Introduction

Vanara-s deliverance from black hole is effectuated by Sainted Lady Swayamprabha. On listening to Hanuma about the plight of monkeys by which they entered this cavity in searching for Seetha, Sainted Lady Swayamprabha becomes sympathetic and offers guestship. When entreated by Hanuma for an exit from that incarceration, and as the time frame set by Sugreeva is lapsed in this very cavity, Swayamprabha uses her ascetic powers to transport the monkeys from that cave, which exit is otherwise impossible for any other intruder, in his aliveness.

 

Verse 1

अथ तान् अब्रवीत् सर्वान् विश्रांतान् हरि यूथपान् |
इदम् वचनम् एकाग्रा तापसी धर्म चारिणी || ४-५२-१

When those monkey commanders are relaxed after refreshments, then that sainted lady, who concentrates single-mindedly and who is a pursuer of probity, spoke this word t

1. atha = then; dharma caariNii = she who in probity, pursuer of; eka agraa = single-mindedly concentrative; taapasii = sainted lady; vishraantaan = when relaxed; taan sarvaan hari yuuthapaan = to them, all, monkey commanders; idam vacanam abraviit = this, word, spoke.

 

Verse 2

वानरा यदि वः खेदः प्रनष्टः फल भक्षणात् |
यदि च एतत् मया श्राव्यम् श्रोतुम् इच्छामि कथताम् || ४-५२-२

“Oh, vanara-s, if your enervation is eased off by devouring fruits, and if I may listen to that episode of yours, I wish to listen to it.” Thus Swayamprabha addressed the monkeys. [4-52-2]

2. vaanaraaH = oh, Vanara-s; phala bhakSaNaat = fruits, by devouring; vaH khedaH = your, enervation; pranaSTaH yadi = eased off, if; etat = all that [episode of yours]; mayaa shraavyam yadi = by me, listenable, if; [taam = that]; kathataam = episode; shrotum icChaami = to listen, I wish.

Verse 3

तस्याः तत् वचनम् श्रुत्वा हनुमान् मारुत आत्मजः |
आर्जवेन यथा तत्त्वम् आख्यातुम् उपचक्रमे || ४-५२-३

Hanuma, the son of Air-god, sincerely started to narrate their episode in its pithiness on hearing her words. [4-52-3]

3. maaruta aatmajaH hanumaan = Air-god’s, son, Hanuma; tasyaaH tat vacanam shrutvaa = of hers, that, sentence, on hearing; aarjavena = sincerely; yathaa tattvam = as per, in its pithiness; aakhyaatum upacakrame = to narrate, stated.

Verse 4 & 5

राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य महेन्द्र वरुण उपमः |
रामो दाशरथिः श्रीमान् प्रविष्टो दण्डका वनम् || ४-५२-४
लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा वैदेह्या च अपि भार्यया |
तस्य भार्या जनस्थानात् रावणेन हृता बलात् || ४-५२-५

“The king of all the world and one similar to Mahendra and Rain-god, such an illustrious Rama of Dasharatha entered Dandaka forest with his bother Lakshmana, even along with his wife Vaidehi, but Ravana coercively abducted his wife from Janasthaana. [4-52-4, 5]

4, 5. sarvasya lokasya raajaa = of all, world, king; mahendra varuNa upamaH = Mahendra, Rain-god, who is similar to; daasharathiH = son of Dasharatha; shriimaan raamaH = illustrious one, Rama; bhraatraa lakSmaNena saha = bother, Lakshmana, along with; bhaaryayaa vaidehyaa api ca = along with wife, Vaidehi, even also; daNDakaa vanam praviSTaH = Dandaka, forest, entered; tasya bhaaryaa = his, wife; raavaNena = by Ravana; janasthaanaat balaat hR^itaa = from Janasthaana, coercively, abducted.

Verse 6

वीरः तस्य सखा राज्ञः सुग्रीवो नाम वानरः |
राजा वानर मुख्यानाम् येन प्रस्थापिता वयम् || ४-५२-६

“A valiant one and the king of important vanara-s known as Sugreeva is a vanara and the friend of that kingly Rama, and that vanara king expedited us. [4-52-6]

6. viiraH = valiant one; vaanara mukhyaanaam raajaa = of Vanara-s, important ones, king; sugriivaH naama = Sugreeva, one known as; vaanaraH = a Vanara; tasya raaj~naH sakhaa = that, king’s [Rama’s,] friend; yena vayam prasthaapitaa = by whom, we are, expedited.

Verse 7 & 8

अगस्त्य चरिताम् आशाम् दक्षिणाम् यम रक्षिताम् |
सहैभिर्वानरैमुख्यैरङ्गदप्रमुखैर्वयम् – यद्वा –
सह एभिः वानरैः मुख्यैः अंगद प्रमुखैः वयम् || ४-५२-७
रावणम् सहिताः सर्वे राक्षसम् काम रूपिणम् |
सीतया सह वैदेह्या मार्गध्वम् इति चोदिताः || ४-५२-८

“He mobilised us along with these important vanara-s and Angada as helmsman to this southerly prospect, which is the walkabout of Sage Agastya and watched over by Yama, the Death-god, saying, ‘you all shall collectively search for Seetha of Videha kingdom together with the demon Ravana, a guise-changer by his wish.’ [4-52-7, 8]

7, 8. sarve sahitaaH = [you] all, collectively; vaidehyaa siitayaa saha = for one from Videha kingdom, for Seetha, together with; kaama ruupiNam raakSasam raavaNam = by wish, guise-changer, for demon, for Ravana; maargadhvam = [you] shall search; iti = saying so; vayam = we; angada pra mukhaiH = Angada, et al; ebhiH mukhyaiH vaanaraiH saha = these, with important, vanara-s, along with; agastya caritaam = by Sage Agastya, trodden [walkabout]; yama rakSitaam = by Yama, the Death-god, watched over; dakSiNaam aashaam coditaaH = to southern, prospect [direction,] we are mobilised.

Verse 9

विचित्य तु वयम् सर्वे समग्रम् – समुद्रम् – दक्षिणाम् दिशम् |
वयम् बुभुक्षिताः सर्वे वृक्ष मूलम् उपाश्रिताः || ४-५२-९

“On searching out the southerly direction in its entirety we are all hungered and we all gathered around at a tree-stem. [4-52-9]

9. vayam sarve = we, all; samagram = in entirety; [or] samudram = at ocean – other than southern ocean; dakSiNaam disham = southerly, direction; vicitya = on searching out; bubhukSitaaH = we were hungry; vayam sarve = we, all; vR^ikSa muulam upa aashritaaH = tree, at stem, nearby, dependent on [gathered around.]

Verse 10

विवर्ण वदनाः सर्वे सर्वे ध्यान परायणाः |
न अधिगच्छामहे पारम् मग्नाः चिन्ता महाअर्णवे || ४-५२-१०

“All of us were whey-faced, all of us were preoccupied with propositions, thus deluged in the depthless deep of our despair we could not overreach the other shore of our oceanic despair. [4-52-10]

10. sarve = [we] all; vi varNa vadanaaH = without, colour faced – became whey-faced; sarve dhyaana paraayaNaaH = [we] all, in propositions, preoccupied; cintaa mahaa arNave = despair, great [depthless,] ocean [the deep of]; magnaaH = deluged; paaram = other shore [of despair ocean]; na adhi gacChaamahe = not, over, reached by us.

Verse 11

चारयन्तः ततः चक्षुः दृष्टवन्तो महद् बिलम् |
लता पादप संछन्नम् तिमिरेण समावृतम् || ४-५२-११

“Then straggling our eyes we perceived this wide cavity wrapped up with vines and woods and enwrapped in darkling. [4-52-11]

11. tataH = then; cakSuH caarayantaH = [our] eyes, while straggling; lataa paadapa sanChannam = with creepers, woody trees, wrapped up in; timireNa samaavR^itam = by darkling, enwrapped; mahat bilam = wide, cavity; dR^iSTavantaH = we became perceivers of – we perceived.

Verse 12

अस्मात् हंसा जल क्लिन्नाः पक्षैः सलिल रेणुभिः |
कुरराः सारसाः चैव निष्पतन्ति पतत्रिणः || ४-५२-१२

“Swans, water-hawks, saarasa-waterfowls were coming out of this cavity drenched in water and sprinkling drops of water with the flaps of their wings. [4-52-12]

12. asmaat = from it [cavity]; salila reNubhiH pakSaiH = with water, drops, [with such flapping] wings; jala klinnaaH = water, drenched; [sprinkling]; hamsaaH = swans; kuraraaH saarasaaH caiva = fish-hawks, saarasa waterfowls , also thus; patatriNaH = birds; niS patanti = out, falling [coming out.]

Verse 13

साधु अत्र प्रविशाम इति मया तु उक्ताः प्लवंगमाः |
तेषाम् अपि हि सर्वेषाम् अनुमानम् उपागतम् || ४-५२-१३

“I said to all of them, ‘Good! Let us enter it,’ while they too had some inference about the availability of water in here. [4-52-13]

13. atra saadhu pravishaama iti = therein, good, we enter, thus; mayaa tu plavangamaaH uktaaH = by me, on my part, fly-jumpers are, said; teSaam sarveSaam api hi = for them, all of them, even, indeed; anumaanam = inference of water; upaagatam = came about.

Verse 14

अस्मिन् निपतिताः सर्वे अपि अथ कार्य त्वरान्विताः |
ततो गाढम् निपतिता गृह्य हस्तौ परस्परम् || ४-५२-१४

“As our task was hastening us then we all readied ourselves to fall in the cavity by tightly clasping each other’s hand, and then we fell in this cavity. [4-52-14]

14. atha = then; kaarya tvara anvitaaH = by task’s, haste, having [hastened by our task]; sarve api = all [of us,] even; tataH ni patitaa [nipatana arthaaya] = then, down, fell [readied ourselves to fall in cavity]; parasparam = each of each; hastau gaaDham gR^ihya = hands, tightly, taking [clasping]; asmin ni patitaaH = in it, down, fell – we fell down in this cavity.

Verse 15

इदम् प्रविष्टाः सहसा बिलम् तिमिर संवृतम् |
एतत् नः कार्यम् एतेन कृत्येन वयम् आगताः || ४-५२-१५
त्वाम् च एव उपगताः सर्वे परिद्यूना बुभुक्षिताः |

“Thus we readily entered this Black Cavity, and this much is our activity in here as we all have come here by our escapade for water, and we neared you when we were ravenous and retrogressing. [4-52-15, 16a]

15, 16a. timira samvR^itam = darkness, shrouded in – Black Cavity; idam bilam sahasaa praviSTaaH = this, cavity, readily we entered,; etat naH kaaryam = this much, our, work [here in cavity]; etena kR^ityena vayam aagataaH = by this, escapade [for water,] we all, have come; bubhukSitaaH = who are ravenous; paridyuunaa = who are retrogressive; sarve = all [of us]; tvaam upagataaH = at you, came near.

Verse 16b & 17a

आतिथ्य धर्म दत्तानि मूलानि च फलानि च || ४-५२-१६
अस्माभिः उपभुक्तानि बुभुक्षा परिपीडितैः |

“And we who are overly harassed by hunger have devoured the fruits and tubers you have offered with the grace of your hospitality. [4-52-16]

16b, 17a. bubhukSaa paripiiDitaiH = by hunger, overly harassed ones; asmaabhiH = by us; aatithya dharma dattaani = hospitality, by grace of, offered [by you]; muulaani ca phalaani ca = tubers, also, fruits, also; upabhuktaani = devoured.

Verse 17b & 18a

यत् त्वया रक्षिताः सर्वे म्रियमाणा बुभुक्षया || ४-५२-१७
ब्रूहि प्रत्युपकार अर्थम् किम् ते कुर्वन्तु वानराः |

“You have rescued all of us who were on the verge of hunger-deaths, and what is to be done by vanara-s for you in requital that you may please tell.” Thus Hanuma spoke to that sainted lady. [4-52-17b, 18a]

17b, 18a. bubhukSayaa mriyamaaNaa = with hunger, on the verge of death; sarve = all of us; yat = by which reason; tvayaa rakSitaaH = by you, rescued; by that reason alone; vaanaraaH = vanara-s; te = to you; prati upakaara artham = in turn, favour’s, sake [in requital]; kim kurvantu = what, can they do; bruuhi = you tell.

Verse 18b & 19a

एवम् उक्ता तु सर्वज्ञा वानरैः तैः स्वयंप्रभा || ४-५२-१८
प्रत्युवाच ततः सर्वान् इदम् वानर यूथपान् |

When she is spoken thus by those vanara-s then that omniscient Swayamprabha replied this to all of the vanara commanders. [4-52-18b, 19a]

18b, 19a. taiH vaanaraiH = by those, by vanara-s; evam uktaa = thus, she is spoken; sarva j~naa = omniscient; svayamprabhaa = Swayamprabha; tataH = then; sarvaan vaanara yuuthapaan = to all, monkey, commanders; idam prati uvaaca = this, in turn, said [replied.]

Verse 19b & 20a

सर्वेषाम् परितुष्टा अस्मि वानराणाम् तरस्विनाम् || ४-५२-१९
चरंत्या मम धर्मेण न कार्यम् इह केनचित् |

“I am very happy with all of the mighty vanara-s and what I have done to you is a part of my conduct in equity, hence nothing need be done now in my favour, in the least. [4-52-9b, 20a]

19b, 20a. tarasvinaam sarveSaam vaanaraaNaam = mighty ones, with all, of vanara-s; pari tuSTaa asmi = overly [very,] happy, I am; dharmeNa carantyaa = with equity, conducting myself; mama = to me; iha kenacit = now, in the least; kaaryam na = work, no – I do not need anything.

Verse 20b & 21a

एवम् उक्तः शुभम् वाक्यम् तापस्या धर्म संहितम् || ४-५२-२०
उवाच हनुमान् वाक्यम् ताम् अनिन्दित लोचनाम् |

When Hanuma is said that blessed word by that sainted lady in that way, that which is agreeable to propriety, then Hanuma said this sentence to her who is with an unreprovable discernment. [4-52-20b, 21a]

20b, 21a. taapasyaa = by sainted lady; evam = that way; dharma samhitam = , propriety, agreeable to; shubham vaakyam = blessed, word; uktaH hanumaan = one who is spoken to, Hanuma; a nindita locanaam = not, reprovable, eyed [rather, one with such discernment]; taam = to her; vaakyam uvaaca = sentence, said.

Verse 21b & 22

शरणम् त्वाम् प्रपन्नाः स्मः सर्वे वै धर्मचारिणिम् || ४-५२-२१
यः कृतः समयो अस्माकम् सुग्रीवेण महात्मना |
स तु कालो व्यतिक्रान्तो बिले च परिवर्तताम् || ४-५२-२२

“We are now under the auspices of your ladyship comporting yourself in scrupulosity. We lapsed the time stipulated for us by the noble-souled Sugreeva by our roving around in this cavity. [4-52-21b, 22]

21b, 22. dharma caariNim = scrupulosity, comporting yourself; tvaam = in you; sarve sharaNam prapannaaH smaH = [we] all, auspice, we obtained [we are under]; mahaatmanaa sugriiveNa = noble-souled one, by Sugreeva; asmaakam = for us; yaH samayaH kR^itaH = which, time, made [stipulated]; saH kaalaH = that, time; bile = in cavity; pari vartataam = around, while roving; yatikraanta [vi ati kraantaH = verily, over, stepped] we lapsed it.

Verse 23

सा त्वम् अस्मात् बिलात् अस्मान् उत्तारयितुम् अर्हसि |
तस्मात् सुग्रीव वचनात् अतिक्रान्तान् गत आयुषः || ४-५२-२३

“Such as you are, a righteous lady, it will be apt of you to cross us over this cavity, as we have overextended the timeframe fixed by Sugreeva, whereby our longevity itself is threatened. [4-52-23]

23. saa = such as you are – a righteous lady; tvam = you; tasmaat sugriiva vacanaat atikraantaan = that, Sugreeva’s, word [order, of timeframe] overextended; gata aayuSaH = lost [threatened,] with longevity; asmaan = us; asmaat bilaat uttaarayitum arhasi = from this, cavity, to crossover, apt of you.

Verse 24

त्रातुम् अर्हसि नः सर्वान् सुग्रीव भय शन्कितान् |
महत् च कार्यम् अस्माभिः कर्तव्यम् धर्मचारिणि || ४-५२-२४
तत् च अपि न कृतम् कार्यम् अस्माभिः इह वासिभिः |

“Oh, prudent lady, sail all of us through. We are rendered as hesitaters with the fear from Sugreeva. We still have to achieve an admirable achievement and that deed is also left undone as we are held-up in here.” Thus Hanuma spoke to her. [4-52-24, 25a]

24, 25a. dharma caariNi = oh, prudent lady; sugriiva bhaya shankitaan = from Sugreeva, fear, [we who have become] hesitaters – haunted by; naH sarvaan = us, all; traatum arhasi = to sail through, apt of you; asmaabhiH = by us; mahat kaaryam ca kartavyam = admirable, achievement, also, is achievable; iha vaasibhiH = here, living – held up; asmaabhiH = by us; tat kaaryam ca api = that, deed, also, even; na kR^itam = not, done.

Verse 25b & 26a

एवम् उक्ता हनुमता तापसी वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् || ४-५२-२५
जीवता दुष्करम् मन्ये प्रविष्टेन निवर्तितुम् |

When Hanuma said thus that sainted lady said sentence, “I believe outgoing is impracticable for the incomers in aliveness from this cavity. [4-52-25b, 26a]

25b, 26a. hanumataa evam uktaa taapasii = by Hanuma, thus, she who is said, sainted lady; vaakyam abraviit = sentence, said; praviSTena = he who entered – for incomers; jiivataa nivartitum = while living, outgoing – from this cavity; duSkaram manye = impracticable, I believe.

Verse 26b & 27a

तपसः सुप्रभावेन नियम उपार्जितेन च || ४-५२-२६
सर्वान् एव बिलात् अस्मात् तारयिष्यामि वानरान् |

“By the sublime efficacy of ascesis acquired through my practices of numerous self-restraints I wish to sail all of the vanara-s through the incarceration, called this cavity. [4-52-26b, 27a]

26b, 27a. niyama upa arjitena = by self-restraints, acquired; tapasaH su prabhaavena = by ascesis’, sublime, efficacy; sarvaan eva vaanaraan = all of the, thus, vanara-s; asmaat bilaat taarayiSyaami = from this, cavity, I wish to sail them through – make you departure from cavity.

Verse 27b & 28a

निमीलयत चक्षून्षि सर्वे वानर पुंगवाः || ४-५२-२७
न हि निष्क्रमितुम् शक्यम् अनिमीलित लोचनैः |

“All of you best vanara-s shall close up your eyelids, for it is indeed impossible to attempt an exit with unclose eyes.” Thus that sainted lady said to monkeys. [4-52-27b, 28a]

27b, 28a. sarve vaanara pungavaaH = all of you, vanara-s, the best; cakSuunSi nimiilayata = eyes [eyelids,] close; a nimiilita locanaiH = not, shut, with eyes; niSkramitum = trying to exit; na shakyam hi = not, possible, indeed.

Verse 28b & 29a

ततो निमीलिताः सर्वे सुकुमार अंगुलैः करैः || ४-५२-२८
सहसा पिदधुः दृष्टिम् हृष्टा गमन कान्क्षिणः |

Then all of those desirers of departure are gladdened and immediately shut their eyelids, and further they lidded them with their delicately fingered hands. [4-52-28b, 29a]

28b, 29a. tataH = then; gamana kaankSiNaH = departure, desirers; hR^iSTaa = gladdened; sarve nimiilitaaH = all, closed [their eyes]; sahasaa = immediately; sukumaara angulaiH karaiH = with delicate, fingered, with hands; dR^iSTim pidadhuH = eyesight, lidded.

Verse 29b & 30a

वानराः तु महात्मानो हस्त रुद्ध मुखाः तदा || ४-५२-२९
निमेष अन्तर मात्रेण बिलात् उत्तारिताः तथा |

She then sailed those noble souled vanara-s who covered their faces with their hands through that cavity barely within a minute. [4-52-29b. 30a]

29b, 30a. tadaa = then; hasta ruddha mukhaaH = with hands, blocked – covered, with faces; mahaatmaanaH vaanaraaH tu = noble-souled, vanara-s, on their part; [tayaa = by her]; tathaa = that way; nimeSa antara maatreNa = a minute, within, barely; bilaat = from cavity; ut taaritaaH = up, sailed through.

Verse 31b & 32

एष विन्ध्यो गिरिः श्रीमान् नाना द्रुम लता आयुतः || ४-५२-३१
एष प्रसवणः शैलः सागरो अयम् महा उदधिः |
स्वस्ति वो अस्तु गमिष्यामि भवनम् वानरर्षभाः |
इति उक्त्वा तत् बिलम् श्रीमत् प्रविवेश स्वयम्प्रभा || ४-५२-३२

“This one which is surrounded by diverse trees and vines is the magnificent Vindhya Mountain, this mountain is Prasravana, and this vast expanse of water is the southerly ocean. Now I wish to return to my mansion… oh, best vanara-s, let safety betide you.” saying thus Swayamprabha the Sainted Lady, re-entered the ostentatious cavity, called Riksha Bila. [4-52-31b, 32]

31b, 32. eSa = this; shriimaan = magnificent one; naanaa druma lataa aayutaH = with diverse, trees, vines, surrounded by; vindhyaH giriH = is Vindhya, mountain; eSa prasavaNaH shailaH = this is, Prasravana, [named] mountain; ayam saagaraH mahaa udadhiH = this one, ocean, vast expanse, of water; vaanararSabhaaH = oh, Vanara-s, best ones; vaH svasti astu = to you, safe, may betide; bhavanam gamiSyaami = to [my] mansion, I wish to go [back]; iti uktvaa = thus, on saying; svayamprabhaa = Swayamprabha; shriimat tat bilam = ostentatious one, that, cavity; pravivesha = [re] entered.