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Wun Sumitra’s son, Lakshmana, had spoken thus, flaming in energy, Tara of face fair as the moon, said unto him, “O Lakshmana, thou ought not to speak thus: and this lord of monkeys does not deserve to hear this harsh speech from thy lips, in especial. Sugriva is not ungrateful, or cunning, or heartless ; nor doth he, O hero, deal in falsehood ; nor is he deceitful. Nor hath the heroic monkey, O hero, forgotten the good, incapable of being done by others in battle, that the hero, Rama, hath done in his behalf. And, O afflictor of foes, through R4&ma’s grace, Sugriva hath here attained fame and the enduring empire of the monkeys, as well as Umi and myself. Having lain down miserably before, Sugriva, now that he hath attained this supreme happiness, doth not heed his urgent duties, like the ascetic Vigwamitra. Attached unto Ghritachi, O Lakshmana, the pious and mighty ascetic, Vi¢wamitra looked upon ten years as one day; and that best of those conversant with time, Vicwdmitra of mighty energy, did not perceive that the time (for doing a certain act) had arrived. What is to be said of other people ? O Lakshmana, it behoveth Rama to forgive one who hath all the bodily exigencies, who is fatigued, and who is not satisfied with the pleasures of Kiama. Nor, O Lakshmana, doth it behove thee, without ascertaining the exact import of things, to become suddenly subject to wrath, like any inferior person. Ochief cof men, persons endowed with the quality of goodness, like unto thee, do not suffer themselves to come

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under the sway of passion, without (at first) heedfully revolving matters. I crave thy favor with concentrated mind, O thou that knowest morality. Renounce the mighty grief that springs from thy ire. This is my conviction that for compassing R&ma’s welfare, Sugriva can resign Um& and myself, and Angada, and the kingdom and wealth and corn and animals. Slaying that worst of Rakshasas, Sagriva will bring Raghava with Sitd, like unto the moon accompanied by Rohini. Without slaying hundreds, of thousands of Kotis, and thirty-six Ayutas, thousands, and hundreds of irrepressible Rakshasas wearing shapes at will, (R&ma) can not slay Ravana, by whom Maithili hath been carried away. They are incapable, O Lakshmana, of being slain (by Rama) in battle, unless he is supported (by others). Rivana is a wily warrior, and hence is the special need of Sugriva. That knowing lord of monkeys, V&li, had told me all this. I do not know how Ravana had secured this host: I say what I had heard from Vali. For rendering thee assistance, the foremost monkeys have been despatched in order to summon to the conflict numerous principal monkeys. Expecting these powerful and exceedingly strong ones, for attaining Raghava’s end, this lord of monkeys doth not (yet) sally out. Things, O Saumitri, have beforehand been so satisfactorily arranged by Sugriva, that this very day the mighty one will be joined with all those monkeys. This very day billions of bears and thousands of golangudas as well as innumerable Kotis of monkeys flaming in energy shall join thee. Therefore, O subduer of enemies, banish thy anger. Seeing this thy face wrought up with wrath, and thy eyes appearing like red sores, the wives of the best of monkeys experience no peace, and they are agitated by the fear that exercised them of late.”

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Homaty addressed in these words informed with morality, Sumitr&’s son, resuming his native mildness, accepted them. Onhis accepting the speech, the lord of monkeys like a wet cloth cast off from him the fear he had conceived on account of Lakshmana. Then Sugriva—lord of monkeys— tore away the gaudy and variegated garland on his neck— potent with many a virtue, and became deprived of energy. And that master of all the monkeys, Sugriva, gladdening Lakshmana of dreadful prowess, humbly observed unto him, “Thou son unto Sumitra, by the favor of Rama have I received back my lost luck, my fame, and this eternal monarchy of the monkeys. O king’s son, who is capable of repaying even in part an action like that of the divine (Rama) renowned by means of his own acts? By virtue of native energy, and merely with my help, the righteous Raghava shall recover Sitd and slay Ravana to boot. What need of. assistance to him who witha single shaft rived seven giant trees, a mountain, and the Earth. O Lakshmana, what is the use of help to him the sounds of whose stretching bow made the Earth tremble with her mountains ? O best of men, when that foremost of men shall set out for slaying his enemy, Ravana along with those going before him, I will follow him. If through my confidence, or presuming upon our amity, I have transgressed in any way, (R&ma) ought to excuse his servant,—for there is no servant that doth not transgress.” When the high-souled Sugriva had said this, Lakshmana became well pleased, and he spake from love,—“Having, in especial, thec endeued with humility, my brother, O monarch of monkeys, is every way strong, O Sugriva. Such is thy strength, O Sugriva, and such thy self-denial, that thou art fully worthy to enjoy the good fortune of the king of monkeys. O Sugriva, by thy help, the puissant Rama shall

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speedily slay his foe. Of this there is not the least doubt. O Sugriva, what thou, virtuous, grateful and néver turning away from fight, hast said is fit and proper. What knowing person,cxcepting, O foremost of monkeys, thyself and my elder brother, can speak so ? Resembling Rama himself in strength and prowess, thou, O chief of monkeys, hast been ordained his help by the gods. But, O hero, do thou speedily go out with me and soothe thy friend aggrieved for the ravishment of his wife. And do thou, my friend, forgive what rough speech, on hearing the utterances of Rama sunk in grief, | have given thee.”