Chapter 100 - Śrīrāma Goes to the City of Sugrīva

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1. Thus the saintly Brāhmaṇa eagerly took food in Rāma’s palace. Then he showered benedictions on Raghunandana and taking leave of him, departed thence.

2. When Sage Durvāsas had gone from the vicinity of Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa took the sword and spoke to Rāma:

3. “O my Lord, take this sword and slay me quickly so that your earlier vow may be fulfilled.”

4. Rāma later recollected the vow he himself had taken earlier that a person who interrupted would be killed.

5. His mind became agitated as he began pondering. His eyes became dim with tears. Like a serpent he began to heave sighs.

6. On seeing him sad-faced and heaving repeated sighs, the Son of Sumitrā who was politely standing by spoke again:

7-10. “This alone is the greatest virtue, especially in the case of kings, that words are unhesitatingly kept true. O Lord, in front of me as well as of the messenger of Devas, you had uttered thus angrily and loudly: ‘O son of Sumitrā, if I do not myself kill a person who comes near me and the messenger. I will be a greater sinner than he.’ O dear brother, I came in because I was afraid of Sage Durvāsas, though you had expressly prohibited it. Hence kill me soon.”

11. The king then consulted his ministers for a long time along with the Brāhmaṇas well-conversant with Dharmaśāstras and others who had mastered the Vedas.

12. Afterwards he spoke to Lakṣmaṇa who was standing by humbly. Rāma was then heaving sighs repeatedly. His face was drenched with tears. While he spoke, he faltered in his speech:

13-14. “O Lakṣmaṇa, you have been abandoned by me, go to another land immediately. In the case of good persons banishment and killing both are equal. I should not see you again on any account. If you wish to do what pleases me, you shall not stay in this land any more.”

15. On hearing his words, Lakṣmaṇa bowed down to him and went out of that city instantly.

16. He did not talk to anyone in the palace, either with mother, wife, son or friend.

17. Then he went to River Sarayū and entered the waters thereof. After purifying himself, he sat on the banks in a secluded but very splendid spot.

18. He adopted the posture of Padmāsana; concentrated the soul within the supreme Ātman. Thereafter he discharged (himself in) the form of Tejas (splendour) through the Brahmadvāra (cerebral aperture).

19. Rāghava saw that great Tejas going up into the sky. He was surprised and thought: ‘What could be this?’.

20. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, that fourth part of Viṣṇu, the Tejas, abandoned the mortal sphere.

21. At the very instant, Lakṣmaṇa’s physical body fell down on the ground on the splendid banks of Sarayū, devoid of all glory, like a piece of wood or a lump of clay.

22. On hearing that Lakṣmaṇa had ceased to live and his body had fallen on the river bank, Rāghava lamented miserably.

23. Along with his ministers and friends, he himself went to that place. Seeing Lakṣmaṇa fallen he lamented piteously:

24-30. “Alas! My dear one, why have you proceeded to heaven forsaking me, your dearest and most excellent brother who always abided by your suggestions?

When I proceeded to the great forest from the city I was followed by you who upheld me.

When the highly powerful Rākṣasa named Kabandha attacked at night, my wife and I were protected by you from the terrible plight.

Here he lies fallen lifeless on the ground—he by whom a Rākṣasa of such a terrible form, namely Indrajit, had been killed in battle.

He by whom the terrible demoness Śūrpaṇakhā was assailed as if for sport, at my order, has come to this state.

My brother whose might helped me to destroy demons, has fallen down here as though helpless.

Alas! My dear one, where have you gone leaving your own eldest brother who has been like your very vital airs? Has your love and affection strayed away elsewhere?”

Sūta said:

31. Thus in the company of his mothers, Raghunandana, being afflicted with great grief, lamented much.

32. On seeing the most excellent one among the scions of Raghu’s family thus lamenting in the company of the womenfolk, the ministers spoke to him:

The ministers said:

33. O great king, do not be grief-stricken like an unenlightened one. Make arrangements so that the obsequial rites may be performed.

34. Those who bewail what is lost, dead or past are foolish and silly. Bold and intelligent men treat what is lost as lost and what is dead as dead.

35-37. After saying thus the ministers got the dead body of Lakṣmaṇa smeared with sandal, Uśīra (Khus, ta frgrant root) and saffron. These were mixed with camphor, Aguru (Agallochum) and other sweet scents. The dead body was then decorated in excellent cloths and embellished with splendid flowers. A broad pyre was then made with sandal and Aguru wood. They then placed the body on it facing the South.

38. In the meantime, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, something miraculous and mysterious took place. Do listen to it even as I narrate.

39. While they placed the body on the pyre and were about to kindle the fire, the body vanished.

40. In the meantime a voice rose up in the firmament after a shower of flowers. All the quarters reverberated with the sound:

41-43. “O Rāma, O Rāma, O mighty-armed one, do not be distressed. It is not at all proper to apply fire to him (Lakṣmaṇa).

Cremation by the application of fire is not proper in regard to one endowed with the knowledge of Brahman, particularly in the case of one who has renounced the world. Burning the bodies of all Yogins is improper.

O Rāma, your brother has gone to the abode of Brahman. The highly renowned one has released his soul through the cerebral aperture.”

44-45. On hearing the aerial voice, those ministers said: “O great king, Lakṣmaṇa has attained the greatest Siddhi. He should not be grieved over. Hence, O Lord, hurry homewards.

The affairs of the state should be attended to, consult the excellent Brāhmaṇas and discuss the procedure of the obsequial rites. Do everything befitting your love for him.”

Rāma said:

46. I will not go home now without Lakṣmaṇa. I will give up my life here in the manner it had been done by that noble-souled one.

47. This honoured son of mine named Kuśa has been entrusted to you all. If you like, he may be crowned as king of the state.

48. After saying thus, Rāma felt the desire to go to heaven. But, on remembering his friend Vibhīṣaṇa he reconsidered it.

49-56. ‘I was exceedingly pleased with his great devotion. So I gave him eternal rulership over Laṅkā lasting as long as the sun, moon and stars shine.

It is generally remembered that the community of the Rākṣasas is exceedingly cruel, especially of those richly endowed with boons on the earth.

It is possible that even the noble-souled Vibhīṣaṇa may, like Rāvaṇa, antagonize Suras, as a result of his inborn Rākṣasa nature.

As in the case of his Ten-headed Brother who verily was a thorn unto all the three worlds, Devas may bring about his death through Sāma and other expedients. In that case my words will be futile and untrue. So I shall go to him and advise him that he should not offend Devas.

Further there is a second great friend, the monkey named Sugrīva. Another one is the highly esteemed Jāṃbavān. Then there is that attendant, the son of Vāyu along with the son of key named Kumuda, then Tāra. There are other

So I will have eager dialogues and consultations with them too. Thereafter, I shall go home fully satisfied that the task of Devas has been completed.’

57. After reflecting thus for a long time, he summoned Puṣpaka, the aerial chariot, got into it and hurried to the city named Kiṣkindhā.

58. The monkeys saw the remarkable splendour of Puṣpaka and knew that Rāghava had arrived. They came face to face with him.

59. From a long distance they bowed down to him and knelt before him on the ground. Then they repeatedly shouted “Be victorious.”

60. Accompanying him they entered the great city of Kiṣkindhā that had been embellished all round with excellent banners.

61. Rāma alighted from the excellent aerial chariot and hastily entered the splendid and well embellished abode of Sugrīva.

62. Seeing that Rāma was seated calmly, the monkeys duly honoured him with Arghya etc; and later asked him:

The monkeys said:

63. O Raghunandana, you appear devoid of all your remarkable splendour! You are very lean and you seem to be distressed. Wh[?] hope, everything is all right there in your abode.

64. We hope, you are physically all right. Lakṣmaṇa, your borther, who used to follow you closely is not seen near you now? What has happened to you, O Rāghava?

65. Further, your favourite wife, as dear to you as your very vital air, is not seen at your side? We are very much anxious.

Sūta said:

66. On hearing their words, Rāghava heaved a long and heavy sigh. With tears in his eyes he told them everything:

67. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, he told them why Sītā was banished and brother Lakṣmaṇa abandoned. He told them why he himself had come.

68. On hearing it, all the monkeys with Sugrīva as the chief became highly miserable and they cried. They embraced each other for consolation.

69-70. After lamenting loudly thus for a long time, they said to Raghūttama: “O king, let us be commanded. What shall be done by us?

All over the earth we are the most blessed ones, O most excellent one among the descendants of Raghu, since you have come to our abode so full of affection!”

Rāma said:

71. O Sugrīva, I will stay in your place for a night. In the morning I will be going to Laṅkā where Vibhīṣaṇa stays.

72. O most excellent one among monkeys, you should also come with me to the abode of Vibhīṣaṇa. Take the chief minister also with you.