The Ramayana · 274 of 493

Kiṣkindhā Kānda (The Book of Kishkindha): Canto 4 — Lakshman’s Reply

Cheered by the words that Ráma spoke, Joy in the Vánar’s breast awoke, And, as his friendly mood he knew, His thoughts to King Sugríva flew: “Again,” he mused, “my high-souled lord Shall rule, to kingly state restored; Since one so mighty comes to save, And freely gives the help we crave.”

Then joyous Hanumán, the best Of all the Vánar kind, addressed These words to Ráma, trained of yore In all the arts of speakers’ lore:(549) “Why do your feet this forest tread By silvan life inhabited, This awful maze of tree and thorn Which Pampá’s flowering groves adorn?”

He spoke: obedient to the eye Of Ráma, Lakshmaṇ made reply, The name and fortune to unfold Of Raghu’s son the lofty-souled: “True to the law, of fame unstained, The glorious Daśaratha reigned, And, steadfast in his duty, long Kept the four castes(550) from scathe and wrong. Through his wide realm his will was done, And, loved by all, he hated none. Just to each creature great and small, Like the Good Sire he cared for all. The Ágnishṭom,(551) as priests advised, And various rites he solemnized, Where ample largess ever paid The Bráhmans for their holy aid. Here Ráma stands, his heir by birth, Whose name is glorious in the earth: Sure refuge he of all oppressed, Most faithful to his sire’s behest. He, Daśaratha’s eldest born Whom gifts above the rest adorn, Lord of each high imperial sign,(552) The glory of his kingly line, Reft of his right, expelled from home, Came forth with me the woods to roam. And Sítá too, his faithful dame, Forth with her virtuous husband came, Like the sweet light when day is done Still cleaving to her lord the sun. And me his sweet perfections drew To follow as his servant true. Named Lakshmaṇ, brother of my lord Of grateful heart with knowledge stored Most meet is he all bliss to share, Who makes the good of all his care. While, power and lordship cast away, In the wild wood he chose to stay, A giant came,—his name unknown,— And stole the princess left alone. Then Diti’s son(553) who, cursed of yore, The semblance of a Rákshas wore, To King Sugríva bade us turn The robber’s name and home to learn. For he, the Vánar chief, would know The dwelling of our secret foe. Such words of hope spake Diti’s son, And sought the heaven his deeds had won. Thou hast my tale. From first to last Thine ears have heard whate’er has past. Ráma the mighty lord and I For refuge to Sugríva fly. The prince whose arm bright glory gained, O’er the whole earth as monarch reigned, And richest gifts to others gave, Is come Sugríva’s help to crave; Son of a king the surest friend Of virtue, him who loved to lend His succour to the suffering weak, Is come Sugríva’s aid to seek. Yes, Raghu’s son whose matchless hand Protected all this sea-girt land, The virtuous prince, my holy guide, For refuge seeks Sugríva’s side. His favour sent on great and small Should ever save and prosper all. He now to win Sugríva’s grace Has sought his woodland dwelling-place. Son of a king of glorious fame;— Who knows not Daśaratha’s name?— From whom all princes of the earth Received each honour due to worth;— Heir of that best of earthly kings, Ráma the prince whose glory rings Through realms below and earth and skies, For refuge to Sugríva flies. Nor should the Vánar king refuse The boon for which the suppliant sues, But with his forest legions speed To save him in his utmost need.”

Sumitrá’s son, his eyes bedewed With piteous tears, thus sighed and sued. Then, trained in all the arts that guide The speaker, Hanumán replied:

“Yea, lords like you of wisest thought, Whom happy fate has hither brought, Who vanquish ire and rule each sense, Must of our lord have audience. Reft of his kingdom, sad, forlorn, Once Báli’s hate now Báli’s scorn, Defeated, severed from his spouse, Wandering under forest boughs, Child of the Sun, our lord and king Sugríva will his succours bring, And all our Vánar hosts combined Will trace the dame you long to find.”

With gentle tone and winning grace Thus spake the chief of Vánar race, And then to Raghu’s son he cried: “Come, haste we to Sugríva’s side.”

He spoke, and for his words so sweet Good Lakshmaṇ paid all honour meet; Then turned and cried to Raghu’s son: “Now deem thy task already done, Because this chief of Vánar kind, Son of the God who rules the wind, Declares Sugríva’s self would be Assisted in his need by thee. Bright gleams of joy his cheek o’erspread As each glad word of hope he said; And ne’er will one so valiant deign To cheer our hearts with hope in vain.”

He spoke, and Hanumán the wise Cast off his mendicant disguise, And took again his Vánar form, Son of the God of wind and storm. High on his ample back in haste Raghu’s heroic sons he placed, And turned with rapid steps to find The sovereign of the Vánar kind.