किष्किन्धा-काण्ड > प्रस्त्रवणगिरी पर्वत पर श्री राम और लक्ष्मण कि वार्ता




After Sugreeva's enthronement, Rama and Lakshmana arrive at a mountain called Prasavana for their stay during rainy season. This mountain contains rich flora and fauna as extolled by Rama. On seeing the beauty of nature Rama's thoughts wander over Seetha and he sinks down in his anguish. But Lakshmana comes to rescue imbuing hopeful thoughts in retrieving her with the help of Sugreeva.
The readers familiar with critical edition may find only twenty-three verses in that edition, whereas this traditional version contains forty-eight of them. Twenty-five verses that account the names of trees, river-flows, beauty of nature etc., extolling nature are here as an ingredient of epical literature that aim to remind us about the need for a good environment, rather than to worry about global warming, ozone depletion, deforestation etc.

अभिषिक्ते तु सुग्रीवे प्रविष्टे वानरे गुहाम् |
आजगाम सह भ्रात्रा रामः प्रस्रवणम् गिरिम् || ४-२७-१
Rama along with his brother Lakshmana reached Mt. Prasavana while the enthroned Sugreeva entered the cave-city Kishkindha. [4-27-1]
शार्दूल मृग संघुष्टम् सिंहैः भीम रवैः वृतम् |
नाना गुल्म लता गूढम् बहु पादप संकुलम् || ४-२७-२
ऋक्ष वानर गोपुच्छैः मार्जारैः च निषेवितम् |
मेघ राशि निभम् शैलम् नित्यम् शुचिकरम् शिवम् || ४-२७-३
Mt. Prasavana is pervaded with noisily growling tigers and beasts, mightily roaring lions, compacted with diverse shrubs and creeper-plants, overspread with many a kind of tree, thus it is adored by bears, monkeys, baboons, and even by wildcats, and that mountain which is always sanctifying and tranquil is like a heap of clouds in its shine. [4-27-2, 3]
तस्य शैलस्य शिखरे महतीम् आयताम् गुहाम् |
प्रत्यगृह्णीत वासार्थम् रामः सौमित्रिणा सह || ४-२७-४
Rama along with Lakshmana has taken up an ample spaced cave as residence on the cliff of that mountain. [4-27-4]
कृत्वा च समयम् रामः सुग्रीवेण सह अनघ |
काल युक्तम् महद् वाक्यम् उवाच रघुनन्दन || ४-२७-५
विनीतम् भ्रातरम् भ्राता लक्ष्मणम् लक्ष्मि वर्धनम् |
Rama, the faultless one and the elder brother of Lakshmana, who is the delight of Raghu's dynasty, and who made an accord with Sugreeva regarding cessation of activity during rainy season, spoke these significant and timely words to his humble brother Lakshmana who is the enhancer of prosperity. [4-27-5, 6a]
इयम् गिरि गुहा रम्या विशाला युक्त मारुता || ४-२७-६
अस्याम् वस्त्याम सौमित्रे वर्ष रात्रम् अरिंदम |
"This delightful mountain cave is spacious and breezy, hence, oh, enemy destroyer Soumitri, let us stay in this during rainy nights. [4-27-6]
गिरि शृंगम् इदम् रम्यम् उत्तमम् पार्थिवात्मज || ४-२७-७
श्वेताभिः कृष्ण ताम्राभिः शिलाभिः उपशोभितम् |
नाना धातु समाकीर्णम् नदी दर्दुर संयुतम् || ४-२७-८
विविधैः वृक्ष षण्डैः च चारु चित्र लता युतम् |
नाना विहग संघुष्टम् मयूर वर नादितम् || ४-२७-९
मालती कुंद गुल्मैः च सिंदुवारैः शिरीषकैः |
कदंब अर्जुन सर्जैः च पुष्पितैः उपशोभितम् || ४-२७-१०
"This admirable peak of mountain is embellished with white, black and coppery rock faces, oh, prince, thus this is fully overspread with diverse ores. Bristling with rivers and frogs, and brimmed with clumps of various trees along with beautiful and amazing creeper-plants it is elaborated. It is highly reverberated with diverse birds and filled with the screeches of best peacocks. And bloomed Maalati and Jasmine bushes, also trees like Sindhuvara, Shirrishika, further the trees like Kadamba, Arjuna, and Sarja in bloom, are brightening it and it is delightful. [4-27-7b, 8, 9, 10]
इयम् च नलिनि रम्या फुल्ल पंकज मण्डितैः |
न अति दूरे गुहाया नौ भविष्यति नृपात्मज || ४-२७-११
"This pleasant lake of lotuses enwreathed with its blossomy lotuses, oh, prince, is available not far away from our cave. [4-27-11]
प्राग् उदक् प्रवणे देशे गुहा साधु भविष्यति |
पश्चात् च एव उन्नता सौम्य निवाते अयम् भविष्यति || ४-२७-१२
"This cave with its north-easterly slope will be homely for us since the inrush of rainwater will be less, oh, gentle one, also thus with its upraised westerly portion this cave will be less of gusts that come from east. [4-27-12]
गुहा द्वारे च सौमित्रे शिला सम तला शिवा |
कृष्णा च एव आयता चैव भिन्न अंजन चय उपममा || ४-२७-१३
"The black stone available at the doorway of the cave that looks like a spattered mound of mascara is broad, even-surfaced, and will be pleasant for a repose. [4-27-13]
गिरि शृंगम् इदम् तात पश्य च उत्तरतः सुभम् |
भिन्न अंजन चय आकारम् अंभोधरम् इव उदितम् || ४-२७-१४
"See this mountain peak that looks like a scattered mound of mascara, dear boy, which rose up like a black-cloud on the sky, and it is an auspicious one for it is in northern side. [4-27-14]
दक्षिणस्याम् अपि दिश स्थितम् श्वेतम् इव अंबरम् |
कैलास शिखर प्रख्यम् नाना धातु विराजितम् || ४-२७-१५
"Even see this mountain available in the southerly direction as if a white cloth is spread on sky, which is vying with Mt. Kailash and abounding with many an ore. [4-27-15]
प्राचीन वाहिनीम् चैव नदीम् भृशम् अकर्दमम् |
गुहायाः परतः पश्य त्रिकूटे जह्नवीम् इव || ४-२७-१६
चन्दनैः तिलकैः सालैः तमालैः अतिमुक्तकैः |
पद्मकैः सरलैः चैव अशोकैः चैव शोभितम् || ४-२७-१७
"Also see this river unusually sludge-less, flowing from the wide of the cave and streaming eastward, spruced up with trees like Sandalwood, Tilaka, Saala, Tamaala, Atimukta, Padmaka, Sarala, and even with Ashoka trees, and it looks as if River Ganga is flowing in Trikuta. [4-27-16, 17]
वानीरैः तिमिदैः चैव वकुलैः केतकैः अपि |
हिन्तालैः तिनिशैः नीपैः वेतसैः कृतमालकैः || ४-२७-१८
तीरजैः शोभिता भाति नाना रूपैः ततः ततः |
वसन आभरण उपेत प्रमद एव अभ्यलंकृता || ४-२७-१९
"With the trees born on the riverbank and available here and there in various shapes, like Vaaniira, Timida, Vakula, Ketaka, and with Hintaala, Tinisha, Niipa, Vetasa, Kritamaala trees, that river is brightened up, and thus that river appears as a dame finely bedecked with raiment and ornaments. [4-27-18, 19]
शतशः पक्षि सन्घैः च नाना नाद विनादिता |
एकैकम् अनुरक्तैः च चक्रवाकैः अलंकृता || ४-२७-२०
पुलिनैः अति रम्यैः च हंस सारस सेविता |
प्रहसंती इव भाति एषा नारी रत्न विभूषिता || ४-२७-२१
"This river is fairly resonated with the calls of diverse birds in hundreds of flights, beautified with ruddy gees that are doting one upon the other, and admired by the swans and cranes upon her highly appealing sand-isles, thus she appears to be a damsel decorated with jewels with a toothy grin. [4-27-20, 21]
क्वचित् नीलोत्पलैः च्छन्न भाति रक्तोत्पलैः क्वचित् |
क्वचित् भाति शुक्लैः च दिव्यैः कुमुद कुड्मलैः || ४-२७-२२
"Somewhere overspread with blue water-lilies, elsewhere with red water-lilies she is shining forth, and she is also shimmering with the beautiful buds of white water-lilies, somewhere else. [4-27-22]
पारिप्लव शतैः जुष्टा बर्हि क्रौन्च विनादिता |
रमणिया नदी सौम्य मुनि संघ निषेविता || ४-२७-२३
"With hundreds of waterfowls cherishing it, screeches of peacocks and cackles of curlews reverberating around, assemblages of sages bustling about, this gracious river is heart-pleasing. [4-27-23]
पश्य चंदन वृक्षाणाम् पंक्ती सुरुचिरा इव |
ककुभानम् च दृश्यन्ते मनसा इव उदिताः समम् || ४-२७-२४
"As if seeded by the wish of some divine creativity the rows of sandalwood trees that are virtually captivating have sprang forth uniformly, so also, the rows of Arjuna trees too appear in a similar pattern. [4-27-24]
अहो सुरमणीयो अयम् देशः शत्रु निषूदन |
दृढम् रंस्याव सौमित्रे साधु अत्र निवसावहे || ४-२७-२५
"Aha! Soumitri, very exhilarating is this locale and we can happily reside here, oh, enemy-eliminator, we can certainly take delight in this environ. [4-27-25]
इतः च न अति दूरे सा किष्किंधा चित्र कानना |
सुग्रीवस्य पुरी रम्या भविष्यति नृपात्मज || ४-२७-२६
"Further, oh, prince, hedged in charming groves that exquisite Kishkindha, the city of Sugreeva, will not be very far off from here. [4-27-26]
गीत वादित्र निर्घोषः श्रूयते जयताम् वर |
नदताम् वानराणाम् च मृदंग आडंबरैः सह || ४-२७-२७
"The melodies of singing and the tunes of musical instruments played and sung in Kishkindha are heard from here, oh, the best-triumphant Lakshmana, and even the blares of vanara-s together with their snobbish drumming is heard, hence it is not far away. [4-27-27]
लब्ध्वा भार्याम् कपिवरः प्राप्य राज्यम् सुहृत् वृतः |
ध्रुवम् नंदति सुग्रीवः संप्राप्य महतीम् श्रियम् || ४-२७-२८
"It is definite that the best monkey Sugreeva must be surrounded by his friends, thus he must be exuberant, as he won an utmost prosperity in winning back his wife and winning the kingdom." Rama thus spoke to Lakshmana. [4-27-28]
इति उक्त्वा न्यवसत् तत्र राघवः सह लक्ष्मणः |
बहु दृश्य दरी कुंजे तस्मिन् प्रस्रवणे गिरौ || ४-२७-२९
Raghava having said thus resided on that Mt. Prasavana along with Lakshmana, whereat many sightly caves and arbours are there. [4-27-29]
सुसुखे हि बहु द्रव्ये तस्मिन् हि धरणी धरे |
वसतः तस्य रामस्य रतिः अल्पा अपि न अभवत् || ४-२७-३०
Though that mountain is indeed very comfortable, though it possess many objects of nature like flowers, fruits and waters, indeed, there is no slightest bliss to Rama while he resided there. [4-27-30]
हृताम् हि भार्याम् स्मरतः प्राणेभ्यो अपि गरीयसीम् |
उदय अभ्युदितम् दृष्ट्वा शशांकम् च विशेषतः || ४-२७-३१
He felt despondent in reminiscing about his wife who is loftier that his lives, but who is kidnapped, especially on seeing the moon just risen on the eastern mountain. [4-27-31]
आविवेश न तम् निद्रा निशासु शयनम् गतम् |
तत् समुत्थेन शोकेन बाष्प उपहत चेतसम् || ४-२७-३२
That anguish which is surging high in him has rendered him with a bosom marred with tears, thereby sleep has no effect on him even if he has gone to bed in nights. [4-27-32]
तम् शोचमानम् काकुत्स्थम् नित्यम् शोक परायणम् |
तुल्य दुःखो अब्रवीद् भ्राता लक्ष्मणो अनुनयम् वचः || ४-२७-३३
While pacifying Rama who is pensive and who is always subjected to grief, his brother Lakshmana who is similarly sad for his brother's sadness spoke these words. [4-27-33]
अलम् वीर व्यथाम् गत्वा न त्वम् शोचितुम् अर्हसि |
शोचतो हि अवसीदन्ति सर्व अर्था विदितम् हि ते || ४-२७-३४
"Oh, brave one, enough is this anguishing of yours, and it will be inapt of you to dishearten. All objectives will backslide for them who will be ceaselessly anguishing. That you know clearly. [4-27-34]
भवान् क्रिया परो लोके भवान् देव परायणः |
आस्तिको धर्म शीलः च व्यवसायी च राघव || ४-२७-३५
"Oh, Raghava, in the world you are a result-oriented person, and a devotee of gods for achieving those desired results, you are the theist, moralist, and also the mobilizer.
ओर्
"You are the only master in all the worlds to undertake certain tasks, and for achieving results of those humanly actions of yours you worship god, leaving the fruits of your action in god... you will do your duty as ordained... you are a theist, for you alone are tat 'that' 'Supreme Person...' thus you cannot self-contradict yourself to behave only in a humanly attitude... and then you are bound to be a moralist for you have all the preceding attributes... you alone are the mobilizer, for none other can accomplish certain tasks for which you are mobilised by all the divinities and you have also come this far... [4-27-35]
न हि अव्यवसितः शत्रुम् राक्षसम् तम् विशेषतः |
समर्थः त्वम् रणे हन्तुम् विक्रमैः जिह्म कारिणम् || ४-२७-३६
"If you are much too lackadaisical, indeed, you will not be capable to eliminate the enemy in war, specially a demon, especially a trickster, let alone all of your daring enterprises. [4-27-36]
समुन्मूलय शोकम् त्वम् व्यवसायम् स्थिरी कुरु |
ततः सपरिवारम् तम् राक्षसम् हन्तुम् अर्हसि || ४-२७-३७
"On completely rooting out that agony then you stabilise your endeavour, and then you will be able to eliminate that demon Ravana along with his followers. [4-27-37]
पृथिवीम् अपि काकुत्स्थ ससागर वन अचलाम् |
परिवर्तयितुम् शक्तः किम् पुनः तम् हि रावणम् || ४-२७-३८
"Oh, Kakutstha, you are capable to inverse the order of earth along with all of its oceans, forests, and mountains, then what to speak of that Ravana, all the more. [4-27-38]
शरत् कालम् प्रतीक्षस्व प्रावृट् कालो अयम् आगतः |
ततः स राष्ट्रम् स गणाम् रावणम् तम् वधिष्यसि || ४-२७-३९
"Look forward to the autumnal season, as this season that has come is of heavy rains, and thereafter, you will eradicate that Ravana along with his city-state and his followers. [4-27-39]
अहम् तु खलु ते वीर्यम् प्रसुप्तम् प्रतिबोधये |
दीप्तैः आहुतिभिः काले भस्म चन्नम् इव अनलम् || ४-२७-४०
"I am just awakening the fast sleeping vitality of yours, no more than rekindling fire concealed under embers with the timely offerings of flammable fire-oblations." Thus said Lakshmana to Rama. [4-27-40]
लक्ष्मणस्य हि तद् वाक्यम् प्रतिपूज्य हितम् शुभम् |
राघवः सुहृदम् स्निग्धम् इदम् वचनम् अब्रवीत् || ४-२७-४१
Honouring that expedient and propitious advise of Lakshmana, Raghava spoke this sentence to that good-hearted and good-natured Lakshmana. [4-27-41]
वाच्यम् यद् अनुरक्तेन स्निग्धेन च हितेन च |
सत्य विक्रम युक्तेन तद् उक्तम् लक्ष्मण त्वया || ४-२७-४२
"What is to be said by an affectionate, amiable and cordial person, also whose courage is truth itself, that you have said it, Lakshmana. [4-27-42]
एष शोकः परित्यक्तः सर्व कार्य अवसादकः |
विक्रमेषु अप्रतिहतम् तेजः प्रोत्साहयामि अहम् || ४-२७-४३
"Yes! Distress is retrogressive to all the functions. I am casting-off this distress completely. As an undefeatable one in my triumphs I am invigorating my ebullience. [4-27-43]
शरत् कालम् प्रतीक्षिष्ये स्थितो अस्मि वचने तव |
सुग्रीवस्य नदीनाम् च प्रसादम् अनुपालयन् || ४-२७-४४
"Awaiting for the kind-heartedness of Sugreeva, and for the kindness of the rivers in their abatement, I look forward for the autumn remaining true to your words. [4-27-44]
उपकारेण विरः तु प्रतिकारेण युज्यते |
अकृतज्ञो अप्रतिकृतो हन्ति सत्ववताम् मनः || ४-२७-४५
"A valiant one who is succoured will be indebted with some requital on his part, but besides being unfaithful, if one who does not make requital for all the favours done in his interest, he will be wounding the hearts of soft-hearted people." Rama said so to Lakshmana, keeping Sugreeva in view. [4-27-45]
तत् एव युक्तम् प्रणिधाय लक्ष्मणः
कृत अंजलि तत् प्रतिपूजय भाषितम् |
उवाच रामम् स्वभिराम दर्शनम्
प्रदर्शयन् दर्शनम् आत्मनः शुभम् || ४-२७-४६
Visualising what Rama said about their waiting for pre-winter season to be candid, and praisefully making palm-fold at that determination of Rama, and even to clarify his own opportune viewpoint, Lakshmana spoke to Rama who by his own aspect is a delightful one for a ken. [4-27-46]
यथोक्तम् एतत् तव सर्वम् ईप्सितम्
नरेन्द्र कर्ता न चिरात् तु वानर |
शरत् प्रतीक्षः क्षमताम् इमम् भवान्
जल प्रपातम् रिपु निग्रहे धृतः || ४-२७-४७
"Oh, lord of people, Sugreeva will be effectuating everything you have desired and said, not later but soon, hence awaiting autumn you may please bear up these heavy rainfalls, besides bearing with the idea of disciplining the enemy. [4-27-47]
नियम्य कोपम् प्रतिपाल्यताम् शरत्
क्षमस्व मासाम् चतुरो मया सह |
वस अचले अस्मिन् मृग राज सेविते
संवर्तयन् शत्रु वधे समर्थः || ४-२७-४८
"Let autumn be awaited while containing your anger, and along with me you may stay on this mountain which is adored by lions, and spend these four rainy months here like a monsoon lion, although you are capable to eliminate the enemy at any moment like a lion. [4-27-48]
इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये किष्किन्ध काण्डे सप्त विंशः सर्गः