s: That face, whose lips with tones so clear


s: Ne’er can the dame have passed this way:


s: To streamlets where the wild flowers grow,


s: Where blooming boughs are gay and sweet,


s: The worlds have naught concealed from thee.


s: “I searched, but found her not,” he cried;


s: That the bright stream his cry would hear


s: “Though I have sought with tears and sighs


s: Though from my realm and home expelled,—


s: Would soothe me, if it could, with speech.”


s: Thus while hot tears his utterance broke


s: And toward that point their way pursued.


s: Then Lakshmaṇ watched their looks intent


s: And marked each sign which struck his sense


s: See, to the south their looks they bend.


s: Have spared these flowers my soul to please.”


s: In some sweet spot with trees o’ergrown,—


s: Would scorch them with his glance of fire;


s: The fiends who wear each strange disguise


s: Have seized, I ween, the helpless prize.


s: Whose, Lakshmaṇ, was this bloom-wreathed shade


s: Whose hideous forms are stained with gore


s: Whose these spent shafts at random spread,


s: These quivers see, which, rent in twain,


s: His hands the whip and reins still hold.


s: The troubled stars from heaven shall fall,


s: The fire be quenched, the wind be stilled,


s: Crushed every mountain’s towering pride,


s: From the fierce storm my bowstring sends.


s: Red grew his eyes, his fierce lips swelled.


s: Strained the great string, and laid thereon


s: In whose sweet form is naught to blame,—


s: Fair with bright teeth and perfect mould,


s: Who marked the ground with hoof and wheel,


s: For kings should use the sword they bear,


s: Throughout this world who would not blame


s: The wretch who stole thy spouse from thee.


s: Of gold-bright shafts thy foes o’erpower,


s: With words like these the chief addressed:


s: This grief which fills thee with despair,


s: What man who breathes is free from grief?


s: And those twin lights, the world’s great eyes,


s: Their brilliance till their fires grow pale?


s: Spend not their hours in ceaseless sighs;


s: Faint light by chequered lives is shown;


s: Put forth that noblest strength, thine own.


s: Great chiefs like thee, the best of men,


s: Roams through the wood that round us lies.


s: But my keen shafts whose flight is true,


s: Shall pierce the ravenous monster through.”


s: And burning tears both brothers showered,


s: “Where is my spouse than life more dear?


s: See, Lakshmaṇ, how his wounds have bled;


s: His struggling breath will soon have fled.


s: How looked the lady’s moon-bright cheek?


s: His strength, his might, his deeds declare:


s: Bright trees of gold with hair of grass,


s: Thus spoke the bird, and stained with gore


s: The years in lengthened course have fled


s: Their hearts with new-found comfort stayed,


s: They turned their footsteps to the west.


s: Through lonely woods that round them lay


s: Thick trees and shrubs and creepers grew


s: They made their way with vigorous force,


s: Within the wood of Krauncha(515) passed:


s: Filled with all birds and beasts, where grew


s: Through all the mighty wood they sought,


s: Passed Krauncha’s wood and reached the grove


s: Where deer and wild birds filled each glade,


s: The prince in words like these addressed:


s: And the sharp steel that quelled his foes


s: Cut through her breast and ear and nose.


s: Its limbs were clothed with bristling hair,


s: Deep in his chest, long, fiercely bright,


s: A league in length, he raised and spread.


s: That struck the trembling eye with fear.


s: Though strong of arm and fierce in fight,


s: A chief like thee should scorn despair.”


s: With swords and bows and shafts to pierce,


s: Like bulls whose horns are strong and fierce.


s: Whose cheek by blanching fear was dried:


s: Ne’er can the brave and strong, who know


s: Thus in calm strength which naught could shake


s: Come, rouse thee; let the vengeful sword


s: They, skilled due time and place to note


s: Unsheathed their glittering swords and smote,


s: With fortune’s favouring marks, addressed,


s: With headless trunk that towered so high,


s: And the great world with trembling shook.


s: Prayed that the curse at length might cease,


s: And then shalt thou, set free from doom,


s: I wear this form which scares the sight.


s: And straight my head and thighs compressed


s: “Thy prayers and cries,” he said “are vain:


s: With shattered face and thighs and head?”


s: Round woodland creatures as they passed,


s: From thy huge bulk those arms shall cleave,


s: Could cleave my arms with trenchant stroke:


s: Our hands shall bring the boughs that, dry


s: Who stole my spouse, his dwelling where.


s: For through that curse’s withering taint


s: Through western skies his course have run,


s: Through all the spheres his ways have been.”


s: Then from the pyre, like flame that glows


s: Make, best of friends, that chief thy friend.


s: With four great chieftains, faithful still,


s: Drove forth the prince in woods to stray.


s: Of boundless strength, all shapes he wears,


s: Where those fair trees which charm the view,


s: Where their bright leaves Rose-apples show,


s: With flowering trees, your course direct.


s: Where trees whose sprays with fruit are bowed


s: There, when you list, from time to time,


s: And eat the meal his hands have dressed,


s: And Lakshmaṇ’s hand shall give thee drink,


s: Will Lakshmaṇ through the woodland stray,


s: Loud-voiced as bulls they forth will burst


s: And seek the flood, oppressed by thirst;


s: Then rest a while, their wants supplied,


s: There shalt thou mark with strange delight


s: Each loveliest flower that blooms by night,


s: Those peerless flowers in wreaths shall twine:


s: Ne’er fade those blooms and ne’er are dried.


s: Thence sprang and bloomed those wondrous trees:


s: Thus, from the hermits’ heat-drops sprung,


s: Through many an age those trees have stood


s: Through shades where birds are vocal stray,


s: Stands Rishyamúka’s wood-crowned height.


s: Their temples stained with streams like blood,


s: Whose soft skins show the sapphire’s hue,


s: Gleams with broad waters fresh and cool,


s: And thick trees shade the grassy ground.


s: Begin,” they cried, “thy heavenward way.”


s: Welcomed them both and pressed their feet.


s: Thy faithful heart due fruit has brought.”


s: Shall through thy grace in bliss repose.


s: To those blest worlds which ne’er decay.”


s: Fruits of each sort which woods supply,—


s: Dark as thick clouds and filled with herds


s: Still keeps their well-loved altar bright,


s: And those seven neighbouring lakes behold


s: The tender spray, this bright-hued flower


s: With which the saints their worship paid,


s: They marvelled as her words they praised.


s: Then like the fire that burns and glows,


s: Where roam high saints with spirits pure


s: O’er the strange scenes their eyes had viewed.


s: “Mine eyes this wondrous home have viewed


s: Of those great saints with souls subdued,


s: That this our quest have prosperous end.”


s: Which streams from distant hills supplied:


s: There bathed he from the shelving shore.


s: And all bright trees their blossoms showed.


s: With lovely groves were fringed and lined.


s: There glittering fish and tortoise played,


s: Each tree with creeper, flower, and spray.


s: Here sweet buds showed their tints of blue:


s: “Here, Lakshmaṇ, on this beauteous shore,


s: With flowery trees that crown each height.


s: Sprung from the chief who, famed of yore,


s: Dwells on that mountain’s towering head.


s: Through shades where every bird was found


s: With troubled heart and sense o’erthrown


s: But thought of Bharat’s(523) pain and toil,


s: Where cool fresh waters charm the sight,


s: What loads of bloom the high trees crown,


s: And fruit and flowers and trees are fair.


s: Those waving woods, that shine with bloom,


s: Like labouring clouds they pour their showers


s: Through all their quivering sprays the trees


s: The clustering blooms that load the sprays,


s: Love strikes me through with darts of fire,


s: One morn in spring this shrill-toned bird,


s: There the glad wild-cock flaps his wings.


s: And gardens bloom at spring’s sweet touch


s: Fanned by the charms the spring time shows,


s: My soul o’erwhelmed with thoughts of gloom.


s: The peacocks dance(527) in frantic glee,


s: And, stirred by all the gales that blow,


s: Touched with like grief, and mourn with me.


s: Knows not the touch of spring’s sweet time.


s: That dark-winged bird that sought the skies


s: Darts at the wind-rocked Tila tree.(530)


s: Where blooms are bright and grass is green


s: The Kinnars(531) with their loves are seen.


s: See, brother, see where sweet and bright


s: The rippling waves which winds make fleet


s: Their fragrant dust is stained with all.


s: The wind-rocked trees to which she clings,


s: These gay trees wave their branches bent


s: While each to each proud challenge flings


s: O’er the soft turf which decks the glade,


s: Each craving thought were sweetly stilled,


s: Those trees which make the woods so gay,


s: Sweet rill, the wildfowl’s loved resort,


s: And tall deer love their thirst to slake,


s: My troubled breast with grief they fill,


s: If in those glades where, touched by spring,


s: And this cool breeze that stirs the rill


s: Touched with its gentle breath the brows


s: With sweets from where the lilies bloom!


s: For that dear face with whose bright eye


s: For earth, though cooled by wandering streams,


s: Then shall the fiend, though far he fly,


s: Thy heart with strength and courage stay,


s: And thou once more thy spouse shalt win.


s: Crushed in his heart the maddening pain,


s: They sought the hermit’s sacred home(537)


s: What hope in flight, what power to stand,


s: Addressed his lords in words like these:


s: “Those chiefs with wandering steps invade


s: Their course the same, with desperate leap


s: Each heart was struck with mortal dread,


s: While trees that crowned the steep were bent


s: But, skilled in words that charm and teach,


s: That loves from thought to thought to range,


s: Equipped with swords and shafts and bows,


s: With secret thoughts they watch their time,


s: And wound fond hearts that fear no crime.


s: And, less than king, their purpose learn.


s: Where Raghu’s son and Lakshmaṇ stood.(541)


s: While you, for strength and valour dread,


s: How have you reached, like Gods in face,


s: With tresses coiled in hermit guise,(544)


s: As Gods who leave their heavenly sphere,


s: The Lords of Day and Night(545) might thus


s: Your arms, unmatched for grace and length,


s: Your smooth bows decked with dyes and gold


s: Sent by the king have sought this place,


s: The whole Rig-veda(547) needs must know,


s: That wondrous speech that charmed the heart,


s: That speech, with consonants that spring


s: And hope that league with them would bring


s: Kept the four castes(550) from scathe and wrong.


s: Through his wide realm his will was done,


s: Then Diti’s son(553) who, cursed of yore,


s: And sought the heaven his deeds had won.


s: Thine ears have heard whate’er has past.


s: The prince whose arm bright glory gained,


s: O’er the whole earth as monarch reigned,


s: Through realms below and earth and skies,


s: With piteous tears, thus sighed and sued.


s: Then, trained in all the arts that guide


s: Bright gleams of joy his cheek o’erspread


s: To these great chiefs who seek thine aid.”


s: Thus spake the Vánar prince, and, stirred


s: He spoke, and joy thrilled Ráma’s breast;


s: Then, wood with wood engendering,(554) came


s: With wreaths of flowers and worship graced.


s: Thus in the bliss that thrilled his breast


s: Still find their trust with fruit repaid.


s: These shafts which sunlike flash and burn,


s: Each swift of flight and sure and dread,


s: The league was struck, a league to bring


s: Through her left eye quick throbbings shot,(557)


s: But soon, dear Prince, thy heart shall be


s: Saints, fiends, and dwellers of the skies


s: Bore swiftly through the clouds o’erhead


s: Like helpless queen of serpent race,(559)


s: Shrieking thine own and Lakshmaṇ’s name.


s: These will I bring: perchance thine eyes


s: Impelled by love that stirred each thought


s: While the quick pants that shook his frame


s: Where the young grass was soft and green;


s: Like troubles, too, mine eyes have seen,


s: And sweet words soothed the mourner’s heart,


s: Has been performed, dear friend, by thee.


s: Deem not those words, that seemed to spring


s: Yea, by my truth, dear friend, I swear.”


s: Leagued, friend, with thee in bold emprise


s: Strong is the changeless bond that binds


s: They count as wealth for friends to share.


s: Stained with each fault or pure of blame,


s: Their friends the nearest place may claim;


s: For whom they leave, at friendship’s call,


s: Their gold, their bliss, their homes and all.”


s: From whose dark shade a bough, that bore


s: Strewn with the young leaves of the bough,


s: Whose points so fiercely flash and shine,


s: From dark woods known by Skanda’s name,(561)


s: Like Indra’s bolts they strike and burn.


s: Friend communes now with friend, and hence


s: For sobs and sighs he scarce could speak,


s: As, while his eyes with tears o’erflowed,


s: Wiped his bright eyes, his grief subdued,


s: And thus, more calm, his speech renewed:


s: Rest when their chieftain rests and bend


s: Whence sprang fraternal strife and hate,


s: Each foeman’s strength and weakness weigh:


s: The cause that moved their strife he told:


s: And, shouting through the shades of night,


s: I mourned, by doubt and fear distressed,


s: And, fired with rage, his eyes grew red.


s: And spoke keen words to taunt and sting.


s: My brother’s rage with ease had quelled,


s: For claims of birth, the thought I checked.


s: “Well art thou come, dear lord,” I cried.


s: And let the chouries,(566) thus restored,


s: This town with people, lords, and lands,


s: “Out on thee, wretch!” in wrath he cried


s: Poured forth his blood with roar and yell;


s: Then, free once more, the path that brought


s: “These shafts of mine which ne’er can fail,


s: Shall live that wretch who joys in wrong,


s: His eye grew bright, his heart grew bold,


s: “I doubt not, Prince, thy peerless might,


s: Armed with these shafts so keen and bright,


s: “Come forth, O King, and fight with me.”


s: The righteous(567) monarch heaved his head,


s: “Not mine, not mine the power,” he cried,


s: Whose child is Śankar’s darling queen,(568)


s: Deep caves has he, and dark boughs shade


s: He deemed that fear checked ocean’s king,


s: Son of the God who rules the skies,(570)


s: While red with rage his eyeballs burned:


s: “What! speak when all thy dames are nigh


s: And then my strength thy pride shall tame


s: For, should I smite thee drunk with wine


s: “Me, fiend, thou deemest drunk with wine:


s: Then fiercely dragged him round and round,


s: And, shouting, hurled him to the ground.


s: He fought with fists, and feet, and knees,


s: At last the monster’s strength, assailed


s: By Śakra’s(572) conquering offspring, failed.


s: Some blood-drops, caught by gales that blew,


s: Fierce anger filled his soul with flame:


s: A stone through countless years shall be.”


s: Which drove them from their ancient shade.


s: “What show of power, what proof and test


s: May still the doubts that fill thy breast?”


s: Would strike its tree and pierce it through.


s: Grasped by a foot and hurled through air,


s: Have seen what strength in war is thine,


s: Doubt thy great might, despise, compare,


s: Speech, form, and trust which naught may move


s: Hurled through the air that demon’s corse


s: Whose mighty bones were white and dried,


s: Close to thine ear the straining string.


s: His strength unrivalled, grasped his bow,


s: Cleft the seven palms in line, and through


s: Whence speeding back through earth and air


s: It sought the quiver, and rested there.(573)


s: Of war-trained chiefs, these words addressed:


s: Scarce might the Gods, arrayed for strife


s: Then on! subdue,—’tis friendship’s claim,—


s: With fists like thunderbolts they fought,


s: Like heavenly Aśvins(576) paired in fight,


s: Where fought the friend and where the foe;


s: “Fled from thy death!” the victor cried,


s: Thou shouldst have said, “I will not slay


s: And Lakshmaṇ plucked the bloom and round


s: Fed with sweet grass, their woodland home.


s: As through the wood the chieftains sped,


s: I fain, my friend, would learn from thee


s: Bright streams and fruit and roots are there,


s: There, neath the roof of hanging boughs,


s: In streams their nightly beds were made.


s: Each seventh night they broke their fast,


s: Where mounts the smoke in curling spires,


s: Round branch and crest the vapours close


s: Wove round their forms a veiling screen.


s: One shaft of mine this day, dear friend,


s: Through seven tall trees one arrow wing?


s: Will ne’er with falsehood’s charge be stained.


s: Like dames who fly from threatened stain


s: When merits fail,(578) at that dread call.


s: Or, where the gale blows fresh and free,


s: That shout, which shook the land with fear,


s: Each amorous thought was rudely stilled,


s: He ground his teeth, his eyeballs rolled,


s: And calls thee forth with cry and shout:


s: Hence spring, my lord, this fear and doubt.


s: But yearns to tempt the desperate field,


s: And, learnt from spies, the tidings brought.


s: As metals deck the Mountains’ Lord.(580)


s: Thou, love, hast lent thine own sweet aid,


s: His glance, as each quick breath he drew,


s: With fingers clenched and arm compressed


s: And, crashing down, thy life shall end.”


s: Sugríva seemed, with blood-streams dyed,


s: Bruised by the blows he could not shield,


s: Fierce and more fierce, as fought the foes,


s: They warred with feet and arms and knees,


s: With nails and stones and boughs and trees,


s: Marked his worn strength grow weak and fail.


s: The bow-string’s clans with terror heard,


s: Like the red lightning’s flash and flame


s: Pierced Báli’s breast, and quivered there.


s: Clung to their well-loved dwelling-place.


s: From limbs, from chain, from shaft that drank


s: To Brahmá’s worlds which ne’er decay.(586)


s: Like the bright flame that pales and dies,


s: “What fame, from one thou hast not slain


s: Thy firmness, self-restraint, and truth:


s: Thou wearest virtue’s badge,(588) but guile


s: On roots and fruit which branches give.(589)


s: The steadfast will that guides the state,


s: Who blend these arts and ne’er confound.


s: I scorned her words though sooth and sweet,


s: The girth of law(592) that clipped him round,


s: How wilt thou dare, where good men meet,


s: Slain by thy treacherous hand, should lie.


s: Rules the broad earth, his glorious trust,


s: Left the fair path which kings should tread,


s: The breast of each, knows right from sin.


s: The cause that prompts my present speech.


s: And, when their impious blood was spilt,


s: From thickest shade, concealed from sight.


s: Thy breast with blinding passion fraught,


s: And freed, o’erwhelmed with woe and shame,


s: That from thy lips these ears have heard,


s: Best knowledge of the right hast gained:


s: If, following thee his friend and guide,


s: And gained the death I long have sought.”


s: From whose clear eyes the mists were rolled:


s: “Grieve not for those thou leavest thus,


s: Thou, wandering from the right, art made


s: Then grieve no more, O Prince, but clear


s: Like helpless deer, their leaders slain,


s: Let all our chiefs their succours bring,


s: They lust for power, are fierce and bold,


s: Then as she looked, her strength gave way,


s: Whose soul the coils of Death were wound,


s: Sobbed on his breast, and sick and faint


s: In woods that breathed the honey’s scent?


s: And shake their souls with pangs of love.


s: Through the stern breast of Raghu’s son,


s: “How couldst thou leave thine Angad thus,


s: One deed of mine have caused thee grief,


s: Were scattered by our former deeds.(602)


s: And stay these tears, for thou art wise.


s: These twain(603) whose hearts with sorrow ache


s: She heard his speech, she heaved her head,


s: “Sweeter my slain lord’s limbs to touch,


s: There breathing still with slow faint sighs


s: Damp with the tears of death, he raised,


s: With the last words my lips shall speak,


s: Where stricken fiends shall own his might.


s: For breach of faith were grievous wrong,


s: Thus fades the light when Ráhu(606) mars


s: All angry thoughts were stayed and stilled


s: “Let time and place thy thoughts employ:


s: “Since thou, O King, hast sought the skies


s: Lasting through five long years and ten,


s: Dead, dead! my husband, friend, and lord


s: Nor have I strength, weighed down by woe,


s: The fatal shaft that pierced him through,


s: While her sad eyes poured down their rain


s: “Father,” he cried, “here Angad stands.”


s: Which, pleased with thee, the Immortals’ King


s: Swift through his bosom pierced the sting


s: But at the thought each soul should grieve:


s: Shared the great woe that moved the rest,


s: Strove with wise charm their grief to ease


s: Throned in the seats the brave may reach


s: Then cease these tears and wild despair:


s: He spoke,—his friends’ delight and pride,—


s: And brought, on stalwart shoulders laid,


s: Still o’er thy face, though breath has fled,


s: Then, skilled in lore and arts that guide


s: Of those that see the rain-clouds burst.


s: When Kártik’s(613) month shall clear the skies,


s: Their sovereign of the thousand eyes.(614)


s: Then brought they, o’er their king to hold


s: Wreaths of sweet flowers whose glories gleam


s: Brought unguents stained with varied dye.


s: Before the twice-born priests were laid,


s: Which Scripture-learned priests supplied


s: And fresh-culled garlands sweet and gay,


s: Pure water brought from stream and brook,


s: “Well done! well done!” each Vánar cried,


s: With trailing shrubs and plants entwined;


s: There breathes a fresh and pleasant air.


s: Show the huge blocks that face the height;


s: Where dark clouds hang and torrents roar;


s: Where the gay peacock’s voice is shrill,


s: Down streaming from the three-peaked hill.


s: There rings the joyous peacock’s scream,


s: Each pang that pierced the mourner through


s: And shall one fiend thy power withstand?


s: Such are the words which thou hast said.


s: That brings the noblest plans to naught,


s: Nine months those clouds have borne the load


s: How drenched with recent showers, the ground


s: Cool through the boughs of camphor trees


s: Where odorous shrubs in rain-drops weep,


s: Black deerskin(619) garments wrought of cloud


s: Their forms with fitting mantles shroud,


s: The soft rain ends their pangs of grief,


s: And drops its pearls on flower and leaf.


s: The harvest of the spring has stored,(627)


s: The foe that marred his peace o’erthrown,


s: The moon’s full beams were bright again.


s: That friends and treasure, self and hosts,


s: For thee that great deliverance wrought.


s: Then let us trace through earth and skies


s: To sweep through heaven, o’er seas and land.”


s: The quarters,(631) with their chiefs, collect.


s: While grief and love that scorned control


s: And faint with anguish heaved each sigh.


s: With sorrow poured his love-born plaint:


s: Where strays she now, my love who played


s: The bright trees with their flowers of gold,


s: From lake to hill, from stream to grove:


s: Till her bright eyes shall look in mine?”


s: E’en as the bird that drinks the rains(632)


s: They rush to battle with their foes;(633)


s: Who keeps the words his lips have sworn,


s: The friend who helped them when they prayed,


s: Sure thou wouldst see my strained arm hold


s: Like lightning flashing through the storm,


s: Both thee and thine this hand shall slay.”


s: And where he stepped, so fiercely fleet,


s: When, turned in wild affright, they fled.


s: And there made known their tale of fear,


s: Some chieftains, mightier than the rest,


s: Red at the sight flashed Lakshmaṇ’s eyes,


s: Like flame that flashes through the smoke.


s: And strove to win his grace, while dread


s: And clothed their forms in men’s disguise.


s: And friendship dies when traitors speak.


s: The thoughts that filled his prudent breast:


s: Which, reft of wife and realm and friends,


s: They marked each burning breath he drew,


s: Their hearts were chilled with sudden fear:


s: Leapt lightly down the sheltering hills.


s: For prince and noble,(637) Lakshmaṇ gazed:


s: With fragrant wreaths that hung thereon:


s: There gleamed, of noble height and size,


s: Through seven wide courts he quickly passed,


s: While the young chieftain’s feet drew near


s: Soft bright-eyed creatures, fair and young,—


s: Gay garlands round their necks were hung,


s: She heard: with faltering steps and slow,


s: With eyes that shone with trembling glow,


s: Made bold by draughts of wine, and cheered


s: Who checks the maddened flames that seize


s: Where beats the heart which draughts of wine


s: Hast thou not heard those draughts destroy


s: Know where Sugríva’s thoughts, possessed


s: Gay garlands round his neck were twined,


s: Raised his joined hands in suppliant guise


s: Stood like the tree that grants each prayer.(638)


s: “Famed is the prince who loves the truth,


s: “For draughts of wine, for slaughtered cows,


s: Great-souled himself, their mean-souled lord.


s: High thoughted prince, has done for thee,


s: By sweet Ghritáchí’s(640) love enchained,


s: Through seven tall trees, a mountain rent,


s: With grateful heart that loves the right,


s: Dwell on the Five bright Peaks, or where


s: On that east hill whence springs the sun,


s: Call the great chiefs whose legions fill


s: Call those, with tints of burnished gold


s: Call those whom tranquil haunts delight,


s: In groves that through their wide extent


s: With force, with words, with gifts of price


s: Thousands, yea millions, shall there be,


s: Forth shall they haste like hills in size,


s: Where Vishṇu’s splendid sphere is set.(646)


s: With coats that shone like burning gold,


s: Whose food his roots and fruit supplied,


s: Some from the palm groves where they fed,


s: They came from mountain, lake, and cave.


s: Was wrought Maheśvar’s(648) glorious rite,


s: And his glad heart with triumph swelled.


s: Bright plants with luscious fruit had grown,


s: Their gifts before their king they spread,


s: Pealed round him as the king passed out.


s: With Lakshmaṇ, lightly stepped to ground,


s: “All strength had fled, all hope had died.


s: Fierce bears with monkey troops combined,


s: Of Gods,(649) they change their shapes at need.


s: To numbers that no tongue may tell.(650)


s: They come like clouds that bring the rain.


s: Flood the broad heaven with silver light?


s: Naught from thy lips but truth may flow,


s: Slew Queen Paulomí’s haughty sire.”(652)


s: He ceased: thick clouds of dust rose high


s: From east to west thick darkness spread,


s: Fierce warriors armed with fearful teeth,


s: White-coated from their native snows.(653)


s: And Dwivid famed for strength and speed,


s: Chiefs strong as Indra’s self, who speed


s: Groves, woods, and hills thy way pursue.


s: Bhagírath’s daughter(663) fresh and fair.


s: Search mighty Yamun’s(664) peak, explore


s: Search where his shelving banks descend,


s: Search where the torrent floods that rend


s: Where spreading wide your eyes shall see


s: And the wild spot where Garuḍ(675) dwells


s: Gleams glorious with its wealth of pearls.


s: The white Mount Rishabh(678) rears his head.


s: Where white swans sport, lies gleaming there,


s: The wandering Kinnar’s(679) dear resort,


s: Where heavenly nymphs and Yakshas(680) sport.


s: That chills each living heart with fear.


s: Wrath-born, that flames in Ocean’s bed.(681)


s: The monstrous serpent(683) will ye view,


s: The earth’s supporter, whose bright eyes


s: Springs towering from the mountain’s crest


s: With golden trees that clothe the height.


s: Ten leagues in height and one league square


s: Is earth and heaven’s most eastern gate.


s: There, Vánars, there your steps must stay:


s: “Go forth,” he cried, “with all this host


s: Where Daṇḍak’s woods their branches wave


s: Whose sides are bright with richest ore,


s: Search well his forests where the breeze


s: Pass Támraparṇí’s(702) flood whose isles


s: The Páṇḍyas’(703) gates of pearl and gold.


s: Fair mountain, bright with creepers’ bloom


s: Speed through that isle, and onward still


s: But, though they tempt your longing eyes,


s: Who five bright sovereign lords(712) obey,


s: With shapes like fire, the moon, the sun.


s: And, girt with darkness, far from bliss,


s: I call him, yea though stained with crime.


s: With thee, my lord, shall seek the west.


s: Explore Suráshṭra’s(714)] distant plain,


s: Search clustering groves on mountain heights,


s: Where Sindhu(717) mingles with the deep.


s: Where loveliest trees their blooms unfold.


s: Near, bright as turkis, Vajra(719) named,


s: Where the great discus,(721) thousand rayed,


s: When Panchajan(723) the fiend was slain.


s: The sun well-pleased this boon conferred:


s: The home of Varuṇ(730) high-souled lord,


s: Bright with the light that penance gives:


s: Pursues through heaven his ceaseless way,


s: With dauntless courage, strength, and skill


s: Search if with Janak’s daughter, screened


s: By sheltering rocks, there lie the fiend.


s: Then leave that hill that gleams with ore,


s: A hundred leagues, bare, wild, and dread


s: There King Vaiśravaṇ’s(738) self, the lord


s: Lives with the Guhyakas(739) his friends.


s: And green glens where the moonbeams sleep,


s: Then on to Krauncha’s hill,(740) and through


s: Where shine the loveliest flowers on stems


s: While pearl-decked maidens laugh, or sing


s: There, present through all life’s extent,


s: Nor tempt the sunless, boundless shore.”


s: Who through the air thy flight canst bend,


s: In strength and speed which naught can tire


s: “This ring,” he said, “my wife will see,


s: The mightiest trees will break and bend,


s: My steps shall tread unchecked and free,


s: Through woods, o’er land and hill and sea,


s: “How, King,” cried Ráma, “didst thou gain


s: Its farthest bounds, mine eyes had seen.


s: Whence springs the sun to light the morn.


s: And roamed o’er Vindhya, where the breeze


s: As their great sovereign’s order taught,


s: Through valleys, plains, and groves they sought.


s: Where the tall trees, whose branches swayed


s: Beneath their fruit, gave pleasant shade.


s: Well have we searched with toil and pain,


s: Through Vindhya’s pathless glens he sped


s: Where trees were bare of leaf and bloom,


s: They searched each cave and mountain ledge,


s: Through one dark grove they scarce could wind,


s: There as they struggled through the wood


s: This was the fiend they long had sought.


s: Through the thick wood pursued their way;


s: Where leafy boughs to shade them twined.


s: Have searched each valley, cave, and dell,


s: With lips that toil and thirst had dried;


s: And search each grove and desert through,


s: They clomb that hill that towers on high


s: Where the dark leaves were thick and green,


s: Then faint with toil, their hearts depressed,


s: O’er Vindhya’s height the search they pressed.


s: Thence issued crane, and swan, and drake,


s: With hunger, thirst, and toil distressed,


s: At length, when life seemed lost for aye,


s: And streams their rippling currents rolled


s: And there were flowers and fruit on stems


s: Of this vast cave with treasures stored?”


s: These cates of noblest sort? these roots?


s: This glorious dwelling planned and framed


s: Eat of this fruit and quench your thirst.”


s: By hunger pressed our strength gave way;


s: The creeping plants that o’er it twined.


s: Pain pierced them through with sharper sting


s: Then, lion-shouldered, stout and strong,


s: Your hearts, with strong affection fraught,


s: And leave our wealth, our homes and wives,


s: Of splendid chiefs his thought expressed,


s: Their wives and babes they will not leave


s: Through hope of wealth, through fear of pain


s: Like Indra’s bolts his shafts have power


s: From his strong bow, thy heart will pierce.


s: Looks on thee still with favouring eyes.


s: That mother’s love thou mayst not spurn:


s: “What truth or justice canst thou find,”


s: Righteous, and true, and wise, and just,


s: Not honour’s law, not friendship’s debt,


s: Where sacred Darbha(760) grass was spread,


s: And thus, while anguish filled his breast,


s: “Vivasvat’s(762) son has sought this place


s: From that rash promise of the king!(764)


s: “Whose is that voice,” the vulture cried,


s: Though grief and woe his utterance broke


s: But bleeding, weak with years, and tired,


s: And bliss that ne’er shall minish, gained.


s: Whose vaults that stretch beneath the hill


s: Through the dark maze our steps were bent,


s: Thus we though faithful have transgressed,


s: Press on our souls with grievous weight:


s: Sought, mounting with adventurous flight,


s: My brother’s pinions flagged and failed.


s: I marked his sinking strength, and spread


s: “Though lost my wings, and strength decayed,


s: I know the worlds where Vishṇu trod,(766)


s: Bright was her form, and fresh and young,


s: Swift through the fourth the falcon springs


s: Who would the lightning flight withstand


s: And strength and life were failing fast.


s: Eight thousand seasons winged their flight


s: With richest flower and fruit was there.


s: And looked with wondering eyes, and cried:


s: Their hermit friend, and clasp his feet.


s: With wounds,” I cried, “I scarce can speak.


s: That we with following wings would chase


s: “Forth from thy sides again shall spring,


s: Through the dear grace & boundless might


s: Look on these new-found wings, and hence


s: His words the chieftains’ doubts had stilled,


s: And every heart with courage filled.(778)


s: Bright was the chieftains’ glorious band


s: “O chiefs, the nation’s boast and pride,


s: His proper power and what he dared.(779)


s: Limbs light to leap could likewise show,


s: What lingering strength mine age attends.


s: Far other strength in youth’s fresh prime


s: Huge serpents struggling through the air.


s: When, cursed by Gods, from heaven she fell


s: “Whose impious love has wronged a spouse


s: Might shall be his that naught can tire,


s: And limbs to spring as springs his sire.”


s: His fierce beams on him, feared him not.


s: The breath of all the worlds was stilled,


s: Should slay with steel the Wind-God’s son.


s: Hurls from the heaven should injure thee.


s: This earth of yore, through all her climes,


s: Great store of herbs from hill and mead,


s: Which, scattered o’er the troubled wave,


s: Thy matchless power and strength display.


s: With his who stepped through earth and sky.”(784)


s: With boundless force that none may stay,


s: This land with grove and tower and town.


s: The Vánars’ hearts, and calms their fears,


s: With prospering vows thy way will bless.


s: And the great mountain rocked and swayed


s: O’er gem-like grass that flashed and glowed


s: Pale pink, and red, and white, and blue,


s: Where flowers and grass were fresh and green.


s: Sprang downward from the mountain height,


s: When the strong breeze has filled the sail,


s: Thou guardest those whom heaven has cursed


s: Lest from their prison-house they burst,


s: Rose swifty, crowned with plant and tree,


s: Flashed on the flood that round him rolled.


s: More rapid than the feathered king’s.(794)


s: The Gods and saints who feared their fall.


s: With his broad hand the mountain’s crest,


s: And through the fields of boundless blue,


s: “Stretch, wider stretch thy jaws,” exclaimed


s: Then straight, her threatening jaws between,


s: Shrunk by his power, the Vánar’s frame.(797)


s: “O Daksha’s child,(798) farewell at last!


s: Came forth again with thought-like speed.(800)


s: Such valour, thought, and skill as thine.”


s: Pleased with their praises as they sang,


s: With flowers and trees, was clearly seen,


s: With gem-like flowers was bright and sweet.


s: Priyálas(801) lent their pleasant shade,


s: A thousand trees mid flowers that glowed


s: Hung down their fruit’s delicious load,(803)


s: And in their crests that rocked and swayed


s: And gleams of sparkling fountains, stirred


s: Blooms sweet of scent and bright of hue,


s: Where noble streets were broad and bright,


s: “Our mightiest host would strive in vain


s: The Rákshas troops, their guards and spies,


s: And, in the straitest bounds restrained,


s: Then, when the moon’s soft light was spread,


s: There from the circling rampart’s height


s: Broad gates with burnished gold displayed,


s: The brave that law will ne’er transgress


s: Where fresh-blown flowers were bright and sweet.


s: Their anklets’ chime and tinkling zones.


s: Whose only arms, which none might blame,


s: Were blades of grass and holy flame(806)


s: Some fierce and foul, some fair to view.


s: Quick passage through the guarded bound,


s: Fair moon that calms the mourner’s pain.


s: I am unable to show the difference of style in a translation.]


s: Each court and grove he wandered through,


s: Each armed with sword and spear and mace,


s: Green bowers were there and picture halls,


s: The peacock’s cry came loud and shrill.(810)


s: Their zones and streaks of glittering gold;


s: The marvel of the Flower-named(811) car,


s: There Lakshmí,(812) beauty’s heavenly queen,


s: There gleamed the car with wealth untold


s: That sprang from pain and penance rite,(814)


s: It flew through air or sank or rose,(815)


s: Who cleft the clouds with swiftest flight


s: There breathed the fairest blooms of spring;


s: There flashed the proud swan’s silver wing,


s: Till the sun’s kiss shall bid them wake.


s: With living stars that chased the gloom.


s: “These are the stars,” the chieftain cried,


s: “In autumn nights that earth-ward glide,


s: That seemed, so fresh and fair and young


s: And female figures,(816) deftly planned,


s: With flowery trees that clothe his steep.


s: The dints the thunder-bolt had made.(817)


s: And thought, “These rarest beauties speak


s: But soon the baseless thought was spurned


s: There wrought of gold, ablaze with shine


s: Through court and bower and banquet hall


s: And search the palace through and through,


s: Slipped struggling from the robber’s hold,


s: Or when she spurned his suit with scorn,


s: And each, overwhelmed with dark despair,


s: Each, graced and honoured long, will miss


s: He strayed through alleys soft and green;


s: Then roaming through the enchanted ground,


s: Through rocks and boughs a brawling rill


s: “Hence,” thought the Vánar, “shall I see


s: And glittering towers that kissed the skies,


s: Whose dazzling splendour charmed his eyes.


s: Her glorious eyes, proclaimed the queen.


s: Lies here,—for none may strive with Fate,


s: The brothers’ might full well she knows,


s: Who sprang from out the furrowed ground,(823)


s: Child of the high-souled king whose sway


s: Whose limbs are bright as burnished gold.


s: Her eyes are with her thoughts, and they


s: Some with their dark necks long and thin


s: Some with wild locks, some bald and bare,


s: Some tall and straight, some bowed and bent


s: They walked with feet of mules and cows:


s: Swords, maces, clubs, and spears they bore


s: Where glowed each choicest flower and fruit,


s: With scented oil a soft light shed.(825)


s: Inwrought with flowers and bright with gold.


s: And,—all she could,—her beauties screened


s: Their watch around, she sighed and wept.


s: The while her thoughts on love’s fleet wings


s: From my fond glance those beauties hide?


s: What dames soe’er our fancy please.(828)


s: Those tresses twined in single braid,(829)


s: For thee the fairest wreaths were meant,


s: With gems and chains thine arms and neck.


s: To Janak,(830) dear, for thy sweet sake.


s: Come, taste of bliss and drink thy fill,


s: What though thy robe is soiled and worn,


s: And answered thus the prayer she spurned:


s: Which, wrought on thee, thy heart would pain.(832)


s: Dream not that wealth and power can sway


s: And in their flight shall hiss and flame


s: Marked with the mighty archer’s name.(833)


s: Thy giants round their king shall fall.”


s: Two months, fair dame, I grant thee still


s: My cooks shall mince thy limbs with steel


s: And serve thee for my morning meal.”(834)


s: And sun-bright children of the Gods(835)


s: Consoled the queen with smiles and nods.


s: Addressed the fiend in words like these;


s: How canst thou hope, vile wretch, to fly


s: When thou hast dared, untouched by shame,


s: Still moves that tongue that would not spare


s: “Deaf to all prayers and threats art thou,


s: Will slay thee for thy scathe and scorn.”


s: Like some wild thing, the stubborn dame,


s: By mingled threat and blandishment.”(837)


s: With insult, taunt, and threatening speech:


s: And made the thirty Gods and three,(839)


s: The treasures of the worlds o’erthrown.”


s: That frees each heart from saddening thought.


s: And trembling from their presence shrank


s: Like a strayed fawn, when night is dark,


s: And, wild with grief, with fear appalled,


s: To demons’ threats and taunts and scorn,


s: His arm was strong, his heart was brave,


s: Their threats unfeared, their counsel spurned,


s: With threats and taunts renewed the rest


s: In words like these the fiends reproved:


s: And, clothed in white, with wreaths that shone,


s: He quaffed, he raved: his robes were red:


s: And thoroughly learned, concealed from sight,


s: That from her guard the lady frees,(846)


s: Will think ’tis Rávaṇ’s voice she hears.


s: With their wild shouts the grove will fill,


s: Who loved the right and loathed the wrong,


s: She shrank a while with fear distraught,


s: But, trouble-worn, have watched and wept


s: Do Rudras(851) claim that heavenly form?


s: Or the swift Gods(852) who ride the storm?


s: Gone from this world in heaven to dwell,


s: Yet, by the tears those sweet eyes shed,


s: Yet, by the earth that bears thy tread,(855)


s: Thy lord is safe with steadfast friends,


s: For to these ears such words are sweet.”


s: Like bounties from Vaiśravaṇ’s(857) hand.


s: And strikes when justice prompts the blow.


s: “Thy fear and doubt,” he cried, “dispelled,


s: He knows the lore that strengthens kings;


s: O’er all the land they roamed distraught,


s: And joined the bonds that knit them yet,


s: And found my way at length to thee.”(858)


s: “Receive,” he cried, “this precious ring,(859)


s: The tears that spring of rapture flowed.


s: And hast thou dared, o’er wave and foam,


s: Soon shalt thou see thy lord, though now


s: Vibhishaṇ’s daughter(864) loves me well:


s: “How canst thou bear me hence?” she cried,


s: A task too hard for one like thee.”(866)


s: With storm-swift feet which naught may tire


s: Mine eyes would soon grow faint and dim,


s: “Well hast thou said: thou canst not brave


s: While tears and sobs her utterance broke:


s: Arts, gifts, address, these fiends despise;


s: But force shall yet their king chastise.


s: That lift their proud tops to the skies,


s: Till each green bough that lent its shade


s: The fierce shefiends unclosed their eyes,


s: These fiends who change their forms at will?


s: Have marred and spoiled that dear retreat,


s: Like that which lights the funeral pyre.


s: With clubs to crush and swords to pierce,


s: Whose wondrous deeds the minstrels sing.


s: But still their king’s command they feared


s: Whose wondrous deeds the minstrels sing.”


s: With bands that strove to pierce and strike


s: With saguine robes and brilliant wreath.


s: Of glittering shafts the chieftain bore.


s: Cut through it ere his hand could throw.


s: With streams of rushing blood were dyed.


s: And bow and car and steeds(875) and store


s: King Rávaṇ’s heart with rage was stirred


s: Trained from their youth in martial lore,


s: And banners wrought with glittering gold


s: Waved o’er their chariots, drawn at speed


s: And from the ponderous bows they strained


s: So stands half veiled the Mountains’ King


s: He shunned the shafts that rained around,


s: Mid bow-armed(876) clouds that fill the sky.


s: Some with fierce nails he rent and slew,


s: Dropped on the ground and breathed no more,


s: From slaughtered fiends o’er path and road.


s: “Go forth,” he cried, “with car and steed,


s: And bright their weapons flashed and glowed.


s: The weight that came with lightning speed


s: With all its beasts and snakes and trees.


s: And thought-swift horses whirled their lord


s: High through the clouds whene’er he chose.


s: The wind was hushed, the sun grew chill.


s: With shattered cars the ground is spread,


s: The archer’s shafts though pointed well.


s: Stayed his swift feet and numbed his arm,


s: Through all his frame he felt the spell,


s: They drew the ropes round feet and wrists;


s: They beat him with their hands and fists,


s: And dragged him as they strained the cord


s: With shouts of triumph to their lord.(879)


s: Ten heads he reared,(880) as Mandar’s hill


s: Bright were his eyes, and bright, beneath,


s: Were decked with rings and scented dyes.


s: His hands like snakes with five long heads


s: Still, though his heart with rage was fired,


s: Might guide the world with tempered awe:


s: Pronounced the curse that haunts me still?


s: With bond or chain these limbs may bind.


s: And with thy wives, friends, kith and kin


s: Then, trained in arts that soothe and please


s: Such deed the world’s contempt would draw


s: ’Tis true his hands have wrought us woe,


s: The mark of shame, the scourge, the brand,


s: The giants heard their monarch’s speech;


s: Brought strips of cotton cloth, and round


s: As through the crowded streets he passed,


s: And round his tail the red flames glow.”


s: That with fresh grief her bosom stirred.


s: The bonds that bound his limbs he loosed,


s: Rushed at the fiends that hemmed him round,


s: And viewed each street and square and road,—


s: Still wreathed about with harmless blaze,


s: As through the cloud red lightning plays,


s: Mid walls that split and beams that blazed,


s: “What have I done?”, he thought with shame,


s: The cooling drops that check their glow.


s: Such were his thoughts: he pondered long,


s: And fear grew faint and hope grew strong.


s: O’er roof and wall the fires have spread,


s: Fierce serpents with their tongues aflame;


s: Sprang forward through the airy sea,(888)


s: Through the great host around him spread,


s: Sunábha(889) passed, he neared the coast


s: From crag to crag, from height to height;


s: And when he touched the mountain’s crest,


s: With reverent welcome round him pressed.


s: They brought him of their woodland fruits,


s: And briefly spoke: “These eyes have seen,


s: These lips addressed, the Maithil queen.”


s: And Ráma’s heart will ache no more.”(890)


s: That rivalled heavenly Nandan’s(892) fame;


s: Where countless bees their honey stored,—


s: That they those honeyed stores might eat


s: Drunk with the sweets, they danced and bowed,


s: Some climbed and sprang from tree to tree,


s: Some scaled the trees which creepers crowned,


s: Then called with angry voice, and strove


s: But warning cries and words were spurned,


s: Used claws, and teeth, and hands, and beat


s: Where blooming trees their branches spread.


s: Each word that from her sweet lips fell,


s: Which Nágas,(898) Gods, and fiends defy,


s: Where Rávaṇ’s hosts their station keep,—


s: And the sweet hopes that cheered me sink.


s: And when our feet that isle shall tread,


s: The long bridge touch the farther shore,


s: So fleet and fierce and strong are these


s: When thou shalt reach the robber’s hold,


s: He ceased: and, skilled in arts that guide


s: By four great piers each moat is spanned


s: The threatening pike and sword and spear.


s: O’er the wide seat of Varuṇ’s(899) sway,


s: Ere brooks and fruits and roots be marred


s: Like him who wealth to mortals shares,(901)


s: Illustrious three, shall guard the rear.”


s: Of mountains, raised each towering crest.


s: They looked on lake and streamlet, where


s: Pressed onward, filled with zeal and pride,


s: “Soon shalt thou turn, thy queen regained


s: The pole-star and the Sainted Seven(904)


s: The boughs their ripening clusters bear,


s: And clomb the mountain’s wood-crowned height.


s: Have reached King Varuṇ’s realm the sea,


s: And one great thought, still-vexing, how


s: O’er Varuṇ’s realm, the Asurs’ home:(909)


s: The sea that laughed with foam, and danced


s: With waves whereon the sunbeams glanced:


s: Their fiery crests which flashed and glowed,


s: There wave-like clouds by clouds were chased,


s: Here cloud-like billows roared and raced:


s: Breathe, gentle gale, O breathe where she


s: That earth, one earth, holds her and me,


s: Like scattered clouds shall turn in flight.”


s: Or those whose hopes with his are bound,


s: Then with their aid his strength applies,


s: Weighs loss and gain and wrong and right,


s: He ceased: they scorned, with blinded eyes,


s: “Why yield thee, King, to causeless fear?


s: The Serpent-Gods, and stormed their hold;


s: Were forced thy conquering might to own.


s: Their victor’s peerless might confessed.


s: And, conquered, mourned their hardihood.


s: And the three worlds, from terror freed,


s: In mountain glens, they filled the land.


s: O’ermatched by thee, they fought and fell,


s: Shall know the death-doomed race no more.


s: Whose horrid spikes were stained with gore,


s: A score of warriors(914) forward sprang,


s: He joined in lowly reverence, pressed(915)


s: Of us, our friends, our sons and wives.”


s: There strayed in glittering raiment through


s: And by them flowers were laid and grain,


s: The chieftain there, while none could hear,


s: Neath clouds of smoke grow faint and dark.


s: Our elephants have juiceless brows,(917)


s: Through twilight hours with shriek and howl


s: With shield and mace and spear and sword,


s: Or through the streets impatient strode.


s: They stooped to press their monarch’s feet,


s: And brought her from that distant land(920)


s: Still from each prayer and offering turns,


s: Our conquering might, they needs must die.”


s: Shrink from these teeth and quake to hear


s: He falls, and these dry lips shall drain


s: “And breathes there one so cold and weak


s: By flattering hopes the speech approved:


s: “Hear me,” he cried, “great chieftain, tell


s: From her sweet limbs the robes she wore,


s: Strained to my breast the vanquised prize.


s: My steps are like the Storm-Gods’ flight;


s: Like snakes with cloven tongues of flame.


s: Armed with fierce teeth and claws, enclose


s: He ceased; and when his lips were closed


s: Sharp arrows winged with matchless skill


s: Should ne’er conceive a thought so base,


s: Matched with our meanest, what are they?


s: The Lord of earth and heaven and hell.(924)


s: “Thy speech is marked with scorn of truth,


s: Then, while his breast with fury swelled,


s: Grieve at their bliss with rancorous hate,


s: How were their captive friends beguiled.


s: Still, still, shall blessings flow from cows,(926)


s: What though with conquering feet I tread


s: The glittering rain that gems its leaves,


s: Which, though its thunderous voice be loud,


s: That loves from flower to flower to range;


s: And friends like thee are swift to change.


s: Such, though from duty’s path they stray,


s: With fires of vengeance strike thee dead.


s: Like Meru’s peak that cleaves the skies.


s: The anxious doubt that moved his breast:


s: Borne o’er the sea, has reached the coast;


s: All things of heaven and earth and hell.


s: Deep in the scriptures, trained and tried,


s: The wrong, the right, the false, the true,


s: Who taught the Gods(928) may rival thee,


s: With righteous soul that loathes the sin,


s: Thus, deep in Scripture’s lore, he spake:


s: The thoughts that moved his gallant breast:


s: “Well versed in Scripture’s lore, and sage


s: What is his strength compared with mine?


s: Hast thou not heard the deathless praise


s: “Strike not the suppliant when he stands


s: Should cost thy life, in desperate need.”


s: And guard(931) and bow he stands in mail


s: Ten leagues they spread from side to side,


s: “Great power and might and fame are thine,


s: What cause hast thou to mourn the theft?


s: “Quick, quick! This Vánar host restrain,


s: Moved by the suppliant speech and prayer


s: Up sprang the prince and cried, forbear.


s: And scourge of weeping worlds, to hear?”


s: Thy sons, thy friends, proud King, and all


s: Though heavenly warriors fight for thee.


s: Whose conquering hand shall punish thee.”


s: They grasped his neck, his pinions bound,


s: With soft arms decked with pearls and gold.


s: “This day,” he cried, “the host shall pass


s: Who scorns the true, and hates the right,


s: Than might which nerves a warrior’s arm.


s: My shafts shall rend the serpents curled


s: Whose quenchless flames the world consume.


s: Crowned with white foam and pearl and shell.


s: Raised his fierce eyes and glowing crest.


s: And prisoned Dánavs(933) where they dwelt


s: Fell clear and loud, Spare, Ráma, spare.


s: Through echoing skies the thunder pealed,


s: And startled mountains rocked and reeled,


s: Red lightnings struck the trembling ground.


s: Springs through the sky the Lord of Light.


s: “Shoot,” Ocean cried, “thine arrow forth


s: Earth groaned to feel the wound, and sent


s: And sheep and kine should prosper there:


s: Earth should produce each pleasant root,


s: The stately trees should bend with fruit;


s: And fragrant herbs should clothe the ground.


s: To bribe and soothe the thankless heart;


s: With loveliest creepers wreathed and crowned,


s: Shook, reeled, and fell upon the ground.


s: Then the great bridge of wondrous strength


s: And trees whose flowers adorned them still.


s: Ten leagues and four the structure grew;


s: Nor swayed it with their countless tread.


s: Where, by the pleasant brooks, mid trees


s: Loaded with fruit, they took their ease.


s: Strained his dear brother to his breast,


s: In threatening shape, with voice of fear,


s: As though the wreck of worlds were nigh.


s: Sword, spear and shaft shall strew the plain


s: Like pale clouds through the region spread


s: Where trees their bloom and fruit display,


s: Their arms were mighty trees o’erthrown,


s: “Where hast thou stayed this weary while?


s: Learn well what power each captain leads


s: Though sea-like o’er the land were spread


s: Then suppliant hand to hand they pressed


s: Their numbers, strength, and vast array.”


s: Marked lord and chief, and gazed their fill,


s: Shall cast to earth thy walls and towers.


s: Where Vindhya’s pleasant slopes are spread


s: Next, like a cloud that veils the skies,


s: “Yet more remain, brave chiefs who stake


s: Whose legions, armed with rock and tree,


s: Long shadows o’er the snow-crowned king.


s: They take each form that suits their need.


s: Those chieftains stand, a glorious pair,


s: Their lips the drink of heaven have known,


s: Roused from his rest would turn and flee,


s: Mid chieftains for his strength and size


s: Far through the worlds his virtues shine,


s: ’Tis Lakshmaṇ, faithful friend, who shares


s: His brother’s joys, his brother’s cares.


s: Yea, forest trees, when flames are fanned


s: About their scorching trunks, may stand;


s: “Go thou, and spies more faithful bring.


s: His trembling tones were faint and weak:


s: Their strength and number none may tell,


s: Of mountain size, has closed and barred.


s: Their fists and knees and hands and teeth.


s: This choice is left thee: choose between


s: Scarce could their bravest prove their might:


s: And Lakshmaṇ through the woods that spread


s: Like cloudlets when the storm has burst.


s: The earth and heaven and hell have rung.


s: Great trembling seized her frame, and she


s: Some stealthy hand thy death wound gave.


s: Sweet garlands that my hands had twined?


s: Where flowery garlands breathed their scent


s: Cheek close to cheek and breast to breast,


s: Vast hosts who fight with brandished trees,


s: Whose fame through all the regions rings,


s: She ceased: the sound, long loud and clear,


s: Mailed horsemen armed with axe and spear,


s: For Lanká’s troops are struck with fear,


s: And, skilled in arts that soothe and please,


s: Addressed the queen in words like these:


s: Say the fond words thy lips would speak,


s: “I know thy steps, which naught can stay,


s: Can urge through heaven and hell their way.


s: Reproof or flattery, threats or prayers.


s: And tell thee what the king has planned.”


s: His black-eyed queen from bondage freed.”


s: Stood trembling, in their hearts dismayed;


s: “Lords, I have heard—your tongues have told—


s: Thou, through the worlds that fear thee, long


s: Hast scorned the right and loved the wrong,


s: Are clothed with might which burns like fire.


s: Clouds black as night are densely spread,


s: Dogs roam through house and shrine to steal


s: Cats pair with tigers, hounds with swine,


s: Though feared by dwellers of the skies,—


s: Their hopes and fears in council scanned:


s: Which Gods, Gandharvas, fiends would fail


s: “These lords of mine(946) can answer: they


s: And through the trembling worlds he flies,


s: Ye chiefs who change your shapes at will,


s: Where creepers filled the air with scent,


s: While, startled by the strangers’ tread,


s: O’er leagues of land she stretched in pride,


s: Bright with the shine that mansion gives


s: While through the air his challenge rang,


s: With strength resistless swung him round


s: With streams of blood their limbs were wet,


s: Which, crimson with the flowers of spring,


s: With matchless strength and fury, raged.


s: Each fiercely struck, each guarded well,


s: Till, closing, from the tower they fell,


s: Well matched in size and strength and skill


s: While sweat and blood their limbs bedewed


s: And breath and strength and spirit there;


s: Where, strong as he who sways the deep,(949)


s: His fiery shaft shall smite thee there.’ ”


s: And earth and heaven, from terror freed,


s: And, while keen sorrow pierced him through,


s: Mad with the thought, “Charge, charge,” he cried.


s: The rampart’s height, the guard assailed,


s: And north and south, the chieftains pressed


s: Charge, charge, my giants,” Rávaṇ cried.


s: These met and fought, with thousands more,


s: When fire from heaven the mountain rends


s: And struck fierce Praghas to the ground.


s: And shot their shafts at head and breast;


s: Smote through the gloom each listening ear.


s: Though midnight’s shade was dense and dark,


s: With skill that swerved not from the mark


s: Ploughed by the cars and trampling steeds,


s: Six times he shot: six heads were cleft;


s: Which fireflies, flashing through the gloom,


s: Who brooked not, strong by Brahmá’s grace


s: He bound them with the serpent noose,(954)


s: When streams of blood from chest and side


s: And pierced, well aimed with perfect art,


s: Their strength relaxed, their eyes grew dim.


s: Transfixed with darts and stained with gore.


s: And closed in death are Lakshmaṇ’s eyes.


s: Like cloudlets when the rains are past.”


s: No sigh they drew, no breath they heaved,


s: Where, as he passed, all fear was stilled,


s: “Calm,” cried Vibhishaṇ, “calm thy fears,


s: This is not death: each prince will break


s: Till sense and strength the prince regain.


s: Soon shall the trance-bound pair revive,


s: With pride of conquest, sought his sire,


s: Raised reverent hands, and told him all,


s: There Angad stood o’erwhelmed with grief


s: Their tree-armed legions held the ground.


s: For whose dear sake my love she spurned,


s: They heard his speech: the car was brought;


s: Thronged the fierce rovers of the night,


s: Her eyes o’erflowed, she groaned and sighed


s: “False are they all, proved false to-day,


s: False are they all, their words are vain,


s: They blessed me—but the thought is pain—


s: The twelve fair marks that bring success.(955)


s: Should make me queen, a monarch’s bride:


s: Theirs was the mystic Brahmá’s Head.(957)


s: In vain they fought, the bold and brave:


s: A coward’s hand their death-wounds gave.


s: Though swift as thought, his utmost speed


s: Though Rákshas born, her grief consoled:


s: Love prompts my speech; no longer grieve;


s: Have spoken, and shall speak, the truth.


s: Though pierced with shafts the heroes lie,


s: On brows and cheeks with blood-drops wet


s: The car was turned, which fleet as thought


s: With blood from head to foot, and cried:


s: What shall I say, o’erwhelmed with shame


s: Transfixed with shafts, with blood-streams red,


s: The wood’s wild ways with me wouldst tread:


s: ’Tis he, ’tis Rávaṇ’s son, they thought:


s: “Dost thou not mark,” the chief replied,


s: “Transfixed with shafts, with bloodstreams dyed,


s: The bears, to check the hosts that fled.


s: Lost is the hope that soothed each pain:


s: These royal chiefs, though now dismayed,


s: “When these regain their strength and sense,


s: Cured the sore wounds of those who fell.


s: And, skilled in arts that heal and save,


s: Still grow those herbs in boundless store;


s: Red lightnings flashed from banks of cloud.


s: The mountains shook, the wild waves rose,


s: And those transformed to shaft that bound


s: Then o’er them stooped the feathered king,


s: And closed each rent the shafts had made.


s: Their spirit, zeal, and strength increased.


s: While flashed his eye with joy and pride:


s: These numbing bonds, this serpent noose,


s: Thus Garuḍ spake: then, swift as thought,


s: Addressed his lords in words like these:


s: “That warlike shout, those joyous cries,


s: And learn what change these cries portend.”


s: Freed from the binding snakes that close


s: Force through the foe thy conquering way,


s: Well armed with sword and spear and mace,


s: And, wielding trees, the foremost crushed;


s: And, pierced in head and chest and side,


s: With shaft and spear to earth were borne.


s: Their trampled banners strewed the fields,


s: And broken swords and spears and shields;


s: And, crushed by blows which none might stay,


s: And hoofs that rang and steeds that neighed


s: His keen eyes flashed with wrathful fire,


s: The mournful news, his wrath was stirred;


s: And footmen marched with spear and sword


s: Spears, swords uplifted, gleamed and flashed,


s: And limbs were pierced and blood-distained.


s: Rushed with wild charge which none could stay


s: And earth that streamed with blood was strown


s: With warriors, steeds, and cars o’erthrown.


s: He staggered, reeled, and fell: the blood


s: But strength and wandering sense returned


s: Then with their fists they fought, and smote


s: Worn out with toil, their limbs bedewed,


s: With blood, the strife they still renewed,


s: Whose sheath with tinkling bells supplied,


s: And grasped his ponderous leather shield


s: Streams of their blood the warriors sank,


s: Yet gathered strength his sword to seize;


s: They told him that the chief was killed,


s: And Rávaṇ’s breast with rage was filled.


s: Then, fiercely moved by wrath and pride,


s: And Raghu’s sons their lives shall yield.”


s: And thousands armed with spear and sword


s: “Woe to the wretch,” he cried, “whom fate


s: He hurled, with trees that graced the height


s: But cleft with shafts that checked its way


s: They charged, they hurled the hills in vain,


s: Keen, fleet, and thick, with certain aim,


s: Shown in the fight when Aksha(963) fell.”


s: Till, mustering strength, his hand he reared


s: But strength returning nerved his frame:


s: His eyeballs flashed with fiercer flame.


s: Burned for the fight and thus complained:


s: Still his keen shafts which pierced and rent


s: The Vánar chief condensed his form,(964)


s: With streams of blood, but life remained.


s: “Come,” Lakshmaṇ cried, “assay the fight:


s: Thus with fleet shafts each warrior shot


s: Fierce as the flames that end the world,


s: But sense and strength resumed their seat


s: With strength unrivalled, Brahmá’s gift,


s: But though he heaved, and toiled, and strained,


s: Deep-wounded Lakshmaṇ stained with gore.


s: The dart that Lakshmaṇ’s side had cleft,


s: And Rávaṇ, though with deep wounds pained,


s: While his strained bowstring made a sound


s: His arm was stretched, his bow was bent,


s: “Well hast thou fought: thine arm has slain


s: Shafts with red lightning round them curled,


s: Against their power thy life is charmed,


s: Shall slay, vile wretch, both thee and thine.”


s: He, slumbering, free from care and pain,


s: Scarce could the giants brook the blast.


s: With his huge limbs at length outspread.


s: With wreaths of flowers they fanned his face,


s: Then on his breast they rained their blows,


s: Through all the air loud discord spread,


s: And, struck with fear, the birds fell dead.


s: They tore his ears with teeth and nails.


s: Stamped on his limbs and chest and head.


s: His jaws like hell gaped fierce and wide,


s: Who threats the worlds with fire and storm.


s: Then triumph-flushed our king will meet.


s: The chieftains’ shall by you be quaffed.”


s: Are wondrous strong by God-giving grace;


s: Gave matchless power and strength of limb.


s: Scarce was he born, fierce monster, when


s: Senseless he lay, nor spoke nor stirred;


s: As when the black clouds their battle form,


s: Fierce flashed the flame from Rávaṇ’s eye,


s: Hence comes my fear. O fierce and brave,


s: We warned thee, but thou wouldst not hear;


s: With their hearts’ blood shall dye the plain.


s: He ceased: and when his lips were closed


s: Which soon shall make the captive thine.


s: This day through Lanká’s streets proclaim


s: Will show the shafts that rent each frame,


s: Gold, pearls, and precious robes, bestow.


s: With trembling heart will own his fear.”


s: He grasped his spear, the foeman’s dread,


s: Great spots of slaughtered victims’ gore.


s: With cars, with camels, and with steeds:


s: Were fain to battle for their lord.(976)


s: He raised his voice: the hills, the shore


s: They heard his voice: the flight was stayed;


s: Still on his limbs their missiles rained:


s: Unmoved, their blows he still sustained,


s: Some o’er the ground, dyed red with gore,


s: Ran to the bridge they erst had crossed.


s: Some clomb the trees their lives to save,


s: Stay, chieftains; wherefore will ye run,


s: Scarce would they hear: they would not stay,


s: Dispelled their dread and cheered each heart.


s: Thus from their flight the Vánars turned,


s: Like snakes by Garuḍ’s beak o’erpowered.


s: Like a huge cloud when fierce winds blow,


s: Whose spear each deadlier missile stopped,


s: Through Krauncha’s hill a passage broke.(977)


s: Roared like a cloud that brings the rain,


s: With rocks and trees and hands and feet.


s: Where speechless, senseless, wounded sore,


s: Fast gaped and closed his hell-like jaws:


s: Some Vánars still their lives could save:


s: Their flight, his heart with fury swelled.


s: But sense and strength were soon regained.


s: Who, waiting for the charge, stood still,


s: With streams of blood, and fiercely cried:


s: And bore him thence, as bears the breeze


s: While from each terrace, house, and tower


s: Blossoms and leaves and scattered grain.(981)


s: Felt life and sense and strength restored.


s: Who, mad with pain and smeared with gore,


s: Of keen shafts loosened from the string.


s: His heart confessed the warrior’s power,


s: “Well fought, well fought, Sumitrá’s son;


s: From his huge mouth burst fire and smoke;


s: While down his limbs the red blood flowed


s: Wroth at the bowstring’s threatening clang


s: Come, fight, and thou shalt feel this hour,


s: Laid low in death, thy conqueror’s power.”


s: Which pierced the stately Sál trees through,


s: They flew, they smote, but smote in vain


s: And, winged with might which naught could stay,


s: Through skin and flesh and bone it smote


s: Fell slain by Ráma’s matchless strength.


s: Blocks Lanká’s gate that none may pass.”


s: The monarch heard: his strength gave way;


s: Hot tears and mourned their brother dead.


s: At length, his wandering sense restored,


s: The slaughtered foeman’s flesh and gore?


s: Thy God-given strength, are left thee still.


s: Who met the King of Gods(986) and died.”


s: And their fierce souls with joy were stirred;


s: And sent them forth with stirring speech


s: To check his charge in vain they strove:


s: Straight through their host his way he clove,


s: As springs the sun from clouds dispersed,


s: Save nails and teeth, and sought no more.


s: “Leave, giant chieftain,” thus he spoke,


s: The fierce hand crushed through flesh and bone,


s: Smote with that fist which naught could stay,


s: The giant reeled, but strength regained,


s: Crushed by the hill, distained with gore,


s: Which chilled the trembling foe with fear


s: The Vánar shunned the threatened stroke,


s: Which served no more its senseless lord,


s: Smote his huge heads with crowns bedecked.


s: Fierce flashed his eyes with vengeful fire.


s: That struck and shook the Vánar’s frame.


s: Crushed were his jaws and teeth and eyes:


s: Whose power and might with Indra’s vied,


s: His car, which strikes our host with awe,


s: Like some huge cloud when lightnings play


s: Armed with tall trees from Lanká’s wood,


s: And rocks and mountain peaks, they stood.


s: Forth sprang Sumitrá’s noble child,(989)


s: Through heaven and earth reëchoing rang.


s: What! wilt thou waste thy childish breath


s: Cease with vain boasts my scorn to move,


s: Shall rend thy flesh and drink thy blood.”


s: Winged with a force which naught could check,


s: And, sundered from his shoulders, rolled


s: Then turned him to his lords, and cried:


s: Whose deadly shafts have caused our woe.


s: And with your troops, where danger calls,


s: And, torn with pangs that pierced him through


s: With words like these his sire consoled:


s: Through Lanká’s gate he reached the plain.


s: With wreaths of scented flowers and grain,


s: There on the ground were spear and blade,


s: They brought him, while the flame yet glowed,


s: Came the swift darts they could not shun.


s: He ceased: o’erpowered by shaft and spell


s: And, mid the shouts his followers raised,


s: Arms, legs and fingers strewed the ground,


s: The earth was moist with sanguine streams,


s: And sighs were heard and groans and screams.


s: Where’er they looked the ensanguined plain


s: Was strewn with myriads of the slain;(990)


s: And pierced with countless shafts he lay.


s: “Torn with keen shafts which pierce each limb,


s: Yet though I scarce can raise mine eyes,


s: “Go forth,” he cried, “O strong and brave,


s: Calm their sad hearts, dispel their fear.


s: Whose splendour will enchant thine eyes;


s: Four plants, of sovereign powers possessed,


s: Spring from the soil, and flashing there


s: Shed radiance through the neighbouring air.


s: With bright-winged birds, the mountains lay,


s: The place whence Rudra launched his dart;(992)


s: But, when he thought to seize the prize,


s: “Mine arm this day shall vengeance take,


s: Came stately piles that graced the town.


s: Wheels, poles and yokes were burned, and all


s: Forth rushed the giants through the flames


s: As with strange light the courtyard gleamed,


s: And raised on high his threatening hand:


s: With force that naught could stay or check,


s: The fierce blow crashed through flesh and bone


s: His heart was faint, his cheek was pale;


s: The guardian Gods(993) will taste repose:


s: But swift the thought of vengeance rose.


s: And from his eyes red lightning flashed.


s: With thunder in their threatening hands.


s: Fierce were his eyes: his monstrous hand


s: Held drawn for death his glittering brand.


s: “Wilt thou, great Monarch,” thus he cried,


s: The groans and cries of dames who wailed


s: From street to street the captains passed


s: With spear and sword to pierce and strike,


s: Then Rávaṇ’s warrior chariot(994) wrought


s: Through Lanká’s streets the tyrant hied.


s: Earth rocked and reeled from side to side


s: And scarce his flattering tongue could speak,


s: And turned with warriors’ fierce delight


s: Some through the side and heart he cleft,


s: Some struggling groaned with mangled thighs,


s: The plain with bleeding limbs was spread,


s: Crushed with huge rocks through chest and side


s: For leaguered town and slaughtered chiefs.


s: Fast rained his shafts: where’er he sped


s: And strained and tried his sounding bow,


s: Like clouds, with flashing lightning twined


s: That crown of shafts though wounded sore.


s: The giant’s darts were foiled and turned.


s: Spear, pike and javelin, mace and brand,


s: A ponderous spear that flashed like fire:


s: Which Death himself would shun with fear.


s: But Lakshmaṇ’s hand his bowstring plied,


s: Whose deadly point thy heart shall cleave.”


s: Swift, flickering like a serpent’s tongue,


s: And thoughts of vengeance filled his breast.


s: O’erwhelmed with terror turned and fled.


s: The pangs of woe have blanched my cheek,


s: Those worlds with thee? O speak, O speak!


s: “Great Prince, unmanly thoughts dismiss,


s: Which life and health and strength bestow


s: Swift through the clouds his way he made.


s: Sped through the clouds again and showed


s: The fragrant leaves he crushed and ground.


s: Who, healed and strengthened by the scent


s: Drawn by the steeds his lords had brought,


s: Cheered by the grace the Immortals showed


s: The friendly lights of heaven were paled;


s: Loud rang the bells: the glistering head


s: And gored with shafts his mighty breast.


s: Which all thy hopes through life will bless


s: The steeds that whirl his car are seven,(1011)


s: The flaming steeds that flash through heaven.


s: The clouds of night with glistering darts.


s: Lord of twelve forms,(1012) to thee I bow,


s: His eyes with reverence meet, and praised


s: Stood with their weapons in their hands,


s: By heavenly hands their force was stayed.


s: Where the strange missiles, as they rushed


s: No trace of pain, nor shook nor quailed.


s: With trenchant steel the monstrous head.


s: That death was near or strength decayed.


s: And blessed the chieftain’s life to save


s: Pierced the huge chest and cleft the heart,


s: Then turned and fled, all hope resigned,


s: Through Lanká’s gates, nor looked behind.


s: “Champion of Gods, well done, well done.”


s: Spoiled of thy crown, with limbs outspread,


s: He rushed against thee, fought and fell,


s: That mourned the monarch’s death, and, pale


s: “Ah, King! ah dearest lord!” they cried.


s: While panic struck their heavenly train,


s: Thy haughty heart thou wouldst not bend,


s: Who met thee, clothed in man’s disguise?


s: Whose days through ceaseless time extend


s: I counselled, but thou wouldst not hear.


s: Has brought thee death and endless shame.


s: He loved the wrong and scorned the right.


s: The honours that should grace the slain.”


s: Wise Bráhmans, while the tears that flowed


s: Down their wan cheeks their sorrow sowed,


s: Behind, their cheeks with tears bedewed,


s: Where, raised as Bráhmans ordered, stood


s: Then while the tears their cheeks bedewed


s: Parched grain upon the dead they strewed;


s: And Sítá’s truth which naught could bend.


s: And o’er his brows the drops were poured.


s: “Fair Queen,” he said, “our task is done:


s: “Blest for thy sake, O spouse most true,


s: Her eyes o’erflowed, her voice was weak;


s: My trembling tongue no words could frame.


s: “Sweet are the words, O Queen, which thou


s: Shall slay thy guards, this Rákshas band,


s: When their fierce threats my soul dismayed.”


s: “Queen, ere this sun shall cease to shine


s: Shall turn to thee his moon-bright face.


s: His sad looks sought the ground: he sighed


s: When at the Maiden’s Choice(1015) they meet,


s: Who heard his words were filled with grief.


s: Then with her doubt and fear she strove,


s: The bridge that spans the foaming flood,


s: All these are crowned with fruit to-day.


s: “Canst thou, a high-born prince, dismiss


s: Then hadst thou shunned the fruitless strife


s: Named Janak’s child, from fostering earth?


s: While sobs and sighs her utterance broke:


s: The shrill cry pierced through Ráma’s ears


s: Who wields the sceptre of the sea.(1018)


s: The God who shows the blazoned bull,(1019)


s: Brighter than sun-beams, sought the place


s: And from their glittering seats the best


s: “Couldst thou, the Lord of all, couldst thou,


s: Great joy shall crown his faith and love.


s: Through life’s fair course shall never know


s: The fierce assault of pain and woe.”(1020)


s: The circling flames were backward rolled,


s: Her wreath was fresh and sweet of scent,


s: The searching fire my queen should clear;


s: And scorned the king who, love-impelled,


s: Mine own dear spouse I ne’er will leave.”


s: Through trembling earth and heaven is fled.


s: He comes from where the Immortals dwell:


s: The sire replied, “absolved from guilt.”


s: “List to my words” he said, “dear child,


s: Thus Raghu’s son, great-hearted, prayed,


s: Their strength repaired, their gashes healed


s: Like sleepers when their slumber flies.”


s: Sought their bright home amid the stars.


s: “Here wait thee precious oil and scents,


s: These precious scents, this rich attire,


s: Shall bear thee o’er that length of way.


s: Will waft thee through the fields of air,


s: “These hosts who thronged to Lanká’s shore


s: Leave Lanká’s shore, your steps retrace,


s: And spoke, his heart with rapture stirred:


s: Bore through the clouds its freight of kings.


s: There, vainly screened by charm and spell,


s: Where, worn with toil, we sank to sleep.


s: Rich with their store of pearl and shell.


s: The wondrous bridge from shore to shore.


s: Where green with groves Kishkindhá lies,


s: Where Báli by this hand was slain.(1023)


s: And, where yon trees their branches wave,


s: There, flushed with lilies, Pampá shines


s: With banks which greenest foliage lines,


s: Through groves of brilliant foliage run.


s: Screened by the shade of spreading boughs.


s: Triumphant, girt with friends, art thou.


s: The Bráhmans saved, the foes o’erthrown.


s: With stores of honeyed juice, may meet.”


s: Trees thick with fruit and blossom showed


s: In health and strength with many a friend


s: Where breathes the man who will not cling


s: Where flowers were bright with every dye,


s: Pale, weak, and worn with ceaseless care.


s: “Fond greeting, Prince, I bring to thee,


s: Rushed in full flood o’er Bharat’s soul;


s: His reeling sense and strength gave way,


s: “In doubt and fear long years have passed


s: And found his queen to part no more.(1025)


s: Great rapture filled Śatrughna’s breast,


s: With loveliest blooms our monarch’s way.


s: With blossoms loose and chaplets twined.”


s: A thousand chiefs their steeds bestrode,


s: Their glittering cars a thousand showed.


s: With shouts of joy from countless throats,


s: And shells’ and tambours’ mingled notes,


s: O’er Ráma’s brow, shone bright with gold,


s: He ceased: then rapture loosed each tongue:


s: And lords and chiefs, omitting none.(1027)


s: “Well hast thou fought for Ráma’s sake.”


s: The pledge preserved through years of pain,


s: Who owned the wondrous prize of old.(1028)


s: The weighty charge could scarce sustain.


s: O’er the rough ways where thine should tread.


s: With gems, and Ráma’s queen were placed,


s: Threw grain and gold with liberal hands.


s: Of duty’s slaves, these words addressed:


s: Those chambers, best of all, which shine


s: And pleasant grounds with flowers and shade.”


s: Then Bharat spake: “I pray thee, friend,


s: And back through air his treasure brought,


s: Then priests and maids and warriors, all


s: From herbs wherewith their hands were filled


s: His brows were bound with glistering gold


s: The gay nymphs danced, the minstrels sang.


s: Which gleams like tender moonlight threw


s: Homeward their steps the chieftains bent.


s: The flocks and herds increased and grew.


s: Thus far the Section, containing the plan for the death of Rávaṇ.


s: PROFESSOR M. WILLIAMS’S English-Sanskrit Dictionary. _Indra_.


s: “The superficial study of India produced in the last century many


s: “Then, day by day, the husband’s hope grew high,


s: With anxious care he saw her pallid cheek,


s: And fondly bade her all her wishes speak.


s: “Once more I fain would see,” the lady cried,


s: “The sacred groves that rise on Gangá’s side,


s: Where holy grass is ever fresh and green,


s: And cattle feeding on the rice are seen:


s: There would I rest awhile, where once I strayed


s: Linked in sweet friendship to each hermit maid.”


s: And Ráma smiled upon his wife, and sware,


s: With many a tender oath, to grant her prayer.


s: It chanced, one evening, from a lofty seat


s: He viewed Ayodhyá stretched before his feet:


s: He looked with pride upon the royal road


s: Lined with gay shops their glittering stores that showed,


s: He looked on Sarjú’s silver waves, that bore


s: The light barks flying with the sail and oar;


s: He saw the gardens near the town that lay,


s: Filled with glad citizens and boys at play.


s: Then swelled the monarch’s bosom with delight,


s: And his heart triumphed at the happy sight.


s: He turned to Bhadra, standing by his side,—


s: Upon whose secret news the king relied.—


s: And bade him say what people said and thought


s: Of all the exploits that his arm had wrought.


s: The spy was silent, but, when questioned still,


s: Thus spake, obedient to his master’s will:


s: “For all thy deeds in peace and battle done


s: The people praise thee, King, except for one:


s: This only act of all thy life they blame,—


s: Thy welcome home of her, thy ravished dame.”


s: Sank Ráma, smitten by those words of woe.


s: His breast, where love and fear for empire vied,


s: Swayed, like a rapid swing, from side to side.


s: Shall he this rumour scorn, which blots his life,


s: Or banish her, his dear and spotless wife?


s: His perilled honour and his darling queen.


s: Called to his side, his brothers wept to trace


s: The marks of anguish in his altered face.


s: No longer bright and glorious as of old,


s: He thus addressed them when the tale was told:


s: “Alas! my brothers, that my life should blot


s: The fame of those the Sun himself begot:


s: As from the labouring cloud the driven rain


s: Leaves on the mirror’s polished face a stain.


s: E’en as an elephant who loathes the stake


s: And the strong chain he has no power to break,


s: That spreads like oil upon the moving tide.


s: And the fair blossom soon from her to spring,


s: Good is my queen, and spotless; but the blame


s: Is hard to bear, the mockery and the shame.


s: Men blame the pure Moon for the darkened ray,


s: When the black shadow takes the light away.


s: Ráma live long from this reproach set free,


s: The firm sad purpose of his changeless soul.”


s: Thus Ráma spake. The sorrowing brothers heard


s: His stern resolve, without an answering word;


s: For none among them dared his voice to raise,


s: That will to question:—and they could not praise.


s: “Beloved brother,” thus the monarch cried


s: To his dear Lakshmaṇ, whom he called aside.—


s: Lakshmaṇ, who knew no will save his alone


s: Whose hero deeds through all the world were known:—


s: “My queen has told me that she longs to rove


s: Beneath the shade of Saint Válmíki’s grove:


s: Tell all, and leave her in the forest there.”


s: The car was brought, the gentle lady smiled,


s: As the glad news her trusting heart beguiled.


s: She mounted up: Sumantra held the reins;


s: And forth the coursers bounded o’er the plains.


s: She saw green fields in all their beauty dressed,


s: And thanked her husband in her loving breast.


s: How changed was he whom she believed so true;


s: How one she worshipped like the Heavenly Tree


s: Could, in a moment’s time, so deadly be.


s: Her right eye throbbed,—ill-omened sign, to tell


s: The endless loss of him she loved so well,


s: And to the lady’s saddening heart revealed


s: The woe that Lakshmaṇ, in his love, concealed.


s: Pale grew the bloom of her sweet face,—as fade


s: The lotus blossoms,—by that sign dismayed.


s: “Oh, may this omen,”—was her silent prayer,—


s: “No grief to Ráma or his brothers bear!”


s: When Lakshmaṇ, faithful to his brother, stood


s: Prepared to leave her in the distant wood,


s: Raised all her hands of waves to bid him stay.


s: At length with sobs and burning tears that rolled


s: Down his sad face, the king’s command he told;


s: As when a monstrous cloud, in evil hour,


s: Rains from its labouring womb a stony shower.


s: She heard, she swooned, she fell upon the earth,


s: Fell on that bosom whence she sprang to birth.


s: Low in the dust the prostrate creeper lies,


s: So, struck with terror sank she on the ground,


s: And all her gems, like flowers, lay scattered round.


s: But Earth, her mother, closed her stony breast,


s: And, filled with doubt, denied her daughter rest.


s: She would not think the Chief of Raghu’s race


s: Would thus his own dear guiltless wife disgrace.


s: Stunned and unconscious, long the lady lay,


s: And felt no grief, her senses all astray.


s: But gentle Lakshmaṇ, with a brother’s care,


s: Brought back her sense, and with her sense, despair.


s: But not her wrongs, her shame, her grief, could wring


s: One angry word against her lord the King:


s: For tears and sighs that would not yet be stayed.


s: To soothe her anguish Lakshmaṇ gently strove;


s: He showed the path to Saint Válmíki’s grove;


s: And craved her pardon for the share of ill


s: He wrought, obedient to his brother’s will.


s: “O, long and happy, dearest brother, live!


s: I have to praise,” she cried, “and not forgive:


s: To do his will should be thy noblest praise;


s: Return, dear brother: on each royal dame


s: And bid them, in their love, kind pity take


s: Upon her offspring, for the father’s sake.


s: And speak my message in the monarch’s ear,


s: The last last words of mine that he shall hear:


s: Thy guiltless queen thus lightly to disgrace?


s: For idle tales to spurn thy faithful bride,


s: Whose constant truth the searching fire had tried?


s: And but thy voice decreed my banishment?


s: Hope that no care could turn, no love could stay


s: The lightning stroke that falls on me to-day?


s: That sins committed in the life that’s fled


s: Have brought this evil on my guilty head?


s: Worthless to her who once was Ráma’s wife.


s: The dear dear babe that will resemble thee.


s: And then my task of penance shall be done,


s: With eyes uplifted to the scorching sun;


s: So shall the life that is to come restore


s: Mine own dear husband, to be lost no more.”


s: And Lakshmaṇ swore her every word to tell,


s: Then turned to go, and bade the queen farewell.


s: Alone with all her woes, her piteous cries


s: Rose like a butchered lamb’s that struggling dies.


s: The reverend sage who from his dwelling came


s: For sacred grass and wood to feed the flame,


s: Heard her loud shrieks that rent the echoing wood,


s: And, quickly following, by the mourner stood.


s: Dried her poor eyes, and strove to calm her woe.


s: With blessings on her hopes the blameless man


s: In silver tones his soothing speech began:


s: “First of all faithful wives, O Queen, art thou;


s: And can I fail to mourn thy sorrows now?


s: Rest in this holy grove, nor harbour fear


s: Where dwell in safety e’en the timid deer.


s: Here shall thine offspring safely see the light,


s: Here, near the hermits’ dwellings, shall thou lave


s: Thy limbs in Tonse’s sin-destroying wave,


s: And on her isles, by prayer and worship, gain


s: Sweet peace of mind, and rest from care and pain.


s: Each hermit maiden with her sweet soft voice,


s: Shall soothe thy woe, and bid thy heart rejoice:


s: With fruit and early flowers thy lap shall fill,


s: And offer grain that springs for us at will.


s: And here, with labour light, thy task shall be


s: And learn how sweet a nursing mother’s joy


s: Ere on thy bosom rest thy darling boy.…”


s: Two royal children, most divinely fair.…


s: The saint Válmíki, with a friend’s delight,


s: Graced Sítá’s offspring with each holy rite.


s: Learnt, e’en in childhood, all the Vedas’ lore;


s: And then the bard, their minstrel souls to train,


s: Taught them to sing his own immortal strain.


s: And Ráma’s deeds her boys so sweetly sang,


s: That Sítá’s breast forgot her bitterest pang.…


s: Then Sítá’s children, by the saint’s command,


s: Sang the Rámáyan, wandering through the land.


s: How could the glorious poem fail to gain


s: Each heart, each ear that listened to the strain!


s: So sweet each minstrel’s voice who sang the praise


s: Marked their fair forms, and loved the noble song,


s: While, still and weeping, round the nobles stood,


s: On the two minstrels all the people gazed,


s: Praised their fair looks and marvelled as they praised;


s: For every eye amid the throng could trace


s: Then spoke the king himself and bade them say


s: Who was their teacher, whose the wondrous lay.


s: “These are thy children” cried the saint, “recall


s: Thine own dear Sítá, pure and true through all.”


s: “The faithful lady by the fire was tried;


s: But the foul demon’s too successful arts


s: Raised light suspicions in my people’s hearts.


s: Grant that their breasts may doubt her faith no more,


s: And cried, “No fear shall vex thee here,


s: “This bird,” he cried, “my destined prize,


s: He heaped the scale with piles of flesh,


s: _The twice born chiefs, with zealous heed,_


s: _Poured forth when Vritra was destroyed._


s: _And that prized herb whose sovereign power_


s: _Preserves from dark misfortune’s hour._


s: “And yet more medicinal is it than that Moly,


s: ’Gainst all enchantment, mildew, blast, or damp,


s: Or ghastly furies’ apparition.” _Comus._


s: ill-shapen, and dwarfish, and have countenances of a very African


s: _With countless pendent shoots displayed._


s: “So counselled he, and both together went


s: Into the thickest wood; there soon they chose


s: The fig-tree: not that kind for fruit renowned,


s: But such as at this day, to Indians known,


s: Branching so broad and long, that in the ground


s: The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow


s: High overarched, and echoing walks between.”


s: _What worlds await thee, Queen, for this?_


s: Seneca, speaking of Argolis, (Thyestes, Act IV), says:—


s: Schlegel says in his Preface: “Lubrico vestigio insistit V. Cl.


s: COX’S _Mythology of the Aryan Nations._ Vol. I. p. 397.


s: _Gave sign that aught was false in him._


s: _Concise, unfaltering, sweet and clear,_


s: _From chest to throat, nor high nor low,_


s: Somewhat similarly in _The Squire’s Tale_:


s: “He with a manly voice said his message,


s: Withouten vice of syllable or of letter.


s: And for his talë shouldë seem the better


s: As teacheth art of speech them that it lere.”


s: WHEELER’S _History of India. Vol. II. pp. 316 ff._


s: WHEELER’S _History of India, Vol. II. 324_.


s: DE GUBERNATIS, _Zoological Mythology_, Vol. II. pp. 100 ff.


s: ethnological meaning, pointing out the Jaitwas as of non-Aryan


s: Professor Lassen remarks in the Zeitschrift für die Kunde des


s: _The Serpent-Gods, and stormed their hold."_


s: The Bráhman householder ought to maintain three sacred fires, the


s: Tum dea nube cava tenuem sine viribus umbram


s: Dardaniis ornat telis; clipeumque jubasque


s: Divini assimulat capitis; dat inania verba;


s: Dat sine mente sonum, gressusque effingit euntis.


s: At Venus æthereos inter dea candida nimbos


s: Arma sub adversa posuit radiantia quercum.


s: Expleri nequit, atque oculus per singula volvit,


s: Miraturque, interque manus et brachia versat


s: Terribilem cristis galeam flammasque vomentem,


s: Fatiferumque ensem, loricam ex ære rigentem.


s: The following is the literal translation of the Canto, text and


s: I respectfully salute thee who art Jaya,(1143) Jayabhadra,(1144)


s: _Still on his head, well trained in lore_


s: And to own that he had his kingdom and power


s: self-apparent that they are not by the author of the Rámáyan


s: robbers. Attacking on one occasion the seven Rishis, they


s: WILSON. _Specimens of the Hindu Theatre, Vol. I. p. 313_.


s: allegorically. If we look at the derivation of the word (_pra_,


s: preserving power of nature, he is worshipped as a Saviour who has


s: Ὅς ἤδη τ’ ἐόντα, τά τ’ ἐσσόμενα,


s: πρό τ’ ἐόντα.


s: “That sacred seer, whose comprehensive view,


s: The past, the present, and the future knew.”


s: varieties of one and the same language,) so its thoughts and


s: feelings contain in reality the first roots and germs of that


s: intellectual growth which by an unbroken chain connects our own


s: generation with the ancestors of the Aryan race,—with those very


s: people who at the rising and setting of the sun listened with


s: ancestors of our race, and the Veda is the oldest book we have in


s: _Chips from a German Workshop_, Vol. I. pp. 8. 4.


s: twenty-seven daughters of the patriarch Daksha, or Aśviní and the


s: The Bengal recension has a different reading:


s: remembered the ancient home where they dwelt with the other


s: primitive peoples of their family before they descended to occupy


s: _adhidevate_ or guardian deities of the kingdom.


s: First, second, third, amid the blessed Three.”


s: fires, domestic and sacrificial; the Dwápara is the age of doubt;


s: worship. In this point the first of the Indian triad curiously


s: resembles the last of the divine fraternity of Greece, Aïdes the


s: confirm that ancient oracle declared to Válmíki by the Father of


s: Dum stabunt montes, campis dum flumina current,


s: Usque tuum toto carmen celebrabitur orbe.”


s: tranquility or content, or paternal tenderness, is sometimes


s: Himalayas, and after flowing through the province of Oudh, falls


s: _man_, the thinker, and is found in this sense in the Rig-veda.


s: Manu as a legislator is identified with the Cretan Minos, as


s: Tuisconem deum terra editum, et filium Mannum, originem gentis


s: conditoresque.” TACITUS, _Germania_, Cap. II.


s: The Hebrew form is _Hodda_ (Esther, I. 1.). In Zend it appears as


s: signification of _Hind_ seems to have co-extended with their


s: increasing acquaintance with the country. The weak Ionic dialect


s: becomes in the hot season intolerably wearisome to European ears.


s: performed twice a day, in the forenoon and afternoon. It precedes


s: besieging, they conquer a large (fortified) town.”—_Ibid._ p. 32.


s: Bilva wood.” Haug’s _Aítareya Bráhmanam. Vol. II._ p. 73.


s: “On account of four classes of gods having praised Agni with four


s: “This (Ágnishṭoma) is a sacrificial performance which has no


s: beginning and no end.” HAUG’S _Aitareya Bráhmaṇam_.


s: The Abhijit, _the everywhere victorious_, is the name of a


s: sub-division of the great sacrifice of the Gavámanaya.


s: The Viśvajit, or _the all-conquering_, is a similar sub-division.


s: Áyus is the name of a service forming a division of the Abhiplava


s: voluntary sacrifice instituted for the attainment of a specific


s: also, and one of the seven Saṇsthas or component parts of the


s: recitation of one of the Hotri priests at the time of the Soma


s: acolytes, who had chiefly to prepare the sacrificial ground, to


s: dress the altar, slay the victims, and pour out the libations. 2.


s: “In the meantime she traced around him, with wavering steps, the


s: propitiation, which some have thought has been derived from the


s: Druidical mythology. It consists, as is well known, in the person


s: Schlegel translates: “Divi, Sapientes, Fidicines, Præpetes,


s: illustres Genii, Præconesque procrearunt natos, masculos,


s: monkeys, is more ridiculous or undignified.


s: In her full lap the Champac’s leaves of gold.”


s: mansion which is called _Punarvasu_. The five planets and their


s: positions in the Zodiac are thus enumerated by both commentators:


s: Alexander’s successors, and natives of India were so long


s: exclusively employed in this service that the name Indian was


s: character but were afterwards reduced to the office of celestial


s: musicians cheering the banquets of the Gods. Dr. Kuhn has shown


s: their identity with the Centaurs in name, origin and attributes.”


s: Demiurgi, or secondary authors of creation.


s: their mythical genealogy seems to indicate that their origin was


s: astronomical. They were, perhaps, at first the morning star and


s: evening star. They are said to be the children of the sun and the


s: circumstances be omitted. One of these observances was the


s: recitation of the Sávitrí, a Vedic hymn to the Sun of wonderful


s: _  155 Stháṇu_. The Unmoving one, a name of Śiva.


s: austerities, either to raise themselves to greater power and


s: austerities were called in India _tapas_ (burning ardour, fervent


s: Kailása, the region of the sacred lakes. The poem, following the


s: He will appear as the friend and helper of Ráma farther on in the


s: according to the fashion of those ascribed to the Gods and the


s: different orders of demi-gods, partly are the mere creations of


s: fancy; and it would not be easy to say what idea the poet had of


s: them in his own mind, or what powers he meant to assign to each.”


s: power seems to be implied of employing the weapons when and where


s: enumeration of these _Sankáras_, and it is not surprising that


s: India, graceful and devoted to the worship of external beauty in


s: distinguish themselves from the surrounding nations of different


s: A double marriage, ’twixt my crown and me,


s: And then between me and my married wife.”


s: Ádityas, Prajápati, either Brahmá or Daksha, and Vashatkára or


s: deified oblation. This must have been the actual number at the


s: beginning of the Vedic religion gradually increased by successive