Seeing that foremost of men, Lakshmana, exercised with wrath, as he entered in without let, Sugriva was seized with sadness. And seeing Daçaratha's son, wroth, and breathing hard, and flaming up in energy, and burning in consequence of the calamity that had overtaken his brother, that chief of monkeys started up, leaving his golden seat, like unto the mighty ornamented standard of the great Indra. And as Sugriva rose up, Umā and the other females rose up, like unto stars appearing in the sky when the full moon has risen. And with eyes reddened, and his hands folded, the graceful Sugriva came (before Lakshmana) and stood there like a mighty Kalpa tree. And the wrathful Lakshmana spake unto Sugriva stationed among women, having Umā for his second, and resembling the moon with the stars, saying,—"The king that is nobly endowed by heredity, and is kind, that hath subdued his senses,and is grateful and truth-telling, obtains renown in this world. And who is more wicked than that king who, rooted in unrighteousness, makes false promises unto friends intent upon his welfare? He that speaks a falsehood with reference to a horse, becomes guilty of the deaths of an hundred horses: he committing himself to a falsehood relative to a cow, reapeth the demerit of slaying a thousand kine; while he that uttereth an untruth touching a person, destroys self as well as his kindred. That ungrateful wight that, having at first attained benefit at the hands of his friends, doth not requite it, is, O lord of monkeys, worthy of being slain by all creatures. Seeing an ingrate wretch, the wrathful Brahmā sang the (previous) sloka, bowed down unto by all the worlds. Do thou understand that, O monkey. The pious provide deliverance for the cow-killer, the wine-biber, the thief, and the violator of vows; but for the ungrateful person there is no deliverance whatever. Thou art ignoble and ungrateful and lying, O monkey, since, having been formerly benefitted by Rāma, thou dost not requite his services. Having been benefitted by Rāma, thou, anxious to repay his kindness, shouldst exert thyself in search of Sitā. But, of false promises, thou hast been indulging in gross enjoyments,—nor doth Rāma know thee for a serpent, croaking like a frog.[129] A sinful wretch and of wicked soul, thou hast obtained the kingdom of the monkeys through the agency of the eminently virtuous, kind and high-souled Rāma. Thou dost not acknowledge the good offices rendered unto thee by the high-souled Rāghava; and therefore, slain by means of sharpened shafts, thou shalt soon see Vāli. The way that hath been wended by the slain Vāli, is not yet narrowed. Do thou, O Sugriva, desist in time: do not walk in the wake of Vāli. Do not behold the shafts resembling thunder-bolts shot from the bow of that best of the Ikshwākus. Then, attaining happiness, thou shalt pass thy days in peace. Nor do thou mentally neglect Rāma's business."
SECTION XXXV.
When Sumitrā's son, Lakshmana, had spoken thus, flaming in energy, Tārā of face fair as the moon, said unto him, "O Lakshmana, thou ought not to speak thus: and this lord of monkeys does not deserve to hear this harsh speech from thy lips, in especial. Sugriva is not ungrateful, or cunning, or heartless; nor doth he, O hero, deal in falsehood; nor is he deceitful. Nor hath the heroic monkey, O hero, forgotten the good, incapable of being done by others in battle, that the hero, Rāma, hath done in his behalf. And, O afflictor of foes, through Rāma's grace, Sugriva hath here attained fame and the enduring empire of the monkeys, as well as Umā and myself. Having lain down miserably before, Sugriva, now that he hath attained this supreme happiness, doth not heed his urgent duties, like the ascetic Viçwāmitra. Attached unto Ghritachi, O Lakshmana, the pious and mighty ascetic, Viçwāmitra looked upon ten years as one day; and that best of those conversant with time, Viçwāmitra of mighty energy, did not perceive that the time (for doing a certain act) had arrived. What is to be said of other people? O Lakshmana, it behoveth Rāma to forgive one who hath all the bodily exigencies, who is fatigued, and who is not satisfied with the pleasures of Kāma. Nor, O Lakshmana, doth it behove thee, without ascertaining the exact import of things, to become suddenly subject to wrath, like any inferior person. O chief of men, persons endowed with the quality of goodness, like unto thee, do not suffer themselves to come under the sway of passion, without (at first) needfully revolving matters. I crave thy favor with concentrated mind, thou that knowest morality. Renounce the mighty grief that springs from thy ire. This is my conviction that for compassing Rāma's welfare, Sugriva can resign Umā and myself, and Angada, and the kingdom and wealth and corn and animals. Slaying that worst of Rākshasas, Sugriva will bring Rāghava with Sitā, like unto the moon accompanied by Rohini. Without slaying hundreds, of thousands of Kotis, and thirty six Ayutas, thousands, and hundreds of irrepressible Rākshasas wearing shapes at will, (Rāma) can not slay Rāvana, by whom Maithili hath been carried away. They are incapable, O Lakshmana, of being slain (by Rāma) in battle, unless he is supported (by others). Rāvana is a wily warrior, and hence is the special need of Sugriva. That knowing lord of monkeys, Vāli, had told me all this. I do not know how Rāvana had secured this host: I say what I had heard from Vāli. For rendering thee assistance, the foremost monkeys have been despatched in order to summon to the conflict numerous principal monkeys. Expecting these powerful and exceedingly strong ones, for attaining Rāghava's end, this lord of monkeys doth not (yet) sally out. Things, O Saumitri, have beforehand been so satisfactorily arranged by Sugriva, that this very day the mighty one will be joined with all those monkeys. This very day billions of bears and thousands of golangulas as well as innumerable Kotis of monkeys flaming in energy shall join thee. Therefore, O subduer of enemies, banish thy anger. Seeing this thy face wrought up with wrath, and thy eyes appearing like red sores, the wives of the best of monkeys experience no peace, and they are agitated by the fear that exercised them of late."
SECTION XXXVI.
Humbly addressed in these words informed with morality, Sumitra's son, resuming his native mildness, accepted them. On his accepting the speech, the lord of monkeys like a wet cloth cast off from him the fear he had conceived on account of Lakshmana. Then Sugriva—lord of monkeys— tore away the gaudy and variegated garland on his neck— potent with many a virtue, and became deprived of energy. And that master of all the monkeys, Sugriva, gladdening Lakshmana of dreadful prowess, humbly observed unto him, "Thou son unto Sumitra, by the favor of Rāma have I received back my lost luck, my fame, and this eternal monarchy of the monkeys. O king's son, who is capable of repaying even in part an action like that of the divine (Rāma) renowned by means of his own acts? By virtue of native energy, and merely with my help, the righteous Rāghava shall recover Sitā and slay Rāvana to boot. What need of assistance to him who with a single shaft rived seven giant trees, a mountain, and the Earth. O Lakshmana, what is the use of help to him the sounds of whose stretching bow made the Earth tremble with her mountains? O best of men, when that foremost of men shall set out for slaying his enemy, Rāvana along with those going before him, I will follow him. If through my confidence, or presuming upon our amity, I have transgressed in any way, (Rāma) ought to excuse his servant,—for there is no servant that doth not transgress." When the high-souled Sugriva had said this, Lakshmana became well pleased, and he spake from love,—"Having, in especial, thee endeued with humility, my brother, O monarch of monkeys, is every way strong, O Sugriva. Such is thy strength, O Sugriva, and such thy self-denial, that thou art fully worthy to enjoy the good fortune of the king of monkeys. O Sugriva, by thy help, the puissant Rāma shall speedily slay his foe. Of this there is not the least doubt. O Sugriva, what thou, virtuous, grateful and never turning away from fight, hast said is fit and proper. What knowing person, excepting, O foremost of monkeys, thyself and my elder brother, can speak so? Resembling Rāma himself in strength and prowess, thou, O chief of monkeys, hast been ordained his help by the gods. But, O hero, do thou speedily go out with me and soothe thy friend aggrieved for the ravishment of his wife. And do thou, my friend, forgive what rough speech, on hearing the utterances of Rāma sunk in grief, I have given thee."
SECTION XXXVII.
Thus addressed by the magnanimous Lakshmana, Sugriva said unto Hanumān, staying beside him, "Those that dwell on the summits of Mahendra, Himavat, Vindhya and Kailāça; on Mandara, the peaks of Pāndu and the five hills; on mountains wearing the hue of the infant sun, and ever bright; and those inhabiting the West, beyond the sea; on mountains in the mansions of the sun, looking like the evening sky; and those dreadful foremost of monkeys that inhabit Padmachala, those monkeys that, resembling collyrium-like clouds, and having the strength of the lord of elephants, dwell in the Anjana hill; monkeys, possessing the splendour of gold, inhabiting the caverns of Mahāçaila; those resorting to the sides of Meru, as well as those dwelling in the Dhumra mountains; and those, having the hues of the infant sun, dwelling in the Mahāruna mountain, drinking the Maireya wine; and those dwelling in mighty fair and fragrant forests and romantic hermitages all round, lying on the skirts of woods,—do thou at once bring all these—all the foremost monkeys of the world, by means of gifts and conciliation, and through the agency of more than usually fleet monkeys. I know those monkeys that I have first despatched, to be gifted with great velocity[130],—yet, for urging speed upon them, do thou send other foremost of monkeys. Do thou directly bring up here those monkey-chiefs that are given up to lust or are dilatory. Those wicked ones, that finding fault with the royal mandate, do not (come in) at my command within ten days, must be slain. Let those hundreds and thousands and kotis of leonine monkeys that abide by my mandate, hie (hence) at my behest. Let (monkeys) resembling clouds or mountains, cover up the sky; and let the foremost monkeys of dreadful forms march hence at my command. Let all the monkeys on earth, acquainted with motion, hying themselves and summoning speed at my command, bring all the monkeys." Hearing the words of the monkey-king, the son of the Wind-god despatched powerful monkeys in all directions. Despatched by the king, the monkeys, ranging the sphere of birds and stars, immediately went through the welkin. And on oceans and mountains, in forests and tanks, the monkeys began to send away all the apes on behalf of Rāma. Hearing the mandate of that king of kings, Sugriva, resembling the Hour of death, the monkeys, conceiving fear for Sugriva, set out. And monkeys resembling collyrium (in hue), numbering three kotis, endeued with huge might, set out from the Anjana hill for the place where Rāghava was. And ten kotis having the splendour of molten gold, inhabiting the mountain where the sun sets, set out. And a thousand kotis, hued like the lion's mane, came from the peaks of Kailāça. And of those dwelling in Himalaya, subsisting on fruits and roots, numbering a thousand and kotis, a thousand appeared. And thousands of dreadful monkeys of terrible deeds, hued like charcoal, numbering kotis, rushed suddenly from Vindhya. And there exists no record of the number of those inhabiting the shores of the ocean of milk, and the dwellers in the Tamāla forests, as well as those subsisting on cocoanuts. And, as if drinking up the sun, the mighty monkey host came from forests and caves and rivers. And it came to pass that those heroic monkeys that had gone away to spur others on, found a mighty tree on Himavat. On that sacred mount in days of yore there took place a pleasing Māheçwara[131] sacrifice. There the monkeys found grateful fruits and roots sprung from the streams of sacrificial oblations, and resembling ambrosia. He that partakes of those excellent fruits and roots sprung from the sacrificial ingredients, doth not experience hunger for a month. Those prime monkeys, feeding on fruits, gathered those sapid fruits and roots and medicinal herbs. And for compassing the good of Sugriva, repairing thither, the monkeys brought ordorous blossoms from the sacrificial ground. And all those foremost of monkeys, taking all the monkeys of the earth, hastily set off in the van of the herds. And in a short while, those fast-fleeting apes speedily reached Kishkindhā, where the monkey Sugriva was. And taking the healing herbs and the fruits and roots, the monkeys made them over to Sugriva, and said, "Having traversed mountains, rivers and forests, all the monkeys of the earth bend their steps towards thee in obedience to thy command." Hearing this, Sugriva—lord of monkeys—was well pleased, and with a glad heart accepted all those presents.
SECTION XXXVIII.
Having accepted all those presents, (Sugriva), after soothing the monkeys, dismissed them. Having dismissed the thousands of apes, who had performed their task, he deemed himself as well as the mighty Rāghava as having secured success. Then Lakshmana in sweet words spoke unto the exceedingly strong chief of monkeys—Sugriva— gladdening him, "If it please thee, O placid one, I will go out of Kishkindhā." Hearing Lakshmana's soft speech, Sugriva, highly delighted, said, "Be it so. Let us go. I abide by thy behest." Having said this unto Lakshmana of auspicious marks, Sugriva dismissed the women with Tārā at their head. Then Sugriva in a loud voice summoned the foremost monkeys, saying, "Come (hither)." Hearing his words, those monkeys that could present themselves before the females, did so with joined hands. To them, who had presented themselves, said the king, of splendour resembling that of the Sun, "Do, ye monkeys, bring hither a car." bearing his words, monkeys uniting vigor with celerity, brought a car lovely to behold. Seeing the car brought up, the lord of monkeys said unto Sumitra's son, "O Lakshmana, ascend speedily." Having said this, Sugriva in company with Lakshmana swiftly ascended the golden car resembling the sun, yoked with numerous steeds. With a pale umbrella held over his head, and white chowris waving around, with conchs and trumpets blowing, eulogized by bards, Sugriva marched out, having obtained supreme regal auspiciousness. And surrounded by hundreds of high-spirited apes and armed people, he proceeded whither Rāma was staying.— And having arrived at the excellent spot which was the home of Rāma, that highly energetic one alighted from the car along with Lakshmana. And having come to Rāma, Sugriva (stood) folding his hands. And when Sugriva had folded his hands, the monkeys also did so. And beholding the mighty host of the monkeys resembling a tank filled with lotus buds, Rāma was well-pleased with Sugriva. And raising up the monkey-king who had bent his head at Rāma's feet, Rāghava embraced him from love and regard. Having embraced Sugriva, that righteous one said unto him, "Be seated." And seeing Sugriva seated on the ground, Rāma said, "He, O best of monkeys, is a king who, O hero, in season follows righteousness, pleasure and profit, always dividing the same (among all.) He that, renouncing righteousness and the good, devotes himself to pleasure solely, is like a man that falling asleep on the top of a tree, wakes when he hath fallen down. That king is verily virtuous that, engaged in uprooting foes and advancing friends, attends to all the three ends. O destroyer of foes, the time is come for exertion: do thou, O lord of monkeys, bethink thyself along with thy monkey ministers." Thus addressed, Sugriva said unto Rāma, "O mighty-armed one, my lost luck, and repute, and the entire monkey kingdom I have received back through thy gift, owing to thine and thy brother's grace, thou foremost of victors. He that, having received a good office, doth not requite it, reapeth obloquy among persons. These hundreds of prime monkeys. O destroyer of enemies, have come here, bringing with them all the monkeys of the world. O Rāghava, bears and monkeys, heroic Golāngulas—acquainted with woods and forests and strongholds, and of terrible shapes—and monkeys who are the sons of deities, wearing forms at will—stay on the way, O Rāghava, surrounded by their own armies. And, O hero, O repressor of foes, monkeys surrounded by hundreds, and hundred thousands, and kotis, and ayutas, and sankus,[132] and arvudas, and hundreds of arvudas, and madhyas, and antyas, wait (here). And samudras, and parārdhas of monkeys—leaders of herds—inhabiting Meru and Vindhya, resembling clouds or hills, and in might resembling the great India, are on their way unto thee, O king. They will join thee for battling the fiend in the field; and, slaying Rāvana in fight, shall bring Mithilā's daughter."
Thereat the puissant son of the Earth's lord, witnessing the preparations made by the heroic monkey, remaining under his command, appeared like a blown blue lotus.