तच्छ्रुत्वा घोरसङ्काशं कुलक्षयमुपस्थितम् । प्रकृतीस्तु समानीय काञ्चनं च पुरोधसम् ।। ७.१०८.
Hearing of the terrible destruction looming over his lineage, he gathered the citizens and the golden priest.
तेषां सर्वं यथावृत्तमब्रवीद्रघनन्दनः । आत्मनश्च विपर्यासं भविष्यं भ्रातृभिः सह ।। ७.१०८.
The descendant of Raghu told them all that had happened, and also spoke of his own impending fate together with his brothers.
ततः पुत्रद्वयं वीरः सो ऽभ्यषिञ्चन्नराधिपः । सुबाहुर्मधुरां लेभे शत्रुघाती च वैदिशम् ।। ७.१०८.
Then the heroic king consecrated his two sons: Subahu received Madhura, and Shatrughati received Vaidiśa.
द्विधा कृत्वा तु तां सेनां माधुरीं पुत्रयोर्द्वयोः । धनं च युक्तं कृत्वा वै स्थापयामास पार्थिवः ।। ७.१०८.
Dividing the Madhura army in two for his sons, and assigning them appropriate wealth, the king established them there.
सुबाहुं मधुरायां च वैदेशे शत्रुघातिनम् । ययौ स्थाप्य तदा ऽयोध्यां रथेनैकेन राघवः ।। ७.१०८.
He stationed Subahu in Madhura and Shatrughati in Vaideśa, and then Raghava set out for Ayodhya in a single chariot.
स ददर्श महात्मानं ज्वलन्तमिव पावकम् । सूक्ष्मक्षौमाम्बरधरं मुनिभिः सार्धमक्षयैः ।। ७.१०८.
He saw the great-souled one, shining like blazing fire, clad in fine linen garments, together with the imperishable sages.
सो ऽभिवाद्य ततो रामं प्राञ्जलिः प्रयतेन्द्रियः । उवाच वाक्यं धर्मज्ञं धर्ममेवानुचिन्तयन् ।। ७.१०८.
Then, with joined palms and senses controlled, he respectfully greeted Rama and spoke words to the knower of dharma, reflecting only on righteousness.
कृत्वाभिषेकं सुतयोर्द्वयो राघवनन्दन । तवानुगमने राजन्विद्धि मां कृतनिश्चयम् ।। ७.१०८.
O delight of the Raghus, having consecrated your two sons, know, O King, that I am resolved to follow you.
न चान्यदपि वक्तव्यमतो वीर न शासनम् । विलोक्यमानमिच्छामि मद्विधेन विशेषतः ।। ७.१०८.
And nothing else need be said, O hero, nor any command given; I wish especially to be regarded by you as one like myself.
तस्य तां बुद्धिमक्लीबां विज्ञाय रघुनन्दनः । बाढमित्येव शत्रुघ्नं रामो वाक्यमुवाच ह ।। ७.१०८.
Recognizing his unwavering resolve, Rama, the joy of the Raghus, said to Shatrughna, 'So be it.'
तस्य वाक्यस्य वाक्यान्ते वानराः कामरूपिणः । ऋक्षराक्षससङ्घाश्च समापेतुरनेकशः ।। ७.१०८.
At the end of his words, hosts of vanaras who could assume any form, as well as groups of bears and rakshasas, assembled in great numbers.
सुग्रीवं ते पुरस्कृत्य सर्व एव समागताः । तं रामं द्रष्टुमनसः स्वर्गायाभिमुखं स्थितम् ।। ७.१०८.
Led by Sugriva, they all gathered, wishing to see Rama, who was preparing to ascend to heaven.
देवपुत्रा ऋषिसुता गन्धर्वाणां सुतास्तथा । रामक्षयं विदित्वा ते सर्व एव समागताः ।। ७.१०८.
Sons of gods, sons of sages, and sons of gandharvas also—all, knowing of Rama's departure, assembled there.
ते राममभिवाद्योचुः सर्वे वानरराक्षसाः । तवानुगमने राजन्सम्प्राप्ताः कृतनिश्चयाः ।। ७.१०८.
All the monkeys and rākṣasas approached Rāma, offered their respects, and said: 'O King, we have come, firmly resolved, to follow you.'
यदि राम विनास्माभिर्गच्छेस्त्वं पुरुषोत्तम । यमदण्डमिवोद्यम्य त्वया स्म विनिपातिताः ।। ७.१०८.
'If, O Rāma, Best of Men, you depart without us, it would be as if you had struck us down with Yama’s rod.'
तैरेवमुक्तः काकुत्स्थो बाढमित्यब्रवीत् स्मयन् ।। ७.१०८.
Thus addressed, the descendant of Kakutstha smiled and replied, 'So be it.'
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे रामं सुग्रीवो ऽपि महाबलः । प्रणम्य विधिवद्वीरं विज्ञापयितुमुद्यतः ।। ७.१०८.
Meanwhile, the mighty Sugrīva also approached Rāma, bowed to the hero according to custom, and prepared to make his request.
अभिषिच्याङ्गदं वीरमागतो ऽस्मि नरेश्वर । तवानुगमने राजन्विद्धि मां कृतनिश्चयम् ।। ७.१०८.
'Having installed the valiant Aṅgada, O Lord of Men, I have come. Know, O King, that I am firmly resolved to follow you.'
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा रामो रमयतां वरः । वानरेन्द्रमथोवाचं मैत्रं तस्यानुचिन्तयन् ।। ७.१०८.
Hearing these words, Rāma, best among those who delight, considered Sugrīva’s friendship and spoke to the king of the monkeys.
सखे शृणुष्व सुग्रीव न त्वया ऽहं विनाकृतः । गच्छेयं देवलोकं वा परमं वा पदं महत् ।। ७.१०८.
'Friend Sugrīva, listen: I would never go to the world of the gods or the supreme, great state without you.'
बिभीषणमथोवाच राक्षसेन्द्रं महायशाः । यावत्प्रजा धरिष्यन्ति तावत्त्वं वै बिभीषण । राक्षसेन्द्र महावीर्य लङ्कास्थस्त्वं धरिष्यसि ।। ७.१०८.
Then the illustrious Rāma spoke to Bibhīṣaṇa, the king of the rākṣasas: 'As long as there are people, O Bibhīṣaṇa, you, mighty king of the rākṣasas, shall remain in Laṅkā.'
यावच्चन्द्रश्च सूर्यश्च यावत्तिष्ठति मेदिनी । यावच्च मत्कथा लोके तावद्राज्यं तवास्त्विह ।। ७.१०८.
'As long as the moon and sun endure, as long as the earth stands, as long as my story is told in the world, so long shall your reign be here.'
शासितस्त्वं सखित्वेन कार्यं ते मम शासनम् । प्रजाः संरक्ष धर्मेण नोत्तरं वक्तुमर्हसि ।। ७.१०८.
'You are instructed as a friend; my command must be carried out by you. Protect your people with righteousness and do not speak otherwise.'
किञ्चान्यद्वक्तुमिच्छामि राक्षसेन्द्र महामते ।। ७.१०८.
'And, O king of the rākṣasas, great in wisdom, I wish to say something else.'
आराधय जगन्नाथमिक्ष्वाकुकुलदैवतम् । आराधनीयमनिशं सर्वैर्दैवैः सवासवैः ।। ७.१०८.
'Worship the Lord of the Universe, the deity of the Ikṣvāku lineage, who is to be constantly worshipped by all the gods along with the guardians of the quarters.'
तथेति प्रतिजग्राह रामवाक्यं विभीषणः । राजा राक्षसमुख्यानां राघवाज्ञामनुस्मरन् ।। ७.१०८.
Vibhīṣaṇa accepted Rāma’s words, saying, 'So be it,' and, remembering Rāghava’s command, ruled as king over the foremost of the rākṣasas.
तमेवमुक्त्वा काकुत्स्थो हनूमन्तमथाब्रवीत् । जीविते कृतबुद्धिस्त्वं मा प्रतिज्ञां विलोपय ।। ७.१०८.
Having thus spoken, the descendant of Kakutstha then addressed Hanumān: 'You, who have resolved to live, do not abandon your promise.'
मत्कथाः प्रचरिष्यन्ति यावल्लोके हरीश्वर । तावद्रमस्व सुप्रीतो मद्वाक्यमनुपालयन् ।। ७.१०८.
'As long as my stories circulate in the world, O lord of monkeys, remain here, well-pleased, upholding my words.'
एवमुक्तस्तु हनुमान्राघवेण महात्मना । वाक्यं विज्ञापयामास परं हर्षमवाप्य च ।। ७.१०८.
Thus addressed by the great-souled Rāghava, Hanumān, filled with supreme joy, submitted his reply.
यावत्तव कथा लोके विचरिष्यति पावनी । तावत्स्थास्यामि मेदिन्यां तवाज्ञामनुपालयन् ।। ७.१०८.
'As long as your sacred story spreads in the world, so long shall I remain on earth, carrying out your command.'