At the Salt Ocean, Angada Sees Death on Both Sides and Jambavan Reveals Rama
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 26
Doha 26 · Movement 1 of 2
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The monkeys reckon with the time already gone and the task still unfinished. Without news of Sita, what can they do? Tears fill Angada's eyes. Death stands on both sides. They have failed to find her here, and Sugriva will kill them if they return. After Vali was slain, Angada says, Sugriva would have killed him too. Rama preserved him; he owes no such saving favor to Sugriva.
The warriors cannot answer. Tears flow, and for a moment the whole company is submerged in grief. Then they resolve not to return without Sita's news. Upon the shore of the salt ocean they spread kusha grass and sit down, choosing death there rather than empty-handed return.
Jambavan sees Angada's anguish and gives a deeper counsel. Do not regard Rama as merely human. Know him as the unborn, unconquered, nirguna Brahman. They are blessed servants who love that same Brahman in saguna form. Before the unmeasured ocean, the oldest warrior turns despair toward the mystery of the Lord they serve.
The ocean closes the road, and Jambavan opens the vision of nirguna Brahman walking as Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
इहाँ बिचारहिं कपि मन माहीं। बीती अवधि काज कछु नाहीं।। सब मिलि कहहिं परस्पर बाता। बिनु सुधि लएँ करब का भ्राता।। कह अंगद लोचन भरि बारी। दुहुँ प्रकार भइ मृत्यु हमारी।। इहाँ न सुधि सीता कै पाई। उहाँ गएँ मारिहि कपिराई।। पिता बधे पर मारत मोही। राखा राम निहोर न ओही।। पुनि पुनि अंगद कह सब पाहीं। मरन भयउ कछु संसय नाहीं।। अंगद बचन सुनत कपि बीरा। बोलि न सकहिं नयन बह नीरा।। छन एक सोच मगन होइ रहे। पुनि अस वचन कहत सब भए।। हम सीता कै सुधि लिन्हें बिना। नहिं जैंहैं जुबराज प्रबीना।। अस कहि लवन सिंधु तट जाई। बैठे कपि सब दर्भ डसाई।। जामवंत अंगद दुख देखी। कहिं कथा उपदेस बिसेषी।। तात राम कहुँ नर जनि मानहु। निर्गुन ब्रम्ह अजित अज जानहु।। हम सब सेवक अति बड़भागी। संतत सगुन ब्रह्म अनुरागी।।
Here the monkeys deliberated anxiously in their minds, for the time limit had passed and their task remained unfinished. Gathering together, they spoke among themselves: 'What can we do without obtaining any news, O brothers?' Angada spoke with eyes brimming with tears: 'Death has come upon us from both sides.' 'Here we have found no news of Sita, and if we return, the monkey king will surely kill us.' 'After slaying my father, he would slay me too; Rama's protection holds no weight with him.' Again and again Angada said to them all, 'Death is now certain; there is no doubt.' Hearing Angada's words, the brave monkeys could not speak, and tears flowed from their eyes. For a moment they remained sunk in sorrow. Then all began speaking once more. 'We shall not return, O wise prince, without obtaining tidings of Sita.' Saying this, they went to the shore of the salt ocean. All the monkeys sat down upon spread kusha grass. Seeing the anguish of Angada, Jambavan spoke words of deep and special counsel. 'O son, do not regard Rama as merely human. Know Him as Nirguna Brahman, unconquerable and unborn. We are all His servants, greatly blessed, ever devoted to that same Brahman in His manifest, loving form.'