Sugriva heard, and. trained and tried In counsel, to his lords replied: 'No deed of mine, no hasty word The anger of the prince has stirred. But haply some who hate me still And watch their time to work me ill, Have slandered me to Raghu's son, Accused of deeds I ne'er have done. Now, O my lords —for you are wise- Speak truly what your hearts advise, And, pondering each event, inquire The reason of the prince's ire. No fear have I of Lakshman: none: No dread of Raghu's mightier son. But wrath, that fires a friendly breast Without due cause, distrubs my rest. With labour light is friendship gained, But with severest toil maintained. And doubt is strong, and faith is weak, 1 In a note on the corresponding pas- sage in the Bengal recension Gorreaio says: ' The text here makes use of,& strange and something more than bold metaphor which I have sought to modify. The text says: " Here is Lakehman the charioteer of words who by the orders of Rama has come hither upon the car of resolution." In his Italian translation he renders the passage: '* Here is Laksh- man, the brother of Rama who by hi* orders comes hither the determined bearer of words," THE HAM AY AN.
Boole 7T.
And friendship dies when traitors speak, Hence is my troubled bosom cold With fear of Kama lofty-souled; For heavy on my spirit weigh His favours I can ne'er repay.'
He ceased: and Hanuman of all The Vanars in the council hall lu wisdom first, and rank, expressed The 'thoughts that tilled his prudent breast: ' No marvel thou rememberest yet The service thou shouldst ne'er forget, How the brave prince of Kaghu's seed Thy days from fear and peril freed; And Bali for thy sake o'erthrew, Whom Iridra's self might scarce subdue, I doubt not Kama's anger burns For the scant love thy heart returns. For this he sends his brother, him Whose glory never waxes dim. Sunk in repose thy careless eye Marks not the seasons as they fly, Nor sees that autumn has begun With dark blooms opening to the sun. Clear ia the sky: no cloudlet mars The splendour of the shining stars. The balmy air is soft and still, -And clear and bright are lake and rill. Thou heedest not with blinded eyes The hour for warlike enterprise. Hence Lakshman hither comes to break Thy slothful trance and bid thee wake. Then, Monarch, with a patient ear The high-souled Itama's message hear, Which, reft of wife and realm and friends, Thus by another's mouth he sends. Thou, Vanar King, hast done amiss: And now I see no way but this: Before his envoy humbly stand And sue for peace with suppliant hand. High duty bids a courtier seek His master's weal, and freely speak.
So by no thought of fear controlled My speech, O King, is free and bold. For Kama, if his anger glow, Can, with the terrors of his bow, This earth with all the Gods subdue, Gandharva*,1 and the demon crew. Unwise to stir his wrathful mood Whose favour must again be wooed. And, most of all, unwise for one Grateful like thee for service done. Go with thy son and kinsmen: bend Thy humble head and greet thy friend. And, like a fond obedient spouse, Be faithful to thy plighted vows.'
CANTO XXXIII.
1 ludra'n associates m arms, and musi- cians of his heaven.
LAKSHMAN'S ENTRY.
Through the fair city Lakshman came, Invited in Sugriva's name.
Within the gates the guardian bands, Of Vanars raised their suppliant hands, And in their ordered ranks, amazed, Upon the princely hero gazed.
They marked each burning breath he drew, The fury of his soul they knew.
Their hearts were chilled with sudden fear: They gazed, but dared not venture near.
Before his eyes the city, gay With gems and flowery gardens, lay, Where fane and palace rose on high, And things of beauty charmed the eye.
Where trees of every blossom grew Yielding their fruit in season due To Vanars of celestial seed Who wore each varied form at need, Fair-faced and glorious with the shine Of heavenly robes and wreaths divine.
There sandal, aloe, lotus bloomed, And there delicious breath perfumed The city's broad street, redolent Of sugary mead1 and honey scent.
There many a lofty palace rose Like Vindhya or the Lord of Snows, And with sweet murmur sparkling rilla Leapt lightly down the sheltering hills.
On many a glorious palace, raised For prince and noble,2 Lakshman gazed; Like clouds of paly hue they shone With fragrant wreaths that hung thereon; There \yealth of jewels was enshrined, And fairer gems of womankind.
There gleamed, of noble height and size, Like Indra's mansion in the skies, Protected by a crystal fence Of rock, the royal residence.
With roof and turret high and bright Like Mount Kailasa's loftiest height.
There blooming trees, Mahendra's gift, High o'er the walls were seen to lift Their golden-fruited boughs, that made With leaf and flower delicious shade.
He saw a band of Vanars wait, 1 Maireya, a spirituous liquor from the blossoms of the Lythrum fruticosuin, with sugar, &c.
2 Their names are as follows: Angad, Mainda, Dwida, Gavaya, Gavaksha, Gaja, Sarabha, VidyunmMi, Sampati, Suryaksa. Hanumun, Virabahu, Subahu, Nala, Kumudji. tSushena, Tara, Jambuvatu, Dadhivakra. Nila, Supatala, 1 and Suuetra, Canto XXXIII.
THE RAMAYAN.
Wielding their weapons, at the gate Where golden portals flashed between Celestial garlands red and green. Within Sugriva's fair abode Unchecked the mighty hero strode, As when the sun of autumn shrouds His glory in a pile of clouds. Through seven wide courts he quickly passed, passed, And reached the royal bower at last, Where seats were set with couch and bed Of gold and silver richly spread. While the young chief bain's feet drew near The sound of music reached his ear, As the soft breathings of the flute Came blending with the voice and lute. Then beauty showed her youth and grace And varied charm of form and face: Soft bright-eyed creatures, fair and young, — Gay garlands round their necks were hung, And greater charms to each were lent By richest dress and ornament. He saw the calm attendants wait About their lord in careless state, Heard women's girdles chime in sweet Accordance with their tinkling feet. He heard the anklet's silvery sound, He saw the calm that reigned around, And o'er him, as he listened, came A rush of rage, a flood of shame. He drew his bowstring: with the clang From east to west the welkin rang: Then in his modest mood withdrew A little from the ladies' view. And sternly silent stood apart, While wrath for Kama filled' his heart. Sugriva knew the sounding string, And at the call the Vanar king Sprang swiftly from his golden seat, And feared the corning prince to meet. Then with cold lips that terror dried To beauteous Tiira thus he cried: * What cause of anger, O my spouse Fair with the charm of lovely brow?, Sets Lakshman's gentle breast on h're, And brings him in unwonted ire? Say, canst thou see, O faultless dame, A cause to till his soul with tiame.' For there must be a reason when Such fury stirs the king of men. Reveal the sin, if sin of mine Anger the lord of Raghu's line. Or go thyself, his rage subdue, And with soft words his favour woo. Soon as on thee his eyes are set HLs heart this anger will forget, For men like him of lofty mind Are never stem with womankind. Fir.-^t let thy gentle speech disarm His fury, and his spirit charm, And I, from fear of peril free, The conqueror of his foes will sec.'
She heard: with faltering steps and slow, With eyes that shone with trembling glow, With gold-girt body gently bent To meet the stranger prince she went. When Lakshrnan saw the Vanar queen With tranquil eyes and modest mien, Before the dame he bent his head, And anger, at her presence, fled. Made bold by draughts of wine, and cheered By Lakshmsm '« look, no more she feared, And in the trust his favour lent She thus addressed him eloquent: ' Whence springs thy burning fury? say: Who dares thy will to disobey? Who checks the maddened flames that seize On forests full of withered trees?
Then Lakshman spoke, her mind to cage, His kind reply in words like these: •Tuy lord his days in pleasure speeds, Heedless of duty and of friends. Nor dost thou mark, though fondly true, The evil path his steps pursue. He cares not for affairmof state, Nor us forlorn and desolate, But sits" a mere spectator still, A sensual slave to pleasure's will. Four months were nxed, the time agreed When he should help «s in our need: But, bound in toils of pleasure fast, He sees not that the months are past. Where beats the heart which draughts of wine wine To virtue or to gain incline? Hast thou not heard those draughts destroy Virtue and gain and love and joy? For those who, helped at need, refuse Their aid in turn, their virtue lose: And they who scorn a friend disdain A treasure naught may buy again. Thy lord has cast his friend away, Nor feared from virtue's path to stray. If this be true, declare, O dame Who knowest duty's every claim, What further work remains for us Deceived and disappointed thus.'
She listened, for ins words were kind. Where virtue showed with gain combined, And thus in turn the prince addressed, As hope was rising in his breast: 4 No time, no cause of wrath I see With tho.se who love and honour thee; And thou shouldst bear without offence Thy servant's fitful negligence. I know the seasons glide away, While Kama maddens at delay. 1 know what deed our thanks has earned, I know that grace should be returned. But still I know, whate'cr befall, That conquering love U lord of all; THE RAM AY Alt.
Aook IV Know where Sugriva'* thoughts, possessed By one absorbing passion, rest.
But he whom sensual joys debase Heeds not the claim of time and place, And sees not with his blinded sight His duty or his gain aright.
O pardon him who loves me! spare The Vanar caught in pleasure's snare, And once again let Rama grace With favour him who rules our race.
E'en royal saints, whose chief delight Was penance and austt-rest rite, At love's commandment have unbent, Beguiled by sweetest blandishment.
And know, Sugriva, roused at last, The order to his lords has passed, And, long by love and bliss delayed, Wakes all on fire your hopes to aid.
A countless host his city tills, New-gathered from a thousand hills: Impetuous chiefs, who wear at need Each varied form, his legions lead.
Come then, O hero, kept aloof By modest awe, nor fear reproof: A faithful friend untouched by blame May look upon another's dame.'
He passed within, by Tara pressed. And by his own impatient breast. Refulgent there in sunlike sheen. Sugriva on his throne was seen. Gay garlands round his neck were twined, And RUITI& by her lord recline.
CANTO XXXIV.
LAKSHMAN'S SPEECH.
Sugriva started from his rest With doubt and terror in his breast. He heard the prince's furious tread He saw his eyes glow fiercely red. Swift sprang the monarch to his feet Upstarting from his golden seat. Rose Kuma and her fellows, too, And closely round Sugriva drew, AR round the moon's full glory stand Attendant stars in glittering band. Sugriva glanced with reddened eyes, Raised his joined hands in suppliant guise Flew to the door, and rooted there Stood like the tree that grants each prayer. ] And Laksbman saw, and, fiercely moved, With angry speech the king reproved: 1 The Kalpadruma or Wishing-tree is one of the trees of Svargaor Indra's Para- dise: it has the power of granting all desires, * Famed istheprincewholovesthetruth Whose soul is touched with tender ruth, Who, liberal, keeps each sense subdued, And pays the debt of gratitude. But all unmeet a king to be, The meanest of the mean is he Who basely breaks the promise made To trusting friends who lent him aid. He sins who for a steed has lied, As if a hundred steeds had died: Or if he lie, a cow to win, Tenfold as heavy is the sin. But if the lie a man betray, Both he and his shall all decay.1 O Vanar King, the thankless man Is worthy of the general ban, Who takes assistance of his friends, And in his turn no service lends. This verse of old by Brahma sung Is echoed now by every tongue. Hear what He cried in angry mood Bewailing man's ingratitude: 'For draughtsof wine.f or slaughtered cows For treacherous theft, for broken vows A pardon is ordained: but none For thankless scorn of service done,' Ungrateful, Vanar King, art thou, And faithless to thy plighted vow. For Rama brought thee help, and yet Thou shunnest to repay the debt: Or, grateful, thou hadst surely pressed To aid the hero in his quest. Thou art, in vulgar pleasures drowned. False to thy bond in honour bouud. Nor yet has Rama's guileless heart Discerned thee for the thing thou art-* A snake who holds the frogs that cries And lures fresh victims as it dies. Brave Rama, born for glorious fate, Has set thee in thy high estate, And to the Vanars' throne restored, Great- souled himself, their mean-souled lord.
Now if thy pride disown what he, High-tboughted prince, has done for thee, Struck by his arrows shalt thon fall, And Bali meet in Yfama's hall. Still open, to the gloomy God, Lies the sad path thy brother trod. Then to thy plighted word be true, Nor let thy steps that path pursue. Methinks the shafts of Kama, shot Like thunderbolts, thou heedest not, Who cansfe, absorbed in sensual bliss, Thy promise from thy mind dismiss.'
1 The meaning is that if a man promises to give a horse and then breaks his word he commits a sin as great as if he had killed a hundred horeee, Canto THK R AM AY AN.
CANTO XXXV.
TARE'S SPEECH.
He ceased: and Tara starry-eyed Thus to the angry prince replied: * Not to my lord shouldst thou address A speech so fraught with bitterness: Not thus reproached my lord should be, And least of all, O Prince, by thee* He is no thankless coward— no — With spirit dead to valour's glow. From paths of truth he never strays, Nor wanders in forbidden ways. Ne'er will Sugriva's heart forget, By R&ma saved, the lasting debt. Still in his grateful breast will live The succour none but he could give. Restored to fame by Rama's grace, To empire o'er the Vanar race, From ceaseless dread and toil set free, Restored to Ruma and to me: By grief and care and exile tried, New to the bliss so long denied, Like Visvamitra once, alas, He marks not how the seasons pass. That saint ten thousand years remained, By aweet Ghritachi's1 love enchained. And deemed those years, that flew away So lightly, but a single day. O, if those years unheeded flew By him who times and seasons knew, Unequalled for his lofty mind. What marvel meaner eyes are blind? Then be not angry, Raghu's son, And let thy brother feel for one Who many a weary year has spent Stranger to love and" blandishment. Let not this wrath thy soul inflame, Like some mean wretch unknown to fame: For high and noble hearts like thine Love mercy and to ruth incline, Calm and deliberate, and slow With anger's raging tire to glow. At length, O righteous prince, relent, Nor let my words in vain be spent. This sudden blaze of fury slake, Ipray thee for Sugriva's sake. He would renounce- at Rama's call Ruma and Acgad, me and all Who call him lord: his gold and grain, The favour of his friend to gain. His arm shall slay the fiend more base In soul than all his impious race, And happy Rama reunite .To Sita, rival in delight J.The story is told in Book!. Canto LXIII., but the ciiarraer thare is called Of the triumphant Moon when he Rejoins his darling RohinU Ten million million demons guard I1 he gates of Lanka firmly barred. All hope until that host be slain, To smite the robber king is vain. Nor with Sugriva's aid alone May king and host be overthrown. Thus ere he died— for well he know- Spake Bali, and his words are true. I know not what his proofs might be, But speak the words he npake to me. Hence far and wide our lords are seat To raise the mightiest armament. F"or their return Sugriva waits Ere he can sally from his gates. Still is the oath Sugriva swore Kept firmly even as before: And the great host this day will be Assembled by the king's decree, Ten thousand thousand troops, who wear The form of monkey and of bear, Prepared for thee the war to wage: Then let thy wrath no longer rage. The matrons of the Vanar race See marks of fury in thy face; They see thine eyes like blood are red. And will not yet be comforted.'
CANTO XXXVI.
SUGRIVA'S SPEECH.
She ceased: and Lakshman gave assent, Won by her gentle argument. So Tara's pleading, just and mild, His softening heart had reconciled. His altered mood Sugriva saw, And cast aside the fear and awe Like raiment heavy with the rain Which on his troubled soul had lain. Then quickly to the ground he threw His flowery garland, bright of hue, Which round his royal neck he wore, And, sobered, was himse.lf once more. Then turning to the princely man In soothing words the king began: * My glory, wealth, and royal sway To other hands had passed away: But Rama to my rescue came, And gave me back my power and fame. O Lakshman, say. whose grateful heart 1 Rohini is the name of the ninth Nak- shatra or lunar asterism personified as 3 daughter of Daksha, and the favourite wife of the Moon.
Aldebaran is the principal star in the constellation, THE RAM AY AN.
Book IV.
Could nurse the hope to pay in part, By service of a life, the deed Of Kama sprung of heavenly seed? His foemau Ravan shall be'slain, And Sita shall be his again. The hero's side I will not leave, But he the conquest shall achieve. What need of help has he who drew His bow, and oue great arrow flew Trough seven tall trees, a mountain rent, And cleft the earth with force unspent? What aid needs he who shook his bow, And at the sound the earth below With hill and wood and rooted rock Quaked feverous with the thunder shock? Yet all my legions will I bring, And follow close the warrier king Marching on his impetuous way Fierce Kavan and his hosts to slay. If I be guilty of offence, Careless through love or neligence, Let him his loyal slave forgive; For error cleaves to all who live.'
Thus king Sugriva, good and brave, In humble words his answer gave, Softened was Lakshman's angry mood Who thus his friendly speech renewed: ' My brother, Vauar King, will see A champion and a friend in thee. So strong art thou, so brave and bold, So pure in thought, so humble-souled, That thou deservest well to rei^n And all a monarch's bliss to gain. Lend thou my brother aid, and all His foes beneath his arm will fall. Full well the words thou speakest suit A chieftain wise and resolute, With grateful heart that loves the right, And foot that never yields in fight. O come, and my sad brother cheer Who mourns the wife he holds so dear. O pardon, friend, my harsh address, And Kama's frantic bitterness.'
CANTO XXXVII.
THE GATHERING.
He ceased: and King Sugriva cried To sage Hanumdn1 by his side: 4 Summon the Vanar legions, those Who dwell about the L >rd of Snows: Those who in Vindhyan groves delight, Kailasa'e, or Mauendra's height, Dwell on the Five bright Peaks, or where Mandar's white summit cleaves the air: 1 Valmiki and succeeding poets make the second vowel in thia name long or short at their pleasure, Wherever they are wandring free In highlands 'by the western sea, On that east hill whence springs the sun, ()r where he sinks when day is done.
Call the great chiefs whose legions nil The forests of the Lotus Hill,1 Where every one in strength and size With the stupendous Anjan* vies.
Call those, with tints of burnished gold, Whom Mahasaila's caverns hold: Those who on Dhumra roam, or hide In the wild woods on Meru's side.
Call those who, brilliant as the sun, On high Maharun leap and run, Quaffing sweet juices (hat distil From odorous trees upon the hill.
Call those whom tranquil haunts delight, Where dwell the sage and anchorite In groves that through their wide extent Exhale a thousand blossoms' scent.
Send out, send out: from coast to coast Assemble all the Vanar host: With force, with words, with gifts of price Compel, admonish and entice.
Already envoys have been sent To warn them of their lord's intent.
Let others urged by thee repeat My mandate that their steps be fleet.
Those lords who yielding to the sway Of love's delight would fain delay, Urge hither with the utmost speed, Or with thee to my presence lead: And those who linger to the last Until ten days be come and passed, And dare their sovereign to defy, For their offence shall surely die.
Thousands, yea millions, shall there be, Obedient to their king's decree, The lions of the Vanar race, Assembled from each distant place.
Forth shall they haste like hills in size, Or mighty clouds that veil the skies, And swiftly speeding on their way Bring all our legions in array.'
i Some of the mountains here mention- ed are fabulous and others it is impossi- ble to identify. Sugriva means to include all the mountains of India from Kailas the residence of the God Kuvera, regarded as one of the loftiest peaks of the Hima- layas, to Mahendra in the extreme south, from the mountain in the east where the sun is said to rise to Astachal or the wes- tern mountain where he sets. The com- mentators give little assistance: that Mahasaila, &c. are certain mountains is about all the information they give.
1 One of the celestial elephants of the Gods who protect the four quarters aiid intermediate points of the cwni^uso.
Canto XXXV 1 II.
THE RAMAYAN.
He ceased: the son of Viiyu1 heard, Submissive to his sovereign's word; And sent his rapid envoys forth To east and west and south and north. They bent their airy course afar Along the paths of bird and star, And sped through ether farther yet Where Vishnu's splendid sphere is set.* By sea, on hill, by wood and lake They called to arms for Rama's sake, As each with terror in his breast Obeyed his awful king's behest. Three million Vauars, fierce and strong As Anjan's self, a wondrous throng, Sped from the spot where Kama still Gazed restless from the woody hill. Ten million others, brave and bold, With coats that shone like burning gold, Came dying from the mountain crest Where sinks the weary sun to rest. Impetuous from the northern skies, Where Mount Kailasa's summits rise, Ten hundred millions hasted, hued Like manes of lions, ne'er subdued: The dwellers on Himalaya's side, Whose food his roots and fruit supplied, With rangers of the Vindhyan chain And neighbours of the Milky Main.3 Some from the palm groves where they fed, Some from the woods of betel sped: In countless numbers, fierce and brave, They came from mountain, lake, and cave.
As on their way the Vanars went To rouse each distant armament, They chanced that wondrous tree to view That on Himalaya's summit grew. Of old upon that sacred height Was wrought Mahesvar's4 glorious rite, Which every God in heaven beheld, And his glad heart with triumph swelled. There from pure seed at random sown Bright plants with luscious fruit had grown, And, sweet as Arnrit to the taste, The summit of the mountain graced. Who once should eat the virtuous fruit That sprang from so divine a root, One whole revolving moon should be From every pang of hunger free.
1 Vayu or the Wind was the father of Hanuman, 3 The path or station of Vishnu is the space between the seven Rishis* or Ursa Major, and Dhruva or the polar star.
3 One of the seven seas which surround the earth in concentric circles.
is sometimes, given to Indra, generally to Siva wkcm it here denote*.
lighty L ,, but in The Vanars culled the fruit they found Ripe on the sacrificial ground With rare celestial odours sweet, To lay them at Sugriva's feet.
Those noble envoys scoured the land To summon every Vauar band Then swiftly homeward at the head Of countless armaments they sped.
They gathered by Kishkindha's wall, They thronged Sugriva's palace hall, And, richly laden, bare within That fruit of heavenly origin.
Their gifts before their king they spread, And thus in tones of triumph said: 1 Through every land our way we took To visit hill and wood anil brook, And all thy hosts from east to west Flock hither at their lord's behest.' Sugriva with delighted look The present of his envoys took, Then bade them go, with gracious speech Rewarding and dismissing each.
CANTO XXXVIII.
SUGRFVA'S DEPARTURE.
Thus all the princely Vanars. true To their appointed tasks, withdrew. Sugriva deemed already done The work he planned for Raghu's son. Then Lakshman gently spoke and cheered Sugriva for his valour feared: 4 Now, chieftain, if thy will be so, Forth from Kishkindlia let us go.' Sugriva's heart swelled high with pride As to the prince he thus replied: 1 Come, speed we forth without delay: 'Tis mine thy mandate to obey,' Sugriva bade the dames adieu, And Tara arid the rest withdrew. Then at their chieftain's summons came The Vanars first in rank and fame, A trusty brave and reverent band, Meet e'en before a queen to stand. They at his call made haste to bring The" litter of the glorious king. ' Mount, 0 my friend,' Sugriva cried, And straight Sumitra's son complied. Then took by Lakshman's side his place The sovereign of the woodland race, Upraised by Vanars, fleet and strong. Who bore the glittering load along. On high above his royal head A paly canopy was spread, And chouries white in many a hand The forehead of the monarch fanned, And shell and drum and spng'and shout ' Pealed round him a* the king passed out, HAMAYAtf.
Boole IV.
About the monarch went a throng Of Vauar warriors brave and strong, As onward to the mountain shade Where Kama dwelt his way he made. Soon as the lovely spot he viewed Where Rama lived in solitude, The Vanar monarch, f ar-renowed, With Lakshman, lightly stepped to ground, And to the son of Raghu went Joining his raised hands reverent. As their great leader raised his hands, So suppliant stood the Vanar bands. Well pleased the son of Raghu saw Those legions, hushed in reverent awe, Stand silent like the tranquil floods That raise their hands of lotus buds. But Rama, when the king, to greet His friend, had bowed him at his feet,. Raised him who ruled the Vanar race, And held him in a close embrace: Then, when his arms he had unknit, Besought him by his side to sit, And thus with gentle words the best Of men the Vanar king addressed: