रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा हर्षपौरुषवर्धनम्। सुग्रीवः पूजयांचक्रे राघवं प्रशशंस च॥
Hearing Rāma's words capable of enhancing joy and manliness, Sugrīva highly honoured the former and extolled him, saying.
असंशयं प्रज्वलितैस्तीक्ष्णैर्मर्मातिगैः शरैः। त्वं दहेः कुपितो लोकान् युगान्त इव भास्करः॥
Enraged, you, with your sharp and flaming shafts, capable of piercing into the vitals, canst burn up the worlds, like the sun at the universal dissolution.
वालिनः पौरुषं यत्तद् यच्च वीर्यं धृतिश्च या। तन्ममैकमनाः श्रुत्वा विधत्स्व यदनन्तरम्॥
Heedfully hearing from me of Vali's strength, prowess and fortitude, do you afterwards, ascertain what is fit.
समुद्रात् पश्चिमात् पूर्वं दक्षिणादपि चोत्तरम्। क्रामत्यनुदिते सूर्ये वाली व्यपगतक्लमः॥
Before the sun rises, Vāli can easily range the ocean from west to east and from south to north.
अग्राण्यारुह्य शैलानां शिखराणि महान्त्यपि। ऊर्ध्वमुत्पात्य तरसा प्रतिगृह्णाति वीर्यवान्॥
Ascending the tops of mountains, Vāli possessed of prowess throws up their summits, and then again swiftly holds them.
बहवः सारवन्तश्च वनेषु विविधा द्रुमाः। वालिना तरसा भग्ना बलं प्रथयताऽऽत्मनः॥
And displaying his strength, Vāli vehemently crushes in the woods various stout trees.
महिषो दुन्दुभिर्नाम कैलासशिखरप्रभः। बलं नागसहस्रस्य धारयामास वीर्यवान्॥
There was one assuming the shape of buffalo named Dundubhi, resembling in splendour the summit of Kailasa. That one possessed of prowess had the strength of an hundred elephants.
स वीर्योत्सेकदुष्टात्मा वरदानेन मोहितः। जगाम स महाकायः समुद्रं सरितां पतिम्॥
That wicked one of a gigantic body inflated by his prowess and blinded by the boon he had received once went to that lord of streams—the Sea.
ऊर्मिमन्तमतिक्रम्य सागरं रत्नसंचयम्। मम युद्धं प्रयच्छेति तमुवाच महार्णवम्॥
Passing beyond the Sea, with waves upon him, and containing heaps of gemsji e said to the mighty deep-Grant me battle.
ततः समुद्रो धर्मात्मा समुत्थाय महाबलः। अब्रवीद् वचनं राजन्नसुरं कालचोदितम्॥
Thereat the righteous-souled and mighty Ocean arose and, O king, said these words to that Asura, who had been urged by Death.
समर्थो नास्मि ते दातुं युद्धं युद्धविशारद। श्रूयतां त्वभिधास्यामि यस्ते युद्धं प्रदास्यति॥
O you that are skilled in fight, I am not competent to offer you fight; but lister to me who will tell you who shall offer the fight.
शैलराजो महारण्ये तपस्विशरणं परम्। शंकरश्वशुरो नाम्ना हिमवानिति विश्रुतः॥ महाप्रस्रवणोपेतो बहुकन्दरनिर्झरः। स समर्थस्तव प्रीतिमतुलां कर्तुमर्हति ॥
There is a monarch of mountains in a mighty forest,—the great refuge of asceticism, the worker of the weal (of all), an Asura, celebrated by the name of Himavān containing great cascades and furnished with many fountains and caves. He can compass your incomparable pleasure.
तं भीतमिति विज्ञाय समुद्रमसुरोत्तमः। हिमवद्वनमागम्य शरश्चापादिव च्युतः॥ ततस्तस्य गिरेः श्वेता गजेन्द्रप्रतिमाः शिलाः। चिक्षेप बहुधा भूमौ दुन्दुभिर्विननाद च॥
Concluding that the ocean was afraid, that foremost of Asuras, presented himself in the wood of Himavān, like a shaft shot from a bow. Thereupon Dundhubhi began to throw down many white crags resembling the foremost of elephants; and sent up shouts.
ततः श्वेताम्बुदाकारः सौम्यः प्रीतिकराकृतिः। हिमवानब्रवीद् वाक्यं स्व एव शिखरे स्थितः॥
Then resembling white clouds, mild and possessed of a pleasing shape, Himavan, stationed on the summit, spoke,
क्लेष्टुमर्हसि मां न त्वं दुन्दुभे धर्मवत्सलः। रणकर्मस्वकुशलस्तपस्विशरणो ह्यहम्॥
O Dundhubhi, O you that are attached to righteousness, it behoveth you not to distress me. I am the refuge of all those ascetics who are not expert in military arts.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा गिरिराजस्य धीमतः। उवाच दुन्दुभिर्वाक्यं क्रोधात् संरक्तलोचनः॥
Hearing those words of that intelligent lord of mountains Dundhubhi, with reddened eyes, said.
यदि युद्धेऽसमर्थस्त्वं मद्भयाद् वा निरुद्यमः। तमाचक्ष्व प्रदद्यान्मे यो हि युद्धं युयुत्सतः॥
Afraid of me and hence void of energy if you are incapable of fighting with me, do you name him who is ready to fight with me who am desirous of entering into conflict.
हिमवानब्रवीद् वाक्यं श्रुत्वा वाक्यविशारदः। अनुक्तपूर्व धर्मात्मा क्रोधात् तमसुरोत्तमम्॥
Hearing these words the virtuous-souled Himavān, skilled in speech, spoke to that great Asura, exercised with ire.
वाली नाम महाप्राज्ञ शक्रपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। अध्यास्ते वानरः श्रीमान् किष्किन्धामतुलप्रभाम्॥
O greatly wise one, there lives in Kişkindhā, of incomparable beauty, the mighty and highly graceful monkey—the son of Sakra, by name Vali.
स समर्थो महाप्राज्ञस्तव युद्धविशारदः। द्वन्द्वयुद्धं स दातुं ते नमुचेरिव वासवः॥
That mighty wise one, skilled in warfare, is capable of fighting with you on equal terms like to Namuci with Vasava.
तं शीघ्रमभिगच्छ त्वं यदि युद्धमिहेच्छसि। स हि दुर्मर्षणो नित्यं शूरः समरकर्मणि॥
Do you speedily repair to him if did you wish for a conflict. He is always expert in military exploits and is hard to repress.
श्रुत्वा हिमवतो वाक्यं कोपाविष्टः स दुन्दुभिः। जगाम तां पुरीं तस्य किष्किन्धां वालिनस्तदा ॥
Hearing Himavān's Himavān's words, Dundhubhi, inflamed with ire, went to Kişkindhā—Vāli's capital.
धारयन् माहिषं रूपं तीक्ष्णशृङ्गो भयावहः। प्रावृषीव महामेघस्तोयपूर्णो नभस्तले॥ ततस्तु द्वारमागम्य किष्किन्धाया महाबलः। ननर्द कम्पयन् भूमिं दुन्दुभिर्दुन्दुभिर्यथा॥
Assuming the figure of a terrible buffalo, with sharpened horns like to a cloud big with water, ranging on the sky in the rainy season, and approaching the gate of Kişkindhā that highly powerful one set up a terrible roar, shaking the earth like to the sound of a kettle-drum.
समीपजान् दुमान् भञ्जन् वसुधां दारयन् खुरैः। विषाणेनोल्लिखन् दर्पात् तद्द्वारं द्विरदो यथा॥
Like to an elephant he felled, out of haughtiness, the trees around, and rent the earth with his hoofs scraping it with his horns.
अन्तःपुरगतो वाली श्रुत्वा शब्दममर्षणः। निष्पपात सह स्त्रीभिस्ताराभिरिव चन्द्रमाः॥
Vāli was in the female-apartment at that time, and unable to bear the sound came out with his wives like to the Moon with stars.
मितं व्यक्ताक्षरपदं तमुवाच स दुन्दुभिम्। हरीणामीश्वरो वाली सर्वेषां वनचारिणाम्॥
Thereupon thạt lord of monkeys and other wild anànals, spoke openly to Dundhubhi, saying,
किमर्थं नगरद्वारमिदं रुद्ध्वा विनर्दसे। दुन्दुभे विदितो मेऽसि रक्ष प्राणान् महाबल॥
O Dundhubhi, obstructing this my city-gate, why did you set up a terrible roar? Did you know my mighty strength? Do you save your own life.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा वानरेन्द्रस्य धीमतः। उवाच दुन्दुभिर्वाक्यं क्रोधात् संरक्तलोचनः॥
Hearing those words of that intelligent lord of monkeys, Dundhubhi, with reddened eyes spoke.
न त्वं स्त्रीसंनिधौ वीर वचनं वक्तुमर्हसि। मम युद्धं प्रयच्छाद्य ततो ज्ञास्यामि ते बलम्॥
O hero, it becomes you not to speak thus before your wives. Do you enter into conflict with me and your prowess shall be ascertained thereafter.
अथवा धारयिष्यामि क्रोधमद्य निशामिमाम्। गृह्यतामुदयः स्वैरं कामभोगेषु वानर ॥
Or I shall suppress my wrath for this night and do you, O monkey, enjoy till the rise of the Sun.
दीयतां सम्प्रदानं च परिष्वज्य च वानरान्। सर्वशाखामृगेन्द्रस्त्वं संसाधय सुहृज्जनम् ॥
Embracing all the monkeys, inviting all your friends, do you, that are the lord of the monkey herds, honour them with gifts.
सुदृष्टां कुरु किष्किन्धां कुरुष्वात्मसमं पुरे। क्रीडस्व च समं स्त्रीभिरहं ते दर्पशासनः॥
Do you survey Kişkindhã and make your children kings. And do you enjoy with your wives-it is me that shall crush down your pride.
यो हि मत्तं प्रमत्तं वा भग्नं वा रहितं कृशम्। हन्यात् सं भ्रूणहा लोके त्वद्विधं मदमोहितम्॥
He, who destroyeth a person who is given up to drinking, reckless, emaciated and deprived of weapons, and one like you, sunk in the abyss of voluptuousness, committeth the sin consequent upon the destruction of an embryo,
स प्रहस्याब्रवीन्मन्दं क्रोधात् तमसुरेश्वरम्। विसृज्य ताः स्त्रियः सर्वास्ताराप्रभृतिकास्तदा॥
Where to replied Vāli, laughing, to that wicked lord of Asuras, leaving aside all his wives, headed by Tārā.
मत्तोऽयमिति मा मंस्था यद्यभीतोऽसि संयुगे। मदोऽयं सम्प्रहारेऽस्मिन् वीरपानं समर्थ्यताम्॥
If you are not afraid of fighting, do not consider me as one given up to drinking only. Do you regard this my attachment as a draught in this conflict, to be drunk by the heroes.
तमेवमुक्त्वा संक्रुद्धो मालामुत्क्षिप्य काञ्चनीम्। पित्रा दत्तां महेन्द्रेण युद्धाय व्यवतिष्ठत॥
Saying this, Vāli, taking his golden garland, conferred on him by his father Mahendra, addressed himself for the conflict.
विषाणयोर्गृहीत्वा तं दुन्दुभिं गिरिसंनिभम्। आविध्यत तथा वाली विनदन् कपिकुञ्जरः॥
Holding him by the horns, Vāli, that lord of monkeys, setting up a terrible roar, hurled Dundhubhi resembling a mountain.
बलाद् व्यापादयांचक्रे ननदं च महास्वनम्। श्रोत्राभ्यामथ रक्तं तु तस्य सुस्राव पात्यतः॥
Alha beliowing a thundering voice, Vali crushed (him) down. And blood began to trickle down from the pores of his ears.
तयोस्तु क्रोधसंरम्भात् परस्परजयैषिणोः। युद्धं समभवद् घोरं दुन्दुभेलिनस्तथा।॥
Both of them desired to subdue each other and thus there arose a terrible conflict between Vali and Dundhubhi.
अयुध्यत तदा वाली शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमः। मुष्टिभिर्जानुभिः पद्भिः शिलाभिः पादपैस्तथा॥
Thereupon fought Väli equalling Śakra in prowess, by fists knees, legs, stones and trees.
परस्परं घ्नतोस्तत्र वानरासुरयोस्तदा। आसीद्धीनोऽसुरो युद्धे शक्रसूनुर्व्यवर्धत ॥
Thus there was a skirmish between the monkey chief and the Asura. And in this conflict Asura's strength was greatly reduced, while that of Sakra's son was highly enhanced.
तं तु दुन्दुभिमुद्यम्य धरण्यामभ्यपातयत्। युद्धे प्राणहरे तस्मिन्निष्पिष्टो दुन्दुभिस्तदा॥
Holding up Dundubhi he threw him on the ground. And in that dreadful skirmish Dundhubhi was greatly reduced.
स्रोतोभ्यो बहु रक्तं तु तस्य सुस्राव पात्यतः। पपात च महाबाहुः क्षितौ पञ्चत्वमागतः॥
There was a profusion of blood falling from the ears of that one crushed down. Thereupon that one of mighty arms fell down to the earth and breathed his last.
तं तोलयित्वा बाहुभ्यां गतसत्त्वमचेतनम्। चिक्षेप वेगवान् वाली वेगेनैकेन योजनम्॥
And taking up with his arms that lifeless one, the mighty Vāli hurled him with great force at distance of a Yojana.
तस्य वेगप्रविद्धस्य वक्त्रात् क्षतजबिन्दवः। प्रपेतुर्मारुतोत्क्षिप्ता मतङ्गस्याश्रमं प्रति॥
While thus thrown down by force, drops of blood, falling from his mouth, driven by the wind, fell upon the asylum of the great Saint Matanga.
तान् दृष्ट्वा पतितांस्तत्र मुनिः शोणितविपुषः। क्रुद्धस्तस्य महाभाग चिन्तयामास को न्वयम्।॥
O great one, beholding the drops of blood there, the great ascetic, angered, thought within himself-Who might be the author of this sprinkling of blood?
येनाहं सहसा स्पृष्टः शोणितेन दुरात्मना । कोऽयं दुरात्मा दुर्बुद्धिरकृतात्मा च बालिशः॥
Who is that wicked-souled, vicious-minded, stupid person, who has all on a sudden sprinkled me with blood?
इत्युक्त्वा स विनिष्क्रम्य ददृशे मुनिसत्तमः। महिषं पर्वताकारं गतासुं पतितं भुवि।।५१ ।
Saying this, that best of saints issued out (of the hermitage) and surveyed a lifeless buffalo lying on the earth, like to a huge mountain.
स तु विज्ञाय तपसा वानरेण कृतं हि तत्। उत्ससर्ज महाशापं क्षेप्तारं वानरं प्रति ॥
And apprehending by virtue of his asceticism, that this has been committed by a monkey, he imprecated a mighty curse on the perpetrator (of that iniquitous deed).
इह तेनाप्रवेष्टव्यं प्रविष्टस्य वधो भवेत्। वनं मत्संश्रयं येन दूषितं रुधिरस्रवैः॥
He shall not enter here who has spoiled the sanctity of my forest with showers of blood. And surely he shall be killed (on entering).
क्षिपता पादपाश्चेमे सम्भग्नाश्चासुरी तनुम्। समन्तादाश्रमं पूर्ण योजनं मामकं यदि॥
Forsooth shall that wicked one cease to exist if he strideth within a Yojana around my asylum, who has felled these trees by throwing the body of the Asura.
आगमिष्यति दुर्बुद्धिर्व्यक्तं स न भविष्यति। ये चास्य सचिवाः केचित् संश्रिता मामकं वनम्॥ न च तैरिह वस्तव्यं श्रुत्वा यान्तु यथासुखम्। तेऽपि वा यदि तिष्ठन्ति शपिष्ये तानपि ध्रुवम्॥
His counsellors or any one related to him, who shall resort to this my forest (shall meet with the self-same fate). They shall not live here; hearing this from me let them take their own ways. And even if they live here, forsooth, shall I curse them too.
वनेऽस्मिन् मामके नित्यं पुत्रवत् परिरक्षिते। पत्राङ्कुरविनाशाय फलमूलाभवाय च॥
This my forest is being protected by me every day like to my own son—and the monkeys are always used to destroy its leaves, trees and roots.
दिवसश्चाद्य मर्यादा यं द्रष्टा श्वोऽस्मि वानरम्। बहुवर्षसहस्राणि स वै शैलो भविष्यति ॥
Forgive them I to-day-but if I find any tomorrow, he shall be turned into stone for many thousand years.
ततस्ते वानराः श्रुत्वा गिरं मुनिसमीरिताम्। निश्चक्रमुर्वनात् तस्मात् तान् दृष्ट्वा बालिरब्रवीत्॥
Hearing those words of the saint, the monkey herd issued out (of the forest). And beholding them (coming out of the forest) Vāli spoke.
किं भवन्तः समस्ताश्च मतङ्गवनवासिनः। मत्समीपमनुप्राप्ता अपि स्वस्ति वनौकसाम्॥
Why have you all-the dwellers of the Matanga forest approached me-Is it all well with you?
ततस्ते कारणं सर्वं तथा शापं च वालिनः। शशंसुर्वानराः सर्वे वालिने हेममालिने॥
Thereupon they related to Vāli, wearing a golden garland, the cause of the Saint's curse by him and other monkeys.61
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तदा वाली वचनं वानरेरितम्। स महर्षि समासाद्य याचते स्म कृताञ्जलिः॥
Hearing those words, Vāli approached that great ascetic and solicited him with folded hands.
महर्षिस्तमनादृत्य प्रविवेशाश्रमं प्रति। शापधारणभीतस्तु वाली विह्वलतां गतः॥
Disregarding him, the ascetic entered into his asylum and Vāli was overwhelmed with the fear of curse.
ततः शापभयाद् भीतो ऋष्यमूकं महागिरिम्। प्रवेष्टुं नेच्छति हरिद्रष्टुं वापि नरेश्वर ॥ तस्याप्रवेशं ज्ञात्वाहमिदं राम महावनम्। विचरामि सहामात्यो विषादेन विवर्जितः॥
O Lord of men, afraid of the curse that monkey chief purposed to repair to the mount Rş yamuka. Knowing for certain, O Rāma, that he shall not enter this forest, I have been living here with my ministers, devoid of fear and grief.
एषोऽस्थिनिचयस्तस्य दुन्दुभेः सम्प्रकाशते। वीर्योत्सेकानिरस्तस्य गिरिकूटनिभो महान्॥
Here is the collection of Dundhuvi's bones, killed on account of his own haughtiness, resembling a huge mountain.
इमे च विपुलाः सालाः सप्त शाखावलम्बिनः। यत्रैकं घटते वाली निष्पत्रयितुमोजसा ॥
These are the seven huge Sāla trees, clothed in branches, which Vāli could simultaneously divest of leaves by virtue of his prowess.
एतदस्यासमं वीर्यं मया राम प्रकाशितम्। कथं तं वालिनं हन्तुं समरे शक्ष्यसे नृप॥
I have related to you, O Rāma, the incomparable prowess of his. Do you tell me now, O hero, how canst you destroy him in the conflict?
तथा ब्रुवाणं सुग्रीवं प्रहसँल्लक्ष्मणोऽब्रवीत्। कस्मिन् कर्मणि निवृत्ते श्रद्दध्या वालिनो वधम्॥
Unto Sugrīva speaking thus, Lakşmaņa smiling replied:-Performing what shall you confide in (Rāma's ability) to destroy Vāli?
तमुवाचाथ सुग्रीवः सप्त सालानिमान् पुरा। एवमेकैकशो वाली विव्याधाथ स चासकृत्॥ रामो निर्दारयेदेषां बाणेनैकेन च दुमम्। वालिनं निहतं मन्ये दृष्ट्वा रामस्य विक्रमम्॥ हतस्य महिषस्यास्थि पादेनैकेन लक्ष्मण। उद्यम्य प्रक्षिपेच्चापि तरसा द्वे धनुःशते ॥
Thereupon Sugrīva bespake him-These seven Sāla trees, before you, the mighty Vāli, formerly pierced, all at a time, with one shaft. If Rāma can aim at one of these only with one arrow and if he can, O Laksmana, throw the bones of this dead buffalo at a distance of two hundred bows-I shall consider Vali slain.
एवमुक्त्वा तु सुग्रीवो रामं रक्तान्तलोचनः। ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं काकुत्स्थं पुनरेव वचोऽब्रवीत्॥
Having addressed Rāma thus, Sugrīva, having blood-red eyes, thought aside for a moment and again spoke to Kākutstha.
शूरश्च शूरमानी च प्रख्यातबलपौरुषः। बलतान् वानरो ट ली संयुगेष्वपराजितः॥
He is heroic and proud of his prowess-his heroism and strength are known all over the world. He is a mighty monkey and incapable of being repressed in a battle.
दृश्यन्ते चास्य कर्माणि दुष्कराणि सुरैरपि। यानि संचिन्त्य भीतोऽहमृष्यमूकमुपाश्रितः॥
His actions are such as are above the power of the celestials. Revolving them within myself and terrified I have repaired to this mount Rșyamuka.
तमजय्यमधृष्यं च वानरेन्द्रममर्षणम्। विचिन्तयन्नमुं चापि ऋष्यमूकममुं त्वहम्॥
And thinking of that lord of monkeys, unconquerable and irrepressible I dare not leave this Rsymuka.
उद्विग्नः शङ्कितश्चाहं विचरामि महावने। अनुरक्तैः सहामात्यैर्हनुमत्प्रमुखैवरैः॥
And exercised with fear and anxiety, therefore, I have been wandering in this mighty forest along with my devoted counsellors, headed by Hanumān.
उपलब्धं च मे श्लाघ्यं सन्मित्रं मित्रवत्सल। त्वामहं पुरुषव्याघ्र हिमवन्तमिवाश्रितः॥
And having secured in you a worthy and sincere friend, O best of men, O you that are loving to your friends, I have taken your shelter like to Himăvat himself.
किं तु तस्य बलज्ञोऽहं दुर्धातुर्बलशालिनः। अप्रत्यक्षं तु मे वीर्यं समरे तव राघव। ७९ ।।
Cognizant am í of the prowess of my highly powerful and wicked brother, but I have never witnessed thine in a conflict, O Raghava.
न खल्वहं त्वां तुलये नावमन्ये न भीषये। कर्मभिस्तस्य भीमैश्च कातर्य जनितं मम॥
I do not compare you with Vāli, nor do I disregard or frighten you—forsooth have I greatly been alarmed by his terrible actions.
कामं राघव ते वाणी प्रमाणं धैर्यमाकृतिः। सूचयन्ति परं तेजो भस्मच्छन्नमिवानलम्॥
O Rāghava, your words, patience and figure are the proofs of your heroism—truly do they bespeak of your valour like to fire hidden by ashes.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवस्य महात्मनः । स्मितपूर्वमथो रामः प्रत्युवाच हरिं प्रति॥
Hearing those words of the high-souled Sugrīva, Rāma, smiling, spoke to that monkey, saying.
यदि न प्रत्ययोऽस्मासु विक्रमे तव वानर। प्रत्ययं समरे श्लाघ्यमहमुत्पादयामि ते॥
O monkey, if you does not confide in my valour, soon shall I create your confidence about my war-like abilities.
एवमुक्त्वा तु सुग्रीवं सान्त्वयँल्लक्ष्मणाग्रजः। राघवो दुन्दुभेः कायं पादाङ्गुष्ठेन लीलया।1८४।। तोलयित्वा महाबाहुश्चिक्षेप दशयोजनम्। असुरस्य तनुं शुष्कां पादाङ्गुष्ठेन वीर्यवान्॥
Having thus addressed Sugrīva and consoling him, the highly powerful Raghava, of mighty arms-Laksmana's elder brother, lifting up easily with his thumb the dried frame of that Asura-Dundhubhi-hurled it at a distance of ten Yojanas.
क्षिप्तं दृष्ट्वा ततः कायं सुग्रीवः पुनरब्रवीत्। लक्ष्मणस्याग्रतो रामं तपन्तमिव भास्करम्। हरीणामग्रतो वीरमिदं वचनमर्थवत्॥
Beholding that Asura's body thrown thus, Sugrīva, again addressed to the heroic Rāma, before Lakşmaņa and the monkey herd, the following pregnant words.
आर्द्रः समांसः प्रत्यग्रः क्षिप्तः कायः पुरा सखे। परिश्रान्तेन मत्तेन भ्रात्रा मे वालिना तदा॥
Friend, formerly this body was wet and corpulent, and it was thrown with great difficulty by my brother Vāli, mad with voluptuousness.
लघुः सम्प्रति निर्मांसस्तृणभूतश्च राघव । क्षिप्त एवं प्रहर्षेण भवता रघुनन्दन॥
And O Rāghava, it is now divested of flesh and hence light like to grass and consequently it has been hurled by you with ease, O descendant of Raghu.
नात्र शक्यं बलं ज्ञातुं तव वा तस्य वाधिकम्। आर्दै शुष्कमिति ह्येतत् सुमहद् राघवान्तरम्॥
And unable am I to ascertain who is the mightier? There is a good deal of difference, O Rāghava, between a body, wet and dried.
स एव संशयस्तात तव तस्य च यद्बलम्। सालमेकं विनिर्भिद्य भवेद् व्यक्तिर्बलाबले॥
There is still doubt, O worshipful one, which of you is the mightier? Truly shall your strength be manifested in the piercing of one of these Sala trees.
कृत्वैतत् कार्मुकं सज्यं हस्तिहस्तमिवापरम्। आकर्णपूर्णमायम्य विसृजस्व महाशरम्॥
Having stringed your bow like to the trunk of an elephant and stretching it to your ears, do you shoot this mighty arrow.
इमं हि सालं प्रहितस्त्वया शरो न संशयोऽत्रास्ति विदारयिष्यति। अलं विमर्शेन मम प्रियं ध्रुवं कुरुष्व राजन् प्रतिशापितो मया॥
Doubt there is none that this arrow flung by you shall bore this Sāla tree. There is no need of discussion any more; do you perform, O king, what do you think proper for me, contracted, as you had, friendship with me, with a solemn vow.
र्यथा हि शैलो हिमवान् महाद्रिषु। स्तथा नराणामसि विक्रमे वरः॥
Like to the sun among the planets, like to the Himālaya among the mountains, like to the lion among the quadrupeds you are the foremost of men in prowess.