For the two lion-lords, till we Rama once more and Lakshman see.'
Thus Bharat spoke: and hero" bands Of men with weapons in their hands Entered the tangled forest: then A spire of smoke appeared in ken. Soon as they saw the rising smoke To Bharat they returned and spoke: ' No fire where men are not: 'tis clear That Raghu's sons are dwelling here. Or if not here those heroes dwell Whose mighty arms their foeman quell, Still other hermits here must be Like Rama, true and good as he,' His ears attentive Bharat lent To their resistless argument, Then to his troops the chief who broke His foe's embattled armies spoke: • Here let the troops in silence stay; One step beyond they must not stray. Come Dhrishti and S umantra, you With me alone the path pursue.' Their leader's speech the warriors heard, And from his place no soldier stirred. And Bharat bent his eager eyes Where curling smoke was seen to rise.
The host his order well obeyed, And halting there in silence stayed Watching where from the thicket's shade They saw the smoke appear. And joy through all the army ran, 1 Soon shall we meet,' thought every man, ' The prince we hold so dear.'
CANTO XCIV.
CHITRAKU'TA.
There long the son of Raghu dwelt And love for hill and wood he felt. Then his Videhan spouse to please And his own heart of woe to ease, Like some Immortal— Indra so Might Swarga's charms to $achi show- Drew her sweet eyes to each delight Of Chitrakuta's lovely height: ' Though reft of power and kingly sway, Though friends and home are far away, I cannot mourn my altered lot, Enamoured of this charming spot. Look, darling, on this noble hill Which sweet birds with their music till. Bright with a thousand metal dyes His lofty summits cleave the skies. See, there a silvery sheen is spread, And there like blood the rocks are red. There shows a streak of emerald green, And pink and yellow glow between. There where the higher peaks ascend, Crystal and flowers and topaz blend, And others flash their light afar Like mercury or some fair star: With such a store of metals dyed The king of hills is glorified. There through the wild birds' populous home home The harmless bear and tiger roam: Hyaenas range the woody slopes With herds of deer and antelopes. See, love, the trees that clothe his side All lovely in their summer pride, In richest wealth of leaves arrayed, With flower and fruit and light and shade, Look where the young Rose-apple glows; What loaded boughs the Mango shows; See, waving in the western wind The light leaves of the Tamarind, And mark that giant Peepul through The feathery clump of tali bamboo.1 1 These ten lines are a substitution for, and not a translation of the text which Carey and Marshman thus render: 'This mountain adorned with mango,1 jumlooo,'4 j* lodhr<V pialtf Canto XCV.
THE RAMA YAK.
SOS Look, on the level lands above, Delighting in successful love In sweet enjoyment many a pair Of heavenly minstrels revels there, While overhanging boughs support Their swords and mantles as they sport; Then see that pleasant shelter where Play the bright Daughters of the Air.1 The mountain seems with bright cascade And sweet rill bursting from the shade, Like some majestic elephant o'er Whose burning head the torrents pour. Where breathes the man who would not feel feel Delicious languor o'er him steal, As the young morning breeze that springs From the cool cave with balmy wings, Breathes round him laden with the scent Of bud and blossom dew- besprent? If many autumns here I spent With thee, mv darling innocent^ And Lakshman, I should never know The torture of the fires of woe, This varied scene so charms my sight, This mount so fills me with delight, Where flowers in wild profusion spring, And ripe fruits glow and sweet birds sing. My beauteous one, a double good Springs from my dwelling in the wood: Loosed is the bond my sire that tied, And Bharat too is gratified. My darling, dost thou feel with me Delight from every charm we see, Of which the mind and every sense Feel the enchanting influence? My fathers who have passed away, The royal saints, were wont to say vyfl, 9 tinisha,10 tiudooka,1 2 bamboo,1 3 kashmaree,1 4 uris- ta, 1 5 vuiuna, 1 6 madAooka, 1 7 tilaka, 1 8 vuduree, 19 amlwka, ao nipa, '2l vetr#,22 dh?4nw%n#,a3 veejakfl,2* and other trees affording flowers, and fruits, and the most delightful shade, how charming does it appear! ' 1 VidyadhariS) Spirits of Air, sylphs, That life in woodland shades like this Secures a king immortal bliss* See, round the hill at random thrown, Huge masses lie of rugged stone Of every shape and many a hue, Yellow and white and red and blue, But all is fairer still by night: Each rock reflects a softer light, When the whole mount from foot to crest In robes of lambent flame is dressed; When from a million herbs a blaze Of their own luminous glory plays, And clothed in fire each deep ravine, Each pinnacle and crag is seen.
Some parts the look of mansions wear, And others are as gardens fair, While others seem a massive block Of solid undivided rock.
Behold those pleasant bedso'erlaid With lotus leaves, for lovers made, Where mountain birch and costua throw Cool shadows on the pair below.
See where the lovers in their play Have cast their flowery wreaths away, And fruit and lotus buds that crowned Their brows lie trodden on the ground.
North Kuru's realm is fair to see, Vasvaukasara,1 Nalini," But rich in fruit and blossom still More fair is Chitrakuta's hill.
Here shall the years appointed glide With thee, my beauty, by my side, And Lakshman ever near; Here shall I live 'in all delight, Make my ancestral fame more bright, Tread in their path who walk aright, And to my oath adhere.'
CANTO XCV.
MANDAKINr.
Then Rama, like the lotus eyed, Descended from the mountain side, And to the Maithil lady showed The lovely stream that softly flowed. And thus Ayodhya's lord addressed His bride, of dames the loveliest, Child of Videha's king, her face Bright with the fair moon's tender grace; ' How sweetly glides, O darling, look, Mandakini's delightful brook, Adorned with islets, blossoms gay, And sarases and swans at play 1 1 A lake attached either to Amaravati the residence of Indra, or Alaka. that of Kuvera.
8 The Ganges of heaven.
THE RAM AY AN.
Booh II.
The trees with which her banks are lined Show flowers and fruit of every kind: The match in radiant sheen is she Of King Kuvera's Nalini.1 My heart exults with pleasure new The shelving band and ford to view, Where gathering herds of thirsty deer Disturb the wave that ran so clear.
Now look, those holy hermits mark In skins of deer and coats of bark; With twisted coils of matted hair, The reverend men are bathing there, And as they lift their arms on high The Lord of Day they glorify: These best of saints, my large-eyed spouse, Are constant to their sacred vows.
The mountain dances while the trees Bend their proud summits to the breeze, And scatter many a flower and bud From branches that o'erhang the flood.
There flows the stream like lucid pearl, Bound islets here the currents whirl, And perfect saints from middle air Are flocking to the waters there.
See, there lie flowers in many a heap From boughs the whistling* breezes sweep, And others wafted by the gale Down the swift current dance and sail.
Now see that pair of wild-fowl rise, Exulting with their joyful cries: Hark, darling, wafted from afar How soft their pleasant voices are, To gaze on Chitrakuta's hill, To look upon this lovely rill, To bend mine eyes on thee, dear wife, Is sweeter than my city life.
Come, bathe we in the pleasant rill Whose dancing waves are never still, Stirred by those beings pure from sin, The sanctities who bathe therein: Come, dearest, to the stream descend, Approach her as a darling friend, And dip thee in the silver flood Which lotuses and lilies stud.
Let this fair hill Ayodhya seem, Its silvan things her people deem, And let these waters as they flow Our own beloved Sarju show.
How blest, mine own dear love, am I; Thou, fond and true, art ever nigh, And duteous, faithful Lakshman stays Beside me, and my word obeys. " Here every day I bathe me thrice, Fruit, honey, roots for food suffice, And ne'er my thoughts with longing stray To distant home or royal sway.
For who this charming brook can see Where herds of roedeer wander free, 1 Nalini, as here, may be the name of any lake covered with lotuses.
And on the flowery- wooded brink Apes, elephants, and lions drink, Nor feel all sorrow fly?' Thus eloquently spoke the pride Of Raghu's children to his bride, And wandered happy by her side Where Chitrakuta azure-dyed Uprears his peaks on high.
CANTO XCVL* THE MAGIC SHAFT.
Thus Rama showed to JanaK's child The varied beauties of the wild, The hill, the brook and each fair spot, Then turned to seek their leafy cot.
North of the mountain Rama found A cavern in the sloping ground, Charming to view, its floor was strown With many a mass of ore and stone, In secret shadow far retired Where gay birds sang with joy inspired, And trees their graceful branches swayed With loads of blossom downward weighed.
Soon as he saw the cave which took Each living heart and chained the look, Thus Rama spoke to Sita who Gazed wondering on the silvan view: ' Does this fair cave beneath the height, Videhan lady, charm thy sight?
Then let us resting here a while The languor of the way beguile.
That block of stone so smooth and square Was set for thee to rest on there, And like a thriving Kesar tree This flowery shrub o'ershadows thee.1 Thus Rama spoke, and Janak's child, By nature ever soft and mild, In tender words which love betrayed Her answer to the hero made: * O pride of Raghu's children, still My pleasure is to do thy will. Enough for me thy wish to know: Far hast thou wandered to and fro.'
Thus Sita spake in gentle tone, And went obedient to the stone. Of perfect face and faultless limb Prepared to rest a while with him. And Rama, as she thus replied, Turned to his spouse again and cried: * Thou seest, love, this flowery shade For silvan creatures' pleasure made. How th.e gum streams from trees and plants Torn by the tusks of elephants!
1 This canto is allowed, by Indian com- mentators, to be an interpolation. It can- not be the work of Vulmiki.
Canto XC VI.
THE RAM AY AN.
Through all the forest clear and high Resounds the shrill cicala's cry. Hark ho\v the kite above us moans, And call& her young in piteous tones; So may my hapless mother be Still mourning in her home for me. There mounted on that lofty Sal The loud Bhringraj1 repeats his call: How sweetly now he tunes his throat Eesponsive to the KoiTs note. Or else the bird that now has sung May be himself the Koil's young, Linked with such winning sweetness are The notes he pours irregular. See, round the blooming Mango clings That creeper with her tender rings, So in thy love, when none is near, Thine arms are thrown round me. my dear.'
Thus in his joy he cried; and she, Sweet speaker, on her lover's knee, Of faultless limb and perfect face, Grew closer to her lord's embrace. Jteclining in her husband's arms, A goddess in her wealth of charms, She filled his loving breast anew With mighty joy that thrilled him through. His finger on the rock he laid, Which veins of sanguine ore displayed, And painted o'er his darling's eyes The holy sign in mineral dyes. Bright on her brow the metal lay Like the young sun's first gleaming ray, And showed her in her beauty fair As the soft light of morning's air. Then from the Kesar's laden tree He picked fair blossoms in his glee, And as he decked each lovely tress, His heart o'erflowed with happiness. So resting on that rocky seat A while they spent in pastime sweet, Then onward neath the shady boughs Went Rama with his Maithil spouse. She roaming in the forest shade Where every kind of creature strayed Observed a monkey wandering near, And clung to Rama's arm in fear. The hero Rama fondly laced His mighty arms around her waist, Consoled his beauty in her dread, And scared the Monkey till he fled. That holy mark of sanguine ore That gleamed on Sita's brow before, Shone by that close embrace impressed Upon the hero's ample chest. Then Sita, when the beast who led The monkey troop, afar had fled, Laughed loudly in light-hearted glee That mark on Rama's chest to see.
1 A fine bird with a strong, sweet note, and great imitative powers, A clump of bright Asokas fired The forest in their bloom attired: The restless blossoms as they gleamed A host of threatening monkevs seemed. Then Sita thus to Rama cried, As longinly the flowers she eyed: * Pride of thy race, now let us go Where those Asoka blossoms grow.' He on his darling's pleasure bent With his fair goddess thither went And roamed delighted through the wood Where blossoming Asokas st'>od, As $iva with Queen Uma roves Through Himavan's majestic groves. Bright with purpureal glow the pair Of happy lovers sported there, And each upon the other set A flower-inwoven coronet. There many a crown and chain they wove Of blooms from that Asoka grove, And in their graceful sport the two Fresh beauty o'er the mountain threw. The lover let his love survey Each pleasant spot that round them lay, Then turned they to their green retreat Where all was garnished, gay, and neat. By brotherly affection led, Sumitra's son to meet them sped, And showed the labours of the day Done while his brother was away. There lay ten black-deer duly slain With arrows pure of poison stain, Piled in a mighty heap to dry, With many another carcass nigh. And Lakshman's brother saw, o'erjoyed, The work that had his hands employed, Then to his consort thus he cried: ' Now be the general gifts supplied.' Then Sita, fairest beauty, placed The food for living things to taste, And set before the brothers meat And honey that the pair might eat. They ate the meal her hands supplied, Their lips with water purified: Then Janak's daughter sat at last And duly made her own repast. The other venison, to be dried, Piled up in heaps was set aside, And Rama told his wife to stay And drive the flocking crows away. Her husband saw her much distressed By one more bold than all the rest, Whose wings where'er he chose could fly, Now pierce the earth, now roam the sky. Then Rama laughed to see her stirred To anger by the plaguing bird: Proud of his love the beauteous dame With burning rage was all allame. Now here, now there, again, again She chased the crow, but all in vain, Enraging her, so quick to strike THE H1MAYAN.
Sotik II.
With beak and wing and claw alike: Then how the proud lip quivered, how The dark frown marked her angry brow I When Rama saw her cheek aglow With passion, he rebuked the crow. But bold in impudence the bird, With no respect for Rama's word, Fearless again at Sita flew: Then Rama's wrath to fury grew. The hero of the mighty arm. Spoke o'er a shaft the mystic charm, Laid the dire weapon on his bow And launched it at the shameless crow. The bird, empowered by Gods to spring Through earth itself on rapid wing, Through the three worlds in terror fled Still followed by that arrow dread. Where'er he flew, now here now there, A cloud of weapons filled the air. Back to the high- sou led prince he fled And bent at Rama's feet his head, And then, as Sita looked, began His speech in accents of a man: O pardon, and for pity's sake Spare, Rama, spare my life to take! Where'er I turn, where'er I flee, No shelter from this shaft I see.'
The chieftain heard the crow entreat Helpless and prostrate at his feet, And while soft pity moved his breast, With wisest speech the bird addressed: ' I took the troubled Sita's part, And furious anger filled my heart. Then on the string my arrow lay Charmed with a spell thy life to slay. Thou seekest now my feet, to crave Forgiveness and thy life to save. So shall thy prayer have due respect: The suppliant I must still protect. But ne'er in vain this dart may flee: Yield for thy life a part of thee, What portion of thy body, say, Shall this mine arrow rend away? Thus far, O bird, thus far alone On thee my pity may be shown. Forfeit a part thy life to buy: Tis better so to live than die.' Thus Rama spoke: the bird of air Pondered his speech with anxious care, And wisely deemed it good to give One of his eyee that he might live. To Raghu's son he made reply: * 0 Rama, I will yield an eye. So let me in thy grace confide And live hereafter single-eyed.' Then Rama charged the shaft, and lo, Full in the eye it smote the crow. And the Videhan lady gazed Upon the ruined eye amazed. The crow to Rama humbly bent, Then where his fancy led he went.
R£ma with Lakshman by his side With needful work was occupied, CANTO XCVII.
LAKSHMAN'S ANGER.
Thus Rama showed his love the rill Whose waters ran beneath the hill, Then resting on his mountain seat Refreshed her with the choicest meat.
So there reposed the happy two: Then Bharat's army nearer drew: Rose to the skies a dusty cloud, The sound of trampling feet was loud.
The swelling roar of marching men Drove the roused tiger from his den, And scared amain the serpent race Flying to hole and hiding-place.
The herds of deer in terror fled, The air was filled with birds o'erhead, The bear began to leave his tree, The monkey to the cave to flee.
Wild elephants were all amazed As though the wood around them blazed.
The lion oped his ponderous jaw, The buffalo looked round in awe.
The prince, who heard the deafening sound, And saw the silvan creatures round Fly wildly startled from their rest, The glorious Lakshman thus addressed: ' Sumitra's noble son most dear, Hark, Lakshman, what a roar 1 hear, The tumult cf a'cpming crowd.
Appalling, deafening, deep, and loud!
The din that yet more fearful grows Scares elephants and buffaloes, Or frightened by the lions, deer Are flying through the wood in fear.
I fain would know who seeks this place: Comes prince or monarch for the chase?
Or does some mighty beast of prey Frighten the silvan herds away?
'Tis hard to reach this mountain height, Yea, e'en for birds in airy flight.
Then fain, O Lakshman, would I know What cause disturbs the forest so.'
Lakshman in haste, the wood to view, Climbed a high Sal that near him grew, The forest all around he eyed, First gazing on the eastern side. Then northward when his eyes he bent He saw a mighty armament Of elephants., and cars, and horse, And men on foot, a mingled force, And banners waving in the breeze, And spoke to Rama words like these: ' Quick, quick, my lord, put out the fire, Let bit& to the eave retire.
Canto XCVIII.
TBE HAM AY AN.
Thy coat of mail around thee throw, Prepare thine arrows and thy bow.'
In enger haste thus Lakshman cried, And Rama, Jion lord, replied: ' Still closer be the army scanned, And say who leads the warlike band.' Lakshman his answer thus returned, As furious rage within him burned, Exciting him like kindled tire To scorch the army in his ire: 1 'Tis Bharat: he has made the throne By consecrating rites his own: To gain the whole dominion thus He comes in arms to slaughter us. I mark tree-high upon his car His flagstaff of the Kovidar,1 I see his glittering banner glance, I see his chivalry advance: I see his eager warriors shine On elephants in lengthened line. Now grasp we each the shafts and bow, And higher up the mountain go. Or in this place, O hero, stand With weapons in each ready hand. Perhaps beneath our might may fall This leader of the standard tall, And Bharat 1 this day may see Who brought this mighty woe on thee, Sita, and me, who drove away My brother from the royal sway. Bharat our foe at length is nigh, And by this hand shall surely die: Brother, I see no sin at all If Bharat by my weapon fall. No fault is his who slays the foe Whose hand was first to strike he blow: With Bharat now the crime begins Who against thee and duty sins. The queen athirst for royal sway Will see her darling son to-day Fall by this hand, like some fair tree Struck by an elephant, slain by me. Kaikeyi's self shall perish too With kith and kin and retinue, And earth by my avenging deed Shall from this mass of sin be freed. This day my wrath, too long restrained, Shall fall upon the foe, unchained, Mad as the kindled flame that speeds Destroying through the grass and reeds. This day mine arrows keen and fierce The bodies of the foe shall pierce: The woods on Chitrakuta's side Shall run with torrents crimson-dyed. The wandering beasts of pray shall feed On heart-cleft elephant and steed, And drag to mountain caves away The bodies that my arrows slay. Doubt not that Bharat and his train Bauhinea variegata, a species of ebony.
Shall in this mighty wood be slain: So shall I pay the debt my bow And these my deadly arrows owe.
CANTO XCVIIL LAKSHMAN CALMED.
Then Rama nobly calm allayed The wrath that Lakshman's bosom swayed; 4 What need have we the sword to wield, To bend the bow or lift the shield, If Bharat brave, and wise, and good, Himself has sought this sheltering wood?
I sware my father's will to do, And if I now my brother slew What gain in kingship should I find, Despised and scorned by all mankind?
Believe me, e'en as I would shrink From poisoned meat or deadly drink, No power or treasure would 1 win By fall of friend or kith or kin.
Brother, believe the words I speak: For your dear sakes alone I seek Duty and pleasure, wealth and gain, A holy life, a happy reign.
If royal sway my heart desires, My brothers' weal the wish inspires; Their bliss and safety is my care,, By this uplifted bowl swear.
'Twere not so hard for me to gain This broad land girdled by the main, But even Jndra'g royal might Should ne'er be mine in duty's spate.
If any bliss my soul can see Deprived of dear $atrughna, thee, And Bharat, may the flame destroy With ashy gloom the selfish joy.
Far dearer than this life of mine.
Knowing the custom of our line, His heart with fond affection fraught, Bharat Ayodhya's town resougt, And hearing when he came that I, With thee and Sita, forced to fly With matted hair and hermit dres# Am wandering in the wilderness, While grief his troubled senses storms', And tender love his bosom warms, From every thought of evil clear, Is come to meet his brother here.
Some grievous words perchance he spoke Kaikeyi's anger to provoke, Then won the king, and comes to lay Before my feet the royal sway.
Hither, methinks, in season due Comes Bharat for an interview, Nor in his secret heart has he One evil thought 'gainst thee or me.
What has he done ere now, reflect!
How failed in love or due respect THE RAMAYAN.
Book To make thee doubt his faith and lay This evil to his charge to-day?
Thou shouldst not join with Bharat's namt So harsh a speech and idle blame.
The blows thy tongue at Bharat deals, My sympathizing bosom feels.
How, urged by stress of any ill.
Should sons their father's life-blood spill Or brother slay in impious strife A brother dearer than his life?
If thou these cruel words hast said By strong desire of empire led, My brother Bharat will I pray To give to thee the kingly sway.
* Give him the realm', my speech shall be, And Bharat will, methinks, agree.'
Thus spoke the prince whose chief delight Was duty, and to aid the right: And Lakshman keenly felt the blame, And shrank within himself for shame: And then his answer thus returned, With downcast eye and cheek that burned: 4 Brother, I ween, to see thy face Our sire himself has sought this place.' Thus Lakshman spoke and stood ashamed, And Rama saw and thus exclaimed: * It is the strong- armed monarch: he Is come, methinks, his sons to see, To bid us both the forest quit For joys for which he deems us fit: He thinks on all our care and pain, And now would lead us home again. My glorious father hence will bear Sita who claims all tender care. I see two coursers fleet as storms, Of noble breed and lovely forms. I see the beast of mountain size Who bears the king our father wise, The aged Victor, march this way In front of all the armed array. But doubt and fear within me rise, For when I look with eager eyes I see no white umbrella spread, World -famous, o'er the royal head. Now, Lakshman, from the tree descend, And to my words attention lend.'
Thus spoke the pious prince: and he Descended from the lofty tree, And reverent hand to hand applied, Stood humbly by his brother's side.
The host, compelled by Bharat's care, The wood from trampling feet to spare, Dense crowding half a league each way Encamped around the mountain lay. Below the tall hill's shelving side Gleamed the bright army far and wide Spread o'er the ample space, By Bharat led who firmly true In duty from his bosom threw All pride, and near his brother drew To win the hero's grace.
CANTO XCIX.
BHARAT'S APPROACH.
Soon as the warriors took their rest Obeying Bharat's high behest, Thus Bharat to £atrughna spake: * A band of soldiers with thee take, And with these hunters o'er and o'er The thickets of the wood explore. With bow, sword, arrows in their hands Let Guha with his kindred bands Within this grove remaining trace The children of Kakutstha's race. And I meanwhile on foot will through This neighbouring wood my way pursue, With elders and the twice-born men, And every lord and citizen. There is, I feel, no rest for me Till Rama's face again I see, Lakshman, in arms and glory great, And Sita born to happy fate: No rest, until his cheek as bright As the fair moon rejoice my sight, N o rest until I see the eye With which the lotus petals vie; Till on my head those dear feet rest With signs of royal rank impressed; None, till my kingly brother gain His old hereditary reign, Till o'er his limbs and noble head The consecrating drops be shed. How blest is Janak's daughter, true To every wifely duty, who Cleaves faithful to her husband's side Whose realm is girt by Ocean's tide! This mountain too above the rest E'en as the King of Hills is blest, — Whose shades Kakutstha's scion hold As Nandan charms the Lord of Gold. Yea, happy is this tangled grove Where savage beasts unnumbered rove, Where, glory of the Warrior race, King Rama finds a dwelling-place.'
Thus Bharat, strong-armed hero, spake, And walked within the pathless brake. O'er plains where gay trees bloomed he went, Through boughs in tangled net- work bent, And then from Rama's cot appeared The banner which the flame upreared. And Bharat joyed with every friend To mark those smoky wreaths ascend: Here Rama dwells, ''he thought; 'at last The ocean of our toil is passed.'
Then sure that Rama's hermit cot Was on the mountain's side He stayed his army on the spot, And on with Guha hied, Canto C.
THE RAM AY AN.
CANTO C. THE MEETING.