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262
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
O vanquisher of foes, they are capable
of carrying out what you desire. O best
of men,
say what you consider appropriate
to the season."
 
तथा ब्रुवाणं सुग्रीवं रामो दशरथात्मजः ।
बाहुभ्यां संपरिष्वज्य इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
 
Rama, the son of Dasaratha, embraced
with his hands Sugriva who spoke thus
and then said these words:
 
ज्ञायतां मम वैदेही यदि जीवति वा न वा ।
सच देशो महाप्राज्ञ यस्मिन् वसति रावणः ॥
Let it be ascertained whether my Sita,
(the daughter of Janaka, king of the
Videhas) lives or not, O wise one; also
the country where Ravana lives.
 
अधिगम्य तु वैदेही निलयं रावणस्य च ।
प्राप्तकालं विधास्यामि तस्मिन् काले सह त्वया ॥
 
Alter knowing about Sita and the abode
of Ravana, I shall then, together with you,
do what is suited to the time.
 
नाहमस्मिन् प्रभुः कार्ये वानरेश न लक्ष्मणः ।
त्वमस्य हेतुः कार्यस्य प्रभुश्च प्लवगेश्वर ॥