त इमे बहुसाहस्रैरनीकैर्भीमविक्रमैः। आगता वानरा घोरा दैत्यदानवसंनिभाः
These fearsome monkeys, equal to demons and titans, have come with many thousands of divisions, all of terrifying might.
यन्मन्यसे नरव्याघ्र प्राप्तकालं तदुच्यताम्। त्वत्सैन्यं त्वद्वशे युक्तमाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि
Therefore, O tiger among men, declare what you think is timely; your army is ready and subject to your command—you should issue your order.
काममेषामिदं कार्यं विदितं मम तत्त्वतः। तथापि तु यथायुक्तमाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि
Indeed, I know exactly what is to be done for them; yet, even so, you should give your command as is proper.
तथा ब्रुवाणं सुग्रीवं रामो दशरथात्मजः। बाहुभ्यां सम्परिष्वज्य इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Thus addressed, Rama, son of Dasharatha, embraced Sugriva with both arms and spoke these words:
ज्ञायतां सौम्य वैदेही यदि जीवति वा न वा। स च देशो महाप्राज्ञ यस्मिन् वसति रावणः
Let it be known, gentle one, whether Vaidehī is alive or not, and also the land where Ravana dwells, O wise one.
अधिगम्य तु वैदेहीं निलयं रावणस्य च। प्राप्तकालं विधास्यामि तस्मिन् काले सह त्वया
Once Sita and Ravana’s dwelling have been discovered, I will act at the right time together with you.
नाहमस्मिन् प्रभुः कार्ये वानरेन्द्र न लक्ष्मणः। त्वमस्य हेतुः कार्यस्य प्रभुश्च प्लवगेश्वर
In this matter, O monkey king, neither I nor Lakshmana is the master; you are the cause and lord of this task, O lord of monkeys.
त्वमेवाज्ञापय विभो मम कार्यविनिश्चयम्। त्वं हि जानासि मे कार्यं मम वीर न संशयः
You alone, O mighty one, should command the resolution of my task; for you, hero, surely know my purpose—there is no doubt.
सुहृद्द्वितीयो विक्रान्तः प्राज्ञः कालविशेषवित्। भवानस्मद्धिते युक्तः सुहृदाप्तोऽर्थवित्तमः
You are a true friend, unrivaled in valor, wise, and knowing the right time; you are devoted to our welfare, a trusted companion, and best among those who understand aims.
एवमुक्तस्तु सुग्रीवो विनतं नाम यूथपम्। अब्रवीद् रामसांनिध्ये लक्ष्मणस्य च धीमतः
Thus addressed, Sugriva spoke to Vinata, the monkey chief, in the presence of Rama and the wise Lakshmana.
शैलाभं मेघनिर्घोषमूर्जितं प्लवगेश्वरम्। सोमसूर्यनिभैः सार्धं वानरैर्वानरोत्तम
O best of monkeys, summon the mighty Vinata, whose roar is like thunderclouds, resembling a mountain, together with monkeys shining like the moon and sun.
देशकालनयैर्युक्तो विज्ञः कार्यविनिश्चये। वृतः शतसहस्रेण वानराणां तरस्विनाम्
He is skilled in discerning time, place, and strategy, and in deciding tasks; let him be accompanied by a hundred thousand swift monkeys.
अधिगच्छ दिशं पूर्वां सशैलवनकाननाम्। तत्र सीतां च वैदेहीं निलयं रावणस्य च
Go to the eastern quarter, with its mountains, forests, and groves; there, seek Sita, daughter of Videha, and the dwelling of Ravana.
मार्गध्वं गिरिदुर्गेषु वनेषु च नदीषु च। नदीं भागीरथीं रम्यां सरयूं कौशिकीं तथा
Search in the mountain strongholds, in the forests, and along the rivers; the lovely Bhagirathi, the Sarayu, and also the Kaushiki.
कालिन्दीं यमुनां रम्यां यामुनं च महागिरिम्। सरस्वतीं च सिन्धुं च शोणं मणिनिभोदकम्
The beautiful Kalindi, the Yamuna, the great mountain of Yamuna, the Sarasvati, the Sindhu, and the Shona with water shining like jewels.
महीं कालमहीं चापि शैलकाननशोभिताम्। ब्रह्ममालान् विदेहांश्च मालवान् काशिकोसलान्
The land of Kalinga, and also the land adorned with mountains and forests; Brahmamala, Videha, Malava, Kashi, and Kosala.
मागधांश्च महाग्रामान् पुण्ड्रांस्त्वङ्गांस्तथैव च। भूमिं च कोशकाराणां भूमिं च रजताकराम्
The great villages of Magadha, and likewise the Pundras and Angas; the land of the weavers and the land rich in silver mines.
सर्वं च तद् विचेतव्यं मार्गयद्भिस्ततस्ततः। रामस्य दयितां भार्यां सीतां दशरथस्नुषाम्
All of that must be thoroughly searched by those seeking in every direction for Sita, the beloved wife of Rama, the daughter-in-law of Dasharatha.
समुद्रमवगाढांश्च पर्वतान् पत्तनानि च। मन्दरस्य च ये कोटिं संश्रिताः केचिदालयाः
Also, the mountains that descend into the ocean, the cities, and those dwellings that are established on the peaks of Mandara.
कर्णप्रावरणाश्चैव तथा चाप्योष्ठकर्णकाः। घोरलोहमुखाश्चैव जवनाश्चैकपादकाः
Those who cover their ears, those with lips as ears, those with terrifying iron mouths, the swift-footed, and the one-footed people.
अक्षया बलवन्तश्च तथैव पुरुषादकाः। किरातास्तीक्ष्णचूडाश्च हेमाभाः प्रियदर्शनाः
The inexhaustible and powerful ones, and also the man-eaters; the Kiratas with sharp crests, golden in appearance and pleasing to behold.
आममीनाशनाश्चापि किराता द्वीपवासिनः। अन्तर्जलचरा घोरा नरव्याघ्रा इति स्मृताः
The Kiratas who eat raw fish, the island-dwellers, the fierce water-dwellers known as human tigers.
एतेषामाश्रयाः सर्वे विचेयाः काननौकसः। गिरिभिर्ये च गम्यन्ते प्लवनेन प्लवेन च
All the forest-dwellers who take refuge among these, and those who are reached by mountains, by swimming, or by boats, must be searched.
यत्नवन्तो यवद्वीपं सप्तराजोपशोभितम्। सुवर्णरूप्यकद्वीपं सुवर्णाकरमण्डितम्
With effort, search as far as Yavadvipa, adorned by seven kings, the island of gold and silver, decorated with gold mines.
यवद्वीपमतिक्रम्य शिशिरो नाम पर्वतः। दिवं स्पृशति शृङ्गेण देवदानवसेवितः
Beyond Yavadvipa stands the mountain called Shishira, whose peak touches the sky, attended by gods and danavas.
एतेषां गिरिदुर्गेषु प्रपातेषु वनेषु च। मार्गध्वं सहिताः सर्वे रामपत्नीं यशस्विनीम्
In all the mountain strongholds, precipices, and forests among these, all of you together must search for Rama’s illustrious wife.
ततो रक्तजलं प्राप्य शोणाख्यं शीघ्रवाहिनम्। गत्वा पारं समुद्रस्य सिद्धचारणसेवितम्
Then, reaching the river Shona with red waters, swift-flowing, and crossing to the far shore of the ocean frequented by siddhas and charanas.
तस्य तीर्थेषु रम्येषु विचित्रेषु वनेषु च। रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः
On its beautiful fords and in its wondrous forests, Ravana together with Vaidehi must be sought everywhere.
पर्वतप्रभवा नद्यः सुभीमबहुनिष्कुटाः। मार्गितव्या दरीमन्तः पर्वताश्च वनानि च
The rivers arising from mountains, with their many dreadful ravines, must be searched, as well as the caves within the mountains and the forests.
ततः समुद्रद्वीपांश्च सुभीमान् द्रष्टुमर्हथ। ऊर्मिमन्तं महारौद्रं क्रोशन्तमनिलोद्धतम्
After that, you must behold the islands of the ocean, terrifying, wavy, exceedingly fierce, roaring, and agitated by the wind.