Sloka & Translation

[Sugriva expresses his indebtedness to Rama --- armies of monkeys of varied forms and strength from different parts of the earth arrive.]

pratigṛhya ca tatsarvamupāyanamupāhṛtam.

vānarānsāntvayitvā ca sarvānēva vyasarjayat৷৷4.38.1৷৷


upāhṛtam presented, tat that, sarvam all that, upāyanam gifts, pratigṛhya after taking, sāntvayitvā ca pleasing them, sarvān ēva all of them, vānarān monkeys, vyasarjayat permitted to go.

On receiving all the gifts presented by the monkeys, Sugriva permitted them to go happy.
visarjayitvā sa harīn śūrāṅstānkṛtakarmaṇaḥ.

mēnē kṛtārthamātmānaṅ rāghavaṅ ca mahābalam৷৷4.38.2৷৷


saḥ he, kṛtakarmaṇaḥ those who have done the task asigned, śūrān tān those heroes, harīn the monkeys, visarjayitvā after sending away, ātmānam himself, mahābalam powerful, rāghavaṅ ca and Rama, kṛtārtham achieved, mēnē felt.

The monkey heroes sent by Sugriva performed the task assigned to them and felt powerful Rama's task has been achieved (a successful beginning has been made).
sa lakṣmaṇō bhīmabalaṅ sarvavānarasattamam.

abravītpraśritaṅ vākyaṅ sugrīvaṅ sampraharṣayan৷৷4.38.3৷৷

kiṣkindhāyā viniṣkrāma yadi tē saumya! rōcatē.


saḥ lakṣmaṇaḥ that Lakshmana, bhīmabalam of terrific strength, sarvavānarasattamam foremost among the monkeys, sugrīvam Sugriva, sampraharṣayan cheering, praśritam humbly, vākyam words, abravīt
said, saumya! O good-natured, tē to you, rōcatē yadi if it pleases, kiṣkindhāyāḥ from Kishkinda, viniṣkrāma depart.

Cheering Sugriva, the foremost among the monkeys, the mighty Lakshmana said in a humble way: 'O good-natured Sugriva! if you would like to come to Rama let us depart from Kishkinda.
tasya tadvacanaṅ śrutvā lakṣmaṇasya subhāṣitam৷৷4.38.4৷৷

sugrīvaḥ paramaprītō vākyamētaduvāca ha.

ēvaṅ bhavatu gacchāva: sthēyaṅ tvacchāsanē mayā৷৷4.38.5৷৷


sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, subhāṣitam gentle words, tasyalakṣmaṇasya of Lakshmana, tat vacanam those words, śrutvā on hearing, paramaprītaḥ highly pleased, ētat this, vākyam word, uvāca ha spoke, ēvam in that manner, bhavatu let it be so, gacchāvaḥ we both may go, mayā to me, tvacchāsanē at your command, sthēyam I should stand.

Hearing the gentle words of Lakshmana, spoken lovingly in that manner and asking him to come along with him, Sugriva was highly pleased.He agreed to go with him and said, 'As you please. I abide by your command'.
tamēvamuktvā sugrīvō lakṣmaṇaṅ śubhalakṣaṇam.

visarjayāmāsa tadā tārāmanyāśca yōṣitaḥ৷৷4.38.6৷৷


sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, śubhalakṣaṇam auspicious signs, taṅ lakṣmaṇam that Lakshmana, ēvam in such a way, uktvā having spoken, tadā then, tārām to Tara, anyāḥ yōṣitaścaiva other women also, visarjayāmāsa despatched.

Sugriva spoke to Lakshmana endowed with auspicious signs, and thereupon permitted Tara and other women to leave the place.
ētētyuccairharivarānsugrīvassamudāharat.

tasya tadvacanaṅ śrutvā harayaśśīghramāyayuḥ৷৷4.38.7৷৷

baddhāñjalipuṭāssarvē yē syuḥ strīdarśanakṣamāḥ.


sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, ētē you come, iti thus, uccaiḥ loudly, harivarān foremost of the monkeys, samudāharat as he collected them, tasya his, tat that, vacanaṅ śrutvā on hearing the word, yē who, strīdarśanakṣamāḥ female monkeys fit to see, syuḥ they be, sarvē all, harayaḥ monkeys, baddhāñjalipuṭāḥ those with folded hands, śīghram quickly, āyayuḥ came.

Sugriva called in the monkeys who deserved audience of the female folk of the royal family. They came forward quickly with folded hands welcoming the heroes.
tānuvāca tataḥ prāptānrājā.rkasadṛśaprabhaḥ৷৷4.38.8৷৷

upasthāpayata kṣipraṅ śibikāṅ mama vānarāḥ.


tataḥ then, arkasadṛśaprabhaḥ shining like the Sun, rājā king, prāptān those who came there, tān them, uvāca said, vānarāḥ monkeys, mama my, śibikām palanquin, kṣipram at once, upasthāpayata get it here.

Then seeing the monkeys who had come there, king Sugriva who was shining like the Sun-god asked them to get a palanquin ready at once.
śrutvā tu vacanaṅ tasya harayaśśīghravikramāḥ৷৷4.38.9৷৷

samupasthāpayāmāsuśśibikāṅ priyadarśanām.


śīghravikramāḥ those who were quick to act, harayaḥ monkeys, tasya his, vacanam words, śrutvā after hearing, priyadarśanām pleasing to see, śibikām palanquin, samupasthāpayāmāsuḥ placed in front of him.

On hearing the king, the monkeys who were quick to act placed a beautiful palanquin in front of him.
tāmupasthāpitāṅ dṛṣṭvā śibikāṅ vānarādhipaḥ৷৷4.38.10৷৷

lakṣmaṇā.ruhyatāṅ śīghramiti saumitrimabravīt.


vānarādhipaḥ chief of monkeys, upasthāpitām was brought in, tāṅ śibikām palanquin, dṛṣṭvā seeing, lakṣmaṇa Lakshmana, śīghram quickly, āruhyatām get on, iti thus, saumitrim to Saumithri, abravat said.

Seeing the palanquin placed in front of Sugriva, the chief of the monkeys requested Lakshmana to get in quickly.
ityuktvā kāñcanaṅ yānaṅ sugrīvassūryasannibham৷৷4.38.11৷৷

bṛhadbhirharibhiryuktamārurōha salakṣmaṇaḥ.


sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, iti thus, uktvā having spoken, sūryasannibham shining like the Sun, bṛhadbhi: by the strong, haribhiḥ by the monkeys, yuktam fit to be yoked, kāñcanam golden, yānam that vehicle, salakṣmaṇaḥ along with Lakshmana, ārurōha got in.

With this Sugriva, shining like the Sun-god, entered along with Lakshmana the golden palanquin carried by able-bodied monkeys.
pāṇḍurēṇātapatrēṇa mriyamāṇēna mūrdhani৷৷4.38.12৷৷

śuklaiśca vālavyajanairdhūyamānaissamantataḥ.

śaṅkhabhērīninādaiśca haribhiścābhivanditaḥ৷৷4.38.13৷৷

niryayau prāpya sugrīvō rājyaśriyamanuttamām.


sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, anuttamām utmost, rājyaśriyam royal prosperity, prāpya having attained, haribhiḥ by monkeys, abhinanditaḥ greeted, mūrdhani over his head, dhriyamāṇēna holding, śuklēśca pāṇḍurēṇa with pale white, ātapatrēṇa by an umbrella, samantataḥ all over, dhūyamānaiḥ fanning, vālavyajanaiḥ made of yak-tail, śaṅkhabhērīninādaiśca by the sounds of conches and drums niryayau set out.

With a pale white umbrella over his head, white yak-tail fans and sounds of conches and drums, Sugriva set out receiving greetings from monkeys, rejoicing in his royal
glory.
sa vānaraśataistīkṣṇairbahubhi śśastrapāṇibhiḥ৷৷4.38.14৷৷

parikīrṇō yayau tatra yatra rāmō vyavasthitaḥ.


saḥ he, śastrapāṇibhiḥ wielding weapons in hand, tīkṣṇaiḥ sharp, bahubhiḥ varied, vānaraśataiḥ by hundreds of monkeys, parikīrṇaḥ surrounded by, rāmaḥ Rama, yatra where, vyavasthitaḥ resided, tatra there, yayau went forth.

Surrounded by hundreds of monkeys wielding various sharp weapons, Sugriva went forth to the region where Rama resided৷৷
sa taṅ dēśamanuprāpya śrēṣṭhaṅ rāmaniṣēvitam৷৷4.38.15৷৷

avātaranmahātējā śśibikāyāssalakṣmaṇaḥ.


mahātējāḥ brilliant, salakṣmaṇaḥ along with Lakshmana, saḥ he, rāmaniṣēvitam where Rama was resided, śrēṣṭham best, taṅ dēśam that location, anuprāpya having reached, śibikāyāḥ from the palanquin, avātarat descended.

Having reached the place where Rama lived, brilliant Sugriva along with Lakshmana descended from the palanquin.
āsādya ca tatō rāmaṅ kṛtāñjalipuṭō.bhavat৷৷4.38.16৷৷

kṛtāñjalau sthitē tasminvānarāścābhavaṅstathā.


tataḥ then, rāmam to Rama, āsādya approached, kṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ with folded hands, abhavat remained, tasmin when he, kṛtāñjalau with folded hands, sthitē stood, vānarāśca monkeys also, tathā similarly, abhavan did so.

Thereafter Sugriva followed by the monkeys approached Rama, and stood with folded hands.
taṭākamiva taṅ dṛṣṭvā rāmaḥ kuḍmalapaṅkajam৷৷4.38.17৷৷

vānarāṇāṅ mahatsainyaṅ sugrīvē prītimānabhūt.


rāmaḥ Rama, kuḍmalapaṅkajam filled with lotus buds, taṭākamiva resembling a pond, vānarāṇām of the vanaras, mahat great, sainyam army, dṛṣṭvā after witnessing, sugrīvē at Sugriva, prītimān pleased one, abhūt appeared.

Rama was pleased on beholding the great army of monkeys standing, resembling a pond full of lotus buds.
pādayōḥ patitaṅ mūrdhnā tamutthāpya harīśvaram৷৷4.38.18৷৷

prēmṇā ca bahumānācca rāghavaḥ pariṣasvajē.


rāghavaḥ Rama, mūrdhnā bending the head, pādayōḥ at both his feet, patitam touching in prostration, tam him, harīśvaram Sugriva, utthāpya lifted him up, prēmṇā ca with love, bahumānācca with great regard, pariṣasvajē he embraced.

Sugriva touched Rama's feet, bending his head down, and Rama lifted him up and embraced him with love and great regard.
pariṣvajya ca dharmātmā niṣīdēti tatō.bravīt৷৷4.38.19৷৷

niṣaṇṇaṅ taṅ tatō dṛṣṭvā kṣitau rāmō.bravīdvacaḥ.


tataḥ thereafter, dharmātmā righteous, rāmaḥ Rama, pariṣvajya embracing, tataḥ then, niṣīda sit, iti thus, abravīt said, vacaḥ words, kṣitau on the ground, niṣaṇṇām sat down, tam him, dṛṣṭvā on seeing, abravīt said.

Embracing him, Rama offered him a seat on the ground and said:
dharmamarthaṅ ca kāmaṅ ca yastu kālē niṣēvatē৷৷4.38.20৷৷

vibhajya satataṅ vīra ssa rājā harisattama.


vīra: a hero, harisattama O best among monkeys, yaḥ whoever, dharmam duty, arthaṅ ca wealth also, kāmaṅ ca desire too, kālē in time, vibhajya after dividing due time, niṣēvatē attends, saḥ such a man, rājā is king.

'O best among the heroic monkeys, a king who apportions his time properly towards pursuit of dharma, artha and kama is a hero and deserves to be a king.
hitvā dharmaṅ tathā.rthaṅ ca kāmaṅ yastu niṣēvatē৷৷4.38.21৷৷

sa vṛkṣāgrē yathā suptaḥ patitaḥ pratibudhyatē.


yaḥ whoever, dharmam one's duty, tathā so also, arthaṅ ca pursuit of wealth also, hitvā after giving up, kāmam desire, niṣēvat attends, saḥ he, vṛkṣāgrē on the tree top, suptaḥ iva as one lying, patitaḥ fallen down, pratibudhyatē gets awakened.

'One who neglects dharma and artha and pursues only kama (sensuous enjoyment) is like a man asleep on top of the tree, waking up only to realize that he has fallen down.
amitrāṇāṅ vadhē yuktō mitrāṇāṅ saṅgrahē rataḥ৷৷4.38.22৷৷

trivargaphalabhōktā tu rājā dharmēṇa yujyatē.


amitrāṇām of enemies, vadhē in slaying, yuktaḥ right, mitrāṇām of friends, saṅgrahē in the acqusition of, rataḥ is engaged, rājā that king, dharmēṇa with righteousness, yujyatē is associated, trivargaphalabhōktā ca enjoys the fruits of all the three (dharma, artha and kama) goals of life.

udyōgasamayastvēṣaprāptaśśatruvināśana!৷৷4.38.23৷৷

sañcintyatāṅ hi piṅgēśa! haribhissaha mantribhiḥ.


śatruvināśana! O slayer of enemies, piṅgēśa! O king of monkeys, ēṣaḥ this, udyōgasamayaḥ time for enterprise, prāptaḥ set in, mantribhiḥ ministers, haribhiḥ saha and with monkeys, sañcintyatām think over.

'O king of monkeys, slayer of enemies! the time to act has arrived. Think of the strategies with your ministers and other monkeys.
ēvamuktastu sugrīvō rāmaṅ vacanamabravīt৷৷4.38.24৷৷

praṇaṣṭā śrīśca kīrtiśca kapirājyaṅ ca śāśvatam.

tvatprasādānmahābāhō! punaḥprāptamidaṅ mayā৷৷4.38.25৷৷


ēvam in that manner, uktaḥ having said, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, rāmam to Rama, vacanam these words, abravīt spoke, mahābāhō! O long-armed one!, praṇaṣṭā that had been lost, śrīśca fortune, kīrtiśca and fame, śāśvatam permanent, idam this, kapirājyaṅ ca kingdom of vanaras too, mayā by me, tvatprasādāt by your grace only, prāptam obtained.

On hearing this, Sugriva said to Rama,'O long-armed one the fortune, fame and soverignty of vanaras which was lost has been regained only by your grace.
tava dēva prasādācca bhrātuśca jayatāṅ vara.

kṛtaṅ na pratikuryādyaḥ puruṣāṇāṅ sa dūṣakaḥ৷৷4.38.26৷৷


dēva O lord, jayatāṅ vara best of the victorious men, tava your, bhrātuśca your brother's, prasādāt by the grace, ca also, kṛtam accomplished, yaḥ whoever, na pratikuryāt not help in return, puruṣāṇām among men, sa dūṣakaḥ the lowest.

'O victorious lord! he who does not repay the help got through your grace and your brother's is despicable among men.
ētē vānaramūkhyāśca śataśaśśatrusūdana!.

prāptāścādāya balinaḥ pṛthivyāṅ sarvavānarān৷৷4.38.27৷৷


śatrusūdana destroyer of enemies, śataśaḥ in hundreds, ētē these, vānaramukhyāḥ chiefs of monkeys, pṛthivyām on the earth, balinaḥ strong ones, sarvavānarān all the vanaras, ādāya gathering, prāptāḥ have reached.

'O destroyer of enemies! hundreds of strong vanara chiefs gathered from all over the earth have reached here.
ṛkṣāścāvahitāśśūrā gōlāṅgūlāśca rāghava!.

kāntāravanadurgāṇāmabhijñā ghōradarśanāḥ৷৷4.38.28৷৷

dēvagandharvaputrāśca vānarāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ.

svaissvai: parivṛtāssainyairvartantē pathi rāghava!৷৷4.38.29৷৷


rāghava! O Rama, kāntāra vanadurgāṇām inaccessible fortresses of forests, ghōradarśanāḥ of fierce appearance, ṛkṣāśca bears, avāhitāḥ familiar with every place, śūrāḥ valiant, gōlāṅgūlāśca golangulas also, dēvagandharvaputrāśca loins of divine beings, and gandharvas, kāmarūpiṇaḥ who can assume any form at their will, vānarāśca vanaras, svaiḥ svaiḥ with their, sainyaiḥ armies, parivṛtāḥ gathered, pathi on the way, vartantē are coming.

'O Rama! valiant bears of fierce appearance, also golangulas (a variety of monkeys with tails like cows') familiar with the inaccessible fortresses of forest have come. These monkeys are sons of divine beings and gandharvas who can assume any form at will. They are on their way along with their armies.
śataiśśatasahasraiśca vartantē kōṭibhiśca plavaṅgamāḥ.

ayutaiścāvṛtā vīrāśśaṅkubhiśca parantapa! ৷৷4.38.30৷৷

arbudairarbudaśatairmadhyaiścāntyaiśca vānarāḥ.

samudraiśca parārdhaiśca harayō hariyūthapāḥ৷৷4.38.31৷৷

āgamiṣyanti tē rājanmahēndrasamavikramāḥ.

mērumandarasaṅkāśā vindhya mērukṛtālayāḥ৷৷4.38.32৷৷


rājan O king, vīra heroic, śataiḥ in hundreds, śatasahasraiśca in lakhs, kōṭibhiśca even in crores, plavaṅgamāḥ monkeys, ayutaiśca in ayutas, śaṅkubhiśca in sankus(multitudes), arbudaiḥ one hundred millions, arbudaśataiḥ hundreds of arbudas, madhyaiśca in madhyas, antyēśca in antyas, āvṛtāḥ come together, vānarāḥ monkeys, vartantē are reaching, samudraiśca in samudras, parārdhaiśca in parardhas, harayaḥ monkeys, mahēndrasamavikramāḥ comparable to Indra in courage, mērumandarasaṅkāśāḥ mount Meru, and Mandara, vindhyamērukṛtālayāḥ mount Vindhya and Meru, hariyūthapāḥ monkey troops, āgamiṣyanti have started coming.

O scorcher of enemies! the vanara troops in hundred thousand crores, ayutas, sanku, arbuda, hundreds of arbudas, madhyas, antyas, samudras and parardhas (100000000000000000), are expected. O king ! they are residents of Vindhya and Meru mountains, comparable to lord Indra in courage and appear like mountains Meru and Mandara.
tē tvāmabhigamiṣyanti rākṣasaṅ yē sabāndhavam.

nihatya rāvaṇaṅ sakhyē hyānayiṣyanti maithilīm৷৷4.38.33৷৷


yē those, saṅkhyē in war, sabāndhavam with relatives, rākṣasam ogre, rāvaṇam Ravana, nihatya after killing, maithilīm Maithili, ānayiṣyanti will bring her, tē they, tvām you, abhigamiṣyanti they will reach you.

'The monkeys who can kill ogre Ravana and his relatives in battle and bring back Maithili will be arriving shortly.
tatastamudyōgamavēkṣya buddhimā-

nharipravīrasya nidēśavartinaḥ.

babhūva harṣādvasudhādhipātmajaḥ

prabuddhanīlōtpalatulyadarśanaḥ৷৷4.38.34৷৷


tataḥ then, buddhimān wise, vasudhādhipātmajaḥ son to king of the earth (Rama), nidēśavartinaḥ those who take orders, haripravīrasya of the monkey lord, tamudyōgam that effort, avēkṣya observing, harṣāt with delight, prabuddhanīlōtpalatulyadarśanaḥ appeared like a blooming blue lotus, babhūva remained.

The wise statesman, Rama observing the efforts of Sugriva and his attendants looked like a blooming blue lotus through delight.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē kiṣkindhākāṇḍē aṣṭatriṅśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends of thirtyeighth sarga in Kishkindakanda of the first epic, the Holy Ramayana, composed by sage Valmiki.