Part - 13 — Ancient Knowledge

Śrī Rāma’s march to the beach alongwith the army of monkeys

Dohas

kapipati bēgi bōlāē āē jūthapa jūtha.
nānā barana atula bala bānara bhālu barūtha [5-34]

Sugrīva (the lord of the monkeys) quickly summoned the commanders of the various troops and they presented themselves in multitudes. The troops of monkeys and bears, though varying in colour, were all unequalled in strength.

Chaupais

prabhu pada paṃkaja nāvahiṃ sīsā. garajahiṃ bhālu mahābala kīsā
dēkhī rāma sakala kapi sēnā. citai kṛpā kari rājiva nainā [5-34-1]
rāma kṛpā bala pāi kapiṃdā. bhaē pacchajuta manahuom giriṃdā
haraṣi rāma taba kīnha payānā. saguna bhaē suṃdara subha nānā [5-34-2]
jāsu sakala maṃgalamaya kītī. tāsu payāna saguna yaha nītī
prabhu payāna jānā baidēhīṃ. pharaki bāma aomga janu kahi dēhīṃ [5-34-3]
jōi jōi saguna jānakihi hōī. asaguna bhayau rāvanahi sōī
calā kaṭaku kō baranaiṃ pārā. garjahi bānara bhālu apārā [5-34-4]
nakha āyudha giri pādapadhārī. calē gagana mahi icchācārī
kēharināda bhālu kapi karahīṃ. ḍagamagāhiṃ diggaja cikkarahīṃ [5-34-5]

The mighty bears and monkeys bowed their head at the Lord’s lotus feet and roared. Śrī Rāma surveyed the whole monkey host and cast on them His gracious lotus-like eyes. Emboldened by His grace the monkey chiefs vied as it were with huge mountains equipped with wings. Śrī Rāma then sallied forth glad of heart and many were the delightful and auspicious omens that occurred to Him . It was in the fitness of things that good omens should appear at the time of His departure (on an expedition) whose glory itself embodies all blessings. Videha’s Daughter came to know of the Lord’s march; the throbbing of Her left limbs apprised Her of the same as it were. But what were good omens for Janaka’s Daughter foreboded evil for Rāvaṇa. Who could adequately describe the army as it marched with its countless monkeys and bears roaring. With no weapon other than their sharp claws, they carried rocks and trees (that they had uprooted on the way) and marched now in the air and now on land, for they had unhampered motion everywhere. The bears and monkeys roared like lions as they marched, while the elephants guarding the eight cardinal points shook and trumpeted.

According to the science of omens (which was most developed in this country in the remote past) the throbbing of left limbs is considered as auspicious for women but inauspicious for men.

Chhands

cikkarahiṃ diggaja ḍōla mahi giri lōla sāgara kharabharē.
mana haraṣa sabha gaṃdharba sura muni nāga kinnara dukha ṭarē
kaṭakaṭahiṃ markaṭa bikaṭa bhaṭa bahu kōṭi kōṭinha dhāvahīṃ.
jaya rāma prabala pratāpa kōsalanātha guna gana gāvahīṃ [5-34-1]
sahi saka na bhāra udāra ahipati bāra bārahiṃ mōhaī.
gaha dasana puni puni kamaṭha pṛṣṭa kaṭhōra sō kimi sōhaī
raghubīra rucira prayāna prasthiti jāni parama suhāvanī.
janu kamaṭha kharpara sarparāja sō likhata abicala pāvanī [5-34-2]

The elephants of the eight cardinal points trumpeted, the earth rocked, the mountains trembled and the oceans were agitated. The Gandharvas, gods, sages, Nāgas and Kiṁnaras, all felt delighted at heart to perceive that their troubles were over. Myriads of formidable monkey warriors gnashed their teeth (in a bellicose mood); while many more millions dashed forward crying “Glory to Śrī Rāma, Kosala’s lord, of mighty valour” and hymning His praises. Even the great lord of serpents (Śeṣa) found himself unable to bear the crushing weight of the belligerent troops and felt dizzy again and again. But each time he would struggle by clutching with his teeth the hard shell of the divine Tortoise. The scratches thus made by his teeth would make one imagine as if, knowing the departure of Śrī Rāma (the Hero of Raghu’s line) on His glorious expedition to be a most attractive theme, the serpent-king was inscribing its immortal and sacred story on the Tortoise’s back.

Dohas

ēhi bidhi jāi kṛpānidhi utarē sāgara tīra.
jahaom tahaom lāgē khāna phala bhālu bipula kapi bīra [5-35]

Continuing His march in this way the All-merciful arrived at the seashore and halted there. The host of valiant bears and monkeys began to guttle fruits all round there.