Rāmāyana |Kiṣkindha Kaṇḍa| Chapter 28

28. Rāma's Sadness

[Rāma feels for the absence of Sītā. He is feeling helpless due to constraints imposed by rainy season and is waiting for autumn to break.]

After killing Vali and crowning of Sugrīva on the Malyavatha Mountain Rāma told Lakṣmaṇa. 28.1

"Now the rainy season has set in heralding of the coming of water and we are able to clouds in the sky that look like mountains." 28.2

"The sun has drunk the water from the sea for nine months through its rays and kept it in its womb and is now delivering it." 28.3

"It is now possible to climb up to the sky by the staircase of clouds and decorate Sun with garlands of Kuṭaja and Arjuna flowers." 28.4

"Those whites clouds on the sky having a red border due to the falling of the rays of the setting sun, makes sky appeared to be bandaged." 28.5

"The slow breeze are sighs of the cloud in the sky and rays of sunset have applied sandal paste on her and her face which is here and there pale make her like a passionate damsel." 28.6

"The earth which is scorched by heat and flooded with fresh water makes me see the tormented Sītā shedding tears." 28.7

"The winds which have been released by the wombs of the clouds are gentle and cool like the white lotus flowers and which carry the fragrance of white Ketaki flowers, can be drunk by the cups of the hands." 28.8

"This mind with full open Arjuna flowers and with large population of Ketaki flowers and it looks like Sugrīva who is peaceful and anointed by flowing scented water." 28.9

"Dressed in black cloud looking like the deer hide, with rains appearing like its sacred thread and the wind blowing out of caves resembling chanting of Vedas, this mountain appears like priests conducting a Yagna." 28.10

"With streaks of lightning appearing like a golden whips which are beating the sky, and with thunders appearing as agonized cries, the sky appears to be suffering agony." 28.11

"The streaks of lightning that comes out of the blue clouds reminds me of the saintly Vaidehī struggling on the laps of Rāvaṇa." 28.12

"Covered by dense clouds the planets, stars and directions are not visible and this had made this place favourable for lovers affected by God of love." 28.13

"Oh Son of Sumitrā, see these fully open Kuṭaja flowers on the mountain slopes which used to be covered by thick water vapour earlier are now welcoming the onset of rain are inflaming with sorrow my inflamed heart." 28.14

"The dust has settled down, wind is blowing with water vapour, difficulties experiences due to heat have come to an end, the kings have stopped their expeditions and travellers from far off are returning to their native places." 28.15

"The Chakravāka birds along with their birds of love, with a desire to live in Mānasarovara lake have started their journey and due to the tracks being damaged by rains carts are not moving on roads." 28.16

"The sky in which it is it is bright in some places and dull in some places due to water rich clouds looks to me like a calm ocean obstructed by mountains." 28.17

"The new streams of waters from mountain, made red by the minerals of the mountain and in which Sarja and Kadamba flowers are floating, with accompaniment of melodious voices of peacock is flowing swiftly." 28.18

"The black and juicy Jamoon fruits which resemble the bees can be eaten to our hearts content and also mango fruits of different colours drop down on the ground shaken by the wind." 28.19

"The clouds with flags of lightning, and garland of cranes and possessing the shape of the peaks of the king of the mountains are thundering producing the loud sound of victory, resemble the proud elephants marching in war." 28.20

"The forests are more enchanting in the afternoons with tender grass in the forest shining due to rain water, with peacocks starting a dance festival, because of clouds shedding their rain water." 28.21

"The thundering clouds carrying heavy loads of water are accompanied by Balaka birds are taking rest here and there on peaks of great mountains and proceeding further." 28.22

"The row of cranes are rejoicing for flying in the sky along with the clouds appear like a chosen white lotus garland, which is strung together and hangs down." 28.23

"Ornamented with little red Indra Gopa insects which swarm the earth covered by green grass during rainy season is looking like a woman wearing a parrot green veil on which red lac is sprinkled." 28.24

"Sleep approaches lord Vishnu slowly, the river approaches the ocean speedily, the crane approaches the clouds joyfully and the wife approaches her husband with passion during this season." 28.25

"As of now the peacocks are dancing in the forest. The Kadamba trees are blooming in all their branches, the bulls are approaching cows with passion and earth is getting covered with plants and trees." 28.26

"The rivers are flowing, the clouds are raining, the proud elephants are trumpeting, those who are away from the loved ones are longing for them, the peacocks are dancing and the monkeys are quite." 28.27

"After getting overjoyed with the fragrance of Ketaki flowers which are growing near the waterfalls, the intoxicated elephants, which are disturbed by the sound of falling water raise loud sounds along with the peacock." 28.28

"The six legged bees which were beaten by the torrential rain are hanging on the branches of Kadamba trees and are shedding the smell of instantly acquired fragrance of honey." 28.29

"The shining branches of the Jambū trees fully laden with fruits which appear like pile up and pounded charcoal, give an impression that the bees are hanging on their branches," 28.30

"The clouds decorated with flags of lightning and releasing huge sounds appear as if the monkeys are ready to fight for the destruction of the world. 28.31

"An intoxicated elephant walking along the forest path adjoining the mountain, hearing the sound of thunder of the clouds, marched forward to wage a war but returned back doubting that sound was only the echo of its own sound." 28.32

"In the forest in some places the bees were singing, in other places the peacocks were dancing, yet in other places the intoxicated elephants were greatly excited and the forest was swarming with bees, peacocks and elephants." 28.33

"Rich with the shoots of Kadamba and Arjuna trees, the land inside the forest was having plenty of fresh water and filled with intoxicated sound and dance of peacock, it looked like a parlour for drinking." 28.34

"The pure water which fell from the sky, which was gifted by Indra and held in a leaf cup looked like pearls and was being drunk by the thirst birds with faded colour." 28.35

"The sound of bees resembled music from musical instruments, the sound of the frogs resembled the sound of beating of trumpets and thunder resembled the playing of drums and it looked like a musical even organized in the forest by frogs." 28.36

"In some places there was dancing by peacocks, in some places they produced sounds and in some places those who have settled on the trees were making sound, all together creating a feeling that a musical event has started." 28.37

"The frogs of different colours and sounds have been awakened from their long duration sleep and they are all producing different types of sound when hit by rain water." 28.38

"The rivers which were carrying the Chakravāka birds, have been damaging their banks and bloated with pride they are carrying all these gifts to their lord." 28.39

"Blue clouds which are rich in pure water are leaning towards other blue clouds, like the fully burnt and firmly rooted mountains appear to be leaning on other mountains completely burnt by forest fire." 28.40

"In the forests where Peacocks making joyful sounds, young grass beds with many crawling Indragopa insects and which is filled with smell of flowers of Kadamba and Arjuna, the elephants roam about." 28.41

"When the filaments of lotus flowers are destroyed the bees quickly leave them and migrate to Kadamba flowers where new filaments are produced happily." 28.42

"The elephants are intoxicated, the great bulls are happy, the king of the forest is taking rest in the forest, the mountain is pretty and the kings do not travel and Lord Indra is playing with the clouds. 28.43

"The clouds rich with lots of water staying on the sky sends large amount of water which makes great sound when it gushes to the sea and the rain waters are filling up tanks, rivers and ponds." 28.44

"Due to the force of rain, many people are falling down, the wind is blowing making a roaring sound, The rivers flowing swift are breaking their banks and are flowing in a different path." 28.45

"Similar to the kings, the mountain kings who are sent by Indra the king of devas and are both served by wind. While one is consecrated from water from the heavy cloud, the other is consecrated by waters in big pots and both exhibit their majesty and glory." 28.46

"The sky is always covered by clouds and sun along with the stars is completely hidden from sight, lot of water flows over the earth and directions cannot be made out due to darkness." 28.47

"The mountain is washed by heavy flow of rain water and the water flowing from the peaks appears like hanging strings of pearl all over the mountain." 28.48

"The torrents of water flowing from the top washes the stones lying on the way and enters the caves, making peacocks shout with big tone and the pearl like water in the multicolor background of appears like a necklace of various gems." 28.49

"The fast flowing water washing the huge mountain also washes its peaks and the water falls appearing like pearl chains and collected in the lap of the caves." 28.50

"Like the pearls of broken chain during love making of the heavenly maidens, the water from the incomparable waterfalls are scattered." 28.51

"The birds understand the time for resting and reaching their nests by watching the closing of lotus flowers and opening of jasmines which indicates the sun set." 28.52

"The journeys of the kings are stopped and the army returns back because the excessive flow of water has temporarily blocked their movements." 28.53

"The month of Bhadrapada which is suitable time of study for Brahmins desirous of reciting Sama Veda has set in." 28.54

"Surely Bhārata, the king of Kosala has competed the collection of material for his store before the staring of month of Āṣāḍha and Bhārata has commenced the four month penance for Āṣāḍha." 28.55

"Due to the incoming rain water the level of Sarayu must have speedily risen up, similar to the raising in voices of cheer, when I again approach Ayodhyā." 28.56

"Due to nice qualities of the rain, Sugrīva must be enjoying, as he has won over his enemy and is with his wife." 28.57

"I have lost my wife and also banished from my kingdom and Oh Lakṣmaṇa, like a banks of a river over flown with water, I am sinking." 28.58

"My sorrow is greatly increasing because rains make it difficult to cross distances and Rāvaṇa is a great enemy and I will he would be difficult for me to defeat." 28.59

"I did not talk anything to Sugrīva about the things to be done as I thought that Sugrīva is humble and the path is impassable now, It would not be possible to do our job." 28.60

"Since Sugrīva has passed through great difficulties recently and has united with his wife after a long time and though our task is greater I did not speak to him." 28.61

"After taking some more rest Sugrīva would realize the proper time has come and I am sure Sugrīva would remember about the help done by me." 28.62

"Oh auspicious Lakṣmaṇa, I would wait for the proper time of appeasement of Sugrīva as well as all the rivers." 28.63

"A valorous man would help a man who has helped him but an ungrateful person will hurt the person who has helped him and will not help him in return." 28.64

After Rāma spoke this way, saluted him and honoured him and though about what has been told and Told Rāma who is a delight person about his auspicious opinion. 28.65

"Oh king, Oh great king, your desire would be fulfilled soon. With patience for the autumn to start and pardon this rainy season. And as soon as the water flow stops kill all your enemies." 28.66

This is the end of Twenty Eighth Sarga of Kiṣkindha Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.