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Taen they saw the ocean—abode of Varuna—shoreless, resounding, rife with dreadful billows. Exploring the mountain fastness of Maya,* they spent the month that had been set by the king. Then sitting down at the foot of the Vindhya mountain, containing blossoming trees, at that timet those high-souled ones indulged in reflections. And beholding vernal trees bending beneath the load of flowers, and environed by hundreds of plants, they were inspired with apprehension. And each knowing that spring had appeared, they, the term apppointed for their task having run out, dropped down on the ground. Thereat, with bland words properly honoring the aged apes and the rest dwelling in the woods, that moukey having the shoulders of a lion or a bull, and plump and broad arms—the youthful prince Angada, endowed with high wisdom, spoke,—"We have come out at the mandate of the monarch of monkeys. While we sojourned in the cave, a full month had passed away, ye monkeys. epithet has been left out in the translation, as it would render the version extremely awkward.—T. * Named Rhikshavila—T. t i.e. at the beginning of winter.—T.
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of his master, began to inspire him with fear.* He, wealthy in words, laying under contribution the second of the four means,t had created division among those monkeys. On their being divided, he (Hanuman) set about raising Angada’s apprehension by various fear-fraught speech, referring to punishments. ‘“O T4r4’s son, thou art for certain more capable of fight than even thy sire; and thou art also able tu hold the monkey-kingdom as firmly as he. But, O foremust of monkeys, the monkeys are always inconstant in character. Bereft of their wives and sons, they shall not bear thy behest. And they shall never take to thee. This I tell thee in presence of ail. And I will tell thee what. Thou neither by the virtues of conciliation, charity and the rest, nor by chastisement, shalt succeed in drawing to thy side this Jambavan, or Nila, or the mighty ape Suhotra, or myself. A strong one wronging another that is weak, can live; therefere a weak person anxious for self-preservation, should never wrong (a strong individual). Thou considerest that this cave may serve for thy protectress,t having heard of it (said by Tara) ; but to rive the same is but light work for the shafts of Lakshmana. Formerly this was cleft a little by Indra, with his thunderbolt hurled (against it)§ ; but now Lakshmana would pierce it like a feaf-stalk, by means of his keen arrows. Lakshmana hath many an iron arrow like Indra’s thunderbolt or that of the sky,|] capable of riving even mountains. O subduer of enemies, soon as thou shalt set ap here, the monkeys, making up their minds, shall forsake thee. Remembering their wives and sons, ever anxious *® Touching Téra.—T. t Referred to above.—T. ~ The word meaning cave is feminine in Sanskrit.—T. § The commentator interprets the passage differently : “Formerly Indra did \little damage herein—i. e. merely slew Maya, the architect of the mansion.” Phis is ingenuity. I give the plain sense.—T. l Vajragani—Vajra is the thunder-bolt in the hand of Indra, and Apani— he thunder-bolt produced by clouds.—T. ‘
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(on account of Sugriva,, pining for domestic happiness, _and aggrieved (at their pitiable plight), they shall turn their backs upon thee. Then forsaken by thy kindred as well as friends seeking thy welfare, thou shalt be struck with affright even at a quaking blade of grass. If thou make head (against Sugriva), the sharpened shafts of Lakshmana, terrible, of exceeding impetuosity and mighty vehemence, and incapable of being baffled, shall be eager to slay thee. On the contrary, if thou in humble guise present thysclf (before him) along with us, he shall establish thee in the kingdom, in consideration of thy being the next heir. A righteous sovereign, steady in vow, clean, and truthful in promise, thy uncle, who cherishes affection for thee, shall not by any means chastise thee. And he loves thy mother, and his life is for her; aud she hath no other son. Therefore, O Angada, go along with us.”