Whose summit veins of metal fill? Lo, here I stand before thy face To slay thee with my murderous mace, As Death, the universal lord, Stands threatening with his fatal cord. Enough of this. Much more remains That should be said: but time constrains. Ere to his rest the sun descend, And shades of night the combat end, The twice seven thousand of my baud Who fell beneath thy bloody hand Shall have their tears all wiped away And triumph in thy fall to-day.'
He spoke, and loosing from his hold His mighty mace ringed round with gold, Like some red bolt alive with fire, Hurled it at Rama, mad with ire. The ponderous niace which Khara threw Sent fiery flashes as it flew. Trees, shrubs were scorched beneath the blast, As onward to its aim it passed. But Rama, watching as it sped Dire as His noose who rules the dead, Cleft it with arrows as it came On rushing with a hiss and flame. Its fury spent and burnt away, Harmless upon the ground it lay Like a great snake in furious mood By herbs of numbing power subdued.
CANTO XXX.
KHARA'S DEATH.
When Rama, pride of Raghu's race, Virtue's dear son, had cleft the mace, Thus with superior smile the best Of chiefs the furious fiend addressed: 'Thou, worst of giant blood, at length Hast shown the utmost of thy strength, And forced by greater might to bow, Thy vaunting threats are idle now. My shafts have cut thy club in twain: Useless it lies upon the plain, And all thy pride and haughty trust Lie with it levelled in the dust. The words that thou hast said to-day, That thou wouldst wipe the tears away Of all the giants I have slain, My deeds shall render void and vain. Thou meanest of the giants' breed, Evil in thought and word and deed, My hand shall take that life of thine As Garud1 seized the juice divine.
1 Garud, the King of Birds, carried off the Amrit or drink of Paradise from Indra's custody.
THE RAMA YAN.
Book 111.
Thou, rent by shafts, this day shall die: Low on the ground thy corse shall lie, And bubbles from the cloven neck "With froth and blood thy skin shall deck.
With du.-t and mire all rudely dyed, Thy torn arms lying by thy side, While streams of blood each limb shall steep, Thou on earth's breast shalt take thy sleep Like a fond lover when he strains The beauty whom at length he gains. Now when thy heavy eyelids close For ever in thy deep repose, Again shall Dandak forest be Safe refuge for the devotee. Thou slain, and all thy race who held The realm of Janasthan expelled, Again shall happy hermits rove, Fearing no danger, through the grove. Within those bounds, their brethren slain, No giant shall this day remain, But all shall fly with many a tear And fearing, rid the saints of fear. This bitter day shall misery bring On all the nice that calls thee king. Fierce as their lord, thy dames shall know, Bereft of joys, the taste of woe. Base, cruel wretch, of evil mind, Plaguer of Brahmans and mankind, With trembling hands each devotee Feeds holy tires in dread of thee.'
Thus with wild fury unrepressed Raghu's brave son the tiend addressed; And Khara, as his wrath grew high, Thus thundered forth his rierce reply: 1 By senseless pride to madness wrought, By danger girt thou fearest naught, Nor heedest, numbered with the dead, What thou shouldst say and leave unsaid. When Fate's tremendous coils enfold The captive in resistless hold, He knows not right from wrong, each sense Numbed by that deadly influence.'
He spoke, and when his speech was done Bent his tierce brows on Raghu's son. With eager eyes he looked around If letl.al arms might yet be found. Not far away and full in view A Sal-tree towering upward grew. His lips in mighty strain compressed, He tore it up with root and crest, With huge arms waved it o'er his head And hurled it shouting, Thou art dead. But Kama, unsurpassed in might. St-iye(l with his shafts its onward flight, And furious longing seized his soul The giant in the dust to roll. Great drops of sweat each limb bedewed, His red eyes showed his wrathful mood. A thousand arrows, swiftly sent, The giant s bosom tore and rent.
From every gash his body showed The blood in foamy torrents flowed. As springing from their caverns leap Swift rivers down the mountain steep. When Khara felt each deadened power Yielding beneath that murderous shower, He charged, infuriate with the scent Of blood, in dire bewilderment. But Rama watched, with ready bow, The onset of his bleeding foe, And ere the monster reached him, drew Backward in haste a yard or two. Then from his side a shaft he took Whose mortal stroke no life might brook: Of peerless might, it bore the name Of Brahma's staff, and glowed with flame: Lord Indra, ruler of the skies, Himself had given the glorious prize. His bow the virtuous hero drew, And at the fiend the arrow flew. Hissing and roaring like the blast Of tempest through the air it passed, And fixed, by Rama's vigour sped, In the foe's breast its pointed head. Then fell the fiend: the quenchless flame Burnt furious in his wounded frame. So burnt by Rudra Andhak1 fell In Svetaranya'a silvery dell: So Namnchi and Vritra2 died By steaming bolts that tamed their pride: So Bala3 fell by lightning sent By Him who rules the firmament.
'1 hen all the Gods in close array With the bright hosts who sing and play, Filled full of rapture and amaze, Sang hymns of joy in Rama's praise, Beat their celestial drums and shed Kain of sweet flowers upon his head. For three short hours had scarcely flown, And by his pointed shafts o'erthrown The twice seven thousand fiends, whose will Could change their shapes, in death were still, With Trisiras and Duehan slain, And Khara. leader of the train. ' O wondrous deed,' the bards began, ' The noblest deed of virtuous man! Heroic strength that stood alone, And firmness e'en as Vishnu's own!'
Thus having sung, the shining train Turned to their heavenly homes again.
1 A demon, son of Kasyap and Diti, slain by Rudra or £iva when he attempted to carry off the tree of Paradise.
2 Namnchi and Vritra were two demons slain by Indra. Vritra personifies drought, the enemy of Indra, who imprisons the rain in the cloud.
3 Another demon slain by Indra.
Canto XXXI.
THE RAM AY AN.
Then the high saints of royal race And loftiest station sought the place, And by the great Agastya led, With reverence to llama said: ' For this, Lord Indra, glorious sire, Majestic as the burning fire, Who crushes cities in his rage, Sought ^arabhanga's hermitage. Thou wast, this great design to aid, Led by the saints to seek this shade, And with thy mighty arm to kill The giants who delight in ill. Thou, Dasaratha's noble son, The battle for our sake hast won, And saints in Dandak's wild who live Their days to holy tasks can give.'
Forth from the mountain cavern came The hero Lakshman with the dame. And rapture beaming from his fa^e, Re.sought the hermit dwelling-place. Then when the mighty saints had paid Due honour for the victor's aid, The glorious Kama honoured too By Lakshmaii to his cot withdrew. When Sita looked upon her lord, His foemen slain, the saints restored, In pride and rapture uncontrolled She clasped him in her loring hold. On the dead fiends her glances fell: She saw her lord alive and well, Victorious after toil and pain, And Janak's child was blest again. Once more, once more with new delight Her tender arms she threw Hound Rama whose victorious might Had crushed the demon crew. Then as his grateful reverence paid lilac 1 1 saint of lofty soul, O'er her sweet face, all fears allayed, The Hush of transport stole.
CANTO XXXI.
RAVAN.
But of the host of giants one, Akampari, from the field had run And sped to Lanka1 to relate In Ravan's ear the demons' fate: 4 King, many a giant from the shade Of Janasthan in death is laid: Khara the chief is slain, and I Could scarcely from the battle fly.'
Fierce anger, as the monarch heard, Inflamed his look, his bosom stirred, And while with scorching glance he eyed The messenger, he thus replied: * What fool has dared, already dead, Strike Janasthan, the general dread?
1 The capital of the giant king Kavnn, Who is the wretch shall vainly try In earth, heaven, hell, from me to fly?
Vaisravan,1 Indra, Vishnu, He Who rules the dead, must reverence me; For not the mightiest lord of these Can brave my will and live at ease.
Fate finds in me a mightier fate To burn the fires that devastate.
With unresisted influence I Can force e'en Death himself to die, With all-surpassing might restrain The fury of the hurricane, And burn in my tremendous ire The glory of the sun and fire.'
As thus the fiend's hot fury blazed, His trembling hands Akampan raised, And with a voice which fear made weak, Permission craved his tale to speak. King Ravan gave the leave he sought. And bade him tell the news he brought. His courage rose, his voice grew bold, And thus his mournful tale he told: 4 A prince with mighty shoulders, sprung From Dasaratha, brave and young, With arms well moulded, bears the name Of Rama with a lion's frame. Renowned, successful, dark of limb, Earth has no warrior equals him. He fought in Janasthan and slew Dushan the fierce and Khara too.'
Ravun the giants' royal chief, Received Akampan's tale of grief. Then, panting like an angry snake, These words in turn the monarch spake: 'Say quick, didR&rna seek the shade Of Janasthan with Indra's aid, And all the dwellers in the skies To back his hardy enterprise?'
Akampan heard, and straight obeyed His master, and his answer made. Then thus the power and might he told Of Raghu's son the lofty-souled: 'Best is that chief of all who know With deftest art to draw the bow. His are strange arms of heavenly might, And none can match him in the fight. His brother Lakshman brave as he, Fair as the rounded moon to see, With eyes like night and voice that cornea Deep as the roll of beaten drums, By Rama's side stands ever near, Like wind that aids the flame's career. That glorious chief, that prince of kings, On Janasthan this ruin brings. No Gods were there, — dismiss the thought No heavenly legions came and fought. His swift-winged arrows Rama sent, fcaoh bright with gold and ornament. To serpents many-faced they turned: 1 Kuvera, the God of gold.
RAM AY AN.
Book III.
The giant hosts they ate and burned. Where'er these fled in wild dismay Kama was there to strike and slay. By him O King of iiigh estate, Is Janasthan left desolate.'
Akampan ceased: in angry pride The giant monarch thus replied: 'To Janasthan myself will go And lay these daring brothers low.'
Thus spoke the king in furious mood: Akampan then his speech renewed: * O listen while I tell at length The terror of the hero's strength.
No power can check, no might can tame Kama, a chief of noblest fame.
He with resistless shafts can stay The torrent foaming on its way.
Sky, stars, and constellations, all To his tierce might would yield and fall.
His power could earth itself uphold Down sinking as it sank of old.1 Or all its plains and cities drown, Breaking the wild sea's barrier down; Crush the great deep's impetuous will, Or bid the furious wind be still.
He glorious in his high estate The triple world could devastate, And there, supreme of men, could place His creatures of a new-born race.
Never can mighty Rama be O'ercome in fight, my King, by tbee.
Thy giant host the day might win From him, if heaven were gained by sin.
If Gods were joined with demons, they Could ne'er, I ween, that hero slay, But guile may kill the wondrous man; Attend while I disclose the plan.
His wife, above all women graced, Is bita of the dainty waist.
With limbs to fair proportion true, And a soft skin of lustrous hue.
Kound neck and arm rich gems are twined: She is the gem of womankind.
With her no bright Gandharvi vies, Mo nymph or Goddess in the skies; And none to rival her would dare 'Mid dames who part the long black hair.
That hero in the wood beguile, And steal his lovely spouse the while.
'Reft of his darling wife, be sure, Brief days the mourner will endure.'
With flattering hope of triumph moved The giant king that plan approved, Pondered the counsel in his breast, And then Akampan thus addressed: * Forth in my car I go at morn, ISione but the driver with me borne, And this fair Sita will I bring Back to my city triumphing.'
1 In the great deluge, Forth in his car by asses drawn The giant monarch sped at dawn, Bright as the sun, the chariot cast Light through the sky as on it passed. Then high in air that best of cars Traversed the path of lunar stars, Sending a iitful radiance pale As moonbeams shot through cloudy veil. Far on his airy way he flew: Near Tadakeya's1 grove he drew. Maricha welcomed him, and placed Before him food which giants taste, With honour led him to a seat, And brought him water for his feet; And then with timely words addressed Such questiion to his royal guest: * Speak, is it well with thee whose sway The giant multitudes obey?
I know not all, arid ask in fear The cause, O King, why thou art here.'
Kavan, the giants' mighty king, Heard wise Marioha's questioning, And told with ready answer, taught In eloquence, the cause he sought: " My guards, the bravest of my band, Are slain by Kama's vigorous hand, And Janasthan, that feared no hate Of foes, is rendered desolate. Come, aid me in the plan I lay To steal the conqueror's wife away.'
Maricha heard the king's request, And thus the giant chief addressed: * What foe in friendly guise is he Who spoke of Sita's name to thee? Who is the wretch whose thought would bring Destruction on the giants' king? Whose is the evil counsel, say, That bids thee bear his wife away, And careless of thy life provoke Earth's loftiest with threatening stroke? A foe is he who dared suggest This hopeless folly to thy breast, Whose ill advice would bid thee draw The venomed fang from serpent's jaw. By whose unwise suggestion led Wilt thou the path of ruin tread? Whence falls the blow that would destroy Thy gentle sleep of ease and joy? Like some wild elephant is he That rears his trunk on high, Lord of an ancient pedigree, Huge tusk?, and furious eye. Kavan, no rover of the night With bravest heart can brook, Met in the front of deadly tight, On Raghu's son to look.
1 The giant Maricha, son of Tadaka. Tadaka was slain by Kama. See p. 39.
nto XXXtf.
THE RAMATAtf.
The giant hosts were brave and strong Good at the bow and spear: But Kama slew the routed throng, A lion 'mid the deer. No lion's tooth can match his sword, Or arrows fiercely shot: He sleeps, he sleeps — the lion lord; He wiwe and rouse him not. O Monarch of the giants, well Upon my counsel think, Lest thou for ever in the hell Of Rama's vengeance sink: A hell, where deadly shafts are sent From his tremendous bow, While his great arms all flight prevent Like deepest mire below: Where the wild floods of battle rave Above the foeman's head, And each with many a feathery wave Of shafts is garlanded. O, quench the flames that in thy breasi With raging fury burn: And pacified and self-possessed To Lanka's town return. Rest thou in her imperial bowers With thine own wives content, And in the wood let Rama's hours With Sita still be spent.' The lord of Lanka's isle obeyed The counsel, and his purpose stayed. Home on his car he parted thence And gained his royal residence.
CANTO XXXII.
RAVAN ROUSED.
But Surpanakha saw the plain Spread with the fourteen thousand slain, Doers of cruel deeds o'erthrown By Rama's mighty arm alone, And Trisiras and Dushan dead, And Khara, with the hosts they led.
Their death she saw, and mad with pain, Roared like a cloud that brings the rain, And fled in anger and dismay To Lanka, seat of Ra van's sway.
There on a throne of royal state Exalted sat the potentate, Begirt with counsellor and peer, Like Indra with the Storm (Jods near.
Bright as the sun's full splendour shone The glorious throne he sat upon, As when the blazing fire is red Upon a golden altar fed.
Wide gaped his mouth at every breath, Tremendous as the jaws of Death.
With him high saints of lofty thought, Gaudharvas, Gods, had vainly fought.
The wounds were on his body yet From wars where Gods and demons met. And scars still marked his ample chest By fierce Airavat's1 tusk impressed. A score of arms, ten necks, had he, His royal gear was brave to see. His massive form displayed each sign That marks the heir of kingly line. In stature like a mountain height, His arms were strong, his teeth were white, And all his frame of massive mould Seemed laxuiite adorned with gold. A hundred seams impressed each limp Where Vishnu's arm had wounded him, And chest and shoulder bore the print Of sword and spear and arrow dint, Where every God had struck a blow In battle with the giant foe. His might to wildest rage could wake The sea whose faith naught else can shake, Hurl towering mountains to the earth, And crush e'en foes of heavenly birth. The bonds of law and right he spurned: To others' wives his fancy turned. Celestial arms he used in fight, And loved to mar each holy rite. He went to Bhogavati's town,2 Where Vasuki was beaten down, And stole, victorious in the strife, Lord Takshaka's beloved wife. Kailasa's lofty crest he sought, And when in vain Kuvera fought, Stole Pushpak thence, the car that through The air, as willed the master, llew. Impelled by furious anger, he Spoiled JSTandan's3 shade and Nalinf, And Chaitraratha's heavenly grove, The haunts where Gods delight to rove. Tall as a hill that cleaves the sky. He raised his mighty arms on high To check the blessed moon, and stay The rising of the Lord of Day. Ten thousand years the giant spent On dire austerities intent, And of his heads an offering, laid Before the Self-existent, made. STo God or fiend his life could take, jrandharva, goblin, bird or snake: Safe from all fears of death, except ?rom human arm, that life was kept. Oft when the priests began to raise ["heir consecrating hymns of praise, le spoiled the Soma's sacred juice ^ forth by them in solemn use.
1 Indra's elephant.
2 Bhogavati, in Patala in the regions nder the earth, is the capital of the serpent Ace whose king is Vasuki.
3 The grove of Indra.
THE RAM AY AN.
in.
The sacrifice his hands o'erthrew, And cruelly the Brahmans slew. His was a heart that naught could melt, Joying in woes which others felt.
She saw the ruthless monster there, Dread of the worlds, unused to spare. In robes of heavenly texture dressed, Celestial wreaths adorned his breast. He sat a shape of terror, like Destruction ere the worlds it strike. She saw him in his pride of place, The joy of old Pulastya's1 race, Begirt by counsellor and peer, Ravan, the foeman's mortal fear, And terror in her features shown, The giantess approached the throne.
Then Surpanakha bearing yet Each deeply printed trace Where the great-hearted chief had set A mark upon her face, Impelled by terror and desire, Still fierce, no longer bold, To Ravan of the eyes of fire Her tale, infuriate, told.
CANTO XXXIII.
SU'RPANAKHA'S SPEECH.
Burning with anger, in the ring Of counsellors who girt their king, To Ravan, raven er of man, With bitter words she thus began: ' Wilt thou absorbed in pleasure, still Pursue unchecked thy selfish will: Nor turn thy heedless eyes to see The coming fate which threatens thee? The king who days and hours employs In base pursuit of vulgar joys Must in his people's sight be vile As tire that smokes on funeral pile. He who when duty calls him spares No time for thought of royal cares, Must with his realm and people all Involved in fatal ruin fall. As elephants in terror shrink From the false river's miry brink, Thus subjects from a monarch flee Whose face their eyes may seldom see, Who spends the hours for toil ordained In evil courses unrestrained. He who neglects to guard and hold His kingdom by himself controlled, Sinks nameless like a hill whose head Is buried in the ocean's bed.
1 Pulastya is considered as the ancestor of the Rakshases or giants, as he is the father of Visravas, the father of Ravan and his brethren.
Thy foes are calm and strong and wise, Fiends, Gods, and warriors of the skies,— How, heedlesp, wicked, weak, and vain, Wilt thou thy kingly state maintain? Thou, lord of giants, void of sense, Slave of each changing influence, Heedless of all that makes a king, Destruction on thy head wilt bring. O conquering chief, the prince, who boasts, Of treasury and rule and hosts, By others led, though lord of all, Is meaner than the lowest thrall. For this are monarchs said to be Long-sighted, having power to see Things far away by faithful eyes Of messengers and loyal spies. But aid from such thou wilt not seek: Thy counsellors are blind and weak, Or thou from these hadst surely known Thy legions and thy realm o'erthrown. Know,twice seven thousand, fierce in might, Are slain by Rama in the fight, And they, the giant host who led, Khara and Dushan, both are dead. Know, Rama with' his conquering arm Has freed the saints from dread of harn;, Has smitten Janasthan and made Asylum safe in Dandak's shade. Enslaved and dull, 'of blinded sight, Intoxicate with vain delight, Thou closest still thy heedless eyes To dangers in thy realm that rise. A king besotted, mean, unkind, Of niggard hand and slavish mind. Will find no faithful followers heed Their master in his hour of need.
The friend on whom he most relies, In danger, from a monarch flies, Imperious in his high estate, Conceited, proud, and passionate; Who ne'er to state affairs attends With wholesome fear when woe impends, Most weak and worthless as the grass, Soon from his sway the realm will pass. For rotting wood a use is found, For clods and dust that strew the ground, But when a king has lost his sway, Useless he falls, and sinks for aye. As raiment by another worn. As faded garland crushed and torn, So is, unthroned, the proudest king, Though mighty once, a useless thing. But he who every sense subdues And each event observant views, Rewards the good and keeps from wrong, Shall reign secure and flourish long, Though lulled in sleep his senses lie He watches with a ruler's eye, Untouched by favour, ire, and hate, And him the people celebrate. O weak of mind, without a trace Canto XXXIV.
THE RAM AY AN.
Of virtues that a king should grace, Who hast not learnt from watchful spy That low in death the giants lie. Scorner of others, but enchained By every base desire, By thee each duty is disdained Which time and place require. Soon wilt thou, if them canst not learn, Ere yet it be too late, The good from evil to discern, Fall from thy high estate.' As thus she ceased not to upbraid The king with cutting speech. And every fault to view displayed, Naming and marking each, The monarch of the sons of night, Of wealth and power possessed, And proud of his imperial might, Long pondered in his breast.
CANTO XXXIV.
SU'RPANAKHA'S SPEECH.
Then forth the giant's fury broke As Surpanakha harshly spoke. Girt by his lords the demon king Looked on her, fiercely questioning: * Who is this Kama, whence, and where? His form, his might, his deeds declare. His wandering steps what purpose led To Dandak forest, hard to tread I What arms are his that he could smite In fray the rovers of the night, And Trisiras and Dushan lay Low on the earth, and Khara slay?
Tell all, my sister, and declare Who maimed thee thus, of form most fair.'
Thus by the giant king addressed, While burnt her fury un repressed, The giantess declared at length The hero's form and deeds and strength: * Long are his arms and large his eyes: A black deer's skin his dress supplies. King Dasaratha's son is he, Fair as Kandarpa's self to see. Adorned with many a golden band, A bow, like Indra's, arms his hand, And shoots a flood of arrows tierce As venomed snakes to burn and pierce. I looked, I looked, but never saw His mighty hand the bowstring draw That sent the deadly arrows out, While rang through air his battle-shout. I looked, I looked, and saw too well How with that hail the giants fell, As falls to earth the golden grain, Struck by the blows of Indra's rain. He fought, and twice seven thousand, all Terrific giants, strong and tall, Fell by the pointed shafts o'erbhrown Which Rama shot on foot, alone. Three little hours had scarcely fled, — Khara and Dushan both were dead, And he had freed the saints and made Asylum sure in Dandak's shade. Me of his grace the* victor spared, Or I the giants' fate had shared. The high-souled Rtirna would riot deign His hand with woman's blood to stain. Tne glorious Lakshman, justly dear, In gifts arid warrior might his peer, Serves his great brother with the whole Devotion of his faithful soul: Impetuous victor, bold and wise, First in each hardy enterprise, Still ready by his side to stand, A second self or better hand. And Rama has a large-eyed spouse, Pure as the moon her cheek and brows, Dearer than life in Rfima's sight, Whose happiness is her delight. With beauteous hair and nose the dame From head to foot has naught to blame. She shines the wood's bright Goddess, Que^n Que^n Of beauty with her noble mien. First in the ranks of women placed Is Sita of the dainty waist. In all the earth mine eyes have ne'er Seen female form so sweetly fair. Goddess nor nymph can vie with her, Nor bride of heavenly chorister. He who might call this dame his own, Her eager arms about him thrown, Would live more blest in Sita's love Than Indra in the world above. She, peerless in her form and face And rich in every gentle grace, Is worthy bride, O King, for thee, As thou art meet her lord to be. I even I, will bring the bride In triumph to her lover's side — Tin's beauty fairer than the rest, With rounded limb and heaving breast. Each wound upon my face I owe To cruel Lakshman's savage blow. But thou, O brothe'r, shalt survey Her moonlike loveliness to-day, And Kama's piercing shafts shall smite Thine amorous bosom at the sight. If in thy breast the longing rise To make thine own the beauteous prize, Up, let thy better foot begin The journey and the treasure win. If, giant Lord, thy favouring eyes Regard the plan which I advise, Up, cast all fear and doubt away And execute the words I say. Come, giant King, this treasure seek, For thou art strong and they are weak.
THE RAM AY AN.
Boole III.
Let Sit & of the faultless frame Be borne away and be thy darne. Tby host in Janasthan who dwelt Forth to the battle hied, And by the shafts which Rama dealt They perished in their pride. Dushan and Khara breathe no more, Laid' low upon the plain. Arise, and ere the day be o'er Take vengeance for the slain.'
CANTO XXXV.
RAVAN'S JOURNEY.
When Ravan, by her fury spurred, That terrible advice had heard, He bade his nobles quit his side, And to the work his thought applied.
He turned his anxious mind to scan On every sire the hardy plan: The gain against the risk he laid, Each hope and fear with care surveyed, And in his heart at length decreed To try performance of the deed.
Then steady in his dire intent The giant to the courtyard went.
There to his charioteer he cried, * Bring forth the car whereon! ride,' Aye ready at his master's word The charioteer the order heard.
And yoked with active zeal the best Of chariots at his lord's behest.
Asses witli heads of goblins drew That wondrous car where'er it flew.
Obedient to the will it rolled Adorned with gems and glistering gold.
Then mounting, with a roar as loud As thunder from a labouring cloud, The mighty monarch to the tide Of Ocean, lord of rivers, hied.
White was the shade above him spread, White chouris waved around his head, And he with gold and jewels bright Shone like the glossy lazulite.
Ten necks and twenty arms had he: His royal gear was good to see.
The heavenly Gods' insatiate foe.
Who made the blood of hermits flow, He like the Lord of Hills appeared With ten huge heads to heaven upreared.
In the great car whereon he rode, Like some dark cloud the giant showed, When round it in their close array The cranes 'mid wreaths of lightning play He looked, and saw. from realms of air, The rocky shore of ocean, where Unnumbered trees delightful grew With flower and fruit of every hue.
He looked on many a lilied pool j With silvery waters fresh and cool, And shores like spacious altars meet For holy hermits' lone retreat. The graceful palm adorned the scene, The plantain waved her glossy green. I There grew the sal and betel, there I On bending boughs the flowers were fair. There herrniis dwelt who tamed each sense By strictest rule of abstinence: Gandharvas, Kinnars,1 thronged the place, Nagas and birds of heavenly race. Bright minstrels of the ethereal quire, And saints exempt from low desire, With Ajas, sons of Brahma's line, Marichipas of seed divine, Vaikhanasas and Mashas strayed, And Balakhilyas* in the shade. The lovely nymphs of heaven were there, Celestial wreaths confined their hair, And to each form new grace was lent By wealth of heavenly ornament. Well skilled was each in play and dance And gentle arts of dalliance. The glorious wife of many a God Those beautiful recesses trod, There Gods and Danavs, all who eat The food of heaven, rejoiced to meet. The swan and Saras thronged each bay With curlews, ducks, and divers gay, Where the sea spray rose soft and white O'er rocks of glossy lazulite. As his swift way the fiend pursued Pale chariots of the Gods he viewed, Bearing each lord whose rites austere Had raised him to the heavenly sphere.
Thereon celestial garlands hung, There music played and songs were sung. Then bright Gandharvas met his view, And heavenly nymphs, as on he flew. He saw the sandal woods below, And precious trees of odorous flow, That to the air around them lent Their riches of delightful scent; Nor failed his roving eye to mark Tall aloe trees in grove and park. He looked on wood with cassias filled, And plants which balmy sweets distilled, Where her fair flowers the betel showed And the bright pods of pepper glowed. The pearls in many a silvery heap Lay on the margin of the deep. And grey rocks rose amid the red Of coral washed from ocean's bed.