And, moved by faithful love, I pray. Give way no more to grief and gloom, But all thy native strength resume. No joy on earth, I ween, have they Who yield their souls to sorrow's sway. Their glory fades in slow decline: 'Tis not for thee to grieve and pine. I do but hint with friendly speech The wiser part I dare not teach. This better path, dear friend, pursue, And let not grief thy soul subdue.'
Sugriva thus with gentle art And sweet words soothed the mourner's heart, Who brushed off with his mantle's hem Tears from the eyes bedewed with them, Sugriva's words were not in vain, And Rama was himself again; Around the king his arms he threw, And thus began his speech anew: * Whate'er a friend most wise and true, Who counsels for the best, should do, Whate'er his gentle part should be, Has been performed, dear friend, by thee. Taught by thy counsel, O my lord, I feel my native strength restored. A friend like thee is. hard to gain, Most rare in time of grief and pain. Now strain thine utmost power to trace The Majthil lady's dwelling plade, And aid rile in my search to find Fierce JElavan of the impious mind; Trust thou, in turn* thy loyal friend, And say what aid this arm can lend To speed thy hopes, as fostering rain Quickens in earth the scattered grain. Deem not those words, that seemed to spring From pride, are false, O Vanar King. None from these lips has ever heard, None e'er shall hear, one lying word. Again I promise and declare, Yea, by my truth, dear friend, I swear.* Then glad was King Sugriva's breast, And all his lords their joy confessed, Stirred by sure hope of Rama's aid, And promise which the prince had made.
CANTO VIII.
RA'MA'S PROMISE.
Doubt from Sugriva's heart had fled, And thus to Raghu's son he said: 4 No bliss the Gods of heaven deny. Each views me with a favouring eye. When thou, whom all good gifts attend, Hast sought me and become my friend. Leagued, friend, with thee in bold emprise My arm might win the conquered skies; And shall our banded strength be weak To gain the realm which now I seek? A happy fate was mine above My kith and kin and all I love. When, near the witness fire, I won Thy friendship, Raghu's glorious son. Thou too in ripening time shalt see Thy friend not all unworthy thee. What gifts I have shall thus be shown: Not mine the tongue to make them known, Strong is the changeless bond that binds The friendly faith of noble minds. In woe. in danger, firm and sure Their constancy and love endure. Gold, silver, jewels rich and rare They count as wealth for friends to share, THE RAM AY AN, £ooJc IV.
Yea. be they rich or poor and low, .blest with all joys or sunk in woe, Stained with each fault or pure of blame, Their friends the nearest pi ace may claim; For whom they leave at friendship's call, Their gold, their bliss, their homes and all.
He spoke by generous impulse moved, And Raghu's son his speech approved, Glancing at Lakshman by his side, Like Indra in his beauty's pride. The Vanar monarch saw the pair Of mighty brothers standing there, And turned his rapid eye to view The forest trees that near him grew. He saw, not far from where he stood, A Sal tree towering o'er the wood. Amid the thick leaves many a bee Graced the scant blossoms of the tree, From whose dark shade a bough, that bore A load of leafy twigs, he tore, Which on the grassy ground he laid And seats for him and Rama made. Hanuman saw them sit. he sought A Sal tree's leafy bough and brought The burthen, and with meek request Entreated Lakshman, too, to rest. There on the noble mountain's brow, Strewn with the young leaves of the bough, Sat Raghu's son in placid ease Calm as the sea when sleeps the breeze. Sugriva's heart with rapture swelled, And thus, by eager love impelled, He spoke in gracious tone, that, oft Checked by his joy, was low and soft: ' I, by my brother's might oppressed, By ceaseless woe and fear distressed, jMourning my consort faraway, On Rishyamuka's mountain stray. Expelled by Bali's cruel hate I wander here disconsolate. Do thou to whom all sufferers flee, From his dread hand deliver me.'
He spoke, and Rama, just and brave, Whose pious soul to virtue clave, Smiled as in conscious might he eyed The king of Vanars, and replied: * Best fruit of friendship is the deed That helps the friend in hour of need; And this mine arm in death shall lay Thy robber ere the close of day. For see, these feathered darts of mine Whose points so fiercely flash and shine, And shafts with golden emblem, came From dark woods known by Skanda's name,1 1 The wood in which Skanda or Karti- keya was brought up: * The Warrior-God Whose infant steps amid the thickets strayed Winged from the pinion of the hern Like Indra's bolts they strike and burn. With even knots and piercing head Each like a furious snake is sped; With these, to-day, before thine eye Shall, like a shattered mountain, lie Bali, thy dread and wicked foe, O'erwhelmed in hideous overthrew.'
He spoke: Sugriva's bosom swelled With hope and joy unparalleled, Then his glad voice the Vanar raised, And thus the son of Raghu praised: * Long have I pined in depth of grief; Thou art the hope of all, O chief. Now, Raghu's son, I hail thee friend, And bid thee to my woes attend; For, by my truth 1 swear it, now Not life itself is dear as thou, Since by the witness fire we met And friendly hand in hand was set. Friend communes now with friend, hence I tell with surest confidence. How woes that on my spirit weigh Consume me through the night and day For sobs and sighs he scarce could spea And his sad voice came low and weak, As, while his eyes with tears o'erflowed, i he burden of his soul he showed. Then by strong effort, bravely made, The torrent of his tears he staved, Wiped his bright eyes, his grief subdue And thus, more calm, his speech renewe 4 By Bali's conquering might oppresses Of power and kingship dispossessed, Loaded with taunts of scorn and hate I left my realm and royal state. He tore away my consort: she Was dearer than my life to me, And many a friend to me and mine In hopeless chains was doomed to pine. With wicked thoughts, unsated still, Me whom he wrongs he yearns to kill; And spies of Vanar race, who tried To slay me, by this hand have died. Moved by this constant doubt and fear I saw thee, Prince, and came not near. When woe and peril gather round A foe in every form is found. Save Hanuman, 0 Raghu's son, And these, no friend is left me, none. Through their kind aid, a faithful band Who guard their lord from hostile hand Rest when their chieftain rests and bein Their steps where'er he lists to wend, — Through them alone, in toil and pain, My wretched life I still sustain.
Where the reeds wave over the holy sod.' See also Book I. Canto XXIX.
Meghaduta, Canto IX.
THE RAM AY AN.
Enough, for thou hast heard in brief The story of my pain and grief. His mighty strength all regions know, My brother, but my deadly foe. Ah, if the proud oppressor fell, His death would all my woe dispel. Yea, on my cruel conqueror's fall My joy depends, my life, my all. This were the end and sure relief, O Rama, of my tale of grief. Fair be his lot or dark with woe, No comfort like a friend I know.'
Then Rama spoke; ' 0 friend, relate Whence sprang fraternal strife and hate, That duly taught by thee, I may Each foeman's strength and weakness weigh: And skilled in every chance restore The blissful state thou hadst before. For, when I think of all the scorn And bitter woe thou long hast borne, My soul indignant swells with pain Like waters flushed with furious rain. Then, ere I string this bended bow, Tell me the tale I long to know, Ere from the cord my arrow fly, And low in death thy foeman lie.'
He spoke: Sugriva joyed to hear, Nor less his lords were glad of cheer: And thus to Kama mighty-souled The cauae that moved their strife he told •.
CANTO IX.
'My brother, known by Bali's name, Had won by might a conqueror's fame. My father's eldest- born was he, Well honoured by his sire and rne. My father died, and each sage lord Named Bali king with one accord; And he, by right of birth ordained, The sovereign of the Vanars reigned. He in his royal place controlled The kingdom of our sires of old, And I all faithful service lent To aid my brother's government. The fiend' Ma vavi,— him of yore To Dunclubhi2 his mother bore,— 1 " Sugriva's story paints in vivid colours the manners, customs and ideas of the wild mountain tribes which inhabited Kishkindhya or the southern hills of the Deccan, of the people whom the poem calls monkeys, tribes altogether different in origin and civilization from the Indo- Sanskrit race." GOKRESIO.
2 A. fiend slain by Billi, For woman's love in strife engaged, A deadly war with Bali waged. When sleep had chained each weary frame To vast Kishkindha's1 gates he came. And, shouting through the shades of night, Challenged his foeman to the tight. My brother heard the furious shout, And wild with rage rushed madly out, Though fain would I and each sad wife Petain him from the deadly strife. He burned his demon foe to slay, And rushed impetuous to the fray. His weeping wives he thrust aside, And forth, impelled by fury, hied; While, by my love and duty led, I followed where my brother sped. Mayavi looked, and at the sight Fled from his foes in wild affright. The flying fiend we quickly viewed. And with swift feet his steps pursued. Then rose the moon, whose friendly ray Cast light upon our headlong way. By the soft beams was dimly shown A mighty cave with grass o'ergrown. Within its depths he sprang, and we The demon's form no more might see. My brother's breast was all aglow With fury when he missed the foe, And, turning, thus to me he said With senses all disquieted: ' Here by the cavern's mouth remain; Keep ear and eye upon the strain, While I the dark recess explore And dip my brand in foeman' s gore,' 1 heard his angry speech, and tried To turn him from his plan aside.
He made me swear by both his feet, And sped within the dark retreat. While in the cave he stayed, and I Watched at the mouth, a year went by. For his return I looked in vain, And, moved by love, believed him slain. I mourned, by doubt and fear distressed, And greater horror seized my breast When from the cavern rolled a flood, A carnage stream of froth and blood; And from the depths a sound of fear, The roar of demons, smote mine ear; But never rang my brothers shout Triumphant in the battle rout. I closed the cavern with a block, Huge as a hill, of shattered rock, Gave offerings due to Bali's shade, And sought Kishkindha, sore dismayed. Long time with anxious care I tried From Bali's lords his fate to hide, But they, when once the tale was known, Placed me as king on Bali's throne. There for a while I justly reigned 1 Bali's mountain city, TtlE RAM AY AN.
Sool IV.
And all with equal care ordained, When joyous from the demon slain My brother Bali came again.
He found me ruling in his stead, And, tired with rage, his eyes grew red.
He slew the lords who made me king, And spoke keen words to taunt and sting.
The kingly rank and power I held My brother's rage with ease had quelled, But still, restrained by old respect For claims of birth, the thought I checked.
Thus having struck the demon down Came Bali to his royal town.
With meek respect, with humble speech, His haughty heart I strove to reach.
But all my arts were tried in vain, No gentle word his lips would deign.
Though to the ground I bent and set His feet upon my coronet; Still Bali in his rage and pride All signs of grace and love denied.'
CANTO X.
SUGRITA'S STORY.
' I strove to soothe and lull to rest The fury of his troubled breast: * Well art thou come, dear lord,' I cried, 'By whose strong arm thy foe has died.
Forlorn 1 languished here, but now My saviour and defence art thou.
Once more receive this regal shade1 Like the full moon in heaven displayed; And let the chouries,* thus restored, Wave glorious o'er the rightful lord.
I kept my watch, thy word obeyed, And by the cave a year I stayed.
But when I saw that stream of blood Kush from the cavern in a flood, My sad heart broken with dismay, And every wandering sense astray, I barred the entrance with a stone, — A crag from some high mountain thrown — Turned from the spot I watched in vain, And to Kishkindha came again.
My deep distress and downcast mien By citizen and lord were seen.
They made me king against my will: Forgive me if the deed was ill, True as I ever was I see My honoured king once more in thee; J only ruled a while the state When thou hadst left us desolate.
1 The canopy or royal umbrella, one of the usual Indian regalia.
2 Whisks made of the hair of the Yak or Bos grunniers, also regal insignia.
This town with people, lords, and lands, Lay as a trust in guardian hands; And now, my gracious lord, accept The kingdom which thy servant kept. Forgive me. victor of the foe, Nor let thy wrath against me glow. See joining suppliant hands I pray, And at thy feet my head I lay. Believe my words: against my will The royal seat they made me fill. Unkinged they saw the city, hence They made me lord for her defence.'
But Bali, though I humbly sued, Reviled me in his furious mood: 4 Out on thee, wretch! ' in wrath he cried. With many a bitter taunt beside. He summoned every lord, and all His subjects gathered at his call. Then forth his burning anger broke, And thus amid his friends he spoke: ' I need not tell, for well ye know, How fierce Mayavi, fiend* and foe, Came to Kishkindha's gate by night, And dared me in his wrath to fight, I heard each word the demon said: Forth from my royal hall I sped; And, foe in brother's guise concealed, Sugriva followed to the field. The mighty demon through the shade Beheld me come with one to aid; Then shrinking from unequal fight. He turned his back in swiftest flight. From vengeful foes his life to save He sought the refuge of a cave. Then when I saw the fiend had fled Within that cavern dark and dread, 'Thus to my brother cruel-eyed, Impatient in my wrath, I cried: ' I seek no more my royal town Till I have struck 'the demon down. Here by the cavern's mouth remain Until my hand the foe have slain.' Upon his faith my heart relied, And swift within the depths I hied. A year went by: in every spot 1 sought the fiend, but found him not. At length my foe I saw and slew. Whom long I feared when lost to view And all his kinsmen by his side Beneath my vengeful fury died. The monster, as he reeled and fell, Poured forth his blood with roar and yell; And, filling all the cavern, dyed The portal with the crimson tide. Upon my foeman slain at last One look, one pitying look, I cast. I sought again the light of day: The cave was closed and left no way. To the barred mouth I sadly came, And called aloud Sugriva's name. But all was still; no voice replieda Canto THE RAM AY AN.
And hope within! in}' bosorti died. With furious efforts, vain at first, Through bars of rock my way I burst. Then, free once more, thejmth that brought My feet in safety home I sought. 'twas thus Sugi'i'va dared despise The claim of brothers' friendly ties. With crags of rtfc'k he barred me in, And for himself the realm would win.-' Thus Bali spoke in words severe; And then, unmoved by *uth or fear, Left me a single robe and sent His brother forth in banishment. He cast me out with scfalihe and scornV And from my side my wife was torn. Now in <*reat fear and ill at ease I roam this land with woods and seas, Or dwell on Riflhyaruuka's hill. And sorrow for itfy c'onsorfc still. Thou hast the tale how first arose* This bitter hate of brother foes. Such are the griefs neath which 1 phie, And all without a fault of mine. O swift to save in- hour of fear, My prayer who dread this Bali/ hear. With gracious love assistance deign, And mine oppressor's arm restrain.'
Then Raghu's son, the good and brave? With a gay laugh his answer gave: ' These shafts of mine which ne'er oan fail, Before whose sheen the sun grows pale,- Winged by My fury, fleet and fierce, The wicked Bali's heart shall pierce. Yea, mark the words I speak, so long Shall live that wretch who joys in wrong, Until these angered eyes have seen The robber of thy darling queen. I, taught by equal suffering, know What waves of grief above thee flow. This hand thy captive wife shall free, And give th/ kingdom back to1 thee.'
Sugriva joyed as Rama spoke, And valour in his breast awoke. His eye grew bright, his heart grew bold,- And thus his wondrous tale he told: CANTO XI, BUNDtTBHI.
' I doubt not, Prince, thy peerless might, Armed with these shafts so keen and bright. Like all-destroying fires of fate, The worlds could burn and devastate; But lend thou first thy mind and ear Of Bali's power and might to hear. How bold, how firm, in battle tried, Is Bali's heart; and then decide. From east to west, from south to north Ou restless errand hurrying forth, From farthest sea to sea he flies Before the sun has lit the skies. A m-ountain top he oft will seek, Tear from its root a towering peak, Hurl it aloft, as 'twere a ball, And1 catch it ere to earth it fall; And many a tree that long- has stood1 In health1 and vigour in the wood, His single arm to earth will throw, The marvels of his might to shoW. Shaped like a bull, a monster b6re The name of Dundubhi of yore: He matched in size a mountain height, A thousand elephants in might. By pride of wondrous gifts impelled, And strength he deemed' unparalleled, To Ocean, lord of stream and brook, Athirst for war, his way he took. He reached the king of rolling waves Whose gems are piled in sinless caves, And threw his challenge to the sea: « Come forth, O King, and fight with me. He spoke, and from his ocean bed The ffgtiteotw< monarch heaved his head, And gave, sedate, his calm reply To him whom fate impelled to die: ' Not mine, not mine t'he power,' he cried,- ' To cope with thee in battle tried; But listen to my voice, atid seek The worthier* foe of whotn I speak. The Loivd of Hills, where hermits live And love the home his forest* give, Whose child' is g'ankar's darling queen,2 The King of Snows is Ire I mean. Deep caves has he. and dark boughs shade The tofrent and the wild c'ascade. From' him expect the fierce delight Which heroes feel in equal fight.' He deemed that feat checked ocean & king, And, like an arr'ow from the string, To the wild woods that clothe the Side Of Lord Himalaya's hills.he hied. Then thindubhi, with hideous roar",- Huge fragments from the summit tore" Vast as Airavat,* white with snow, And hurled them to the plains below. Then like a white cloud' soft, serene, The Lord of Mountains' foi*m' was seeflv It sat upon a lofty ctfesf.., And thus the furious fiend addressed: * Beseefns thee not/ O virtue's friend, My mountain t6ps to rive and rend; 1 Righteous because he nevei? transgres- ses his bounds, and "over his great tides Fidelity presides."
* Himalaya, the Lord of Snow, is thtf father of tJma the wife of $iva or gankar* 3 Indra's celestial elephant.
THE RAM AY AN.
Boole IV.
For I, the hermit's calm retreat, For deeds of war am all unmeet.'
The demon's eye with rage grew red, And thus in furious tone he said: •' If thou from fear or sloth decline To match thy strength in war with mine. Where shall I find a champion, say, 'To meet me burning for the fray? ' He spoke; Himalaya, skilled in lore •Of eloquence, replied omce more, .And. angered in his righteous mind,, Addressed the chief of demon kind: 4 The Vanar Bali, brave and wise, Son of the God who rules the skies,1 Sways, glorious in his high renown, Kishkindha his imperial town. Well may that valiant lo,rd who knows Each art of war his might oppose To thine, in equal battle -set, As Namuehl* and Ind^a met. <Go, if thy soul desire the fray.; To Bali's city speed away, And that uaeonqiiered hero meet Whose fame is high for warlike feat.9 He Listened to the Lord of Snow, And, his proud heart with rage aglow, £>ped swift away and lighted down By vast Kishkindha, Bali's town. With pointed horns to strike and gore The semblance of a bull he bore, Huge as a cloud that downward bends Ere the i uli flood of rain descends. Impelled by pride and rage.and hate, He thundered at Kishkihdha's gate; And with his bellowing, like the sound Of pealing drums, he shook the ground* He rent the earth and prostrate threw The trees that near the portal grew.
King Bali from the bowers within Indignant heard the roar and din. Then, moonlike mid the stars, with all His dames he hurried to the wall; And to the fiend this speech, expressed In clear and measured words, addressed: 1 Know nae for monarch. Bali styled, Of Vanar tribes that roam the wild. £>ay why, dost thou this gate molest, And bellowing thus disturb -our rest? I know trhee, mighty fiend: beware And guard thy life with wiser care.' He spoke: and thus the fiend returned, While red with rage his eyeballs burned: -'What! speak when all thy dames are nigh And hero-like thy foe defy?
i1 Bali was the son of Indra. See * An Asur slain by Indra. See p. 261 Note. He is, like Vritra, a form of the demon of drought destroyed by the ben,e- £cent God of the firmament.
Come, meet me in the fight this day, And learn my strength by bold assay. Or shall I spare thee, and relent Until the coming night be spent? Take then the respite of a night And yield thee to each soft delight. Then, monarch of the Vanar race, With loving arms thy friends embrace. -Gifts on thy faithful lords bestow, Bid each and all farewell, and go. Sh"w in the streets onee more thy face, Instal thy son to fill thy place. Dally a while with each dear dame; And then my strength thy pride shall tame For, should I smite thee drunk with wine Enamoured of those dames of thine, Beneath diseases bowed and bent, Or weak, unarmed, or negligent. My deed would merit hate and scorn As his who slays the child unborn.' Then Bali's soul with rage was fired., -Queen Tara and the Chiracs retired; And slowly, with a laugh of pride, The king of Vanars thus replied: 4 Me, fiend, thou deemest drunk with wine: Unless thy fear the tight decline, Come, meet me in the fray, and test The spirit of my valiant breast.' He spoke in wrath and high disdain; And, laying down his golden chain, Gift.of his sire Mahendra, dared The demon, for the fray prepared; Seised by the horns the monster, vast As a huge hill., and held him fast, Then fiercely dragged him round and round, And., shouting, hurled him to the ground. Blood streaming from his ears, he rose, And wild with fury strove the foes. Then Bali, match for Indra's might, With every;arm renewed the fight. He fought with fists, and feet, and knees, With fragments of the rock, and trees. At last the monster's strength, assailed By ^akra's1 conquering offspring, failed. Him Bali raised with mighty strain, And dashed upon the ground again; Where, braised and shattered, in a tide Of rutiing blood, the demon died. King B,ali saw the lifeless corse, And. bending, with tremendous force Raised the huge bulk from where it lay, And hurled it full a league away. As through the air the body flew, Some blood-drops, caught by gales that blew, Welled from his shattered jaw and fell By Saint Matanga's hermit eell: "M'atanga saw* illustrious sage, Those drops defile his hermitage, 1 Another name of Indra or Mahendra.
Canto XL THE RAM AY AN.
And, as he marvelled whence they came, Fierce anger filled his soul with flame: * Wno is the villain, evil-souled, With childish thoughts unwise and bold, Who is the impious wretch,' he cried, * By whom my grove with blood is dyed?'
Thus spoke Matanga in his rage. And hastened from the hermitage, When lo, before his wondering eyes Lay the dead bull of mountain size. His hermit soul was nothing slow The doer of the deed to know, And thus the Variar in a burst Of wild tempestifous wrath he cursed: ' Ne'er let that Vanar wander here, For, if he come, his death is near. Whose impious hand with blood has dyed The holy place where I abide, Who threw this demon corse and made A ruin of the pleasant shade. If e'er he plant his wicked feet Within one league of my retreat; Yea, if the villain come so nigh That very hour he needs must die. And let the Vanar lords who dwell In the dark woods that skirt my cell Obey my words, and speeding hence Find them some meeter residence. Here if they dare to stay, on all The terrors of my curse shall fall. They spoil the tender saplings, dear As children which I cherish here, Mar root and branch and leaf and spray, And steal the ripening fruit away. One day I grant, no further hour, To-morrow shall my curse have power, And then each Vanar I may see A stone through countless years shall be.' The Vanars heard the curse and hied From sheltering wood and mountain side. King Bali marked their haste and dread, And to the flying leaders said: * Speak, Vanar chiefs, and tell me why From Saint Matanga's grove ye fly To gather round me: is it well With all who in those woodlands dwell?' He spoke: the Vanar leaders told King Bali with his chain of gold What curse the saint had on them laid, Which drove them from their ancient shade. Then royal Bali sought the sage, With reverent hands to soothe his rage. The holy man his suppliant spurned, And to his cell in anger turned. That curse on Bali sorely pressed. And long his conscious soul distressed. Him still the curse and terror keep Afar from Rishyamuka's steep. He dares not to' the grove draw nigh, Nay scarce will hither turn his eye. We know what terrors warm him hence, And roam these woods in confidence. Look, Prince, before thee white and dry The demon's bones uncovered lie, Who, like a hill in bulk and length, Fell mind for his pride of strength. See those high Sal trees seven in row That droop their mighty branches low, These at one grasp would Bali seize, And leafless shake the trembling trees. These tales 1 tell, O Prince, to show The matchless power that arms the foe. How canst thou hope to slay him? how Meet Bali in the battle now?'
Sugriva spoke and sadly sighed: And Lakshman with a laugh replied: * What show of power, what proof and test May still the doubts that fill thy breast?'
He spoke. Sugriva thus replied: ' See yonder Sal trees side by side. King Bali here would take his stand Grasping his bow with vigorous hand, And eveiy arrow, keen and true. Would strike its treeand pierce ifc through If Rama now his bow will bend, And through one trunk an arrow send; Or if his arm can raise and throw Two hundred measures of his bow, Grasped by a foot and hurled through air, The demon bull that moulders there, My heart will own his might and fain, Believe my foe already slain.'