Introduction

After encouraging Sugreeva to challenge Vali for a second time duly wearing a flower garland as a mark of identification between the two brothers, Rama and others proceed to Kishkindha. On their way they chance to see a divine hermitage called sapta jana aashrama ‘Hermitage of Seven Sages.’ On worshipping it they proceed to Kishkindha.

Verse 1 & 2

ऋश्यमूकात् स धर्मात्मा किष्किन्धाम् लक्ष्मण अग्रजः |
जगाम सह सुग्रीवो वालि विक्रम पालिताम् || ४-१३-१
समुद्यम्य महत् चापम् रामः कांचन भूषितम् |
शराम् च आदित्य संकाशान् गृहीत्वा रण साधकान् || ४-१३-२

That righteous Rama readying his great bow decorated with gold, and on taking blazing sun similar arrows that are victory-oriented in wars, proceeded from Rishyamuka along with Sugreeva to the city ruled by the valour of Vali, namely Kishkindha. [4-13-1, 2]

1, 2. dharmaatmaa saH lakSmaNa agrajaH = righteous one, he, Lakshmana’s, elder; raamaH = Rama; sam udyamya = on readying; kaancana bhuuSitam = in gold, decorated; mahat caapam = great, bow; aaditya samkaashaan = blazing sun, similar; raNa saadhakaan = in war, victorious; sharaam ca = arrows, also; gR^ihiitvaa = on taking; saha sugriivaH = with, Sugreeva; R^ishyamuukaat = from Rishyamuka; vaali vikrama paalitaam = by Vali’s, valour, ruled; kiSkindhaam jagaama = to Kishkindha, proceeded.

Verse 3

अग्रतः तु ययौ तस्य राघवस्य महात्मनः |
सुग्रीवः संहत ग्रीवो लक्ष्मणः च महाबलः || ४-१३-३

Stern-necked Sugreeva and the great mighty Lakshmana strode ahead of that great soul Rama. [4-13-3]

3. mahaatmanaH tasya raaghavasya = great soul, of that, Raghava; agrataH = ahead; samhata griivaH sugriivaH = stern, necked one, Sugreeva; mahaabalaH lakSmaNaH ca = great mighty one, Lakshmana, also; yayau = storde.

Verse 4

पृष्ठतो हनुमान् वीरो नलो नीलः च वीर्यवान् |
तारः चैव महातेजा हरि यूथप यूथपाः || ४-१३-४

The brave Hanuma, dauntless Nala and Neela, and the captain of monkey’s captains Tara of great energy followed them rearward. [4-13-4]

4. pR^iSThataH viiraH hanumaan = rearward, brave one Hanuma; viiryavaan nalaH niilaH ca = dauntless ones, Nala, Neela, also; mahaatejaa hari yuuthapa yuuthapaaH taaraH = of great energy, monkeys, captain of, captains Tara. [yayau = proceeded.]

Verse 5

ते वीक्षमाणा वृक्षाम् च पुष्प भार अवलम्बिनः |
प्रसन्न अंबुवहाः चैव सरितः सागरम् गमाः || ४-१३-५

They moved on looking at the trees that are drooping with the weight of their flowers, and at he rivers that are carrying pleasant water while themselves are coursing towards ocean. [4-13-5]

5. te = they; puSpa bhaara avalambinaH vR^ikSaam = by flowers, weight, drooping, trees; prasanna ambu vahaaH = pleasant, water, carrying; saagaram gamaaH = to ocean, coursing; saritaH rivers; viikSamaaNaa = [yayau] = looking at, they moved on.

Verse 6

कन्दराणि च शैलाम् च निर्दराणि गुहाः तथा |
शिखराणि च मुख्यानि दरीः च प्रिय दर्शनाः || ४-१३-६

They on seeing house-like caverns, crags, ravines and caves, and monumental peaks, cavities that are pleasant for sight have moved on. [4-13-6]

6. kandaraaNi = [house-like] caverns; shailaam = crags; nirdaraaNi guhaaH tathaa = ravines, caves, like that; shikharaaNi ca mukhyaani = peaks, also, monumental ones; dariiH ca priya darshanaaH = valleys, of pleasant, sight.

Verse 7

वैदूर्य विमलैः तोयैः पद्मैः च आकोश कुड्मलैः |
शोभितान् सजलान् मार्गे तटाकान् च अवलोकयन् || ४-१३-७

On their way they observed lakes that are glistening forth with gem-like waters without slime, and with lotus buds in budding stage. [4-13-7]

7. maarge = on way; taTaakaan = lakes; vaiduurya vimalaiH toyaiH = cat’s eye-like [gem-like,] without, slime, waters; padmaiH ca aakosha kuDmalaiH = lotuses, to their orifices, buds; shobhitaan sa jalaan = glistening, with, waters; avalokayan = on observing; yayau = they went.

Verse 8

कारण्डैस्सारसैर्हंसैर्वञ्जुलैर्जलकुक्कुटैः |
चक्रवाकैस्थाचान्यैश्शकुनैर्प्रतिनादितान् || – यद्वा –
कारण्डैः सारसैः हंसैः वंजुलैः जल कुक्कुटैः |
चक्रवाकैः तथा च अन्यैः शकुनैः प्रतिनादितान् || ४-१३-८

Those lakes are reverberant with Karandava-s, Saarasa-s, Swans, Vanjula-s and other waterfowls, also like that with Chakravaaka-s and other birds. [4-13-8]

8. kaaraNDaiH saarasaiH hamsaiH vanjulaiH jala kukkuTaiH = Karandava, Saarasa, Swans, Vanjula water, fowls; cakravaakaiH = Chakravaaka; tathaa ca = like that, also; anyaiH shakunaiH = with other, birds; prati naaditaan = in reverb, sounding [reverberant.]

Verse 9

मृदुशष्पाङ्कुराअहारान्निर्भयान्वनगोचरान् |
चरतांसर्वतोपश्यन्स्थलीषु हरिणान्स्थितान् || – यद्वा –
मृदु शष्प अंकुर आहारान् निर्भयान् वन गोचरान् |
चरताम् सर्वतो अपश्यन् स्थलीषु हरिणान् स्थितान् || ४-१३-९

They have seen fearless deer feeding on soft grass blades everywhere, somewhere moving here and there in the forest, and else where standing. [4-13-9]

9. mR^idu shaSpa ankura aahaaraan = soft, grass, blade, feeding on; nir bhayaan vana gocaraan = without, fear, forest, movers; sthaliiSu = at places; sarvataH = everywhere; carataam sthitaan = moving, standing; apashyan hariNaan = have seen, deer.

Verse 10

तटाक वैरिणः च अपि शुक्ल दन्त विभूषितान् |
घोरान् एकचरान् वन्यान् द्विरदान् कूल घातिनः || ४-१३-१०

They have also seen the forest elephants that have white tusks for their ornaments and that are moving in herds, and which are the dangerous enemies of lakes as they destroy lakebeds. [4-13-10]

10. ghoraan = dangerous; taTaaka vairiNaH = lake, enemies; shukla danta vibhuuSitaan = white, tusks, ornamented with; eka caraan = elephantine, in oneness, moving; kuula ghaatinaH = lakebeds, destroyers; vanyaan dviradaan = forest, elephants; [they saw.]

Verse 11

मत्तन् गिरि तट उद्घुष्टान् पर्वतान् इव जंगमान् |
वानरान् द्विरद प्रख्यान् मही रेणु समुक्षितान् || ४-१३-११

Also seen are the vigorous and elephantine monkeys that are like mobile mountains, begrimed with dust, and bellowing on mountain ridges. [4-13-11]

11. mattan vaanaraan = vigorous monkeys; giri taTa udghuSTaan = on mountain’s, ridges, making noisy; jangamaan parvataan iva = mobile, mountains, like; dvirada prakhyaan = elephantine, in aspect; mahii reNu samukshitaan = earth’s, dust, covered [on bodies.]

Verse 12

वने वन चराम् च अन्यान् खेचराम् च विहंगमान् |
पश्यन्तः त्वरिता जग्मुः सुग्रीव वश वर्तिनः || ४-१३-१२

On seeing other forest beings in that forest and birds moving aloft in sky, those followers of Sugreeva quickly moved on. [4-13-12]

12. sugriiva vasha vartinaH = Sugreeva’s, under control, that move – followers of Sugreeva; vane = in forest; anyaan vana caraam ca = other, forest movers, also; khe caraam viham gamaan = aloft, movers, sky, flyers; pashyantaH = on seeing; tvaritaa jagmuH = quickly, moved.

Verse 13

तेषाम् तु गच्छताम् तत्र त्वरितम् रघुनंदनः |
द्रुम षण्ड वनम् दृष्ट्वा रामः सुग्रीवम् अब्रवीत् || ४-१३-१३

While they are quickly going, Rama, the delight of Raghu’s dynasty, saw there a clump of forest trees and he asked Sugreeva like this. [4-13-13]

13. teSaam tvaritam gacChataam = they, while quickly, going; raghu nandanaH raamaH = Raghu’s, delight of, Rama; tatra = there; druma SaNDa vanam = tree, clump, forest; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; sugriivam abraviit = to Sugreeva, said.

Verse 14

एष मेघ इव आकाशे वृक्ष षण्डः प्रकाशते |
मेघ संघात विपुलः पर्यन्त कदली वृतः || ४-१३-१४

“This cluster of trees surrounded with plantain trees is like an accumulation of thick clouds, and this is shining forth like a cloudscape in sky. [4-13-14]

14. eSa vR^ikSa = SaNDaH = this, trees, cluster of; megha sanghaata vipulaH = like clouds, accumulation, extensive – thick; pari aanta = all, around; kadalii vR^itaH = plantain trees, surrounded by; aakaashe megha iva prakaashate = in sky, cloud [cloudscape,] like, shining forth.

Verse 15

किम् एतत् ज्ञातुम् इच्छामि सखे कौतूहलम् मम |
कौतूहल अपनयनम् कर्तुम् इच्छामि अहम् त्वया || ४-१३-१५

“What is this? I wish to know and oh, friend, I wish you to clear this inquisitiveness of mine. [4-13-15]

15. sakhe = oh, friend; kim etat = what, this; j~naatum icChaami = to know, I wish to; kautuuhalam mama = inquisitive, of mine; kautuuhala apanayanam kartum aham icChaami tvayaa = inquisitiveness, to be clear, be made, I, wish to, by you.

Verse 16

तस्य तद् वचनम् श्रुत्वा राघवस्य महात्मनः |
गच्छन्न् एव आचचक्षे अथ सुग्रीवः तत् महद् वनम् || ४-१३-१६

On hearing that sentence of that great soul Raghava, then Sugreeva described about the significance of that forest while proceeding on the way. [4-13-16]

16. mahaatmanaH tasya raaghavasya = great-soul, that, Raghava’s; tat vacanam shrutvaa = that, sentence, on hearing; tataH = then; sugriivaH = Sugreeva; gacChann eva = while proceeding, only; tat mahat vanam aacacakSe = that, significance, of forest, described.

Verse 17

एतद् राघव विस्तीर्णम् आश्रमम् श्रम नाशनम् |
उद्यान वन संपन्नम् स्वादु मूल फल उदकम् || ४-१३-१७

“Raghava, this spacious hermitage with abundant gardens and dainty tubers, fruits and water is a weary remover.” Thus Sugreeva started telling Rama. [4-13-17]

17. raaghava = Raghava; udyaana vana sampannam = pleasure, gardens, abundant in; svaadu muula phala udakam = having dainty, tubers, fruits, water; vistiirNam = spacious; etat shrama naashanam aashramam = this, weary, removing, hermitage

Verse 18

अत्र सप्तजना नाम मुनयः संशित व्रताः |
सप्त एव आसन् अधः शीर्षा नियतम् जल शायिनः || ४-१३-१८

“There were hermits named sapta jana, Seven Persons, who were dourly vowed with their heads pendulous downward and legs up, as in shiirSa aasana , the upside-down yogic body posture, and who always reclined in water. [4-13-18]

18. atra = in there; samshita vrataaH = dourly, vowed ones; niyatam = scrupulously; adhaH shiirSaa = downward, with heads; jala shaayinaH = always, in water reclining; saptajanaa naama = sapta jana [Seven Persons,] named; sapta eva = seven, thus; munayaH aasan = hermits, were there.

Verse 19

सप्त रात्रे कृत आहारा वायुना अचल वासिनः |
दिवम् वर्ष शतैः याताः सप्तभिः सकलेवराः || ४-१३-१९

“They were making diet on air alone that too once in seven days, and living unwaveringly in that way they practised their asceticism for seven hundred years and went to heavens with their bodies. [4-13-19]

19. sapta raatre = for seven, nights [and days]; vaayunaa = on air; kR^ita aahaaraa = making, diet; a cala vaasinaH = not, waveringly, they were living; saptabhiH varSa shataiH = seven years, hundred – for seven hundred years [of their ascesis]; sa kalevaraaH divam yaataaH = with, bodies, to heaven, they went.

Verse 20

तेषाम् एतत् प्रभावेण द्रुम प्राकार संवृतम् |
आश्रमम् सुदुराधर्षम् अपि स इन्द्रैः सुर असुरैः || ४-१३-२०

“This hermitage that has encircling trees for its compound wall has become highly unassailable even for Indra together with all gods and demons. [4-13-20]

20. druma praakaara samvR^itam = trees, compound wall, encircled with; etat aashramam = this, hermitage; teSaam prabhaaveNa = by their, influence; sa indraiH sura asuraiH api = with, Indra, by gods, by demons, even; su duraadharSam = highly, unassailable.

Verse 21

पक्षिणो वर्जयन्ति एतत् तथा अन्ये वनचारिणः |
विशन्ति मोहाद् ये अपि अत्र न निवर्तन्ते ते पुनः || ४-१३-२१

“Birds and other forest moving animals forbear this hermitage and those that unknowingly enter in there they do not return. [4-13-21]

21. pakSiNaH = birds; tathaa anye vana caariNaH = thus, other, forest movers [animals]; etat varjayanti = this hermitage, they forbear; ye mohaat atra vishanti = those, unknowingly, in there, enter; te punaH na nivartante = they, again, not, returning.

Verse 22

विभूषण रवाअः च अत्र श्रूयंते सकलाक्षराः |
तूर्य गीत स्वनाअः च अपि गन्धो दिव्यः च राघव || ४-१३-२२

“From there artistically worded lyrical and instrumental tunes, and even the sounds of ornaments are audible, and oh, Raghava, one can sense a divine fragrance too. [4-13-22]

22. Raaghava = Raghava; atra = there; sakala = sa kala akSaraaH = with, artistically, worded; vibhuuSaNa ravaaH ca = ornament’s, sounds, also; tuurya giita svanaaaH ca api = instrumental, lyrical, tunes; shruuyante = are audible; gandhaH divyaH = ca fragrance, divine, also – you can smell.

Verse 23

त्रेताग्नयो अपि दीप्यन्ते धूमो हि एष प्रदृश्यते |
वेष्टयन् इव वृक्ष अग्रान् कपोत अंग अरुणो घनः || ४-१३-२३

“Even the triadic ritual-fires glow there, and their thick and ochry coloured smoke like that of a reddish-brown pigeon is apparent muffling the treetops. [4-13-23]

23. tretaagnayaH api diipyante = triadic, ritual-fires, even, glow; vR^ikSa agraan = tree, tops; veSTayan iva = muffling, as though; kapota anga aruNaH = pigeon, body’s, ochre-coloured [unlike those of white or grey Columba livia species]; ghanaH = thick; eSa dhuumaH pradR^ishyate hi = this, smoke, is apparent, indeed.

Verse 24

एते वृक्षाः प्रकाशन्ते धूम संसक्त मस्तकाः |
मेघ जाल प्रतिच्छन्ना वैदूर्य गिरयो यथा || ४-१३-२४

“When that smoke is mantling their tops these trees are beaming forth like mountains of gems overlaid with clusters of clouds. [4-13-24]

24. dhuuma samsakta mastakaaH = smoke, mantled, with heads – at treetops; ete vR^ikshaaH = these, trees; megha jaala praticChannaaH = clouds, cluster of, overlaid; vaiduurya girayaH yathaa = lapis’, mountains [gem-mountains,] as with; prakaashante = they beam forth.

Verse 25

कुरु प्रणामम् धर्मात्मन् तेषाम् उद्दिश्य राघवः |
लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा प्रयतः संयत अंजलिः || ४-१३-२५

“Offer salutations determinedly and adjoining palms addressing the sages called Seven Persons, oh Raghava, along with brother Lakshmana [4-13-25]

25. dharmaatman = oh, righteous one; raaghavaH = Raghava; teSaam uddishya = them [the sages,] addressing; bhraatraa lakSmaNena saha = brother, along with, Lakshmana; prayataH = determinedly; samyata anjaliH = adjoining, palms; kuru praNaamam = offer, salutation.

Verse 26

प्रणमन्ति हि ये तेषाम् ऋषीणाम् भावित आत्मनाम् |
न तेषाम् अशुभम् किंचित् शरीरे राम दृश्यते || ४-१३-२६

“Those that offer salutations to those sages with contemplated souls will evince no bodily trauma in the least.” Thus said Sugreeva to Rama. [4-13-26]

26. raama = Rama; bhaavita aatmanaam teSaam R^iSiiNaam = contemplated souls, at them, those sages; ye praNamanti = those, who offer salutations; teSaam shariire = to them, in bodies [bodily]; kimcit = in the least; a shubham = not, auspicious – trauma; na vidyate = not, found.

Verse 27

ततो रामः सह भ्रात्रा लक्ष्मणेन कृतांजलिः |
समुद्दिश्य महात्मानः तान् ऋषीन् अभ्यवादयत् || ४-१३-२७

Then Rama along with brother Lakshmana adjoined palms, addressed himself to the great-souled sages known as Seven Persons, and offered salutations to them. [4-13-27]

27. tataH raamaH saha bhraatraa lakSmaNena = then, Rama, with, brother, Lakshmana; kR^ita anjaliH = adjoining, palms; mahaatmaanaH taan R^iSiin samuddishya = great souled ones, them the sages, on addressing; abhyavaadayat = offered salutations.

Verse 28

अभिवाद्य च धर्मात्मा रामो भ्राता च लक्ष्मणः |
सुग्रीवो वानराअः चैव जग्मुः संहृष्ट मानसाः | ४-१३-२८

That righteous Rama along with brother Lakshmana, Sugreeva and other monkeys having worshipped those sages proceeded to Kishkindha well-pleased at heart. [4-13-28]

28. dharmaatmaa = righteous one; raamaH bhraataa lakSmaNaH sugriivaH vaanaraaaH caiva = Rama, brother, Lakshmana, Sugreeva, monkeys, also thus; abhivaadya = on worshipping; jagmuH sam hR^iSTa maanasaaH = proceeded, well, pleased, at heart.

Verse 29

ते गत्वा दूरम् अध्वानम् तस्मात् सप्त जन आश्रमात् |
ददृशुः ताम् दुराधर्षाम् किष्किन्धाम् वालि पालिताम् || ४-१३-२९

Having gone a long way from that hermitage of Seven Persons they have seen that unassailable and Vali ruled city namely Kishkindha. [4-13-29]

29. te tasmaat saptajana aashramaat = they, from that, Saptajana, hermitage; duuram adhvaanam gatvaa = long, on way, on going; vaali paalitaam duraadharSaam taam kiSkindhaam dadR^ishuH = by Vali, ruled, unassailable one, her, that Kishkindha, they saw.

Verse 30

ततस्तु रामानुज राम वानराः
प्रगृह्य शस्त्राणि उदित उग्र तेजसा |
पुरीम् सुरेश आत्मज वीर्य पालिताम्
वधाय शत्रोः पुनर् आगताः इह || ४-१३-३०

Then Rama’s bother Lakshmana, Rama, and other monkeys wielding their weapons and flaring with their upsurged fiery again came to eliminate that enemy Vali to the city that is ruled by the brawn of the same Vali, the son of Indra. [4-13-30]

30. tataH = then; udita ugra tejasaa = up surged, fiery, with flare of; raama anuja = Rama’s, [younger] brother – Lakshmana; raamaH = Rama; vaanaraaH = monkeys; shastraaNi pragR^ihya = weapons, on taking, wielding; shatroH vadhaaya = enemy, to eliminate; suresha aatmaja = gods, lord – Indra’s, son – Vali; viirya paalitaam = by his brawn, ruled; puriim = to city; punaH iha aagataaH = again, to here, they came.