Part 32

Then hearing that ambrosial speech of the vulture-king, the monkey-chiefs, being delighted, kept on parleying (on that topic). Then Jambavan--foremost of monkeys--together with all the monkeys, arising suddenly from the ground spoke unto the vulture-king, saying,--"Where is Sita? By whom hath she been seen? And who hath carried away Mithila's daughter? Do thou tell ue all about this, and (thus) prove the path of those rangers of the woods. Who is there that doth not take heed of the force of Dacarathi's[185] and Lakshmana's arrows, speeding with the vehemence of thunder?" Thereat, cheering up those monkeys, who had risen from their attitudes of fasting, and who were all attention to hear news concerning Sita, he (Sampati), well pleased, said these words,--"Listen as to how I came to know of the ravishment of Vaidehi, Sita, at this place; and who it was that told me where that one of expansive eyes is. For a long time I lay here, old, and of feeble life and energy. That best of birds, my son named Suparcwa, coming to me, at the proper hour maintained me with food. Gandharbas are exceedingly lascivious; serpents are exceedingly wrathful; fear is excessive in deer; and we have excessive hunger. Once on a time my son, going forth about sunrise to procure food for me who was suffering from hunger and (accordingly) eager for it, came back in the evening without any flesh. Hurt (by my speech uttered) in consequence of my non-receipt of food, that enhancer of my joy, asking my forgiveness, said these words fraught with fact,--'Father, taking to my wings at the proper time for procuring flesh, I (went) and stood, obstructing the pass of the Mahendra mountain. There stood I looking down, obstructing the way of thousands of creatures ranging the sea. There I saw somebody resembling a mass of crushed collyrium, going away, taking a female resembling the rising sun in splendour. Seeing them, I had made up my mind that they should serve for thy fare, when he humbly in a pacific manner begged for way. Even among the mean, there is none on earth that can slay people who assume a mild attitude. What shall I say, alas! of superior ones like myself? And summoning celerity, he went on as if pushing off the sky by his energy. Then the rangers of the air and other beings worshipped me. And the Maharshis said unto me,--_By luck it is that Sita is still living_[186] --_He together with a female, having passed by thee, certainly augurs good fortune unto thee_.[187] --Then those eminently handsome Siddhas spoke thus unto me.--_This is Ravana, the king of the Rakshasas_, said they unto me. And I (stood), beholding the wife of Rama, son unto Dacaratha,--throwing off her ornaments and silken apparel, overwhelmed by might of sorrow, with hair dishevelled crying out the names of Rama and Lakshmana. This O father, is the reason of my passing the time.' That best of those skilled in speech, Suparcwa, said all this unto me. Even hearing of this, I could not think of putting forth prowess. How can a bird bereft of wings, undertake any thing? But listen! I will tell you as to what I am capable of through speech, intellect and merit, and what ye can exert your manliness in. I will do what is agreeable unto you by my words and my intention. That which is Dacarathi's work is also mine. Of this there is no doubt. Ye, foremost in intelligence, strong, intellectual, and incapable of being overcome by the gods themselves, have been despatched by the monarch of monkeys. And Rama's and Lakshmana's shafts furnished with the feathers of the Kanka, are competent to afflict or save the three worlds. And although the Ten-necked one is endowed with strength and energy, yet to you who are competent, nothing is hard to accomplish. There is no need of delay. Make up your minds. Persons like you do not give way to laziness in enterprise."

[185] _Lit._ Dacaratha's son. The term it applied in especial to Rama.--T.

[186] The commentator supplies the elipsis thus,--"_Coming within thy ken_ by luck, Sita is living."

[187] The passage is obscure. The commentator has glossed over this _sloka_, and the meaning is none the clearer for his explanation.--T.

SECTION LX.

When the vulture had offered oblations of water unto the manes of his deceased brother and finished his ablutions, the monkey-chiefs sat down in that charming mountain, surrounding him. And inspired with confidence (in the words of the Nicakara), Sampati, from delight, said unto Angada, who was seated, surrounded by all the monkeys,-- "Remaining silent, do ye, ye monkeys, needfully hear what I say. I will tell you truly how I came to know Maithili. My body being affected by solar heat, and my wings burnt by the rays of the sun, O sinless one, I formerly fell to this summit of Vindhya. On regaining my senses after six nights, during which I was insensible, I looked around in bewilderment, but could not recognise anything whatever. Then closely viewing oceans and mountains, rivers and tanks, and woods and countries, my thoughts came back to me. And seeing this place abounding in cheerful birds, containing woods and crested with summits, I for certain concluded it to be Vindhya on the shores of the Southern sea. And here lay a sacred asylum, honored even by the celestials, and here dwelt a saint named Nicakara, of fierce austerities. And after Nicakara cognizant of virtue had gone to heaven, I bereft of that saint, passed eight thousand years in this mountain. Descending with difficulty from the uneven top of Vindhya, I again came[188] to the earth covered with sharp-pointed grass. I was eager to see the saint; and (therefore), with much ado I came to him; and Jatayu and myself saw that saint many a time and oft. A fragrant breeze blew about the hermitage; and no tree was found that did not bear flowers and fruits. Approaching the holy asylum, I, desirous of beholding the worshipful Nicakara, waited at the foot of a tree. Then at a distance I saw the saint, flaming in energy and irrepressible,--returning northwards. And as creatures gather round a giver, bears and _Srimaras_, tigers, lions, and various reptiles, were going along, surrounding him. And knowing that the saint had arrived (at his home), the animals went away, as go away forces together with counsellors, when the sovereign hath entered (his palace).--The saint was glad on seeing me. Then re-entering his asylum for a short space, he came out and enquired for my mission. 'O mild one, in consequence of thy feathers having undergone alteration, I cannot recognise thee. Thy two wings have been blasted by fire; and thy powers in thy frail frame are (in the same condition). Aforetime I saw two vultures like unto wind in speed,--kings of vultures, brothers, wearing shapes at will. Thou art I know, elder, O Sampati; and Jatayu is younger to thee. Assuming human forms, you had taken hold of my feet. Now, what ailment hath attacked thee? And why have thy plumes fallen off? And who hath dealt this punishment unto thee? Do thou tell all this unto me, who am asking thee'."

[188] While the saint was staying here.--T.

SECTION LXI.

Thereat Sampati related unto the ascetic all about his fearful, arduous,and rash act of following up the sun. '"O reverend sire, in consequence of my body suffering from sores, I, my senses bewildered from shame, and myself fatigued, cannot utter words. From pride for power of flight, I and Jatayu, being intoxicated by conceit, began to voyage the sky afar off, with the view of testing each other's prowess, binding ourselves by the vow that we would follow the Sun so long as he did not enter that mighty Setting mountain,--and appear before the ascetics on the summit of Kailacya. And simultaneously plunging (into the aerial deep) we saw on the earth beneath separate cities resembling car-wheels; and here the sound of musical instruments; and there the tinklings of ornaments. And (at places) we beheld many a damsel clad in red attire, engaged in singing. And swiftly darting up into the sky and approaching the path of the Sun, we saw a wood interspersed with swards. And we saw the earth covered with crags and masses of rocks, and intersected by streams resembling threads. And Himavan, and Vindhya, and that mighty mountain, Meru, appeared on the earth like elephants in a tank. Then we began to sweat, and to be filled with regret; and fear seized us both. And we became bewildered; and fainted away frightfully.[189] And we knew not the south, or the west, or the quarter presided over by Fire;[190] and the world that was still burning at the end of a yuga, appeared (unto us) as if it had been consumed quite.[191] And my mind, combined with my eyes waxed feebler. And then fixing with might and main my eyes as well as my mind (on the sun), I could by a violent exercise of my energy behold the sun. And the sun shining, appeared unto us like the earth in extent. Then, without asking me Jatayu dropped to the earth. Seeing him, I at once descended from the sky and Jatayu was not burnt in consequence of having been shielded by my wings. And scathed through the agitation[192] I fell through the aerial way. I guessed that Jatayu fell in Janasthana. And I myself, my wings blasted, and rendered inert, fell on Vindhya. Deprived of my kingdom, and my brother, and my wings, and my prowess, I wishing to put a period to my existence, will hurl myself headlong from this summit of the mountain."

[189] Consequent on Jatayu having dropped down.--T.

[190] South-east.--T.

[191] The passage is obscure. This is however, all the explanation that the commentator has to give.--T.

[192] Ramanuya comments: "the confusion seized them as the sun was midway. They lost ail sense of direction. The faint succeeded".--T.

SECTION LXII.

Having said this unto that foremost of ascetics, I smitten with grief, began to weep. Thereat, after, reflecting for a while, that reverend one said,--"Thy wings together with two smaller ones shall grow again; as also thy sight, energy, prowess and strength. And having heard of it, and also seen it through ascetic power, I know that a great deed is going to take place. There shall be a king named Dacaratha, increaser of the Ikshwaku race. He shall have a son, named Rama, endowed with exceeding energy. And he (Rama) shall repair to the forest in company with his brother, Lakshmana; that one having truth for prowess, having been commissioned to that effect by his sire. A fiend named Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, incapable of being slain by either the gods or the Danavas, shall carry off his (Rama's) spouse in Janasthana. And albeit tempted by viands and objects of enjoyment and desire, the famous and highly virtuous one, plunged in grief, shall not pertake of those things. And knowing that Videha's daughter (hath been fasting for many a day), Vasava shall offer Vaidehi _payaca_ like unto ambrosia, difficult of being procured even by the gods. Receiving that food, Maithili, knowing that it hath come from Indra,[193] took up a little of it from the surface, and dropped it to the earth for Rama. Whether my husband as well as his younger brother live, or they have attained godhead, let this food serve for them.' Rama's envoys, having been despatched thither,[194] shall come hither. Thou shouldst relate unto them all the facts connected with the queen of Rama. Do not by any means go hence; and in this case, whither, again, wilt thou repair? Do thou stay here for season and place. Thou shalt regain thy wings. I could this very day furnish thee with wings. But, by staying here in this condition, thou wilt be able to compass the welfare of the worlds. Even thou shalt do that act in behalf of those sons of the king, of the Brahmanas, of the spiritual preceptors, of the ascetics, and of Vasava. I also am desirous of beholding the brothers, Rama and Lakshmana. I do not wish to hold this life long. I would renounce my life.' That Maharshi, conversant with the nature of things, told me this."

[193] From the fact of the food not touching the earth, and other signs. It is humorous to read the explanation of the commentator as to the reason of Indra's supplying Sita with food. "If Sita remained fasting, Ravana would forego his attachment for Vaidehi, on seeing her altered appearance; and thus his destruction could not take place. Further, if he saw Sita retaining her former loveliness, he could conclude that Sita, as also Rama, were superhuman character, and that as such they could not be agents for his destruction according to the prophecy "Ravana shall be slain by a human being." This inducing him to persist in his bellicose attitude towards Rama, would bring down rain upon his head."--T.

[194] For going to Lanka.--T.

SECTION LXIII.

Having praised me with these and many other words, and bidden me adieu that one skilled in speech, entered his own habitation. Issuing out gently from the cave of that mountain, I, ascending Vindhya, was expecting you. The space covered by the time intervening between then and to-day is a little over an hundred years;[195] and laying up in my heart the speech of that ascetic, I have been awaiting season and place. Setting out on his great journey, on Nicakara having gone to heaven, I distracted with various thoughts, have been consumed by grief.[196] My rising intention of doing away with myself I have suppressed in consideration of the words of the ascetic. The reason which he had imparted unto me for preserving my life, hath removed my pains, even as a flaming fire (dispells darkness). And knowing the prowess of the impious Ravana, I said in rage to my son, versed in speech,--'Hearing her lamentation, and knowing them[197] bereft of Sita, why didst thou not deliver her?' My son did not do this good office unto Dacaratha, influenced by affection for him." As he was speaking thus in the midst of the monkeys, his wings sprang up in presence of the rangers of the forest. Thereupon, seeing his person furnished with grown pinions hued like the infant sun, he experienced incomparable raptures, and addressed the monkeys, saying,-- "By the grace of that Rayarshi of immeasurable energy, my wings, which had been burnt up by the rays of the sun, have grown again. To-day I have got (back) the strength and prowess which I possessed while my youth was yet present. Do ye strive every way. Ye shall meet with Sita. And my getting (back) my wings inspires (us) with confidence as to success." Having said this unto all the monkeys, that ranger of the sky and best of birds. Sampati, anxious to ascertain his power of flight, flew up from the mountain summits. Hearing his words, those powerful monkeys, with vigour (enhanced), seeing success before them, felt the height of joy. Then those foremost of monkeys, in vigor resembling the Wind, getting occasion for displaying their prowess, intent wpon searching the Janaka's daughter, set forward towards the quarter crested by Abhijit.[198]

[195] The commentator says "The period is one hundred and eight years."--T.

[196] For the loss of my plumage.--T.

[197] Rama and Lakshmana.--T.

[198] _Abhijitabhimukhan (acc.) Abhijit_--the name of a star. _Abhijit_ may also mean--he who is to be conquered. Then the sense would be, "the region in which Ravana was."--T.

SECTION LXIV.

Having heard all this related to them by the vulture-king, the monkeys possessing the strength of lions, filled with delight, bounded and set up a roar. Hearing from Sampati that Ravana was to be slain, the monkeys growing glad, came to the ocean, with the desire of seeing Sita. And coming to that country, these ones prossessing dreadful prowess, beheld (the sea) reflecting the image of this entire mighty world. And arriving at the northern side of the Southern sea, those exceedingly powerful heroic monkeys took up their quarters there. And seeing the sea, here as if asleep, there, as if playful, and at another place with surges measuring mountains; and thronged with the foremost Danavas inhabiting the nether regions; and capable of causing one's hair to stand on end, those powerful monkeys were seized with sadness. And seeing the sea, incapable of being crossed even as the sky, all the monkeys began to lament, saying,--"What is to be done?" And that best of monkeys-- (Angada), seeing the army cast down because of the sight of the sea, began to comfort the monkeys, afflicted with fear. "We should not indulge in grief. Grief is injurious.-- Grief destroys a person even as a wrathful serpent doth a boy. He that, when the time is come for displaying his prowess, indulges in sorrow, growing weak in energy, fails to attain his object." That night having passed away, Angada in company with the monkeys, joined by the old ones, again took counsel with them. And that monkey-host surrounding Angada, resembled the host of Maruts environing Vasava. Who save Vali's son (stationed) at one place and at another Hanuman, could be capable of stilling that force? Then saluting the elders as well as the army, the graceful Angada-- repressor of foes--spoke words fraught with sense,--"What person, endued with exceeding energy, shall now leap over the main? Who shall serve that subduer of enemies, Sugriva, ever intent on truth? What monkey can leap over an hundred _yojanas_? Who shall deliver leaders of herds from a mighty fear? By whose favor shall we, crowned with success and rendered happy, returning from this place, shall behold our wives and our sons, and our homes? By whose favor shall we joyfully meet Rama, and the mighty Lakshmana, and that dweller in the woods, Sugriva? If any monkey among you is competent to bound over the deep, let him at once confer on us Dakshina in the shape of deliverance from fear." Hearing Angada's speech, none said anything. And that host of monkeys wavered. Then that foremost of monkeys again addressed those monkeys, saying,--All of you are the foremost of strong ones, and of steady prowess. And ye have sprung in blameless lines, and are ever honored (by the king). And yet no one of you can promise to undertake this journey? Ye best of monkeys, unfold your respective powers in bounding."

SECTION LXV.

Hearing Angada's speech, those foremost monkeys one after another began to speak, touching their respective competence in coursing--Gaya, and Gavaksha, and Gavaya, and Sarabha, and Gandhamadana, and Mainda, and Dwivida, and Angada, and Jambavan. And Gaya said.--"I can leap over ten _yojanas_" And Gavaksha said,--"I shall go twenty _yojanas_" And the monkey Sarabha said to those monkeys,--"Ye monkeys, I shall go thirty _yojanas_." And the monkey, Rhishava, said to those monkeys,--"I shall, without doubt, go forty _yojanas_" And the exceedingly energetic monkey, Gandhamadana, said,--"I shall, for certain go fifty _yojanas_." And the monkey Mainda said unto the monkeys there,--"I shall undertake to leap over sixty _yojanas_." And then the highly energetic Dwivida said,--"I shall, for certain, go seventy _yojanas_. And the highly powerful Sushena, possessed of strength--foremost of monkeys said-- "I declare that in motion I am equal to eighty _yojanas_." As they were speaking thus, the oldest of them all, Jambavan, saluting them, answered--"Formerly we had power of motion. But now we have waxed exceeding old. Although this is so, yet we can not overlook this, as both Rama and the monkey-king (by sending us) have become sure of success. At present do thou understand the course that is ours. I shall go ninety _yojanas_. There is no doubt whatever about this." Jambavan said this unto those choice monkeys. But (formerly) my prowess in leaping was forsooth not such.[199] Of old in the sacrifice of Virochana's son, the eternal Lord Vishnu, when he had covered the entire universe with three steps, was circumambulated by me. But I who was all this, have waxed old, and my vigor sits feebly upon me. In my youth, however, my strength was exceeding great and incomparable. Now I can only by my own energy, course thus far. But such a bound shall not bring success on our undertaking. After this, saluting the mighty monkey, Jambavan, the wise Angada spoke straight sense, saying,--"I can go over this mighty hundred _yojanas_; but there is no certainty as to my power of returning." Thereat, Jambavan, cognizant of speech, said unto that foremost of monkeys,--"O foremost of leonine ones, we know thy power of motion, thou art capable of coursing a hundred thousand _yojanas_, as well as of coming back. But we say that even this is what is fit. My child, the master must on no account be commanded by his servants. O foremost of monkeys, all these should be commanded by thee. Thou art our spouse, and (at the same time) occupying the position of our husband. The master is the spouse of the army. This is the way of the world, O repressor of foes! O subduer of enemies, thou art the root of this business. Therefore, my child, thou shouldest always be maintained by us like a wife. The root of any work must be preserved. This is the policy of those versed in business. The root existing, all the virtues, obtaining fruit, certainly meet with suceess. Thou, O thou having truth for prowess art the instrument of this undertaking, and, O subduer of enemies, furnished with sense and vigor, thou art the occasion herein. And, O foremost of monkeys, thou art both our superior, and our superior's son; and resorting to thee we are enabled to accomplish our object." Thereat that mighty monkey, Angada, son unto Vali, answered the exceedingly wise Jambavan, when he had spoken,--"If I go not, nor any other powerful monkey, then we should for certain again sit ourselves down to fast unto death. Without doing the mandate of the intelligent lord of monkeys, we, repairing thither, shall not behold ourselves alive. He is extreme both in showing favor and in anger. Disregarding his order, we shall, going there, meet with destruction And his ire shall, not take any other course. Therefore it behoves thee, capable of seeing issues, to reflect." Thus addressed by Angada that powerful and heroic monkey Jambavan answered Angada in excellent words, saying,--"That business, O hero, shall not moult a feather. I shall despatch even him who shall bring about success."--Then that heroic monkey ordered the foremost of monkeys, the highly heroic monkey Hanuman, who stood apart, convinced (of the wisdom of Jambavan's decision.)

[199] _i. e._ it was greater.--T.

SECTION LXVI.