1 Beings with the body of a man and the head of a horse.
2 Ajas, Marichipas, Vaikhanasas, Ma- shas, and Balakhilyas are classes of super- natural beings who lead the lives of her- mits.
Canto XXXVI.
TUE RAM AY AN.
High soared the mountain peaks that bore Treasures of gold and silver ore, And leaping down the rock}' walls Came wild and glorious waterfalls.
Fair towns which grain and treasure held, And dames who every gem excelled, He saw outspread beneath him far, With steed, and elephant, and car.
That ocean shore he viewed that showed Fair as the blessed Gods' abode Where cool delightful breezes played O'er levels in the freshest shade.
He saw a fig-tree like a cloud With mighty branches earthward bowed.
It stretched a hundred leagues and made For hermit bands a welcome shade.
Thither the feathered king of yore An elephant arid tortoise bore, And lighted on a bough to eat The captives of his taloned feet.
The bough unable to sustain The crushing weight and sudden strain, Loaded with sprays and leaves of spring Gave way beneath the feathered king.
Under the shadow of the tree Dwelt many a saint and devotee, Ajas, the sons of Brahma's line, Mashas Marichipas divine.
Vaikhanasas, and all the race Of BaJakhilyHS, loved the place.
But pitying their sad estate The feathered monarch raised the weight Of the, huge bough, and bore away Tiie loosened load and captured prey.
A hundred leagues away he sped, Then on his monstrous booty fed, And with the bough he smote the lands Where dwell the wild Nishada bands.
High joy was his because his deed From jeopardy the hermits freed.
That pride for great deliverance wrought A double share of valour brought.
His soul conceived the high emprise To snatch the Amrit from the skies.
"He rent the nets of iron first, Then through the jewel chamber burst, And bore the drink of heaven away That watched in Lidra's palace lay.
such was the hermit-sheltering tree Which Ravan turned his eye to see. Still marked where Garud sought to rest, The fig-tree bore the name of West.
When Ravan stayed his chariot o'er The ocean's heart-enchanting shore, He saw a hermitage that stood Sequestered in the holy wood. He saw the fiend Maricha there With deerskin garb, and matted hair Coiled up in hermit guise, who spent His days by rule most abstinent. As guest and host are wout to meet, They met within that lone retreat. Before the king Maricha placed Food never known to human taste. He entertained his guest with meat And gave him water for his feet. And then addressed the giant king With timely words of questioning: ' Lord, is "it well with thee, and well With those in Lanka's town who dwell* What sudden thought, what urgent need Has brought thee with impetuous speed? T The fiend Maricha thus addressed Ravan the king, his mighty guest, And he, well skilled in arts that guide The eloquent, in turn replied: CANTO XXXVI.
EAVAN'S SPEECH.
' Hear me, Maricha, while I speak, And tell thee why thy home I seek. Sick and distressed am I, and see My surest hope and help in thee. Of Janasthan I need not tell, Where Surpanakha, Khara. dwell, And Dushan with the arm of might, And Trisiras, the fierce in fight, Who feeds on human flesh and gore, And many noble giants more, Who roam in dark of midnight through The forest, brave and strong and true. By my command they live at ease And slaughter saints and devotees. Those twice seven thousand giants, all Obedient t > their captain's call, Joying in war and ruthless deeds Follow where mighty Khara leads. Those fearless warrior bands who roam Through Janasthan their forest home, In all their terrible array Met Rama in the battle frav. Girt with all weapons forth they sped With Khara at the army's head. The front of battle Rama held: With furious wrath his bosom swelled. Without a word his hate to show He launched the arrows from his bow. On th« fierce hosts the missiles came. Each burning with destructive flame. The twice seven thousand fell o'erthrown By him, a man, on foot, alone. Khara the army's chief and pride, And Dushan, fearless warrior, died, And Trisiras the tierce was slain, And Dandak wood was free again.
He, ba'nished by his angry sire. Roams with his wife in mean attire. This wretch, his Warrior tribe's disgrace, Has slain the best of giant race.
THE RAM AY AN.
Boole 111.
Harsh, wicked, fierce and greedy-souled, A fool, with senses uncontrolled, No thought of duty stirs his breast: He joys to see the world distressed. He sought the wood with fair pretence Of truthf ul life and innocence, But his false hand my sister left Mangled, of nose and ears bereft. This Rama's wife who bears the name Of Sita, in her face and frame Fair as a daughter of tlie skies, — Her will I seize and bring the prize Triumphant from the forest shade: For this I seek thy willing aid. If thou, O mighty one, wilt lend Thy heip and stand beside thy friend, I with my brothers may defy All Gods embattled in the sky. Come, aid me now, for thine the power To succour in the doubtful hour. Thou art in war and time of fear, For heart and hand, without a peer. For thou art skilled in art and wile, A warrior brave and trained in guile. With this one hope, this only aim, O Rover of the.Night, I cume. Now let me tell what aid I ask To back me in my purposed task. In semblance of a golden deer Adorned with silver spots appear. Go, seek his dwelling: in the way Of Rama and his consort stray. Doubt not the lady, when she sees The wondrous deer amid the trees, Will bid her lord and Lakshman take The creature for its beauty's sake. Then when the chiefs have parted thence, And left her lone, without defence, As Rahu storms the moonlight. I Will seize the lovely dame and fly. Her lord will waste away and weep For her his valour could not keep. Then boldly will I strike the blow And wreak my vengeance on the foe,' When wise Marie ha heard the tale His heart grew faint, his cheek was pale, He stared with open orbs, and tried To moisten lips which terror dried, And grief, like death, his bosom rent As on the king his look he bent. The monarch's will he strove to stay, Distracted with alarm, For well he knew the might that lay In Rama's matchless arm.
With suppliant hands Maricha stood And thus began to tell His counsel for the tyrant's good, A iid for his own as well: CANTO XXXVII.
MARFCHA'S SPEECH.
Maricha gave attentive ear The ruler of the fiends to hear: Then, trained in all tho rules that teach The eloquent, began his speech: ' 'Tis easy task, O King, to find Smooth speakers who delight the mind.
But they who urge and they who do Distasteful things and wise, are few.
Thou hast not learnt, by proof untaught, And borne away by eager thought, That Rama, formed for high emprise, With Varun or with Indra vies.
Still let thy people live in peace, Nor let their name and lineage cease, For Rama with his vengeful hand Can sweep the giants from the laud.
O, let not Janak's daughter bring Destruction on the giant king.
Let not the lady Sita wake A tempest, on thy head to break.
Still let the dame, by care untried, Be happy by her husband's side, Lest swift avenging ruin fall On glorious Lanka, thee, and all.
Men such as thou with wills unchained, Advised by sin and unrestrained, Destroy themselves, the kin^, the state, And leave the people desolate.
Rama, in bonds of duty held, Was never by his sire expelled.
He is no wretch of greedy mind, Dishonour of his Warrior kind.
Free from all touch of rancorous spite, All creatures' good is his delight.
He saw his sire of truthful heart Deceived by Queen Kaikeyi's art, And said, a true and duteous son, ' What thou hast promised shall be done.'
To gratify the lady's will, His father's promise to fulfil, He left his realm arid all delight For Dandak wood, an anchorite.
No cruel wretch, no senseless fool Is Rama, unrestrained by rule.
This groundless charge has ne'er been heard, Nor shouldst thou speak the slanderous word.
Rama in truth and goodness bold Is Virtue's self in human mould, The sovereign of the world confessed As Indra rules among the Blest. And dost thou plot from him to rend The darling whom his arms defend? Less vain the hope to steal away The glory of the Lord of Day.
Canto XXX VI II.
THE RAM AT AN.
O Ravan, guard thee from the fire Of vengeful Rama's kindled ire, — Each spark a shaft with deadly aim, While bow and falchion feed the flame.
Cast not away in hopeless strife Thy realm, thy bliss, thine own dear life.
O Ravan of his might beware, A God of Death who will not spare.
That bow he knows so well to draw Is the destroyer's flaming jaw, And with his shafts which flash and glow He slays the armies of the foe.
Thou ne'er canst win — the thought forego — From the safe guard of shaft and bow King Janak's child, the dear delight Of Rama unapproached in might.
The spouse of Kaghu's son, confessed Lion of men with lion chest, — Dearer than life, through good and ill Devoted to her husband's will, The slender- waisted, still must be From thy polluting touches free.
Far better grasp with venturous hand The flame to wildest fury fanned.
What, King of giants, canst thou gain From this attempt so wild and vain?
If in the fight his eye he bend Upon thee, Lord, thy days must end, So life and bliss and royal sway, Lost beyond hope, will pass away.
Summon each lord of high estate, And chief, Vibhishan1 to debate.
With peers in lore of counsel tried Consider, reason, and decide.
Scan strength and weakness, count the cost, What may be gained and what be lost.
Examine and compare aright Thy proper power and Rama's might, Then if thy weal be still thy care.
Thou wilt be prudent and forbear.
O giant King, the contest shun, Thy force is all too weak The lord of Kosal's mighty son In deadly fray to seek. King of the hosts that rove at night, ( ) hear what I advise: My prudent counsel do not slight; Be patient and be wise.'
1 * The younger brother of the giant Ravan; when he and his brother had practiced austerities for a long series of years, Brahma appeared to offer them boons: Vibhishana asked that he might never meditate any unrighteousness On the death of Ravan Vibhishana was installed as R&ja of Lanka? GAKRETT'S Classical Dictionary of India.
CANTO XXXVIII.
MARI'CHA'S SPEECH.
* Once in my strength and vigour's pride I roamed this earth from side to side. And towering like a mountain's crest, A thousand Sagas'1 might possessed. Like some vast sable cloud I showed: My golden armlets flashed and glowed. A crown I wore, an axe I swayed, And all I met were sore afraid. I roved where Dandak wood is spread; On flesh of slaughtered saints I fed. Then Visvamitra, sage revered, Holy of heart, my fury feared. To Dasaratha's court he sped And went before the king and said:* ' With me, my lord, thy Rama send On holy days his aid to lend. Maricha tills my soul with dread And keeps me sore disquieted.'
The monarch heard the saint's request And thus the glorious sage addressed: 1 My boy as yet in arms untrained The age of twelve has scarce attained. But I myself a host will lead To guard thee in the hour of need. My host with fourfold troops complete, The rover of the night shall meet, And I, O best of saints, will kill Thy foeman and thy prayer fulfil.' The king vouchsafed his willing aid: The saint again this answer made: 'By Rama's might, and his alone, Can this great fiend be overthrown. I know in days of yore the Blest Thy saving help in tight confessed. Still of thy famous deeds they tell In heaven above, in earth, and hell, A mighty host obeys thy hest: Here let it still, I pray thee, rest. Thy glorious son, though yet a boy, Will in the fight that tiend destroy. Rama alone with me shall go: Be happy, victor of the foe.'
He spoke: the monarch gave assent, And Rama to the hermit lent. So to his woodland home in joy Went Visvamitra with the boy. With ready bow the champion stood To guard the rites in Dandak wood. With glorious eyes, most bright to view, Beardless as yet and dark of hue; A single robe his only wear, His temples veiled with waving hair, ' Serpent -gods, THE RAM A VAN.
Hook III.
Around his neck a chain of gold, He grasped the bow he loved to hold; And the young hero's presence made A glory in the forest shade.
Thus Rama with his beauteous mien, Like the young rising moon was seen.
I, like a cloud which tempest brings* My arms adorned with golden rings, Proud of the boon which lent me might, Approached where dwelt the anchorite.
Bufc Rama saw me venturing nigh, Baising my murderous axe on high; He saw, and fearless of the foe, Strung with calm hand his trusty bow.
By pride of conscious strength beguiled, I scorned him as a feeble child, And rushed with an impetuous bound On Visvamitra's holy ground.
A keen swift shaft he pointed well, The foeman's rage to check and quell, And hurled a hundred leagues away Deep in the ocean waves I lay.
He would not kill, but, nobly brave, My forfeit life he chose to save.
So there I lay with wandering sense Dazed by that arrow's violence.
Long in the sea I lay: at length Slowly returned my sense and strength, And rising from my watery bed To Lanka's town again I sped.
Thus was I spared, but all my band Fell slain by Rama's conquering hand, — A boy, untrained in warrior skill, Of iron arm and dauntless will.
If thou with Rama still, in spite Of warning and of prayer, wilt tight, I see terrific woes impend, And dire defeat thy days will end.
Thy gjants all will' feel the blow And share the fatal overthrow, Who love the taste of joy and play, The banquet and the festal day.
Thine eyes will see destruction take Thy Lanka, lost for Sitsvs sake, And stately pile and palace fall With terrace, dome, and jewelled wall.
The good will die: the crime of kings Destruction on the people brings: The sinless die, as in the lake The fish must perish with the snake.
The prostrate giants thou wilt see Slain for this folly wrought by thee.
Their bodies bright with precious scent Arid sheen of heavenly ornament; Or see the remnant of thy train Seek refuge far, when help is vain, And with their wives, or widowed, fly To every quarter of the sky; Thy mournful eyes, where'er they turn, Will see thy stately city burn, When royal homes with fire are red, And arrowy nets around are spread. A sin that tops all sins in shame Is outrage to another's dame. A thousand wives thy palace fill, And countless beauties wait thy will.
0 rest contented with thine own, Nor let thy race be overthrown. If thou, O King, hast still delight In rank and wealth and power and might, In noble wives, in troops of friends, In all that royal state attends, 1 warn thee, cast not all away, Nor challenge Rama to the fray. If deaf to every friendly prayer, Thou still wilt seek the strife, And from the side of Rama tear His lovely Maithil wife, Soon will thy life and empire end Destroyed by Rama's bow, And thou, with kith and kin and friend, To llama's realm must go.'
CANTO XXXIX.
MARI'CHA'S SPEECH.
'I told thee of that dreadful day When Rama smote and spared to slay. Now hear me, Ravan, while I tell What in the after time befell. At length, restored to strength and pride, 1 and two mighty fiends beside Assumed the forms of deer and strayed Through Dandak wood in lawn and glade. I reared terri'tic horns: beneath Were flaming tongue and pointed teeth, I roamed where'er my fancy led, And on the flesh of hermits fed, In sacred haunt, by hallowed tree. Where'er the ritual fires might be. A fearful shape, I wandered through The wood, and many a hermit slew. With ruthless rage the saints I killed Who in the grove their tasks fulfilled. When smitten to the earth they sank, Their flesh I ate, their blood 1 drank, And with my cruel deeds dismayed All dwellers in the forest shade, Spoiling their rites in bitter hate, With human blood inebriate. Once in the wood I chanced to see Rama again, a devotee, A hermit, fed on scanty fare, Who made the good of all his care. His noble wife was by his side, And Lakshman in the battle tried. In senseless pride I scorned the might Of that illustrious anchorite, And heedless of a hermit foe, Recalled my earlier overthow.
Canto XL.
THE RAMAYAN.
I charged him in my rage and scorn To slay him with my pointed horn, In heedless haste, to fury wrought As on my former wounds I thought. Then from the mighty bow he drew Three foe-destroying arrows flew, Keen -pointed, leaping from the string Swift as the wind or feathered king. Dire shafts, on flesh of foemen fed, Like rushing thunderbolts they sped. With knots well smoothed and barbs well bent, Shot e'en as one, the arrows went. But I who Rama's might had felt, And knew the blows the hero dealt, Escaped by rapid flight. The two Who lingered on the spot, he slew. I fled from mortal danger, freed From the dire shaft by timely speed. Now to deep thought my days I give, And as a humble hermit live. In every shrub, in every tree I view that noblest devotee. In every knotted trunk I mark His deerskin and his coat of bark, And see the bow-armed Rama stand Like Yama with his noose in hand. I tell thee Ravan, in ray fright A thousand Ramas mock my sight. This wood with every bush and bough Seems all one fearful Rama now. Throughout the grove there is no spot So lonely where I see him not. He haunts me in my dreams by night, And wakes me with the wild affright. The letter that begins his name Sends terror through my startled frame. The rapid cars whereon we ride, The rich rare jewels, once my pride, Have names1 that strike upon mine ear With hated sound that counsels fear. His mighty strength too well I know, Nor art thou match for such a foe. Too strong were Raghus's son in fight For Namuchi or Bali's might. Then Rama to the battle dare, Or else be patient and forbear; But, wouldst thou see me live in peace, Let mention of the hero cease.
The good whose holy lives were spent In deepest thought, most innocent, With all their people many a time Have perished through another's crime. So in the common ruin, I Must for another's folly die, Do all thy strength and courage can, But ne'er will I approve the plan. For he, in might supremely great, ' The Sanskrit words for car and jewels begin with m.
The giant world could extirpate, Since, when impetuous Khara sought The grove of Janasthan and fought For Surparmkha's sake, he died By Rama's hand in battle tried. How has he wronged thee? Soothly swear, And Rama's fault and sin declare. I warn thee, and my words are wise, I seek thy people's weal: But if this rede thou wilt despise, Nor hear my last appeal, Thou with thv kin and all thy friends In fight this day wilt die, When his great bow the hero bends, And shafts unerring fly.'
CANTO XL.
KAVAN'S SPEECH.
But Ravan scorned the rede he gave In timely words to warn and save, E'en as the wretch who hates to live Rejects the herb the leeches give. By fate to sin and ruin spurred, That sage advice the giant heard, Then in reproaches hard and stern Thus to Maricha spoke in turn: 'Is this thy counsel, weak and base, Unworthy of thy giant race? Thy speech is fruitless, vain, thy toil Like casting seed on barren soil. No words of thine shall drive me back From Rama and the swift attack. A fool is he. inured to sin, And more, of human origin. The craven, at a woman's call To leave his sire, his mother, all The friends he loved, the power and sway. And hasten to the woods away! But now his anger will I rouse, Stealing away his darling spouse. I in thy sight will ravish her From Khara's cruel murderer. Upon this plan my soul is bent, And naught shall move my firm intent, Not if the way through demons led And Gods with Indra at their head. 'Tis thine, when questioned, to explain The hope and fear, the loss and gain, And, when thy king thy thoughts would know, The triumph or the danger show. A prudent counsellor should wait, And speak when ordered in debate, With hands uplifted, calm and meek, If honour and reward he seek. Or, when some prudent course he sees 1 Which, spoken, may his king displease, THE RAM AY AX.
Boole III.
He should by hints of dexterous art His counsel to his lord impart. But prudent words are said in vain When the blunt speech brings grief and pain.
A high-souled king will scarcely thank The man who shames his royal rank. Five are the shapes that kings assume, Of majesty, of grace, and gloom: Like Indra now, or Agni, now Like the dear Moon, with placid brow: Like mighty Varun now they show, Now fierce as He who rales below.
0 giant, monarchs lofty-souled Are kind and gentle, stern and bold, With gracious love their gifts dispense And swiftly punish each offence. Thus subjects should their rulers view With all respect and honour due. But folly leads thy heart to slight Thy monarch and neglect his right. Thou hast in lawless pride addressed With bitter words thy royal guest.
1 asked thee not my strength to scan, Or less and profit in the plan.
I only spoke to tell the deed 0 mighty one, by me decreed, And bid thee in the peril lend Thy succour to support thy friend. Hear me again, and I will tell How thou canst aid my venture well. In semblance of a golden deer Adorned with silver drops, appear: And near the cottage in the way Of Kama and his consort stray.
Draw nigh, and wandering through the brake With thy strange form her fancy take. The Maithil dame with wondering eyes Will look upon thy fair disguise, And quickly bid her husband go And bring the deer that charms her so, When Raghu's son has left the place, Still pressing onward in the chase, Cry out, * O Lakshman! Ah, mine own! ' With voice resembling llama's tone. When Lakshman hears his brother's cry, Impelled by Sit& he will fly, Restless with eager love, to aid The hunter in the distant shade. When both her guards have left her side, Even as Indra, thousand-eyed, Clasps &achi, will I bear away The Maithil dame an easy prey. When thou, my friend, this aid hast lent, Go where thou wilt and live content. True servant, faithful to thy vow, With half my realm I thee endow. Go forth, may luck thy way attend That leads thee to the' happy end.
1 in my car will quickly be In Dandak wood, and follow thee. So will 1 cheat this Rama's eyes And win without a blow the prize; Arid safe return to Lanka's town With thee, my friend, this day shall crown. But if thou wilt not aid my will, My hand this day thy blood shall spill. Yea, thou must share the destined task, For force will take the help I ask. No bliss that rebel's life attends Whose stubborn will his lord offends. Thy life, if thou the task assay, In jeopardy may stand; Oppose me, and this very day Thou diest by this hand. Now ponder all that thou hast heard Within thy prudent breast: Reflect with care on every word, And do what seems the best.'
CANTO XLI.
MARICHA'S REPLY.
Against his judgment sorely pressed By his imperious lord's behest, Maricha threats of death defied And thus with bitter words replied: * Ah, who, my King, with sinful thought This wild and wicked counsel taught, By which destruction soon will fall On thee, thy sons, thy realm and all? Who is the guilty wretch who sees With envious eye thy blissful ease, And by this plan, so falsely shown, Death's gate for thee has open thrown? With souls impelled by mean desire Thy foes against thy life conspire. They urge thee to destruction's brink, And gladly would they see thee sink. Who with base thought to work thee woe This fatal road has dared to show, And, triumph in his wicked eye, Would see thee enter in and die? To all thy counsellors, untrue, The punishment of death is due. Who see thee tempt the dangerous way, Nor strain each nerve thy foot to stay. Wise lords, whose king, by passion led, The path of «in begins to tread, Restrain him while there yet is time: But thine,— they see nor heed the crime. These by their master's will obtain Merit and fame and joy and gain.
* 'Tis only by their master's grace That servants hold their lofty place. But when the monarch stoops to sin They lose each joy they strove to win, And all the people high and low Fall in the common overthrow.
Canto XLIL THE RAM AY AN.
Merit and fame and honour spring, Best of the mighty, from the king. So all should strive with heart and will To keep the king from every ill. Pride, violence, and sullen hate Will ne'er maintain a monarch's state, And those who cruel deeds advise Must perish when their master dies, Like drivers with their cars o'erthrown In places rousrh with root and stone. The good wl ose holy lives were^spent On duty's highest laws intent, With wives and children many a time Have perished for another's crime. Hapless are they whose sovereign lord, Opposed to al', 1 y all abhorred, Is cruel-hearted, narsh, severe: Thus might a jackal tend the deer. Now all the giant race await, Destroyed by thee, a speedy fate, Ruled by a king so cruel-souled, Foolish in heart and uncontrolled. Think not I fear the sudden blow That threatens now to lay me low: I mourn the ruin that I see Impending o'er thy host and thee. Me first perchance will Rama kill, But soon his hand thy blood will spill. I die, and if by Rama slain And not by thee, I count it gain. Soon as the hero s face I see His angry eyes will murder me, And if on her thy hands thou lay Thy friends and thou are dead this day. If with my help thou still must dare The lady from her lord to tear, Farewell to all! our days are o'er, Lanka and giants are no more. In vain, in vain, an earnest friend, I warn thee, King, and pray.
Thou wilt not to my prayers attend, Or heed the words I say.
So men. when life is fleeting fast And death's sad hour is nigh, Heedless and blin led to the last Reject advice and die.'
CANTO XLIL MARFCHA TRANSFORMED.
M£r!cha thus in wild unrest With bitter words the king addressed, Then to his giant lord in dread, ' Arise, and let us go,' he said.
' Ah, I have met that mighty lord Armed with his shafts and bow and sword, And if again that bow he bend Our lives that very hour will end.
For none that warrior can provoke And think to fly his deadly stroke. Like Varna with his staff is he, And his dread hand will slaughter thee. j What can I more? My words can find I No passage to thy stubborn mind. 1 I go, great King, thy task to share, And my success attend thee there/