Sarga 43: Sarga 43

On having heard the whole story, that descendant of the House of Raghu addressed the Sage Agastya and said:—

“Revered Lord, Riksharajas was the name of Sugriva and Bali’s sire but what was the name of their mother? From whence did she come and why were Bali and Sugriva so called? Do you tell me all concerning this matter.”

Thereupon the Sage Agastya answered:—

“O Rama, I shall relate everything briefly that I heard from Shri Narada when he visited my hermitage.

“Once, when that highly virtuous ascetic was journeying through the world, he came to my retreat and I paid him due homage and made him welcome.

When he was seated at his ease, being curious, I put this same question to him and he answered me, saying:—

“‘Hear me, O Great Ascetic, Foremost of the Pious, there is a mountain named Meru, which is all golden, enchanting and most beautiful. Its central peak is greatly revered by the Gods and the marvellous assembly hall of Brahma is situated there, which extends over a hundred leagues. The Four-mouthed Deity, sprung from a lotus, ever resides there and, on a certain occasion while he was practising Yoga, a few tears fell from his eyes, whereupon the Patriarch, with his hand, brushed them away allowing them to fall on the earth and from them a monkey was born.

“‘O Foremost of Men, as soon as that monkey appeared, the high-souled Brahma instructed him in sweet accents, saying:—

“‘“Do you proceed to that foremost of the mountains where the Gods perpetually dwell, O Chief of Monkeys, and subsist there on the various fruits and roots. On that enchanting mountain, you should live depending on me, O Foremost of Monkeys, living in this wise for some time, you sbalt attain prosperity.”’

“O Rama, that great monkey, offering salutations to the feet of Brahma, said to the Creator of the World:—

“‘O Lord, I shall execute your behest and live depending on You!’

“Thereafter that forest dweller immediately proceeded to the wood abounding in fruit and blossom, and there he lived on fruits, gathering honey and various blooms, returning to Brahma each evening with an offering of the most excellent fruit and flowers, which he placed at the feet of that God of Gods. In this way he spent a long time on that mountain.

“O Rama, once that great monkey, Riksharajas, was afflicted by thirst and went to the northern peak of Mount Meru where he beheld a lake ringing with the songs of a myriad birds. Shaking his neck in delight, he observed his reflection in the waters and, beholding that image, the monkey chief filled with anger and anxiety asked himself, ‘What arch enemy of mine dwells in these waters? I shall destroy the excellent abode of that vicious-souled one!’ Thinking thus within himself, that monkey, in his impetuosity, plunged into the lake and with a bound emerged once more, but as he rose from the waters, he found himself transformed into a woman, who was extremely charming, graceful and fair.

“Her waist was wide, her eyebrows symmetrical, her hair black and curly, her countenance fair and smiling, her bosom high and her beauty matchless. On the banks of that lake, she appeared enchanting, illumining the four quarters, agitating the minds of all beings and, in the Three Worlds, she was as beautiful as any. O Rama, she resembled the simple creeper, Sastilata, or Lakshmi bereft of her lotus or the pure rays of the moon or Parvati.

“At that time, Indra, the Lord of the Celestials, having worshipped the feet of Brahma, was returning by that way and the Sun-god also came thither.

“Simultaneously beholding that lovely female form, they were overcome with desire, and, their minds being in a ferment, they were wholly swept away.

“Thereupon Indra begot a son on that woman, named Bali, so-called because his seed fell on the hair of that beauty, and the Solar Deity begot another son on her, named Sugriva, who sprang from her neck.

“Those two powerful monkeys being born, Indra conferred a lasting golden chain on Bali and returned to his own abode and, having engaged Hanuman, the Wind-god’s son, in the service of Sugriva, the Sun-god too returned to the Celestial Region.

“O King, when the sun rose after that night had passed, Riksharajas resumed his own monkey shape and he gave his two highly powerful sons, those foremost of monkeys possessed of yellow eyes, able to change their shape at will, some honey like unto nectar to drink.

Thereafter, taking them with him, he went to the abode of Brahma and that God, beholding Riksharajas with his two sons, consoled him in diverse ways and issued a command to his messenger, saying:—

“‘At my behest, O Messenger, proceed to the beautiful City of Kishkindha, that large, golden and enchanting capital is worthy of Riksharajas. There thousands of Vanaras dwell, besides those who are endowed with magic powers. Inaccessible and abounding in gems, those of the four castes inhabit it, and it is pure and sacred.

“‘At my command, Vishvakarma created that celestial and enchanting City of Kishkindha, do you find an abode for Riksharajas, the foremost of the Monkeys and his sons there, and, having called the leading Plavamgamas together and received them courteously, install him on the throne. On beholding this monkey chief, gifted with intelligence, they will all become subject to him.’

“Brahma having spoken thus, the celestial messenger with Riksharajas proceeded to that most beautiful City of Kishkindha with the speed of the wind where, as commanded by Brahma, he installed Riksharajas as king.

“Thereafter, having bathed and being adorned with a crown and various ornaments, Riksharajas, with a joyful heart began to rule over the monkeys, and all the Vanaras residing on the earth, comprising the Seven Islands and bounded by the sea, became subject to him.

“Thus Riksharajas was both father and mother to Bali and Sugriva; may prosperity attend you! The learned, who listen to and cause others to hear this narrative, enhancing their delight, obtain all their desires.

“O Lord, I have duly described at length all that concerns the birth of the monkey kings and the Rakshasas.”