आसेदुस्तस्य शैलस्य कोटिं दक्षिणपश्चिमाम्। तेषां तत्रैव वसतां स कालो व्यत्यवर्तत
They reached the southwestern peak of that mountain, and while they stayed there, that time passed for them.
स हि देशो दुरन्वेष्यो गुहागहनवान् महान्। तत्र वायुसुतः सर्वं विचिनोति स्म पर्वतम्
For that region was difficult to search, vast, filled with caves and thickets; there, the son of the wind searched the entire mountain.
परस्परेण रहिता अन्योन्यस्याविदूरतः। गजो गवाक्षो गवयः शरभो गन्धमादनः
Separated from each other, yet not far apart, were Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha, and Gandhamadana.
मैन्दश्च द्विविदश्चैव हनूमान् जाम्बवानपि। अङ्गदो युवराजश्च तारश्च वनगोचरः
Mainda and Dvivida, as well as Hanuman, Jambavan, Angada the prince, and Tara, the forest-dweller, were also there.
गिरिजालावृतान् देशान् मार्गित्वा दक्षिणां दिशम्। विचिन्वन्तस्ततस्तत्र ददृशुर्विवृतं बिलम्
Having searched the regions covered with mountain ranges in the southern direction, they then saw an open cave.
दुर्गमृक्षबिलं नाम दानवेनाभिरक्षितम्। क्षुत्पिपासापरीतास्तु श्रान्तास्तु सलिलार्थिनः
It was the difficult-to-enter cave called Durgamṛkṣa, guarded by a demon; afflicted by hunger and thirst, weary, and seeking water, they approached.
अवकीर्णं लतावृक्षैर्ददृशुस्ते महाबिलम्। तत्र क्रौञ्चाश्च हंसाश्च सारसाश्चापि निष्क्रमन्
They saw that great cave, overgrown with creepers and trees; there, cranes, swans, and sarasa birds were coming out.
जलार्द्राश्चक्रवाकाश्च रक्ताङ्गाः पद्मरेणुभिः। ततस्तद् बिलमासाद्य सुगन्धि दुरतिक्रमम्
There were also chakravaka ducks, wet from the water, their bodies reddened by lotus pollen; then, reaching that fragrant and hard-to-pass cave—
विस्मयव्यग्रमनसो बभूवुर्वानरर्षभाः। संजातपरिशङ्कास्ते तद् बिलं प्लवगोत्तमाः
The foremost monkeys became filled with wonder and anxiety; those best of monkeys grew suspicious of that cave.
अभ्यपद्यन्त संहृष्टास्तेजोवन्तो महाबलाः। नानासत्त्वसमाकीर्णं दैत्येन्द्रनिलयोपमम्
Yet, delighted and full of vigor, those mighty ones entered, a place crowded with many creatures, resembling the abode of the lord of demons.
दुर्दर्शमिव घोरं च दुर्विगाह्यं च सर्वशः। ततः पर्वतकूटाभो हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः
It appeared terrible, hard to see, and difficult to penetrate in every way; then Hanuman, son of the wind, resembling a mountain peak—
अब्रवीद् वानरान् घोरान् कान्तारवनकोविदः। गिरिजालावृतान् देशान् मार्गित्वा दक्षिणां दिशम्
That expert in wild forests addressed the monkeys, saying: 'Having searched the regions covered with mountain ranges in the southern direction—'
वयं सर्वे परिश्रान्ता न च पश्याम मैथिलीम्। अस्माच्चापि बिलाद्धंसाः क्रौञ्चाश्च सह सारसैः
'We are all exhausted and do not see Maithili; yet from this cave, swans, cranes, and sarasa birds emerge.'
जलार्द्राश्चक्रवाकाश्च निष्पतन्ति स्म सर्वशः। नूनं सलिलवानत्र कूपो वा यदि वा ह्रदः
Soaked with water, the chakravaka birds were flying out in every direction; surely there is water here, either a well or perhaps a pond.
तथा चेमे बिलद्वारे स्निग्धास्तिष्ठन्ति पादपाः। इत्युक्तास्तद् बिलं सर्वे विविशुस्तिमिरावृतम्
And at the entrance to this cave, lush trees stand; thus spoken, all entered that cave shrouded in darkness.
अचन्द्रसूर्यं हरयो ददृशू रोमहर्षणम्। निशाम्य तस्मात् सिंहांश्च तांस्तांश्च मृगपक्षिणः
The monkeys saw a place without moon or sun, causing their hair to stand on end; and from there, they observed lions and various wild animals and birds.
प्रविष्टा हरिशार्दूला बिलं तिमिरसंवृतम्। न तेषां सज्जते दृष्टिर्न तेजो न पराक्रमः
The tiger-like monkeys entered the cave enveloped in darkness; their sight did not function, nor their radiance or strength.
वायोरिव गतिस्तेषां दृष्टिस्तमसि वर्तते। ते प्रविष्टास्तु वेगेन तद् बिलं कपिकुञ्जराः
Their vision moved in the darkness as the wind moves; those monkey-elephants entered the cave swiftly.
प्रकाशं चाभिरामं च ददृशुर्देशमुत्तमम्। ततस्तस्मिन् बिले भीमे नानापादपसंकुले
They saw a bright and delightful region, excellent in every way; then, within that dreadful cave thick with various trees,
अन्योन्यं सम्परिष्वज्य जग्मुर्योजनमन्तरम्। ते नष्टसंज्ञास्तृषिताः सम्भ्रान्ताः सलिलार्थिनः
Embracing one another, they traveled a yojana's distance; faint, thirsty, and confused, seeking water.
परिपेतुर्बिले तस्मिन् कंचित् कालमतन्द्रिताः। ते कृशा दीनवदनाः परिश्रान्ताः प्लवङ्गमाः
They wandered in that cave for some time, tirelessly; the monkeys became thin, with weary faces, exhausted.
आलोकं ददृशुर्वीरा निराशा जीविते यदा। ततस्तं देशमागम्य सौम्या वितिमिरं वनम्
When the heroes, hopeless about their lives, saw light; then, reaching that place, gentle and free of darkness, a forest appeared.
ददृशुः काञ्चनान् वृक्षान् दीप्तवैश्वानरप्रभान्। सालांस्तालांस्तमालांश्च पुंनागान् वञ्जुलान् धवान्
They saw golden trees shining with the brilliance of blazing fire; sal, palmyra, tamala, punaga, vanjula, and dhava trees.
चम्पकान् नागवृक्षांश्च कर्णिकारांश्च पुष्पितान्। स्तबकैः काञ्चनैश्चित्रै रक्तैः किसलयैस्तथा
Champaka and naga trees, and blossoming karnikara trees; with clusters of golden flowers and varied red shoots.
आपीडैश्च लताभिश्च हेमाभरणभूषितान्। तरुणादित्यसंकाशान् वैदूर्यमयवेदिकान्
With crowns of vines adorned with golden ornaments; resembling the young sun, with platforms made of beryl.
बिभ्राजमानान् वपुषा पादपांश्च हिरण्मयान्। नीलवैदूर्यवर्णाश्च पद्मिनीः पतगैर्वृताः
Radiant in form, trees made of gold; lotuses of sapphire hue, surrounded by birds.
महद्भिः काञ्चनैर्वृक्षैर्वृता बालार्कसंनिभैः। जातरूपमयैर्मत्स्यैर्महद्भिश्चाथ पङ्कजैः
Surrounded by great golden trees, resembling the rising sun; with fish made of pure gold and large lotuses.
नलिनीस्तत्र ददृशुः प्रसन्नसलिलायुताः। काञ्चनानि विमानानि राजतानि तथैव च
There they saw lotus ponds filled with clear water; golden palaces and likewise silver ones.
तपनीयगवाक्षाणि मुक्ताजालावृतानि च। हैमराजतभौमानि वैदूर्यमणिमन्ति च
With windows of gold, covered with nets of pearls; floors of gold and silver, and adorned with beryl gems.
ददृशुस्तत्र हरयो गृहमुख्यानि सर्वशः। पुष्पितान् फलिनो वृक्षान् प्रवालमणिसंनिभान्
There the monkeys saw splendid houses everywhere; blossoming and fruit-laden trees, resembling coral and gems.