पाण्डुराभ्रप्रकाशानि गन्धमाल्ययुतानि च। प्रभूतधनधान्यानि स्त्रीरत्नैः शोभितानि च
They shone like pale clouds, were scented with garlands, abundant in wealth and grain, and adorned with women of exceptional beauty.
पाण्डुरेण तु शैलेन परिक्षिप्तं दुरासदम्। वानरेन्द्रगृहं रम्यं महेन्द्रसदनोपमम्
Encircled by a pale mountain, difficult to approach, was the splendid home of the monkey king, delightful and resembling the mansion of Mahendra.
शुक्लैः प्रासादशिखरैः कैलासशिखरोपमैः। सर्वकामफलैर्वृक्षैः पुष्पितैरुपशोभितम्
Adorned with white palace spires, like the peaks of Kailāsa, and beautified by blossoming trees that grant every desire.
महेन्द्रदत्तैः श्रीमद्भिर्नीलजीमूतसंनिभैः। दिव्यपुष्पफलैर्वृक्षैः शीतच्छायैर्मनोरमैः
With glorious trees given by Mahendra, dark as rainclouds, bearing divine flowers and fruits, offering cool shade and delight.
हरिभिः संवृतद्वारं बलिभिः शस्त्रपाणिभिः। दिव्यमाल्यावृतं शुभ्रं तप्तकाञ्चनतोरणम्
Its gates were guarded by monkeys, strong and armed with weapons, adorned with divine garlands, shining, with archways of refined gold.
सुग्रीवस्य गृहं रम्यं प्रविवेश महाबलः। अवार्यमाणः सौमित्रिर्महाभ्रमिव भास्करः
The mighty son of Sumitrā entered the splendid house of Sugrīva, unobstructed, like the sun entering a great cloud.
स सप्त कक्ष्या धर्मात्मा यानासनसमावृताः। ददर्श सुमहद्गुप्तं ददर्शान्तःपुरं महत्
That righteous one saw seven enclosures filled with vehicles and seats, and within, he beheld the vast and well-guarded inner palace.
हैमराजतपर्यङ्कैर्बहुभिश्च वरासनैः। महार्हास्तरणोपेतैस्तत्र तत्र समावृतम्
There, everywhere, were many golden and silver couches, excellent seats, all covered with precious spreads.
प्रविशन्नेव सततं शुश्राव मधुरस्वनम्। तन्त्रीगीतसमाकीर्णं समतालपदाक्षरम्
As he entered, he continually heard sweet sounds, filled with the music of strings, perfectly tuned in melody and rhythm.
बह्वीश्च विविधाकारा रूपयौवनगर्विताः। स्त्रियः सुग्रीवभवने ददर्श स महाबलः
He saw in Sugrīva’s palace many women of various forms, proud of their beauty and youth, that mighty one.
दृष्ट्वाभिजनसम्पन्नास्तत्र माल्यकृतस्रजः। वरमाल्यकृतव्यग्रा भूषणोत्तमभूषिताः
He saw there noble women, adorned with garlands, intent on making the finest wreaths, and decorated with the best ornaments.
नातृप्तान् नाति चाव्यग्रान् नानुदात्तपरिच्छदान्। सुग्रीवानुचरांश्चापि लक्षयामास लक्ष्मणः
Lakṣmaṇa also noticed Sugrīva’s attendants, neither unsatisfied nor overly eager, nor with neglected attire.
कूजितं नूपुराणां च काञ्चीनां निःस्वनं तथा। स निशम्य ततः श्रीमान् सौमित्रिर्लज्जितोऽभवत्
Hearing the jingling of anklets and the sound of girdles, the illustrious son of Sumitrā then became embarrassed.
रोषवेगप्रकुपितः श्रुत्वा चाभरणस्वनम्। चकार ज्यास्वनं वीरो दिशः शब्देन पूरयन्
Angered by the rush of wrath, hearing the sound of ornaments, the hero made his bow-string twang, filling the quarters with its sound.
चारित्रेण महाबाहुरपकृष्टः स लक्ष्मणः। तस्थावेकान्तमाश्रित्य रामकोपसमन्वितः
That mighty-armed Lakṣmaṇa, feeling dishonored in conduct and filled with Rāma’s anger, stood aside in solitude.
तेन चापस्वनेनाथ सुग्रीवः प्लवगाधिपः। विज्ञायागमनं त्रस्तः स चचाल वरासनात्
Then, by the sound of the bow, Sugrīva, lord of the monkeys, realized his arrival, and, frightened, rose from his excellent seat.
अङ्गदेन यथा मह्यं पुरस्तात् प्रतिवेदितम्। सुव्यक्तमेष सम्प्राप्तः सौमित्रिर्भ्रातृवत्सलः
As Aṅgada had previously informed me, it is clear that Sumitrā’s son, devoted to his brother, has now arrived.
अङ्गदेन समाख्यातो ज्यास्वनेन च वानरः। बुबुधे लक्ष्मणं प्राप्तं मुखं चास्य व्यशुष्यत
Informed by Aṅgada and by the twang of the bow, the monkey understood Lakṣmaṇa had come, and his face dried up.
ततस्तारां हरिश्रेष्ठः सुग्रीवः प्रियदर्शनाम्। उवाच हितमव्यग्रस्त्राससम्भ्रान्तमानसः
Then Sugrīva, best of monkeys, his mind disturbed by fear and confusion, yet composed, spoke words of benefit to Tārā, who was pleasing to behold.
किं नु रुट्कारणं सुभ्रु प्रकृत्या मृदुमानसः। सरोष इव सम्प्राप्तो येनायं राघवानुजः
O beautiful one, what could be the reason that this younger brother of Rāghava, whose nature is gentle, has come here appearing angry?
यद्यस्य कृतमस्माभिर्बुध्यसे किंचिदप्रियम्। तद्बुद्ध्या सम्प्रधार्याशु क्षिप्रमेवाभिधीयताम्
If you perceive that we have done anything displeasing to him, then, after careful consideration, let it be quickly and clearly stated.
अथवा स्वयमेवैनं द्रष्टुमर्हसि भामिनि। वचनैः सान्त्वयुक्तैश्च प्रसादयितुमर्हसि
Or, O lovely one, you yourself should go to see him and try to appease him with words full of gentleness.
त्वद्दर्शने विशुद्धात्मा न स्म कोपं करिष्यति। नहि स्त्रीषु महात्मानः क्वचित् कुर्वन्ति दारुणम्
With your presence, his pure-hearted self will not become angry; for truly, great souls never act harshly towards women.
त्वया सान्त्वैरुपक्रान्तं प्रसन्नेन्द्रियमानसम्। ततः कमलपत्राक्षं द्रक्ष्याम्यहमरिंदमम्
When you approach him with soothing words, calming his senses and mind, then I shall see that lotus-eyed subduer of foes, his anger gone.
सा प्रस्खलन्ती मदविह्वलाक्षी प्रलम्बकाञ्चीगुणहेमसूत्रा। सलक्षणा लक्ष्मणसंनिधानं जगाम तारा नमिताङ्गयष्टिः
Tārā, her eyes unsteady from intoxication, her golden belt and ornaments hanging loose, her body adorned with auspicious marks, approached Lakṣmaṇa with bowed form.
स तां समीक्ष्यैव हरीशपत्नीं तस्थावुदासीनतया महात्मा। अवाङ्मुखोऽभून्मनुजेन्द्रपुत्रः स्त्रीसंनिकर्षाद् विनिवृत्तकोपः
Seeing her, the wife of the lord of the monkeys, the great-souled son of the king stood there, reserved; Lakṣmaṇa turned his face downward, his anger subsiding in the presence of a woman.
सा पानयोगाच्च निवृत्तलज्जा दृष्टिप्रसादाच्च नरेन्द्रसूनोः। उवाच तारा प्रणयप्रगल्भं वाक्यं महार्थं परिसान्त्वरूपम्
Freed from shyness by wine and by the gentle look of the prince, Tārā spoke to him, her words bold with affection, meaningful and full of gentle persuasion.
किं कोपमूलं मनुजेन्द्रपुत्र कस्ते न संतिष्ठति वाङ्निदेशे। कः शुष्कवृक्षं वनमापतन्तं दावाग्निमासीदति निर्विशङ्कः
O prince, what is the root of your anger? Who does not obey your command? Who, without fear, would stand in the path of a forest fire, like a dry tree?
स तस्या वचनं श्रुत्वा सान्त्वपूर्वमशङ्कितः। भूयः प्रणयदृष्टार्थं लक्ष्मणो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Hearing her gentle and untroubled words, Lakṣmaṇa replied again, speaking frankly and with affectionate intent.
किमयं कामवृत्तस्ते लुप्तधर्मार्थसंग्रहः। भर्ता भर्तृहिते युक्ते न चैनमवबुध्यसे
Is this your way, driven by desire, neglecting the collection of righteousness and wealth? Do you not understand your husband's actions, though he is devoted to his own welfare?