Sarga 17: The Vanaras Are Born
Vanara Utpatti
Brahma directs the gods, sages, and celestial beings to beget mighty monkey-formed warriors to aid Vishnu; Indra, Surya, Brihaspati, and others father Vali, Sugriva, Hanuman, and countless vanara heroes.
Jump to a shloka · 33 in this sarga
पुत्रत्वं तु गते विष्णौ राज्ञस्तस्य सुमहात्मन:। उवाच देवतास्सर्वास्स्वयम्भूर्भगवानिदम्।।1.17.1।।
Meaning
When Vishnu had thus obtained sonship in the household of the great King Dasaratha, the self-existent Lord Brahma himself spoke to all the gods.
सत्यसन्धस्य वीरस्य सर्वेषान्नो हितैषिण:। विष्णोस्सहायान्बलिनस्सृजध्वं कामरूपिण:।।1.17.2।।
Meaning
"For the sake of the truthful and heroic Vishnu, well-wisher of us all, create mighty helpers who can change their form at will."
मायाविदश्च शूरांश्च वायुवेगसमाञ्जवे। नयज्ञान्बुद्धिसम्पन्नान्विष्णुतुल्यपराक्रमान्।।1.17.3।। असंहार्यानुपायज्ञान् दिव्यसंहननान्वितान्। सर्वास्त्रगुणसम्पन्नानमृतप्राशनानिव।।1.17.4।। अप्सरस्सु च मुख्यासु गन्धर्वाणां तनूषु च। सृजध्वं हरिरूपेण पुत्रांस्तुल्यपराक्रमान्।।1.17.5।।
Meaning
"Let them be skilled in magic and valiant, swift as the wind, wise in policy, endowed with intellect, equal to Vishnu in prowess, indestructible, knowers of stratagem, possessed of divine constitution, versed in the use of every weapon, and tireless as those who feed on nectar. From among the foremost apsaras and the bodies of gandharvas, create sons of monkey form equal in valor."
पूर्वमेव मया सृष्टो जाम्बवानृक्षपुङ्गव:। जृम्भमाणस्य सहसा मम वक्त्रादजायत।।1.17.6।।
Meaning
"I have already, in earlier times, created the foremost bear Jambavan, who was born suddenly from my mouth as I yawned."
ते तथोक्ता भगवता तत्प्रतिश्रुत्य शासनम्। जनयामासुरेवं ते पुत्रान्वानररूपिण:।।1.17.7।।
Meaning
Thus addressed by the Lord, they accepted his command and began to beget sons in the form of monkeys.
ऋषयश्च महात्मानस्सिद्धविद्याधरोरगा:। चारणाश्च सुतान्वीरान्ससृजुर्वनचारिण:।।1.17.8।।
Meaning
The great sages, siddhas, vidyadharas, uragas, and charanas also brought forth valiant sons who ranged the forests.
वानरेन्द्रं महेन्द्राभमिन्द्रो वालिनमूर्जितम्। सुग्रीवं जनयामास तपनस्तपतां वर:।।1.17.9।।
Meaning
Indra begot the mighty lord of monkeys, Vali, resembling Mount Mahendra, and the Sun, best of luminaries, begot Sugriva.
बृहस्पतिस्त्वजनयत्तारं नाम महाहरिम्। सर्ववानरमुख्यानां बुद्धिमन्तमनुत्तमम्।।1.17.10।।
Meaning
Brihaspati begot the great monkey named Tara, most intelligent and unsurpassed among all the chief monkeys.
धनदस्य सुतश्श्रीमान् वानरो गन्धमादन:। विश्वकर्मात्वजनयन्नलं नाम महाहरिम्।।1.17.11।।
Meaning
The glorious monkey Gandhamadana was the son of Kubera, and the divine architect Vishvakarma begot the great monkey named Nala.
पावकस्य सुतश्श्रीमान् नीलोऽग्निसदृशप्रभ:। तेजसा यशसा वीर्यादत्यरिच्यत वानरान्।।1.17.12।।
Meaning
The glorious Nila, son of Agni, resembling fire in radiance, surpassed the other monkeys in splendor, fame, and courage.