महाभारतम् — ३.२६६

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ।

राघवस्तु ससौमित्रिः सुग्रीवेणाभिपालितः ।
वसन्माल्यवतः पृष्ठे ददर्श विमलं नभः ॥

M N Dutt Markandeya said: (On the other hand) while the descendant of Raghu together with Lakshmana, properly served by Sugriva, was dwelling on the plateau of the Malyavana mountain, he cast his eyes (one night) on the azure firmament.

३.२६६.२

स दृष्ट्वा विमले व्योम्नि निर्मलं शशलक्षणम् ।
ग्रहनक्षत्रताराभिरनुयातममित्रहा ॥

M N Dutt From that mountain beholding on the clear cloudless heavens, the resplendent moon surrounded by planets, stars and constellations and (fanned) by a cool breeze laden with the fragrance of lilies, lotuses and other flowers of the same kind, that destroyer of foes was suddenly awakened (to a recollection of Sita).

३.२६६.३

कुमुदोत्पलपद्मानां गन्धमादाय वायुना ।
महीधरस्थः शीतेन सहसा प्रतिबोधितः ॥

M N Dutt From that mountain beholding on the clear cloudless heavens, the resplendent moon surrounded by planets, stars and constellations and (fanned) by a cool breeze laden with the fragrance of lilies, lotuses and other flowers of the same kind, that destroyer of foes was suddenly awakened (to a recollection of Sita).

३.२६६.४

प्रभाते लक्ष्मणं वीरमभ्यभाषत दुर्मनाः ।
सीतां संस्मृत्य धर्मात्मा रुद्धां राक्षसवेश्मनि ॥

M N Dutt Afflicted at the thoughts of Sita confined in the abode of the Rakshasha (Ravana), the virtuous (Rama) thus addressed the war-like Lakshmana in the (next) morning.

३.२६६.५

गच्छ लक्ष्मण जानीहि किष्किन्धायां कपीश्वरम् ।
प्रमत्तं ग्राम्यधर्मेषु कृतघ्नं स्वार्थपण्डितम् ॥

M N Dutt "O Lakshmana, do you repair to Kishkindha and there seek out the ungrateful, self-seeking and licentious lord of the monkeys.

३.२६६.६

योऽसौ कुलाधमो मूढो मया राज्येऽभिषेचितः ।
सर्ववानरगोपुच्छा यमृक्षाश्च भजन्ति वै ॥

M N Dutt That stupid wretch of his race whom I have installed on the throne (of Kishkindha) and to whom all the monkeys, apes and bears pay their homage,

३.२६६.७

यदर्थं निहतो वाली मया रघुकुलोद्वह ।
त्वया सह महाबाहो किष्किन्धोपवने तदा ॥

M N Dutt And for whose sake, O mighty-armed perpetuator of Raghu's race, I have, with your assistance slain Bali in the pleasure-gardens of Kishkindha.

३.२६६.८

कृतघ्नं तमहं मन्ये वानरापसदं भुवि ।
यो मामेवंगतो मूढो न जानीतेऽद्य लक्ष्मण ॥

M N Dutt I deem that worst of monkeys to be highly ungrateful on earth, because, O Lakshmana, that wretch has now forgotten me reduced to such a plight!

३.२६६.९

असौ मन्ये न जानीते समयप्रतिपादनम् ।
कृतोपकारं मां नूनमवमन्याल्पया धिया ॥

M N Dutt I consider that, through scantiness of intellect, he does not care to fulfill his promise, disregarding me who have done him (such) a good turn.

३.२६६.१०

यदि तावदनुद्युक्तः शेते कामसुखात्मकः ।
नेतव्यो वालिमार्गेण सर्वभूतगतिं त्वया ॥

M N Dutt If he indulges in sensual pleasures without making any exertions (for the discovery of Sita), you are to send him to the path of Bali, the common goal of all creatures.

३.२६६.११

अथापि घटतेऽस्माकमर्थे वानरपुंगवः ।
तमादायैहि काकुत्स्थ त्वरावान्भव मा चिरम् ॥

M N Dutt But if that foremost of monkeys be devoted to our cause, then O descendant of Kakustha, bring him hither. Go soon and make no delay.”

३.२६६.१२

इत्युक्तो लक्ष्मणो भ्रात्रा गुरुवाक्यहिते रतः ।
प्रतस्थे रुचिरं गृह्य समार्गणगुणं धनुः ।
किष्किन्धाद्वारमासाद्य प्रविवेशानिवारितः ॥

M N Dutt Lakshmana (ever) obedient to the behests and devoted to the welfare of his superiors, thus addressed by his brother, took his beautiful bow together with string and arrows and (soon) set out (for Kishkindha).

३.२६६.१३

सक्रोध इति तं मत्वा राजा प्रत्युद्ययौ हरिः ।
तं सदारो विनीतात्मा सुग्रीवः प्लवगाधिपः ।
पूजया प्रतिजग्राह प्रीयमाणस्तदर्हया ॥

M N Dutt And with a humble mind, the monkey-king accompanied by his consort, welcomed him joyously and respectfully. (Then) the dauntless son of Sumitra made him acquainted with the words told by Rama.

३.२६६.१४

तमब्रवीद्रामवचः सौमित्रिरकुतोभयः ।
स तत्सर्वमशेषेण श्रुत्वा प्रह्वः कृताञ्जलिः ॥

३.२६६.१५

सभृत्यदारो राजेन्द्र सुग्रीवो वानराधिपः ।
इदमाह वचः प्रीतो लक्ष्मणं नरकुञ्जरम् ॥

M N Dutt O king of kings, hearing all this in detail, Sugriva, the lord of the monkeys together with his consort and attendants joined his palms with humility and joyfully told Lakshmana, the most valiant of men, these words.

३.२६६.१६

नास्मि लक्ष्मण दुर्मेधा न कृतघ्नो न निर्घृणः ।
श्रूयतां यः प्रयत्नो मे सीतापर्येषणे कृतः ॥

M N Dutt "O Lakshmana, I am neither evil-minded nor ungrateful nor cruel. Listen, what pains I have taken in the direction of the discovery of Sita.

३.२६६.१७

दिशः प्रस्थापिताः सर्वे विनीता हरयो मया ।
सर्वेषां च कृतः कालो मासेनागमनं पुनः ॥

M N Dutt I have sent (many) intelligent monkeys in all the directions and have appointed a month for the return of them all.

३.२६६.१८

यैरियं सवना साद्रिः सपुरा सागराम्बरा ।
विचेतव्या मही वीर सग्रामनगराकरा ॥

M N Dutt O mighty hero, the entire earth with its forests, mountains, cities, seas, villages, towns and mines will be ransacked by them.

३.२६६.१९

स मासः पञ्चरात्रेण पूर्णो भवितुमर्हति ।
ततः श्रोष्यसि रामेण सहितः सुमहत्प्रियम् ॥

M N Dutt That month will be complete in another five nights. And then you will, together with Rama, hear that great and joyful news about the discovery of Sita)."

३.२६६.२०

इत्युक्तो लक्ष्मणस्तेन वानरेन्द्रेण धीमता ।
त्यक्त्वा रोषमदीनात्मा सुग्रीवं प्रत्यपूजयत् ॥

M N Dutt Thus addressed by the intelligent monkeyking, the magnanimous Lakshmana, giving up his anger, adored Sugriva.

३.२६६.२१

स रामं सहसुग्रीवो माल्यवत्पृष्ठमास्थितम् ।
अभिगम्योदयं तस्य कार्यस्य प्रत्यवेदयत् ॥

M N Dutt Accompanied by Sugriva he then returned to Rama who was dwelling on the plateau of the mountain Malyavana and approaching him related the success of his mission,

३.२६६.२२

इत्येवं वानरेन्द्रास्ते समाजग्मुः सहस्रशः ।
दिशस्तिस्रो विचित्याथ न तु ये दक्षिणां गताः ॥

M N Dutt Thousands of monkeys 3oon began to return after searching, the three quarters, excepting those who were sent towards the south.

३.२६६.२३

आचख्युस्ते तु रामाय महीं सागरमेखलाम् ।
विचितां न तु वैदेह्या दर्शनं रावणस्य वा ॥

M N Dutt And they told Rama “Although we have searched the (entire) sea-girt earth, we have not found either the princess of Videha or Ravana.

३.२६६.२४

गतास्तु दक्षिणामाशां ये वै वानरपुंगवाः ।
आशावांस्तेषु काकुत्स्थः प्राणानार्तोऽप्यधारयत् ॥

M N Dutt And though sorely grieved (at this unpleasant news) the descendant of Kakustha dragged his existence hopeful of the success of those great monkeys who were despatched towards the south.

३.२६६.२५

द्विमासोपरमे काले व्यतीते प्लवगास्ततः ।
सुग्रीवमभिगम्येदं त्वरिता वाक्यमब्रुवन् ॥

M N Dutt When two months had passed away, (some) monkeys hastily approaching Sugriva told him these words.

३.२६६.२६

रक्षितं वालिना यत्तत्स्फीतं मधुवनं महत् ।
त्वया च प्लवगश्रेष्ठ तद्भुङ्क्ते पवनात्मजः ॥

M N Dutt "O chief of the monkeys, the great and extensive orchard, Madhuvana which was (so) carefully preserved by Bali and is well-guarded by you also, is being pillaged by the son of Pavana,

३.२६६.२७

वालिपुत्रोऽङ्गदश्चैव ये चान्ये प्लवगर्षभाः ।
विचेतुं दक्षिणामाशां राजन्प्रस्थापितास्त्वया ॥

M N Dutt Angada, the son of Bali and other foremost of monkeys who, O monarch, were despatched by you to search the southern direction."

३.२६६.२८

तेषां तं प्रणयं श्रुत्वा मेने स कृतकृत्यताम् ।
कृतार्थानां हि भृत्यानामेतद्भवति चेष्टितम् ॥

M N Dutt Hearing of this act of indulgence on their part, he (Sugriva) thought they successful, for such behaviour could be possible for those servants whose efforts were crowned with success.

३.२६६.२९

स तद्रामाय मेधावी शशंस प्लवगर्षभः ।
रामश्चाप्यनुमानेन मेने दृष्टां तु मैथिलीम् ॥

M N Dutt Then that intellectual and foremost of monkeys informed Rama of this. And Rama too inferred (from the statement of Sugriva) that Sita must have been seen (by the monkeys).

३.२६६.३०

हनूमत्प्रमुखाश्चापि विश्रान्तास्ते प्लवंगमाः ।
अभिजग्मुर्हरीन्द्रं तं रामलक्ष्मणसंनिधौ ॥

M N Dutt (Meanwhile) those monkeys with Hanuman at their head, having rested themselves, were approached the monkey-king who was with Rama and Lakshmana.

३.२६६.३१

गतिं च मुखवर्णं च दृष्ट्वा रामो हनूमतः ।
अगमत्प्रत्ययं भूयो दृष्टा सीतेति भारत ॥

M N Dutt O Bharata, observing the gestures of Hanuman and the colour of his face, Rama became thoroughly convinced of the discovery of Sita.

३.२६६.३२

हनूमत्प्रमुखास्ते तु वानराः पूर्णमानसाः ।
प्रणेमुर्विधिवद्रामं सुग्रीवं लक्ष्मणं तथा ॥

M N Dutt The monkeys, headed by Hanuman and successful in their mission, duly bowed down to Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva.

३.२६६.३३

तानुवाचागतान्रामः प्रगृह्य सशरं धनुः ।
अपि मां जीवयिष्यध्वमपि वः कृतकृत्यता ॥

M N Dutt (Then) Rama, holding (in his hand) his bow together with arrows, addressed those assembled (monkeys) thus, “Will you make me bear life? Have you been successful?

३.२६६.३४

अपि राज्यमयोध्यायां कारयिष्याम्यहं पुनः ।
निहत्य समरे शत्रूनाहृत्य जनकात्मजाम् ॥

M N Dutt Having killed my enemy in battle and delivered the daughter of Janaka, will you enable me to reign at Ayodhya?

३.२६६.३५

अमोक्षयित्वा वैदेहीमहत्वा च रिपून्रणे ।
हृतदारोऽवधूतश्च नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे ॥

M N Dutt Deprived of my wife and honour, I do not wish to live so long as the princess of Videha is not rescued and my enemies are not slain."

३.२६६.३६

इत्युक्तवचनं रामं प्रत्युवाचानिलात्मजः ।
प्रियमाख्यामि ते राम दृष्टा सा जानकी मया ॥

M N Dutt Rama having said this, Hanuman the son of the wind-god thus replied to him. “O Rama, I am giving you good news. The daughter of Janaka has been seen by me.

३.२६६.३७

विचित्य दक्षिणामाशां सपर्वतवनाकराम् ।
श्रान्ताः काले व्यतीते स्म दृष्टवन्तो महागुहाम् ॥

M N Dutt Searching the southern direction with all its mountains, forests and mines, we got fatigued and then after the expiration of the appointed time we saw a great cave.

३.२६६.३८

प्रविशामो वयं तां तु बहुयोजनमायताम् ।
अन्धकारां सुविपिनां गहनां कीटसेविताम् ॥

M N Dutt We then entered it (the cave) extending over many a yojana, dark, woody, deep and infested by insects.

३.२६६.३९

गत्वा सुमहदध्वानमादित्यस्य प्रभां ततः ।
दृष्टवन्तः स्म तत्रैव भवनं दिव्यमन्तरा ॥

M N Dutt Having traversed a great way through it, we saw the splendour of the sun and a beautiful palace within it.

३.२६६.४०

मयस्य किल दैत्यस्य तदासीद्वेश्म राघव ।
तत्र प्रभावती नाम तपोऽतप्यत तापसी ॥

M N Dutt O scion of Raghu's race, that palace belonged to the Daitya Maya. There a female ascetic Prabhavati by name, was engaged in austerities.

३.२६६.४१

तया दत्तानि भोज्यानि पानानि विविधानि च ।
भुक्त्वा लब्धबलाः सन्तस्तयोक्तेन पथा ततः ॥

M N Dutt She gave us many sorts of eatables and drinkable. Regaining our strength after partaking of food, we proceeded along the route indicated by her.

३.२६६.४२

निर्याय तस्मादुद्देशात्पश्यामो लवणाम्भसः ।
समीपे सह्यमलयौ दर्दुरं च महागिरिम् ॥

M N Dutt And issuing out of the cave (we) beheld near the briny ocean the Sahya, the Malaya and the mighty Dardura mountains.

३.२६६.४३

ततो मलयमारुह्य पश्यन्तो वरुणालयम् ।
विषण्णा व्यथिताः खिन्ना निराशा जीविते भृशम् ॥

M N Dutt Then ascending the Malaya mountain (when) we beheld the abode of Varuna (i.e. the ocean-god), we became sorely grieved, afflicted and dejected and gave up all hopes of life.

३.२६६.४४

अनेकशतविस्तीर्णं योजनानां महोदधिम् ।
तिमिनक्रझषावासं चिन्तयन्तः सुदुःखिताः ॥

M N Dutt Considering that this mighty ocean was many hundred yojanas in width and the abode of whales, alligators and fishes, we became sorely grieved.

३.२६६.४५

तत्रानशनसंकल्पं कृत्वासीना वयं तदा ।
ततः कथान्ते गृध्रस्य जटायोरभवत्कथा ॥

M N Dutt Then we sat down resolving to die of starvation. Then in the course of our conversation, we happened to talk of the vulture Jatayu.

३.२६६.४६

ततः पर्वतशृङ्गाभं घोररूपं भयावहम् ।
पक्षिणं दृष्टवन्तः स्म वैनतेयमिवापरम् ॥

M N Dutt Then we beheld an awe-inspiring and a terrible-looking bird huge as mountain-peak and looking like another son of Vinata (Garuda).

३.२६६.४७

सोऽस्मानतर्कयद्भोक्तुमथाभ्येत्य वचोऽब्रवीत् ।
भोः क एष मम भ्रातुर्जटायोः कुरुते कथाम् ॥

M N Dutt And desirous of devouring us, he approached us and spoke these words “who is it that is speaking of my brother Jatayu?

३.२६६.४८

संपातिर्नाम तस्याहं ज्येष्ठो भ्राता खगाधिपः ।
अन्योन्यस्पर्धयारूढावावामादित्यसंसदम् ॥

M N Dutt I am his elder brother Sampati by name and the lord of birds. Once desirous of competing with each other we soared toward the sun.

३.२६६.४९

ततो दग्धाविमौ पक्षौ न दग्धौ तु जटायुषः ।
तदा मे चिरदृष्टः स भ्राता गृध्रपतिः प्रियः ।
निर्दग्धपक्षः पतितो ह्यहमस्मिन्महागिरौ ॥

M N Dutt In consequence of which my wings were burnt but those of Jatayu were not. That was the last time when I saw my dear brother, the king of the vultures. My wings being burnt I fell down and have been since lying on this mighty mountain."

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