Part 31

Then they saw the ocean--abode of Varuna--shoreless, resounding, rife with dreadful billows. Exploring the mountain fastness of Maya,[168] they spent the month that had been set by the king. Then sitting down at the foot of the Vindhya mountain, containing blossoming trees, at that time[169] those high-souled ones indulged in reflections. And beholding vernal trees bending beneath the load of flowers, and environed by hundreds of plants, they were inspired with apprehension. And each knowing that spring had appeared, they, the term apppointed for their task having run out, dropped down on the ground. Thereat, with bland words properly honoring the aged apes and the rest dwelling in the woods, that monkey having the shoulders of a lion or a bull, and plump and broad arms--the youthful prince Angada, endowed with high wisdom, spoke,--"We have come out at the mandate of the monarch of monkeys. While we sojourned in the cave, a full month had passed away, ye monkeys. Why do yoti not understand this? We set out, engaging that our term of search should reach no further than the end of Kartika;[170] but that hath expired. Now, what next is to be done? having received the orders (of the king), ye, conversant with morality, engaged in the welfare of your master, expert in every work,incomparable in execution, and renowned in every quarter, have come out, commanded by the lord of monkeys. Now, having failed to attain our object, we shall meet with death, There is no doubt whatever about this. Who, having been unsuccessful in doing the mandate of the king of monkeys, enjoyeth ease? Now all the rangers of the forest should fast unto death. Naturally stern, Sugriva, established as our master, shall not forgive us, when we repair there, after having disgressed thus. Sita not having been found out, Sugriva, for certain, shall commit this sin.[171] Therefore it is fit that, forsaking our sons, and wives, and wealth, and homes, we this very day sit down to starve ourselves to death. Death at this place is preferrable to the unequal punishment (we must meet with at the hands of Sugriva). And, further, I have not been installed heir-apparent by Sugriva: I have been sprinkled by that foremost of kings, Rama of untiring energy. Entertaining enmity against me of old, the king, seeing this lapse, must be firmly determined to take my life by means of a severe sentence. What is the use of suffering my friends to look on my disaster at the last moment of my existence? Therefore even on this sacred shore of the sea shall I sit down to starve myself." Hearing the tender prince speak thus, all those principal monkeys pathetically observed,-- "Sugriva is harsh by nature, and Raghava loveth his wife dearly. The time appointed having passed by, seeing us (come) without attaining success in the task, and seeing us arrive without obtaining a sight of Vaidehi, (Sugriva) shall certainly slay us from the desire of doing what is agreeable to Raghava. Those who have transgressed, cannot come to the side of their master. Having come hither as the principal servants of Sugriva, we shall either see Sita or obtain information concerning her, or else, O hero, we shall repair to the mansion of Yama." Hearing the speeches of the monkeys afflicted with fear, Tara said,--"No use of indulging in grief. If ye relish it, let us all entering the cave, dwell there. This place abounding in flowers and waters, meats and drinks,-- which hath been brought forth by the power of illusion, is incapable of being approached. Here we have no fear from Purandara, or Raghava, or the king of monkeys." Hearing the welcome words of Angada, the monkeys, being convinced, said,--"Do thou this very day so order that we may not be slain."

[168] Named Rhikshavila.--T.

[169] _i. e._ at the beginning of winter.--T.

[170] _October._

[171] _i. e._ slay us.--T.

SECTION LIV.

When Tara, bright as the moon, had spoken thus, Hanuman felt as if Angada had already deprived (Sugriva) of his kingdom.[172] Hanuman deemed Vali's son as endowed with intelligence consisting of eight elements; with power of four kinds; and the four and ten virtues; as ever fraught with energy, strength and prowess; as growing in grace like the moon during the lighted fortnight; as resembling Brihaspati in intelligence; and in prowess, his own sire; and as ever listening to Tara's counsels, as Purandara listens to the counsels of Sukra. And Hanuman versed in all branches of learning, finding Angada Backward in the affair of his master, began to inspire him with fear.[173] He, wealthy in words, laying under contribution the second of the four means,[174] had created division among those monkeys. On their being divided, he (Hanuman) set about raising Angada's apprehension by various fear-fraught speech, referring to punishments. "O Tara's son, thou art for certain more capable of fight than even thy sire; and thou art also able to hold the monkey-kingdom as firmly as he. But, O foremost of monkeys, the monkeys are always inconstant in character. Bereft of their wives and sons, they shall not bear thy behest. And they shall never take to thee. This I tell thee in presence of all. And I will tell thee what. Thou neither by the virtues of conciliation, charity and the rest, nor by chastisement, shalt succeed in drawing to thy side this Jambavan, or Nila, or the mighty ape Suhotra, or myself. A strong one wronging another that is weak, can live; therefore a weak person anxious for self-preservation, should never wrong (a strong individual). Thou considerest that this cave may serve for thy protectress,[175] having heard of it (said by Tara); but to rive the same is but light work for the shafts of Lakshmana. Formerly this was cleft a little by Indra, with his thunderbolt hurled (against it)[176]; but now Lakshmana would pierce it like a leaf-stalk, by means of his keen arrows. Lakshmana hath many an iron arrow like Indra's thunderbolt or that of the sky,[177] capable of riving even mountains. O subduer of enemies, soon as thou shalt set up here, the monkeys, making up their minds, shall forsake thee. Remembering their wives and sons, ever anxious (on account of Sugriva), pining for domestic happiness, and aggrieved (at their pitiable plight), they shall turn their backs upon thee. Then forsaken by thy kindred as well as friends seeking thy welfare, thou shalt be struck with affright even at a quaking blade of grass. If thou make head (against Sugriva), the sharpened shafts of Lakshmana, terrible, of exceeding impetuosity and mighty vehemence, and incapable of being baffled, shall be eager to slay thee. On the contrary, if thou in humble guise present thyself (before him) along with us, he shall establish thee in the kingdom, in consideration of thy being the next heir. A righteous sovereign, steady in vow, clean, and truthful in promise, thy uncle, who cherishes affection for thee, shall not by any means chastise thee. And he loves thy mother, and his life is for her; and she hath no other son. Therefore, O Angadu, go along with us."

[172] The sense is very obscure. One meaning is that Hanuman thought that Angada acquiescing in what Tara had said, must remain there,--and ultimately endeavour to wrest the kingdom from Sugriva. Another meaning is: Hanuman conceived that remaining there in peace, Angada would consider his Position as enviable as if he had extorted the kingdom from Sugriva.--T.

[173] Touching Tara.--T.

[174] Referred to above.--T.

[175] The word meaning _cave_ is feminine in Sanskrit.--T.

[176] The commentator interprets the passage differently: "Formerly Indra did a little damage herein--_i. e._ merely slew Maya, the architect of the mansion." This is ingenuity. I give the plain sense.--T.

[177] _Vajracani--Vajra_ is the thunder-bolt in the hand of Indra, and _Acani--_ the thunder-bolt produced by clouds.--T.

SECTION LV.

Hearing Hanuman's speech, uttered meekly, fraught with morality, and reflecting honor upon Sugriva, Angada said,-- "Firmness, and mental sanctity, mercy, candour, prowess, and patience, are not in Sugriva. He that, while her son is living, appropriateth the beloved queen of his elder brother, mother unto him by morality, is hated of all beings). How can he that could cover up the mouth of the cave, when he had been desired by his brother gone on martial mission, to guard the same,--(how can _he_) know morality? Whose good office rememhereth _he_ who could forget the renowned Raghava himself of mighty deeds, after having, in the name of truth, taken his hand? How can he reap religious merit, that directed us to search Sita here, from fear of Lakshmana, and not from fear of unrighteousness? What noble person, in especial, sprung in his race, shall any longer repose confidence in that impious one of unstable soul who hath run amuck of morality? Meritorious or otherwise, how can Sugriva, having installed in the kingdom me, son (of his enemy) and the enemy sprung in his race,--suffer me to live? How can I, whose counsels have been revealed, who have transgressed, and who have been deprived of my power, repairing to Kishkindha like one forlorn and feeble, live? For the sake of his kingdom, Sugriva, wily, cunning and cruel, shall put me in solitary confinement. For me fasting to death is better than being confined and suffering the consequent misery. Do ye grant me your permision; and go to your homes, ye monkeys. I vow before you, to the palace I will never repair. At this very spot will I fast for death; as death is good for me. Bowing unto the king as well as unto the powerful Raghava, ye should communicate my well-being unto Sugriva--lord of apes--and my health and peace unto my mother Uma. And it behoves you also to console my mother, Tara. Naturally fond of her son, and overflowing with tenderness, that lorn one, hearing of my death at this place, shall certainly renounce her life." Having said this, Angada, saluting the elders, with a woebegone face entered the earth covered with grass. When he had entered, those foremost monkeys, stricken with sorrow, weeping shed warm tears from their eyes. And censuring Sugriva and praising Vali, they, surrounding Angada, determined to starve themselves to death. Taking to heart the speech of Vali's son, those prime monkeys, sipping water, sat down facing the East. And sitting on the edge of the water on grass pointing to the south, the foremost monkeys, wishing for surcease, thought within themselves,--"Even this is fit for us." And as they spoke of the exile of Rama and the demise of Dacaratha, the carnage in Janasthana, the slaying of Jatayu, the ravishment of Vaidehi, the slaughter of Vali, and the ire of Rama, the monkeys were seized with fear. When those monkeys resembling mountain-summits had entered in, they set up cries, which, like unto the rumbling of clouds, making the sky resound, made that mountain with its rills reverberate.

SECTION LVI.

When the monkeys had been seated in that mountain, with the intention of putting a period to their existence through fasting, a king of vultures happened to come to that quarter. And that long-lived bird was named Sampati, the beautiful brother of Jatayu, famous for his strength and prowess. Issuing from a cavern of the mighty mountain Vindhya, he, seeing the monkeys seated, well pleased, said-- "Verily man[178] reapeth the fruit of his former acts; and therefore it is that this food ordained to that end, comes to me after a long time. I shall feed on these monkeys, one by one, slaying them one after another." Eying those apes, the bird expressed himself thus. Hearing this speech of the bird coveting his food, Angada faintly spoke to Hanuman, "Behold! through Sita's simplicity[179] this one--the very son of the Sun, Yama--hath come to this place, to exterminate the monkeys. Rama's work hath not been done; nor the royal mandate. And this disaster hath arrived unthought of by the monkeys. Ye have in detail heard all that, inspired with the desire of doing what is good unto Vaidehi, that king of vultures, Jatayu, did here. In this way, all creatures, even the brute species, compass the welfare of Rama, renouncing their lives, as we do. It is because of the love and tenderness[180] they bear towards (Rama), that people do good unto each other. And therefore the righteous Jatayu, of his own accord laying down his life, hath done the pleasure of Rama. We also, overcome with fatigue and (almost) dying, have come to this forest; but Mithila's daughter we find not. Happy is that king of vultures, having been slain by Ravana in battle. He hath got quit of the fear of Sugriva, and hath also attained supreme state. In consequence of the death of Jatayu and that of king Dacaratha, as well as owing to the ravishment of Vaidehi, (the lives of) the monkeys have come into jeopardy. Rama's and Lakshmana's abode in the forest with Sita, Raghava's slaying of Vali with a shaft, the slaughter of innumerable Rakshasas by the enraged Rama, and (finally) this mishap--all these owe their orgin to the bestowal of the boon on Kaikeyi." Seeing the monkeys stretched on the earth, and hearing their piteous words describing their grief, that magnanimous king of vultures, with his mind agitated, said (this). And hearing the words that issued from Angada's mouth, the sharp-beaked and high-toned vulture, said,-- "Who is it that, making my mind tremble, speaketh of the death of my brother, Jatayu, dearer unto me than life? How happened in Janasthana the fight between the Rakshasa and the vulture? It is after a long time that to-day I hear the name of my brother. I wish to alight from this mountain-fastness. I have been well pleased by listening after a long time to the celebration of the virtues of my younger brother, cognizant of qualities and worthy of being extolled by reason of his prowess. Ye foremost of monkeys, I wish to hear of the destruction of Jatayu, who dwelt in Janasthana. And how could Dacaratha, whose beloved eldest son is Rama, dear unto his superiors, be the friend of my brother? I can not move in consequence of my wings having been burnt by the solar rays. But I wish that ye may take me down from this mountain."

[178] Although out of character, the epithet _naram--man (acc.)_--is used by the vulture.--T.

[179] Another reading is _Gridhra padesana--through the vulture's cunning_. This the commentator considers as preferrable.--T.

[180] The commentator explains in pure orthodox fashion: _Because everything is in Rama, people serve each other from the love and tenderness, which pertain to him.--T._

SECTION LVII.

Hearing his accents faltering through grief, the leaders of monkey-herds, alarmed by his action,[181] did not repose confidence in his speech. Seated for the purpose of fasting to death, the monkeys, seeing the vulture, with terror thought within themselves,--"He shall eat us all up. If he eat us up, who have sat down to fast to death, we shall secure success, and speedily attain our end." Then those monkey-chiefs resolved thus. And descending from the summit of the mountain, Angada spoke unto the vulture,--"There was a lord of monkeys named Rhiksharaja, endowed with prowess. That king, O bird, was my grandsire. He had two virtuous sons, exceedingly powerful both--Vali and Sugriva. My father, Vali, was famed in the world for his deeds. And it came to pass that mighty monarch of all this earth, descendant of the Ikshwakus, the great and graceful car-warrior, Rama, son unto Dacaratha, intent upon the injunction of his sire, resorting to the path of righteousness, entered the woods of Dandaka in company with his brother, Lakshmana and his wife Vaidehi. And his spouse was forcibly carried away from Janasthana. And the friend of Rama's father, the king of vultures, named Jatayu, saw Videha's daughter, Sita, as she was being carried away in the sky. And after having thrown down Ravana from his car, and placed Maithili on the ground, (that vulture) old and overcome with fatigue was (at length) slain by Ravana in battle. Thus slain by the powerful Ravana, the vulture, having had his funereal obsequies performed by Rama (himself), hath attained excellent state. Then Raghava made friends with my uncle, the high-souled Sugriva; and he also slew my sire. My father had debarred Sugriva from the kingdom along with his counsellors; but Rama, having slain Vali, installed him (Sugriva). And established in the monarchy by him (Rama), Sugriva is (now) the master of the monkeys and king of all the foremost monkeys. By him have we been sent. Despatched hither by Rama, we have searched for Sita all round, but Vaidehi we have not found, as one doth not find the solar splendour at night. And it came to pass that, having heedfully explored the Dandaka forest, we through ignorance entered a cave lying open before. That cave, thou must know, was constructed by the illusive energy of Maya. And there we spent a month--the term which had been fixed by the monarch. Doing the behests of the king of monkeys, we, having over-stayed the term which had been appointed, have from fear sat here down for the purpose of fasting unto death. On that Kakutstha being wrought up with wrath, as well as Sugriva together with Lakshmana, we, repairing thither, shall lose our lives."

[181] _Karmana (instru) by his action._ The commentator explains: _alarmed by his speech about eating up the monkeys_. The passage is obscure.--T.

SECTION LVIII.

When the monkeys, whose lives had well nigh departed out of them, had spoken these piteous words, the vulture, in solemn accents, with tears in his eyes, said unto the monkeys, --"Ye monkeys, ye have said that my younger brother, named Jatayu, hath been slain in battle by the powerful Ravana. On account of my age and want of wings, I, although hearing this, bear it. Nor have I strength to-day to clear scores touching my brother's enmity. Formerly, while engaged in the destruction of Vritra, he and I, burning for victory, soared in the sky near the flaming sun, garlanded by glory. Thence impetuously wheeling round, we went to the celestial regions along the etherial way. And it came to pass that, coming midway of the sun, Jatayu was faint. Witnessing my brother severely struck by the solar rays, and exceedingly stupified, I from affection shadowed him with my wings. Thereat, my pinions scathed, I dropped down on Vindhya, ye foremost of monkeys; and staying here, I could not know the circumstances that have befallen my brother." Thus addressed by Jatayu's brother, Sampati, the eminently wise prince Angada answered,--"if thou art indeed the brother of Jatayu, having heard what I have related, tell (us) if thou knowest touching the abode of that Rakshasa. Tell us if thou knowest anent that short-sighted worst of Rakshasas, Ravana, whether staying far or near." Thereat, rejoicing the monkeys, the exceedingly energetic elder brother of Jatayu spoke words worthy of him,--"Ye monkeys, my pinions have been burnt; and I am a vulture shorn of strength. Therefore I will help Rama well by my words. I know the realms of Varuna, and Vishnu's Trivikrama[182] worlds, the wars of the gods and Asuras, and the churning for ambrosia. And albeit age hath deprived me of energy, and albeit my life hangs loosely on me, yet, if this is Rama's work, it should be done by me first. I have seen a youthful and beautiful female, adorned with all ornaments, carried away by the wicked Ravana,--the lady (all the while) crying, 'O Rama!' 'O Rama!' 'O Lakshmana!' And taking her ornaments from her person, she was throwing them on the ground. Her silken cloth seemed like the solar splendour on the summit of a mountain; and herself beside the sable Rakshasa, looked like the lightning in the welkin (beside clouds). From your relation of Rama, I conclude that she must be Sita. Now listen to me as I tell you about the abode of that Rakshasa. Son unto Vicravana and brother unto Vaicravana, the Rakshasa named Ravana resides in the city of Lanka. And the lovely city of Lanka, reared by Vicwakarma, lieth a full hundred _yojanas_ hence on an island in the sea; furnished with golden gateways, filled with variegated daises, lordly gold-gleaming palaces; and girt round with great walls hued like sunshine. There stayeth Vaidehi, forlorn and clad in a silken cloth,--confined in the inner apartment of Ravana, and carefully guarded by Rakshasis. In Lanka protected all round by the sea, ye shall behold Janaka's daughter, Maithili. At the end of the ocean after a full hundered _yojanas_, arriving at its southern shore, ye shall see Ravana. Ye monkeys, do ye hie thither speedily with vigor. I perceive by my knowledge that having seen (that place), ye shall come back. The first course belongs to fork-tailed shrikes and others living on grain; the second, to those that live on animals and fruits; the third is ranged by Bhashas; the fourth by Kraunchas, Kuvaras and hawks; the fifth by vultures; the sixth belongs to swans endowed with youth and beauty; and the next to the Vainateyas. We have derived our origin from Vainateya.[183] (By despatching you thither), I shall avenge the heinous deed perpetrated by the cannibal, as well as the wrong done by Ravana unto my brother. Resting here, I see Ravana and Janaki. We have excellent _Sauparna_[184] clairvoyance. For this reason, as well as owing to the energy consequent on our feeding on certain kinds of flesh, we, ye monkeys, can see a little further than an hundred _yojanas_. Therefore (the Deity) hath ordained such food for us as are fraught with the power of making one see from a great distance. And the abode of cocks and others being underneath trees, their sight is limited to the extent which they require to see. Do ye look about for means to cross over the salt waters. Having met with Vaidehi, do ye, having achieved success, come back. I wish to be taken by you to the ocean--abode of Varuna. I will offer water unto (the manes of) my high-souled brother, who hath gone to heaven." Thereat those heroes, the monkeys possessed of exceeding energy, carried to the destined spot on the shore of the ocean, Sampati, whose wings had been scathed. Then carrying that lord of vultures back to the self-same place, the monkeys, furnished with information (concerning Sita), experienced great joy.

[182] _i. e._ the worlds enveloped by his three steps during his Dwarf Incarnation.--T.

[183] Aruna, son unto Vinata.--T.

[184] Clairvoyance attained by success in knowledge respecting the spiritual Golden eyes. Thus far the commentator. We leave the abstruse point to the apostles of theosophy and spiritism for illucidation.--T.

SECTION LIX.