Passage 1
श्रीराम उवाच— सुग्रीवेणाहमिच्छामि दृढां मैत्रीमसंशयम्। महाबले दशमुखे चिकीर्षुरभिषेणनम्॥१॥
Śrī Rāma said: “I unquestionably desire a firm friendship with Sugrīva, for I wish to march against the mighty ten-faced Rāvaṇa.
Passage 2
भवांस्तत्र प्रतिनिधिः सखे भवितुमर्हति। यथास्य मयि मे चास्मिन् जायेत प्रत्ययो महान्॥२॥
“Friend, you should serve as our representative, so that great trust may arise in him toward me and in me toward him.
Passage 3
सर्वेषां किल भावानां विश्वासो मूलकारणम्। मन्त्रो जपस्तपः सेवा मैत्री त्वेनं विना मुधा॥३॥
“Trust is indeed the root cause of every relationship. Counsel, recitation, austerity, service, and friendship are fruitless without it.
Passage 4
मयि विश्वासमुत्पाद्य तस्य तत्र तथा मम। भवानपि मरुत्पुत्र सख्यं मयि करिष्यति॥४॥
“Son of the wind, after creating his trust in me and mine in him, you too will form friendship with me.
Passage 5
सख्यं हि मूलं सख्यस्य जयस्य यशसः श्रियः। विद्यायाश्चैव वीर्यस्य भुक्तेर्मुक्तेश्च मारुते॥५॥
“Friendship is the root of companionship, victory, fame, prosperity, knowledge, strength, worldly enjoyment, and liberation, O son of the wind.
Passage 6
दुर्लभं महतः सख्यं लोके मारुतनन्दन। अन्योन्यमुपजातं यदन्योन्यं सुखयेत्तराम्॥६॥
“Son of the wind, friendship between great souls is rare in the world: arising mutually, it brings each of them the highest joy.
Passage 7
अकैतवं च हनुमन् भवेत् सख्यस्य कारणम्। सख्यं हेतुः प्रत्ययस्य स हेतुः कार्यसम्पदः॥७॥
“Hanumān, freedom from deceit must be friendship's cause. Friendship gives rise to trust, and trust gives rise to the successful completion of a purpose. Equality, Candor, and Mutual Good
Passage 8
कामात् क्रोधाद्भयाल्लोभात्प्रतिष्ठातोऽर्थगौरवात्। यदुदेति पुरुषे यस्मिन् न तत्सख्यं न स सखा॥८॥
“A relationship that arises in someone from desire, anger, fear, greed, status, or the weight of wealth is not friendship, nor is that person a friend.
Passage 9
निरुपाधि तु यज्जातमन्योन्यमभिवर्धते। भूयो गुणानर्जयति तत्सख्यं सख्यमुच्यते॥९॥
“That which arises without condition, grows mutually, and continually gathers virtues is called true friendship.
Passage 10
कार्यैव सज्जनैर्मैत्री निसर्गादुपकारिभिः। कृत्वा संवर्धनीया च परस्परसुखैषिणैः॥१०॥
“Friendship should be made with good people who help by nature; once made, it should be fostered by those who seek one another's happiness.
Passage 11
गुणवानपि लोकेऽस्मिन्न कार्यो दुर्जनः सखा। दृश्यमाना गुणास्तस्य दोषा एव भवन्ति हि॥११॥
“Even if he seems virtuous, a wicked person in this world should not be made a friend, for the qualities seen in him become faults.
Passage 12
निर्गुणोऽपि भृशं कार्यः सज्जनः सततं सखा। स्वभावो हि गुणस्तस्य किं कार्या अपरे गुणाः॥१२॥
“Even if he seems without accomplishments, a good person should always be made a close friend. His very nature is virtue; what need is there of other qualities?
Passage 13
दुर्लभः सज्जनो लोके निसर्गात् सुकृतस्पृहः। तस्य मैत्रीं जनो लब्ध्वा सततं सुखमश्नुते॥१३॥
“A good person, naturally eager to do good, is rare in the world. One who gains his friendship continually enjoys happiness.
Passage 14
मैत्री तु समयोरेव भवत्यत्र सुखावहा। सुखं वा यदि दुःखं वा सममेवार्यमाणयोः॥१४॥
“Friendship brings happiness only between equals, when joy or sorrow is borne equally by the two.
Passage 15
न जातु मैत्री वैषम्ये लोके दृष्टचरी क्वचित्। पयोलवणयोर्द्वन्द्ववारिपावकयोरिव॥१५॥
“Friendship amid inequality is never seen to endure in the world—like the pairing of milk with salt or of water with fire.
Passage 16
दुःखी दुःखवतो मित्रं सुखी सुखवतस्तथा। न सुखी दुःखिनो मित्रं न दुःखी सुखिनोऽपि च॥१६॥
“One who suffers befriends another who suffers, and one who prospers befriends another who prospers. The prosperous is not the sufferer's friend, nor the sufferer the prosperous one's.
Passage 17
मूर्खपण्डितयोर्मैत्री दरिद्रधनिनोस्तथा। विषयिज्ञानिनोश्चैव लोके हास्याय जायते॥१७॥
“Friendship between a fool and a scholar, between a poor and a rich person, or between a sensualist and a knower becomes an object of ridicule in the world.
Passage 18
राजा मित्रं भवेन्नैव नैव योगी च निःस्पृहः। एतेषां विदधन्मैत्रीं जनो याति विडम्बनम्॥१८॥
“A king does not truly become a friend, nor does a desireless yogī. One who tries to form friendship with either meets frustration.
Passage 19
मैत्री सप्तपदामाहुर्वनेऽपि चरतां सताम्। अकैतवं च सौहार्दं यत्र स्यादुपचायवत्॥१९॥
“The good say that even seven steps walked together in the forest create friendship, where guileless affection grows abundantly.
Passage 20
प्रतिष्ठाधनलिप्सुत्वमुपाचार उदासता। नैते समुपयुज्यन्ते यत्र मैत्री परस्परम्॥२०॥
“The craving for status or wealth, mere formality, and indifference have no place where mutual friendship exists.
Passage 21
एकोऽपि सुजनो मित्रं हरत्येव विपद्गणम्। अनेकोऽपि सुसम्पृक्ता विज्ञेया दुर्जना मुधा॥२१॥
“Even one good friend removes a multitude of calamities, while many wicked people, though closely joined, should be known as worthless.
Passage 22
देशे देशे च कार्याणि मित्राणि निरुपाधितः। न ज्ञायते कुत्र काले कः स्वित्समुपयुज्यते॥२२॥
“In every region, friends should be made without ulterior condition, for no one knows who may prove useful at what time or place.
Passage 23
अल्पीयानिति नो दास्यं मैत्रीमिच्छेदुदारात्मना। कालो हि समवैषम्यहेतुः किं स्वित्करिष्यति॥२३॥
“A noble person should desire friendship, not servitude, merely thinking another inferior. Time itself produces equality and inequality—what may it not do? Images of Selfless Friendship in Nature
Passage 24
महानपि कृतं मित्रं लघुतां याति दैवतः। लघुश्चापि नरो मित्रं महत्त्वं याति मारुते॥२४॥
“Even a great person made one's friend may fall into lowliness through fate, while a lowly friend may attain greatness, O son of the wind.
Passage 25
मैत्र्याश्च परमं तत्त्वं को जानाति विशेषतः। सर्वो हि मित्रयोगेन दृश्यते सुखमश्नुवन्॥२५॥
“Who can fully know friendship's highest truth? Everyone is seen to enjoy happiness through union with a friend.
Passage 26
भूमेर्जलधरो मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। काले काले सुसंतप्तां यस्तां सिञ्चति वारिभिः॥२६॥
“The raincloud is the earth's friend, seeking no repayment, for from time to time it waters her when she is deeply scorched.
Passage 27
जलस्य कतमं मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। स्वयं तत्पङ्कलिप्तोऽपि यस्तं निष्पङ्कतां नयेत्॥२७॥
“What is water's friend that seeks no repayment? That which, though itself coated in water's mud, brings the water to a mudless state.
Passage 28
वह्नेः समीरणो मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। यः स्वयं लब्धतापोऽपि तमुद्दीपयितुं क्षमः॥२८॥
“The wind is fire's friend, seeking no repayment: though it receives heat itself, it is able to make the fire blaze.
Passage 29
समीरस्य तरुर्मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। यस्तेन दत्तकम्पोऽपि पुष्पैः सुरभयत्यमुम्॥२९॥
“The tree is the wind's friend, seeking no repayment: though shaken by it, the tree perfumes it with flowers.
Passage 30
चकोरस्य शशी मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। यस्तेनाचम्यमानोऽपि तं नन्दयति रश्मिभिः॥३०॥
“The moon is the cakora bird's friend, seeking no repayment: though constantly drunk in by the bird, it delights the bird with its rays.
Passage 31
अब्जस्य भास्करो मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। यस्तमिस्रामपाकृत्य नित्यदा बोधयत्यमुम्॥३१॥
“The sun is the lotus's friend, seeking no repayment: dispelling darkness, it awakens the lotus every day.
Passage 32
शशी च कुमुदां मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। दिनतापं निराकृत्य यस्तां नन्दयते करैः॥३२॥
“The moon is the water lily's friend, seeking no repayment: removing the day's heat, it delights her with its rays.
Passage 33
जलस्य च शरन्मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। या वर्षापङ्कमुद्धूय निर्मलीकुरुते ह्यदः॥३३॥
“Autumn is water's friend, seeking no repayment: sweeping away the rainy season's mud, it makes the water clear.
Passage 34
वस्त्रस्य च जलं मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृति। यत्तन्मलं स्वयं धूत्वा स्वरूपस्थं करोत्यदः॥३४॥
“Water is cloth's friend, seeking no repayment: washing away the cloth's dirt, water restores it to its own proper form.
Passage 35
पुरुषस्य पटो मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। स्वेदाद्यैर्दूष्यमाणोऽपि यस्तं रक्षति चात्मना॥३५॥
“Cloth is a person's friend, seeking no repayment: though soiled by sweat and the like, it protects the person with its own body.
Passage 36
सर्पस्य चन्दनं मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। यत्तेनाक्रान्तमप्याशु सुखयत्यमुमात्मना॥३६॥
“Sandalwood is the snake's friend, seeking no repayment: though overrun by the snake, it quickly comforts the snake with its own cool nature.
Passage 37
घनस्य जलधिर्मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। यस्तेन पीयमानोऽपि विभर्ति सलिलैरमुम्॥३७॥
“The ocean is the cloud's friend, seeking no repayment: though its water is drunk by the cloud, the ocean sustains it with yet more water.
Passage 38
लताया भूरुहो मित्रमनपेक्षितनिष्कृतिः। यस्तयाऽऽक्रम्यमाणोऽपि तामुत्तुङ्गयति ध्रुवम्॥३८॥
“The tree is the vine's friend, seeking no repayment: though overrun by her, it unfailingly raises her aloft.
Passage 39
सरांसि सरितः कूपास्तरुगुल्मलतादयः। गिरिजलधरो नावः सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ मही॥३९॥
“Lakes, rivers, wells, trees, shrubs, vines, mountains, clouds, boats, the sun, the moon, and the earth—
Passage 40
सज्जनः पुरुषश्चैते मित्राणि जगतः किल। वहन्त्यमी शरीराणि परोपकृतिहेतवे॥४०॥
“—together with the good person: these are indeed the world's friends. They bear their bodies for the sake of benefiting others. Conduct That Breaks Friendship
Passage 41
अवश्यं चैव कर्तव्यं निःस्पृहेणापि जन्तुना। मित्रमेकमपि प्राज्ञो यत्कृत्वा सुखमश्नुते॥४१॥
“Even a person free of desire must certainly make at least one friend, for the wise person who does so enjoys happiness.
Passage 42
दूषणानि च वक्ष्यामि मैत्रीभङ्गकराणि ते। निरस्य तानि सर्वाणि मैत्री कार्या सदा नरैः॥४२॥
“I shall now tell you the faults that break friendship. People should reject them all and continually cultivate friendship.
Passage 43
यः प्रत्यक्षं प्रियं वक्ति परोक्षे त्वप्रियं सदा। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥४३॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one who speaks pleasantly to your face but always unpleasantly behind your back?
Passage 44
यश्छिद्रान्वेषणं कुर्यादात्मच्छिद्राणि गोपयन्। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥४४॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one who searches for another's faults while concealing his own?
Passage 45
यः सदोपकृतिग्राही स्वयं चानुपकारकः। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥४५॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one who always accepts help but never helps in return?
Passage 46
यस्तुष्यत्युपचारेण स्वयं त्वनुपचारकृत्। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥४६॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one who delights in receiving courtesy but shows none himself?
Passage 47
यः सत्यभाषणात् कुप्येत्तुष्येन्मिथ्योपचारतः। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥४७॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one angered by truthful speech but pleased by false politeness?
Passage 48
यो न शिक्षयते मार्गं कार्याकार्यविवेचनात्। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥४८॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one who does not teach the right path by distinguishing what should and should not be done?
Passage 49
संकटे यस्तु सम्प्राप्ते नैव साह्यं ददाति च। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥४९॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one who gives no help when crisis arrives?
Passage 50
सुसंहतो यः क्षेमेषु विषमेष्वेत्युदासताम्। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥५०॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one who remains closely joined in prosperity but becomes indifferent in adversity?
Passage 51
यो मूढः सर्वकार्येषु प्राज्ञः कर्तुं च योऽक्षमः। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥५१॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one foolish in every undertaking, or with one knowledgeable but unable to act?
Passage 52
यः परस्य मनो गृह्णात् मनः स्वस्य निगूहति। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥५२॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one who takes another's confidence while hiding his own mind?
Passage 53
यः सुतां भगिनीं भार्यां दोषान्मित्रस्य पश्यति। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥५३॥
“What happiness could come from friendship with one who looks with corrupt intent upon a friend's daughter, sister, or wife?
Passage 54
चिबुके यस्य रोमाणि न वक्षसि न गण्डयोः। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥५४॥
“What happiness, it says, could come from friendship with one whose hair grows on the chin but not upon the chest or cheeks?
Passage 55
अवेरिव दृशौ यस्य मेषस्येव च मारुते। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥५५॥
“Son of the wind, what happiness, it says, could come from friendship with one whose eyes resemble a ewe's or a ram's?
Passage 56
विडाल इव नेत्राभ्यां काणो ह्रस्वश्च यः पुमान्। तेन साकं यदा मैत्री तदा किं स्वित्सुखं लभेत्॥५६॥
“What happiness, it says, could come from friendship with a man whose eyes resemble a cat's, who is one-eyed, or who is short?
Passage 57
पुरुषेण स्त्रिया साकं मैत्री कार्या न कर्हिचित्। आरम्भे लाञ्छनं यत्र परिणामोऽस्य कीदृशः॥५७॥
“A man, it says, should never form friendship with a woman: where reproach arises at the outset, what could its result be? The Signs of a True Friend
Passage 58
पुरुषस्य पुमान् मित्रं स्त्रीणां स्त्र्येव सुनिश्चितम्। साम्ये हि मैत्री फलदा वैषम्ये निष्फलैव सा॥५८॥
“A man's friend is a man, and a woman's a woman—so this teaching states. Friendship bears fruit in equality; amid inequality it proves fruitless.
Passage 59
परोक्षे यः प्रियं ब्रूते समक्षेणापि चाप्रियम्। प्राणैरप्युपकर्ता च तद्वै मित्रस्य लक्षणम्॥५९॥
“One who speaks kindly of you in your absence yet tells you unpleasant truth to your face, and who helps even at the cost of life—these are the signs of a friend.
Passage 60
क्षेमेषु पृथगप्यस्तु सङ्कटे संहतो भवेत्। संहते नाप्यपचयं तद्वै मित्रस्य लक्षणम्॥६०॥
“One who may remain apart in times of ease but draws close in crisis, and whose closeness brings no diminishment—these are the signs of a friend.
Passage 61
मातरं भगिनीं भार्यां यः पश्येत्स्वसुतादिवत्। समानसुखदुःखश्च समानोदयसंक्षयः॥६१॥
“One who regards a friend's mother, sister, and wife as he would his own daughter, shares alike in joy and sorrow, and rises or declines together with him—
Passage 62
अगृध्नुः प्रत्युपकारस्य स्वयं नित्योपकारवान्। दूरस्थोऽपि समीपे यः स वै मित्रं सुदुर्लभः॥६२॥
“—who does not covet repayment yet always helps, and who remains close even when far away: such a friend is exceedingly rare.
Passage 63
एतद्विज्ञाय हनुमन् मैत्री कार्या विचक्षणैः। इह तेन सुखं प्राप्य परेत्य सुखमश्नुते॥६३॥
“Knowing this, Hanumān, the discerning should form friendship. Through it one gains happiness here and enjoys happiness hereafter.
Passage 64
अहं मैत्रीं करिष्यामि कपिराजेन धीमता। करिष्याम्यस्योपकारं स चेन्मोपकरिष्यति॥६४॥
“I shall form friendship with the wise monkey king. I shall help him if he will help me.
Passage 65
तदा तस्यैव शोभा सा मित्रप्रत्युपकारिणः। नो चेदकैतवं श्रित्वा भुवने सुखमेधताम्॥६५॥
“If he reciprocates his friend's help, that glory will be his. If not, then let guilelessness take refuge in me and flourish happily in the world.”
Passage 66
इति रघुपतिवाक्यैर्मित्रतातत्त्वयुक्तैः सपदि सुखितचेता वीरवर्यो हनुमान्। कपिपरिवृढभूतिकामः कथंचित् कलितमतिरवोचत् तेन मैत्रीं चिकीर्षुः॥६६॥
Hearing these words of the Lord of the Raghus, filled with the truth of friendship, the heroic Hanumān was at once gladdened. Wishing the monkey chief's welfare and desiring friendship between him and Rāma, he gathered his thoughts and spoke.