Sloka & Translation

[Rama describes the beauty of the rainy season to Lakshmana.]

स तदा वालिनं हत्वा सुग्रीवमभिषिच्य च।

वसन्माल्यवतः पृष्ठे रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्4.28.1।।


वालिनम् Vali, हत्वा killed, सुग्रीवम् Sugriva, अभिषिच्य installed, तदा then, माल्यवतः mountain Malyavan, पृष्ठे on, वसन् reside, सः रामः Rama, लक्ष्मणम् Lakshmana, अब्रवीत् spoke.

After the killing of Vali and installation of Sugriva as king, Rama arrived at mountain Malyavan to reside.He said to Lakshmana:
अयं स कालस्सम्प्राप्तस्समयोऽद्य जलागमः।

सम्पश्य त्वं नभो मेघैस्संवृतं गिरिसन्निभैः4.28.2।।


सः अयम् this, कालः time, सम्प्राप्तः started, अद्य now, जलागमः समयः time of rainy season, गिरिसन्निभैः like mountains, मेघैः by clouds, संवृतम् covered, नभः sky, त्वम् you, सम्पश्य see.

'Now that the rainy season has started, see the sky covered with mountainlike (huge) clouds.
नवमासधृतं गर्भं भास्करस्य गभस्तिभिः।

पीत्वा रसं समुद्राणां द्यौः प्रसूते रसायनम्4.28.3।।


द्यौः sky, भास्करस्य Sun's, गभस्तिभिः with rays of sunlight, समुद्राणाम् from oceans, रसम् water, पीत्वा drunk, नवमासधृतम् borne for nine months, रसायनम् the base for all juices, गर्भम् womb, प्रसूते is delivering.

'The sky has drained the water from the oceans through the Sun's rays and has borne it for nine months (from Kartika to Asarha) in its womb. It delivers water which is the
base for all juices.
शक्यमम्बरमारुह्य मेघसोपानपङ्क्तिभिः।

कुटजार्जुनमालाभिरलङ्कर्तुं दिवाकरम्4.28.4।।


मेघसोपानपङ्क्तिभिः by the stairway of clouds, अम्बरम् sky, आरुह्य climbing, दिवाकरम् Sun, कुटजार्जुनमालाभिः with garlands of kutaja and arjuna flowers, अलङ्कर्तुम् to decorate, शक्यम् is possible.

'It is possible to climb up to the sky on the stairs formed by the clouds and decorate the Sungod with garlands made of kutaja and arjuna flowers.
सन्ध्यारागोत्थितैस्ताम्रैरन्तेष्वधिक पाण्डरैः।

स्निग्धैरभ्रपटच्छेदैर्बद्धव्रणमिवाम्बरम्4.28.5।।


सन्ध्यारागोत्थितैः owing to the touch of the radiance of the evening Sun, ताम्रैः with red colour, अन्तेष्वधिक in the tinge, पाण्डुरैः with pale white colour, स्निग्धैः shining, अभ्रपटच्छेदैः pieces of cloth of clouds, अम्बरम् sky, बद्धव्रणम् इव appears like a bandaged wound.

'The sky looks as though its wounds are dressed with pale white moistureladen bandage cloths of clouds, red in the border, tinged as they are with the glow of twilight.
मन्दमारुत निश्वासं सन्ध्याचन्दनरञ्जितम्।

आपाण्डुजलदं भाति कामातुरमिवाम्बरम्4.28.6।।


मन्दमारुतनिश्वासम् sighing with gentle winds, सन्ध्याचन्दनरञ्जितम् reddened with sandalpaste of evening twilight, आपाण्डुजलदम् with ashcoloured clouds, अम्बरम् sky, भाति appears, कामातुरं passionate lover.

'The sky with its gentle winds as its sighs, its ash coloured clouds (suggestive of a pale face) painted with red sandalpaste in the form of glow of twilight appears like a
passionate lover.
एषा घर्मपरिक्लिष्टा नववारिपरिप्लुता।

सीतेव शोकसन्तप्ता मही बाष्पं विमुञ्चति4.28.7।।


घर्मपरिक्लिष्टा scorched by the heat, नववारिपरिप्लुता flooded with fresh rain water, एषा मही the earth that way, शोकसन्तप्ता burning with grief, सीतेव like Sita, बाष्पम् tears, विमुञ्चति is shedding.

'This earth scorched by the heat and then flooded with fresh rain water, radiating heat, appears like my Sita shedding tears burning with grief.
मेघोदरविनिर्मुक्ताः कह्लारसुखशीतलाः।

शक्यमञ्जलिभिः पातुं वाताः केतकिगन्धिनः4.28.8।।


मेघोदरविनिर्मुक्ताः released from the womb of clouds, कह्लारसुखशीतलाः gentle and cool as white lotuses, केतकिगन्धिनः carrying the fragrance of Kethaka flowers, वाताः winds, अञ्जलिभिः with cupped palms also, पातुम् for drinking, शक्यम् possible.

'The winds released from the wombs of clouds, cool as the delicate touch of white lotuses,charged with the fragrance of ketaka flowers can be inhaled through the hollow of one's palms.
एष फुल्लार्जुनश्शैलः केतकैरधिवासितः।

सुग्रीव इव शान्तारिर्धाराभिरभिषिच्यते4.28.9।।


फुल्लार्जुनः arjuna flowers, केतकैः ketaka flowers, अधिवासितः filled with fragrance, एषः शैलः this mountain that way, शान्तारिः tranquilled by the destruction of enemy, सुग्रीव इव like Sugriva, धाराभिः with flowing water, अभिषिच्यते is consecrated.

'This mountain scented by the fragrance of arjuna and ketaka flowers is bathed in rain water just as Sugriva, tranquilled by the destruction of the enemy is consecrated in
streams of (sacred) waters.
मेघकृष्णाजिनधरा: धारायज्ञोपवीतिनः।

मारुतापूरितगुहाः प्राधीता इव पर्वताः4.28.10।।


मेघकृष्णाजिनधराः clouds of the colour of black antelope skin, धारायज्ञोपवीतिनः streams of water falling like sacred threads, मारुतापूरितगुहाः winds in caves, पर्वताः mountain, प्राधीता इव like priests reciting (mantras).

'The mountains are covered with dark clouds which appear like the hide of the antelope. Streams of rain water flowing are like the sacred threads hanging down the shoulder and the sounds of wind filling the caves resemble the recitation of Vedas by priests. (These mountains are comparable to the brahmacharins engaged in the recitation of Vedas wearing antelopeskin and sacred threads).
कशाभिरिव हैमीभिर्विद्युद्भिरिवताडितम्।

अन्तस्त्सतनिर्घोषं सवेदनमिवाम्बरम्4.28.11।।


हैमीभिः by the golden, कशाभिरिव whips, विद्युद्भि: by the lightnings, ताडितम् lashed, स्तनित thunder, निर्घोषम् sounds, अम्बरम् sky, अन्तः inside, सवेदनमिव as if crying in severe pain.

'The sky lashed with lightnings with whips of gold and emitting groans in the form of peals of thunder, appears as though crying in severe pain.
नीलमेघाश्रिता विद्युत्स्फुरन्ती प्रतिभाति मा।

स्फुरन्ती रावणस्याङ्के वैदेहीव तपस्विनी4.28.12।।


नीलमेघाश्रिता coverd with dark clouds, स्फुरन्ती triggering looks like, विद्युत् lightning, रावणस्य Ravana's, अङ्के from the lap, स्फुरन्ती struggling, तपस्विनी pitiable woman, वैदेहीव like Vaidehi, मा to me, प्रतिभाति appears.

'The triggering of lightning in the dark clouds appears to me like austere Vaidehi
struggling helplessly to get free from the lap of Ravana.
इमास्ता मन्मथवतां हिताः प्रतिहता दिशः।

अनुलिप्ता इव घनैर्नष्टग्रहनिशाकराः4.28.13।।


मन्मथवताम् for the lovers, हिताः favourable, प्रतिहताः blocked, नष्टग्रहनिशाकराः Moon or planets seized to appear, इमाः this, ताः दिशः directions, घनैः with dense clouds, अनुलिप्ता इव as if smeared.

'Smeared as it were with dense clouds and therefore blocked the directions in which planets including the Moon cease to appear are favourable to lovers. The Moon is said to accenuate the pangs of separation from one's ladylove. Hence the quarters in which the Moon and the stars are hidden by clouds, have been favourable to the lovelorn.
चिद्बाष्पाभिसंरुद्धान् वर्षागमसमुत्सुकान्।

कुटजान्पश्य सौमित्रे पुष्पितान्गिरिसानुषु4.28.14।।

मम शोकाभिभूतस्य कामसन्दीपनान् स्थितान्।


सौमित्रे O Saumitri, क्वचित् at some places, बाष्पाभिसंरुद्धान् withered in the heat of water vapour, वर्षागमसमुत्सुकान् welcome the fresh showers of rain, गिरिसानुषु on slop of mountains, स्थितान् standing, पुष्पितान् bloomed, शोकाभिभूतस्य overwhelmed with grief, मम my, कामसन्दीपनान् kindling my love, कुटजान् kutaja trees, पश्य see.

'O Saumitri look at the kutaja flowers standing on the mountain slopes withered by the heat. They welcome the fresh showers of rain and rekindle passion in me even though my heart is overwhelmed with grief.
रजः प्रशान्तं सहिमोऽद्य वायु

र्निदाघदोषप्रसराः प्रशान्ताः।

स्थिता हि यात्रा वसुधाधिपानां

प्रवासिनो यान्ति नरास्स्वदेशान्4.28.15।।


अद्य now, रजः dust, प्रशान्तम् has settled, वायुः wind, सहिमः blowing with mist, निदाघदोषप्रसराः torments of the heat of summer, प्रशान्ताः pacified, वसुधाधिपानाम् lords of earth, यात्रा expeditions, स्थिता हि is stopped, प्रवासिनः the travellers far off, नराः men, स्वदेशान् to their own land, यान्ति reach.

'Now the dust has settled and the wind carrying mist is cool. The torments of summer have ceased. The expeditions of kings have come to a stop and the travellers return to their native land.
सम्प्रस्थिता मानसवासलुब्धाः

प्रियान्विताः सम्प्रति चक्रवाकाः।

अभीक्ष्णवर्षोदकविक्षतेषु

यानानि मार्गेषु न सम्पतन्ति4.28.16।।


सम्प्रति presently, मानसवासलुब्धाः desiring to live in Manasa lake, सम्प्रस्थिताः started their journey, चक्रवाकाः the chakravakas, प्रियान्विताः united with their loved ones, अभीक्ष्णवर्षोदकविक्षतेषु damaged by heavy rains, मार्गेषु on the roads, यानानि carts, न सम्पतन्ति not move out.

'Desirous of living in Manasa lake swans have set out on their journey and the chakravaka birds are now united with their mates. The carts move not on the roads damaged by heavy rains.
क्वचित्प्रकाशं क्वचिदप्रकाशं

नभः प्रकीर्णाम्बुधरं विभाति।

क्वचित्क्वचित्पर्वतसन्निरुद्धं

रूपं यथा शान्तमहार्णवस्य4.28.17।।


प्रकीर्णाम्बुधरम् clouds scattered all over the sky, क्वचित् in some place, प्रकाशम् flashing, क्वचित् at some other place, अप्रकाशम् dull, नभः the sky, क्वचित्क्वचित् here and there, पर्वतसन्निरुद्धम् obstructed by mountains, शान्तमहार्णवस्य like unruffled ocean, रूपं यथा appearing like that, विभाति glowing

'The sky which is visible here is not visible there due to clouds scattered. It looks bright (blue) here and dull there. It appears like an unruffled ocean interspersed with hills here and there.
व्यामिश्रितं सार्जकदम्बपुष्पै

र्नवं जलं पर्वतधातुताम्रम्।

मयूरकेकाभिरनुप्रयातं

शैलापगाश्शीघ्रतरं वहन्ति4.28.18।।


शैलापगाः streams of water from the mountains, सार्जकदम्बपुष्पैः with sarja and kadamba blossoms, व्यामिश्रितम् combined with, पर्वतधातुताम्रम् red with minerals of the mountain, मयूरकेकाभिः cries of peacocks, अनुप्रयातम् accompany, नवं जलम् fresh rain water, शीघ्रतरम् swiftly, वहन्ति flow.

'The mountainstreams of rainwater mingled with sarja and kadamba flowers carry fresh water swiftly to the ocean along with the deposits of red mineral rocks of the mountain. Hark, the peacock cries.
रसाकुलं षट्पदसन्निकाशं

प्रभुज्यते जम्बुफलं प्रकामम्।

अनेकवर्णं पवनावधूतं

भूमौ पतत्याम्रफलं विपक्वम्4.28.19।।


रसाकुलम् very juicy, षट्पदसन्निकाशम् like the black bee, जम्बुफलम् jambu fruit, प्रकामम् to the heart's content, प्रभुज्यते are eaten, अनेकवर्णम् of multiple colours, विपक्वम् fully ripened, आम्रफलम् mango fruit, पवनावधूतम् shaken by the wind, भूमौ on the ground, पतति fall.

'The black bees like jambu fruits full of sweet juice. People share them to their hearts content, while the mango fruits which take multiple colours on getting ripened drop on the ground shaken by the wind.
विद्युत्पताकास्सबलाकमालाः

शैलेन्द्रकूटाकृतिसन्निकाशाः।

गर्जन्ति मेघाः समुदीर्णनादाः

मत्ता गजेन्द्रा इव संयुगस्थाः4.28.20।।


विद्युत्पताकाः with banners of lightning, सबलाकमालाः closely connected garlands (rows) of herons, शैलेन्द्रकूटाकृतिसन्निकाशाः resembling the shapes of high mountain peaks, मेघाः clouds, संयुगस्थाः marching in wars, मत्ताः proud, गजेन्द्रा इव resembling elephants, समुदीर्णनादाः trumpetting in excitement, गर्जन्ति rumble.

The clouds that resemble high mountain peaks, having their banners of lightning with rows of herons as garlands give out loud peals of thunder like elephants in rut trumpet in battlearray.
वर्षोदकाप्यायितशाद्वलानि

प्रवृत्तनृत्तोत्सवबर्हिणानि।

वनानि निर्वृष्टवलाहकानि

पश्यापराह्णेष्वधिकं विभान्ति4.28.21।।


वर्षोदकाप्यायितशाद्वलानि the tender green grass shining with rain waters, प्रवृत्तनृत्तोत्सवबर्हिणानि filled with peacocks starting the dance festival, निर्वृष्टवलाहकानि when the clouds have shed all their rain water, वनानि forests, अपराह्णेषु in the afternoon, अधिकम् more, विभान्ति enchanting, पश्य see.

'The tender green grass of the forest is shining with rainwater, the peacocks are having dance festival and the forests look more enchanting in the afternoon.
समुद्वहन्त स्सलिलातिभारं

बलाकिनो वारिधरा नदन्तः।

महत्सु शृङ्गेषु महीधराणां

विश्रम्य विश्रम्य पुनः प्रयान्ति4.28.22।।


सलिलातिभारम् heavy loads of water, समुद्वहन्तः while carrying, बलाकिनः accompanied by cranes, वारिधराः clouds, नदन्तः while thundering, महीधराणाम् of mountains, महत्सु on the high, शृङ्गेषु on peaks, विश्रम्य after resting, विश्रम्य halting again, पुनः again, प्रयान्ति move.

'The huge rumbling clouds on the high mountain peaks carry heavy load of water. Now they rest and now resume their journey accompanied by herons.
मेघाभिकामा परिसम्पतन्ती

सम्मोदिता भाति बलाकपङ्क्तिः।

वातावधूता वरपौण्डरीकी

लम्बेव माला रचिताम्बरस्य4.28.23।।


मेघाभिकामा longing for clouds, परिसम्पतन्ती flying along, सम्मोदिता rejoiced, बलाकपङ्क्ति: row of cranes, अम्बरस्य in the sky, वातावधूता shaken by the wind, वरपौण्डरीकी of the choice white lotuses, रचिता strung, लम्बा hanging, माला इव resemling garlands, भाति appears.

'The happy rows of herons flying in the sky to meet the clouds, appear like a long
garland of choice white lotuses strung together hanging in the sky.
बालेन्द्रगोपान्तरचित्रितेन

विभाति भूमिर्नवशाद्वलेन।

गात्रानुपृक्तेन शुकप्रभेण

नारीव लाक्षोक्षितकम्बलेन4.28.24।।


बालेन्द्रगोपान्तरचित्रितेन dotted with small Indragopa insects, नवशाद्वलेन with fresh grass, भूमिः ground, गात्रानुपृक्तेन touching their body, शुकप्रभेण with parrot green,लाक्षोक्षितकम्बलेन with a veil dotted with redlac dye sprinkled on it, नारीव like a lady, विभाति is shining.

'The earth shines with freshgrown, tender grass speckled here and there with small Indragopa insects. It appears like a woman wearing a parrotgreen veil sprinkled with red lac dye.
निद्रा शनैः केशवमभ्युपैति

द्रुतं नदी सागरमभ्युपैति।

हृष्टा बलाका घनमभ्युपैति

कान्ता सकामा प्रियमभ्युपैति4.28.25।।


निद्रा sleep, शनैः slowly, केशवम् Lord Visnu, अभ्युपैति steals over, नदी river, द्रुतम् swiftly, सागरम् sea, अभ्युपैति approaches, हृष्टा joyfully, बलाका crane, घनम् cloud, अभ्युपैति approaches, सकामा filled with passion, कान्ता woman, प्रियम् beloved, अभ्युपैति approaches.

'Sleep steals over Lord Visnu. The rivers run swiftly to the sea, the female herons fly to catch the clouds joyfully. The young bride eagerly approaches her dear lord. (It is believed that Lord Visnu goes to sleep during chaturmasya, ie. from Asarh to Kartik)
जाता वनान्ताश्शिखिसम्प्रनृत्ता

जाताः कदम्बाः सकदम्बशाखाः।

जाता वृषा गोषु समानकामा

जाता मही सस्यवनाभिरामा4.28.26।।


वनान्ताः the forest regions, शिखिसम्प्रनृत्ताः peacocks dancing, जाताः have started, कदम्बाः kadamba trees, सकदम्बशाखाः branches of kadamba trees, जाताः started bloomimg, वृषाः mighty bulls, गोषु with cows, समानकामाः equally desiring, जाताः have become, मही earth, सस्यवनाभिरामा filled with lovely green crops and trees.

'Peacocks dance in the forest. The branches of the kadamba trees get filled with flowers. Bulls long for union with the cows. The earth looks beautiful with green crops and trees.
वहन्ति वर्षन्ति नदन्ति भान्ति

ध्यायन्ति नृत्यन्ति समाश्वसन्ति।

नद्यो घना मत्तगजा वनान्ताः

प्रियाविहीनाश्शिखिनः प्लवङ्गमाः4.28.27।।


नद्यः rivers, घनाः clouds, मत्तगजाः proud elephants, वनान्ताः forest lands, प्रियाविहीनाः away from their loved ones, शिखिनः peacocks, प्लवङ्गमाः monkeys, वहन्ति are flowing, वर्षन्ति are raining, नदन्ति are trumpeting, भान्ति are shining, ध्यायन्ति contemplating, नृत्यन्ति dancing, समाश्वसन्ति are quietened.

'The clouds are raining. The rivers are flowing. Proud elephants are trumpeting. Those separated from their loved ones are brooding. The monkeys are quiet and the peacocks are dancing.
प्रहर्षिताः केतकपुष्पगन्ध

माघ्राय हृष्टा वननिर्झरेषु।

प्रपातशब्दाकुलिता गजेन्द्रा

स्सार्धं मयूरै स्समदा नदन्ति4.28.28।।


केतकपुष्पगन्धम् fragrance of Ketaki flowers, आघ्राय enjoying the smell, प्रहर्षिताः joyously, गजेन्द्राः elephants, मत्ताः lordly, वननिर्झरेषु in the waterfalls, प्रपातशब्दाः disturbed by the sound of water falling, समदाः intoxicated ones, मयूरैः सार्धम् with peacocks,नदन्ति trumpet.

'The lordly elephants get intoxicated with the fragrance of ketaki flowers, the noise of waterfalls and the cackle of peacocks and they give out a shrill trumpet.
धारानिपातैरभिहन्यमानाः

कदम्बशाखासु विलम्बमानाः।

क्षणार्जितं पुष्परसावगाढं

शनैर्मदं षट्चरणास्त्यजन्ति4.28.29।।


धारानिपातैः with the flow of rainwater, अभिहन्यमानाः beaten, कदम्बशाखासु on the branches of kadamba trees, विलम्बमानाः hanging over, षट्चरणाः bees, क्षणार्जितम् acquired in a moment, पुष्परसावगाढम् sucking the honey from the flowers, मदम् strong smell, शनैः slowly, त्यजन्ति leave.

'Having sucked honey from the flowercups filled with honey, the bees are shedding their drunkenness slowly and hanging on the branches of kadamba trees, smitten with showers.
अङ्गारचूर्णोत्करसन्निकाशैः

फलैस्सुपर्याप्तरसैस्समृद्धैः।

जम्बूद्रुमाणां प्रविभान्ति शाखाः

निलीयमाना इव षट्पदौघैः4.28.30।।


अङ्गारचूर्णोत्करसन्निकाशैः appearing like piled up balls of charcoal, फलैस्सुपर्याप्तरसै: filled with abundance of juice, समृद्धैः rich, जम्बूद्रुमाणां of jambu trees, प्रविभान्ति shining, शाखा: branches, निलीयमाना इव reclining,षट्पदौघैः by swarm of bees.

'The branches of jambu trees profusely filled with fruits appear like piled up balls of charcoal, while swarms of bees rest on the branches on the jambu trees.
तटित्पताकाभिरलङ्कृताना

मुदीर्णगम्भीरमहारवाणाम्।

विभान्ति रूपाणि बलाहकानां

रणोद्यतानामिव वानरणानाम्4.28.31।।


तटित्पताकाभिः banners of lightning, अलङ्कृतानाम् of the decorated, उदीर्णगम्भीरमहारवाणाम् making loud sound, वलाहकानाम् of the thundering clouds, रूपाणि forms, रणोत्सुकानाम् ready to fight in battle, वानराणाम् इव like elephants in rut, विभान्ति shine.

'The rainclouds decorated with banners of lightning and giving out peals of thunder shine like elephants in rut trumpeting, eager to fight in battle.
मार्गानुगश्शैलवनानुसारी

सम्प्रस्थितो मेघरवं निशम्य।

युद्धाभिकामः प्रतिनादशङ्की

मत्तो गजेन्द्रः प्रतिसन्निवृत्तः4.28.32।।


मेघरवम् thunder of clouds, निशम्य heard, प्रतिनादशङ्की suspected it to be the sound of the enemy, युद्धाभिकामः desirous of waging war, सम्प्रस्थितः started to go, मार्गानुगः following the
way, शैलवनानुसारी following the trees of the forest along the mountain, मत्तः proud, गजेन्द्रः elephant, प्रतिसन्निवृत्तः turned back.

'Intoxicated elephants on their march along the mountain in the forest, hear the thundering sounds of clouds and suspecting it to be the call of proud elephants to fight turn back.
क्वचित्प्रगीता इव षट्पदौघैः

क्वचित्प्रनृत्ता इव नीलकण्ठैः।

क्वचित्प्रमत्ता इव वारणेन्द्रै

र्विभान्त्यनेकाश्रयिणो वनान्ताः4.28.33।।


अनेकाश्रयिणः supporting many, वनान्ताः forestland, क्वचित् in some places, षट्पदौघैः with swarms of bees, प्रगीताः इव humming, क्वचित् in some regions, नीलकण्ठै: with peacocks, प्रनृत्ता इव as if dancing, क्वचित् at some place, वारणेन्द्रैः by the elephants, प्रमत्ताः इव like the intoxicated ones, विभान्ति were shining.

'Swarms of bees hum here. Peacocks dance there. Intoxicated elephants sport in water in other places. (Thus) the forest shows its many features.
कदम्बसर्जार्जुनकन्दलाढ्या

वनान्तभूमिर्नववारिपूर्णा।

मयूरमत्ताभिरुतप्रनृत्तै

रापानभूमिप्रतिमा विभाति4.28.34।।


कदम्बसर्जार्जुनकन्दलाढ्याः rich with the shoots of kadamba, sarja, arjuna trees, नववारिपूर्णा filled with fresh rain water, वनान्तभूमिः the forestland, मयूरमत्ताभिरुतप्रनृत्तै: sounds and dances of intoxicated peahens, विभाति shines, आपानभूमिप्रतिमा like a tavern.

'The forest region with its various types of trees like kadamba, sarja and arjuna trees
and full of fresh water shines like a tavern where girls in the form of peahens dance in excitement.
मुक्तासकाशं सलिलं पतद्वै

सुनिर्मलं पत्रपुटेषु लग्नम्।

हृष्टा विवर्णच्छदना विहङ्गा

स्सुरेन्द्रदत्तं तृषिताः पिबन्ति4.28.35।।


सुरेन्द्रदत्तम् offered by lord of gods, Indra, मुक्तासकाशम् like pearls, पतत् while falling, सुनिर्मलम् exceedingly pure, पत्रपुटेषु in leaf cups, लग्नम् collected, सलिलम् water, तृषिताः thirsty ones, विवर्णच्छदनाः with faded wings, विहङ्गाः birds, हृष्टाः rejoice, पिबन्ति are drinking.

'Thirsty birds rejoice drinking exceedingly pure water held in leafcups offered by Indra (in the form of rain), which looks like pearls collected in the leafcups. As the drops fall on them the hue of their wings seems to change (fade).
षट्पादतन्त्रीमधुराभिधानं

प्लवङ्गमोदीरितकण्ठतालम्।

आविष्कृतं मेघमृदङ्गनादै

र्वनेषु सङ्गीतमिव प्रवृत्तम्4.28.36।।


वनेषु in the forest, षट्पादतन्त्रीमधुराभिधानम् the sweet humming bees like the music of string instruments, प्लवङ्गमोदीरितकण्ठतालम् the croaking of frogs, मेघमृदङ्गनादैः rumbling of clouds like beating of drums, आविष्कृतम् started, सङ्गीतम् musical concert, प्रवृत्तम् इव as if commenced.

'The sweet humming of bees like the music of string instruments (Vina), the croaking of frogs, the rumbling of clouds sounding like the beating of drums make it appear as if a musical concert has started in the forest.
क्वचित्प्रनृत्तै: क्वचिदुन्नदद्भिः

क्वचिच्च वृक्षाग्रनिषण्णकायैः।

व्यालम्बबर्हाभरणैर्मयूरै

र्वनेषु सङ्गीतमिव प्रवृत्तम्4.28.37।।


क्वचित् at some location, प्रनृत्तै: by those engaged in dancing, क्वचित् at some place, उन्नदद्भिः making sounds, क्वचित् at some place, वृक्षाग्रनिषण्णकायैः by those settled on the tree tops, व्यालम्बबर्हाभरणैः by those adorned with a big plumage hanging at their back, वनेषु in the forest, मयूरैः peacocks, सङ्गीतम् like musical concert, प्रवृत्तम् इव as though engaged.

'Here the peacocks are dancing and there they are singing. Elsewhere they are reclining on treetops with their big plumage hanging down. It appears as though the peacocks have started a musical concert in the forest.
स्वनैर्घनानां प्लवगाः प्रबुद्धाः

विहाय निद्रां चिरसन्निरुद्धाम्।

अनेकरूपाकृतिवर्णनादाः

नवाम्बुधाराभिहता नदन्ति4.28.38।।


घनानाम् of the clouds, स्वनैः sounds, प्रबुद्धाः awakened, अनेकरूपाकृतिवर्णनादाः in different forms, colours and sounds, प्लवगाः frogs, चिरसन्निरुद्धाम् preventing for a long time, निद्राम् sleep, विहाय giving up, नवाम्बुधाराभिहताः by the flow of rain waters, नदन्ति croaking.

'Frogs of different forms, colours and sounds are croaking, awakened from their long sleep by the thunders of clouds and flow of fresh rainwater.
नद्यस्समुद्वाहितचक्रवाका

स्तटानि शीर्णान्यपवाहयित्वा।

दृप्ता नवप्राभृतपूर्णभोगाः

द्रुतं स्वभर्तारमुपोपयान्ति4.28.39।।


समुद्वाहितचक्रवाकाः carrying the chakravaka birds, दृप्ताः bloated with pride, नद्यः rivers, शीर्णानि broken, तटानि banks, अपवाहयित्वा avoiding, नवप्राभृतपूर्णभोगाः enjoying fully with their new gifts, स्वभर्तारम् their lord (sea), द्रुतम् swiftly, उपोपयान्ति approaching.

'Washing away their broken banks which obstruct their way to the sea, the bloated rivers like proud young ladies with chakravaka birds borne on their surface ,which look like protruberant breasts, rush swiftly to meet their lord, the sea, chosen for full enjoyment with the gifts of flowers.
नीलेषु नीला: प्रविभान्ति सक्ताः

मेघेषु मेघा नववारिपूर्णाः।

दवाग्निदग्धेषु दवाग्निदग्धा

श्शैलेषु शैला इव बद्धमूलाः4.28.40।।


नीलेषु dark, मेघेषु clouds, सक्ताः leaned, नववारिपूर्णाः full of fresh water, नीलाः dark, मेघाः clouds, दवाग्निदग्देषु burnt by forest fire, शैलेषु mountain, बद्धमूलाः yet firmly rooted, दवाग्निदग्धाः consumed by wild fire, शैलाः mountains, इव like, प्रतिभान्ति shining.

'Dark clouds filled with fresh water, leaning on dark clouds appear like boulders of rock, scorched with wild fire with their bases yet firmly rooted shining.
प्रहृष्टसन्नादितबर्हिणानि

सशक्रगोपाकुलशाद्वलानि।

चरन्ति नीपार्जुनवासितानि

गजास्सुरम्याणि वनान्तराणि4.28.41।।


गजाः elephants, प्रहृष्टसन्नादितबर्हिणानि peacocks making noise out of joy, सशक्रगोपाकुलशाद्वलानि filled with Indragopa insects crawling on young grass beds, नीपार्जुनवासितानि giving out smell of kadamba and arjuna blossoms, सुरम्याणि delightful, वनान्तराणि forestland, चरन्ति roam about.

'Elephants roam the forestland inhabited by peacocks making noise out of joy, where the grassy land is filled with crawling Indragopa insects and the fragrance of kadamba and arjuna blossoms.
नवाम्बुधाराहतकेसराणि

द्रुतं परित्यज्य सरोरुहाणि।

कदम्बपुष्पाणि सकेसराणि

नवानि हृष्टा भ्रमराः पतन्तिः4.28.42।।


हृष्टाः delighted, भ्रमराः honeybees, नवाम्बुधाराहतकेसराणि with filaments destroyed by rain, सरोरुहाणि lotuses, द्रुतम् quickly, परित्यज्य leaving, सकेसराणि fresh filaments, नवानि new, कदम्बपुष्पाणि kadamba flowers, दृष्ट्वा seeing, पतन्ति falling.

'The bees have quit the lotus filaments destroyed by the rain and happily move quickly towards fresh filaments of kadamba flowers.
मत्ता गजेन्द्रा मुदिता गवेन्द्रा

वनेषु विश्रान्ततरा मृगेन्द्रा।

रम्या नगेन्द्रा निभृता नरेन्द्राः

प्रक्रीडितो वारिधरैस्सुरेन्द्रः4.28.43।।


गजेन्द्राः elephants, मत्ताः proud, वनेषु in the forest, गवेन्द्राः proud bulls, मुदिताः are happy, मृगेन्द्राः king of animals, विश्रान्ततराः are taking rest, नगेन्द्राः mountains, रम्याः beautiful, नरेन्द्राः kings, निभृताः not moving, सुरेन्द्र: lord of gods, वारिधरैः with clouds, प्रक्रीडितः sporting.

'Intoxicated elephants roam the forest. Mighty bulls rejoice. Kings of beasts (lions) lounge. Mountains look beautiful. Kings relax. While Indra, lord of the gods, sports with clouds.
मेघास्समुद्धूतसमुद्रनादाः

महाजलौघैर्गगनावलम्बाः।

नदीस्तटाकानि सरांसि वापी

र्महीं च कृत्स्नामपवाहयन्ति4.28.44।।


महाजलौघै: with heavy flow of water, समुद्धूतसमुद्रनादाः sea roaring heavily, गगनावलम्बाः hanging in the sky, मेघाः clouds, नदीः rivers, तटाकानि tanks, सरांसि lakes and ponds also, वापीः wells, कृत्स्नाम् entire, महीं च the earth, अपवाहयन्ति fill with flood waters.

'With their big torrents, clouds hanging over the sky, drowning the roar of the sea, make the rivers, ponds, lakes and tanks overflow and flood the entire earth.
वर्षप्रवेगा विपुलाः पतन्ति

प्रवान्ति वातास्समुदीर्णघोषाः।

प्रणष्टकूलाः प्रवहन्ति शीघ्रं

नद्योजलैर्विप्रतिपन्नमार्गाः4.28.45।।


विपुलाः extensively, वर्षप्रवेगाः affected by the force of rain, पतन्ति are falling, समुदीर्णघोषाः creating roaring sound, वाताः winds, प्रवान्ति are blowing, प्रनष्टकूलाः banks destroyed, विप्रतिपन्नमार्गाः direction changed, नद्यः rivers, शीघ्रम् swiftly, जलै: water, प्रवहन्ति flowing.

'Torrents of rain pour at great speed. Winds roar. Rivers flow swiftly changing their direction due to breach in the banks
नरैर्नरेन्द्रा इव पर्वतेन्द्रा

स्सुरेन्द्रदत्तै: पवनोपनीतैः।

घनाम्बुकुम्भैरभिषिच्यमाना

रूपं श्रियं स्वामिव दर्शयन्ति4.28.46।।


पर्वतेन्द्राः the great mountains, सुरेन्द्रनीतैः sent by lord of the gods, पवनोपदत्तै: served by the winds, घनाम्बुकुम्भैः water pitchers of clouds, नरैः by people, नरेन्द्रा इव like lords of the people, अभिषिच्यमानाः are consecrated, रूपम् form, स्वामिव their own, श्रियम् kingdom of wealth, इव like, दर्शयन्ति are showing.

'The mountains are consecrated with waterpitchers of clouds brought by the winds, offered by Lord Indra. Just as kings, consecrated by men, display their majesty, the mountains exhibit their form and glory. (Clouds are compared with water pots)
घनोपगूढं गगनं सतारं

न भास्करो दर्शनमभ्युपैति।

नवैर्जलौघैर्धरणी विसृप्ता

तमो विलिप्ता न दिशः प्रकाशाः4.28.47।।


गगनम् sky, घनोपगूढम् covered by clouds, भास्करः Sun, दर्शनम् appearance, स अभ्युपैति not to be seen, सतारं along with stars, न not, धरणी land, जलौघैः with water flow of, विसृप्ता gliding, तमोविलिप्ताः covered with darkness, दिशः direction, न प्रकाशाः not shining.

'Ennveloped by clouds, the Sun and stars are not visible. The earth glides with the flow of fresh waters. The directions are not clear, covered by darkness.
महान्ति कूटानि महीधराणां

धाराभिधौतान्यधिकं विभान्ति।

महाप्रमाणैर्विपुलैः प्रपातै

र्मुक्ताकलापैरिव लम्बमानैः4.28.48।।


महीधराणाम् of the mountains, धाराभिधौतानि washed by the rain water, महान्ति huge, कूटानि mountain peaks, लम्बमानैः by the hanging, मुक्ताकलापैरिव like the strings of pearls, महाप्रमाणैः by long , विपुलैः by many, प्रपातैः water falling down, अधिकम् excessively, विभान्ति appeared.

'The huge mountain peaks are washed by the heavy downpour of rain which look like long strings of pearls hanging.
शैलोपलप्रस्खलमानवेगा

श्शैलोत्तमानां विपुलाः प्रपाताः।

गुहासु सन्नादितबर्हिणासु

हारा विकीर्यन्त इवावभान्ति4.28.49।।


शैलोपलप्रस्खलमानवेगाः water rushing down the rocks, विपुलाः large, प्रपाताः waterfalls, शैलोत्तमानाम् of great mountains, सन्नादितबर्हिणासु where peacocks are singing loudly, गुहासु in caves, हाराः chains, विकीर्यन्त इव broken and scattered, अवभान्ति appear.

'The waterfalls rushing down the rocks on the huge mountains and flowing through caves, and peacocks singing create an image of broken and scattered chains of pearls.
शीघ्रप्रवेगा विपुलाः प्रपाताः

निर्धौतशृङ्गोपतला गिरीणाम्।

मुक्ताकलापप्रतिमाः पतन्तो

महागुहोत्सङ्गतलैर्ध्रियन्ते4.28.50।।


शीघ्रप्रवेगाः fast flow, विपुलाः huge, गिरीणाम् of the mountains, निर्धौतशृङ्गोपतलाः washing the surroundings of the mountain peaks, मुक्ताकलापप्रतिमाः like the chains of pearls, पतन्तः while falling, प्रपाताः waterfalls, महागुहोत्सङ्गतलैः by the laps of huge caves, ध्रियन्ते collected.

'The fast flow of waterfalls spread over vast areas completely wash the surroundings of the mountain peaks. It appears like chains of pearls collected in the lap of huge caves.
सुरतामर्दविच्छिन्नास्स्वर्गस्त्रीहारमौक्तिकाः।

पतन्ति चातुला दिक्षु तोयधारास्समन्तत:4.28.51।।


सुरतामर्दविच्छिन्नाः broken by the rubbing of the bodies in sexualsport, स्वर्गस्त्रीहारमौक्तिकाः from the chains of the celestial women, च also, अतुलाः incomparable, तोयधाराः waterfalls, समन्ततः all over, दिक्षु in all directions, पतन्ति are fallen.

'The strings of incomparable waterfalls all over the mountain appear as though pearls from the chains of sexually indulgent celestial women are dropping down from heaven, broken through physical friction.
निलीयमानैर्विहगैर्निमीलद्भिश्च पङ्कजैः।

विकसन्त्या च मालत्या गतोऽस्तं ज्ञायते रविः4.28.52।।


निलीयमानैः by the resting, विहगैः by birds, निमीलद्भि closing, पङ्कजैः च by lotuses, विकसन्त्या by blooming, मालत्या च by Jasmines also, रविः Sun, अस्तंगतः has set, ज्ञायते is understood.

'The time of the setting Sun (as he remains invisible the whole day) is known only by the birds reaching out to their dwellings for rest, and by the closing of lotuses and
blossoming jasmines.
वृत्ता यात्रा नरेन्द्राणां सेना प्रतिनिवर्तते।

वैराणि चैव मार्गाश्च सलिलेन समीकृताः4.28.53।।


नरेन्द्राणाम् kings, यात्रा expeditions, वृत्ता has been stopped, सेना army, प्रतिनिवर्तते is returning, सलिलेन with water, वैराणि enmities, चैव also, मार्गाश्च as well as roads also, समीकृताः are suspended.

'Expeditions by kings come to a stop. The army returns. The flow of water blocks the roads. It suspends enmity (between states).
मासि प्रोष्ठपदे ब्रह्म ब्राह्मणानां विवक्षताम्।

अयमध्यायसमयस्सामगानामुपस्थितः4.28.54।।


प्रोष्ठपदे मासि in the month of Bhadrapada, ब्रह्म the Veda, विवक्षताम् of those desirous of reciting, सामगानाम् study of the singers of Sama veda, ब्राह्मणानाम् of brahmins, अयम् this, अध्यायसमयः time of study, उपस्थितः started

'The month of Bhadrapada meant for the recitation of the Vedas by brahmins and for those desirous of singing Sama Veda has started.
निवृत्तकर्मायतनो नूनं सञ्चितसञ्चयः।

आषाढीमभ्युपगतो भरतः कोसलाधिपः4.28.55।।


निवृत्तकर्मायतनः completed all his work, सञ्चितसञ्चयः collected the requirements, कोसलाधिपः king of Kosala, भरतः Bharata, आषाढीम् month of Asarh, अभ्युपगतः has arrived नूनम् surely.

'Surely Bharata, king of Kosala, would have completed the collection of all his requirement before the commencement of the month of Asarh.
नूनमापूर्यमाणायास्सर्वव्या वर्धते रयः।

मां समीक्ष्य समायान्तमयोध्याया इव स्वनः4.28.56।।


अपूर्यमाणायाः filled with water, सरव्या of Sarayu, रयः speed, समायान्तम् while I approach, माम् me, समीक्ष्य seeing, अयोद्यायाः in Ayodhya, स्वनः इव cheers like, वर्धते is rising, नूनम् surely.

'Just as the cheerful voices of people of Ayodhya rise as soon as they see me returning, certainly the speed of river Sarayu is rising, filled with rain water.
इमास्फीतगुणा वर्षास्सुग्रीवस्सुखमश्नुते।

विजितारिः सदारश्च राज्ये महति च स्थितः4.28.57।।


विजितारिः won the enemy, सदारश्च with his wife, महति in great, राज्ये in kingdom, स्थितः च he attained, सुग्रीवः Sugriva, स्फीतगुणाः abounding in merits, इमाः वर्षाः during this rainy season, सुखम् happiness, अश्नुते experiencing.

'Having defeated his enemy, Sugriva with his wife during the rainy season is wellestablished in the kingdom, abounding in merits.
अहं तु हृतदारश्च राज्याच्य महतश्च्युतः।

नदीकूलमिव क्लिन्नमवसीदामि लक्ष्मण।।4.28.58।।


लक्ष्मण Lakshmana, हृतदारश्च with lost wife, महतः from the mighty, राज्यात् from the kingdom, च्युतश्च dethroned, अहं तु I am even, क्लिन्नम् overflowed with water, नदीकूलम् इव like the bank of river, अवसीदामि I am sinking.

'O Lakshmana I have lost my wife. I have been dethroned from the mighty kingdom. I am sinking like a river bank overflowed.
शोकश्च मम विस्तीर्णो वर्षाश्च भृशदुर्गमाः।

रावणश्च महान् शत्रुरपारं प्रतिभाति मे4.28.59।।


मम my, शोकश्च sorrow, विस्तीर्णः great, वर्षाश्च these rains, भृशदुर्गमाः difficult to cross, रावणश्च Ravana also, महान् great, शत्रुः enemy, मे me, अपारम् to cross over, प्रतिभाति it appears.

'My sorrow which increases, the rains which make it hard to cover distances and Ravana the great enemyall these appear difficult to conquer.
अयात्रां चैव दृष्ट्वेमां मार्गांश्च भृशदुर्गमान्।

प्रणते चैव सुग्रीवे न मया किञ्चिदीरितम्4.28.60।।


सुग्रीवे when Sugriva, प्रणते चैव is faithful to me, इमाम् this, अयात्राम् suspending the expedition, भृशदुर्गमान् very difficult, मार्गांश्च road, दृष्ट्वा after seeing, मया myself, किञ्चित् even a little, न ईरितम् not spoken.

अपि चातिपरिक्लिष्टं चिराद्दारैस्समागतम्।

आत्मकार्यगरीयस्त्वाद्वक्तुं नेच्छामि वानरम्4.28.61।।


अपिच and also, अतिपरिक्लिष्टम् one who experienced great difficulties, चिरात् after a long time, दारैः with his wife, समागतम् reunited, वानरम् monkey, आत्मकार्यगरीयस्त्वात् due to our task being greater, वक्तुम् to speak, नेच्छामि I do not desire.

'Since Sugriva has gone through great difficulties and is reunited with his wives after a long time and since our task is great, I did not desire to speak to him now.
स्वयमेव हि विश्रम्य ज्ञात्वा कालमुपागतम्।

उपकारं च सुग्रीवो वेत्स्यते नात्र संशयः4.28.62।।


सुग्रीवः Sugriva, विश्रम्य after resting, कालम् time, उपागतम् has come, ज्ञात्वा after knowing,
उपकारं च help also, स्वयमेव himself, वेत्स्यते will know, हि indeed, अत्र about that, संशयः doubt, न no.

तस्मात्कालप्रतीक्षोऽहं स्थितोऽस्मि शुभलक्षण।

सुग्रीवस्य नदीनां च प्रसादममनुपालयन्4.28.63।।


शुभलक्षण hero endowed with auspicious qualities, तस्मात् therefore, अहम् I, सुग्रीवस्य Sugriva's, नदीनां च of rivers also, प्रसादम् his grace, अनुपालयन् while waiting, कालप्रतीक्षः waiting for a favourable time, अस्मि I will.

'O Lakshmana of auspicious qualities I will wait for the proper time to appease Sugriva as well as the rivers.
उपकारेण वीरस्तु प्रतीकारेण युज्यते।

अकृतज्ञोऽप्रतिकृतो हन्ति सत्त्ववतां मनः4.28.64।।


उपकारेण by a help, वीरः a hero, प्रतिकारेण by helping in turn, युज्यते a suitable step is taken, अकृतज्ञः ungrateful, अप्रतिकृतः one who does not help, सत्त्ववताम् of the virtuous people, मनः heart, हन्ति hurts.

A hero should in return help whoever has helped him. An ungrateful person hurts the heart of the virtuous by not returning the assistance.'
अथैवमुक्तः प्रणिधाय लक्ष्मणः

कृताञ्जलिस्तत्प्रतिपूज्य भाषितम्।

उवाच रामं स्वभिरामदर्शनं

प्रदर्शयन्दर्शनमात्मनश्शुभम्4.28.65।।


लक्ष्मणः Lakshmana, अथ then, एवं in this way, मुक्तम् expressed, प्रणिधाय after contemplating on it, कृताञ्जलिः with folded palms, भाषितम् speech, प्रतिपूज्य after honouring, आत्मनः self, शुभम् auspicious, दर्शनम् opinion, प्रदर्शयन् exhibited, स्वभिरामदर्शनम् a delightful one, रामम् to Rama, उवाच said.

Having heard this, Lakshmana expressed his considered opinion with due respect to handsome Rama:
यथोक्तमेतत्तव सर्वमीप्सितं

नरेन्द्र कर्ता नचिराद्धरीश्वरः।

शरत्प्रतीक्षः क्षमतामिमं भवान्

जलप्रपातं रिपुनिग्रहे धृतः4.28.66।।


नरेन्द्र O king, यथा as, द्धरीश्वरः Sugriva, नचिरात् soon, तव your, ईप्सितम् desire, एतत् सर्वम् all this, कर्ता he will do, रिपुनिग्रहे in destroying the enemy, धृतः steadfast, भवान् you, शरत्प्रतीक्षः awaiting autumn, इमम् this, जलप्रपातम् water flow, क्षमताम् put up.

'O Rama come Autumn, Sugriva will soon do all that you desire. Bear with the rains. Stay steadfast (in your determination) to destroy the enemy.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये किष्किंधाकाण्डे अष्टाविंशस्सर्गः।।
Thus ends the twentyeighth sarga of Kishkindakanda of the Holy Ramayana, the first epic, composed by sage Valmiki.