To render her conception vain, And fruit uriripened to destroy, Sugar1 she called her darling boy To Sagar Asamanj was heir: Bright Ansuman his consort bare. An simian's son, Dilipa famed, Begot a son Bhagirath named. From him the great Kakutstha rose: From him came Raghu, feared by foea, Of him sprang Purushadak bold, Fierce hero of gigantic mould: Kalmashapada's name he bore, Because his feet were spotted o'er.2 From him came Lankan, and from him Sudarsan, fair in face and limb. From beautiful Sudarsan came Prince Agnivarna, bright as flame. His son was Sighraga, for speed Unmatched; and Maru was his seed, Prasusruka was Maru's child • His son was Ambarisha styled. Nahush was Ambarisha's heir, The mighty lord of regions fair: Nahush begot Yayati: he, Nabhag of happy destiny. Son of Nabhag was Aja: his, The glorious Dasaratha is, Whose noble children boast to be K4ma and Lakshman, whom we see. Thus dp those kings of purest race Their lineage from Ikshvaku trace: Their hero lives the right maintained, Theirlips with falsehood ne'er were stained, In Kama's and in Lakshman's name Thy daughters as their wives I claim, So shall in equal bands be tied Each peerless youth with peerless bride.'
CANTO LXXL JAKAK'S PEDIGREE.
Then to the saint supremely wise King Janak spoke in suppliant guise: * Deign, Hermit, with attentive ear, My race's origin to hear. When kings a daughter's hand bestow, 'Tis right their line and fame to show. There was a king whose deeds and worth Spread wide his name through heaven and earth, 1 This is another fanciful derivation, Sa — with, and gara — poison.
* PurnsJiddak means a cannibal. First called Kalmdshapdda on account of his spotted feet he is said to have been turned into a cannibal for killing the son of Vaaishtua.
Nimi, most virtuous e'en from youth, The best of all who love the truth. His son and heir was Mithi, and His Janak, first who ruled this land. He left a son Udavasu, Blest with all virtues, good and true. His son was Nandivardhan, dear For pious heart and worth sincere, His son Suketu, hero brave, To Devarat, existence gave. King Devarat, a royal sage, For virtue, glory of the age, Begot Vrihadratha; and he Begot, his worthy heir to be, The splendid hero Mahabir Who long in glory governed here. His son was Sudhriti, a youth Firm in his purpose, crave in sooth. His son was Dhristaketu, blest With pious will and holy breast. The fame of royal saint he won: Haryasva was his princely son. Haryasva's son was Maru, who Begot Pratindhak, wise and true. Next Kirtiratha held the throne, His son, for gentle virtues known. Then followed Devamidha, then Vibudh, Mahandhrak, kings of men. Mahandhrak s son, of boundless mighty Was Kirtirat, who loved the right. He passed away, a sainted king, And Maharoma following To Swarnaroma left the state. Then Hrasv aroma, good and great, Succeeded, and to him a pair Of sons his royal consort bare, Elder of these I boast to be: Brave Kusadhwaj is next to me.1 Me then, the elder of the twain, My sire anointed here to reign. He bade me tend my brother well, Then to the forest went to dwell. He sought the heavens, and I sustained The burden as by Jaw ordained, And noble Kusadhwaj, the peer Of Gods, I ever held most dear. Then came Sankasya's mighty lord, Sudhanva, threatening siege and sword. And bade me swift on him bestow Diva's incomparable bow, 1 ' Jn the setting forth of these royal genealogies the Bengal recension varies but slightly from the Northern. The first six names of the genealogy of the Kings of Ayodhya are partly theogonical and partly cosmogonical; the other names are no doubt in accordance with tradition and deserve the same amount of credence aa the ancient traditional genealogies of other nations,' GOKRESIO.
Canto LXXIL THE RAMA YAN.
And Sita of the lotus eyes: But I refused each peerless prize. Then, host to host, we met the foes, Arid fierce the din of battle rose. Budhanva, foremost of his band, Fell smitten by my single hand. When thus Sankasya's lord was slain, I sanctified, as laws ordain, My brother in his stead to reign, Thus are we brothers, Saint most high The younger he, the elder I. Now, mighty Sage, my spirit joys To give these maidens to the boys. Let Sita be to Kama tied, And Urmila be Lakshman's bride. First give, O King, the gift of cows, As dowry of each royal spouse, Due offerings to the spirits pay, And solemnize the wedding-day. The moon to-night, O royal Sage, In Magha's1 House takes harbourage; On the third night his rays benign In second Phalguni34 will shine: Be that the day, with prosperous fate, The nuptial rites to celebrate.1 CANTO LXXII.
THE GIFT OF KINE.
When royal Janak's word.^were done, Joined with Vasishtha Kusik's son, The mighty sage began his speech: ' No mind may scan, no thought can reach The glories of Ikshvtiku's line, Or, great Videha's King, of thine: None in the whole wide world may vie With them in fame and honours high. Well matched, I ween, in holy bands, These peerless pairs will join their hands. But hear me as I speak once more: Thy brother, skilled in duty's lore, Has at his home a royal pair Of daughters most divinely fair, I for the hands of these sweet two For Bharat and &atrughua sue, Both princes of heroic mould, Wise, fair of form, and lofty-souled. All Dasarabha's sons, I ween, Own each young grace of form and mien: Brave as the Gods are they, nor yield To the great Lords the worlds who shield.
1 The tenth of the lunar asterisms, com- posed of live stars, 2 There are two lunar asterisms of this name, one following the other immediately, forming the eleventh and twelf in of the lunar mansions.
By these, good Prince of merits high, Ikshvaku's house with thine ally.' The suit the holy sage preferred, With willing ear the monarch heard: Vasishtha's lips the counsel praised: Then spake the king with hands upraised: ' Now blest indeed my race I deem, Which your high will, O Saints supreme, With Dasaratha's house unites In bonds of love and marriage rites. So be it done. My nieces twain Let Bharat and Satrughna gain, And the four youths the selfsame day Four maiden hands in theirs shall lay. No day so lucky may compare, For marriage — so the wise declare — With the last day of Phalguni Ruled by the genial deity.' Then with raised hands in reverence due To those arch -saints he spoke anew: ' I am your pupil, ever true: To me high favour have ye shown; Come, sit ye on my royal throne, For Dasaratha rules these towers E'en as Ayodhya now is ours. Do with your own whatever ye choose: Your lordship here will none refuse.'
He spoke, and to Videha's king Thus Dasaratha, answering: 'Boundless your virtues, lords, whose sway The realms of Mithila obey. With honouring care you entertain Both holy sage and royal train. Now to my house my steps I bend — May blessings still on you at end — Due offerings to the shades to pay.' Thus spoke the king, and turned away: To Janak first he bade adieu, Then followed fast those holy two. The monarch reached his palace where The rites were paid with solemn care. When the next sun began to shine He rose arid made his gift of kine. A hundred thousand cows prepared For each young prince the Drahmans shared.
Each had her horns adorned with gold; And duly was the number told, Four hundred thousand perfect tale: Each brought a calf, eacn filled a pail, And when that glorious task was o'er, The monarch with his children four, Showed like the Lord of Life divine When the worlds' guardians round him shine, THE RAM AY AN.
Book /.
CANTO LXXIII.
THE NUPTIALS.
On that same day that saw the king His gift of kine distributing, The lord of Kekaya'a son, by name Yudhajit, Hharat's uncle, came, Asked of the monarch's health, and then Addressed the reverend king of men: ' The lord of Kekaya's realm by me Sends greeting, noble King, to'thee: Asks if the friends thy prayers would bless Uninterrupted health possess. Right anxious, mighty King, is he My sister's princely boy to see. For this I sought Ayodhya fair The message of my sire to bear. There learning, O my liege, that thou With sons and noble kinsmen now Wast resting here, I sought the place Longing to see my nephew's face.' The king with kind observance cheered His friend by tender ties endeared, And every choicest honour pressed Upon his honourable guest.
That night with all his children spent, At morn King Dasaratha went, Behind Vasishtha and the rest, To the fair ground for rites addressed. Then when the lucky hour was nigh Called Victory, of omen high, Came Rama, after vow and prayer For nuptial bliss and fortune fair, With the three youths in bright attire, And stood beside his royal sire. To Janak then Vasishtha sped, And to Videha's monarch said: ' O King, Ayodhya's ruler now Has breathed the prayer and vowed the vow.
vow.
And with his sons expecting stands The giver of the maidens' hands. The giver and the taker both Must ratify a mutual oath. Perform the part for which we wait, And rites of marriage celebrate.'
Skilled in thelaws which Scriptures teach, He answered thus Vasishtha's speech: « O Saint, what warder bars the gate? Whose bidding can the king await? In one's own house what doubt is shown? This kingdom, Sage, is all thine own. E'en now the maidens may be found Within the sacrificial ground: Each vow is vowed and prayed each prayer, And they, like fire, are shining there. Here by the shrine my place I took Expecting thee with eager look.
No bar the nuptial rites should stay: What cause have we for more delay? ' When Janak's speech the monarch heard, To sons and saints he gave the word, And set them in the holy ring, Then to Vasishtha spoke the king Of Mithila: 'O mighty Sage, Mow let this task thy care engage, And lend thine aid and counsel wise The nuptial rites to solemnize.'
The saint Vasishtha gave assent, And quickly to the task he went, With Visvainitra, nothing loth, And Satananda aiding both. Then, as the rules prescribe, they made An altar in the midst, and laid Fresh wreaths of fragrant flowers thereon. The golden ladles round it shone; And many a vase, which branches hid Fixed in the perforated lid, And sprays, and cups, and censers there Stood filled with incense rich and rare; Shell-bowls, and spoons, and salvers dressed With gifts tbat greet the honoured guest; Piles of parched rice some dishes bore, Others with coin prepared ran o'er; And holy grass was duly spread In equal length?, while prayers were said. Next chief of saints, Vasishtha came And laid the offering in the flame. Then by the hand King Janak drew His Sita, beautiful to view, And placed her, bright in rich attire, Rama to face, before the fire, Thus speaking to the royal boy Who filled Kausalya's heart with joy: * Here Sita stands, my daughter fair, The duties of thy life to share. Take from her father, take thy bride; Join hand to hand, and bliss betide! A fathf ul wife, most blest is she, And as thy shade will follow thee.'
Tims as he spoke the monarch threw O'er her young limbs the holy dew, While Gods and saints were heard to swell The joyous cry, 'Tis well! 'Tis well! His daughter Sita thus bestowed, O'er whom the sacred drops had flowed. King Janak's heart with rapture glowed. Then to Prince Lakshman thus he cried: 1 Take Urmila thine offered bride, And clasp her hand within thine own Ere yet the lucky hour be flown.' Then to Prince Bharat thus cried he: 'Come, take the hand of Mandavi.' Then to gatrughna: * In thy grasp The hand of Srutakirti clasp. Now, Raghu's sons, may all of you Be gentle to your wives and true; Canto LXXIV.
THE RAM A TAN-.
85 Keep well the vows you make to-day, Nor let occasion slip away.' - King Janak's word the youths obeyed; The maidens' hands in theirs they laid. Then with their brides the princes went With ordered steps and reverent Bound both the tire and Janak, round The sages and the sacred ground.
A flowery flood of lucid dyes In rain descended from the skies, While with celestial voices blent Sweet strains from many an instrument, And the nymphs danced in joyous throng Responsive to the minstrel's; song. Such signs of exultation they Saw on the princes' wedding day. Still rang the heavenly music's sound When Kaghu's sons thrice circled round The fire, each one with reverent head, And homeward then their brides they led. They to the sumptuous palace hied That Janak's care had seen supplied. The monarch girt witli saint and peer Still fondly gazing followed near.
CANTO LXXIV.
RA:MA WITH THE AXE. > Soon as the night had reached its close The hermit Visvamitra rose; To both the kings he bade adieu And to the northern hill withdrew. Ayodhya's lord of high renown Received farewell, and sought his town. Then as each daughter left her bower King Janak gave a splendid dower, Rugs, precious silks, a warrior force, Cars, elephants, and foot, and horse, Divine to see and well arrayed; And many a skilful tiring-maid, And many a young and trusty slave The father of the ladies gave. Silver and coral, gold and pearls He gave to his beloved girls. These precious gifts the king bestowed And sped his guest upon his road. The lord of Mithila's sweet town Rode to his court and lighted down.
1 This is another Rama, son of Jamad- agni, called Parasurama, or Rama with the axe, from the weapon which he carried. He was while he lived the terror of the Warrior caste, and his name recalls long and fierce struggles between the sacerdotal and military order in which the latter suffered severely at the hands of their implacable enemy.
Ayodhya's monarch, glad and gay, Led by the seers pursued his way With his dear sons of lofty mind: The royal army marched behind. As on he fared the voice he heard Around of many a dismal bird, And every beast in wild affright Began to hurry to the right. The monarch to Vasishtha cried: ' What strange misfortune will betide? Why do the beasts in terror fly, , And birds of evil omen cry?
What is it shakes my heart with dread? Why is my soul disquieted?'
Soon as he heard, the mighty saint Thus answered Dasaratha's plaint In sweetest tone: ' Now, Monarch, mark, And learn from me the meaning dark. The voices of the birds of air Great peril to the host declare: The moving beasts the dread allay, So drive thy whelming fear away.'
As he and Da^aratha spoke A tempest from the welkin broke, That shook the spacious earth arnain And hurled high trees upon the plain. The sun grew dark with murky cloud, And o'er the fckies was cast a shroud, While o'er the army, faint with dread, A veil of dust and ashes spread. King, princes, saints their sense retained, Fear-stupefied the rest remained. At length, their wits returning, all Beneath the gloom and ashy pall Saw Jamadagrii's son with dread, His long hair twisted round his head, Who, sprung from Bhrigu, loved to beat The proudest kings beneath his feet. Firm as Kailasa's hill he showed, Fierce as the fire of doom he glowed. His axe upon his shoulder lay, His bow was ready for the fray, With thirsty arrows wont to fly Like Lightnings from the angry sky. A long keen arrow forth he drew, Invincible like those which flew From Diva's ever-conquering bow And Tripura in death laid low.
When his wild form, that struck with awe, Fearful as ravening flame, they saw, Vasishtha and the saints whose care Was sacrifice and muttered prayer, Drew close together, each to each, And questioned thus with bated speech: * Indignant at his father's fate Will he on warriors vent his hate, The slayers of his father slay, And sweep the loathed race away? But when of old his fury raged Seas of their blood his wrath assuaged i THE RAM AY AN.
Boole I.
So doubtless now he lias not planned To slay all warriors in the land.'
Then with a gift the saints drew near To Bhrigu's son whose look was fear, And Rama! llama! soft they cried. The gift he took, no word replied. Then Brigu's son his silence broke And thus to Rama Rama spoke: CANTO LXXV.
THE PARLB.
' Heroic Rama, men proclaim The marvels of thy matchless fame, And I from loud-voiced rumour know The exploit of the broken bow, Yea, bent and broken, mighty Chief, A feat most wondrous, past belief. Stirred by thy fame thy face 1 sought: A peerless bow 1 too have brought. This mighty weapon, strong and dire, Great Jamadagni owned, my sire. iJraw with its shaft my father's bow, And thus thy might, O Kama, show. This proof of prowess let me see — The weapon bent and drawn by thee; Then single fight our strength shall tiy, And this shall raise thy glory high.' King Dasaratha heard with dread The boastful speech, and thus he said; Raising his hands hi suppliant guise, With pallid cheek and timid eyes: 'Forgetful of the bloody feud Ascetic toils hast thou pursued; Then, Brahman, let my children be Untroubled and from danger free, Sprung of the race of Bhrigu, who Head holy lore, to vows most true, Thou swarest to the Thousand-eyed And thy tierce axe was cast aside. Thou turnedst to thy rites away Leaving the earth to Kagyap's sway, And we u test far a grove to seek Beneath Mahendra's1 mountain peak.
1 ' The author of the Ragliuvansa places the mountain Mahendra in the territory of the king of the Kaliiigans, whose palace commanded a view of the ocean. It is well known that the country along the coast to the south of the mouths of the Gauges was the seat of this people. Hence jt may be suspected that this Mahendra is what Pliny calls " promontorium Cal- ingoii." The modern name Cape Pal- wyras, from the palmyras (Borassus hV beilitorniis) whica abound there agrees ttow, mighty Hermit, art thou here To slay us all with doom severe? For if alone my Rama fall, We share his fate and perish all.'
As thus the aged sire complained The mighty chief no answer deigned. To Rama only thus he cried: ' Two bows, the Heavenly Artist's pride, Celestial, peerless, vast, and strong, By all the worlds were honoured long. One to the Three -eyed God1 was given, Bv glory to the conflict driven, Thus armed fierce Tripura he slew: And then by thee 'twas burst in two. The second bow, which few may brave, The highest Gods to Vishnu gave. This bow I hold: before it fall The foeman's fenced tower and wall. Then prayed the Gods the Sire Most High Bv some unerring proof to try Were praise for might Lord Vishnu's due, Or his whose Neck is|stained with Blue.5' The mighty Sire their wishes knew, And he whose lips are ever true Caused the two Gods to meet as foes. Then fierce the rage of 'battle rose: Bristled in dread each starting hair As $iva strove with Vishnu there. But Vishnu raised his voice amain, And £iva''s bowstring twanged in vain; Its master of the Three bright Eyes Stood tixt in fury and surprise. Then all the dwellers in the sky, •Minstrel, and saint, and God drew nigh, And prayed them that the strife might cease, And the great rivals met in peace. 'Twas seen how Diva's bow has failed Unnerved, when Vishnu's might assailed, And Gods and heavenly sages thence To Vishnu gave preeminence. Then glorious $iva in his rage Gave it to Devarat the sage Who ruled Videha's fertile land, To pass it down from hand to hand. But this my bow, whose shafts smite down The foeman's fenced tower and town. To great Richika Vishnu lent To be a pledge and ornament. Then Jamadagni, Brahman dread, My sire, the bow inherited. But Arjun stooped to treachery vile And slew my noble sire by guile, Whose penance awful strength had gained, Whose hand the God -given bow retained.
remarkably with the description of the poet who speaks of the groves of these trees. Ragkuvahta, VI. 51.' SCHLEGEL.
1 £iva z Siva, God of the Azure Neck. • Canto LXXVI.
THE RAM AY AN.
87 I heard indignant how he fell By mournful fate, too sad to tell.
My vengeful fury since that time Scourges all Warriors for the crime.
As generations spring to life I war tliem down in endless strife.
All earth I brought beneath my sway, And gave it for his meed and pay To holy Kasyap, when of yore The rites performed by him were o'er.
Then to Mahendra's hill I turned Strong in the strength that penance earned, And toiled upon his lofty head By Gods immortal visited.
The breaking of the bow I knew From startled Gods conversing, through The airy regions, of thy deed, And hither came with swiftest speed.
Now, for thy Warrior's honour sake, This best of bows, O Rama, take: This, owned by Vishnu's self of old, My sire and grandsire loved to hold.
Drawn to its head upon the string One town-destroying arrow bring; If this thou can, O hero, 1 In single tight thy strength will try.'
CANTO LXXVI.
DEBARRED FROM HEAVEN.
The haughty challenge, undeterred The son of Dasaratha heard, And cried, while reverence for his sire Checked the full torrent of his ire: ' Before this day have I been told The deed that stained thy hands of old. But pity bids my soul forget: Thy father, murdered, claimed the debt. My strength, O Chief, thou deemest slight, Too feeble for a Warrior's might. Now will I show thy wondering eyes The prowess which they dare despise,' He hastened then with graceful ease That mighty bow and shaft to seize. His hand the weapon strung and swayed: The arrow on the string was laid. Then Jamadagni's son he eyed, And thus in words of fury cried: ' Thou art a Brahman, still to be Most highly honoured, Chief, by me. For Visvtunitra's sake beside Shall reverence due be ne'er denied. Though mine the power, I would not send A dart at thee thy life to end. But thy great power to wander free, Which penance-rites have won for thee, Or glorious worlds from thee to wrest, Is the iirin purpose of my breast.
And Vishnu's dart which now I strain Can ne'er be shot to fall in vain: It strikes the mighty, and it stuns The madness of the haughty ones.'
Then Gods, and saints and heavenly choir Preceded by the General Sire, Met in the air and gazed below On Rama with that wondrous bow. Nymph, minstrel, angel, all were there, Snake-God, and spirit of the air, Giant, and bard, and gryphon, met, Their eyes upon the marvel set. In senseless hush the world was chained While Rama's hand the bow retained. And Jamadagni's son amazed And powerless on the hero gazed. Then when his swelling heart had shrunk, And his proud strength in torpor sunk, Scarce his voice ventured, low and weak, To Rama lotus-eyed, to speak: ' When long ago I gave away The whole broad land to Kasyap's sway, He charged me never to remain Within the limits of his reign. Obedient to my guide's behest On earth by night I never rest. My choice is made. I will not dim Mine honour and be false to him. So, son of Raghu, leave me still The power to wander where I will, And swifter than the thought rny flight Shall place me on Mahendra's height. My mansions of eternal joy, By penance won, thou mayst destroy. My path to these thy shaft may stay. Now to the work! No more delay 1 I know thee Lord of Gods; J know Thy changeless might laid Madhu low. All other hands would surely fail To bend this bow. All hail! all hail! See! all the Gods have left the skies To bend on thee their eager eyes, With whose achievements none compete, Whose arm in war no God can meet. No shame is mine. I ween, for thou, Lord of the Worlds, hast dimmed my brow. Now, pious Rama, 'tis thy part To shoot afar that glorious dart: I, when the fatal shaft is shot, Will seek that hill and tarry not.* He ceased. The wondrous arrow flew, And Jamadagni's offspring knew Those glorious worlds to him were barred, Once gained by penance long and hard, Then straight the airy quarters cleared, And the mid regions bright appeared, While Gods and saints unnumbered praised Rama, the mighty bow who raised. And Jamadagni's son, o 'era wed, Extolled his name with highest laud, 88 THE RAM AY AN.
Book I.
With reverent steps around him strode, Then hastened on his airyfroad. Far from the sight of all he fled, And rested on Mahendra's head, CANTO LXXVIL BHABAT'S DEPARTURE.
Then Rama with a cheerful mind The bow to Varun's hand resigned. Due reverence to the saints he paid, And thus addressed his sire dismayed: * As Bhrigu's son is far from view, Now let the host its march pursue, And to Ayodhya's town proceed In four-fold bands, with thee to lead,' King Dasnratha thus addressed His lips to Rama's forehead pressed, And held him to his aged breast. Rejoiced in sooth was he to know That Bhrigu's son had parted so, And hailed a second life begun For him and his victorious son. He urged the host to speed renewed, And soon Ayodhya's gates he viewed. High o'er the roofs gay pennons played; Tabour and drum loud music made; Fresh water cooled the royal road, And flowers in bright profusion glowed. Glad crowds with garlands thronged the ways ways Rejoicing on their king to gaze And all the town was bright and gay Exulting in the festive day. People and Brahmans flocked to meet Their monarch ere he gained the street, The glorious king amid the throng Rode with his glorious sons along, And passed within his dear abode That like Himalaya's mountain showed. And there Kausalya, noble queen, Sumitra with her lovely mien, Kaikeyi of the dainty waist, And other dames his bowers who graced, Stood in the palace side by side And welcomed home each youthful bride: Fair Sita, lofty-fated dame, Urmil£ of the glorious fame, And Kusadhwaja's children fair, With joyous greeting and with prayer, As all' in linen robes arrayed With offerings at the altars prayed. Due reverence paid to Gods above, Each princess gave her soul to love, And hidden in her inmost bower Passed with her lord each blissful hour. The royal youths, of spirit high, With whom in valour none could vie, Lived each within his palace bounds Bright as Kuvera's pleasure-grounds, With riches, troops of faithful friends, And bliss that wedded life attend*: Brave princes, trained in warlike skill, A nd duteous to their father's will. At length the monarch called one morn Prince Bharat, of Kaikeyi born, And cried: ' My son, within our gates Lord Yudhajit thine uncle waits. The son of Kekaya's king is he, And came, my child, to summon thee.1 Then Bharat for the road prepared, And with £atrughna forth he fared. First to his sire he bade adieu, Brave Rama, and his mothers too. Lord Yudhajit with joyful pride Went forth, the brothers by his side, And reached the city where he dwelt; And mighty joy his father felt.
R&ma and Lakshman honoured still Their godlike sire with'duteous will. Two constant guides for Rama stood, His father's wish, the people's good. Attentive to the general weal He thought and wrought to please and heal. His mothers too he strove to please With love and sonly courtesies. At every time, in every spot, His holy guides he ne'er forgot. So for his virtues kind and true Dearer and dearer Rama grew. To Dasaratha, Brahmans, all In town and country, great and small. And Rama by his darling's side Saw many a blissful season glide, Lodged in her soul, each thought on her, Lover, and friend, and worshipper. He loved her for his father's voice Had given her and approved the choice: He loved her for each charm she wore And her sweet virtues more and more, So he her lord and second life Dwelt in the bosom of his wife, In double form, that, e'en apart, Each heart could commune free with heart.
Still grew that child of Janak's race, More goddess- fair in form and face, The loveliest wife that e'er was seen, In mortal mould sweet Beauty's Queen. Then shone the son Kausalya bore, With this bright dame allied, Like Vishnu whom the Gods adore, With La'kshmi by his side.
Canto I.
THE RAM AY AN.
8t BOOK II.
CANTO I.
THE HEIR APPARENT.