When Rama, valiant hero, stood In the vast shade of Dandak wood, His eyes on every side he bent And saw a hermit settlement, Where coats of bark were hung around, And holy grass bestrewed the ground. Bright with Brahmanic lustre glowed That circle where the saints abode: Like the hot sun in heaven it shone, Too dazzling to be looked upon. Wild creatures found a refuge where The court, well- swept, was bright and fair, Aud countless birds and roedeer made Their dwelling in the friendly shade. Beneath the boughs of well- loved trees Oft danced the gay Apsarases.1 Around was many an ample shed Wherein the holy tire was fed; With sacred grass and skins of deer, Ladles and sacrificial gear, And roots and fruit, and wood to burn, And many a brimming water- urn. Tall trees their hallowed branches spread, Laden with pleasant fruit, o'erhead; Aud gifts which holy laws require,'-' And solemn offerings burnt with tire,3 And Veda chants on every side That home of hermits sanctitied. There many a flower its odour shed, And lotus blooms the lake o'erspred. There, clad in coats of bark and hide,— Their food by roots and fruit supplied,—* Dwelt many an old and reverend sire Bright as the sun or Lord of Fire, All with each worldly sense subdued, A pure and saintly multitude.
The Veda chants, the saints who trod The sacred ground and mused on God, Made that delightful grove appear Like Brahma's own most glorious sphere. As Raghu's splendid son surveyed That hermit home and tranquil shade, He loosed his mighty bow-string, then Drew nearer to the holy men.
1 Heavenly nymphs.
* The balit or present of food to all created beings.
3 The clarified butter &c. cast into the sacred lire, THE RAM AY AN.
Book III.
With keen celestial sight endued Those mighty saints the chief tain viewed, "With joy to meet the prince they came, And gentle Sita dear to fame. They looked on virtuous Rama, fair As Soma1 in the evening air, And Lakshman by his brother's side, And iSita long in duty tried, And with glad blessings every sage Keceived them in the hermitage. Then Rama's form and stature tall Entranced the wondering eyes of all, — His youthful grace, his strength of limb, And garb that nobly sat on him. To Lakshman too their looks they raised, And upon Sita's beauty gazed With eyes that closed not lest their sight Should miss the vision of delight. Then the pure hermits of the wood, Kejoicing in all creatures' good, Their guest, the glorious Kama, led Within a cot with leaves overhead. With highest honour all the best Of radiant saints received their guest, With kind observance, as is meet, And gave him water for his feet. To highest pitch of rapture wrought Their stores of roots and fruitthey brought. They poured their blessings on his head, And ' All we have is thine,' they said. Then, reverent hand to hand applied, a Bach duty-loving hermit cried: ' The king is our protector, bright In fame, maintainer of the right. He bears the awful sword, and hence Deserves an elder's reverence.
One fourth of Indra's essence, he Preserves his realm from danger free. Hence honoured by the world, of right The king enjoys each choice delight. Thou shouldst to us protection give, For in thy realm, dear lord, we live: Whether in town or wood thou be, Thou art our king, thy people we. Our wordly arms are laid aside, Our hearts are tamed and purified. To thee our guardian, we who earn Our only wealth by penance turn,' Then the pure dwellers in the shade To Raghu's son due honour paid, And Lakshman, bringing store of roots, And many a flower, and woodland fruits.
1 The Moon-God: 'he is,' says the com- mentator, 'the special deity of Brahmans.'
* * Because he was an incarnation of the deity,' says the commentator, 'otherwise such honour paid by men of the sacerdotal caste to one of the military would be im- proper.'
And others strove the prince to please With ail attentive courtesies.
CANTO II.
VIRADHA.
Thus entertained he passed the night, Then, with the morning's early light, To all the hermits bade adieu And sought his onward way anew. He pierced the mighty forest where Roamed many a deer and pard and bear: Its ruined pools he scarce could see. For creeper rent and prostrate tree, Where shrill cicala's cries were heard, And plaintive notes of many a bird. Deep in the thickets of the wood With Lalvshman and his spouse he stood, There in the horrid shade he saw A giant passing nature's law: Vast as some mountain-peak in size, With mighty voice and sunken eyes, Huge, hideous, tall, with monstrous face, Most ghastly of his giant race. A tiger's hide the Kakshas wore Still reeking with the fat and gore: Huge-faced, like Him who rules the dead, All living things he struck with dread. Three lions, tigers four, ten deer He carried on his iron spear, Two wolves, an elephant's head beside With mighty tusks which blood-drops dyed. When on the three his tierce eye fell, He charged them with a roar and yell As furious as the grisly King When stricken worlds are perishing Then with a mighty roar that shooK The earth beneath their feet, he took The trembling Sita to his side. Withdrew a little space, and cried: 1 Ha, short-lived wretches! ye who dare, In hermit dress with matted hair, Armed each with arrows, sword, and bow, Through Dandak's pathless wood to go: How with one dame, I bid you tell, Can you among ascetics dwell? Who are ye, sinners, who despise The right, in holy men's disguise? The great Viradha, day by day Through this deep-tangled wood I stray, And ever, armed with trusty steel, I seize a saint to make my meal. This woman young and fair of frame Shall be the conquering giant's dame: Your blood, ye things of evil life, My lips shall quaff in battle strife.'
He spoke: and Janak's hapless child, Scared by his speech so fierce and wild, Canto III.
THE RAM AY AN.
Trembled for terror, as a frail Young plantain shivers in the gale. When Rama saw Viradha clasp Fair Sita in his mighty grasp, Thus with pale lips that terror dried The hero to his brother cried: ' O see Viradha's arm enfold My darling in its cursed hold, — The child of Janak best of kings, My spouse whose soul to virtue clings, Sweet princess, with pure glory bright, Nursed in the lap of soft delight. Now falls the blow Kaikeyi meant, Successful in her dark intent: This day her cruel soul will be Triumphant over thee and me. Though Bharat on the throne is set, Her greedy eyes look farther yet: Me from my home she dared expel, Me whom all creatures loved so well. This fatal day at length, I ween, Brings triumph to the younger queen. I see with bitterest grief and shame Another touch the Maithil dame. Not loss of sire and royal power So grieves me as this mournful hour.'
Thus in his anguish cried the chief: Then drowned in tears, o'er whelmed b grief, Thus Lakshman in his anger spake, Quick panting like a spell-bound snake: ' Canst thou, my brother, Indra's peer, When I thy minister am near, Thus grieve like some forsaken thing, Thou, every creature's lord and king? My vengeful shaft the fiend shall slay, And earth shall drink his blood to-day. The fury which my soul at first Upon usurping Bharat nursed, On this Viradha will I wreak As Indra splits the mountain peak. Winged by this arm's impetuous might My shaft with deadly force The monster in the chest shall smite, And fell his shattered corse.'
CANTO III.
VIRADHA ATTACKED, Viradha with a fearful shout That echoed through the wood, cried out; ' What men are ye, I bid you say, And whither would ye bend your way? ' To him whose mouth shot fiery flame The hero told his race and name: Two Warriors, nobly bred, are we, And through this wood we wander free. T3ut who art thou, how born and styled, Who roamest herein Daudak's wild?'
To Rama, bravest of the brave, His answer thus Viradha gave: ' Hear, Raghu's son, and mark me well, And 1 my name and race will tell. Of ^atahrada born, I spring From Java as my sire, O King: Me, of this lofty lineage, all Giants on earth Viradha call. The rites austere 1 long maintained From Brahma's grace the boon have gained To bear a charmed frame which ne'er Weapon or shaft may pierce or tear. Go as ye came, untouched by fear, And leave with me this woman here: Go, swiftly from my presence fly, Or by this hand ye both shall die.'
Then Rama with his fierce eyes red With fury to the giant said: ' Woe to thee, sinner, fond and weak, Who madly thus thy death wilt seek! Stand, for it waits thee in the fray: With life thou ne'er shalt flee away.'
He spoke, and raised the cord whereon A pointed arrow flashed and shone, Then, wild with anger, from his bow He launched the weapon on the foe. Seven times the fatal cord he drew, And forth seven rapid arrows flew, Shafts winged with gold that left the wind And e'en Suparna's1 self behind. Full on the giant's breast they smote, And purpled like the peacock's throat, Passed through his mighty bulk and came To earth again like flakes of flame. The fiend the Maithil dame unclasped; In his fierce hand his spear he grasped, And wild with rage, pierced through and tb rough, tb rough, At Rama and his brother flew. So loud the roar which chilled with fear, So massy was the monster's spear, He seemed, Like Indra's flagstaff, dread As the dark God who rules the dead. On huge Viradha fierce as He 2 Who smites, and worlds have ceased to be, The princely brothers poured amain Their fiery flood of arrowy rain. Unmoved he stood, and opening wide His dire mouth laughed unterrified, And ever as the monster gaped Those arrows from his jaws escaped. Preserving still his life unharmed, By Brahma's saving promise charmed, His mighty spear aloft in air He raised, and rushed upon the pair. From Rama's bow two arrows flew And cleft that massive spear in two, 1 The King of birds. * Ealdntakayamopamam, resembling Yama the destroyer.
THE RAM AY AN.
Boole III.
Dire as the flaming levin sent From out the cloudy firmament. Cut by the shafts he guided well To earth the giant's weapon fell: As when from JVleru's summit, riven By fiery bolts, a rock is driven. Then swift his sword each warrior drew, Like a dread serpent black of hue, And gathering fury for the blow Rushed fiercely on the giant foe. Around each prince an arm he cast, And held the dauntless heroes fast; Then, though his gashes gaped and bled, Bearing the twain he turned and fled.
Then Kama saw the giant's plan, And to his brother thus began: 'O Lakshman, let Viradha still Hurry us onward as he will, For look, Sumitra's son, he goes Along the path we freely chose.'
He spoke: the rover of the night Upraised them with terrific might, Till, to his lofty shoulders swung, Like children to his neck they clung. Then sending far his fearful roar, The princes through the wood he bore, — A wood, like some vast cloud to view, Where birds of every plumage flew, And mighty trees o'erarching threw Dark shadows on the ground; "Where snakes and silvan creatures made Their dwelling, and the jackal strayed Through tangled brakes around.
CANTO IV. VIRADHA'S DEATH.
But Sita viewed with wild affright The heroes hurried from her sight. She tossed her shapely arms on high, And shrieked aloud her bitter cry: * Ah, the dread giant bears away The princely Rama as his prey, Truthful and pure, and good and great, And Lakshman shares his brother's fate. The brindled tiger and the bear My mangled limbs for food will tear. Take me, O best of giants, me, And leave the sons of Raghu free.'
Then, by avenging fury spurred, Her mournful cry the heroes heard. And hastened, for the lady's sake, The wicked monster's life to take. Then Lakshman with resistless stroke The foe's left arm that held him broke, And Rama too, as swift to smite, Smashed with his heavy hand the right. With broken arms and'tortured frame To earth the fainting giant came, Like a huge cloud, or mighty rock Rent, sundered by the levin's shock. Then rushed they on, and crushed and beat Their foe with arms and h'sts and feet, And nerved each mighty limb to pound And bray him on the level ground. Keen arrows and each biting blade Wide rents in breast and side had made; But crushed and torn and mangled, still The monster lived they could not kill. When Kama saw no arms might slay The fiend who like a mountain lay, The glorious hero, swift to save In danger, thus his counsel gave: ' O Prince of men, his charmed life No arms may take in battle strife: Now dig we in this grove a pit His elephantine bulk to fit, And let the hollowed earth enfold The monster of gigantic mould.'
This said, the son of Raghu pressed His foot upon the giant's breast. With joy the prostrate monster heard Victorious Rama's welcome word, And straight Kakutstha's son, the best Of men, in wordb like these addressed: ' 1 yield, O chieftain, overthrown By might that vies with Indra's own. Till now my folly -blinded eyes Thee, hero, failed to recognize. Happy Kausalya! blest to be The mother of a son like thee! 1 know thee well, O chieftain, now: Rarna, the prince of men, art thou. There stands the high-bora Alaithil dame, There Lakshman, lord of mighty fame. My name was Tumburu,1 for song Renowned among the minstrel throng: Cursed by Kuvera's stern decree I wear the hideous shape you see. But when I sued, his grace to crave, The glorious God this answer gave: * When Rama, Dasuratha's son, Destroys thee and the fight is won, Thy proper shape once more assume, And heaven again shall give thee room.' When thus the angry God replied, No prayers could turn his wrath aside, And thus on me his fury fell For loving RambhaVs2 charms too well. Now through thy favour am I freed From the stern fate the God decreed, And saved, O tamer of the foe, 1 Somewhat inconsistently with this part of the story Tumburu is mentioned in Book II. Canto XII as one of the Gandharvas or heavenly minstrels summoned to per- form at Bharadvdja's feast.
* Rambha appears in Book I. Canto LX1V as the temptress of Yisvuniitra.
Canto V.
THE RAMAYAN.
By thee, to heaven again shall go. A league, O Prince, beyond this spot Stands holy $arabhanga's cot: The very sun is not more bright Than that most glorious anchorite: To him, O Kama, quickly turn, And blessings from the hermit earn. First under earth my body throw, Then on thy way rejoicing go. Such is the law ordained of old For giants when their days are told: Their bodies laid in earth, they rise To homes eternal in the skies.'
Thus, by the rankling dart oppressed, Kakutstha's offspring he addressed: In earth his mighty body lay, His spirit fled to heaven away.
Thus spake Viradha ere he died; And Kama to his brother cried: ' Now dig we in this grove a pit His elephantine bulk to fit. And let the hollowed earth enfold This mighty giant fierce and bold.'
This said, the valiant hero put Upon the giant's neck his foot. His spade obedient Lakshmnn plied, And dug a pit both deep and wide By lofty-souled Viradha's side. Then Raghu's son his foot withdrew, And down the mighty form they threw; One awful shout of joy he gave And sank into the open grave. The horoes, to their purpose true, In fight the cruel demon slew, And radiant with delight Deep in the hollowed earth they cast The monster roaring to the last, In their resistless might. Thus when they saw the warrior's steel No life- destroy ing blow might deal, The pair, for lore renowned, Deep in the pit their hands had made The unresisting giant laid, And killed him neath the ground. Upon himself the monster brought From Rama's hand the death he sought With strong desire to gain: And thus the rover of the night Told Rama, as they strove in tight, That swords might rend and arrows smite Upon his breast in vain. Thus Rjima, when his speech he heard, The giant's mighty form interred, Which mortal arms defied. With thundering crash the giant fell, And rock and cave and forest dell With echoing roar replied. The princes, when their task was done And freedom from the peril won, Rejoiced to see him die. Then iu the boundless wood they strayed, Like the great sun and moon displayed Triumphant in the sky.1 CANTO V.
SARABHANGA.
Then Rama, having slain in fight Viradha of terrific might, With gentle words his spouse consoled, And clasped her in his loving hold.
Then to his brother nobly brave The valiant prince his counsel gave: ' Wild are these woods around us spread- And hard and rough the ground to tread': We. O my brother, ne'er have viewed So dark and drear a solitude: To ^arabhanga let us haste, Whom wealth of holy works has graced.1 Thus Rama spoke, and took the road To $arabhanga's pure abode. But near that saint whose lustre vied With Gods, by penance purified. With startled eyes the prince beheld A wondrous sight unparalleled. In splendour like the tire and sun He saw a great and glorious one. Upon a noble car he rode, Arid many a God behind him glowed: And earth beneath his feet unpressed1 The monarch of the skies confessed. Ablaze with gems, no dust might dim The bright attire that covered him. Arrayed like him, on every side High saints their master glorified. Near, borne iu air, appeared in view His car which tawny coursers drew, Like silver cloud, the moon, or sun Ere yet the day is well begun. Wreathed with gay garlands, o'er his head A pure white canopy was spread, And lovely nymphs stood nigh to hold ?air chouris with their sticks of gold, kVhich, waving in each gentle hand, ['he forehead of their monarch fanned. God, saint, and bard, a radiant ring, Sang glory to their heavenly King: ^rth into joyful lauds they burst Indra with the sage conversed. ?hen Rama, when his wondering eyes Beheld the monarch of the skies, 1 The conclusion of this Canto is all a ain repetition: it is manifestly spurious nd a very feeble imitation of Valmiki'a tyle. See Additional iVotes.
1 ' Even when he had alight ed,' says the ommentator. The feet of G ods do not ouch the ground.
THE RAMAYAN.
Bool III.
To Lakshman quickly called, and showed The car wherein Lord Indra rode: ' See, brother, see that air-borne car, Whose wondrous glory shines afar: Wherefrom so bright a lustre streams That like a falling sun it seems. These are the steeds whose fame we know, Of heavenly race through heaven they go: These are the steeds who bear the yoke Of li^akra,1 Him whom all invoke. Behold these youths, a glorious band, Toward every wind a hundred stand: A sword in each right hand is borne, And rings of gold their arms adorn. What might in every broad deep chest And club-like arm is manifest! Clothed in attire of crimson hue They show like tigers fierce to view. Great chains of gold each warder deck, Gleaming like fire beneath his neck. The age of each fair youth appears Some score and five of human years; The ever-blooming prime which they Who live in heaven retain for aye: Such mien these lordly beings wear, Heroic youths, most bright and fair. Now, brother, in this spot, I pray, With the Videhan lady stay, Till I have certain knowledge who This being is, so bright to view.'
He spoke, and turning from the spot Sought $arabhanga's hermit cot. But when the lord of $achi^ saw The son of Raghu near him draw, He hastened of the sage to take His leave, and to his followers spake: ' See., Rama bends his steps this way, But ere he yet a word can say, Come, fly to our celestial sphere; It is not meet he see me here. Soon victor and triumphant he In fitter time shall look on me. Before him still a great emprise, A task too hard for others, lies.'
Then with all marks of honour high The Thunderer bade the saint good-bye, Arid in his car which coursers drew Away to heaven the conqueror flew. Then Rama, Lakshman, and the dame, To ^arabhanga nearer came, Who sat beside the holy flame. Before the ancient sage they bent. And clasped his feet most reverent; Then at his invitation found A seat beside him on the ground. Then Rarna prayed the sage would deign Lord Indra's visit to explain; 1 A name of Indra.
7 &achi ia the consort of Indra.
And thus at length the holy man In answer to his prayer began: 'This Lord of boons has sought me here To waft me hence to Brahma's sphere, Won by my penance long and stern, — • A home the lawless ne'er can earn. But when I knew that thou wast nigh, To Brahma's world I could not fly Until these longing eyes were blest With seeing thee, mine honoured guest. Since thou, 0 Prince, hast cheered my sight, Great-hearted lover of the right, To heavenly spheres will I repair And bliss supreme that waits me there. For I have won, dear Prince, my way To those fair worlds which ne'er decay, Celestial seat of Brahma's reign: Be thine, with me, those worlds to gain.'
Then master, of all sacred lore, Spake Rama to the saint once more: ' I, even 1, illustrious sage, Will make those worlds mine heritage: But now, I pray, some home assign Within this holy grove of thine.'
Thus Rama, Indra's peer in might, Addressed the aged anchorite; And he, with wisdom well endued, To Raghu's son his speech renewed: ' Sutikshna's woodland home is near, A glorious saint of life austere, True to the path of duty: he With highest bliss will prosper thee. Against the stream thy course must be Of this fair brook Mandakini, Whereon light rafts like blossoms glide; Then to his cottage turn aside. There lies thy path: but ere thou go, Look on me. dear one, till I throw Aside this mould that girds me in, As casts the snake his withered skin.* He spoke, the fire in order laid, With holy oil due offerings made, And ^arabhanga, glorious sire, Laid down his body in the fire. Then rose the flame above his head, On skin, blood, flesh, and bones it fed, Till forth, transformed, with radiant hue Of tender youth, he rose anew. Far-shining in his bright attire Came Sarabhanga from the pyre; Above the home of saints, and those Who feed the quenchless flame,1 he rose: Beyond the seat of Gods he passed, And Brahma's sphere was gained at last.
1 The spheres or mansions gained by those who have duly performed the sacri- fices required of them. Different situations are assigned to these spheres, some plac- ing them near the sun, others near the moon, Canto VI.
THE RAM AY AN.
23 The noblest of the twice-born face, For holy works supreme in place, The Mighty Father there beheld Girt round by hosts unparalleled; And Brahma joying at the sight Welcomed the glorious anchorite.
CANTO VI.
KAMA'S PROMISE.
When he his heavenly home had found, The holy men who dwelt around To Rama flocked, whose martial fame Shone glorious as the kindled flame: Yaikhanaaas l who love the wild. Pure hermits Balakhilyas * styled, Good Sarnprakshalas, 3 saints who live On rays which moon and daystar give: Those who with leaves their lives sustain And those who pound with stones then' grain: grain: And they who lie in pools, and those Whose corn, save teeth, no winnow knows: Those who for beds the cold earth use, And those who every couch refuse: And those condemned to ceaseless pains, Whose single foot their weight sustains: And those who sleep neath open skies, Whose food the wave or air supplies, And hermits pure who spend their nights On ground prepared for sacred rites; Those who on hills their vigil hold, Or dripping clothes around them fold: The devotees who live for prayer, Or the five fires 4 unflinching bear. On contemplation all intent, With light that heavenly knowledge lent, They came to Kama, saint and sage, In £arabhaga's hermitage. The hermit crowd around him pressed, And thus the virtuous chief addressed: 'The lordship of the earth is thine, O Prince of old Ikshvaku's line, 1 Hermits who live upon roots which they dig out of the earth: literally diggers, derived from the prefix in and khan to dig.
* Generally, divine personages of the height of a man's thumb, produced from Brahma's hair: here, according to the commentator followed by Gorresio, hermits who when they have obtained fresh food throw away what they had laid up before.
3 Sprung from the washings of Vishnu's feet.
4 Four fires burning round them, and the sun above, Lord of the Gods is Indra, so Thou art our lord and guide below.
Thy name, the glory of thy might, Throughout the triple world are bright: Thy filial love so nobly shown, Thy truth and virtue well are known, To thee, O lord, for help we fly, And on thy love of right rely: With kindly patience hear us speak.
And grant the boon we humbly seek.
That lord of earth were most unjust, Foul traitor to his solemn trust, Who should a sixth of all l require, Nor guard his people like a sire.
But he who ever watchful strives To guard his subjects' wealth and lives, Dear as himself or, dearer still, His sons, with earnest heart and will, — • That king, O Raghu's son, secures High fame that endless years endures, And he to Brahma's world shall rise, Made glorious in the eternal skies.
Whate'er, by duty won, the meed Of saints whom roots and berries feed, One fourth thereof, for tender care Of subjects, is the monarch's share.
These, mostly of the Brahman race, Who make the wood their dwelling-place.
Although a friend in thee they view, Fall friendless neath the giant crew.
Come, Rama, come, and see hard by The holy hermits' corpses lie, Where many a tangled pathway shows The murderous work of cruel foes.
These wicked fiends the hermits kill Who live on Chitrakuta's hill, And blood of slaughtered saints has dyed Mandakini and Pampa's side, No longer can we bear to see The death of saint and devotee Whom through the forest day by day These Rakshases unpitying slay.
To thee, O Prince, we flee, and crave Thy guardian help our lives to save.
From these fierce rovers of the night Defend each stricken anchorite.
Throughout the world 'twere vain to seek An arm like thine to aid the weak.
O Prince, we pray thee hear our call, And from these fiends preserve us all.'
The son of Raghu heard the plaint Of penance-loving sage and saint, And the good prince his speech renewed To all the hermit multitude: To me, O saints, ye need not sue: [ wait the nests of all of you. [ by mine own occasion led This mighty forest needs must tread, The tax allowed to the king by the Laws of Manu, THE RAM AY AN.
Book 111.
And while I keep my sire's decree Your lives from threatening foes will free.
I hither came of free accord To lend the aid by you implored, And richest meed my toil shall pay, While here in forest shades I stay.
I long in battle strife to close, And slay these fiends, the hermits' foes, That saint and sage may learn aright My prowess and my brother's might.'
Thus to the saints his promise gave That prince who still to virtue clave With never- wandering thought: And then with Lakshman by his side, With penance-wealthy men to guide, Sutikshna's home he sought.
CANTO VII.
SUTIKSHNA, So Raghu's son, his foemen's dread, With SCta and his brother sped, Girt round by many a twice-born sage, To good Sutikshna's hermitage.1 Through woods for many a league he passed, O'er rushing rivers full and fast, Until a mountain fair and bright As lofty Meru rose in sight.
Within its belt of varied wood Ikshvaku's sons and Sita stood, Where trees of every foliage bore Blossom and fruit in endless store, There coats of bark, like garlands strung,