So Bharat to his grandsire went Obedient to the message sent, And for his fond companion chose Batrughna slayer of his foes.1 There Bharat for a time remained With love and honour entertained, King Asvapati'i constant care, Beloved as a son and heir. Yet ever, as they lived at ease, While all around combined to please, The aged sire they left behind Was present to each hero's mind. Nor could the king's fond memory stray From his brave children far away, Dear Bharat and Batrughna dear, Each Varun's match or Indra's peer.
To all the princes, young and brave, His soul with fond affection clave; Around his loving heart they clung Like arms from his own body sprung.2 But best and noblest of the four, Good as the God whom all adore, Lord of all virtues, undefiled, His darling was his eldest child. For he was beautiful and strong, From envy free, the foe of wrong, With all his father's virtues blest, And peerless in the world confessed. With placid soul he softly spoke: No harsh reply cauld taunts provoke. He ever loved the good and sage Revered for virtue and for age, And when his martial tasks were o'er Sate listening to their peaceful lore. Wise, modest, pure, he honoured eld, His lips from lying tales withheld; Due reverence to the Brahmans gave, And ruled each passion like a slave. Most tender, prompt at duty's call, Loved by all men he loved them all. Proud of the duties of his race, With spirit meet for Warrior's place, He strove to win by glorious deed, Throned with the 6ods, a priceless meed.
1 £atraghna means slayer of foes, and the word is repeated as an intensive epithet.
* Alluding to the images of Vishnu, which have four arms, the four princes being portions of the substance of that God, With him in speech and quick reply Vrihaspati might hardly Tie, But never would his accents flow For evil or for empty show, In art and science duly trained, His student vow he well maintained; He learnt the lore for princes fit, The Vedas and their Holy Writ, And with his well-drawn bow at last His mighty father's fame surpassed.
Of birth exalted, truthful, just, With vigorous hand, with noble trust, Well taught by aged twice-born men Who gain and right could clearly ken, Full well the claims and bounds he knew Of duty, gain, and pleasure too: Of memory keen, of ready tact, In civil business prompt to act.
Reserved, his features ne'er disclosed What counsel in his heart reposed.
All idle rage and mirth controlled, He knew the times to give and hold, Firm in his faith, of steadfast will, He sought no wrong, he spoke no ill: Not rashly swift, not idly slow, His faults and others' keen to know.
Each merit, by his subtle sense; He matched with proper recompense.
He knew the means that wealth provide.
And with keen eye expense could guide.
Wild elephants could he reclaim, And mettled steeds could mount and tame, No arm like his the bow could wield, Or drive the chariot to the field.
Skilled to attack, to deal the blow, Or lead a host against the foe: Yea, e'en infuriate Gods would fear To meet his arm in full career.
As the great sun in noontide blaze Is glorious with his world of rays, So Rama with these virtues shone Which all men loved to gaze upon.
The aged monarch fain would rest, And said within his weary breast, ' Oh that I might, while living yet, My Rama o'er the kingdom set. And see, before my course be run, The hallowed drops anoint my son; See all this spacious land obey, From side to side, my first-born's sway, And then, my life and joy complete, Obtain in heaven a blissful seat! ' In him the monarch saw combined The fairest form, the noblest mind, And counselled how his son might share. The throne with him as Regent' Heir. For fearful signs in earth and sky, And weakness warned him death was night But Rama to the world endeared By every grace his bosain cheered, 90 THE RAM AY AN.
Boole IT.
The moon of every eye, whose ray Drove all his grief and fear away. So duty urged that hour to seize, Himself, his realm, to bless and please. From town and country, far and near, He summoned people, prince, and peer. To each he gave a meet abode, And honoured all and gifts bestowed. Then, splendid in his king's attire, }Ie viewed them, as the general Sire, In glory of a God arrayed, Looks on the creatures he has made. But Kekaya's king he called not then For haste, nor Janak, lord of men; For after to each royal friend The joyful tidings he would send. Mid crowds from distant countries met The.king upon his throne was set; Then honoured by the people, all The rulers thronged into the hall. On thrones assigned, each king in place Looked silent on the monarch's face. Then girt by lords of high renown And throngs from hamlet and from town He showed in regal pride, As, honoured by the rediant band Of blessed Gods that round him stand, Lord Indra, Thousand-eyed.
CANTO II.
THE PEOPLE'S SPEECH.
Then to the full assembly bowed The monarch, and addressed the crowd "With gracious speech, in accents loud As heavenly drum or thunder- cloud: ' Needs not to you who know declare How ever with paternal care My fathers of Ikshviiku's line Have ruled the realm Avliich now is mine. j too have taught my feet to tread The pathway of the mighty dead, And with fond care that never slept Have, as I could, my people kept. So toiling still, and ne'er remiss For all my people's wenl and bliss, Heneath the white umbrella's1 shade, Old age is come and strength decayed. Thousands of yoars have o'er me rlown, And generations round me grown And passed away. 1 crave at length Repose and ease for broken strength, Feeble and worn I scarce can bear The ruler's toil, the judge's care, With royal dignity, a weight That tries the young and temperate.
» Chief of tho insignia of imperial dignity I long to re-t, my labour done, And in my place to set my son, If to the twice- born gathered here My counsel wise and good appear. For greater gifts than mine adorn Kama my son, my eldest-born. Like Indra brave, before him fall The foeman's cities, tower and wall. Him prince of men for power and might, The best maintainer of the right, Fair as the moon when nothing bars His glory close to Pushya's stnrs, Him with to-morrow's light I fain Would throne the consort of my reign. A worthy lord for you, I ween, Marked as her own by Fortune's Queen. The triple world itself would be Well ruled by such a king as he. To such high bliss and happy fate Will I the country dedicate, And my sad heart will cease to grieve If he the precious charge receive. Thus is my careful plan matured, Thus for myself is rest secured; Lieges, approve the words 1 say, Or point ye out some wiser way. Devise your prudent plan. My mind Is fondly to this thought inclined, But men by keen debating move Some middle course which all approve.'
The monarch ceased. In answer came The joyous princes' glad acclaim. So peacocks in the rain rejoice And hail the cloud with lifted voice. Murmurs of joy from thousands round Shook the high palace with the sound. Then when the gathered throng had lea rn^q His will who right and gain discerned, Peasant and townsman, priest and chief, All met in consultation brief, And soon agreed with one accord Gave answer to their sovereign lord: ' King of the land, we know thee old: Thousands of years have o'er thee rolled, llama thy son, we pray, anoint, And at thy side his place appoint. Our gallant prince, so brave and strong, Riding in royal state along, Our eyes with joyful pride will see Screened by the shade that shelters thee.' Then spoke the king a^ain, as though Their hearts' true wish he sought to know: 'These prayers for llama's rule suggest One question to my doubting breast. This tiling, I pray, with truth explain: Why would ye, while I justly reign, That he, mine eldest son, should bear His part with me as ruling heir?' Then all the people made reply, Peasant and townsman, low and high: 4 Each noblest gift of form and niind, Canto fit TUB RAMAYAN.
O Monarch, in thy son we find. Do thou the godlike virtues hear Which Rama to our hearts endear. So richly blest with graces, none In all the earth excels thy son: Nay, who to match with him may claim In truth, in justice, and in fame? True to his promise, gentle, kind, Unenvious, of grateful mind, Versed in the law and firm of soul, He keeps each sense with strict control, With duteous care he loves to sit By Hrrihmaiis skilled in Holy Writ. Hence brightest glory, ne'er to end, And matchless fame his youtli attend. Skilled in the use of spear and shield. And arms which heavenly warriors wield, Supreme in war, unconqiiered yet By man, fiend, God in battle met, Whene'er in pomp of war he goes 'Gainst town or city of the foes, He ever comes with Lakshman back Victorious from the fierce attack, Returning homeward from afar Borne on his elephant or car, He ever to the townsmen bends And greets them as beloved friends, Asks how each son, each servant thrives, How fare our pupils, offerings, wives; And like a father bids us tell, Each for himself, that all is well. If pain or grief the city tries His heart is swift to sympathize. When festive scenes our thoughts employ He like a father shares the jov. High is the fate, O King, that gave Thy Kama born to bless and save, With filial virtues fair and mild Like Kasyap old Marichi's child. Hence to the kingdom's distant ends One general prayer for him ascends. Each man in town and country prays For Kama's strength, health.length of days. With hearts sincere, their wish the same, The tender girl, the aged dame, Subject and stranger, peasant, hind, One thought impressed on every miiid, At evening and at dawning day To all the Gods for Kama pray. Do thou, O King, of grace comply, And hear the people's longing cry. And let us on the throne by thee The lotus-tinted Rama see.
O thou who givest boons, attend; A gracious ear, O Monarch, lend And for our weal install, Consenting to our earnest prayer, Thy godlike Rama Regent Heir, Who seeks the good of all.'
CANTO III.
DA&ARATHA'S PRECEPTS.
The monarch with the prayer complied Of suppliant hands, on every side Uplifted like a lotus -bed: And then these gracious words he said: * Great joy and mighty fame are mine Because your loving hearts incline, In full assembly clearly shown To place my^ Rama on the throne.' Then to Vaaishtha, standing near, And Vamadeva loud and clear The monarch spoke that all might hear • ' "Tis pure and lovely Chaitra now When flowers are sweet on every bough, All needful things with haste prepare That Rama be appointed heir.'
Then burst the people's rapture out In loud acclaim and joyful shout- And when the tumult slowly ceased The king addressed the holy priest: 'Give order, Saint, with watchful heed lor what the coming rite will need. This day let all things ready wait Mine eldest son to consecrate.' Best of all men of second birth VasjfihtJha heard the lord of earth, And gave commandment to the bands Of servitors with lifted hands Who waited on their master's eye: 'Now by to-morrow's dawn supply Rich gold and herbs and gems of price And offerings for the sacrifice, Wreaths of white flowers and roasted rice, Ana oil and honey, separate; New garments and a car of state, An elephant with lucky signs A fourfold host in ordered lines, The white umbrella, and a pair Of chowries,1 and a banner fair • A hundred vases, row on row, To shine like fire in splendid glow, A tiger 3 mighty skin, a bull With gilded hol-ns most beautiful. All these, at dawn of coming day, Around the royal shrine array, Where burns the fire's undying ray. liach palace door, each city gate With wreaths of sandal decorate, And \fith the garlands' fragrant soenf) bet clouds of incense-smoke be blent. ;.et food of noble kind and taste .te for a hundred thousand placed; fresh curds with streams of milk bedewed lo feed the Brahman multitude.
1 Whisks, usually made of the loug tails >f the Yak, THE RAM AY AN.
Boole //.
With care be all their wants supplied, And mid the twice-born chiefs divide Rich largess, with the early morn, And oil and curds and roasted corn. Soon as the sun has shown his light Pronounce the prayer to bless the rite, And then be all the Brahmans called And in their ordered seats installed. Let all musicians skilled to play, And dancing-girls in bright array Stand ready in the second ring Within the palace of the king. Each honoured tree, each holy shrine With leaves and flowery wreaths entwine, And here and there beneath the shade Be food prepared and presents laid. Then brightly clad, in warlike guise, With long swords girt upon their thighs, Let soldiers of the nobler sort March to the monarch's splendid court.'
Thus gave command the twice-born pair To active servants stationed there. Then hastened to the king and said That all their task was duly sped. The king to wise Sumantra spake: * Now quick, my lord, thy chariot take, And hither with thy swiftest speed My son, my noble Rama lead.'
Sumantra. ere the word was given, His chariot from the court had driven, And Rama, best of all who ride In cars, came sitting by his side. The lords of men had hastened forth From east and west and south and north, Aryan and stranger, those who dwell In the wild wood and on the fell, And as the Gods to Indra, they Showed honour to the king that day. Like V6sav, when his glorious form Is circled by the Gods of storm, Girt in his hall by kings he saw His car-borne Rama near him draw, Like him who rules the minstrel band Of heaven j1 whose valour filled the land, Of mighty arm and stately pride Like a wild elephant in stride, As fair in face as that fair stone Dear to the moon, of moonbeams grown,1 With noble gifts and grace that took The hearts of all, and chained each look, World-cheering as the Lord of Rain When floods relieve the parching plain. The father, as the son came nigh, Gazed with an ever-thirstier eye. Sumantra helped the prince alight 1 Chitraratha, King of the Gandharvas.
* The Chandrakanta or Moonstone, a gort of crystal supposed to be composed of congealed moonbeams, From the good chariot passing bright, And as to meet his sire he went Followed behind him reverent. Then R&ma clomb, the king to seek, That terrace like Kailasa's peak, And reached the presence of the king, Sumantra closely following. Before his father's face he came, Raised suppliant hands and named his name,1 And bowing lowly as is meet Paid reverence to the monarch's feet. But soon as Dasaratha viewed The prince in humble attitude, He raised him by the hand in haste And his beloved son embraced, Then signed him to a glorious throne, Gem-decked and golden, near his own. Then Rama, best of Raghu's line, Made the fair seat with lustre shine, As when the orient sun upsprings And his pure beam on Meru flings. The glory flashed on roof and wall, And with strange sheen suffused the hall, As when the moon's pure rays are sent Through autumn's star-lit firmament. Then swelled his breast with joy and pride As his dear son the father eyed, E'en as himeself more fair arrayed In some clear mirror's face displayed. The aged monarch gazed awhile, Then thus addressed him with a smile, As Kasyap, whom the worlds revere, Speaks for the Lord of Gods to hear: ' O thou of all my sons most dear, In virtue best, thy father's peer, Child of my consort first in place, Mine equal in her pride of race, Because the people's hearts are bound To thee by graces in thee found, Be thou in Pushya's favouring hour Made partner of my royal power. I know that thou by nature's bent Both modest art and excellent, But though thy gifts no counsel need My love suggests the friendly rede.
Mine own dear son, be modest still, And rule each sense with earnest will. Keep thou the evils far away That spring from love and anger's sway. Thy noble course alike pursue In secret as in open view, And every nerve, the love to gain Of ministers and subjects, strain. The happy prince who sees with pride TTis thriving people satisfied; Whose arsenals with arms are stored, And treasury with golden hoard, — 1 A customary mark of respect to a superior.
Canto IV.
THE RAMAYAN.
His friends rejoice as joyed the Blest When Amrit crowned their eager quest. So well, my child, thy course maintain, And from all ill thy soul refrain.'
The friends of Rama, gathered nigh, Longing their lord to gratify, Ran to Kausalya's bower to tell The tidings that would please her well. She, best of dames, with many a gem, And gold, and kine rewarded them.
Then Rama paid the reverence due, Mounted the cnariot, and withdrew, And to his splendid dwelling drove While crowds to show him honour strove.
The people, when the monarch's speed; Their willing ears had heard, Were wild with joy as though on each Great gifts had been conferred.
With meek and low salute each man Turned to his home away, And there with happy heart began To all the Gods to pray.
CANTO IV. R£MA SUMMONED.
The crowd dismissed, to high debate The monarch called his peers of state, And, counsel from their lips obtained, Firm in his will his will explained: ' 1'o-m »rrow with auspicious ray The moon in Pushya's sign will stay; Be that the time with happy fate Mine eldest son to consecrate, And let my Rama, lotus-eyed, As Regent o'er the state preside.'
He sought, within, his charioteer, And cried * Again bring Rama here,1 To Rama's home Sumantra hied Again to be the prince's guide. His coming, told to Rama's ear, Suggested anxious doubt and fear. He bade the messenger be led That instant in, arid thus he said: 1 Tell me the cause, omitting naught, Why thou again my house hast sought.'
The envoy answered: * Prince, thy sire Has sent thy presence to require. My sender known, 'tis thine to say If thou wilt go or answer nay.' Then Rama, when he heard his speech, Made haste the royal court to reach. Soon as the monarch was aware His dearest son was waiting there, Eager the parley to begin He bade them lead the prince within. Soon as he passed the chamber door The hero bent him to the floor, And at a distance from his seat Raised his joined hands his sire to greet. The monarch raised him from the ground, And loving arms about him wound, Then pointed to a seal: that shone With gold for him to rest upon. 'Aged am I,' he said, * and worn; In life's best joys my share have borne; Rites to the Gods, in hundreds, paid, With gifts of corn and largess made. I yearned for sons: my life is blest With them and thee of sons the best. No debt to saints or Brahamans, no, Nor spirits, Gods, or self I owe. One duty now remains alone, To set thee on thy father's throne. Now therefore, Rama, hear my rede, And mark my words with duteous heed: This day the peoples' general voice. Elects thee king of love and choice, And 1, consenting to the prayer, Will make thee, darling, Regent Heir. Dread visions, each returning night, With evil omens scare my sight. Red meteors with a fearful sound tshoot wildly downward to the ground, While tempests lash the troubled air; And they who read the stars declare That, leagued against my natal sign, Rahu,1 the Sun,1 and Mars combine. When portents dire as these appear, A monarch's death or woe is near. Then while my senses yet are spared, And thought and will are unimpaired, Be thou, my son, anointed king: Men's fancy is a fickle thing.
To-day the moon, in order due, Entered the sign Punarvasu,3 To-morrow, as the wise foretell, In Pushya's favouring stars will dwell: Then on the throne shalt thou be placed: My soul, prophetic, counsels haste: Thee, O my son, to-morrow I As Regent Heir will sanctify. So till the coming night be passed Do thou and Sita strictly fast: From worldly thoughts thy soul refrain, And couched on holy grass remain.
1 Rahu, the ascending node, is in my- thology a demon with the tail of a dragon whose head was severed from his body by Vishnu, but being immortal, the head and tail retained their separate existence and being transferred to the stellar sphere became the authors of eclipses; the first especially by endeavouring to swallow the gun and moon.
2 In eclipse.
3 The seventh of the lunar asterisms..
THE Zook 11.
And let thy trusted lords attend In careful watch upon their friend. For, unexpected, check and bar Our weightiest counsels often mar. While Bharat too is far away Making with royal kin his stay, ] deem the fittest time of all Thee, chosen Regent, to install. Jt may be Bharat still has t-tood True to the counsels of the good, Faithful to thee with tender trust, With governed senses, pure and just. But human minds, too well I know, Will sudden changes undergo, And by their constant deeds alone The virtue of the good is shown. Now, Rama, go. My son, good night! Fixt is to-morrow for the rite.'
Then Rama paid the reverence due, And quickly to his home withdrew. He passed within, nor lingered there, But sought his mother's mansion, where The dame in linen robes arrayed Devoutly in the chapel prayed To Fortune'sQueen,with utterance checked, That she her Rama would protect. There was Sumitra too, and there Was Lakshman led by loving care: And when the royal choice they knew Sita in haste was summoned too. Absorbed, with half-shut eyes, the queen Attended by the three was seen. She knew that Pushy a's lucky hour Would raise her son to royal power, So fixed with bated breath each thought On God supreme, by all men sought. To her, as thus she knelt and prayed, Rama drew near, due reverence paid, And then to swell his mother's joy, Thus spoke her own beloved boy: ' O mother dear, my sire's decree Entrusts the people's weal to me. To-morrow I, for so his will, Anointed king, the throne shall fill. The few last hours till night shall end Sita with me must fasting spend, For so my father has decreed, And holy priests with him agreed. What vows soever thou mayst deem My consecration's eve beseem, Do thou, sweet mother, for my sake And for beloved Sita's make.'
When the glad news Kausalya heard, So long desired, so long deferred, While tears of joy her utterance broke, In answer to her son she spoke: • Long be thy life, my darling: now Thy prostrate foes before thee bow. Live long arid with thy bright success My friends and dear Sumitra/s bless.
Surely the stars were wondrous fair When thee, sweet son, thy mother bare, That thy good gifts such love inspire And win the favour of thy sire. With thee I travailed riot in vain; Those lotus eyes reward my pain, And all the glory of the line Of old Ikshvaku will be thine.'
He smiled, and on his brother gazed Who sate with reverent hands upraised, And said: ' My brother, thou must be Joint-ruler of this land with me. My second self thou, Lakshman, art, And in ray fortune bearest part. Be thine, Sumitra's son, to know The joys from regal power that flow. My life itself the monarch's seat, For thy dear sake to me are sweet.'
Thus Rama to his brother said, To both his mothers1 bowed his head, And then with Sita by his side To his own house the hero hied.
CANTO V.
KAMA'S FAST.
Then Saint Vasishtha to the king Came ready at his summoning.
' Now go,' exclaimed the monarch, thou Enriched by fervent rite and vow, For Rama and his wife ordain The fast, that joy may bless his reign.'
The best of those who Scripture know Said to the king, ' My lord, I go.' To Rama's house Vasishtha hied, The hero's fast by rule to guide, And skilled in sacred texts to tell Each step to him instructed well. Straight to Prince Rama's high abode, That like a cloud pale-tinted showed, Borne in his priestly car he rode. Two courts he passed, and in the third He stayed his car. Then Rama heard The holy sage was come, and flew To honour him with honour due. He hastened to the car and lent His hand to aid the priest's descent. Then spoke Vasishtha words like these, Pleased with his reverent courtesies, With pleasant things his heart to cheer Who best deserved glad news to hear: ' Prince, thou hast won thy fathers grace, And thine will be the Regent's place: Now with thy Sita, as is right, In strictest fasting spend the night, - l Kausalya. and Sumitra.
Canto VI.
THE RAM AY AN.
95 For when the morrow's dawn is fair The king will consecrate his heir: So Nahush,1 as the wise relate, Yayati j< yed to consecrate.'
Thus having said, Vasishtha next Ordained the fast by rule and text, For Kama faithful to his vows And the Videhan dame his spouse. Then from the prince's house he hied With courteous honours gratified. Bound Rama gathered every friend In pleasant talk a while to spend. He bade good night to all at last, And to his inner chamber passed. Then Rama's house shone bright and gay With men and maids in glad array, As in the morning some fair lake When all her lotuses awake, And every bird that loves the flood Flits joyous round each opening bud.
Forth from the house Vasishtha drove, That with the king's in splendour strove, And all the royal street he viewed Filled with a mighty multitude Tiie eager concourse blocked each square, Each road and lane and thoroughfare, And joyous shouts on every side Rose like the roar of Ocean's tide, As streams of men together came With loud huzza and glad acclaim. The ways were watered, swept and clean, And decked with flowers and garlands green And all Ayodhya shone arrayed With banners on the roofs that played. Men, women, boys with eager eyes, Expecting when the sun should rise, Stood longing for the herald ray Of Rama's consecration-day, To see, a source of joy to all, The people-honoured festival.
The priest advancing slowly through The mighty crowd he cleft in two, Near to the monarch's palace drew. He sought the terrace, by the stair, Like a white cloud -peak high in air, The reverend king of men to meet Who sate upon his splendid seat: Thus will Vrihaspati arise To meet the monarch of the skies. But when the king his coming knew, He left his throne and near him drew. Questioned by him Vasishtha said That all his task was duly sped. Then all who sate there, honouring Vasishtha, rose as rose the king. Vasishtha bade his lord adieu, And all the peers, dismissed, withdrew.
1 A king of the Lunar race, and father of Yayati.
Then as a royal lion geeks His cave beneath the rocky peaks, So to the chambers where abode blis consorts Dasaratha strode. Full-thronged were those delightful bowers With women richly dressed, And splendid as the radiant towers Where Indra loves to rest. Then brighter flashed a thousand eyes With the light his presence lent, As, when the moon begins to rise, The star thronged firmament, CANTO VI.
THE CITY PECORATED.
Then Rama bathed in order due, His mind from worldly thoughts withdrew, And with his large-eyed wife besought Narayan, as a votary ought. Upon his head the brimming cup Of holy oil he lifted up, Then placed within the kindled fire The offering to that heavenly Sire, And as he sipped the remnant prayed To Him for blessing and for aid. Then with still lips and tranquil mind With his Videhan he reclined, In Vishnu's chapel, on a bed Where holy grass was duly spread, While still the prince's every thought The God supreme, Narayan, sought. One watch remained the night to close When Rama from his couch arose, And bade the men and maids adorn His palace for the solemn morn. He heard the bards and heralds raise Auspicious strains of joy and praise; And breathed devout, w ith voice restrained, The hymn for morning rites ordained; Then, with his head in reverence bowed, Praised Madhu's conquering foe aloud. And, in pure linen robes arrayed, The priests to raise their voices prayed. Obedient to the summons they Proclaimed to all the festal day. The Brahmans' voices, deep and sweet, Resounded through the crowded street, And echoed through Ayodhya went By many a loud-toned instrument. Then all the people joyed to hear That Kama with his consort dear Had fasted till the morning light