न्यस्तां सागरतोये वा पाताले वापि मैथिलीम्। आनयेयं तवादेशाच्छ्वेतामश्वतरीमिव
Even if Maithilī were placed in the waters of the ocean or in the netherworld, at your command I would have brought her back, like a white she-mule.
युक्तं यत्प्राप्नुयाद् राज्यं सुग्रीवः स्वर्गते मयि। अयुक्तं यदधर्मेण त्वयाहं निहतो रणे
It is proper that Sugrīva should obtain the kingdom when I have gone to heaven; but it is improper that I have been slain by you in battle through unrighteousness.
काममेवंविधो लोकः कालेन विनियुज्यते। क्षमं चेद्भवता प्राप्तमुत्तरं साधु चिन्त्यताम्
Indeed, the world is subject to such fate, assigned by time; but if you have any justification, it is right for you to consider a proper reply.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा परिशुष्कवक्त्रः शराभिघाताद् व्यथितो महात्मा। समीक्ष्य रामं रविसंनिकाशं तूष्णीं बभौ वानरराजसूनुः
Having spoken thus, his mouth parched, tormented by the blow of the arrow, the great-souled son of the king of the monkeys, gazed at Rāma, radiant as the sun, and remained silent.
thumb|अष्टादशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे किष्किन्धाकाण्डे अष्टादशः सर्गः ॥४-
Listen now to the eighteenth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā section.
इत्युक्तः प्रश्रितं वाक्यं धर्मार्थसहितं हितम्। परुषं वालिना रामो निहतेन विचेतसा
Thus addressed with respectful, righteous, and beneficial words, though harsh, by the dying Vāli, Rāma stood silent.
तं निष्प्रभमिवादित्यं मुक्ततोयमिवाम्बुदम्। उक्तवाक्यं हरिश्रेष्ठमुपशान्तमिवानलम्
He looked upon that best of monkeys, whose radiance was gone, like the sun deprived of its light, like a cloud emptied of water, like a fire subdued.
धर्मार्थगुणसम्पन्नं हरीश्वरमनुत्तमम्। अधिक्षिप्तस्तदा रामः पश्चाद् वालिनमब्रवीत्
Then Rāma, having been reproached, spoke to Vāli, the supreme and virtuous lord of monkeys, endowed with righteousness, wealth, and noble qualities.
धर्ममर्थं च कामं च समयं चापि लौकिकम्। अविज्ञाय कथं बाल्यान्मामिहाद्य विगर्हसे
How, without understanding righteousness, wealth, desire, and even worldly custom, do you, out of childishness, reproach me here today?
अपृष्ट्वा बुद्धिसम्पन्नान् वृद्धानाचार्यसम्मतान्। सौम्य वानरचापल्यात् त्वं मां वक्तुमिहेच्छसि
Without consulting the wise elders, approved by teachers, you, gentle one, out of monkey impulsiveness, wish to speak to me here.
इक्ष्वाकूणामियं भूमिः सशैलवनकानना। मृगपक्षिमनुष्याणां निग्रहानुग्रहेष्वपि
This land of the Ikṣvākus, with its mountains, forests, and groves, is for the protection and punishment of beasts, birds, and humans alike.
तां पालयति धर्मात्मा भरतः सत्यवानृजुः। धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञो निग्रहानुग्रहे रतः
That land is guarded by righteous, truthful, and upright Bharata, who knows the essence of righteousness, desire, and wealth, and delights in both punishment and favor.
नयश्च विनयश्चोभौ यस्मिन् सत्यं च सुस्थितम्। विक्रमश्च यथा दृष्टः स राजा देशकालवित्
In him are found both policy and discipline, and truth firmly established; as seen, he is a king of valor, knowing time and place.
तस्य धर्मकृतादेशा वयमन्ये च पार्थिवाः। चरामो वसुधां कृत्स्नां धर्मसंतानमिच्छवः
By the command of the righteous, we and the other kings roam the entire earth, desiring the preservation of righteousness.
तस्मिन् नृपतिशार्दूले भरते धर्मवत्सले। पालयत्यखिलां पृथ्वीं कश्चरेद् धर्मविप्रियम्
While Bharata, the tiger among kings, devoted to righteousness, rules the whole earth, who would act against righteousness?
ते वयं मार्गविभ्रष्टं स्वधर्मे परमे स्थिताः। भरताज्ञां पुरस्कृत्य निगृह्णीमो यथाविधि
We, firmly established in our own supreme duty, restrain those who have strayed from the path, upholding Bharata's command as is proper.
त्वं तु संक्लिष्टधर्मश्च कर्मणा च विगर्हितः। कामतन्त्रप्रधानश्च न स्थितो राजवर्त्मनि
But you are corrupted in righteousness, blameworthy in action, ruled by desire, and not established on the royal path.
ज्येष्ठो भ्राता पिता वापि यश्च विद्यां प्रयच्छति। त्रयस्ते पितरो ज्ञेया धर्मे च पथि वर्तिनः
The eldest brother, the father, and the one who imparts knowledge—these three are to be regarded as fathers by those who walk the path of righteousness.
यवीयानात्मनः पुत्रः शिष्यश्चापि गुणोदितः। पुत्रवत्ते त्रयश्चिन्त्या धर्मश्चैवात्र कारणम्
A younger son, or a disciple endowed with virtue, should be regarded as a son; these three are to be considered as sons, and righteousness is the reason for this.
सूक्ष्मः परमदुर्ज्ञेयः सतां धर्मः प्लवङ्गम। हृदिस्थः सर्वभूतानामात्मा वेद शुभाशुभम्
Righteousness among the virtuous is subtle and extremely difficult to discern, O monkey; the self, residing in the hearts of all beings, knows what is good and what is evil.
चपलश्चपलैः सार्धं वानरैरकृतात्मभिः। जात्यन्ध इव जात्यन्धैर्मन्त्रयन् प्रेक्षसे नु किम्
Why do you, unstable yourself, surrounded by unstable monkeys lacking self-control, deliberate like a blind man among the blind?
अहं तु व्यक्ततामस्य वचनस्य ब्रवीमि ते। नहि मां केवलं रोषात् त्वं विगर्हितुमर्हसि
But I speak to you words that are clearly true; you should not blame me solely out of anger.
अस्य त्वं धरमाणस्य सुग्रीवस्य महात्मनः। रुमायां वर्तसे कामात् स्नुषायां पापकर्मकृत्
You, while Sugriva the great-souled endures, have acted out of desire with Rumā, your daughter-in-law, committing a sinful deed.
तद् व्यतीतस्य ते धर्मात् कामवृत्तस्य वानर। भ्रातृभार्याभिमर्शेऽस्मिन् दण्डोऽयं प्रतिपादितः
Therefore, for you who have strayed from righteousness and act according to desire, this punishment is prescribed for violating your brother's wife.
नहि लोकविरुद्धस्य लोकवृत्तादपेयुषः। दण्डादन्यत्र पश्यामि निग्रहं हरियूथप
For one who acts against the ways of the world and departs from worldly conduct, O monkey chief, I see no restraint other than punishment.
न च ते मर्षये पापं क्षत्रियोऽहं कुलोद्गतः। औरसीं भगिनीं वापि भार्यां वाप्यनुजस्य यः
Nor do I, a kṣatriya born of a noble line, tolerate your sin—whoever approaches his own father's, uterine sister's, or younger brother's wife out of desire.
प्रचरेत नरः कामात् तस्य दण्डो वधः स्मृतः। भरतस्तु महीपालो वयं त्वादेशवर्तिनः
If a man approaches such a woman out of desire, the punishment is declared to be death; but Bharata is the ruler, and we act according to his command.
त्वं च धर्मादतिक्रान्तः कथं शक्यमुपेक्षितुम्। गुरुधर्मव्यतिक्रान्तं प्राज्ञो धर्मेण पालयन्
And you, having transgressed righteousness, how could one who is wise and upholds righteousness overlook the violation of the duty owed to a superior?
भरतः कामयुक्तानां निग्रहे पर्यवस्थितः। वयं तु भरतादेशावधिं कृत्वा हरीश्वर। त्वद्विधान् भिन्नमर्यादान् निग्रहीतुं व्यवस्थिताः
Bharata is intent on restraining those given to desire; and we, O monkey lord, having set the limit by Bharata's command, are resolved to restrain those like you who have broken boundaries.
सुग्रीवेण च मे सख्यं लक्ष्मणेन यथा तथा। दारराज्यनिमित्तं च निःश्रेयस्करः स मे
My friendship with Sugriva is just as it is with Lakṣmaṇa; and for the sake of his wife and kingdom, this brings me the highest good.