love:

सुखोपविष्टं रामं तु प्रसन्नमुदधिं यथा। फलपुष्पसमाकीर्णे तस्मिन् गिरिवरोत्तमे4.8.15।। ततः प्रहृष्टस्सुग्रीवश्लक्ष्णं मधुरया गिरा। उवाच प्रणयाद्रामं हर्षव्याकुलिताक्षरम्4.8.16।।

sukhopaviṣṭaṃ rāmaṃ tu prasannamudadhiṃ yathā| phalapuṣpasamākīrṇe tasmin girivarottame4.8.15|| tataḥ prahṛṣṭassugrīvaślakṣṇaṃ madhurayā girā| uvāca praṇayādrāmaṃ harṣavyākulitākṣaram4.8.16||

Now Rama, seated comfortably on the best of mountains overgrown with trees full of flowers and fruits, appeared tranguil like an ocean. Extremely delighted and excited, Sugriva spoke to Rama words that got mixed up with softness and sweetness out of love:

अहं विनिकृतो भ्रात्रा चराम्येष भयार्दितः। ऋष्यमूकं गिरिवरं हृतभार्यस्सुदुःखितः4.8.17।।

ahaṃ vinikṛto bhrātrā carāmyeṣa bhayārditaḥ| ṛṣyamūkaṃ girivaraṃ hṛtabhāryassuduḥkhitaḥ4.8.17||

'I am sadly roaming here in the great Rishyamuka mountain, my wife stolen, offended by my brother and frightened.

सोऽहं त्रस्तो भये मग्नो वसाम्युद्भ्रान्तचेतनः। वालिना निकृतो भ्रात्रा कृतवैरश्च राघव4.8.18।।

so'haṃ trasto bhaye magno vasāmyudbhrāntacetanaḥ| vālinā nikṛto bhrātrā kṛtavairaśca rāghava4.8.18||

'O Rama my brother is my enemy. Deceived and threatened by him, I live in the forest stricken with fear and utterly confused.

वालिनो मे भयार्तस्य सर्वलोकाभयङ्कर। ममापि त्वमनाथस्य प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि4.8.19।।

vālino me bhayārtasya sarvalokābhayaṅkara| mamāpi tvamanāthasya prasādaṃ kartumarhasi4.8.19||

'O great warrior who can frighten all the worlds scared of Vali, I feel helpless like an orphan to whom you ought to extend your grace.'

एवमुक्तस्तु तेजस्वी धर्मज्ञो धर्मवत्सलः। प्रत्युवाच स काकुत्स्थस्सुग्रीवं प्रहसन्निव4.8.20।।

evamuktastu tejasvī dharmajño dharmavatsalaḥ| pratyuvāca sa kākutsthassugrīvaṃ prahasanniva4.8.20||

Thus spoken to, the glorious Rama, lover of righteousness who knew his duty, replied to Sugriva with a smile on his face:

उपकारफलं मित्रमपकारोऽरिलक्षणम्। अद्यैव तं हनिष्यामि तव भार्यापहारिणम्4.8.21।।

upakāraphalaṃ mitramapakāro'rilakṣaṇam| adyaiva taṃ haniṣyāmi tava bhāryāpahāriṇam4.8.21||

'While a friend is known for his help, an enemy is known for his offensiveness. I will this very day kill the one who wrested your wife.

इमे हि मे महावेगा पत्रिणस्तिग्मतेजसः। कार्तिकेयवनोद्भूताश्शरा हेमविभूषिताः4.8.22।। कङ्कपत्रपरिच्छन्ना महेन्द्राशनिसन्निभाः। सुपर्वाणस्सुतीक्ष्णाग्रास्सरोषा भुजगा इव4.8.23।।

ime hi me mahāvegā patriṇastigmatejasaḥ| kārtikeyavanodbhūtāśśarā hemavibhūṣitāḥ4.8.22|| kaṅkapatraparicchannā mahendrāśanisannibhāḥ| suparvāṇassutīkṣṇāgrāssaroṣā bhujagā iva4.8.23||

'Here are my highspeed, winged arrows glowing like fierce fire, born out of Kartikeya's bed of reeds.They are smooth and welljointed, decked with gold, comparable in strength to great Indra's thunderbolt, very sharp with pointed tips looking like angry serpents.

इमे हि मे महावेगा पत्रिणस्तिग्मतेजसः। कार्तिकेयवनोद्भूताश्शरा हेमविभूषिताः4.8.22।। कङ्कपत्रपरिच्छन्ना महेन्द्राशनिसन्निभाः। सुपर्वाणस्सुतीक्ष्णाग्रास्सरोषा भुजगा इव4.8.23।।

ime hi me mahāvegā patriṇastigmatejasaḥ| kārtikeyavanodbhūtāśśarā hemavibhūṣitāḥ4.8.22|| kaṅkapatraparicchannā mahendrāśanisannibhāḥ| suparvāṇassutīkṣṇāgrāssaroṣā bhujagā iva4.8.23||

'Here are my highspeed, winged arrows glowing like fierce fire, born out of Kartikeya's bed of reeds.They are smooth and welljointed, decked with gold, comparable in strength to great Indra's thunderbolt, very sharp with pointed tips looking like angry serpents.

भ्रातृसंज्ञममित्रं ते वालिनं कृतकिल्बिषम्। शरैर्विनिहतं पश्य विकीर्णमिव पर्वतम्4.8.24।।

bhrātṛsaṃjñamamitraṃ te vālinaṃ kṛtakilbiṣam| śarairvinihataṃ paśya vikīrṇamiva parvatam4.8.24||

'Vali who calls himself your brother is your enemy and a doer of wrong deeds. You will see him crushed, like a mountain shattered, by my arrows.'

राघवस्य वचश्श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवो वाहिनीपतिः। प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे साधु साध्विति चाब्रवीत्4.8.25।।

rāghavasya vacaśśrutvā sugrīvo vāhinīpatiḥ| praharṣamatulaṃ lebhe sādhu sādhviti cābravīt4.8.25||

On hearing Rama's words, Sugriva, chief of the army of monkeys experienced immeasurable happiness and exclaimed, 'you're great, you're great.'

राम शोकाभिभूतोऽहं शोकार्तानां भवान्गतिः। वयस्य इति कृत्वा हि त्वय्यहं परिदेवये4.8.26।।

rāma śokābhibhūto'haṃ śokārtānāṃ bhavāngatiḥ| vayasya iti kṛtvā hi tvayyahaṃ paridevaye4.8.26||

'Rama I am overwhelmed with sorrow. You are the refuge of the distressed. As you are a friend I ventilate all my grief to you.

त्वं हि पाणिप्रदानेन वयस्यो मेऽग्निसाक्षिकम्। कृतः प्राणैर्बहुमतस्सत्येनापि शपामि ते4.8.27।।

tvaṃ hi pāṇipradānena vayasyo me'gnisākṣikam| kṛtaḥ prāṇairbahumatassatyenāpi śapāmi te4.8.27||

'I value your hand of friendship extended to me, with fire as witness more than my very life. I, on my own, offer my pledge of friendship.

वयस्य इति कृत्वा च विस्रब्धः प्रवदाम्यहम्। दुःखमन्तर्गतं यन्मे मनो हरति नित्यशः4.8.28।।

vayasya iti kṛtvā ca visrabdhaḥ pravadāmyaham| duḥkhamantargataṃ yanme mano harati nityaśaḥ4.8.28||

Considering you a friend, I speak frankly of the sorrow hidden within me that constantly torments my mind.

एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं बाष्पदूषितलोचनः। बाष्पोपहतया वाचा नोच्चैश्शक्नोति भाषितुम्4.8.29।।

etāvaduktvā vacanaṃ bāṣpadūṣitalocanaḥ| bāṣpopahatayā vācā noccaiśśaknoti bhāṣitum4.8.29||

His vision blurred, words choked with tears he was unable to speak further.

बाष्पवेगं तु सहसा नदीवेगमिवागतम्। धारयामास धैर्येण सुग्रीवो रामसन्निधौ4.8.30।।

bāṣpavegaṃ tu sahasā nadīvegamivāgatam| dhārayāmāsa dhairyeṇa sugrīvo rāmasannidhau4.8.30||

Quickly Sugriva controlled his tears streaming fast like the rushing river, with patience, Rama seated in front.

सन्निगृह्य तु तं बाष्पं प्रमृज्य नयने शुभे। विनिश्श्वस्य च तेजस्वी राघवं वाक्यमब्रवीत्4.8.31।।

sannigṛhya tu taṃ bāṣpaṃ pramṛjya nayane śubhe| viniśśvasya ca tejasvī rāghavaṃ vākyamabravīt4.8.31||

Effulgent Sugriva controlled his tears, wiped his bright eyes, took deep breath and said to Rama:

पुराऽहं वालिना राम राज्यात्स्वादवरोपितः। परुषाणि च संश्राव्य निर्धूतोऽस्मि बलीयसा4.8.32।।

purā'haṃ vālinā rāma rājyātsvādavaropitaḥ| paruṣāṇi ca saṃśrāvya nirdhūto'smi balīyasā4.8.32||

'O Rama I was subjected to the harsh words of powerful Vali in the past when he uprooted me from the kingdom and threw me out.

हृता भार्या च मे तेन प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी। सुहृदश्च मदीया ये संयता बन्धनेषु ते4.8.33।।

hṛtā bhāryā ca me tena prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī| suhṛdaśca madīyā ye saṃyatā bandhaneṣu te4.8.33||

'I was robbed of my wife who is dearer than my own life. All my friends were rounded up and imprisoned.

यत्नवांश्च सुदुष्टात्मा मद्विनाशाय राघव। बहुशस्तत्प्रयुक्ताश्च वानरा निहता मया4.8.34।।

yatnavāṃśca suduṣṭātmā madvināśāya rāghava| bahuśastatprayuktāśca vānarā nihatā mayā4.8.34||

'O Rama this evilminded one made several attempts to kill me. The monkeys he sent to kill me were themselves killed.

शङ्कया त्वेतया चेह दृष्ट्वा त्वामपि राघव। नोपसर्पाम्यहं भीतो भये सर्वे हि बिभ्यति4.8.35।।

śaṅkayā tvetayā ceha dṛṣṭvā tvāmapi rāghava| nopasarpāmyahaṃ bhīto bhaye sarve hi bibhyati4.8.35||

'It is because of suspicion that I did not approach you. Every one is scared when there is ample reason to fear.

केवलं हि सहाया मे हनुमत्प्रमुखास्त्विमे। अतोऽहं धारयाम्यद्य प्राणान् कृच्छ्रगतोऽपि सन्4.8.36।।

kevalaṃ hi sahāyā me hanumatpramukhāstvime| ato'haṃ dhārayāmyadya prāṇān kṛcchragato'pi san4.8.36||

'Only Hanuman and other chiefs are helping me. Therefore, I am surviving in spite of all difficulties.

एते हि कपयस्स्निग्धा मां रक्षन्ति समन्ततः। सह गच्छन्ति गन्तव्ये नित्यं तिष्ठन्ति च स्थिते4.8.37।।

ete hi kapayassnigdhā māṃ rakṣanti samantataḥ| saha gacchanti gantavye nityaṃ tiṣṭhanti ca sthite4.8.37||

'These monkeys out of love for me keep me protected from all sides. They go out with me when it is necessary and stay back whenever I stop (in order to guard me).

सङ्क्षेपस्त्वेष मे राम किमुक्त्वा विस्तरं हि ते। स मे ज्येष्ठो रिपुर्भ्राता वाली विश्रुतपौरुषः4.8.38।।

saṅkṣepastveṣa me rāma kimuktvā vistaraṃ hi te| sa me jyeṣṭho ripurbhrātā vālī viśrutapauruṣaḥ4.8.38||

'O Rama I tell you (my story) briefly. It is not necessary to go into details. My elder brother Vali, who is known for his prowess, is my enemy.

तद्विनाशाद्धि मे दुःखं प्रणष्टं स्यादनन्तरम्। सुखं मे जीवितं चैव तद्विनाशनिबन्धनम्4.8.39।।

tadvināśāddhi me duḥkhaṃ praṇaṣṭaṃ syādanantaram| sukhaṃ me jīvitaṃ caiva tadvināśanibandhanam4.8.39||

'My sorrow will go only with his death. My happiness and my life are also subject to his destruction.

एष मे राम शोकान्तश्शोकार्तेन निवेदितः। दुःखितस्सुखितो वापि सख्युर्नित्यं सखा गतिः4.8.40।।

eṣa me rāma śokāntaśśokārtena niveditaḥ| duḥkhitassukhito vāpi sakhyurnityaṃ sakhā gatiḥ4.8.40||

'This what I had to tell you out of sorrow. This is how my sorrow will end. In joy and in sorrow your friend is your refuge.

श्रुत्वैतद्वचनं रामस्सुग्रीवमिदमब्रवीत्। किं निमित्तमभूद्वैरं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः4.8.41।।

śrutvaitadvacanaṃ rāmassugrīvamidamabravīt| kiṃ nimittamabhūdvairaṃ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ4.8.41||

After hearing Sugriva, Rama said 'I wish to know the actual cause of this enmity.

सुखं हि कारणं श्रुत्वा वैरस्य तव वानर। अनन्तरं विधास्यामि सम्प्रधार्य बलाबलम्4.8.42।।

sukhaṃ hi kāraṇaṃ śrutvā vairasya tava vānara| anantaraṃ vidhāsyāmi sampradhārya balābalam4.8.42||

'On hearing the cause of your enmity and considering your strength and weakness, I will take steps to make you happy.

बलवान् हि ममामर्षश्श्रुत्वा त्वामवमानितम्। वर्तते हृदयोत्कम्पी प्रावृड्वेग इवाम्भसः4.8.43।।

balavān hi mamāmarṣaśśrutvā tvāmavamānitam| vartate hṛdayotkampī prāvṛḍvega ivāmbhasaḥ4.8.43||

'On hearing about your humiliation I feel highly agitated at heart. I feel very much angry and restless like the water in rainy season.

हृष्टः कथय विस्रब्धो यावदारोप्यते धनुः। सृष्टश्च हि मया बाणो निरस्तश्च रिपुस्तव4.8.44।।

hṛṣṭaḥ kathaya visrabdho yāvadāropyate dhanuḥ| sṛṣṭaśca hi mayā bāṇo nirastaśca ripustava4.8.44||

'Tell me freely and cheerfully before I string the bow. Your enemy will be destroyed as soon as I release my arrow.'

एवमुक्तस्तु सुग्रीवः काकुत्स्थेन महात्मना। प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे चतुर्भिस्सह वानरैः4.8.45।।

evamuktastu sugrīvaḥ kākutsthena mahātmanā| praharṣamatulaṃ lebhe caturbhissaha vānaraiḥ4.8.45||

When the great Rama said this, Sugriva with all the four monkeys felt immeasurably glad.

ततः प्रहृष्टवदनस्सुग्रीवो लक्ष्मणाग्रजे। वैरस्य कारणं तत्त्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे4.8.46।।

tataḥ prahṛṣṭavadanassugrīvo lakṣmaṇāgraje| vairasya kāraṇaṃ tattvamākhyātumupacakrame4.8.46||

With a smile on his face, Sugriva started narrating to Lakshmana's elder brother the facts about the cause of his enmity (with Vali). इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये किष्किन्धाकाण्डे अष्टमस्सर्गः Thus ends the eighth sarga of Kishkindakanda of the Holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.