Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— स तं तापसवेशाढ्यं जटामुकुटमण्डितम्। विभूतिधवलं श्यामं वल्कलाजितवाससम्॥१॥
Brahmā said: Vibhīṣaṇa beheld dark-hued Rāma splendid in an ascetic's guise, crowned with matted locks, whitened with sacred ash, and dressed in bark and deerskin.
Passage 2
कुशाजिनासनासीनं योगिनं करुणानिधिम्। सानुजं हनुमत्सौरिकपीन्द्रपरिवारितम्॥२॥
The yogin and ocean of compassion sat upon a seat of kuśa grass and deerskin, accompanied by his younger brother and surrounded by Hanumān and the foremost monkeys.
Passage 3
तीरे नीरनिधेस्तत्र निविष्टं मार्गकाङ्क्षिणम्। ददर्श भक्तिमान् रामं बद्धाञ्जलिपुटो भृशम्॥३॥
With palms firmly joined, devoted Vibhīṣaṇa saw Rāma encamped there on the ocean shore, awaiting a way across.
Passage 4
स तं तदैव विदधौ लङ्कानाथं सुनिर्भयम्। शीर्षेऽभिषिच्य पयसा स्वयमेव रघूद्वहः॥४॥
At that very moment the scion of Raghu personally poured water upon Vibhīṣaṇa's head and made him the fearless lord of Laṅkā.
Passage 5
रामस्य करुणादृष्ट्या सुधासिक्त इवाभवत्। आनन्दाश्रुयुतो जाग्रत्पुलको रावणानुजः॥५॥
Bathed as though in nectar by Rāma's compassionate glance, Rāvaṇa's younger brother shed tears of joy while horripilation awakened over his body. The Council at the Shore
Passage 6
पौषस्य कृष्णपञ्चम्यामथ रामः कपीश्वरैः। सहितो मन्त्रयामास लङ्घितुं पयसां निधिम्॥६॥
Then, on the dark fifth of Pauṣa, Rāma consulted with the monkey lords about crossing the ocean.
Passage 7
उवाच लक्ष्मणं विद्वान् विद्वांसं चिन्तयान्वितम्। कपीन्द्रांश्चैव सुग्रीवनलनीलाङ्गदादिकान्॥७॥
The wise Lord addressed thoughtful Lakṣmaṇa and the learned monkey chiefs headed by Sugrīva, Nala, Nīla, and Aṅgada.
Passage 8
हे लक्ष्मण महाबुद्धे हे सुग्रीव कपीश्वर। नलनीलाङ्गद श्रीमन् मरुत्सुत महाबल॥८॥
“Great-minded Lakṣmaṇa, Sugrīva lord of monkeys, noble Nala, Nīla and Aṅgada, and mighty son of the Wind:
Passage 9
सर्वे भवन्तः कुशलाः सर्वकर्मसु कोविदाः। महाबला महाकाया महाशूरा महाधियः॥९॥
“All of you are capable and expert in every undertaking, immensely strong and large-bodied, greatly heroic and wise.
Passage 10
पश्यन्तु वानरानेतान् नेतावत्कृतविक्रमान्। उद्गीर्णं जलधिं दृष्ट्वा निरुत्साहा इवाभवन्॥१०॥
“But look at these monkeys, who until now displayed such valor. Seeing the vast ocean, they seem to have lost heart.
Passage 11
गणयन्त इवामुष्य लहरीः पर्वतोपमाः। निर्निमेषाहितदृशो दृश्यन्ते मुषिता इव॥११॥
“They stare without blinking, as though counting its mountain-like waves, and appear bewildered and deprived of their senses.
Passage 12
स्थगिता इव संजाता अन्योन्यमुखदर्शिनः। एषां भग्न इवोत्साह इदानीं दृश्यते मया॥१२॥
“They stand as though halted, looking into one another's faces. It now appears to me that their courage is broken.
Passage 13
किं च कुर्युरमी कीशा अगाधे पयसां निधौ। महोत्तुङ्गोर्मिनिवहे दुस्तरे सुरकिन्नरैः॥१३॥
“What can these monkeys do before this unfathomable ocean, filled with towering waves and difficult even for gods and kinnaras to cross?
Passage 14
नरैः पतङ्गैः पशुभिः किं पुनः स्तोकवानरैः। किमत्र खलु कर्तव्यं कथं वर्त्मेह लभ्यताम्॥१४॥
“How much more difficult is it for men, birds, beasts, and ordinary monkeys? What should be done here, and how may a path be found?
Passage 15
भवतां बलमाश्रित्य प्रस्थितोऽहं कृतोद्यमः। जगज्जैत्रस्य बलिनो रावणस्य वधं प्रति॥१५॥
“Relying upon your strength, I set out with firm resolve to slay mighty Rāvaṇa, conqueror of the world.
Passage 16
यस्य पाथोधिमध्यस्था पुरी लङ्का सुदुर्गमा। अनेकरक्षसानीकवृता सर्वभयानका॥१६॥
“His almost inaccessible city of Laṅkā stands in the ocean's midst, encircled by many rākṣasa armies and terrifying in every way.
Passage 17
कथं पुनर्मया तत्र गन्तव्यं सैन्ययानया। इति मन्त्रयत प्राज्ञाः सर्वे एव समन्विताः॥१७॥
“How, then, am I to reach it together with this army? Wise ones, all of you deliberate upon this together.”
Passage 18
अथो सुमित्रातनयः प्रत्युवाच महामतिः। अनुमत्य कपीन् सर्वानार्यस्य प्रियकारकः॥१८॥
Then great-minded Lakṣmaṇa, Sumitrā's son and ever intent on pleasing his noble brother, obtained the monkeys' agreement and replied.
Passage 19
अनुपायोऽत्र जलधेः समुल्लङ्घनकर्मणि। अगाधस्याप्यसंख्यातयोजनायतयादसः॥१९॥
“No ordinary means exists for crossing this unfathomable ocean, whose waters extend for uncounted yojanas.
Passage 20
अलौकिक उपायस्तु भवेद्वस्तुन्यलौकिके। इति मत्सम्मतेनैष आराध्यो वरुणालयः॥२०॥
“An extraordinary object requires an extraordinary means. In my judgment, therefore, this abode of Varuṇa should be propitiated.
Passage 21
उपवासपरैस्तावद्बद्धाञ्जलिपुटैस्तथा। अस्माभिर्भृशमाराध्यो यावदेष प्रसीदति॥२१॥
“With joined palms and intent upon fasting, we should worship him earnestly until he becomes gracious.
Passage 22
दद्यादपि प्रसन्नोऽयं मार्गमस्माकमम्बुधिः। वरुणालयो देवो यादसां पतिरम्बुसत्॥२२॥
“Once pleased, this ocean—the divine abode of Varuṇa and aquatic creatures' lord dwelling in the waters—may grant us a path.” Four Days of Worship
Passage 23
सुमित्रातनयेनोक्तमनुमेने रघूद्वहः। ततः सौमित्रिसुग्रीवनलनीलाङ्गदादयः॥२३॥
The scion of Raghu approved Sumitrā's son's counsel. Then Lakṣmaṇa, Sugrīva, Nala, Nīla, Aṅgada, and the others began the observance.
Passage 24
हनुमानृक्षराजश्च राक्षसेन्द्रो विभीषणः। येऽन्ये कपिचमूनाथा महाधीरा महाधियः॥२४॥
Hanumān, the king of the bears, Vibhīṣaṇa lord among rākṣasas, and the other profoundly steadfast and wise commanders of the monkey army joined them.
Passage 25
अब्धिमाराधयाञ्चक्रुर्बद्धाञ्जलिपुटाः स्थिताः। निराहाराः स्तुतिपरा यावद्दिनचतुष्टयम्॥२५॥
Standing with palms joined, abstaining from food, and devoted to hymns, they worshiped the ocean for four days.
Passage 26
त्वं ददासि पयोदेभ्यो भूरि वारिनिधे जलम्। ततस्ते परिपुष्णन्ति जगदेतच्चराचरम्॥२६॥
They prayed: “Ocean, you give abundant water to the clouds, and through it they nourish this whole moving and unmoving world.
Passage 27
आर्द्रता द्रवता त्वं जगत्तर्षणकारिता। आप्यायनं त्रिजगतां त्वदधीना इमे गुणाः॥२७॥
“Moisture, fluidity, the quenching of the world's thirst, and the refreshment of the three worlds—these qualities all depend upon you.
Passage 28
पीत्वा तव पयः सिन्धो भारपूर्णाः पयोधराः। समीपतरमभ्येत्य सिञ्चन्ति धरणीमिमाम्॥२८॥
“Drinking your waters, Ocean, the clouds grow heavy, draw near, and shower this earth.
Passage 29
ततः प्रसूयते सेषा भूतधात्री महौषधीः। ताभिरन्नानि जायन्ते तेभ्यश्च पुरुषोऽयम्॥२९॥
“Then this earth, sustainer of beings, brings forth powerful herbs. From them food arises, and from food comes humankind.
Passage 30
इति त्वन्मूलमखिलं जगदेतत्पयोनिधे। कस्त्वां स्तोतुं भवेन्मर्त्यो वरुणस्यालयं परम्॥३०॥
“Thus, Ocean, this entire world has its root in you. What mortal could adequately praise you, the supreme abode of Varuṇa?
Passage 31
शरण्यस्त्वं महीभृतां त्रासभाजां दिवस्पतेः। पक्षच्छेदोद्यतात् क्रुद्धान्निर्भया वसतिह्यसि॥३१॥
“You are the refuge of mountains frightened by the angry lord of heaven when he set out to sever their wings; sheltered in you, they dwell without fear.
Passage 32
त्वां प्राप्य शरणं शैलाः शक्रतुल्ये विरोधिनि। अजातपक्षसंछेदा अद्यापि सुखमासते॥३२॥
“Finding refuge in you, a power equal to Śakra, those mountains whose wings escaped the cutting still dwell happily today.
Passage 33
त्वं देवभूरुहां तेषां पञ्चानामपि जन्मभूः। ये कामवरदातारो भुजैर्भूरिफलाञ्चितैः॥३३॥
“You are also the birthplace of the five divine trees whose fruit-laden arms grant every desired boon.
Passage 34
तत्ते गम्भीर्यमम्भोधे मग्नोऽभूच्चात्र मन्दरः। उद्धृतस्ततः कूर्मः सावकाशकृतस्थितिः॥३४॥
“Such is your depth, Ocean, that Mount Mandara sank within you and had to be raised by the Tortoise, who made a resting place for it.
Passage 35
न दृष्टा तव केनापि लोकेऽस्मिन् परपारभूः। प्रचण्डेनापि मरुता न क्षोभ्योऽसि त्वमम्बुधे॥३५॥
“No one in this world has seen your farther shore, and even a violent wind cannot shake you, Ocean.
Passage 36
इदानीं देहि नो मार्गं जगतः कुशलाय भोः। जिगीषति रघुश्रेष्ठो रावणं लोकरावणम्॥३६॥
“Now, for the world's welfare, grant us a path. The noblest Rāghava seeks to conquer Rāvaṇa, tormentor of the worlds.
Passage 37
देवतात्मा भवानब्धे सुप्रसन्नमना यदि। किं किं न कुर्याज्जगतोऽसम्भाव्यमपि मङ्गलम्॥३७॥
“Ocean, if your divine being becomes fully gracious, what seemingly impossible blessing could you not accomplish for the world?”
Passage 38
इति स्तुतिभृतां तेषां भक्तिसुप्रह्ववर्मणाम्। बद्धाञ्जलीनां नमतामुपोषणविधायिनाम्॥३८॥
Thus they offered praise, their bodies deeply bowed with devotion, their palms joined, fasting and repeatedly prostrating.
Passage 39
चत्वार ईयुर्दिवसास्ततश्च स्वैश्वर्यमेवाश्रित आत्तलीलः। चुकोप तस्मै मनसा नितान्तं पत्ये जलानां रघुवंशकेतुः॥३९॥
Four days passed. Then the banner of Raghu's line, established in his sovereign power and assuming his divine play, became profoundly angry in his heart with the lord of the waters.