Hari Om.
Let us begin the forty first sarga of the kishkindhA kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
With the innumerable and raring to go vAnara army at sugrIva’s disposal, he asks rAma to define the objective of the mission. rAma defines a one liner objective – to find if sItA is alive and the abode of rAvaNa. But rAma delegated the entire execution of it to sugrIva reflecting supreme confidence in his skill and mastery. He knew that the vAnara army related to sugrIva extremely well and hence this was the best thing to do rather than he taking this upon himself. sugrIva responsibly and gladly accepted the responsibility and summoning a warrior named vinata, he ordered him to take a hundred thousand vAnaras strong battalion and begin the quest for sItA in the eastern quarter. Detailing the sequence of places that they would see in that direction with its distinct geographical and demographic features, sugrIva revealed his astounding knowledge of the geography of the earth as it was at that time. Many of the places have names that we can relate to even today. Finally, sugrIva after detailing the execution plan, stipulates that if they do not report back in a month, they shall deserve death. With that stern warning and details of the plan he sent the eastward troupe away. Onwards…
Having thus dispatched the first contingent, sugrIva then chose a illustrious team to go south in quest. The lord of vAnaras, sugrIva summoned nIla, the son of agni, hanumAn, the brilliant jAmbavAn, son of lord brahma, suhOtra, SarAri, Saragulma, gaja, gavAksha, gavaya, sushENa, vrishabha, mainda, dvivida, gandhamAdana, ulkAmukha, ananga – the two sons of agni among other valiant warriors. He appointed angada as the leader of this star studded, swift moving and valiant vAnaras and ordered them to go south in quest. He exemplified the places that they would come across in this direction that was generally trecherous and difficult to navigate. He detailed –
“Starting with the thousand peaked vindhyA, as you go south you will encounter the delightful river narmadA, abode of giant serpents and further down other lovely rivers like gOdAvarI, kRshnavENI and varadA. Please conduct your quest in the regions of mEkhala, utkala (Odisha), daSarNa, abravantI, avantI (Ujjain), vidarbha (Nagpur region), RshTikA, mAhishaka (Maheshwar, MP aka Mahishmati), vanga(Bengal), kalingA (northern Andhra Pradesh, Odisha), kaushikA, Andhra, puNDrA, chOla, pAnDyA, kErala. Scan every inch of the forests of danDaka, full of hills and caves lined with the lovely river gOdAvarI. You msut go to the hills of ayomukha (kudremukh?), which are replete with ores, lovely forests in full bloom, plenty of sandalwood trees. Close to that you will see the river containing sacred waters – the kAvErI, frequented by the groups of apsaras.
Moving further, on top of the malaya mountain, you will see the resplendent sage agastya. Take his permission to go further and with his consent, cross the river tAmraparNI infested with crocodiles. This river has several islands full of sandalwood trees and it meets the sea like a young woman meets her beloved.
सा चन्दनवनैर्दिव्यै प्रच्छन्ना द्वीपशालिनी।
कान्तेव युवति: कान्तां समुद्रमवगाहते।।4.41.18।।
Crossing the river you will see the large golden doors of the pAnDyAs (around Madurai). Soon after that you will see the mountain mahEndra in the sea placed by sage agastya. This mountain has several peaks and among them is the golden peak chitrasAnu. This is immersed in the sea and with its variety of blooms and foliage is very delightful and frequented by the gods, sages, demigods, apsaras, sidhhas, chAraNas and even lord indra visits this peak on the full moon and the new moon days. Then across the ocean, across a hundred yOjanas, very difficult to reach by humans, there is an island.
द्वीपस्तस्यापरे पारे शतयोजनमायतः।
अगम्यो मानुषैर्दीप्तस्तं मार्गध्वं समन्ततः।।4.41.24।।
Conduct your intense quest here for sItA by putting your every effort. That island belongs to the death deserving rAvaNa who is indra-like in his grandeur and glory. In the middle of that southern ocean you will encounter an ogress by name angaakaA (simhikA) who traps her prey by the shadow and swallows it.
दक्षिणस्य समुद्रस्य मध्ये तस्य तु राक्षसी।।4.41.26।।
अङ्गारकेति विख्याता छायामाकृष्य भोजिनी।
Thus you search for the illustrious wife of the resplendent king by not taking any benefit of doubt until you are absolutely certain.
एवं निस्संशयान्कृत्वा संशयान्नष्टसंशयाः।।4.41.27।।
मृगयध्वं नरेन्द्रस्य पत्नीममिततेजसः।
Beyond that, another hundred yOjanas in to the ocean lies the mountain by name pushpitaka which is the habitation of the sidhhas and chAraNas. Present amidst the lashing splashes of the ocean, this mountain with its sky-touching hills has a golden peak that is dear to the Sun and a silver peak dear to the moon. The ungrateful, violent and atheists cannot behold these peaks. Bow to these peaks in reverence and conduct your quest there.
Beyond that, another fourteen yOjanas lies the mountain sRyavAn. It is difficult to get there. After crossing that, you reach a mountain by name vaidyuta which is replete with variety of trees that bear fruits at all times. Eat these roots and fruits and enjoy plenty of honey here and go further. You will see a mountain named kunjara that is delight to the eyes. viSwakarma had built a huge mansion for sage agastya here. Further up you will see the abode of the serpents, one yOjana in width and at a height of ten yOjanas. This is a golden city studded with variety of gems. The terrifying lord of the serpents, vAsukI resides here and the place is guarded by fierce serpents that spew deadly venom. Search in and around this city called bhOgavatI. Emerging from that city you will see the gem studded mountain Rshabha. This mountain has forests where you get gOSIshaka, padmaka, hariSyama and chandana (sandalwood) which is guarded by fierce gandharvas (demi gods) named rOhitas. You will find five gandharva lords there who shine forth like the Sun and are called SailUsha, grAmaNI, Sikha, Suka and babhru. Do not touch that sandal at all.
अन्ते पृथिव्या दुर्धर्षास्तत्र स्वर्गजितः स्थिताः।
ततः परं न वस्सेव्यः पितृलोक स्सुदारुणः।।4.41.45।।
Then at the end of the earth lies the place where those who have won the heavens live. Only until this is where you can go and conduct your quest, O valiant vAnaras.
Beyond that lies the capital of the god of death – yama, enveloped in darkness and impossible to navigate. This is the land of manes where the deceased dwell. Carefully search in these places and any other places that you come across.
Whoever comes and tells me before the deadline of one month that he has seen sItA, he will enjoy the luxuries that I enjoy. No one will be dearer to me than him, not even my life and even if he commits many offences he shall be my dearest relation!
यस्तु मासान्निवृत्तोऽग्रे दृष्टा सीतेति वक्ष्यति।।4.41.48।।
मत्तुल्यविभवो भोगै स्सुखं स विहरिष्यति।
ततः प्रियतरो नास्ति मम प्राणाद्विशेषतः।।4.41.49।।
कृतापराधो बहुशो मम बन्धुर्भविष्यति।
O vAnaras, you are all exceedingly mighty, expansive in virtues and are born in great lineage. Put your efforts in such a way that you will find the princess sItA.
Here we conclude the forty first sarga of the kishkindhA kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 4.42. Quest until where the sun sets
Previous: 4.40. The quest begins with the eastern quarter
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 
