Sloka & Translation

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

sa tadā vālinaṅ hatvā sugrīvamabhiṣicya ca.

vasanmālyavataḥ pṛṣṭhē rāmō lakṣmaṇamabravīt4.28.1৷৷


vālinam Vali, hatvā killed, sugrīvam Sugriva, abhiṣicya installed, tadā then, mālyavataḥ mountain Malyavan, pṛṣṭhē on, vasan reside, saḥ rāmaḥ Rama, lakṣmaṇam Lakshmana, abravīt spoke.

After the killing of Vali and installation of Sugriva as king, Rama arrived at mountain Malyavan to reside.He said to Lakshmana:
ayaṅ sa kālassamprāptassamayō.dya jalāgamaḥ.

sampaśya tvaṅ nabhō mēghaissaṅvṛtaṅ girisannibhaiḥ4.28.2৷৷


saḥ ayam this, kālaḥ time, samprāptaḥ started, adya now, jalāgamaḥ samayaḥ time of rainy season, girisannibhaiḥ like mountains, mēghaiḥ by clouds, saṅvṛtam covered, nabhaḥ sky, tvam you, sampaśya see.

'Now that the rainy season has started, see the sky covered with mountain-like (huge) clouds.
navamāsadhṛtaṅ garbhaṅ bhāskarasya gabhastibhiḥ.

pītvā rasaṅ samudrāṇāṅ dyauḥ prasūtē rasāyanam4.28.3৷৷


dyauḥ sky, bhāskarasya Sun's, gabhastibhiḥ with rays of sunlight, samudrāṇām from oceans, rasam water, pītvā drunk, navamāsadhṛtam borne for nine months, rasāyanam the base for all juices, garbham womb, prasūtē 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.
śakyamambaramāruhya mēghasōpānapaṅktibhiḥ.

kuṭajārjunamālābhiralaṅkartuṅ divākaram4.28.4৷৷


mēghasōpānapaṅktibhiḥ by the stairway of clouds, ambaram sky, āruhya climbing, divākaram Sun, kuṭajārjunamālābhiḥ with garlands of kutaja and arjuna flowers, alaṅkartum to decorate, śakyam is possible.

'It is possible to climb up to the sky on the stairs formed by the clouds and decorate the Sun-god with garlands made of kutaja and arjuna flowers.
sandhyārāgōtthitaistāmrairantēṣvadhika pāṇḍaraiḥ.

snigdhairabhrapaṭacchēdairbaddhavraṇamivāmbaram4.28.5৷৷


sandhyārāgōtthitaiḥ owing to the touch of the radiance of the evening Sun, tāmraiḥ with red colour, antēṣvadhika in the tinge, pāṇḍuraiḥ with pale white colour, snigdhaiḥ shining, abhrapaṭacchēdaiḥ pieces of cloth of clouds, ambaram sky, baddhavraṇam iva appears like a bandaged wound.

'The sky looks as though its wounds are dressed with pale white moisture-laden bandage cloths of clouds, red in the border, tinged as they are with the glow of twilight.
mandamāruta niśvāsaṅ sandhyācandanarañjitam.

āpāṇḍujaladaṅ bhāti kāmāturamivāmbaram4.28.6৷৷


mandamārutaniśvāsam sighing with gentle winds, sandhyācandanarañjitam reddened with sandalpaste of evening twilight, āpāṇḍujaladam with ash-coloured clouds, ambaram sky, bhāti appears, kāmāturaṅ 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.
ēṣā gharmaparikliṣṭā navavāripariplutā.

sītēva śōkasantaptā mahī bāṣpaṅ vimuñcati4.28.7৷৷


gharmaparikliṣṭā scorched by the heat, navavāripariplutā flooded with fresh rain water, ēṣā mahī the earth that way, śōkasantaptā burning with grief, sītēva like Sita, bāṣpam tears, vimuñcati 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.
mēghōdaravinirmuktāḥ kahlārasukhaśītalāḥ.

śakyamañjalibhiḥ pātuṅ vātāḥ kētakigandhinaḥ4.28.8৷৷


mēghōdaravinirmuktāḥ released from the womb of clouds, kahlārasukhaśītalāḥ gentle and cool as white lotuses, kētakigandhinaḥ carrying the fragrance of Kethaka flowers, vātāḥ winds, añjalibhiḥ with cupped palms also, pātum for drinking, śakyam 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.
ēṣa phullārjunaśśailaḥ kētakairadhivāsitaḥ.

sugrīva iva śāntārirdhārābhirabhiṣicyatē4.28.9৷৷


phullārjunaḥ arjuna flowers, kētakaiḥ ketaka flowers, adhivāsitaḥ filled with fragrance, ēṣaḥ śailaḥ this mountain that way, śāntāriḥ tranquilled by the destruction of enemy, sugrīva iva like Sugriva, dhārābhiḥ with flowing water, abhiṣicyatē 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.
mēghakṛṣṇājinadharā: dhārāyajñōpavītinaḥ.

mārutāpūritaguhāḥ prādhītā iva parvatāḥ4.28.10৷৷


mēghakṛṣṇājinadharāḥ clouds of the colour of black antelope skin, dhārāyajñōpavītinaḥ streams of water falling like sacred threads, mārutāpūritaguhāḥ winds in caves, parvatāḥ mountain, prādhītā iva 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 antelope-skin and sacred threads).
kaśābhiriva haimībhirvidyudbhirivatāḍitam.

antastsatanirghōṣaṅ savēdanamivāmbaram4.28.11৷৷


haimībhiḥ by the golden, kaśābhiriva whips, vidyudbhi: by the lightnings, tāḍitam lashed, stanita thunder, nirghōṣam sounds, ambaram sky, antaḥ inside, savēdanamiva 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.
nīlamēghāśritā vidyutsphurantī pratibhāti mā.

sphurantī rāvaṇasyāṅkē vaidēhīva tapasvinī4.28.12৷৷


nīlamēghāśritā coverd with dark clouds, sphurantī triggering looks like, vidyut lightning, rāvaṇasya Ravana's, aṅkē from the lap, sphurantī struggling, tapasvinī pitiable woman, vaidēhīva like Vaidehi, mā to me, pratibhāti 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.
imāstā manmathavatāṅ hitāḥ pratihatā diśaḥ.

anuliptā iva ghanairnaṣṭagrahaniśākarāḥ4.28.13৷৷


manmathavatām for the lovers, hitāḥ favourable, pratihatāḥ blocked, naṣṭagrahaniśākarāḥ Moon or planets seized to appear, imāḥ this, tāḥ diśaḥ directions, ghanaiḥ with dense clouds, anuliptā iva 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.
cidbāṣpābhisaṅruddhān varṣāgamasamutsukān.

kuṭajānpaśya saumitrē! puṣpitāngirisānuṣu4.28.14৷৷

mama śōkābhibhūtasya kāmasandīpanān sthitān.


saumitrē! O Saumitri, kvacit at some places, bāṣpābhisaṅruddhān withered in the heat of water vapour, varṣāgamasamutsukān welcome the fresh showers of rain, girisānuṣu on slop of mountains, sthitān standing, puṣpitān bloomed, śōkābhibhūtasya overwhelmed with grief, mama my, kāmasandīpanān kindling my love, kuṭajān kutaja trees, paśya 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.
rajaḥ praśāntaṅ sahimō.dya vāyu-

rnidāghadōṣaprasarāḥ praśāntāḥ.

sthitā hi yātrā vasudhādhipānāṅ

pravāsinō yānti narāssvadēśān4.28.15৷৷


adya now, rajaḥ dust, praśāntam has settled, vāyuḥ wind, sahimaḥ blowing with mist, nidāghadōṣaprasarāḥ torments of the heat of summer, praśāntāḥ pacified, vasudhādhipānām lords of earth, yātrā expeditions, sthitā hi is stopped, pravāsinaḥ the travellers far off, narāḥ men, svadēśān to their own land, yānti 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.
samprasthitā mānasavāsalubdhāḥ

priyānvitāḥ samprati cakravākāḥ.

abhīkṣṇavarṣōdakavikṣatēṣu

yānāni mārgēṣu na sampatanti4.28.16৷৷


samprati presently, mānasavāsalubdhāḥ desiring to live in Manasa lake, samprasthitāḥ started their journey, cakravākāḥ the chakravakas, priyānvitāḥ united with their loved ones, abhīkṣṇavarṣōdakavikṣatēṣu damaged by heavy rains, mārgēṣu on the roads, yānāni carts, na sampatanti 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.
kvacitprakāśaṅ kvacidaprakāśaṅ

nabhaḥ prakīrṇāmbudharaṅ vibhāti.

kvacitkvacitparvatasanniruddhaṅ

rūpaṅ yathā śāntamahārṇavasya4.28.17৷৷


prakīrṇāmbudharam clouds scattered all over the sky, kvacit in some place, prakāśam flashing, kvacit at some other place, aprakāśam dull, nabhaḥ the sky, kvacitkvacit here and there, parvatasanniruddham obstructed by mountains, śāntamahārṇavasya like unruffled ocean, rūpaṅ yathā appearing like that, vibhāti 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.
vyāmiśritaṅ sārjakadambapuṣpai-

rnavaṅ jalaṅ parvatadhātutāmram.

mayūrakēkābhiranuprayātaṅ

śailāpagāśśīghrataraṅ vahanti4.28.18৷৷


śailāpagāḥ streams of water from the mountains, sārjakadambapuṣpaiḥ with sarja and kadamba blossoms, vyāmiśritam combined with, parvatadhātutāmram red with minerals of the mountain, mayūrakēkābhiḥ cries of peacocks, anuprayātam accompany, navaṅ jalam fresh rain water, śīghrataram swiftly, vahanti flow.

'The mountain-streams of rain-water 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.
rasākulaṅ ṣaṭpadasannikāśaṅ

prabhujyatē jambuphalaṅ prakāmam.

anēkavarṇaṅ pavanāvadhūtaṅ

bhūmau patatyāmraphalaṅ vipakvam4.28.19৷৷


rasākulam very juicy, ṣaṭpadasannikāśam like the black bee, jambuphalam jambu fruit, prakāmam to the heart's content, prabhujyatē are eaten, anēkavarṇam of multiple colours, vipakvam fully ripened, āmraphalam mango fruit, pavanāvadhūtam shaken by the wind, bhūmau on the ground, patati 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.
vidyutpatākāssabalākamālāḥ

śailēndrakūṭākṛtisannikāśāḥ.

garjanti mēghāḥ samudīrṇanādāḥ

mattā gajēndrā iva saṅyugasthāḥ4.28.20৷৷


vidyutpatākāḥ with banners of lightning, sabalākamālāḥ closely connected garlands (rows) of herons, śailēndrakūṭākṛtisannikāśāḥ resembling the shapes of high mountain peaks, mēghāḥ clouds, saṅyugasthāḥ marching in wars, mattāḥ proud, gajēndrā iva resembling elephants, samudīrṇanādāḥ trumpetting in excitement, garjanti 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 battle-array.
varṣōdakāpyāyitaśādvalāni

pravṛttanṛttōtsavabarhiṇāni.

vanāni nirvṛṣṭavalāhakāni

paśyāparāhṇēṣvadhikaṅ vibhānti4.28.21৷৷


varṣōdakāpyāyitaśādvalāni the tender green grass shining with rain waters, pravṛttanṛttōtsavabarhiṇāni filled with peacocks starting the dance festival, nirvṛṣṭavalāhakāni when the clouds have shed all their rain water, vanāni forests, aparāhṇēṣu in the afternoon, adhikam more, vibhānti enchanting, paśya see.

'The tender green grass of the forest is shining with rain-water, the peacocks are having dance festival and the forests look more enchanting in the afternoon.
samudvahanta ssalilātibhāraṅ

balākinō vāridharā nadantaḥ.

mahatsu śṛṅgēṣu mahīdharāṇāṅ

viśramya viśramya punaḥ prayānti4.28.22৷৷


salilātibhāram heavy loads of water, samudvahantaḥ while carrying, balākinaḥ accompanied by cranes, vāridharāḥ clouds, nadantaḥ while thundering, mahīdharāṇām of mountains, mahatsu on the high, śṛṅgēṣu on peaks, viśramya after resting, viśramya halting again, punaḥ again, prayānti 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.
mēghābhikāmā parisampatantī

sammōditā bhāti balākapaṅktiḥ.

vātāvadhūtā varapauṇḍarīkī

lambēva mālā racitāmbarasya4.28.23৷৷


mēghābhikāmā longing for clouds, parisampatantī flying along, sammōditā rejoiced, balākapaṅkti: row of cranes, ambarasya in the sky, vātāvadhūtā shaken by the wind, varapauṇḍarīkī of the choice white lotuses, racitā strung, lambā hanging, mālā iva resemling garlands, bhāti 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.
bālēndragōpāntaracitritēna

vibhāti bhūmirnavaśādvalēna.

gātrānupṛktēna śukaprabhēṇa

nārīva lākṣōkṣitakambalēna4.28.24৷৷


bālēndragōpāntaracitritēna dotted with small Indragopa insects, navaśādvalēna with fresh grass, bhūmiḥ ground, gātrānupṛktēna touching their body, śukaprabhēṇa with parrot green,lākṣōkṣitakambalēna with a veil dotted with red-lac dye sprinkled on it, nārīva like a lady, vibhāti is shining.

'The earth shines with fresh-grown, tender grass speckled here and there with small Indragopa insects. It appears like a woman wearing a parrot-green veil sprinkled with red lac dye.
nidrā śanaiḥ kēśavamabhyupaiti

drutaṅ nadī sāgaramabhyupaiti.

hṛṣṭā balākā ghanamabhyupaiti

kāntā sakāmā priyamabhyupaiti4.28.25৷৷


nidrā sleep, śanaiḥ slowly, kēśavam Lord Visnu, abhyupaiti steals over, nadī river, drutam swiftly, sāgaram sea, abhyupaiti approaches, hṛṣṭā joyfully, balākā crane, ghanam cloud, abhyupaiti approaches, sakāmā filled with passion, kāntā woman, priyam beloved, abhyupaiti 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)
jātā vanāntāśśikhisampranṛttā

jātāḥ kadambāḥ sakadambaśākhāḥ.

jātā vṛṣā gōṣu samānakāmā

jātā mahī sasyavanābhirāmā4.28.26৷৷


vanāntāḥ the forest regions, śikhisampranṛttāḥ peacocks dancing, jātāḥ have started, kadambāḥ kadamba trees, sakadambaśākhāḥ branches of kadamba trees, jātāḥ started bloomimg, vṛṣāḥ mighty bulls, gōṣu with cows, samānakāmāḥ equally desiring, jātāḥ have become, mahī earth, sasyavanābhirāmā 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.
vahanti varṣanti nadanti bhānti

dhyāyanti nṛtyanti samāśvasanti.

nadyō ghanā mattagajā vanāntāḥ

priyāvihīnāśśikhinaḥ plavaṅgamāḥ4.28.27৷৷


nadyaḥ rivers, ghanāḥ clouds, mattagajāḥ proud elephants, vanāntāḥ forest lands, priyāvihīnāḥ away from their loved ones, śikhinaḥ peacocks, plavaṅgamāḥ monkeys, vahanti are flowing, varṣanti are raining, nadanti are trumpeting, bhānti are shining, dhyāyanti contemplating, nṛtyanti dancing, samāśvasanti 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.
praharṣitāḥ kētakapuṣpagandha-

māghrāya hṛṣṭā vananirjharēṣu.

prapātaśabdākulitā gajēndrā-

ssārdhaṅ mayūrai ssamadā nadanti4.28.28৷৷


kētakapuṣpagandham fragrance of Ketaki flowers, āghrāya enjoying the smell, praharṣitāḥ joyously, gajēndrāḥ elephants, mattāḥ lordly, vananirjharēṣu in the waterfalls, prapātaśabdāḥ disturbed by the sound of water falling, samadāḥ intoxicated ones, mayūraiḥ sārdham with peacocks,nadanti 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.
dhārānipātairabhihanyamānāḥ

kadambaśākhāsu vilambamānāḥ.

kṣaṇārjitaṅ puṣparasāvagāḍhaṅ

śanairmadaṅ ṣaṭcaraṇāstyajanti4.28.29৷৷


dhārānipātaiḥ with the flow of rain-water, abhihanyamānāḥ beaten, kadambaśākhāsu on the branches of kadamba trees, vilambamānāḥ hanging over, ṣaṭcaraṇāḥ bees, kṣaṇārjitam acquired in a moment, puṣparasāvagāḍham sucking the honey from the flowers, madam strong smell, śanaiḥ slowly, tyajanti leave.

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

phalaissuparyāptarasaissamṛddhaiḥ.

jambūdrumāṇāṅ pravibhānti śākhāḥ

nilīyamānā iva ṣaṭpadaughaiḥ4.28.30৷৷


aṅgāracūrṇōtkarasannikāśaiḥ appearing like piled up balls of charcoal, phalaissuparyāptarasai: filled with abundance of juice, samṛddhaiḥ rich, jambūdrumāṇāṅ of jambu trees, pravibhānti shining, śākhā: branches, nilīyamānā iva reclining,ṣaṭpadaughaiḥ 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.
taṭitpatākābhiralaṅkṛtānā-

mudīrṇagambhīramahāravāṇām.

vibhānti rūpāṇi balāhakānāṅ

raṇōdyatānāmiva vānaraṇānām4.28.31৷৷


taṭitpatākābhiḥ banners of lightning, alaṅkṛtānām of the decorated, udīrṇagambhīramahāravāṇām making loud sound, valāhakānām of the thundering clouds, rūpāṇi forms, raṇōtsukānām ready to fight in battle, vānarāṇām iva like elephants in rut, vibhānti shine.

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

samprasthitō mēgharavaṅ niśamya.

yuddhābhikāmaḥ pratinādaśaṅkī

mattō gajēndraḥ pratisannivṛttaḥ4.28.32৷৷


mēgharavam thunder of clouds, niśamya heard, pratinādaśaṅkī suspected it to be the sound of the enemy, yuddhābhikāmaḥ desirous of waging war, samprasthitaḥ started to go, mārgānugaḥ following the
way, śailavanānusārī following the trees of the forest along the mountain, mattaḥ proud, gajēndraḥ elephant, pratisannivṛttaḥ 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.
kvacitpragītā iva ṣaṭpadaughaiḥ

kvacitpranṛttā iva nīlakaṇṭhaiḥ.

kvacitpramattā iva vāraṇēndrai-

rvibhāntyanēkāśrayiṇō vanāntāḥ4.28.33৷৷


anēkāśrayiṇaḥ supporting many, vanāntāḥ forestland, kvacit in some places, ṣaṭpadaughaiḥ with swarms of bees, pragītāḥ iva humming, kvacit in some regions, nīlakaṇṭhai: with peacocks, pranṛttā iva as if dancing, kvacit at some place, vāraṇēndraiḥ by the elephants, pramattāḥ iva like the intoxicated ones, vibhānti 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.
kadambasarjārjunakandalāḍhyā

vanāntabhūmirnavavāripūrṇā.

mayūramattābhirutapranṛttai-

rāpānabhūmipratimā vibhāti4.28.34৷৷


kadambasarjārjunakandalāḍhyāḥ rich with the shoots of kadamba, sarja, arjuna trees, navavāripūrṇā filled with fresh rain water, vanāntabhūmiḥ the forestland, mayūramattābhirutapranṛttai: sounds and dances of intoxicated peahens, vibhāti shines, āpānabhūmipratimā 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.
muktāsakāśaṅ salilaṅ patadvai

sunirmalaṅ patrapuṭēṣu lagnam.

hṛṣṭā vivarṇacchadanā vihaṅgā-

ssurēndradattaṅ tṛṣitāḥ pibanti4.28.35৷৷


surēndradattam offered by lord of gods, Indra, muktāsakāśam like pearls, patat while falling, sunirmalam exceedingly pure, patrapuṭēṣu in leaf cups, lagnam collected, salilam water, tṛṣitāḥ thirsty ones, vivarṇacchadanāḥ with faded wings, vihaṅgāḥ birds, hṛṣṭāḥ rejoice, pibanti 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).
ṣaṭpādatantrīmadhurābhidhānaṅ

plavaṅgamōdīritakaṇṭhatālam.

āviṣkṛtaṅ mēghamṛdaṅganādai-

rvanēṣu saṅgītamiva pravṛttam4.28.36৷৷


vanēṣu in the forest, ṣaṭpādatantrīmadhurābhidhānam the sweet humming bees like the music of string instruments, plavaṅgamōdīritakaṇṭhatālam the croaking of frogs, mēghamṛdaṅganādaiḥ rumbling of clouds like beating of drums, āviṣkṛtam started, saṅgītam musical concert, pravṛttam iva 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.
kvacitpranṛttai: kvacidunnadadbhiḥ

kvacicca vṛkṣāgraniṣaṇṇakāyaiḥ.

vyālambabarhābharaṇairmayūrai-

rvanēṣu saṅgītamiva pravṛttam4.28.37৷৷


kvacit at some location, pranṛttai: by those engaged in dancing, kvacit at some place, unnadadbhiḥ making sounds, kvacit at some place, vṛkṣāgraniṣaṇṇakāyaiḥ by those settled on the tree tops, vyālambabarhābharaṇaiḥ by those adorned with a big plumage hanging at their back, vanēṣu in the forest, mayūraiḥ peacocks, saṅgītam like musical concert, pravṛttam iva as though engaged.

'Here the peacocks are dancing and there they are singing. Elsewhere they are reclining on tree-tops with their big plumage hanging down. It appears as though the peacocks have started a musical concert in the forest.
svanairghanānāṅ plavagāḥ prabuddhāḥ

vihāya nidrāṅ cirasanniruddhām.

anēkarūpākṛtivarṇanādāḥ

navāmbudhārābhihatā nadanti4.28.38৷৷


ghanānām of the clouds, svanaiḥ sounds, prabuddhāḥ awakened, anēkarūpākṛtivarṇanādāḥ in different forms, colours and sounds, plavagāḥ frogs, cirasanniruddhām preventing for a long time, nidrām sleep, vihāya giving up, navāmbudhārābhihatāḥ by the flow of rain waters, nadanti croaking.

'Frogs of different forms, colours and sounds are croaking, awakened from their long sleep by the thunders of clouds and flow of fresh rain-water.
nadyassamudvāhitacakravākā-

staṭāni śīrṇānyapavāhayitvā.

dṛptā navaprābhṛtapūrṇabhōgāḥ

drutaṅ svabhartāramupōpayānti4.28.39৷৷


samudvāhitacakravākāḥ carrying the chakravaka birds, dṛptāḥ bloated with pride, nadyaḥ rivers, śīrṇāni broken, taṭāni banks, apavāhayitvā avoiding, navaprābhṛtapūrṇabhōgāḥ enjoying fully with their new gifts, svabhartāram their lord (sea), drutam swiftly, upōpayānti 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.
nīlēṣu nīlā: pravibhānti saktāḥ

mēghēṣu mēghā navavāripūrṇāḥ.

davāgnidagdhēṣu davāgnidagdhā-

śśailēṣu śailā iva baddhamūlāḥ4.28.40৷৷


nīlēṣu dark, mēghēṣu clouds, saktāḥ leaned, navavāripūrṇāḥ full of fresh water, nīlāḥ dark, mēghāḥ clouds, davāgnidagdēṣu burnt by forest fire, śailēṣu mountain, baddhamūlāḥ yet firmly rooted, davāgnidagdhāḥ consumed by wild fire, śailāḥ mountains, iva like, pratibhānti 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.
prahṛṣṭasannāditabarhiṇāni

saśakragōpākulaśādvalāni.

caranti nīpārjunavāsitāni

gajāssuramyāṇi vanāntarāṇi4.28.41৷৷


gajāḥ elephants, prahṛṣṭasannāditabarhiṇāni peacocks making noise out of joy, saśakragōpākulaśādvalāni filled with Indragopa insects crawling on young grass beds, nīpārjunavāsitāni giving out smell of kadamba and arjuna blossoms, suramyāṇi delightful, vanāntarāṇi forestland, caranti 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.
navāmbudhārāhatakēsarāṇi

drutaṅ parityajya sarōruhāṇi.

kadambapuṣpāṇi sakēsarāṇi

navāni hṛṣṭā bhramarāḥ patantiḥ4.28.42৷৷


hṛṣṭāḥ delighted, bhramarāḥ honeybees, navāmbudhārāhatakēsarāṇi with filaments destroyed by rain, sarōruhāṇi lotuses, drutam quickly, parityajya leaving, sakēsarāṇi fresh filaments, navāni new, kadambapuṣpāṇi kadamba flowers, dṛṣṭvā seeing, patanti falling.

'The bees have quit the lotus filaments destroyed by the rain and happily move quickly towards fresh filaments of kadamba flowers.
mattā gajēndrā muditā gavēndrā

vanēṣu viśrāntatarā mṛgēndrā.

ramyā nagēndrā nibhṛtā narēndrāḥ

prakrīḍitō vāridharaissurēndraḥ4.28.43৷৷


gajēndrāḥ elephants, mattāḥ proud, vanēṣu in the forest, gavēndrāḥ proud bulls, muditāḥ are happy, mṛgēndrāḥ king of animals, viśrāntatarāḥ are taking rest, nagēndrāḥ mountains, ramyāḥ beautiful, narēndrāḥ kings, nibhṛtāḥ not moving, surēndra: lord of gods, vāridharaiḥ with clouds, prakrīḍitaḥ 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.
mēghāssamuddhūtasamudranādāḥ

mahājalaughairgaganāvalambāḥ.

nadīstaṭākāni sarāṅsi vāpī-

rmahīṅ ca kṛtsnāmapavāhayanti4.28.44৷৷


mahājalaughai: with heavy flow of water, samuddhūtasamudranādāḥ sea roaring heavily, gaganāvalambāḥ hanging in the sky, mēghāḥ clouds, nadīḥ rivers, taṭākāni tanks, sarāṅsi lakes and ponds also, vāpīḥ wells, kṛtsnām entire, mahīṅ ca the earth, apavāhayanti 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.
varṣapravēgā vipulāḥ patanti

pravānti vātāssamudīrṇaghōṣāḥ.

praṇaṣṭakūlāḥ pravahanti śīghraṅ

nadyōjalairvipratipannamārgāḥ4.28.45৷৷


vipulāḥ extensively, varṣapravēgāḥ affected by the force of rain, patanti are falling, samudīrṇaghōṣāḥ creating roaring sound, vātāḥ winds, pravānti are blowing, pranaṣṭakūlāḥ banks destroyed, vipratipannamārgāḥ direction changed, nadyaḥ rivers, śīghram swiftly, jalai: water, pravahanti flowing.

'Torrents of rain pour at great speed. Winds roar. Rivers flow swiftly changing their direction due to breach in the banks;
narairnarēndrā iva parvatēndrā-

ssurēndradattai: pavanōpanītaiḥ.

ghanāmbukumbhairabhiṣicyamānā

rūpaṅ śriyaṅ svāmiva darśayanti4.28.46৷৷


parvatēndrāḥ the great mountains, surēndranītaiḥ sent by lord of the gods, pavanōpadattai: served by the winds, ghanāmbukumbhaiḥ water pitchers of clouds, naraiḥ by people, narēndrā iva like lords of the people, abhiṣicyamānāḥ are consecrated, rūpam form, svāmiva their own, śriyam kingdom of wealth, iva like, darśayanti are showing.

'The mountains are consecrated with water-pitchers 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)
ghanōpagūḍhaṅ gaganaṅ satāraṅ

na bhāskarō darśanamabhyupaiti.

navairjalaughairdharaṇī visṛptā

tamō viliptā na diśaḥ prakāśāḥ4.28.47৷৷


gaganam sky, ghanōpagūḍham covered by clouds, bhāskaraḥ Sun, darśanam appearance, sa abhyupaiti not to be seen, satāraṅ along with stars, na not, dharaṇī land, jalaughaiḥ with water flow of, visṛptā gliding, tamōviliptāḥ covered with darkness, diśaḥ direction, na prakāśāḥ 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.
mahānti kūṭāni mahīdharāṇāṅ

dhārābhidhautānyadhikaṅ vibhānti.

mahāpramāṇairvipulaiḥ prapātai-

rmuktākalāpairiva lambamānaiḥ4.28.48৷৷


mahīdharāṇām of the mountains, dhārābhidhautāni washed by the rain water, mahānti huge, kūṭāni mountain peaks, lambamānaiḥ by the hanging, muktākalāpairiva like the strings of pearls, mahāpramāṇaiḥ by long , vipulaiḥ by many, prapātaiḥ water falling down, adhikam excessively, vibhānti appeared.

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

śśailōttamānāṅ vipulāḥ prapātāḥ.

guhāsu sannāditabarhiṇāsu

hārā vikīryanta ivāvabhānti4.28.49৷৷


śailōpalapraskhalamānavēgāḥ water rushing down the rocks, vipulāḥ large, prapātāḥ water-falls, śailōttamānām of great mountains, sannāditabarhiṇāsu where peacocks are singing loudly, guhāsu in caves, hārāḥ chains, vikīryanta iva broken and scattered, avabhānti 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.
śīghrapravēgā vipulāḥ prapātāḥ

nirdhautaśṛṅgōpatalā girīṇām.

muktākalāpapratimāḥ patantō

mahāguhōtsaṅgatalairdhriyantē4.28.50৷৷


śīghrapravēgāḥ fast flow, vipulāḥ huge, girīṇām of the mountains, nirdhautaśṛṅgōpatalāḥ washing the surroundings of the mountain peaks, muktākalāpapratimāḥ like the chains of pearls, patantaḥ while falling, prapātāḥ waterfalls, mahāguhōtsaṅgatalaiḥ by the laps of huge caves, dhriyantē 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.
suratāmardavicchinnāssvargastrīhāramauktikāḥ.

patanti cātulā dikṣu tōyadhārāssamantata:4.28.51৷৷


suratāmardavicchinnāḥ broken by the rubbing of the bodies in sexual-sport, svargastrīhāramauktikāḥ from the chains of the celestial women, ca also, atulāḥ incomparable, tōyadhārāḥ waterfalls, samantataḥ all over, dikṣu in all directions, patanti 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.
nilīyamānairvihagairnimīladbhiśca paṅkajaiḥ.

vikasantyā ca mālatyā gatō.staṅ jñāyatē raviḥ4.28.52৷৷


nilīyamānaiḥ by the resting, vihagaiḥ by birds, nimīladbhi closing, paṅkajaiḥ ca by lotuses, vikasantyā by blooming, mālatyā ca by Jasmines also, raviḥ Sun, astaṅgataḥ has set, jñāyatē 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.
vṛttā yātrā narēndrāṇāṅ sēnā pratinivartatē.

vairāṇi caiva mārgāśca salilēna samīkṛtāḥ4.28.53৷৷


narēndrāṇām kings, yātrā expeditions, vṛttā has been stopped, sēnā army, pratinivartatē is returning, salilēna with water, vairāṇi enmities, caiva also, mārgāśca as well as roads also, samīkṛtāḥ are suspended.

'Expeditions by kings come to a stop. The army returns. The flow of water blocks the roads. It suspends enmity (between states).
māsi prōṣṭhapadē brahma brāhmaṇānāṅ vivakṣatām.

ayamadhyāyasamayassāmagānāmupasthitaḥ4.28.54৷৷


prōṣṭhapadē māsi in the month of Bhadrapada, brahma the Veda, vivakṣatām of those desirous of reciting, sāmagānām study of the singers of Sama veda, brāhmaṇānām of brahmins, ayam this, adhyāyasamayaḥ time of study, upasthitaḥ started

'The month of Bhadrapada meant for the recitation of the Vedas by brahmins and for those desirous of singing Sama Veda has started.
nivṛttakarmāyatanō nūnaṅ sañcitasañcayaḥ.

āṣāḍhīmabhyupagatō bharataḥ kōsalādhipaḥ4.28.55৷৷


nivṛttakarmāyatanaḥ completed all his work, sañcitasañcayaḥ collected the requirements, kōsalādhipaḥ king of Kosala, bharataḥ Bharata, āṣāḍhīm month of Asarh, abhyupagataḥ has arrived nūnam surely.

'Surely Bharata, king of Kosala, would have completed the collection of all his requirement before the commencement of the month of Asarh.
nūnamāpūryamāṇāyāssarvavyā vardhatē rayaḥ.

māṅ samīkṣya samāyāntamayōdhyāyā iva svanaḥ4.28.56৷৷


apūryamāṇāyāḥ filled with water, saravyā of Sarayu, rayaḥ speed, samāyāntam while I approach, mām me, samīkṣya seeing, ayōdyāyāḥ in Ayodhya, svanaḥ iva cheers like, vardhatē is rising, nūnam 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.
imāsphītaguṇā varṣāssugrīvassukhamaśnutē.

vijitāriḥ sadāraśca rājyē mahati ca sthitaḥ4.28.57৷৷


vijitāriḥ won the enemy, sadāraśca with his wife, mahati in great, rājyē in kingdom, sthitaḥ ca he attained, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, sphītaguṇāḥ abounding in merits, imāḥ varṣāḥ during this rainy season, sukham happiness, aśnutē experiencing.

'Having defeated his enemy, Sugriva with his wife during the rainy season is well-established in the kingdom, abounding in merits.
ahaṅ tu hṛtadāraśca rājyācya mahataścyutaḥ.

nadīkūlamiva klinnamavasīdāmi lakṣmaṇa!৷৷4.28.58৷৷


lakṣmaṇa Lakshmana, hṛtadāraśca with lost wife, mahataḥ from the mighty, rājyāt from the kingdom, cyutaśca dethroned, ahaṅ tu I am even, klinnam overflowed with water, nadīkūlam iva like the bank of river, avasīdāmi 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.
śōkaśca mama vistīrṇō varṣāśca bhṛśadurgamāḥ.

rāvaṇaśca mahān śatrurapāraṅ pratibhāti mē4.28.59৷৷


mama my, śōkaśca sorrow, vistīrṇaḥ great, varṣāśca these rains, bhṛśadurgamāḥ difficult to cross, rāvaṇaśca Ravana also, mahān great, śatruḥ enemy, mē me, apāram to cross over, pratibhāti it appears.

'My sorrow which increases, the rains which make it hard to cover distances and Ravana the great enemy-all these appear difficult to conquer.
ayātrāṅ caiva dṛṣṭvēmāṅ mārgāṅśca bhṛśadurgamān.

praṇatē caiva sugrīvē na mayā kiñcidīritam4.28.60৷৷


sugrīvē when Sugriva, praṇatē caiva is faithful to me, imām this, ayātrām suspending the expedition, bhṛśadurgamān very difficult, mārgāṅśca road, dṛṣṭvā after seeing, mayā myself, kiñcit even a little, na īritam not spoken.

api cātiparikliṣṭaṅ cirāddāraissamāgatam.

ātmakāryagarīyastvādvaktuṅ nēcchāmi vānaram4.28.61৷৷


apica and also, atiparikliṣṭam one who experienced great difficulties, cirāt after a long time, dāraiḥ with his wife, samāgatam reunited, vānaram monkey, ātmakāryagarīyastvāt due to our task being greater, vaktum to speak, nēcchāmi 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.
svayamēva hi viśramya jñātvā kālamupāgatam.

upakāraṅ ca sugrīvō vētsyatē nātra saṅśayaḥ4.28.62৷৷


sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, viśramya after resting, kālam time, upāgatam has come, jñātvā after knowing,
upakāraṅ ca help also, svayamēva himself, vētsyatē will know, hi indeed, atra about that, saṅśayaḥ doubt, na no.

tasmātkālapratīkṣō.haṅ sthitō.smi śubhalakṣaṇa!.

sugrīvasya nadīnāṅ ca prasādamamanupālayan4.28.63৷৷


śubhalakṣaṇa hero endowed with auspicious qualities, tasmāt therefore, aham I, sugrīvasya Sugriva's, nadīnāṅ ca of rivers also, prasādam his grace, anupālayan while waiting, kālapratīkṣaḥ waiting for a favourable time, asmi I will.

'O Lakshmana of auspicious qualities! I will wait for the proper time to appease Sugriva as well as the rivers.
upakārēṇa vīrastu pratīkārēṇa yujyatē.

akṛtajñō.pratikṛtō hanti sattvavatāṅ manaḥ4.28.64৷৷


upakārēṇa by a help, vīraḥ a hero, pratikārēṇa by helping in turn, yujyatē a suitable step is taken, akṛtajñaḥ ungrateful, apratikṛtaḥ one who does not help, sattvavatām of the virtuous people, manaḥ heart, hanti 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.'
athaivamuktaḥ praṇidhāya lakṣmaṇaḥ

kṛtāñjalistatpratipūjya bhāṣitam.

uvāca rāmaṅ svabhirāmadarśanaṅ

pradarśayandarśanamātmanaśśubham4.28.65৷৷


lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, atha then, ēvaṅ in this way, muktam expressed, praṇidhāya after contemplating on it, kṛtāñjaliḥ with folded palms, bhāṣitam speech, pratipūjya after honouring, ātmanaḥ self, śubham auspicious, darśanam opinion, pradarśayan exhibited, svabhirāmadarśanam a delightful one, rāmam to Rama, uvāca said.

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

narēndra! kartā nacirāddharīśvaraḥ.

śaratpratīkṣaḥ kṣamatāmimaṅ bhavān

jalaprapātaṅ ripunigrahē dhṛtaḥ4.28.66৷৷


narēndra O king!, yathā as, ddharīśvaraḥ Sugriva, nacirāt soon, tava your, īpsitam desire, ētat sarvam all this, kartā he will do, ripunigrahē in destroying the enemy, dhṛtaḥ steadfast, bhavān you, śaratpratīkṣaḥ awaiting autumn, imam this, jalaprapātam water flow, kṣamatām 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.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē kiṣkiṅdhākāṇḍē aṣṭāviṅśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the twentyeighth sarga of Kishkindakanda of the Holy Ramayana, the first epic, composed by sage Valmiki.