Sloka & Translation

[Rama demonstrates his prowess in shooting --- Sugriva fails in the first combat with Vali --- Rama explains the difficulty in identifying Vali --- advises Sugriva to wear Gajapushpi creeper to help him identify --- once again Sugriva proceeds to encounter Vali ]

ētacca vacanaṅ śrutvā sugrīvēṇa subhāṣitam.

pratyayārthaṅ mahātējā rāmō jagrāha kārmukam4.12.1৷৷


mahātējāḥ effulgent, rāmaḥ Rama, sugrīvasya Sugriva's, subhāṣitam good words, ētat this, śrutvā on hearing, pratyayārtham to create faith, kārmukam bow, jagrāha took up.

Having heard Sugriva's pleasing words, the brilliant Rama took up the bow in order to inspire confidence in Sugriva.
sa gṛhītvā dhanurghōraṅ śaramēkaṅ ca mānadaḥ.

sālamuddiśya cikṣēpa jyāsvanaiḥ pūrayandiśaḥ. 4.12.2৷৷


mānadaḥ subduer of enemy's pride, saḥ he, ghōram terrific, dhanuḥ bow, pūrayan filled, diśaḥ directions, jyāsvanaiḥ by the twang, sālam sala tree, uddiśya aiming, ēkam single, śaram arrow, cikṣēpa discharged

Rama, subduer of the enemy's pride, strung his terrific bow, produced the twang that filled all directions, and discharged a single arrow aimed at the sala tree.
sa visṛṣṭō balavatā bāṇassvarṇapariṣkṛtaḥ.

bhittvā sālān giriprasthaṅ sapta bhūmiṅ vivēśa ha4.12.3৷৷


balavatā forcefully, visṛṣṭaḥ released, svarṇapariṣkṛtaḥ decorated with gold, saḥ bāṇaḥ that arrow, sapta seven, sālān sala trees, giriprastham pierced through the mountain terrain, bhittvā on
splitting, bhūmim into the earth, vivēśa ha entered.

Released with great force, Rama's arrow embellished with gold pierced through the seven sala trees and splitting the mountain terrain entered the earth.
praviṣṭaśca muhūrtēna dharāṅ bhittvā mahājavaḥ.

niṣpatya ca punastūrṇaṅ svatūṇīṅ pravivēśa ha4.12.4৷৷


mahājavaḥ of great speed, sāyakastu the arrow, muhūrtēna in a moment, sālān sala trees, bhittvā split, niṣpatya emerging forth, tam its, svatūṇīmēva from his quiver, punaḥ again, pravivēśa ha returned

In a moment the arrow emerged from the earth which it pierced and re-entered the quiver with great speed.
tāndṛṣṭvā sapta nirbhinnānsālānvānarapuṅgavaḥ.

rāmasya śaravēgēna vismayaṅ paramaṅ gataḥ4.12.5৷৷


vānarapuṅgavaḥ chief of monkeys, nirbhinnān split through, tān those, sapta seven, sālān sala trees, dṛṣṭvā on seeing, rāmasya Rama's, śaravēgēna by the speed of his arrow, paramam highly, vismayam wonder-struck, gataḥ became.

The chief of the monkeys was struck with wonder seeing Rama's arrow piercing through the seven sala trees so swiftly.
sa mūrdhnā nyapatadabhmau pralambīkṛtabhūṣaṇaḥ.

sugrīvaḥ paramaprītō rāghavāya kṛtāñjaliḥ4.12.6৷৷


paramaprītaḥ highly pleased, saḥ sugrīvaḥ that Sugriva, rāghavāya to Rama, kṛtāñjaliḥ offered obeisance with folded hands, pralambīkṛtabhūṣaṇaḥ ornaments hanging down, mūrdhnā forehead, bhūmau on the ground, nyapatat prostrated.

Sugriva was immensely happy and offered obeisance to Rama with folded hands and bowed down and prostrated while his ornaments touched the ground.
idaṅ cōvāca dharmajñaṅ karmaṇā tēna harṣitaḥ.

rāmaṅ sarvāstraviduṣāṅ śrēṣṭhaṅ śūramavasthitam4.12.7৷৷


tēna by that, karmaṇā by the deed, harṣitaḥ he felt glad, dharmajñam the knower of dharma, sarvāstraviduṣām among the proficient in the use of arms, śrēṣṭhaṅ the best one, śūram valiant, avasthitam who stood there, rāmam at Rama, idam this, uvāca ca and spoke.

Sugriva who stood by, elated to watch the deed of Rama, best among the valiant, proficient in the use of arms of all kinds and knower of dharma, said:
sēndrānapi surānsarvāṅstvaṅ bāṇaiḥ puruṣarṣabha!.

samarthassamarē hantuṅ kiṅ puna rvālinaṅ prabhō! 4.12.8৷৷


puruṣarṣabha O best among men, prabhō O lord, tvam you, samarē in war, sēndrān including Indra, sarvān all, surān api even gods, hantum to kill, samarthaḥ are capable, vālinam Vali, kiṅ punaḥ what to speak of again.

'O bull among men, O lord, you are capable of killing with your arrows even the gods including Indra in the battle, what to speak of Vali.
yēna saptamahāsālā girirbhūmiśca dāritāḥ.

bāṇēnaikēna kākutstha sthātā tē kō raṇāgrataḥ4.12.9৷৷


kākutstha O Rama, yēna by such a person, ēkēna bāṇēna with a single arrow, sapta seven, mahāsālāḥ great sala trees, giriḥ mountain, bhūmiśca even earth, dāritāḥ pierced, tē to you, raṇāgrataḥ in the forefront of the battle, kaḥ who, sthātā can stand.

'O Rama! who can in a battle confront you, capable of splitting seven huge sala trees, the mountain and the earth with a single arrow?
adya mē vigataśśōkaḥ prītiradya parā mama.

suhṛdaṅ tvāṅ samāsādya mahēndravaruṇōpamam4.12.10৷৷


adya now, mahēndravaruṇōpamam comparable to Indra and Varuna, tvām you, suhṛdam friend, samāsādya after getting, mē to me, śōkaḥ sorrow, vigataḥ is gone, adya now, mama my, parā supreme, prītiḥ pleasure.

'Having found a friend in you comparable to Indra and Varuna, my grief is gone and I am so happy now.
tamadyaiva priyārthaṅ mē vairiṇaṅ bhrātṛrūpiṇam.

vālinaṅ jahi kākutstha mayā baddhō.yamañjaliḥ4.12.11৷৷


kākutstha O Rama, mē my, bhrātṛrūpiṇam in the form of a brother, vairiṇam enemy, taṅ vālinam that Vali, adyaiva now itself, priyārtham for my pleasure, jahi you may kill, mayā by me, ayam this, añjali: reverential obeisance, baddhaḥ offered.

'O Rama, for my pleasure kill Vali who is, to me, an enemy in the guise of a brother. I fold my hands to you.
tatō rāmaḥ pariṣvajya sugrīvaṅ priyadarśanam.

pratyuvāca mahāprājñō lakṣmaṇānugataṅ vacaḥ4.12.12৷৷


tataḥ then, mahāprājñaḥ very wise, rāmaḥ Rama, priyadarśanam handsome, lakṣmaṇānugatam following Lakshmana, sugrīvam Sugriva, pariṣvajya having embraced, vacaḥ these words, pratyuvāca said in reply.

Then wise Rama embraced handsome Sugriva and replied in these words which were agreeable to Lakshmana:
asmādgacchēma kiṣkindhāṅ kṣipraṅ gaccha tvamagrataḥ.

gatvā cāhvaya sugrīva! vālinaṅ bhrātṛgandhinam4.12.13৷৷


sugrīva Sugriva, kṣipram at once, asmāt from here, kiṣkinthām to Kishkinda, gacchēma will go, tvam you, kṣipram at once, agrataḥ forward, gaccha go, gatvā on going, bhrātṛgandhinam a brother for name's sake, vālinam Vali, āhvaya invite.

'O Sugriva, get ready at once. We will promptly proceed to Kishkinda from here. Go ahead and challenge Vali, your brother only in name, to a combat.'
sarvē tē tvaritaṅ gatvā kiṣkindhāṅ vālinaḥ purīm.

vṛkṣairātmānamāvṛtya vyatiṣṭhangahanē vanē4.12.14৷৷


tē sarvē they all, vālinaḥ Vali's, purīm capital, kiṣkindhām Kishkinda, tvaritam quickly, gatvā went, gahanē dense, vanē forest, vṛkṣaiḥ with trees, ātmānam themselves, avṛtya after covering, atiṣṭhan stayed.

Thay all rushed to Kishkinda, the capital of Vali and waited in the thick forest behind the trees.
sugrīvō vyanadadghōraṅ vālinō৷৷hvānakāraṇāt.

gāḍhaṅ parihitō vēgānnādairbhindannivāmbaram4.12.15৷৷


sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, gāḍhaṅ tightly, parihitaḥ tightened the cloth around waist, vēgāt with speed, nādaiḥ by roaring, ambaram sky, bhindanniva as if piercing the sky, vālinaḥ Vali's, hvānakāraṇāt to call out, ghōram terrific, vyanadat screamed.

Sugriva tightened up his waist- cloth hurriedly and roared terrifically as though piercing the sky. And screamed for Vali.
taṅ śrutvā ninadaṅ bhrātuḥ kruddhō vālī mahābalaḥ.

niścakrāma susaṅrabdhō bhāskarō.stataṭādiva4.12.16৷৷


mahābalaḥ powerful, vālī Vali, bhrātuḥ brother's, taṅ ninadam roaring, śrutvā hearing, kruddhaḥ enraged, susaṅrabdhaḥ overwhelmed, astataṭāt from behind the western bank of the ocean, bhāskaraḥ Sun, yathā like, niṣpapāta came out.

On hearing his brother roaring, powerful Vali was enraged and rushed like the Sun from behind the western shore of the ocean (this simile suggests the downfall of Vali).
tatassutumulaṅ yuddhaṅ vālisugrīvayōrabhūt.

gaganē grahayōrghōraṅ budhāṅgārakayōriva4.12.17৷৷


tataḥ then, vālisugrīvayōḥ for Vali and Sugriva, budhāṅgārakayōḥ between Budha (Mercury) and Angaraka (Mars), grahayōriva like the planets, sutumulam tumultous, yuddham war, abhūt took place.

Then a tumultuous combat took place between Vali and Sugriva who looked like the planets Mercury and Mars.
talairaśanikalpaiśca vajrakalpaiśca muṣṭibhiḥ.

jaghnatussamarē.nyōnyaṅ bhrātarau krōdhamūrchitau4.12.18৷৷


krōdhamūrchitau senseless with fury, bhrātarau brothers, aśanikalpaiḥ like thunder, talaiḥ with palms soles, vajrakalpaiḥ like thunderbolts, muṣṭibhiḥ with fists, samarē in the combat, anyōnyam each other, jaghnatuḥ struck.

The brothers, insensate with fury, struck each other like thunder with their palms, soles and fists in the combat.
tatō rāmō dhanuṣpāṇistāvubhau samudīkṣyatu.

anyōnyasadṛśau vīrāvubhau dēvāvivāśvinau4.12.19৷৷


tataḥ then, dhanuṣpāṇiḥ wielder of bow, rāmaḥ Rama, dēvau two deities, aśvinau iva like the twin Aswini Kumaras, anyōnyasadṛśau both of them similar in looks, tau they, ubhau both, vīrau the two heroes, samudīkṣyatu watched

Bow in hand, Rama watched both the heroes who resembled the twin Aswini Kumaras.
yannāvagacchatsugrīvaṅ vālinaṅ vāpi rāghavaḥ.

tatō na kṛtavānbuddhiṅ mōktumantakaraṅ śaram4.12.20৷৷


rāghavaḥ Rama, sugrīvam Sugriva, vālinaṅ vāpi or Vali, yat such and such, nāvagacchat not able to distinguish, tataḥ then, antakaram deadly, śaram arrow, mōktum to discharge, buddhim intellect, na kṛtavān not made.

Since Rama was not able to distinguish between Vali and Sugriva, he could not decide whether he should discharge his deadly arrow .
ētasminnantarē bhagnassugrīvastēna vālinā.

apaśyanrāghavaṅ nāthamṛśyamūkaṅ pradudruvē4.12.21৷৷


ētasmin antarē in the mean while, tēna vālinā by Vali, bhagnaḥ discomfited, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, nātham lord, rāghavam Rama, apaśyan not finding, ṛśyamūkam to Rishyamuka, pradudruvē ran.

Discomfited by Vali, and not seeing Rama around, Sugriva ran towards Rishyamuka mountain.
klāntō rudhirasiktāṅgaḥ prahārairjarjharīkṛtaḥ.

vālinā.bhidrutaḥ krōdhātpravivēśa mahāvanam4.12.22৷৷


vālinā by Vali, krōdhāt angry, abhidrutaḥ chased, klāntaḥ exhausted, rudhirasiktāṅgaḥ body drenched in blood, prahāraiḥ with strokes, jarjharīkṛtaḥ mauled, mahāvanam great grove (of Matanga), pravivēśa entered.

Exhausted, disfigured and body mauled and drenched in blood all over, Sugriva, chased by the infuriated Vali, entered the region of great sage Matanga.
taṅ praviṣṭaṅ vanaṅ dṛṣṭvā vālī śāpabhayārditaḥ.

muktō hyasi tvamityuktvā sa nivṛttō mahādyutiḥ4.12.23৷৷


vanam grove, praviṣṭam entered, tam him, dṛṣṭvā after seeing, mahādyutiḥ effulgent, vālī Vali, tvam you, muktaḥ asi hi you have escaped, iti thus, uktvā having said, śāpabhayāt by the fear of the curse, tataḥ then, nivṛttaḥ returned.

Effulgent Vali saw Sugriva entering the (prohibited) grove and turned back due to the fear of the curse (of sage Matanga) saying, 'You have escaped'.
rāghavō.si saha bhrātrā saha caiva hanūmatā.

tadēva vanamāgacchatsugrīvō yatra vānaraḥ4.12.24৷৷


rāghavō.pi Rama too, bhrātrā saha along with brother, hanūmatā ca saha also with Hanuman, vānaraḥ Vanara, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, yatra where, tat that, vanamēva to the grove, āgacchat arrived.

Rama together with Lakshmana and Hanuman also arrived at the same gave where Sugriva was.
taṅ samīkṣyāgataṅ rāmaṅ sugrīvassahalakṣmaṇam.

hrīmāndīnamuvācēdaṅ vasudhāmavalōkayan4.12.25৷৷


sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, āgatam coming in, sahalakṣmaṇam along with Lakshmana, taṅ rāmam that Rama, dṛṣṭvā seeing, hrīmān ashamed, vasudhām ground, avalōkayan looking down , dīnam piteously, idam this, uvāca spoke.

At the sight of Rama accompanied by Lakshmana, Sugriva felt ashmed and aggrieved, and looking down on the ground, said:
āhvayasvēti māmuktvā darśayitvā ca vikramam.

vairiṇā ghātayitvā ca kimidānīṅ tvayā kṛtam4.12.26৷৷


āhvayasva asked me to declare, iti thus, mām me, uktvā after telling, vikramam prowess, darśayitvā having demonstrated, vairiṇā by the enemy, ghātayitvā had hit me, tvayā by you, idānīm this way, kiṅ kṛtam why did you do?

'You demonstrated your prowess and directed me to challenge Vali and then why did you make the enemy hit me thus?
tāmēna vēlāṅ vaktavyaṅ tvayā rāghava! tattvataḥ.

vālinaṅ na nihanmīti tatō nāhamitō vrajē4.12.27৷৷


rāghava Rama, tāṅ vēlāmēva at that time, tvayā by you, vālinam Vali, na nihanmi I will not kill, iti thus, tattvataḥ truly, vaktavyam should have been said, tataḥ then, aham I, itaḥ from this place, na vrajē would not have gone.

'Had you, in fact, told me that you were not going to kill Vali, I would not have budged from this place.'
tasya caivaṅ bruvāṇasya sugrīvasya mahātmanaḥ.

karuṇaṅ dīnayā vācā rāghavaḥ punarabravīt4.12.28৷৷


mahātmanaḥ great soul, tasya sugrīvasya Sugriva's, dīnayā a piteous, vācā by word, karuṇam compasionately, ēvam in that manner, bruvāṇasya while he spoke, rāghavaḥ Rama, punaḥ again, abravīt said.

On hearing the great Sugriva's miserable and moving words, Rama again said:
sugrīva! śrūyātāṅ tāta! krōdhaśca vyapanīyatām.

kāraṇaṅ yēna bāṇō.yaṅ na mayā sa visarjitaḥ4.12.29৷৷


tāta! O dear, sugrīva Sugriva, yēna why, saḥ ayam this, bāṇaḥ arrow, mayā by me, na visarjitaḥ not released, kāraṇam reason, śrūyatām listen to me, krōdhaḥ anger, vyapanīyatāṅ ca dispel.

'O dear Sugriva! dispel your anger and listen to me why I had not released the arrow.
alaṅkārēṇa vēṣēṇa pramāṇēna gatēna ca.

tvaṅ ca sugrīva! vālī ca sadṛśau sthaḥ parasparam4.12.30৷৷


sugrīva Sugriva, alaṅkārēṇa in personal embelishment, vēṣēṇa in form, pramāṇēna in appearance, gatēna ca in your movements, tvaṅ ca your, vālī ca and Vali, parasparam to each other, sadṛśau both similar, sthaḥ are.

'O Sugriva! in form, ornaments and movements there is perfect resemblance between you and Vali.
svarēṇa varcasā caiva prēkṣitēna ca vānara!.

vikramēṇa ca vākyaiśca vyaktiṅ vāṅ nōpalakṣayē4.12.31৷৷


vānara! monkey, svarēṇa in voice, varcasā caiva or in splendour, prēkṣitēna in looks, vikramēṇa ca in valour, vākyaiśca in talk, vām between the two, vyaktim difference, nōpalakṣayē I have not seen.

'O monkey! in your voice, in brightness, in looks, in valour or in words I have marked no difference between you.
tatō.haṅ rūpasādṛśyānmōhitō vānarōttama.

nōtsṛjāmi mahāvēgaṅ śaraṅ śatrunibarhaṇam4.12.32৷৷


vānarōttama distinguished monkey, tataḥ then, rūpasādṛśyāt similar appearance, mōhitaḥ bewildered, aham I was, mahāvēgam swift, śatrunibarhaṇam that which can destroy enemy, śaram
arrow, nōtsṛjāmi I have not let loose.

'O distinguished monkey! you both are so similar in form that I was puzzled and did not release my swift arrow that could have destroyed the enemy.
jīvitāntakaraṅ ghōraṅ sādṛśyāttu viśaṅkitaḥ.

mūlaghātō na nau syāddhi dvayōrapi kṛtō mayā4.12.33৷৷


sādṛśyāt due to similar appearance, viśaṅkitaḥ I doubted, jīvitāntakaram deadly arrow, ghōram terrific, nau of us, dvayōḥ of both, mūlaghātaḥ strike at the root, syāddhi may be indeed, mayā by myself, na kṛtaḥ was not done.

'I was doubtful because of your similar appearance. I thought that I should not strike at the very root of the interests of both of us. Therefore, I did not release the terrific and deadly arrow.
tvayi vīrē vipannē hi ajñānāllāghavānmayā.

mauḍhyaṅ ca mama bālyaṅ ca khyāpitaṅ syātkapīśvara!4.12.34৷৷


vīrē warrior, kapīśvara O lord of monkeys, ajñānāt by ignorance, lāghavāt due to thoughtlessness, tvayi vipannē in your danger, mayā by me, mama my, mauḍhyaṅ ca folly, bālyaṅ ca childishness, khyāpitam revealed, syāt will be.

'O lord of monkeys! I would have betrayed my foolishness and childishness had I exposed you to danger by my ignorance and thoughtlessness.
dattābhayavadhō nāma pātakaṅ mahaducyatē.

ahaṅ ca lakṣmaṇaścaiva sītā ca varavarṇinī4.12.35৷৷

tvadadhīnā vayaṅ sarvē vanē.smin śaraṇaṅ bhavān.


dattābhayavadhō nāma killing a person after promising protection, mahat great, pātakam sin, ucyatē it
is said to be, ahaṅ ca I also, lakṣmaṇaścaiva even Lakshmana, varavarṇinī darling, sītā ca Sita also, vayaṅ sarvē all of us, tvadadhīnāḥ under your care, asmin in this regard, bhavān you, śaraṇam refuge.

'It is said that killing a person to whom protection is promised is highly sinful. Lakshmana, darling Sita and me, are under your care and you are our refuge.
tasmādyudhyasva bhūyastvaṅ mā mā śaṅkēśca vānara!4.12.36৷৷

ētanmuhūrtē sugrīva! paśya vālinamāhavē.

nirastamiṣuṇaikēna vēṣṭamānaṅ mahītalē4.12.37৷৷


vānara monkey, tasmāt therefore, tvam you, bhūyaḥ again go, yudhyasva fight, mā mā do not do not, śaṅkēśca you may doubt me, ētanmuhūrtē in one moment, mayā by me, āhavē in war, ēkēna by a single, bāṇēna by arrow, nirastam thrown down, mahītalē on the ground, vēṣṭamānam rolling, vālinam Vali, paśya see.

'Therefore, O monkey, go and engage yourself in fight again. Do not suspect me. With this single arrow of mine, in one moment you will see Vali thrown down and rolling on the ground in this combat.
abhijñānaṅ kuruṣva tvamātmanō vānarēśvara!.

yēna tvāmabhijānīyāṅ dvandvayuddhamupāgatam4.12.38৷৷


vānarēśvara lord of monkeys, dvandvayuddham duel, upāgatam has come, tvām you, yēna by which, abhijānīyām I may recognise you, abhijñānam an identification, ātmanaḥ you, kuruṣva may put on.

'O lord of monkeys! while you both are engaged in a duel wear some identification mark by which I can recognise you.
gajapuṣpīmimāṅ phullāmutpāṭya śubhalakṣaṇām.

kuru lakṣmaṇa! kaṇṭhē.sya sugrīvasya mahātmanaḥ৷৷4.12.39৷৷


lakṣmaṇa Lakshmana, imām these, phullām flowers blossomed, śubhalakṣaṇām auspicious, gajapuṣpīm Gajapushpi, utpāṭya plucking, mahātmanaḥ of the great, asya sugrīvasya Sugriva's, kaṇṭhē in the neck, kuru put on.

'O Lakshmana! this Gajapushpi in bloom is auspicious. Pluck and fasten it on great Sugriva's neck.'
tatō giritaṭē jātāmutpāṭya kusumākulām.

lakṣmaṇō gajapuṣpīṅ tāṅ tasya kaṇṭhē vyasarjayat4.12.40৷৷


tataḥ then, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, giritaṭē on the slope of the mountain, jātām growing, kusumāyutām flowering, tāṅ gajapuṣpīm those gajapushpi blossoms, utpāṭya plucked, tasya his, kaṇṭhē on the neck, vyasarjayat fastened on.

Then Lakshmana went to the mountain slope, plucked the (creeper with) gajapuspi blossoms and fastened it on the neck of Sugriva.
sa tayā śuśubhē śrīmān latayā kaṇṭhasaktayā.

mālayēva balākānāṅ sasandhya iva tōyadaḥ4.12.41৷৷


śrīmān lucky, saḥ Sugriva, kaṇṭhasaktayā by that on the neck, tayā lataya by that creeper, sasandhyaḥ at twilight, tōyadaḥ rain cloud, balākānām of cranes, mālayēva like a garland, śuśubhē glowed.

With the creeper round the neck, Sugriva looked like the rain-cloud at twilight, adorned by a row of cranes like a garland.
vibhrājamānō vapuṣā rāmavākyasamāhitaḥ.

jagāma saha rāmēṇa kiṣkinthāṅ vālipālitām4.12.42৷৷


vapuṣā with his body, vibhrājamānaḥ radiant, saḥ he, rāmavākyasamāhitaḥ intent on carrying out Rama's instruction, rāmēṇa saha with Rama, jagāma went, punaḥ again, kiṣkindhām to Kishkinda,
vāli pālitām ruled by Vali.

Radiant Sugriva intent on carrying out Rama's words again went to Kishkinda ruled by Vali.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē kiṣkindhākāṇḍē dvādaśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the twelfth sarga of Kishkindakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.