तीरजैः शोभिता भाति नानारूपैस्ततस्ततः। वसनाभरणोपेता प्रमदेवाभ्यलंकृता
Brightly decorated with various forms of riverside trees, clothed and adorned like a woman with ornaments.
शतशः पक्षिसङ्घैश्च नानानादविनादिता। एकैकमनुरक्तैश्च चक्रवाकैरलंकृता
Resounding with hundreds of flocks of birds, each group devoted, and adorned with chakravāka birds.
पुलिनैरतिरम्यैश्च हंससारससेविता। प्रहसन्त्येव भात्येषा नानारत्नसमन्विता
With delightful sandbanks frequented by swans and cranes, it shines, laughing, endowed with many gems.
क्वचिन्नीलोत्पलैश्छन्ना भातिरक्तोत्पलैः क्वचित्। क्वचिदाभाति शुक्लैश्च दिव्यैः कुमुदकुड्मलैः
In some places covered with blue lotuses, in others shining with red lotuses, and elsewhere with white divine kumuda buds.
पारिप्लवशतैर्जुष्टा बर्हिक्रौञ्चविनादिता। रमणीया नदी सौम्य मुनिसङ्घनिषेविता
Filled with hundreds of floating birds, resounding with peacocks and cranes, this charming river, O gentle one, is frequented by groups of sages.
पश्य चन्दनवृक्षाणां पङ्क्तिः सुरुचिरा इव। ककुभानां च दृश्यन्ते मनसैवोदिताः समम्
See the row of sandalwood trees, splendid as if arranged, and the peaks appear together, as if risen by the mind.
अहो सुरमणीयोऽयं देशः शत्रुनिषूदन। दृढं रंस्याव सौमित्रे साध्वत्र निवसावहे
Ah, how delightful is this place, O destroyer of enemies! Surely, Saumitri, we shall enjoy and dwell here well.
इतश्च नातिदूरे सा किष्किन्धा चित्रकानना। सुग्रीवस्य पुरी रम्या भविष्यति नृपात्मज
Not far from here is Kiṣkindhā, the wondrous forest; the charming city of Sugrīva will soon be yours, prince.
लब्ध्वा भार्यां कपिवरः प्राप्य राज्यं सुहृद्वृतः। ध्रुवं नन्दति सुग्रीवः सम्प्राप्य महतीं श्रियम्
Having regained his wife, the foremost of monkeys, attaining the kingdom and surrounded by friends, Sugrīva surely rejoices, having obtained great fortune.
इत्युक्त्वा न्यवसत् तत्र राघवः सहलक्ष्मणः। बहुदृश्यदरीकुञ्जे तस्मिन् प्रस्रवणे गिरौ
Having spoken thus, Rāghava, together with Lakṣmaṇa, stayed there, in that mountain with many caves and springs.
सुसुखे हि बहुद्रव्ये तस्मिन् हि धरणीधरे। वसतस्तस्य रामस्य रतिरल्पापि नाभवत्
Though the mountain was pleasant and rich in resources, even while living there, Rāma found little joy.
हृतां हि भार्यां स्मरतः प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसीम्। उदयाभ्युदितं दृष्ट्वा शशाङ्कं च विशेषतः
For, remembering his wife, who was dearer than life, especially when he saw the rising moon.
आविवेश न तं निद्रा निशासु शयनं गतम्। तत्समुत्थेन शोकेन बाष्पोपहतचेतनम्
Sleep did not come to him at night when he lay down, his mind overwhelmed by grief and tears.
तं शोचमानं काकुत्स्थं नित्यं शोकपरायणम्। तुल्यदुःखोऽब्रवीद्भ्राता लक्ष्मणोऽनुनयं वचः
Lakṣmaṇa, sharing the same sorrow, spoke conciliatory words to the grieving Kākutstha, who was always immersed in distress.
अलं वीर व्यथां गत्वा न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि। शोचतो ह्यवसीदन्ति सर्वार्था विदितं हि ते
Enough, hero, with your anguish; you should not grieve. For all endeavors fail when one grieves, as you well know.
भवान् क्रियापरो लोके भवान् देवपरायणः। आस्तिको धर्मशीलश्च व्यवसायी च राघव
You are devoted to action in this world, you are dedicated to the gods, you are faithful, righteous, and resolute, O Rāghava.
न ह्यव्यवसितः शत्रुं राक्षसं तं विशेषतः। समर्थस्त्वं रणे हन्तुं विक्रमे जिह्मकारिणम्
Indeed, without resolve, one cannot defeat an enemy, especially that Rākṣasa. You are capable of slaying the deceitful one in battle with your valor.
समुन्मूलय शोकं त्वं व्यवसायं स्थिरीकुरु। ततः सपरिवारं तं राक्षसं हन्तुमर्हसि
Uproot your sorrow and strengthen your resolve; then you will be able to destroy that Rākṣasa along with his kin.
पृथिवीमपि काकुत्स्थ ससागरवनाचलाम्। परिवर्तयितुं शक्तः किं पुनस्तं हि रावणम्
O Kākutstha, you are able to overturn even the earth with its oceans, forests, and mountains—what then of that Rāvaṇa?
शरत्कालं प्रतीक्षस्व प्रावृट्कालोऽयमागतः। ततः सराष्ट्रं सगणं रावणं तं वधिष्यसि
Wait for the autumn season; the rainy season has now arrived. Then you will slay Rāvaṇa, along with his realm and followers.
अहं तु खलु ते वीर्यं प्रसुप्तं प्रतिबोधये। दीप्तैराहुतिभिः काले भस्मच्छन्नमिवानलम्
I will awaken your dormant strength, like kindling a fire covered in ashes with bright offerings at the proper time.
लक्ष्मणस्य हि तद् वाक्यं प्रतिपूज्य हितं शुभम्। राघवः सुहृदं स्निग्धमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Honoring Lakṣmaṇa's beneficial and auspicious words, Rāghava spoke these affectionate words to his dear friend.
वाच्यं यदनुरक्तेन स्निग्धेन च हितेन च। सत्यविक्रमयुक्तेन तदुक्तं लक्ष्मण त्वया
What should be spoken by one who is devoted, affectionate, and well-wishing, endowed with truth and valor, has indeed been spoken by you, Lakṣmaṇa.
एष शोकः परित्यक्तः सर्वकार्यावसादकः। विक्रमेष्वप्रतिहतं तेजः प्रोत्साहयाम्यहम्
This sorrow, which undermines all endeavors, is now abandoned; I encourage your undiminished energy in valorous deeds.
शरत्कालं प्रतीक्षिष्ये स्थितोऽस्मि वचने तव। सुग्रीवस्य नदीनां च प्रसादमनुपालयन्
I will wait for the autumn season, as you have advised, and I will seek the favor of Sugrīva and the rivers.
उपकारेण वीरस्तु प्रतिकारेण युज्यते। अकृतज्ञोऽप्रतिकृतो हन्ति सत्त्ववतां मनः
A hero is bound by repayment for help; ingratitude and failure to reciprocate destroy the minds of the noble.
तदेव युक्तं प्रणिधाय लक्ष्मणः कृताञ्जलिस्तत् प्रतिपूज्य भाषितम्। उवाच रामं स्वभिरामदर्शनं प्रदर्शयन् दर्शनमात्मनः शुभम्
Lakṣmaṇa, reflecting on this, with joined palms, honored those words and spoke to Rāma, revealing his own auspicious intent.
यथोक्तमेतत् तव सर्वमीप्सितं नरेन्द्र कर्ता नचिरात् तु वानरः। शरत्प्रतीक्षः क्षमतामिमं भवान् जलप्रपातं रिपुनिग्रहे धृतः
All that you desire will soon be accomplished, O king; the monkey will act as you have said. Await the autumn, endure this rainfall, and be steadfast in subduing the enemy.
नियम्य कोपं परिपाल्यतां शरत् क्षमस्व मासांश्चतुरो मया सह। वसाचलेऽस्मिन् मृगराजसेविते संवर्तयन् शत्रुवधे समर्थः
Restrain your anger, preserve the autumn, endure four months with me; dwell on this mountain, frequented by lions, preparing for the destruction of the enemy.
thumb|अष्टाविंशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे किष्किन्धाकाण्डे अष्टाविंशः सर्गः ॥४-
Listen now to the twenty-eighth chapter. In the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa, the twenty-eighth chapter.