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252
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
वागुराभिश्च पाशैश्च कूटैश्च विविधैर्नराः 1

प्रतिच्छन्नाश्च दृश्याश्च गृह्णन्ति सुबहून् मृगान् ॥
 

People catch, either concealed or openly,

many animals by various kinds of net,

noose and trap.
 

 
तस्मात्त्वं निहतो युद्धे मया बाणेन वानर ।

अयुध्यन् प्रतियुध्यन् वा यस्माच्छाखामृगो ह्यसि ॥
 

Therefore, O monkey, you were killed

by me in battle with an arrow; for,

whether not fighting or fighting indirectly,

you are only a monkey.
 

 
दुर्लभस्य च धर्मस्य जीवितस्य सुखस्य च ।

राजानो वानरश्रेष्ठ प्रदातारो न संशयः ॥
 

O best of monkeys, there is no doubt

that kings are the bestowers of righteous-

ness that is difficult to attain and of life

that is enjoyable.
 

 
तान्न हिंस्यान्न चाक्रोशेन्नाक्षिपेन्नाप्रियं वदेत् ।

देवा मनुष्यरूपेण चरन्त्येते महीतले ॥
 

Therefore, it does not behove anyone to

injure, to blame, to disregard or to speak

harshly to them. Indeed, they are gods

and walk on earth in the guise of men.