CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 073 062 386 B Cornell University J Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924073062386 THE RAMAYAK VOL. IV. FBINTED BY E. 3. LAZARUS & GO., &T THE MEDICAL BALL FBEBS, BGNAIlZSt THE Ri^MA^AN OF YiLMIKI TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VI-:HSE RALPH T. H. GRIFFITH, M. A., PIHHOIPAL OF J;HE BENAllES COLLEQB. VOL. IV. LONDON : TRUBNER AND CO. BENARES: E. J. LAZARUS AND CO. 1873. CONTENDS OF THE FOURTH VOLUME, BOOK ly. Page. CANTO -I.— RiMA'S LAMEKT 1 11.— SUGBIVA'S ALARM 18 III.— hanumAn's speech 22 IV.— TiA.KSHMAN'S KEPLY 27 v.— THE LEAGUE. ... ' 32 VL— THE TOKENS 37 viL— rAma consoled fX Vin.-EAMA'S PROMISE 44 IX.— SUGRIVA'S STORY 50 X.— SUGRIVA'S STORY 54 XL-DUNDUBHL ... 59 XIL— THE PALM TREES 70 XIII.-THE RETURN TO KIS.HKINJDHA. 75 XIV.— THE CHALLENGE. ..'. ' ... 79 XV.— tArA....' ' .. 82 XVI.— THE fa;ll ,0.F bAli 89 xvn.— bAh's speech. 90 xviii,— rAma's reply 98 XIX— tArA's grief. 10$ XX.— tArA's lament 110 xxi-hanumAn'^ speech. 113 xxii.— bAli DftAn...; 115 xxm.— tArA'3 lament. ... '.. 120 xxiy.-s'uGRivA'S lament 124 XXV.— ilAMA'fl speech. '. 127 XXVI.— THE CORONATION 133 xxviL— rAma on the hill 13? XXVIII.— THE RAINS. ;. 144 XXIX.- hanumAn's counsel. 148 XXX.— R Am A's lament. . . i5'2 XXXL— THE envoy! 1J7 Xxxil-hanumAn's counsel. ;.. 163 VI CONTENTS. Page. XXXITI.-LAKSHMAN'S ENTRY 166 XXXIV.— LAKSUMAN'g SPEECH 173 XXXV. -TARA'S SPEECH ... 17S XXXVI.— SUGRIVA'S SPEECH 179 XXXVII.— THE aATHERING. 181 XXXVIIL^SUGRIVA'S DEPARTURE. ... 186 XXXIX.— THE VlNAR HOST 190 jrL.-THE ARMT OF THE EAST 194 XLI.— THE ARMY OF THE SOUTH 202 XLIl.— THE ARMY OF THE WEST 208 XLIII.-^THE ARMY OF THE NORTH. ... .21? XLIV.— THE RING 217 XL v.— THE DEPARTURE. ... ... ... 219 XLVI.— SUGRIVA'S TALE 221 XLVIL— THE RETURN. ... ... .... 228 XLVIILtt-THE ASUR'S death 225 XLIX.-ANGAD'S SPEECH. ... ... ... 228 L.— THE ENCHANTED CAVK ... ... 230 LI.— SVAYAMPRABHA 232 LII.-TflE EXIT 235 LIIL— ANGAD'S COUNSEL , ... 238 LIV.—HANUMAK'S SPEECH. 241 LV.— ANGAD'S REPLY. 244 liVL— SAMPlTI 247 LVII.— ANGAD'S SPEECH 250 LVIII.— TIDINGS OP SfTA 252 LIX.— SAMPAtI'S STORY. ... ... ... 256 LX.— SAMPATI'S STORY. ;.. ... ... 258 LXL— SAMPATI'S story. ... ... ... 261 LXII.— SAMPAtI'S story. ... ... ... 263 LXIII.- SAMPATI'S story 265 LXIV.— THE SEA 26V LXV.— THE COUNCIL 269 LXVL— HANUMlN _ 271 LXVIL— HANUMaN'S SPEECH ' 275 BOOK V. CANTO I.— HANUMAN'S LEAP. 279 II.-LANKA 289 III.-THE GUARDIAN GODDESS ... 292 CONTENTS. vri Page. IV.— WITHIN THE CITY ... 294 VI.— THE COURT ... 296 VII.— RAVAN'S PALACE 299 VIII.— THE ENCHASED CAB 301 IX.— THE LADIES' BOWER 803 X.— RAVAN asleep. 307 XL- THE BANQUET HALL.... 309 XII.— THE SEARCH RENEWED. ... ... 311 XIIL— DESPAIR AND HOPE. 313 XIV.— THE AgOKA GROVE 316 XV.— SfTA 318 XVI.-HANUMAN'S lament 320 XVII.— SITA'S GUARD; 322 XVIIL— RAVAN 324 XIX.-SITA'S fear 327 XX.— RAVAN'S WOOING 329 XXI.— SITA'S scorn 332 XXII.— RA VAN'S THREAT 334 XXIIL— THE DEMONS' THREATS 337 XXIV.— SiTA'S REPLY. ... ... ... 339 XXV~ SfTA'S LAMENT 341 XXVL— SITA'S LAMENT 343 XXVII.— TRIJATA'S dream. 345 XXX.— HANUMAn'S DBLIBKRATION. ... 348 XXXL— HANUMAN'S speech 361 XXXII.— SfTA'S DOUBT 353 XXXIII.— THE COLLOQUY 355 XXXIV.— HANUMAN'S speech 357 XXXV.— HANUMAN'S SPEECH 360 XXXVI.— EAmA'S ring 362 XXXVIL-SITA'S SPEECH.'... " 365 XXXVIIL— sItA'S gem. ... 368 XLI— THE RUIN OP THE GROVE 371 XLII.— THE GIANTS ROUSED 373 XLIII.— THE RUIN OF THE TEMPLE. ... 375 XLIV.— JAMBUMAlI'S DEATH 378 XLV.— THE SEVEN DEFEATED. ... ... 380 XLVI.— THE CAPTAINS 232 XLVIL— THE DEATH OF AK3HA 384 XLVIII.— HANUMAn CAPTURED 386 XLIX.— RAVA:gr 388 L.— PRAHASTA'S QUESTIONS, .,. ... 390 VUl CONTENTS, Paga, ii.—HANtfMJ(N''S REPLY. _ .:. ... 392 LlL—VIBHi'sflAN'S SPEECH. ... .:. 394 ini.— THE ^unisAmemt! 398 LIV.— THE' BURNING OP LANKA 899 LV.— PEAE POB SfTA. 401 LVI.-MOUNT' ARl'SHf!*. ., ... ... 403 Lf 11.— HANtfMAf'S RETtfKN. „. ... ' 405 LXl.— THE PEAST OP HONET?'.' _. ..'. 408 LXV.— THE TlblNOa 410 LXVI— bAMA'S SPEECH. 412 ADDITIONAL NOTES; 415 INDEX.— ., . *2« THE RAMAYAN. BOOK IV.' CANTO I. eAma's lament. Tte pf iilces stood by Pamp^'s side '' Which blooming lilies glorified. With troubled heart and sense o'erthrowa There Rdma made his piteous moan. As the fair flood before him lay The reason of the chief gave Avay ; And tender thoughts within him woke, As to Sumitra's son he spoke : 'How lovely Pampa's waters show, Where streams of lucid crystal flow ! What glorious trees o'erhang the flood Which blooms of opening lotus stud ! Look on the banks of Pamp^ where Thick groves extend divinely fair ; And piles of trees, like hills in size, Lift their proud summits to the skies. ' Or Kishkindh^-K^jda. KishkindhS, the city of Bali the elder brother and enemy of Sugriva, is supposed to have been situated north o£ Mysore. » Pamp^ is said by the commentator to be the name both of a lake and a brook which flows into it. The brook is said to rise in tha hill Bishyamuka, 2 THE R^MAYAN. Booh IV. But thought of Bharat's ' pain atid toil, And my dear spouse the giant's spoil, Afflict my tortured heart and press My spirit down with heaviness. Still fair to me though sunk in woe Bright Pampa and her forest show. Where cool fresh waters charm the sight, And flowers of every hue are bright. The lotuses ,in close array Their passing loveliness display, And pard and tiger, deer and snake Haunt every glade and dell and brake. Those grassy spots display the hue Of topazes and sapphires' blue. And, gay with, flowers of every dye, With richly broidered housings vie. What loads of bloom the high trees crown, Or weigh the bending branches down ! And creepers tipped with bud and flower Each spray and loaded limb o'erpower. , Now cool delicious breezes blow. And kindle love's voluptuous glow, When balmy sweetness fills the air. And fruit and flowers and trees are fair. Those waving woods, that shine with bloom. Each varied tint in turn assume. Like labouring clouds they pour their showers In rain of ever-changing flowers. Behold, those forest trees, that stand High upon rock and table-land, As the cool gales their branches bend. Their floating blossoms downward send. ' Who was acting as Regent for Uima. and leading an ascetic life while he mourned for his absent brother. Canto 1. ' TSl RAMA7AN. See, Lakshmab, how the breezes play With every floweret on the spray, And sport in merry gtiise with all The fallen blooms and those that fall. Sefej brother, where the merry breeze Shakes the gay boughs of flowery treesy Disturbed amid their toil a throng Of bees pursue him, loud in song. The Kolls,' mad with sweet delight, The bending trees to dance invite 5 And in its joy the wild wind sings As from the mountain cave he springs. On speed the gales in rapid course. And bend the woods beneath their force, Till every branch and spray -they bind In many a tangled knot entwined. What balmy sweets those gales dispense With cool and sacred influence ! Fatigue and trouble vanish : such The magic of their gentle touch. Hark, when the gale the boughs has bent In woods of honey redolent. Through all their quivering sprays the trees Are vocal with the murmuring bees. The hills with towering summits rise, And with their beauty charm the eyes. Gay with the giant trees which bright With blossom spring from every height ; And as the soft wind gently sways The clustering blooms that load the sprays, The very trees break forth and sing With startled wild bees' murmuring. ' The Indian Cuckoo, 4 THE RAM^YAN. Book IV. Thine eyes to yonder Cassias ' turn Whose glorious clusters glow, and burn. Those trees in yellow robes behold, Like giants decked with burnished gold. Ah me, Sumitra's son, the spring. Dear to sweet birds who love and sing, Wakes in my lonely breast the flame Of sorrow as I mourn my dame. Love strikes me through with darts of fire. And intakes in vain the sweet desire. Hark,, the loud Koil swells his throat, And mocks me with his joyful note. I hear the happy wUd-eock call Beside the shady waterfall. His cry of joy afflicts my breast By love's absorbing might, possessed. My darling from our cottage heard One mom in spring this shrill-toned bird. And called me in her joy to hear The happy cry that charmed her ear. See, birds of every varied voice Around us in the woods rejoice. On creeper, shrub, and plant alight. Or wing from tree to tree their flight. Each bird his kindly mate has found. And loud their notes of triumph sound. Blending in sweetest music like The distant warbUngs of the shrike. ' The Cassia Fistula or Amaltas is, a splendid tree like a giant labur- num covered with a profusion of chains and tasaels of gold. Dr. ■Roxburgh well describes it aa " uneommonly beautifiil when in flower few trees surpaasing it in th» elegance of its mitnerous long pendulous racemes of large bright-yellow flowers intermixed with the young Hvely green {oUage." It is remaikable also for its curious^ cylindrical black seed-pods about two feet long, which are called monkeys' walk, ing-stick^. Cmto I. THE R^M^AN. 5 See how the river banks are lined With birds of every hue and kind. Here in his joy the Koil sings, There the glad wild-cock flaps his wings. The blooms of bright Alokas ' where The song of wild bees fiUs the air. And the soft whisper of the boughs Increase my longing for my spouse. The vernal flush of flower and spray Will bum my very soul away. What use, what care have I for life If I no more may see my wife, Soft speaker with the glorious hair. And eyes with silken lashes fair ? Now is the time when aU day long The Koils fill the woods with song, And gardens bloom at spring's sweet touch Which my beloved loved so much. Ah me, Sumitr^'s son, the fire Of sorrow, sprung from soft desire, • Fanned by the charms the spring-time shows, Will bum my heart and end my woes. Whose sad eyes look on each fair tree, ' " The Joneaia Asoca is a tree of considerable size, native of southern India. It blossoms in February and March with large erect cotiipaet clusters of flowers, varying in colour from pale-orange to scarlet, al- most to be mistaken, on a hasty glance, for immense trusses of bloom of an Ixora. Mr. Fortune considered this tree, when in full bloom, superior in beauty even to the Amherstia. The first time I saw the Asoc in flower was on the hill where the famous rock-cut temple of K^rll is situated, and a large concourse of natives had assembled for the celebration pf some Hindoo festival. Before proceeding to the temple the Mahratta women gathered from two trees, which were flowering somewhat below, each a fine truss of blossom, and inserted it in the hair at the back of her head As they moved about in groups it is impossible to imagine a more delightful effect than the rich scarlet bunches of flowers presented on their fine glossy jet-black hair." Firmingeb, Gardening for India. 6 THE RAM AY AN. Booh IV. But my sweet love no more may see. Ah me, Ab me, from hour to hour Love in n).y soul will wax in power, And spring, upon whose charms I gaze, Whose breath the heat of toil allays, With thoughts of her for whom I strain My hopeless eyes, increase my pain, As fire iij summer rages through The forests thick with dry bamboo, ^o will my fewn-eyed love consume My soul o'erwhelmed with thoughts of gloon^, Behold, beneath each spreading tree The peacocks dance • in frantic glee, i^nd, stirred by all the gales that blow. Their taiils with jewelled windows glow, Each bird, in happy love elate, Jlejoices with his darling mate. But sights like these of joy and peace My pangs of hopeless love increase. ^ee on the mountain slope above The peahen languishing with love. Behold her now in amorous dance Close to her consort's side advance. He with a lavjgh of joy and pride Displays his glittering pinions wide ; And follows through the tangled dell The partner whom he loves so 'vyell, Ah happy bird ! no giant's hate Has robbed him of his tender mate \ And still beside his loved one he Dances beneath the shade in glee, ' No other word can express the movements of peafowl under the influence of pleasing excitement, especially when after the long drought they hear the welcome roar of the tbiiuder and feel that the rain is liear. Canto 1. THE R/TM^YAN. 7 Ah, in this month when flowers are fair My widowed woe is hard to bear. See, gentle love a home may find In creatures of inferior kind. See how the peahen turns to meet Her consort now with love-drawn feet. So, Lakshman, if my large-eyed dear, The child of Janak, still were here. She, by love's thrilling influence led, Upon my breast would lay her head. These blooms I gathered from the bough Without my love are useless now. A thousand blossoms fair to see With passing glory clothe each tree That hangs its cluster-burthened head Now that the dewy months ' are fled. But, followed by the bees that ply Their fragrant task, they fall and die. A thousand birds in wild delight Their rapture-breathing notes unite ; Bird calls to bird in joyous strain, And turns my love to frenzied pain. 0, if beneath those alien skies There be a spring where Sita lies, I know my prisoned love must be Touched with like grief, and mourn with me. But ah, methinks that dreary clime Knows not the touch of spring's sweet time. How could my black-eyed love sustain, Without her lord, so dire a pain ? Or if the sweet spring come to her In distant lands a prisoner, How may his advent aid her, met ' The Dewy Season is one of the six ancient seasons of the Indiaa year, lasting from the middle of January to the middle of March. 8 TEE RAMAYAN. Book I V, On every side with taunt and threat ? Ah, if the springtide's languor came With soft enchantment o'er my dame. My darling of the lotus eye, My gently speaking love, would die ; For well my spirit knows that she Can never live bereft of me. With love that never wavered yet My Sitd's heart on me is set. Who, with- a soul that ne'er can stray. With equal love her love repay. In vain, in vain the soft wind brings Sweet blossoms on his balmy wings ; Delicious from his native snow. To me like fire he seems to glpw. O, how I loved a breege like this When darling Sita shared the "bliss ! But now in vain icac me it blows To fan the fury of my woes. That dark-wihged bird that sought the skies Foretelling grief with warning cries. Sits on the tree where buds are gay. And pours glad music from the spray. That rover of the fields of air Will aid my love with friendly care, Aiid me with gracious pity guide To my large-eyed Videhan's side.' Hark, Lakshman, how the woods around With love-inspiriijg chants resound. Where birds in every bloom-crowned tree ' R^ma appears to mean that on a former occasion a crow flying high over-head was an omen that indicated his approaching separation from Sita ; and that now the same hird's perching on a tree near him may be regarded as a happy augury that she will soon fee restored to her husband. Canto I. THE RMAYAN. Pour forth their amorous minstrelsy. As though an eager gallant wooed A gentle maid by love suhdued. Enamoured of her flowers the bee Darts at the wind-rocked Tila tree.' A^oka, brightest tree that grows, That lends a pang to lovers' woes, Hangs out his gorgeous bloom in scorn And mocks me as I weep forlorn. O Lakshman, turn thine eye and see Each blossom-laden Mango tree, Like a young lover gaily dressed Whom fond desire forbids to rest. Look, son of Queen Sumitra, through The forest glades of varied hue. Where blooms are bright and grass is green The Kinnars « with their loves are seen. See, brother, see where sweet and bright Those crimson lilies charm the sight. And o'er the flood a radiance throw Fair as the morning's roseate glow. See, Pampa, most divinely sweet. The swan's and mallard's loved retreat. Shows her glad waters bright and clear. Where lotuses their heads uprear From the pure wave, and charm the view With mingled tints of red and blue. , Each like the morning's early beams Reflected in the crystal, gleams; And bees on their sweet toil intent Weigh down each tender filament. There with gay lawns the wood recedes ; ' A tree with beautiful and fragrant blosBoms. ' A race of semi-divine musicians attached to the service of Kuvera. represented as centaurs reversed mth human figures and horses' heads. 10 THE RAMA^YAN. Book IV. There wildfowl sport amid the reeds. There roedeer stand upon the brink. And elephants descend to drini:. The rippling waves which winds make fleet Against the bending lilies beat, And opening bud and flower and stem Gleam with the drops that hang on them. Life has no pleasure left for me While my dear queen I may not see. Who loved so well those blooms that vie With the full splendour of her eye. O tyrant Love, who wiU not let My bosom for one hour forget The lost one whom I yearn to meet. Whose words were ever kind and sweet; Ah, haply might my heart endure This hopeless love that knows not cure. If spring with all his trees in flower Assailed me not with ruthless power. Each lovely scene, each sound and sight Wherein, with her, I found delight. Has lost the charm so sweet of yore. And glads my widowed heart no more. On lotus buds I seem to gaze. Or blooms that deck Palala ' sprays ; But to my tortured memory rise The glories of my darling's eyes. Cool breezes through the forest stray Gathering odours on their way. Enriched with all the rifled scent Of lotus flower and filament. Their touch upon my temples falls And Sita's fragrant breath recalls. ' Butea Frondosa. A tree that bears a prof uaion of brilliant red flowers which appear before the leaves. Ccmto I. THE RAM AY AN. 11 Now look, dear brother, on the right Of Pamp^ towers a mountain height Where fairest Cassia trees unfold The treasures of their burnished gold. Proud mountain king ! his woody side With myriad ores is decked and dyed. And as the wind-swept blossoms fall Their fragrant dust is stained with all. To yon high lands thy glances turn : With pendent fire they flash and burn, Where in their vernal glory blaze PaliSa flowers on leafless sprays. O Lakshman, look ! on Pampi's side What fair trees rise in blooming pride ! What climbing plants above them show Or hang their flowery garlands low ! See how the amorous creeper rings The wind-rocked trees to which she clings. As though a dame by love impelled With clasping arms her lover held. Drunk with the varied scents that fill The balmy air, from hUl to hill. From grove to grove, from tree to tree. The joyous wind is wandering free. These gay trees wave their branches bent By blooms, of honey redolent. ' I omit five slohas which contain nothing but a list of trees for which, with one or two exceptions, there are no equivalent names in English. The following is Oorresio's translation of the corresponding passage in the Bengal recension : — " Oh come risplendono in questa staglone di primavera i vitici, le ga- ledupe, le bassie, le dalbergie, i diospyri le tile, le micbelie, le rottlerie, le pentaptere ed i pterospermi, i bombaci, le grislee, gli abri, gli amaranti e le dalbergie ; i sirii, le galedupe, le barringtonie ed i palmizi, i santhocymi, il pepebecel, le verbosine e le ficaie, le nauclee le erythrine, gU asochi, e le tapie faano d'ogni intorno pompa de' lof fori." 12 THE RXMJCYAN. Book IV. There, slowly opening to the day. Buds with dark lustre deck the spray. The, wild bee rests a moment where Each tempting flower is sweet and fair, Then, coloured by the pollen dyes. Deep in some odorous blossom lies. Soon from his couch away he springs : To other trees his course he wings, And tastes the honeyed blooms that grow Where Pampa's lucid waters flow. See, Lakshman, see, how thickly spread With blossoms from the trees o'erhead, That grass the weary traveller woos With couches of a thousand hues. And beds on every height arrayed With red and yellow tints are laid. No longer winter chills the earth : A thousand flowerets spring to birth, And trees in rivalry assume Their vernal garb of bud and bloom. How fair they look, how bright and gay With tasselled flowers on every spray ! While each to each proud challenge flings Borne in the song the'wild bee sings. That mallard by the river edge Has bathed amid the reeds and sedge : Now with his mate he fondly plays And fires my bosom as I gaze. Manddkini ' is far renowned : No lovelier flood on earth is found ; But all her fairest charms combined In this sweet stream enchant the mind. > A sacred stream ofteu mentioned in the course of the poem. See Book II. Canto XCV. Canto I. THE RAM^YAN. 13 O, if my love were here to look With me upon this lovely brook, Ne'er for Ayodhya would I pine. Or wish that Indra's lot were mine. If by my darling's side I strayed O'er the soft turf which decks the glade. Each craving thought were sweetly stilled, Each longing of my soul fulfilled. But, now my love is far away, Those trees which make the woods so gay, In all their varied beauty dressed. Wake thoughts of anguish in my breast. That lotus-covered stream behold Whose waters run so fresh and cold. Sweet rill, the wUdfowl's loved resort. Where curlew, swan, and diver sport ; Where with his consort plays the drake. And tall deer love their thirst to slake. While from each woody bank is heard The wild note of each happy bird. The music of that joyous quire Fills all my soul with soft desire ; And, as I hear, my sad thoughts fly To Sitd of the lotus eye, Whom, lovely with her moonbright cheek. In vain mine eager glances seek. Now turn, those chequered lawns survey Where hart and hind together stray. Ah, as they wander at their will My troubled breast with grief they fill, While torn by hopeless love I sigh For SitS of the fawn-like eye. If in those glades where, touched by spring, Gay birds their amorous ditties sing, 14 THE RyfMAYAN. Book. IV. Mine own beloved I might see, Then, brother, it were well with me: If by my side she wandered still. And this cool breeze that stirs the rill Touched with its gentle breath the brows Of mine own dear Videhan spouse. For, Lakshman, how blest are those On wJiom the breath of Pampa blows. Dispelling all their care and gloom With sweets from where the lilies bloom ! How can my gentle love remain Alive amid the woe and pain, Where prisoned far away she lies, — My darling of the lotus eyes ? How shall I dare her sire to greet Whosp lips have never known deceit ? How stand before the childless king And meet his eager questioning ? When banished by my sire's decree. In low estate, she followed me. So pure, so true to every vow, Where is my gentle darling now ? How can I bear my widowed lot. And linger on where she is not. Who followed when from home I fled Distracted, disinherited I My spirit sinks in hopeless pain When my fond glances yearn in vain For that dear face with whose bright eye The worshipped lotus scarce can vie. Ah when, my brother, shall I hear That voice that rang so soft and clear. When, sweetly smiling as she spoke, From her dear lips gay laughter broke ? Canto I. THE RAM AY AN. 15 When worn with toil and love I strayed With Sita through the forest shade, No trace of grief was seen in her, My kind and thoughtful comforter. How shall my faltering tongue relate To Queen Kausalya Sita's fate ? How answer when in wild despair She questions, Where is Sita, where ? Haste, brother, haste : to Bharat hie. On whose fond love I still rely. My life can be no longer borne. Since Sita from my side is torn.' Thus like a helpless mourner, bent By sorrow, Rdma made lament ; And with wise counsel Lakshman tried To soothe his care, and thus replied : ' best of men, thy grief oppose. Nor sink beneath thy weight of' woes. Not thus despond the great and pure And brave like thee, but still endure. Reflect what anguish wrings the heart When loving souls are forced to part ; And, mindful of the coming pain. Thy love within thy breast restrain, For earth, though cooled by wandering streams, Lies scorched beneath the midday beams. RavaEi his steps to hell may bend. Or lower yet in flight descend ; But be thou sure, O Raghu's son. Avenging death he shall not shun. Rise, R^ma, rise : the search begin, And track the giant foul with sin. Then shall the fiend, though far he fly. Resign his prey or surely die. 16 THE RAMAYAN. Booh IV. Yea, though the trembling monster hide With Sit^ close to Diti's ' side. E'en there, unless he yield the prize. Slain by this wrathful hand he dies. Thy heart with strength and courage stay, And cast this weakling mood away. Our fainting hopes in vain revive Unless with firm resolve we strive. The zeal that fires the toiler's breast Mid earthly powers is first and best. Zeal every check and bar defies. And wins at length the loftiest prize. In woe and danger, toil and care. Zeal never yields to weak despair. With zealous heart thy task begin. And thou once more thy spouse shalt win. Cast fruitless sorrow from thy soul. Nor let this love thy heart control. Forget not all thy sacred lore. But be thy noble self once more.' He heard, his bosom rent by grief. The counsel of 'his brother chief; Crushed in his heart the maddening pain. And rose resolved and strong again. Then forth upon his journey went .The hero on his task intent. Nor thought of Pampas lovely brook, Or trees which murmuring breezes shook, Though on dark woods his glances fell, On waterfall and cave and dell ; And still by many a care distressed The son of Raghu onward pressed. ' A daughter of Daksha who became one of the wives of Kasyapa and mother of the Daityas. She is termed the general mother, of Titans and malignant beings, See Book I. Cantos XLV, XLVI. Canio I TBM EJ^MAYAJ. 17 As some wild elephant elate Moves through the Woods in pride, So Lakshman with majestic gait Strode by his brother's side. He, for his lofty spirit famed, Admonished and consoled ; Showed Raghu's son what duty claimed, And bade his heart be bold. Then as the brothers strode apace To Rishyamtika's height, The sovereign of the Vdnar race ' Was troubled at the sight. As on the lofty hill he strayed He saw the chiefs draw near j A while their glorious forms surveyed, And mused in restless fear. His slow majestic step he stayed And gazed upon the pair, And all his spirit sank dismayed By fear too great to bear. When in their glorious might the best Of royal chiefs came nigh. The Vdnars in their wild unrest Prepared to turn, and fly. They sought the hermit's sacred home ' For peace and bliss ordained, And there, where Vanars loved to roam, A sure asylum, gained. ' Sugrlva, the ex-king of the Vanars, foresters, or monkeys, an exile from his home, wandering about the mountain Kisbyamuica with hi^ four faithful ex-ministers. ' The hermitage of the Saint Matanga which his curse prevented Bali, the present king of the Vrfnars, from entering. The story is told at length in Canto XI. of this Book. B 18 CANTO II. SUGRIVA'S ALARM. Sugriva moved by wondering awe The high-souled sons of Raghu saw. In all their glorious arms arrayed ; And grief upon his spirit weighed. To every quarter of the sky He turned in fear his anxious eye. And roving still from spot to spot With troubled steps he rested not. He durst not, as he viewed the pair, Resolve to stand and meet them there ; And drooping cheer and quailing breast The terror of the chief confessed. While the great fear his bosom shook, Brief counsel with his lords he took ; Each gain and danger closely scanned, What hope in flight, what power to stand. While doubt and fear his bosom rent, On Raghu's sons his eyes he bent. And with a spirit ill at ease Addressed his lords in words like these : ' Those chiefs with wandering' steps invade The shelter of our pathless shade, And hither come in fair disguise Of hermit garb as Bali's spies.' Each lord beheld with troubled heart Those masters of the bowman's art, And left the mountain side to seek Cunio II. THE RjtMAYAN. 19 Sure refuge on a loftier peak. The Vfinar chief in rapid flight Found shelter on a towering height, And all the band with one' accord Were closely gathered round their lord. Their course the same, with desperate leap Each made his way from steep to steep. And speeding on in wild career Filled every height with sudden fear. Each heart was stru(ik with mortal dread, As on their course the Vanars sped. While trees that crowned the steep were bent And crushed beneath them as they went. As in their eager flight they pressed For safety to each mountain crest, The wild confusion struck with fear Tiger and cat and wandering deer. The lords who watched Sugriva's will Were gathered on the rojral hill, And all with reverent hands upraised Upon their king and leader gazed. Sugriva feared some evil planned. Some train prepared by Bffi's hand. But, skilled in words that charm and teacif. Thus Hanuman ' began his speech : ' Dismiss, dismiss thin'e idle fear. Nor dread the power of Bali here. For this is Malaya's glorious hill ' Where Bali's might can work no ill, I look around but nowhere see The hated foe who made thee fled. Fell B^li, fierce in form and face : ' Hanumiin, Sugrivfi'R chief general, was the son of the God of Wind, See Book I. Canto XVI. ^ A T ange of bills in Malabar ; the western Ohats in the Oeccan. 20 TEE RIM AY AN. Book IV. Then fear not, lord of Vanar race. Alas, in thee I clearly find The weakness, of the Vanar kind, That loves from thought to thought to range, Fix no belief, and welcome change. Mark well each hint and sign, and scan. Discreet and wise, thine every plan. How may a king, with sense denied. The subjects of his sceptre guide V ■ Haniiman, ' wise in hour of need. Urged on the chief his prudent rede. His, listening ear Sugiiva bent. And spake in words more excellent : ' Where is the dauntless heart that free Prom terror's chiUing touch can see • Two stranger warriors, strong as those. Equipped with swords and shafts and bows. With mighty arms and large full eyes, Like glorious children of the skies 1 Bffi my foe, I ween, has sent These chiefs to aid his dark intent. Hence doubt and fear disturb me still. For thousands serve a monarch's will. In borrowed garb they come, and those Who walk disguised are counted foes. With secret thoughts they watch their time, . And wound fond hearts that fear no crime. My foe in state affairs is wise. And prudent kings have searching eyes. By other hands they strike the foe : By meaner tools the truth they know- Now to those stranger warriors turn, ' Valnriki makes the second vowel in this name long or short ta suit the exigencies of the verse. Other Indian poets have followed' his exaiBple, and the same Ucenee will be used in this tranalatiom. Canto II. THE RAlMAYAN. 21 And, less than king, their purpose learn. Mark well the trick and look of each ; Observe his form and note his speech. With care their mood and temper sound, And, if their minds be friendly found, With courteous looks and words begin Their confidence and love to win. Then as my friend and envoy speak, And question what the strangers seek. Ask why equipped with shaft and bow Through this wild maze of wood they go. If they, chief, at first appear Pure of all guile, in heart sincere. Detect in speech jand look the sin And treachery that lurk within.' He spoke : the Wind-God's son obeyed. With ready zeal he sought the Shade, And reached with, hasty steps the wood Where Raghu's son and Lakshman stood.' ' I umit a recapitulatory and interpolated verse in a different metre, which is as follows :— Reverencing with the words, So be it, the speech of the greatly terrified and unequalled monkey king, the magnani- mous HanumsSn then went where (stood) the very mighty Rama with Lakshman. 22 CANTO III. HA^UAflN'S SP^EOff. The envoy in his faithful breast Pondered Sugriva's high behest. From Rishyamiika's peak he hied And placed him by tiie princes' side. The Wind-God's son with cautious art Had laid his Vanar form apart, And WiOre, to cheat the strangers' §yes, A wandering mendicant's disguise.' Before the heroes' feet he bent And did obeisance reverent, And spoke, the glorious pair to praise, His words of- truth in. courteous phrase. High honour duly paid, the best Of all the Vanar kind addressed, With free accord and gentle grace, Those glories of their warrior race : ' hermits, blest ujvows, who shine Like royal saints or Gods divine, ,0 best of young ascetics, say How tp this spot you found your way, Rearing the troops of lyandering deer And silvan things that harbour here : ' The sepii-divipe Hapum^n poHsesaes, Ijke the Ooda and demons, jtlie power of i^eajiDg all ^Jiapes at Fill. J^e jis onp of th)3 K(imarppUi_ Like Mjllton's good and bad angela " aa they pleaae 7hey limb tbeniaelvea, and colour, shape, or eizp Assume aa likes them best, condense pr r^.re." Canto III. THE RAMAYAN. 23 Searching amid the trees that grow Where PampS,'s gentle waters flow, And lending from your brows a gleam Of glory to the lovely stream. Who are you, say, so brave and fair. Clad in the bark which hermits wear ? I see you heave the frequent sigh, I see the deer before you fly. While you, for strength and valour dread. The earth, like lordly lions, tread, Each bearing in his hand a bow, Like Indra's own, to slay the foe. With the grand paces of a bull. So bright and young and beautiful. The mighty arms you raise appear Like trunks which elephants uprear. And as you move this mountain-king ' Is glorious with th£ light you bring. How have you reached, like Gods in face. Best lords of earth, this lonely place. With tresses coiled in hermit guise,' And splendours of those lotus eyes ? As Gods' who leave their heavenly sphere. Alike your beauteous forms appear. The Lords of Day and Night ° might thus Stray from the skies to visit us. Heroic youths, so broad of chest, Fair with the beauty of the Blest, With lion shoulders, tall and strong. Like bulls who lead the lowing throng, ' Himdnya is of course far excellence the Monarch of mountaing, but the complimentary title is frequently given to other hilla as here to Malaya. ' Twisted up in a matted coil as was the custom of ascetics. ' The sua and moon. 24 TBE RAM AY AN. Booh IV. Your arms, unmatched for grace and length. With massive clubs jnay vie in strength. "Why do no gauds those limbs adorn Where priceless gems were meetly worn ? Each noble youth is fit, I deem. To guard this earth, as lord supreme, With all her woods and seas, to reign From Meru's peak to Viadhya's chain. Your smooth bows decked with dyes and gold Are glorious in their njasters' hold, And with the arms of Indra ' vie Which diamqnd splendours beautify. Your quivers glow #ith golden sheen. Well stored with arrows fieet and keen, Each gleaming like a fiery snake That joys the foeman's life to take. As serpents cast their sloughs away And all their new-born sheen display. So flash your njighty swords inlaid With burning gold on hilt and blade, Why are you silent, heroes ? Why My questions hear nor deign reply ? 3ugriva, lord of virtuous mind, The foremost of "the V^nar kind, An exile froni his royal state, Boams through the land disconsolate. I, Hanuman, of V^nar race, Sent by the king have sought this place, For he, the pious, just, and true. In friendly league would join with you. ^ow, godlike youths, that I am one Of his chief lords, the Wind-God's son, With course unchecked I roam at will, ' The rainbow. Canto 111. THE RAM AY AN. 25 And now from Rishyamuka's hill, To please his heart, his hope to speed, I came disguised in beggar's weed.' Thus Hanumdn, well trained in lore Of language, spoke, and said no more. The son of Raghu joyed to hear The envoy's speech, and bright of cheer He turned to Lakshmaa by his side. And thus in words of transport cried : ' The counsellor we now behold Of King Sugriva righteous-souled. His face I long have yearned to see. And now his envoy comes to me. With sweetest words in courteous phrase Answer this mighty lord who slays His foemen, by Sugriva sent, This Vdnar chief most eloquent. For one whose words so sweetly flow The whole Rig-veda ' needs must know, And in his well-trained memory store The Yajush and the Saman's lore. He must have- bent his faithful ear All grammar's varied rules to hear. For his long speech how well he spoke ! In all its length no rule he broke. In eye, on brow, in all his face The keenest look no guile could trace. No change of hue, no pose of limb Gave sign that aught was false in him. Concise, unfaltering, sweet and clear. Without a word to pain the ear. From chest to throat, nor high nor low, ' The Vedas are four in number, the'Rioh or Rig-veda, the Yajush or Yajur-veda ; the Saman or Siima-veda, and the Atharvan or Athar- T»-Ye4a. See Vol. I. p. 6. Note. 26 THE R^mAYAK Book IV. His accents came in measured flow. How well he spoke with perfect art That wondrous speech that charmed the heart. With finest skill and order graced In words that knew nor pause nor haste I That speech, with consonants that spring From the three seats of uttering, ' Would charm the spirit of a foe Whose sword is raised for mortal blow. How may a ruler's plan succeed Who lacks such .envoy good at need ? How fail, if one whose mind is stored With gifts so rare assist his lord ? What plans can fail, with wisest speech Of envoy's lips to further each ? ' Thus Rama spoke ; and Lakshman, taught ' In all the art that utters thought, To King Sugriva's learned spy Thus made his eloquent reply : ' Full well we know the gifts that grace- Sugriva, lord of Vanar race, And hither turn our wandering feet That we that high-souled king may meet. So now our pleasant task shall be To do the words he speaks by thee.' His prudent speech the Vanar heard, And all his heart with joy was stirred. And hope that league with them would bring' Redress and triumph to his king. ' The chest, the throat, and the head. 27 CANTO IV. LAKSHMAN'S REPLY. Cheered by the words that Rama spoke, Joy in the Vdnar's breast awoke, And, as his friendly mood he knew. His thoughts to King Sugriva flew : ' Again,' he mused, ' my high-souled lord_ Shall rule, to kingly state restored ; Since one so mighty comes to save. And freely gives the help we crave.' Then joyous Hanuman, the best Of all the Vdnar kind, addressed These words to Rama, trained of yore In all the arts of speakers' lore : ' ' Why do your feet this forest tread By silvan life inhabited. This awful maze of tree and thorn Which Pampas flowering groves adorn ?' ' " In our own metrical romances, or wherever a poem is meant not for readers but for chanters .iiid oral reciters, these fomulve, to meet the same recurring case, exist by scores. Thus every woman in these metrical romances who happens to be young, is described as " so bright oi ble," or complexion ; always a man goes " th6 mountenance of a mile" before he overtakes or is overtaken. And so on through a vast bead-roll of cases. In the same spirit Homer has his eternal TOV ap wrpSpa iSwu, or tov S'oTrayueijSo/utvoe Trpoai^ri, &c. To a reader of sensibility, such recurrences wear an air of childlike simplicity, beautifully recalling the features of Homer's primitive age But tbey would have appeared faults to all commonplace critics in Jiterary ages." Dk Qoinoet. Homer and the Homeridae. 28 THE RAMAYAN. Booh IV. He spoke : obedient to the eye Of Rama Lakshman made reply, The name and fortune to unfold Of Raghu's son the lofty-souled : ' True to the law, of fame unstained. The glorious DaSaratha reigned. And, steadfast in his duty, long Kept the four castes ' from scathe and wrong. Through his wide realm his will was done, And, loved by aU, he hated none. Just to each creature great and small. Like the Good Sire he cared for all. The Agnishtom, ' as priests advised. And various rites he solemnized. Where ample largess ever paid The Brahmans for their holy aid. Here Eama stands, his heir by birth. Whose name is glorious in the earth : Sure refuge, he of all oppressed. Most faithful to his sire's behest. He, DaSaratha's eldest born Whom gifts above the rest adorn. Lord of each high imperial sign, ' The glory of his kingly line. Reft of his right, expelled from home, Came forth with me the woods to roam. And Sita too, his fa,ithful dame, Forth with her virtuous husband came, Like the sweet light when day is done Still cleaving to her lord the sun. ' Brahmans the sacerdotal caste, Kshatriyas the royal and military, Vaisyas the mercantile, and Sudras the servile. * A protracted sacrifice extending over several days. See Vol. J. p. 79. Note. ^ Possessed of all the auspicious personal marks that indicate capa- city of universal sovei-eignty, See Vol, I. p. 5, and note 7. Canto IV. THE RA:maYAN. 29 And me his sweet perfections drew To follow as his servant true, Named Lakshman, brother of my lord Of grateful heart with knowledge stored. Most meet is he all bliss to share, Who makes the good of all his care. While, power and lordship cast away. In the wild wood he chose to stay, A giant came, — ^his name unknown, — And stole the princess left alone. Then Diti's son ' who, cursed of yore. The semblance of a Rakshas wore, To King Sugriva bade us turn The"robber's name and home to learn, For he, the Vdnar chief, would know ' ' The dwelling of our secret foe. Such words of hope spake Diti's son, And sought the heaven his deeds had won. Thou hast my tale. From first to last Thine ears have heard whate'er has past. Rdma the mighty lord and I For refuge to Sugriva fly. The prince whose arm bright glory gained. O'er the whole earth as monarch reigned, And richest gifts to others gave. Is come Sugriva's help to crave ; Son of a king the surest friend Of- virtue, him who loved to lend His succour to the suffering weak. Is come Sugriva's aid to seek. Yes, Raghu's son, whose matchless hand , Protected all this sea-girt land, The virtuous prince, my holy guide. ' Kabandha. See Book III. Canto LXXIII. 30 THE EIMAYAN. Book IV. For refuge seeks Sugriva's side. His favour sent on great and small Should ever save and prosper all. • He now to vdn Bugrfva's grace Has soughit his woodland dwelling-place; Son of a king of glorious fame ;— Who knows not Daiaratha's name ? — From whom all princes of the earth Received each, honour due to worth ; — Heir of that Best of earthly kings, Rama the prince whose glory rings Through realnais below and earth and skies. For refuge to Sugrfva flies. Nor should the V4nar king refuse The boon for which the suppliant sues,' But with his forest legions speed To save him in his utmost need.' Sumitra's son, his eyes bedewed With piteous tears, thus sighed and sued. Then, trained in all the arts that guide , . The speaker, Hanuman replied : ' Yea, lords like you of wisest thought. Whom happy fate has hither brought, Who vanquish ire and rule each sense. Must of our lord have audience. Reft of his kingdom, sad, forlom;- Once Bali's hate now Bali's scorn. Defeated, severed from- his- spouse. Wandering under forest boughs, Child of the Sun, our lord and king^ Sugrfva will his succours bring. And all our Vanar hosts combined Will trace the dame you long to fiad.' With gentle tone and winning grace Canto ir. THE RAMAYAN. 31 ^hus spake the chief of Vinar race, And then to Raghu's son he cried : ' ' Come, haste we to Sugriva's side.' He spoke, and for his words so sweet Good Lakshman paid all honour meet ; Then turned and cried to -Raghu's son : ' Now deem thy task already done, Because this chief of Vanar kind, , Son of the God who rules the wind, Declares Sugriva's self would he Assisted in his need by thee. Bright gleams of joy his cheek o'erspread As each glad word of hope he said ; And ne'er will one so valiant deign To cheer our hearts with hope in vain.' He spoke, and Hanuman the wise Cast off his mendicant disguise, And took again his Vdnar form. Son of the God of wind and storm. High on his apaple back in haste Raghu's heroic sons he placed ; And turned with rapid steps to find The sovereign of the Vanar kind. 32 CANTO V. THE LEAGUE. From Rishyamuka's rugged side To Malaya's hill the Vdnar hied, And to his royal chieftain there Announced the coming- of the pair: ' See, here with Lakshman Rama stands. Illustrious in a hundred lands. Whose valiant heart will never quail Although a thousand foes assail ; King Daiaratha's son, the grace And glory- of Ikshvaku's race. Obedient to his father's will He cleaves to sacred duty still. With rites of royal pomp and pride His sire the Fire-God gratified ; Ten hundred thousand kine he freed. And priests enriched with ample meed j And the broad land protected, famed For truthful lips and passions tamed. Through woman's guile his son has made His dwelling in the forest shade. Where, as he lived with every sense Subdued in hermit abstinence. Fierce Ravan stole his wife, and he Is come a suppliant, lord, to thee. Now let all honour due be paid To these great chiefs who seek thine aid.' Thus spake the Vdnar prince, and, stirred Canto V: THE R^MAYAN. 33 With friendly thoughts, Sugriva heard. The light of joy. his face o'erspread, And thus to JRaghu's son he said : ' O Prince, „in rules of diity trained, Caring for -all with love unfeigned, Hanvimd,n's tongue has truly shown The virtues that are thine alone. My chiefest glory, gain^ and", bliss, stranger Prince, I reckon this. That Raghu's son wiircondescend' To seek the.Vanar for his friends If thou. my true ally wouldst be Accept the pledge I offer thee. This handin sign of friendship, take. And bind the boad we ne'er will break.' He spoke,' and joy thrilled Rama's breast; Sugriva's hand he seized and pressed"; And,, transport beaming from his eye,. Held tohis heart- his new ally In wanderer's weed! disguised no more,, His proper form Han^mfin wore. • Then, wood with* wood engendering, ' came- Neath; his deft hands the- kindled flame. Between the chiefs that fire he placed With wreaths of flowers and, worship graced, And round its blazing glory went The friends with, slow steps reverent. ' Fire for sacredpurposes is produced by the attrition of. two pieeea of wood. In marriagie and. other solemn covenants fire is regarded as the holy witness in^whose presence the. agreement is made. Spenser, iu.a description of, a marriage, has borrowed from the Upman,rite what he calls the housling, or sacramental fire : " His owne two hands the holy knots did knit. That none b ut death for ever can divide. His owne two hands, for such a turn. most fltj The housling fire did kindle and provide." Faery Queen, Book L xii. 37. C Si THE RAMAYAN. Booh IV. Thus each to other pledged and bound In solemn league new transport found. And bent upon his dear ally The gaze he ne'er could satisfy. ' Friend of my soul art thou : we share Each other's joy, each other's care ;' Thus in the bliss that thrilled his breast Sugriva Raghu's son addressed. From a high Sal a branch he tore Which many a leaf and blossom bore. And the fine twigs beneath them laid A seat for him and Rdma made. Then Hanuman with joyous mind. Son of the God who rules the wind. To Lakshman gave, his seat to be. The gay branch of a Sandal tree. Then King Sugriva with his eyes Still trembling with the sweet surprise Of the great joy he could not hide. To Raghu's noblest scion cried : * Rdma, racked with woe and fear. Spurned by my foes, I wander here. Reft of my spouse, forlorn I dwell Here in my forest citadel, Or wild with terror and distress Roam through the distant wilderness, Vext by my brother Bali long My soul has borne the scathe and wrong. Do thou, whose virtues all revere. Release me from my woe and fear. From dire distress thy friend to .:^e Is a high task and worthy thee.' He spoke, and Raghu's son who knew All sacred duties men should do, Canto V. THE RAMAYAN. 35 The friend of justice, void 9f guile, Thus answered with a gentle smile : ' Great V^nar, friends who seek my aid Still find their trust with fruit repaid. BSli, thy foe, who stole away Thy wife, this vengeful hand shall slay. These shafts which sunlike flash and burn, Winged with the feathers of the hern, Each swift of flight and sure and dread, With even knot and pointed head. Fierce as the crashing fire-bolt sent By him who rules the firmament,' Shall reach thy wicked foe and like Infuriate serpents hiss and strike. Thou, V£nar King, this day shalt see The foe who long has injured thee Lie, like a shattered mountain, low. Slain by the tempest of my bow.' Thus Rdma spake : Sugriva heard, And mighty joy his bosom stirred As thus his champion he addressed : ' Now by thy favour, first and best Of heroes, shall thy friend obtain His realm and darling wife again Recovered from the foe. Check thou mine elder brother's might, That ne'er again his deadly spite May rob me of mine ancient right. Or vex my soul with woe.' The league was struck, a league to bring To SItfi, fiends, and;.V^nar king ' Apportioned bliss and bale. ' Indra. ' B^ the king defwto. 86 THE RJtMAYAN. Book IV. Through her left eye qaick throbbings shot,' Glad signs the lady doubted not, That told their hopeflal tale; The bright Mt eye of BSli felt An inauspicious throb that dealt A deadly blow that d&y. The fiery left eyes of the crew Of demons felt the throb, and knew Th& heraM of dismay. ' With the Indians, as with, the ancient GTeets, the throbbing of the light eye in a man is. an auspicious sign, the throbbing of t)ic left eye is the opposite. In a woman the significations of signs are reversed- On the alliance between. Kama, and the monjceys, see AuDilioifAIi KOXES,. 37 CANTO VI. THE TOKENS. With joy that sprang from hope restored To Rama spake the Vanar lord : ' I know, by wise Hanuman taught, Why thou the lonely wood hast sought, Where with thy brother Lakshmau thou Hast sojourned, bound by hermit vow ; Have heard how Sitd,, Janak's child. Was stolen in the pathless wild. How by a roving Rdkshas she Weeping was reft from him and thee ; How, bent on death, the giant slew The vulture king, her guardian true. And gave thy widowed breast to know A solitary mourner's woe. But soon, dear Prince, thy heart shall be From every trace of sorrow free ; For I thy darling will restore. Lost like the prize of holy lore. ' Yea, though in heaven the lady dwell, Or prisoned in the depths of hell. My friendly care her way shall track ' The Vedas stolen by the demons MadUu and Kaitabha. "The text has ^Ijt SlS^rirlJJ which signifies literally " the lost vedic tradition." It seems that allusion is here made to the Vedaa submerged in the depth of the sea, b ut promptly recoverd by Vishnu ill one of his incarnations, as tie bralimanic legend relates, with which the orthodoxy of the Brsihmans intended perhaps to allude to the prompt restoration and uninterrupted continuity of the ancient vedic tradition." GonBESio. 38 THE RAM AY AN. Booh IV. And bring thy ransomed darling back. Let this my promise soothe thy care. Nor doubt the words I truly swear. Saints, fiends, and dwellers of the skies Shall find thy wife a bitter prize, Like the rash child who rues too late The treacherous lure of poisoned cate. No longer, Prince, thy loss deplore : Thy darling wife will I restore. 'Twas she I saw : my heart infers That shrinking form was doubtless hers, , Which giant Ravari, fierce and dread, Bore swiftly through the clouds o'erhead. Still writhing in his strict embrace Like helpless queen of serpent race,' And from her lips that sad voice came Shrieking thine own and Lakshman's name. High on a hill she saw me stand With comrades twain on either hand. Her outer robe to earth she threw. And with it sent her anklets too. We saw the glittering tokens fall. We found them there and kept them all. These will I bring : perchance thine eyes The treasured spoils will recognize.' He ceased ; then Raghu's son replied To the glad tale, and eager cried : ' Bring them with all thy speed : delay No more, dear friend, but haste away.' Thus E.3,ma spoke. Sugriva hied ' Like the wife of a TSiga, or Serpent-God carried off by an eagle. The enmity between the King of birds and the serpent is ot very fre- quent occurrence. It seems to be ajmodification of the strife between the Vedic Indra and the Ahi, the serpent or drought-fiend ; between Apollon and the Python, Adam and the Serpent, Canto VI. THE RAMAYAN. 89 Within the mountain's cavemed side, Impelled by love that stirred each thought, The precious tokens quickly brought. And said to Raghu's son. Behold This garment and these rings of gold. In RS,ma's hand wiih friendly haste The jewels and the robe he placed. Then, like the moon by mist assailed, The tear-dimmed eyes of Rama failed ; That burst of woe unmanned his frame, Woe sprung from passion for his dame. And with his manly strength o'erthrown, He fell and cried. Ah me ! mine own ! Again, again close to his breast The ornaments and robe he pressed. While the quick pants that shook his frame As from a furious serpent came. On his dear brother standing nigh He turned at length his piteous eye ; And, while his tears increasing ran. In bitter wail he thus began : ' Look, brother, and behold once more The ornaments and robe she wore, Dropped while the giant bore away In cruel arms his struggling prey. Dropped in some quiet spot, I ween, Where the young grass was soft and green ; For still untouched by spot or stain Their former beauty all retain.' He spoke with many a tear and sigh. And thus his brother made reply : ' The bracelets thou hast fondly shown. And earrings, are to me unknown, But by long service taught I greet 40 THE RJ^MAYAN. -Booh IV. - The anKlets'of "her honoured fe6t."' (Then to Siigrfva Rama, best Of 'Raghu's sons, these words addressed : 'Sayto what quarter of ihe sky The cruel fiend ^was seen to fly. Bearing afar my captared wife. My darling dearer than my life. Speak, Vdnar King, that I may know Where dwells the cause of all my woe:j 'The fiend for whose transgression all 'The giants by this hand shall fall. "He who the Maithil lady stole And kindled fury i-n my soiil, Has sought las fate in senseless pride And opened Death's dark portal wide. "Then tell me, V^nar lord, I pray. The dwelling of my foe, And he, beneath this hand, to-day Ta Yama's halls shall go.' ' He means that he has never ventured to raise his eyes to her arms and face, though he hasever been her devoted servant. 41 CANTO Vll. ■B/fMA CONSOLED. With longing love and woe oppressed The Vanar chief he thus addressed ; And he, while sobs his utterance broke, Raised up his reverent hands and spoke ; ' Raghu's son, I cannot tell Where now that cruel fiend may dwell, Declare his power and might, or trace The author of his cursed race. Still trust the promise that I make And let thy breast no longer ache. So will I toil, nor toil in vain. That thou thy consort mayst regain. So will I work with might and skill That joy anew thy heart shall fill ; The valour of my soul display. And Ravan and his legions slay. Awake, awake ! unmanned no more Recall the strength was thine of yore. Beseems not men like thee to wear A weak heart yielding to despair. Like troubles, too, mine eyes have seen, Lamenting for a long-lost queen ; But, by despair unconquered yet. My strength of mind I ne'er forget. Far more shouldst thou of lofty soul Thy passion and thy tears control, When I, of Vanar 's humbler strain, 42 THE R^MAYAN. Book IV. Weep not for her in ceaseless pain. Be firm, be patient, nor forget The bounds the brave of heart have set In loss, in woe, in strife, in fear. When the dark hour of death is near. Up I with thine own brave heart advise : Not thus despond the firm and wise. But he who gives his childish heart To choose the coward's weakling part, Sinks, like a foundered vessel, deep In waves of woe that o'er him sweep. See, suppliant hand to hand I lay, 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, Canto Vll THE RAMAYAN. 43 Has jbeen 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 Maithil lady's dwelling place, And aid me in my search to find Fierce Ravan 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, 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. u CANTO YIII. eIma'S promise. Doubt from Sugriva's heart had fled. And thus to Kaghu's son he said : ' 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 1 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. Yea, be they rich or poor and low. Blest with all joys or sunk in woe. Stained with each fault or pure of blame, Ccmto Till. THE RAMAYAN. . 4S Their friends the nearest place may claim ; For whom thej 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 Lakshmau by his side, Like Indra in his beauty's pride. The V^nar 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 a'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 hinv and Rama made. Hanumdn saw them sit, he sought A Sal tree's leafy bough and brought The burthen, and with meek request Entreated Lakshmao, too, to rest. There on the noble mountain's brov. 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 siwelled, 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, Mourning my consort far away, 46 ' THE RAMj(YAN. Book IV. 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 Rdma, just and brave. Whose pious soul to virtue clave. Smiled as in conscious might he eyed The king of V^nars, and replied : ' Best fruit of friendship is the deed That helps the friend in hour of need ; And this mine arni 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, ' 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 overthrow.' 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 : ' The wood in which Skanda or K^rtikeya was brought up : ' The Warrior-God Whose infant steps amid the thickets strayed Where the reeds wave over the holy sod.' See also Book I, Canto ZXIX, Meghaduta. Cmto 7111. TEE RAM^AN. 47 ' Long have I pined in depth of grief; Thou art the hope of all, chief Now, Raghu's son, I hail thee friend, And bid thee to my woes attend ; For, by my truth I 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, and 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 speak, And his sad voice came low and weak. As, while his eyes with tears o'erflowed, The burden of his soul he showed. Then by strong effort, bravely made. The torrent of his tears he stayed. Wiped his bright eyes, his grief subdued. And thus, more calm, his speech renewed : ' By Bdli's conquering might oppressed, 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. 48 THE RA'MAYAN. Book IV. When woe and peril' gather round, A foe in every form is found; Save Hanrnndiii. Kiaghu's son,. And these, not friend is left me, none; Through their kind ai(^ a faithful band? Who guard their- lord from hostile hand,. Rest when their chieffcain rest-s and bend5 Their steps where'er he lists to wend, — Through them alone,, in toil and pain,. My wretched life I still sustain. 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 eonqaeror's fall My joy depends, my life, my all. This were the eiad: and sure relief,, R^ma,, 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 bornci 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. Canto YIII. TBE RAMAYAN. 49 Ere from the cord my arrow fly, And low in death, thy foenaan. lie/ He spoke : Sugriva joyed to hear. Nor less his lords were glad of cheer ; And': thus to B^ma niighty:soul,ed the cause that moved their stj'ife. he told :. D 50 CANTO IX. SUGBIVA'S STORY. ^ ' My brother, known by Bali'g name. Had won by might a conqueror's fame, My father's eldest-bom was he, Well honoured by his sire aud me, My father died, ajid 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 MSyavi, — ^him of yore To Dnndubhi " his mother bore, — : For woman's love in strife engaged, A deadly war with B^li waged. When sleep had chained each weary frame To vast Kishkindha's ' gates he came, And, shouting through the shades of night. Challenged his foeman to the fight. My brother heard the furious about, And wild with rage rushed iqadly Qut, ' " Sngriva's story paints in vivid coIquts the manners, customs and ideas of the wild mountain tr^hes which inhabited Kishkindhya or tha southern hills of the Deccap, gf the people 'Vti^om the poem caQs mon- keys, trihes altogether difFereqtin orgin an4 ciyilizatioii frottk tbe Indo- Sanskrit race." Oobb^bio, ' A fiend sl^in by B^li. ' B^ii'S mounts city. Canto IX. THE RAMAYAN. 51 Though fain would I and each sad wife Detain 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. M&ydvi looked, and at the sight Fled from his foes in wild afiright. 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.' I 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. S2 THE RjfMAYAW. Book 17 i I motimed, by doubt and fear distressed. And greater horror seissed my breast When from tbe eavem 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 brother's shout Triumphant in the battle root. I closed the cavern with a blocks Huge as a bill, of shattered rock, Gave offerii^s due tO' Bali's shade. And; sought Kishkindha, sore dismayedl Long time' with anxious care I tried From! Bali's lords his fate to hide. But they, when (Hice the tale was knowny Placed me as king on Bali's thronei There for a while I justly reigned And all with equal care ordained. When jiCyous from the demon slaia My brother Bdli came again. He foiund me raling in his stead. And, fired with rage, his eyes grew red. He slew the lords -vriio made me king, And spoke keen words to taunt and sting. The kingly r^nk and power I held My brother's rage witb ease had quelled. But still, restrained by old respect For claims of birth, the thought I checked. Thus having struck the desmon do^wn Came BSli to his royal town. With meek respect, with huiable speech. His haughty heart I strove to reach. But all my arts were tried in vain, No gentle word his lips would deign< Canto IX. THE R.m.4:YAN. 53 Though to the ground I bent and set His feet upon my coronet ; Still B^i in his rage and pride All signs of grace and love denied.' CANTO X. svgrIva'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 I languished here, but now My saviour and defence art thou. Once more receive this regal shade ' 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 ' The canopy or royal umbrella, one of the uaual Indian regalia. ^ Whisks made of the hair of the Yak or Bos.grunniens, also reg insignia. Canto X. TEE RJ^MAYAN. 55 My honoured king once more in thee ; I only ruled a while the state When thou hadst left us desolate. This town with people, lordSj and lands, Lay as a tmat 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 : ' 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 56 TJiS RAM AY AN. -Booh IV. 'He turned liis 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 myfeother 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 s^ot I 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 foemaai slain at last One look, one pitying look, I cast. I sought again the light of day : The cave was closed aiid left no way. To the barred mouth I sadly came. And called aloud Sugrfva's name. But all was still : no voice replied, And hope within my bosom died. With furious efforts, vain at first. Through bars, of rock my way I burst. Then, free once more, the path that brought €aufo X. THE RA'MAYAF. 57 My feet in safety home I sought. ' Twas thus Sugrfva dared despise The claim of brothers' friendly ties. With crags of rock he barred me in, And for himself the realm would win.'' Thus Bali spoke in words severe ; And then, unmoved by ruth or fear. Left me a single robe and sent His brother forth in banishment. He cast me out with scathe and scorn, And -from my side my wife was torn. Now in great fear and ill at ease I roam this land with woods and seas, Or dwell on Rishyamuka's hill, And sorrow for my consort still. Thou hast the tale how first arose This bitter hate of brother foes. Such are the griefs neath which I pine. And all without a fault of mine. O swift to save in hour of fear, My prayer who dread this Bdli, 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 can 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 58 TEE RAM AY AN. Book IV. What waves of grief above thee flow. This hand thy captive wife shall free, And give thy kingdom back to 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 : 59 CANTO XL DUNDUBHI. ' 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 Bdli's heart ; and then decide. From east to west, from south to north On restless errand hurrying forth. From farthest sea to sea he flies Before the sun has lit the skies. A mountain top he oft will seek. Tear from its root a towering peak, Hurl it aloft, as 'twere a ball. And catch it ere to earth it fall ; And many a tree that long has stood In health 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 bore 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. 60 THE RIMA7AN. Book IV. Athirst for war, his way he took. He reached the king of rolling waves Whose gems are piled in sunless caves, And threw his challenge to the sea : ' Come forth, O King, and fight with me.' He spoke, and from his ocean bed The righteous ' monarch heaved his head. And gave, sedate, his calm reply To him whom fate impelled to die : ' Not mine, not mine the power,' he cried, • To cope with thee in battle tried ; But listen to my voice, and seek The worthier foe of whom I speak. The Lord of Hills, where hermits live And love the home his forests give, Whose child is Sankar's darling queen," The King of Snows is he I mean. Deep caves has he, and dark boughs shade The torrent and the wild cascade. From him expect the fierce delight Which heroes feel in equal fight.' He deemed that fear checked ocean's king. And, like an arrow from the string. To the wild woods that clothe the side Of Lord Himalaya's hills he hied. Then Dundubhi, with hideous roar, Huge fragments from the summit tore Vast as Airdvat,^ white with snow, And hurled them to the plains below. Then like a white cloud soft, serene, ' Kighteous because he never tranBgresses his bouncU, and " over his great tides Fidelity presides." ' Himflaya, the Lord of Snow, is the father of Vm& the wife of Siva or ^ankar. ^ Indra's celestial elephant. Canto XL THE RAM AY AN. 61 ,Tbe Lord of Mountains' form was seen. It sat upon a lofty crest. And thus the furious fiend addressed : ' Beseems thee not, O virtue's friend. My mountain tops to rive and rend ; For I, the hermit's cabn 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 hurning for the fray ? ' He spoke ; Himalaya, skilled in lore Of eloquence, replied once more, And, angered in his righteous mind, Addressed the chief of demon kind : ' The Vanar Bdli, brave and wise, Son of the God who rules the skies, ' Sways, glorious in his high renown, Kishkindhd his imperial town. Well may that valiant lord who knows Each art of war his might oppose To thine, in equal battle set, As Namuchi ' and Indra met. Go, if thy soul desire the fray ; To Bali's city speed away. And that unconquered hero meet Whose fame is high for warlike feat.' He listened to the Lord of Snow, And, his proud heart with rage aglow, ' Bali was the son of Indra. See Vol. I. pp. 95, 96. ^ An Asur slain by Indra. See Vol. III. p. 125 Note. He is, like Vritra, a form of the demon of dronght destroyed by the beneficent God of the firmament. 62 THE RAM AY AN. Booh IV. Sped swift away and lighted down By vast KishkindM, 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 full flood of rain descends. Impelled by pride and rage and hate. He thundered at Kishkindha'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 B^li 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 : ' Know me for monarch, Bali styled. Of Vdnar tribes that roam the wild. Say why dost thou this gate molest. And bellowing thus disturb our rest ? I know thee, 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 ? 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. Canto XI. TEE RAMAYAN. 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. Show in the streets once 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 TarS and the dames retired ; And slowly, with a laugh of pride, The king of Vdnars thus replied : ' Me, fiend, thou deemest drunk with wine ; Unless thy fear the fight 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 J Seized 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. 63 64 TEE RAMAYAN. Booh IV. He fought with fists, and feet, and knees, With fragments of the rock, and trees. At last the monster's strength, assailed By Sakra's ' conquering offspring, failed. Him B£li raised with mighty strain. And dashed upon the ground again ; Where, bruised and shattered, in a tide- Of rushing blood, the demon died. King Bali 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 cell : Matanga saw, illustrious sage, Those drops defile his hermitage. And, as he marvelled whence th&y came. Fierce anger filled his soul with flame : ' Who 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 V 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 Vdnar in a burst Of wild tempestuous wrath he cursed : ' Ne'er let that Vanar wander here, ' Auother name of Indra or Hahendra. Ctmto XL THE R^MAYAl^. 65 for, if he come, his death is near, Whose impious hand with blood has dyed I'he 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 j Yea, if the villain come so nigh That Very hour he needs must dia And let tbe 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, deaf 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-morTow shall my curse have power. And then each Vanar I may see A stone through countless years shall be.* The V^nars heard the curse and hied From sheltering wood and mountain side. King Bdli 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 Vdnar leaders told King Bdli with his chain of gold What curse the saint had on them laid, E 06 THE RAM AY AN. Book IV. Which drove them from their aficient shade. Then royal Bdii sought the sage, With reverent hands to soothe his rage. The holy man his suppliant spumed, 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 warn him hence. And roam these woods in confidence. Lpok, Prince, before thee white and dry The demon's bones uncovered lie, Who, like a hill in bulk and length. Fell ruined 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 I tell, Prince, to show The matchless power that arms the foe. , How canst thoii hope to slay him ? how Meet Bali in the battle now ? ' Sugriva spoke and sadly sighed : And LakshmaEi with a laugh replied ; ' What show of power, what proof and test M^y still the doubts that fill thy breast V He spoke. Sugriva thus repiied : , ' See yonder Sal trees side by side, -, ^, Vf.. ; King Bali here would take his; staijfd « -. , ^ Grasping his bow with vigprous |iaiid. And every arrow, keen and tru%, x* Canto XI. THE BJlMAYAN. 67 Would strike its tree and pierce it through. If Kama 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.' Sugrfva spoke inflamed with ire, Scanned Rama with a glaince of fire. Pondered a while in silent mood. And thus again his speech renewed : ' All lands vrith Bali's glories ring, A valiant, strong, and mighty king ; In conscious power unused to yield, A hero first in every field. His wondrous deeds his might declare, Deeds Gods might scarcely do or dare ; And on this power reflecting still I roam on Rishyamuka's hill. Awed by my brother's might I rove, In doubt and fear, from grove to grove, While Hanuman, my chosen friend. And faithful lords my steps attend ; And now, O true to friendship's tie, I hail in thee my best ally. My surest refuge from my foes. And steadfast as the Lord of Snows. Still, when I muse how strong and bold Is cruel Bali, evil-souled. But ne'er, chief of Raghu's line, Have seen what strength in war is thine, Though in my heart I may not dare 68 THE RAMAYAN. Book IV. Doubt thy great might, despise, compare, Thoughts of his fearful fleeds will rise And fill my soul witTi sad surmise. ■ Speech, form, and trust which naught may move Thy secret strength and glory prove. As smouldering ashes dimly show The The Bengal recension makes it return in the form of a swan. Canto XII. THE RAMA7AN. 71 Scarce might the Gods, arrayed for strife By Indra's self, escape with life Assailed by thy victorious hand : And how may B^i hope to stand ? All grief and care are past away, And joyous thoughts my bosom sway. Who have in thee a friend, renowned As Varun ' or as Indra, found. Then on ! subdue, — 'tis friendship's claim, — My foe who bears a brother's name. Strike Bali down beneath thy feet : With suppliant hands I thus entreat.' Sugriva ceased, and R^ma pressed The grateful V^nar to his breast ; And thoughts of kindred feeling woke In Lakshman's bosom, as he spoke : ' On to Kishkindh^, on with speed ! Thou, Vdnar King, our way shalt lead. Then challenge Bali forth to fight, Thy foe who scorns a brother's right.' They sought Kishkindha's gate and stood Concealed by trees in densest wood. Sugriva, to the fight addressed. More closely drew his cinctured vest. And raised a wild sky-piercing shout To call the foemaaBSli out. Forth came impetuous Bffi, stirred To fury by the shout he heard. ' Varuna is one of the oldest of the Vedio Gods, corresponding in name and partly in character to the Ovpavog °^ *•>* Greeks and ie often regarded as the supreme deity. He upholds heaven and earth, possesses extraordinary power and wisdom, sends his messengers through both worlds, numbers the very winkings of mens' eyes, punishes trans- gressors whom he seizes with his deadly noose, and pardons the sins of those who are penitent. In later mythology he has become the God of the sea. n THE RAMJ^YAN. Book IV. So the great sun, ere night has ceased, Springs up impatient to the east. Then fierce and wild the conflict raged As hand to hand the foes engaged. As though in battle mid the stars Fought Mercury and fiery Mars. ' To highest pitch of fren^ wrought With fists like thunderbolts they fought. While near them Rama took his stand. And viewed the battle, bow in hand. Alike they stood in form and might. Like heavenly Aivins ' paired in fight. Nor might the son of Raghu know Where fought the friend and where the foe j So, while his bow was ready bent. No life-destroying shaft he sent. Crushed down by Bffi's mightier stroke Sugrfva's force now sank and Woke, Who, hoping naught from Rama's aid. To Rishyamiika fled dismayed. Weaiy, and faint, a^d wounded sere. His body bruised and dyed with gore, From Bill's blows, in rage aad dread, Afar to sheltering woods be fled. Nor Bali farther dared pursue. The curbing curse too well he knew, * Fled from thy death !' the victor cried, ' Budha, not to be confounded vAth the great reformer Buddha, is the BOn of Soma> or the Moon, and regent of the planet Mercury. Angira is the regent of Mars who is called the red or the fiery planet. The en- counter between Michael and Satan is similarly said to have been as if " Two planets rushing from aspect malign Of fiercest opposition in midsky Should combat, aud their jarring spheres confound." Paradise Lost. Book VI. ' The Asvins or Heavenly Twins, the Dioskuri or Castor and Pollux of the Hindus, have frequently been mentioned, See Veil, I. p. 124, Note. Canto XII. THE R/(MJC¥AN. 73 And home the mighty warrior hied. Haniim^n, Laksbmau, Raghu's son Beheld the conc^uerpd Vdnar run. And followed to the sheltering shade Where yet Sugriva stood dismayed. Near and more near the chieftains came, Then, for intolerable shame, Not daring yet to lift his eyes, Sugriva spoke with burning sighs : ' Thy matchless strength I first beheld, And dared my foe, by thee impelled. Why hast thou tried me with deceit And urged me to a sure defeat ? Thou shouldst have said,' I wiU not slay Thy foeman in the coming fray.' For had I then thy purpose known I had not waged the fight alone.' The Vdnar sovereign, lofty-souled. In plaintive voice his sorrows told. Then Kama spake : ' Sugriva, list, AH anger from thy heart dismissed. And I will tell the cause that stayed Mine arrow, and withheld the aid. In dress, adornment, port, and height. In splendour, battle-shout, and might. No shade of difference could I see Between thy foe, O King, and thee. So like was each, I stood at gaze. My senses lost in wildering maze. Nor loosened from my straining bow A deadly arrow at the foe. Lest in my doubt the shaft should send To sudden death our surest friend. 0, if this hand in heedless guilt 74 THE RAMA7AN. Booh 17. And rash resolve thy blood had spilt, Through every land, Vdnar King, My wild and foolish act would ring. Sore weight of sin on him must lie By whom a friend is made to die ; And Lakshman, I, and Sita, best Of dames, on thy protection rest. On, warrior ! for the fight prepare ; Nor fear again thy foe to dare. Within one hour thine eye shall view My arrow strike thy foeman through ; Shall see the stricken B£li lie Low on the earth, and gasp and die. But come, a badge about thee bind, O monarch of the Vanar kind, That in the battle shock mine eyes The friend and foe may recognize. Come, Lakshman, let that creeper deck With brightest bloom Sugriva's neck, And be a happy token, twined Around the chief of lofty mind.' Upon the mountain slope there grew A spreading creeper fair to view. And Lakshma? plucked the bloom and round Sugriva's neck a garland wound. Graced with the flowery wreath he wore, The Vanar chief the semblance bore Of a dark cloud at close of day Engarlanded with cranes at play. In glorious light the Vanar glowed As by his comrade's side he strode. And, still on Rama's words intent. His steps to great Kishkindha bent. 75 CANTO XIII. THE RETURN TO KISHKINDHI. Thus with Sugrtva, from the side Of Rishyamuka, Rama hied, And stood before Kishkindh^'s gate Where Bili kept his regal state. The hero in his warrior hold Raised his great bow adorned with gold. And drew his pointed arrow bright As sunbeams, finisher of fight. Strong-necked Sugriva led the way With Lakshmag mighty in the fray. Nala and Nila came behind With Hanumdn of lofty mind. And valiant Tfoa, last in place, A leader of the Vdnar race. They gazed on many a tree that showed The glory of its pendent load. And brook and limpid rill that made Sweet murmurs as they seaward, strayed. They looked on caverns dark and deep. On bower and glen and mountain steep, And saw the opening lotus stud With roseate cup the crystal flood. While crane and swan and coot and drake Made pleasant music on the lake, And from the reedy bank was heard The note of many a happy bird. In open lawns, in tangled ways, 76 THE RAMAYAN. Boole IT. They saw the tall deer stand at gaze, Or marked them free and fearless roam, Fed with sweet grass, their woodland home,. At times two flashing tusks between The wavings of the wood were seen. And some mad elephant, alone. Like a huge moving hill, was shown. And scarcely less in size appeared Great monkeys all with dust besmeared.. And various birds that roam the skies. And silvan creatures, met their eyes. As through the wood the chieftains. sped,^ And followed where Sugriva led. Then Rama, as their way they made, Saw near at hand a lovely shade. And, as he gazed upon the trees. Spake to Sugriva words like these : ' Those stately trees in beauty rise Fair as a cloud in autumn skies. I fain, my friend, would learn from thee What pleasant grove is that I see.' Thus Rama spake, the piighty souled ; ' And thus his tale Sugriva told : ' That, Rama, is a wide retreat That brings repose to weary feet. Bright streams and fruit and roots are there. And shady gardens, passing fair. There, neath the roof of hanging boughs. The sacred Seven maintained their vows. Their heads in dust were lowly laid. In streams their nightly beds were made. Each seventh night they broke their fast. But air was still their sole repast. And when seven hundred years were spent Vanto XIII. THE RjfMAYAN. 77 To homes in heaven the hermits went. Their glory keeps the garden yet, With walls of stately trees beset. Scarce would the Gods and demons dare, By Indra led, to enter tJiere. No beast that roams the wood is found. No bird of air, within the bound ; Or, thither if they idly stray. They find no more their homeward way. You hear at times mid dulcet tones The chime of anklets', rings, and zones. You hear the song and music sound, And 'heavenly fragrance breathes around. There duly bum the triple fires ' Where mounts the smote in curling spires. And, in a dun wreath, hangs above The tall trees, like a brooding dove. Eound branch and crest the vapours close Till every tree enveloped shows A hill of lazulite when clouds Hang round it with their misty shrouds. With Lakshman, lord of Raghu's line. In reverent guise thine head incline. And with fixt heart and suppliant hand Give honour to the sainted band. They who with faithful hearts revere The holy Seven who harboured here. Shall never, son of Raghu, know In all their lives an hour of woe.' Then R^ma and his brother bent, And did obeisance reverent With suppliant hand and lowly head, Then with Sugriva onward sped. ' Cnlled respectively Gitrhapatya, Ahavani'ya, and Oakshiijia, house- hold, sacrificial, aud southern. 78 THE RAMJlYAN. Book. IV. Beyond the sainted Seven's abode Far on their way the chieftains strode, And great Kishkindha's portal gained. The royal town where Bdli reigned. Then by the gate they took their stand All ready armed, a noble band. And burning every one To slay in battle, hand to hand, Their foeman, Indra's soh. 79 CANTO XIV. THE CHALLENGE. They stood where trees of densest green Wove round their forms a veiling screen. O'er all the garden's pleasant shade. The eyes of King Sugriva strayed, And, as on grass and tree he gazed. The fires of wrath within him blazed. Then like a mighty cloud on high, When roars the tempest through the sky. Girt by his friends he thundered out His dread sky-rending battle-shout. Like some proud lion in his gait, Or as the sun begins his state, Sugriva let his quick glance rest On Rdma whom he thus addressed : ' There is the seat of Bali's sway. Where flags on wall and turret play, Which mighty bands of Vanars hold. Rich in aU arms and store of gold. Thy promise to thy mind recall That Bali by thy hand shall fall. As kindly fruits adorn the bough, So give my hopes their harvest now.' In suppliant tone the Vd.nar prayed, And Raghu's son his answer made : ' By Lakshman's hand this flowery twine Was wound about thee for a sign. The wreath of giant creeper throws 80 THE RAM^tAN. Booh IV. About thy fortn its brilliant glows, As though about the sun were set The bright stars for a coronet. One shaft of mine this day, dear friend, Thy sorrow and thy fear shall end, And, from the bowstring freed, shall be Giver of freedom. King, to thee. Then come, Sugriva, quickly show. Where'er he lie, thy bitter foe ; And let my glance the wretch descry Whose deeds a brother's name belie: Yea, soon in dust and blood o'erthrown Shall Bali fall and gasp and groan. Once let this eye the foeman see, Then, if he live to turn and flee. Despise my puny strength, and shame With foul opprobrium Rama's name. Hast thou not seen this hand, O King, Through seven tall trees one arrow wing ? Still in that strength securely trust, , , And deem thy foeman in the dust. In all my days, though sorely tried By grief and woe, I ne'er have lied ; And still by duty's law restrained Will ne'er with falsehood's charge be stained. Cast doubt away : the oath I sware Its kindly fruit shall quickly bear. As smiles the land with golden grain By mprcy of the Lord of rain. On, warrior, to the gate ! defy Thy foe with shout and battle-cry, Till B^H with his chain of gold Come speediflg from his royal hold. Proud hearts, with warlike fire aglow. VantoXIV. ■ TaWRAMAYAN. SI Brook not the challenge of a foe : Each on his power and might relies, And nriost before his ladies' eyes. King Bdli loves the fray too well To linger in his citadel, And, when he hears thy battle-shout, All wild for war will hasten out.' He spoke. Sugriva raised a cry That shook and rent the echoing sky, A shout so fierce and loud and dread That stately bulls in terror fled, Like dames who fly from threatened stain In some ignoble monarch's reign. The deer in wild confusion ran Like horses turned in battle's van. Down fell the birds, like Gods who fall When merirts fail,' at that dread call. So fiercely, boldened for the fray. The offspring of the Lord of Day Sent forth his furious shout as loud As thunder from a labouring cloud. Or, where the gale blows fresh and free, The roaring of the troubled sea. ' The store of merit accumulated by a holy or austere life secures only a temporary seat in the mansions of bliss. When by the lapse of time this store is exhausted, return to earth is unavoidable. F 82 CANTO XV. taeA. That shout, which shook the land with fear, In thunder smote on Bali's ear. Where in the chamber barred and closed The sovereign with his dame reposed. Each amorous thought was rudely stilled. And pride and rage his bosom filled. His angry eyes flashed darkly red. And all his native brightness fled. As when, by swift eclipse assailed. The glory of the sun has failed. "While in his fury uncontrolled He ground his teeth, his eyeballs rolled, He seemed a lake wherein no gem Of blossom decks the lotus stem. He heard, and with indignant pride Forth from the bower the Vanar hied. And the earth trembled at the beat And fury of his hastening feet. But Tara to her consort flew, Her loving arms around him threw, And, trembling and bewildered, gave Wise counsel that might heal and save : O dear my lord, this rage control That like a torrent floods thy soul, And cast these idle thoughts away Like faded wreaths of yesterday. tarry till the morning light, Canto XV. THE BAMJ:yAN. 83 Then, if thou wilt, go forth and fight. Think not I doubt thy valour, no ; Or deem thee weaker than thy foe, Yet for a while would have thee stay ' Nor see thee tempt the fight to-day. Now list, my loving lord, and learn The reason why I bid thee turn. Thy foeman came in wrath- and pride, And thee to deadly fight defied. Thou weutest out : he fought, and fled Sore wounded and discomfited. But yet, untaught by late defeat, He comes his conquering foe to meet, And calls thee forth with cry and shout ; Hence sprisng, my lord, this fear and doubt. A heart so bold that will not yield. But yearns to tempt the desperate field, Such loud defiance, fiercely pressed, On no Uncertain hope can rest. So lately by thine arm o'erthrown, He comes not back, I ween, alone. Some mightier comrade guards his side, And spurs him to this burst of pride. For nature made the Vanar wise : On arms of might his hope relies ; And never will Sugriva seek A friend whose power to save is weak. Now listen while my lips unfold The wondrous tale my Angad told. Our child the distant forest sought, And, learnt from spies, the tidings brought. Two sons of DaSaratha, sprung From old Ikshvaku, brave a,nd young, Renowned in arms, in war untamed — Rama and Lakshman are they named — 84 THT: R^AYAF. Book IV. Have with thy foe Sugriva made A .league of love and friendly aid. Now Rdma, famed for exploit high, Is bound thy brother's firm ally. Like fires of doom ' that ruin all He makes each foe before him fall. He is the suppliant's sure defence. The tree that shelters innocence. The poor and wretched seek his feet : In him the noblest glories meet. With skill and knowledge, vast and deep His sire's commands he loved to keep ; With princely gifts and graces stored As metals deck the Mountains' Lord.* Thou canst not, O my hero, stand Before the might of Rama's hand ; For none may match his power, or dare With him in deeds of war compare. Hear, I entreat, the words I say. Nor lightly turn my rede away. O let fraternal discord cease, And link you in the bonds of peace. Let consecrating rites ordain Sugriva partner of thy reign. Let war and thoughts of conflict end. And be thou his and Rama's friend. Each soft approach of love begin. And to thy soul thy brother win ; For whether here or there he be. Thy brother still, dear lord, is he. Though far and wide these eyes I strain A friend like him I seek in vain. ' The conflagration which destroys the world at the end of a Yuga or age. ' Him^Uaya. €emto Xr. THE MMAYAN. 85 Let gentle words his heart incline; And gifts and honours make him thine, Till, foes no more, in love allied, You stand as brothers side by side. Thou in' high ran!^ wast wont to hold'" Sugriva, formed in massive mould ; Then come, thy brother's love regain, , For other aid& are weak and vain. If thou would please my soul,, and still' Preserve me ftom all fear and ill, I pray thee by thy love be wise And do.the thing which I advise. Assuage tiiy fruitless wrath,- and shun: The mightier arms of Eaghu's son ; For Indra's peer in might is he, A foe too strong, my lord, for. thee.' 86 CANTO XVI. THE FALL OF BALI. Thus Tara with the stany eyes ' Her counsel gave with bumiag sighs, But Bali, by her prayers unmoved. Spumed her advice, and thus reproved; ' How may this insult, scathe, and scorn By me, dear love, be tamely borne ? My brother, yea my foe, comes nigh And dares me forth with shout and cry. Learn, trembler ! that the valiant, they Who yield no step in battle fray. Will die a thousand deaths but ne'er An unavenged dishonour bear. Nor, my love, be thou dismayed Though Rama lend Sugrlva aid ; For one so pure ajxd duteous, one Who loves the right, all sin will shun, Release me from thy soft embrace, And with thy dames thy steps retrace ; Enough already, mine own. Of love and sweet devotion shown. Drive all thy fear and doubt away ; I seek Sugriva in the fray His boisterous rage and pride to still, And tame the foe I would not kill. My fury, armed with brandished trees, Shall strike Sugriva to his knees : ' Tar^ meana ' star.' The poet plays upon the name by comparing her beauty to that of the Lord of Stars, the Moon. Cmto XVI. THE R^MAVJN. 87 Nor shall the humbled foe withstand The blows of my avenging hand, When, nerved by rage and pride, I beat The traitor down beneath my feet. Thou, love, hast lent thine own sweet aid. And all thy tender care displayed ; Now by my life, by these who yearn To serve thee well, I pray thee turn. But for a while, dear dame, I go To come triumphant o'er the foe.' Thus Bali spake in gentlest tone : Soft arms about his neck were thrown ; Then round her lord the lady went With sad steps slow and reverent. She stood in solemn guise to bless With prayers for safety and success, Then with her train her chamber sought By grief and racking fear distraught. With serpent's pantings fierce and fast King Bali from the city passed. His glance, as each quick breath he drew. Around to find the foe he threw, And saw where fierce Sugriva showed His form with golden hues that glowed. And, as a fire resplendent, stayed To meet his foe in arms arrayed. When Bali, long-armed chieftain, found Sugriva stationed on the ground. Impelled by warlike rage he braced His warrior garb about his waist. And with his mighty arm raised high Rushed at Sugriva with a cry. ♦" But when Sugriva, fierce and bold. Saw Bali with his chain of gold. 88 TEE RAMriYAN. Book IV. His arm he heaved, his hand he closed, And face to face his foe opposed. To him whose eyes with fury shone. In charge impetuous rushing on, Skilled in each warlike art and plan, Bali with hasty words began : ' My ponderous hand, to fight addressed. With fingers clenched and firm compressed. Shall on thy death-doomed brow descend And, crashing down, thy life shall end.' He spoke ; and, wild with rage and pride. The fierce Sugrfva thus replied : ' Thus let my arm begin the strife And from thy body crush the life.' Then Bali, wounded and enraged. With furious blows the battle waged. Sugriva seemed, with blood-streams dyed, A hill with fountains in his side. But with his native force unspent A Sdl tree from the earth he rent. And like the bolt of Indra smote On Bali's head and chest and throat. Bruised by the blows he could not shield. Half vanquished Bali sank and reeled. As sinks a vessel with her freight , Borne down by overwhelming weight. Swift as Suparaa's ' swiftest flight In awful strength they rushed to fight ; So might the sun and moon on high Encountering battle in the sky. Fierce and more fierce, as fought the foes,' The furiou^ rage of combat rose. ' Suparna, the Well-winged, is another name of Garuda the King of Birds. See Vol. 1, p. 94, Note. Canto XVI. TEE R^rjUAVAN. 89 They warred with feet and arms and knees, With nails and stones and boughs and trees, And blows descending fast as, rain Dyed each dark form with crimson stain. While like two thunder-clouds they met With battle-cry and shout and threat. Then R^ma saw Sugriva quail, Marked his worn strength grow weak and fail, Saw how he turned his wistful eye To every quarter of the sky. His friend's defeat he could not brook. Bent on his shaft an eager look, Then burned to slay the conquering foe. And laid his arrow on the bow. As to an orb the bow he drew Forth from the string the arrow flew Like Fate's tremendous discus hurled By Yama ' forth to end the world. So loud the din that every bird The bow-string's clang with terror heard. And wildly fled the affrighted deer As though the day of doom were near. So, deadly as the serpent's fang. Forth from the string the arrow sprang. ' Like the red lightning's flash and flame It flew unerring to its aini. And, hissing murder through the air. Pierced Bffi's breast, and quivered there. Struck by the shaft that flew so well The mighty Vanar reeled and fell, As earthward Indra's flag they pull When Alvini's fair moon is full. * ' The God of Death. 2 The flag-staif erected in honour of the God Indra is lowered when the festival is over. Asviui in astronomy is the head of Aries or the first of the twenty-eight lunar mansions or asterisms. 90 CANTO XVIL bXli's. speech. Like some proud tree before the blast Brave Bali to the ground was cast, Where prostrate in the dust he rolled Clad in the sheen of glistering gold, As when uptorn the standard lies Of the great God who rules the skies. When low upon the earth was laid The lord whom Vanar tribes obeyed, Dark as a moonless sky no more His land her joyous aspect wore. Though low in dust and mire was rolled The form of Bali lofty-souled, Still life and valour, might and grace Clung to their well-loved dwelling-place. That golden chain with rich gems set. The. choicest gift of Sakra, ' yet Preserved his life nor let decay Steal strength and beauty's light away. Still from that chain divinely wrought His dusky form a glory caught. As a dark cloud, when day is done, Made splendid by the dying sun. As fell the hero, crushed in fight,, There beamed afar a triple light From limbs, from chain, from shaft that drank His life-blood as the warrior sank. ' ludra the father of, BiJli, Canto XVII. TEE RA'MAYAN. 91 The never-failing shaft, impelled By the great bow which Rama held, Brought bliss supreme, and lit the way To Brahma's worlds which ne'er decay. ' Rfima and Lakshmau nearer drew The nlighty fallen foe to view, Mahendra's son, the brave and bold. The monarch with his chain of gold, With lustrous face and tawny eyes, Broad chest, and arms of wondrous size, Like Lord Mahendra fierce in fight, Or Vishnu's never-conquered might. Now fallen like Yayati '' sent From heaven, his store of merit spent. Like the bright flame that pales and dies, Like the great sun who fires the skies. Doomed in the general doom to fall When time shall end and ruin all. The wounded Bali, when he saw Rfima and Lakshman nearer draw, Keen words to Raghu's son, impressed With justice' holy stamp, addressed : '♦What fame, from one thou hast not slain In front of battle, canst thou gain. Whose secret hand has laid me low When madly fighting with my foe ? From every tongue thy glory rings, A scion of a line of kings. True to thy vows, of noblest race, ' It is believed that every creature killed by R^ma obtained in con sequence immediate beatitude, 'And blessed the hand that gave so dear a death.' ' " Yayati was invited to heaven by Indra, and conveyed on the way thither by MsJtali, Indra's charioteer. He afterwards returned to earth where, by his virtuous administration he rendered all his subjects ex- empt from passion and decay.'' GaHrbtt's C. D. Of India. 92 THE RAMAYAN. Booh IT. With every gentle gift and grace : Whose tender heart for woe can feel, And joy in every creature's weal : - Whose breast with high ambition swells,, Knows duty's claim and ne'er rebels. They praise thy valour, patience, ruth. Thy firmness, self-restraint, and truth :. Thy hand prepared for sitk's control. All virtues of a princely soul. I thought of all these gifts of thine,. And glories of an ancient line, I set my Tara's tears at naught, I met Sugriva and we fought. Rama, till this fatal morn 1 held that thou wouldst surely scont To strike me as I fought my foe And thought not of a stranger's blow. But now thine evil heart is shown, A yawning well with grass o'ergrown. Thou wearest virtue's badge, ' but guile- And meanest sin thy soul defile. I took thee not for treacherous fire, A sinner clad in saint's attire ; Nor deemed thou idly wouldst profess^ The show and garb of righteousness. In fenced town, in open land, Ne'er hast thou suffered at this hand, Nor canst of proud contempt complain : Then wherefore is the guiltless slain ? My harmless life in woods I lead, On forest fruits and roots I feed. My foeman in the field I sought. And ne'er with thee, R£ma, fought. ■ The ascetic's dxess wbicli he ivore during his esile. . She clasped him in a dose embrace,. Laid her soft lips upon his head ; Then words like these the mourner said ; 'No. words of mine wouldst thou regard,. And now thy bed is cold and hard, Upon the rude rough ground o'erthrown,. Beneath thee naught but sand and stone. To thee the. earth is dearer far Than I and my caresses are. If thou upon her breast wilt lie> And t& my words make no reply.. Ah nty beloved,, gpodt and brave. Bold to attack and strong to save,. Fate is Sugriva's thrall,, and we In him. our lord and master see. Lo„ by thy bed, a moumfal band. Thy Vanar chip's lamenting stand'.. O hear thy nobles' groans and cries,, O mark thy Angad's weeping eyes, O list to my entreaties,. breaJi The chains of slumber and awake. Ah me, my lord,, this lowly bed Where rest thy limbs and fallen head. Is the cold couch where smitten lay Thy foemen in the bloody fray. Boble heart from blemish free-^ Cmto XXIII. THE EAMAYAN. 121 Lover of war, beloved by me. Why hast thou fled away and left Thy Tar^ of all hope bereft ? Unwise the father who allows His child to be a warrior's spouse. For, hero, see thy consort's fate, A widow now most desolate. For ever broken is my pride. My hope of lasting bliss has died, And sinking in the lowest deep Of sorrow's sea I pine and weep. Ah, surely not of earthly mould. This stony heart is stem and cold. Or, in a hundred pieces rent. It had not lingered to lament. Dead, dead ! my husband, friend, and lord In whom my loving hopes were stored. First in the field, his foemen's dread, My own victorious Bali, dead ! A woman when her lord has died. Though children flourish by her side. Though stores of gold her coffers fill, Is called a lonely widow still. Alas, thy bleeding gashes make Around thy limbs a purple lake : Thus slumbering was thy wont to lie On cushions bright with crimson dye. Dark streams of welling blood besmear Thy limbs where dust and mire adhere. Nor have I strength, weighed down by woe, Mine arms about thy form to throw. The issue of this day has brought Sugriva all his wishes sought. For Rima shot one shaft and he 122 THE RAMAYAN. Book IV. Is freed from fear and jeopardy. Alas, alas, I may not rest My head upon thy wounded breast, Obstructed by the massive dart Deep buried in thy bleeding heart.* Then Nila from his bosom drew The fatal shaft that pierced him through, Like some tremendous serpent deep In caverns of a hill asleep. As from the hero's wound it came, Shot from the shaft a gleam of flame. Like the last flashes of the sun Descending when his course is run. From the wide rent in crimson flood Rushed the full stream of Bali's blood, Like torrents down a mountain's side With golden ore and copper dyed. Then T^ra brushed with tender care The dust of battle from his hair, While her sad eyes poured down their rain Upon her lord untimely slain. Once more she looked upon the dead ; Then to her bright-eyed child she said : ' Turn hither, turn thy weeping eyes Where low in death thy father lies. By sinful deed and bitter hate Our lord has met his mournful fate. Bright as the sun at early morn To Yama's halls is Bali borne. Then go, my child, salute the king. From whom our bliss and honour spring.' Obedient to his mother's best His father's feet he gently pressed With twining arms and lingering hands : Canto XXIll THE RAM AY AN. 123 ' Father', lie cried, ' here Angad stands.* Then Tara : 'Art thou stem and mute, Regardless of thy child's salute ? Hast thou no blessing for thy son, No word for little Angad, none ? hero, at thy lifeless feet Here with my boy I take my seat, As some sad mother of the herd, By the fierce lion undeterred, Jjies moaning by the grassy dell Wherein her lord and leader fell. How, having wrought that awful rite. The sacrifice of deadly fight, Wherein the shaft by Rama sped Supplied the place of water shed. How hast thou bathed thee at the end Without thy wife her aid to lend ? ' Why do mine eyes no more behold Thy bright beloved chain of gold,' Which, pleased with thee, the Immortals' King About thy neck vouchsafed to fling ? Still lingering on thy lifeless face 1 see the pride of royal race : Tbus when the sun has set, his glow Still rests upon the Lord of Snow. Alas my hero ! undeterred Thou wouldst not listen to my word. With tears and prayers I sued in vain : Thou wouldst not listen, and art slain. Gone is my bliss, my glory : I And Angad now with thee will die.' ' Sacrifices and all religious rites begin and end with ablution, and the wife of the officiating Brahman takes an important part in the per- formance of the holy ceremouies. 124 CANTO XXIV. SUGEIVA'S LAMENT: But when Sugriva saw her weep. O'erwhelmed in sorrow's rushing deep. Swift through his boso-m pierced the sting; Of anguish ifor the fallen king. At the sad sight his eyes beheld A flood of bitter tears outwelled, And, with his bosom racked and rent. To Eima with his train he went. He came with faltering steps and slow Where Edma held his mighty bow, And arrow like a. venomed snake. And to the son of Raghu spake : ' Well hast thou kept, King, thy vow ; The promised fruit is gathered now. But life is marred, my soul to-day • Turns sickening from all joy away. For, while this queen laments and sighs Amid a mourning people's cries. And Angad weeps his father slain. How can my heart delight to reign ? For outrage, fury, senseless pride. My brother, doomed of yore, has died.. Yet, Raghu's son, in bitter woe I mourn his fated overthrow. Ah, better far in pain and ill To dwell on Rishyamuka still Than gain the heaven of Gods and alt ^nto XXIV. THE RJ^MJYJN. 125 Its pleasures by my brother's fall. Did not he cry, — great-hearted foe,— « ' Go, for I will not slay thee. Go' ? With his brave soul those words agree : My speech, my deeds, are worthy me. How can a brother counterweigh His grievous loss with joys of sway, And see with dull unpitying eye So brave and good a brother die ? His lofty soul was nobly blind : My death alas, he ne'er designed ; But I, urged blindly on by hate, Sought with his life my rage to sate. He smote me with a splintered tree : I groaned aloud and turned to flee. From stem reproaches he forbore, And gently bade me sin no more. Serene and dutiful and good, He kept the laws of brotherhood : I, fierce and greedy, vengeful, base. Showed all the vices of our race. Ah me, dear friend, my brother's fate Lays on my soul a crushing weight : A sin no heairt should e'er conceive. But at the thought each soul should grieve : Sin such as Indra's when his blow Laid heavenly Vilvariipa ' low. Yet earth, the waters of the seas. The race of women and the trees Were fain upon themselves to take The weight of sin for Indra's sake. But who a Vanar's soul will free, Or ease the load that crushes me ? ' Visvarupa, ason of Twashtri or Vlsvakarma the heavenly architect, was a three-headed monster slain by Indra, 126 THE RjfMAYAN. Book IV. Wretch ttat I am, I may not claim The reverence due to royal name. How shall I reign supreme, or dare Affect the power I should not share ? Ah me, I sorrow for my sin, The ruin of my race and kin. Polluted by a hideous crime World-hated till the end of time:, Alas, the floods of sorrow roll With whelming force upon my soUl s " So gathers the descending rain In the deep hollow of the plain/ 127 CANTO XXV. bIma's speech. Then Raghu's son, whose feeling breast Shared the great woe that moved the rest. Strove with wise charm their grief to ease. And gently spoke in jirords like these : ' You ne'er can raise the dead to bliss By agony of grief like this. Cease your lament, nor leave undone The funeral task you may not shun. As nature orders o'er the dead Your tributary tears are shed. But Fate, directing each event. Is still the lord preeminent. Yes, all obey the changeless laws Of Fate the universal cause. By Fate, the lives of all proceed. That governs every word and deed. None acts, none sees his best obeyed, But each and all by Fate are swayed. The world its ordered course maintains, And o'er that course Fate ever reigns. Fate ne'er exceeds the rule of Fate : Is ne'er too swift, is ne'er too late. And making nature its ally Forgets no life, nor passes by. No kith and kin, no power and force Can check or stay its settled course. No friend or client, grace or charm. 128 THE RAMjCFAN. Book IV. That victor of the world disarm. So all who see with prudent eyes The hand of Fate must recognize, For virtue rules, or love, or gain, > As Fate's unchanged decrees ordain. Bali has died and won the meed That waits in heaven on noble deed. Throned in the seats the brave may reach By liberal hand and gentle speech. True to a warrior's duty, bold In fight, the hero lofty-souled Deigned not io guard his life : he died. And now in heaven is glorified. Then cease these tears and wild despair : Turn to the task that claims your care. For Bali's is the glorious fate Which warriors count most fortunate.' When Rdma's speech had found a close Brave Lakshman, terror of his foes. With wise and soothing words addressed Sugriva stUl with woe oppressed : ' Arise Sugriva,' thus he said, ' Perform the service of the dead. Prepare with Tara and her son That Bali's rites be duly done. A store of funeral wood provide Which wind and sun aM time have dried. And richest sandal fit to grace The pyre of one of royal race. With words of comfort soft and kind Console poor Angad's troubled mind. Nor let thy heart be thus cast down. For thine is now the VAnars' town. Let Angad's care a wreath supply. And raiment rich with varied dye. Canto XXV. THE RAMjTYAN. 129 And oil and perfumes for the fire, And all the solemn rites require. Go, hasten to the town, King, And T&a's litter quickly bring. A virtue is despatch : and speed Is best of all in hour of need. Go, let a chosen band prepare The litter of the dead to bear. For stout and tall and strong of limb Must be the chiefs who carry him.' He spoke, — his friends' delight and pride, — Then stood again by Rama's side. When Tdra ' heard the words he said Within the town he quickly sped. And brought, on stalwart shoulders laid, The litter for the rites arrayed. Framed like a car for Gods, complete With painted sides and royal seat. With latticed windows deftly made, And golden birds and trees inlaid : Well joined and wrought in every part, A marvel of ingenious art, Where pleasure mounds in carven wood And many a graven figure stood. The best of jewels o'er it hung, And wreaths of flowers around it clung. And over all was raised on high A canopy of saffron dye. While like the sun of morning shone The brilliant blooms that lay thereon. That glorious litter Rama eyed. And spake to Lakshma^ by his side : ' Let Bali on the bier be placed ■ The Vanar chief, not to be confouaded with T^ra. I 130 THE R^MjtVAN. Book IV. And with all funeral service graced.' Sugriva then with many a tear Drew Bffi's body to the bier Whereon, with weeping Angad's aid^ The relics of the chief were laid Neath many a vesture's varied fold. And wreaths and ornaments and gold. Then King Sugriva bade them speed The obsequies by law decreed : ' Let Vanars lead the way and throw Rich gems around them as they gOj And be the chosen bearers near Behind them laden with the bier. No costly rite may you deny, Used when the proudest monarchs die : As for a king of widest sway. Perform his obsequies to-day.' Sugriva gave his high behest ; Then princely Tdra and the rest. With little Angad weeping, led The long procession of the dead. Behind the funeral litter came. With Tara first, each widowed dame. In tears and shrieks her loss deplored, And cried aloud. My lord ! My lord ! While wood and hill and valley sent In echoes back the shrill lament. Then on a low and sandy isle Was reared the hero's funeral pile By crowds of toiling Vanars, where The mountain stream ran fresh and fair. The V^nar chiefs, a noble band^ Had laid the litter on the sand. And stood a little space apart^ Cunto.XXV: THE R'^MJ^YAm 181' Each mourning in his inmost' heart. But Tara, when. her weeping eye Saw, B^li. on the litter lie, Laidc his dear head upon her lap, And. wailed aloud .herdire mishap : '0 mighty Vanar, lord and king/ T,6 whose- fond- hreast I loved ito- cling, Of goodly arms, wise, bmve, and bold. Rise, look upon me as of. oldi Rise up/.my sovereign, dost thou^see A crowd of subjects weep for- thee ? Still o'-er thy face, thoi.^h breath basiled; The joyous light of life is spread : Thus round, the sun, aithough he set, A. crimson, glory lingers, yet. Death, clad in..Rama!s form to-day Has dragged.. thee from.vthe world, away, Qne shaft from. his tremendous bow. Dooms us to widowhood and. woe. Hast. thou, .0 .Vanar. King, no. ayes . Thy weeping wives to recognize. Who -for the length..of way unmeet Have followed thee with weary feet ? ; Yet every moon-faoed .beauty; here By thee, Baihg, was counted dear.. Lord :of the V&nar raee,- hasfethou, No ieyes to see -Sugnva now ? About thee -stands in,mournf\ll moodS A sore-afflicted multitude. And Tdra- and: thy. lords- of state ■ ATOund their/monarch'.weep and waife. Arise my lord, with geatle speech, As was thy wont, dismissing, each> Then in. the forest will we play. 132 TBE RAMAYAN. Booh IV. And love shall make our spirits gay.' The Vanar dames raised TdrS., drowned In floods of sorrow, from the ground ; And Angad with Sugriva's aid, O'erwhelmed with anguish and dismayed, Weeping for his departed sire. Placed Bali's body on the pyre ; Then lit the flame, and round the dead Passed slowly with a mourner's tread. Thus with full rites the funeral train Performed the service for the slia.in, Then sought the flowing stream and made Libations to the parted shade. There, setting Angad first in place. The chieftains of the Vanar race, With Tara and Sugriva, shed The water that delights the dead. 133 CANTO XXVI. THE CORONATIOi^. Each Vdnar cotlncillor and peer In crowded numbers gathered near Sugriva, mournful king, while yet His vesture from the wave was wet. Before the chief of Eaghu's seed Unwearied in each arduous deed, They stood and raised the reverent hand, As saints before Lord Brahma stand. Then Hanuman of massive mould. Like some tall hill of glistering gold. Son of the God whose wild blasts shake The forest, thus to Rama spake : ' By thy kind favour, my lord, Sugriva, to his home restored Triumphant, has regained to-day His rank and power and royal sway. He now will call each faithful friend, Enter the city, and attend With sage advice and prudent care To every task that waits him there. Then balm and unguent shall anoint Our monarch, as the laws appoint, And gems and precious wreaths shall be His grateful o£fering, King, to thee. Do thou, Rama, with thy friend Thy steps within the city bend ; Our ruler on his throne install. t3'4. WEE RAMAYAW. Book IV. •And yfiih ihypreaenue cheer us all.' Then, skilled in lore mfl arts thsit guide "The spes^ser, Haghu's son replied : "For fourteen years I'jui^tntft'break The manSstte that my father spake ; NoT'cantjI, till tha* time be fled, The Street ef town or village tread. Let.Kiijg^ugrrva seek the town Most worthy of her higb renown, There let Isim be without delay .AnoiH*ed, anS begin his sway.' This aaaswered, to Sugrivathen Thus spafee anew the king of men : ' Do tbou 'who knowest right ordain Prince Angad consort of thy reign ; For lie is ;noble, true, and bold. And 'trained a righteous course to hold. Crifts llike 'iiis sire's that, youth adorn Born ddesit to the eldest bom. This is •■(She monlfe 'of Sr^van,' first « Of those tShat see the rain-clouds burst. Four months, thou knowest well, extends The season when the rain descends. ' No time for -deeds of war is this : Seek' thou thy fair metropolis. And I with Lakshman, O.my friend, The time upoa this hill will spend. An ample cavern opens there Made lovely by the mountain air. And lotuses and lilies fill ' &^van : Jnly-August. But the rains begin a month earlier, and trhat follcms m'Bst not be taken literally. The test has : pirvo' yam mrshiio mdsah Sravanah salildgamah. The Bengal recension has the tame, and Gorresio translates : ' E questo il aaese Si^vana (luglio-agoi- io\ primo della atagione pioTosit, in cui dilagano le acque.' Canto XXVI. THE R^fUAYAN. 135 The pleasant lake and murmuring rill. When Kdrtik's ' month shall clear the skies, Then tempt the mighty enterprise. Now, chieftain, to thy home repair. And be anointed sovereign there.' Sugriva heard : he bowed his head : Within the lovely town he sped Which Bali's royal will had swayed. Where thousand Vanar chiefs arrayed Gathered in order round their king. And led him on with welcoming. Low on the earth the lesser crowd Fell in prostration as they bowed. Sugriva looked with grateful eyes. Spake to them all and bade them rise. Then through the royal bowers he strode Wherein the monarch's wives abode. Soon from the inner chambers came The V^nar of exalted fame ; And joyful/riends drew near and shed King-making balm upon his head. Like Gods anointing in the skies Their sovereign of the thousand eyes. ' Then brought they, o'er their king to hold, The white umbrella decked with gold. And chouries with their waving hair In golden handles wondrous fair ; And fragrant herbs and seed and spice, And sparkling gems exceeding price. And every bloom from woods and leas, ' KsCrtik : October-November. ' " Indras, aa the nocturnal sun, hides himself, transformed, in the starry heavens : the stars are his eyes. The hundred-eyed or all-seeing (panoptds) Argos placed as a spy over the actions of the cow beloved by Zeus, is the Hellenic equivalent of this form of Indras," Ds GuBER- KATIS, Zoological Mythology, Vol. I. p. 118, 136 THE R/(MAYAN. Book IV, And gum distilled from milky trees ; And precious ointment white as milk. And spotless robes of cloth and silk, Wreaths of sweet flowers whose glories gleam In grassy grove, on lake or stream, And fragrant sandal and each scent That makes the soft breeze redolent ; Grain, honey, odbrous seed, and stare Of oil and curd and golden ore ; A noble tiger's skin, a pair Of sandals wrought with costliest care. Eight pairs of damsels drawing nigh Brought unguents stained with varied dye. Then gems and cates and robes displayed Before the twice-born priests were laid. That they would deign in order due , To consecrate the king anew. The sacred grass was duly spread And sacrificial flame was fed. Which Scriptur€j-leamed priests supplied With oil which texts had sanctified. Then, with all rites ordained of old. High on the terrace bright with gold. Whereon a glorious carpet lay. And fresh-culled garlands sweet and gay. Placed on his throne, Sugiiva bent His looks toward the Orient. In horns from forehead of the bull. In pitchers bright and beautiful. In urns of gold the Vanars took Pure water brought from stream and brook. From every consecrated strand And every sea that beats the land. Then, as prescribed by sacred lore Canto XXVI. THE RAMAYAN. 137 And many a mighty sage of yore, ' The leaders of the Vanars poured The sacred water on their lord. ' From every V^nar at the close Of that imperial rite arose Shouts of glad triumph, loud and long Repeated by the high-souled throng. Sugriva, when the rite was done, Obeyed the best of Raghu's son, Prince Angad to his breast he strained. And partner of his sway ordained. Once more from all the host rang out The loud huzza and joyful shout. ' Well done ! well done 1 ' each Vanar cried. And good Sugriva glorified. Then with glad voices loudly raised Were Rama and his brother praised ; And bright Kishkindha shone that day With happy throngs and banners gay. ■ Baudh^yana and othera. ' Sugriva appears to have been consecrated with all the ceremonies that attended the Ahhiaheha or coronation of an Indian prince of th^ Aryan race. Compare the preparations made for Rama's consecration. Book II. Canto III. Thus Homer frequently introduces into Troy the rites of Hellenic worship. 138 CANTO XXYII. rAma on the hill. But when the solemn rite was o'er, And bold Sugriv^, reigned once more. The sons of Raghu sought the hill, Prasravan of the rushing rill. Where roamed the tiger and the deej, And lions raised their voice of fear ; Thick set with trees of every kind, With trailing shrubs and plants entwined ; Home of the ape and monkey, lair Of mountam cat and pard and bear. In cloudy gloom against the sky The sanctifying hills rose, high. Pierced in their crest, a spacious cave To Raghu's sons a shelter gave. Then Rama, pure from every crime. In words well suited to the time To Lakshman spake, whose faithful zeal Watched humbly for his brother's weal : ' I love this spacious cavern where There breathes a fresh and pleasant air. Brave brother, let us here remain Throughout the season of the rain. For in mine eyes this mountain crest Is, above all, the loveliest. Where copper-hued and black and white Show the huge blocks that face the height ; Where gleams the shine of varied ore, Canto XXV 11. THE RjfMAYAN. 139 Where dark clouds hang and toiTents roar ; Where waving woods are fair to see, And creepers climb from tree to tree ; Where the gay peacock's voice is shrill, And sweet birds carol on the hill ; Where odorous breath is wafted far From Jessamine and Siaduviir ; ' And opening flowers of every hue Give wondrous beauty to the view. See, too, this pleasant water near Our •cavern home is fresh and clear ; And lilies gay with flower and bud Are glorious on the lovely flood. This cave that faces north and east Will shelter us till rain has ceased ; And towering hills that rise behind Will screen us from the furious wind. Close by the cavern's portal lies A level stone of ample size And sable hue, a mighty block Long severed from the parent rock. Now let thine eye bent northward rest A while upon that mountain crest. High as a cloud that brings the rain. And dark as iron rent in twain. Look southward, brother, now and view A cloudy pile of paler hue Like Mount Kail^sa's topmost height Where ores of every tint are bright. See, Lakshmaij, see before our cave That clear brook eastward roll its wave As though 'twere Ganga's infant rill Down streaming from the three-peaked hill. ' Vitex Negundo. 140 THE R^M^YAS. Book IV, See, by the water's gentle flow Aioka,, sal, and sandal grow, And every lovely tree most fair With leaf and bud and flower is thete. See where, beneath the bending trees That fringe her bank, the river flees, Clothed with their beauty like a maid In all her robes and gems arrayed, While from the sedgy banks are heard The soft notes of each amorous bird, see what lovely islets stud Like gems the bosom of the flood, And sarases and 'wild swans crowd About her till she laughs aloud. See, lotus blooms the brook o'erspread, Some tender blue, some dazzling red, And opening lilies white as snow Their buds in rich profusion show. There rings the joyous peacock's scream, There stands the curlew by the stream, And holy hermits love to throng Where the sweet waters speed along. Hanged on the grassy margin shine Gay sandal trees in glittering line. And all the wondrous verdure seems The offspring of creative dreams. O conquering Prince, there cannot be] A lovelier place than this we see. Here sheltered on the beauteous height Our days will pass in calm delight. Nor is Kishkindh^'s city, gay With grove and garden, far away. Thence will the breeze of evening bring Sweet music as the minstrels sing ; Canto XXVII. THE RAMAYAN. 141 And, when the VSnars dance, will come The sound of tabour and of dram. Again to spouse and realm restored, Girt by his friends, the V^nar lord Great glory has acquired ; and how Can he be less than happy now ? ' This said, the son of Eaghu made His dwelling in that pleasant shade Upon the mountain's shelving side That sweetly all his wants supplied. But still the hero's troubled mind No comfort in his woe could find. Yet mourning for his stolen wife Dearer to Rama than his life. Chief when he saw the Lord of Night Rise slowly o'er the eastern height. He tossed upon his leafy bed With eyes by sleep unvisited. Outwelled the tears in ceaseless flow, And every sense was numbed by woe. Each pang that pierced the mourner through Smote Lakshman's faithful bosom too, Who, troubled for his brother's sake, With wisest words the prince bespake : ' Arise, my brother, and be strong : Thy hero heart has mourned too long. Thou knowest well that tears and sighs Will mar the niightiest enterprise. Thine was the soul that loved to dare : To serve the Gods was still thy care ; And ne'er may sorrow's sting subdue A heart so resolute and true. How canst thou hope to slay in fight The giant cruel in his might I 142 THE RAMAYA.N.. Booh IV, Umwearied must the champion be Who strives with such a foe as he. Tear out this sosrow by the root :. Again be bold and resolute; Arise, my brother, and subdue The demoa and his wicked crew. Thou, canst destroy the earth, her seas, Her rooted hills andi giant trees Unseaited hy thy furious- hand : And shall on© fiend, thy power withstand.?' Wait throwgh this season of the rain Till SUBS of autumn dry the plain, Then shall thy giant foe, ahdi all His host and realm, before thee fall. I wake thy valour that has slept , Amid the tears thine eyes have wept ; As drops of oil in worship raise The dormant flame to sudden blaze.' The son of Raghn heard : he knew- His brother's rede was wise and. true ; And, honouring his friendly guidle, In gentle words he thus replied :• ' Wiate'er a hero firm and bold, Devoted, true, and lofty-souled Should speak by deep affection led; Such are the words which thou hast saidC I cast away each pensive thought That brings the noblest plans to naught. And each uninjured power will strain. Until the purposed end we gain. Thy prudent words will I obey, And till the close of rain-time stay. When King Sugriva will invite To action, and the streams be brighfe Canto XXVn. THE RAMAYAN. 143 The hero saved in hour of need Repays the debt with friendly deed : But hated by the good are they Who take the boon and ne'er repay.' CANTO XXVIII. TEH MAINS. ' See, brotber, see ' thus Rama cried On Malyavat's ' dark-wooded side, • A chain of clouds, like lofty hills. The sky with gathering shadow fills. Nine months those clouds have borne the load Conceived from sunbeams as they glowed. And, having drunk the seas, give birth. And drop their offspring on the earth. Easy it seems at such a time That flight of cloudy stairs to climb. And, from their summit, safely won. Hang flowery wreaths about the sun. See how the flash of evening's red Fringes the fleecy clouds o'erhead Till all the sky is streaked and lined With bleeding wounds incarnadined. Or the wide firmament above Shows like a lover sick with love. And, pale with cloudlets, heaves a sigh In the soft breeze that wanders by. See, by the fervent heat embrowned. Now drenched with recent showers, the ground Pours out in floods her gushing tears, ' Mflyavat. " The name of this mountain appears to me to be erroneous, and I think ,that instead of Mfjlyavat should be read Malaya- vat. Malaya is a group of mountains situated exactly in that southern part of India where Bama now was : while M^lyavat is placed to the north-east." Qoeresio. Canto XXV 11 1. THE RAMAYAN. 145 Like Sitd wild with torturing fears. So softly blows this cloud-born breeze Cool through the boughs of camphor trees That one might hold it in the cup Of hollowed hands and drink it up. See, brother, where that roeky steep. Where odorous shrubs in rain-drops weep, Shows like Sugriva when they shed The royal balm upon his head. Like students at their task appear Those hills whose misty peaks are near : Black deerskin ' garments wrought of cloud Their forms with fitting mantles shroud ; Each torrent from the summit poured Supplies the place of sacred cord ; ' And winds that in their caverns moan Sound like the voice's undertone. * From east to west red lightnings flash, And, quivering neath the golden lash. The great sky like a generous steed Groans inly at each call to speed. Yon lightning, as it flashes through The giant cloud of sable hue, Recalls my votaress Sita pressed Mid struggles to the demon's breast. See, on those mountain ridges stand Sweet shrubs that bud and bloom expand. The soft rain ends their pangs of grief. And drops its pearls on flower and leaf But all their raptures stab me through ' Mantles of the skin of the black antelope were the prescribed dress of ascetics and religious students. ' The sacred cord worn as the badge of religious initiation by men of the three twice-born castes. ' The hum with which students con their tasks, J 146 THE RAMAYAN. Book IV. And wake my pining love anew. ' Now through the air no wild bird flies. Each lily shuts her weary eyes ; And blooms of opening jasmin show The parting sun has ceased to glow. No captain now for. cotiquest burns, But homeward with his host returns ; For roads and kings' ambitious dreams Have vanished neath descending streams;, This is the watery month ' wherein The Saman's' sacred chants begin. Ashadha • past, now Kosal's lord ° The harvest of the spring has stored, * And dwells within his palace freed From every care of pressing need. Full is the moon, and fierce and strong Impetuous Sarju ' roars along As though Ayodhya's crowds ran out To greet their king with echoing shout. In this sweet time of ease and rest No care disturbs Sugriva's breast, ' I omit here a long general description o{ the rainy season Krhioh is not found in the Bengal reognsion and appears to have been inter- polated by a far inferior and much later hand than V^lmtki's. It is composed in a metre different fronx that of the rest of the Cstato, and contains figures of poetical rhetoric an^ comivon-place^ vhich are the delight of more recent poets. ^ Prauahthapada or Bhadra, the modern BMdoB, corresponds to half of August and half of September. ° The Saman or Sama-veda, the third of the four Vedas, is really merely a reproduction of parts of the Rig veda, transposed and scat- tered about piece-meal, only T8 verses in the whole being, it is said, untraceable to tlie present recension of the Rig-veda. * Ash^dha is the month corresponding to parts of June and July, ' Bharat; who was regept during Rama's absence. * Or with Qorresio, following the gloss of another commentary, *( Has completed every holy rite and accumulated stores oi merit." ' The river on which Ayodhyi! was built. Canto XXVnii TtHE R^UAYAN. Ul The-foe that marred his peace o'erthrown, , And. queen. and realm, once more his own.. Alas, a harder fate is mine, Reft both of realm and queen to pine, Ajid, like the bank which floods erode, . I, sink beneath my sorrow's load- Sore on,-.my soul my miseries weigh. And these- long rains our action, stay, . Wiiile -Rivan seems, a mightier foe Than I dare hope to . overthrow. I saw thfrroads were barred by rain, I knew the hopes of war were vain ; Nor could I, bid Sugriva rise, Though prompt to aid my enterprise. E'en now I scarce, can urge my friend. On whom his house and. realm. depend, . Who, after toil and peril past. Is happy with his queen at last. Sugriva after, rest will know Tie hour is. come to. strike the blow,. Nor will his;grateful soul forget My succour, or, deny the debt. l;know his generous heart, and' hence ■ Await* the time with, confidence When he his friendly zeal will show, And brooks again untroubled flow.' ' , ' I omit a iloka or four lines on gratitude and ingratitude repeated need (for word from the last Canto. 148 CANTO XXIX. hanumAn'S counsel. No flash of lightnibg lit the sky. No cloudlet marred the blue, on high. The Saras ' missed the welcome rain. The moon's full beams were bright again, Sugriva, lapped in bliss, forgot The claims of faith, or heeded not ; And by alluring joys misled The path of falsehood learned to tread. In careless ease he passed each hour, And dallied in his lady's bower : Each longing of his heart was stilled. And every lofty hope fulfilled. With royal Rumd by his side, Or Tarfi yet a dearer bride, He spent each joyous day and night In revelry and wild delight, Like Indra whom the nymphs entice To taste the joys of Paradise. The power to courtiers ' hands resigned, To all their acts his eyes were blind. All doubt, alLfear he cast aside And lived with pleasure for his guide. But sage Hanunaan, firm and true, Whose heart the lore of Scripture knew. Well trained to meet occasion, trained In, all by duty's law ordained, I The Indian ocaue; a magnificent bird, easily domesticated. Cmto XXll. TRM RJ^MJTAN, 149 Strove with his prudent speech to find Soft access to the monarch's mind. He, skilled in every gentle art Of eloquence that wins the heart, Sugrlva from his trance to Wake, His salutary counsel spake : ' The realm is won, thy name advanced, The glory of thy house enhanced. And now thy foremost care should be To aid the friends who succoured thee. He who is firm and faithful found To friendly ties in honour bound. Will see his name and fame increase And his blest kingdom thrive in peace. Wide sway is his who truly boasts That friends and treasure, self and hosts, All blent in one harmonious whole, Are subject to his firm control. Do thou, whose footsteps never stray From the clear bounds of duty's way, Assist, as honour bids thee, now Thy friends, observant of thy vow. For if all cares we lay not by, And to our friend's assistance fly, We, after, toil in idle haste. And all the late endeavour waste. Up ! nor the promised help delay Until the hour have slipped away. Up ! and with Raghu's son renew The search for Sitd lost to view. The hour is come : he hears the call, But not on thee reproaches fall From him who labours to repress His eager spirit's restlessness. ISO THE RAM AY AN. Booh IV. Long joined to thee in friendly ties He made thy fame and fortune rise, In gentle gifts by none excelled, •In splendid might unparalleled. Up, to his succour, King I repay The favour of that prosperous day, And to thy bratvest captains send Prompt mandates to assist thy friend. The cry for help thou wilt not spurn -Although HO grace demands return : -And wilt thou not thine aid afford To him "who realm and life restored ? iJxert thy power, and thou hast won The love ef Da^afratha's son : And wilt thou for his summons wait. And, till 'he call -thee, hesitate ? Think not the, hero needs thy power To save him in the desperate hour-: He with his arrows -eould subdue The Gods and all the demon crew. And only waits that he may see Redeemed the promise made by thee. For thee he risked his life and fought. For thee that great deliverance wrought. Then let us trace through earth and skies His lady wheresoe'er she lies. Through realms above, beneath, we flee. And plant our footsteps on the sea. Then why, Lord of Vanars, still Delay us waiting for thy will ? Give thy commands, King, and say What task has each, and where the way. Before thee myriad Vanars stand To sweep through heaven, o'er seas and land.' Canto XXIX. THE R^MAYAN. 151 Sugriva heard the timely rede That roused him in the day of need, And thus to Nila prompt and brave His hest the imperial Vanar gave : ' Go, Nila, to the distant hosts That keep in arms their several posts, And all the armies that protect The quarters, ' with their chiefs, collect. To all the limitaries placed In intermediate regions, haste. And bid each Captain rise and lead His squadrons to their king with speed. Do thou meanwhile with strictest care All that the time requires prepare. The loitering V£nar who delays To gather here ere thrice five days, Shall surely die for his offence. Condemned for sinful negligence.' ' The troops who guard the frontiers on the north, south, east, and west. 152 CANTO XXX, rIma'S lament. But Rama in the auttimn night Stood musing on the mountain height,. While grief and love that scorned control Shook with wild storms the hero's soul. Clear was the sky, without a cloud The glory of the moon to shroud, And bright with purest silver shone Each hill the soft beams looked upon. He knew Sugriva's heart was bent On pleasure, gay and negligent. He thought on Janak's child forlorn From his fond arms for ever torn. He mourned occasion slipping by. And -faint with anguish heaved each sigh. He sat where many a varied streak Of rich ore marked the mountain peak. He raised his eyes the sky to view. And to his love his sad thoughts flew. He heard the S^ras cry, and faint With sorrow poured his love-bom plaint ', ' She, she who mocked the softest tone Of wild birds' voices with her own, — Where strays she now, my love who played So happy in our hermit shade ? How can my absent love behold The bright trees with their flowers of gold. And all their gleaming glory see Canto XXX. THE RAMAYAN. 153 With eyes that vainly look for me ? How is it with my darling when From the deep tangles of the glen Float carols of each bird elate With rapture singing to his mate ? In vain my weary glances rove From lake to hill, from stream to grove ; I find no rapture in the scene, And languish for my fawn-eyed queen. Ah, does strong love with wild unrest, Bom of the autumn, stir her breast ? And does the gentle lady pine Till her bright eyes shall look in mine ? ' Thus Raghu's son in piteous tone, O'erwhelmed with sorrow, made his moan. E'en as the bird that drinks the rains ' To Indra thousand-eyed complains., Then Lakshman who had wandered through The copses where the berries grew. Returning to the cavern found His brother chief in sorrow drowned. And pitying the woes that broke The spirit of the hero spoke : ' Why cast thy strength of soul away. And weakly yield to passion's sway ? Arise, my brother, do and dare Ere action perish in despair. Recall the firmness of thy heart, And nerve thee for a hero's part. Whose is the hand unscathed to seize The red flame quickened by the breeze ? Where is the foe will dare to wrong Or keep the Maithil lady long ? ' ' The ChiEtaka, Cucuhis Melanolencus, ia supposed to drink nothing but the water of the clouds. 154 THE RAM AY AN. Book IV. Then with pale lips that sorrow dried The son of Raghu thus replied : ' Lord Indra thousand-eyed has sent The sweet rain from the firmament. Sees the rich promise of the grain. And turns him to his rest again. The clouds with voices loud and deep, Veiling each tree upon the steep. Upon the thirsty earth have shed Their precious burthen, and are fled. Now in kings' hearts ambition glows : They rush to battle with their foes ; ' But in Sugriva's sloth I see No care for deeds of chivalry. See, Lakshman, on each breezy height A thousand autumn blooms are bright. See how the wings of wild swans gleam On every islet of the stream. Four months of flood and rain are past : A hundred years they seemed to last , To me whom toil and trouble tried, My Sita severed from my side. She, gentlest woman, weak and young. Still to her lord unwearied clung. Still by the exile's side she stood In the wild ways of Dan dak wood. Like a fond bird disconsolate If parted from her darling mate. Sugriva, lapped in soft repose, Untouched by pity for my woes, Scorns the poor exile, dispossessed, By Hdvan's mightier arm oppressed. The wretch who comes to sue and pray ' The time for warlike expeditions began when the rains had ceased. Canto XXX. THE RAM AY AN. 155 From his lost kingdom far away. Hence falls on me the Vanar's scorn, A suitor friendless and forlorn. The time is come : with heedless eye He sees the hour of action fly, — Unmindful, now his hopes succeed, Of promise made in stress of need. Cro seek him sunk in bliss and sloth, Forgetful of his royal oath, And as mine envoy thus upbraid The monarch for his help delayed : ' Vile is the wretch who will not pay The favour of an earlier day, Hope in the suppliant's breast awakes, And then his plighted promise breaks. Noblest, mid all of women born. Who keeps the words his lips have sworn, — Yea, if those words be good or ill. Maintains his faith unbroken still. The thankless who forget to aid The friend who helped them when they prayed. Dishonoured in their death shall lie. And dogs shall pass their corpses by. Sure thou wouldat see my strained arm hold My bow of battle backed with gold, Wouldst gaze upon its awful form Like lightning flashing through the storm, And hear the clanging bowstring loud As thunder from a labouring cloud.' His valour and his strength I know, But pleasure's sway now sinks them low. With thee, my brother, for ally. That strength and valour I defy. He promised, when the rains should end. 156 TSE R^MAYAN. Book IV. The succour of his arm to lend. Those months are past : he dares forget, And, lapped in pleasure, slumbers yet. No thought disturbs his careless breast For us impatient and distressed, And, while we sadly wait and pine, Girt by his lords he quaffs the wine. Go, brother, go, his palace seek, And boldly to Sugriva speak. Thus give the listless king to know ,''!Vhat waits him if my anger glow : Still open, to the gloomy God, Lies the sad path that Bali trod. Still to thy plighted word be true. Lest thou, King, that path pursue. I launched the shaft I pointed well, AndBali, only Bili, fell. ' But, if from truth thou dare to stray. Both thee and thine this hand shall slay.* Thus be the Vanar king addressed, Then add thyself what seems the best,' 157 CANTO XXXI. THE ENVOY. Thus Eama spoke, and Lakshman then Made answer to the prince of men : ' Yea, if the Vd.nar, undeterred By fear of vengeance, break his word, Loss of his royal power ere long Shall pay the traitor for the wrong. Nor deem I him so void of sense To brave the bitter consequence. But if enslaved to joy he lie. And scorn thy grace with blinded eye. Then let him join his brother slain : Unmeet were such a wretch to reign. Quick rises, kindling in my breast. The wrath that will not be repressed, And bids me in my fury slay The breaker of his faith to-day. Let Bdli's son thy consort trace With bravest chiefs of VSnar race.' Thus spoke the hero, and aglow With rage of battle seized his bow. But Rdma thus in gentler mood With fitting words his speech renewed : ' No hero with a soul like thine , To paths of sin will e'er incline. He who his angry heart can tame Is worthiest of a hero's name. Not thine, my brother, be the part 158 TEE RAM AY AN. Book lY. So alien from thy tender heart, Nor let thy feet by wrath misled Forsake the path they loved to tread. From harsh and angry words abstain : With gentle speech a hearing gain, And tax Sugrlva with the crime Of failing faith and wasted time.' Then Lakshmap, bravest of the brave, Obeyed the best that Rama gave, To whom devoting every thought The Vanar's royal town he sought'. As Mandar's mountain heaves on high His curved peak soaring to the sky, So LakshmaQ showed, his dread bow bent Like Indra's ' in the firmament. His brother's wrath, his brother's woe Inflamed his soul to fiercest glow. The tallest trees to earth were cast As furious on his way he passed, And where he stepped, so fiercely fleet, - The stones were shivered by his feet. He reached Kishkindha's eity deep Embosomed where the hills were steep. Where street and open square were lined. With legions of the Vanar kind. Then,' as his lips with fury swelled. The lord of Raghu's line beheld A stream of V^nar chiefs outpoured To do obeisance to their lordj But when the mighty prince in view Of the thick-coming Vanars drew. They turned them in amaze to seiz& Crags of the rock and giant trees. ' The raiabow. Cmto XXXI. THE RJ^MAYAN. 159 He saw, and fiercer waxed his ire. As oil lends fury to the fire. Scarce had the Vanar chieftains seen That wrathful eye, that troubled mien Fierce as the God's who rules the dead. When, turned in wild affright, they fled. Speeding in breathless terror all Sought King Sugriva's council hall, And there made known their tale of fear. That Lakshmap, wild with rage, was near. The king, untroubled by alarms. Held Tard, in his amorous arms, And in the distant bower with her • Heard not each clamorous messenger. Then, summoned at the lords' behest. Forth from the city portals pressed, Each like some elephant or cloud. The Vdnars in a trembling crowd : Fierce warriors all, with massive jaws And terrors of their tiger claws. Some matched ten elephants, and some A hundred's strength could overcome. Some chieftains, mightier than the rest. Ten times a hundred's force possessed. With eyes of fury Lakshman viewed The Vanars' tree-armed multitude. Thus garrisoned from side to side The city walls assault defied. Beyond the moat that girt the wall Advanced the Vanar chiefs ; and all Upon the plain in. firm brigade, Impetuous warriors, stood arrayed. Red at the sight flashed Lakshman's eyes, His bosom heaved tumultuous sighs. 160 THE RAMAYAN. Booh IV. And forth the fire of fury broke Like flame that flashes through the smoke. Like some fierce snake the hero stood : His bow recalled the expanded hood, And in his shaft-head bright and keen The flickering of its tongue was seen : And in his own all-conqueriag might The venom of its deadly bite. Prince Angad marked his angry look. And every hope his heart forsook. Then, his large eyes with fury red. To Angad Lakshman turned and said : ' Go tell the king that Lakshman waits For audience at the city gates. Whose heart, tamer of thy foes. Is heavy with his brother's woes. Bid him to Rama's word attend. And ask if he will aid his friend. Go,/ let the king my message learn : Then hither with all speed return.' Prince Angad heard, and wild with gri«f Cried as he looked upon the chief : ' 'Tis Lakshman's self ; impelled by ire He seeks the city of my sire.' At the fierce words and furious look Of Raghu's son he quailed and shook. Back through the city gates he sped. And, laden with the tale of dread. Sought King Sugriva, filled his ears And Ruma s with his doubts and fears. To Rum^ and the kiug he bent; And clg,sped their feet most reverent. Clasped the dear feet of Tara, too. And told the startling tale anew. Canto XXXI. THE RAMA7AN. 161 But King Sugriva's ear was dulled, . By love and wine and Isunguor lulled, Nor did the words that Angad spake The slumberer from his trance awake. But soon as Baghu's son came nigh The startled Vdnars raised a cry. And strove to win his grace, while dread Each anxious heart disquieted. They saw, and, as they gathered round. Rose from the mighty throng a sound Like torrents when they downward dash, Or thunder with the lightniftg's flash. The shouting of the V£nars broke Sugriv9,'s slumber, and he woke : Still with the wine his eyes were red, His neck with flowers was garlanded. Boused at the voice of Angad came Two Vdnar lords of rank and fame ; One Yaksha, one Prabhava hight, — Wise counsellors of gain and right. They came and raised their voices high, And told that Raghu's son was nigh : ' Two brothers steadfast in their truth. Each glorious in the bloom of youth. Worthy of rule, have left the skies. And clothed their forms in men's disguise. One at thy gates, in warlike hands Holding his mighty weapon, stands. His message is the charioteer That brings the eager envoy near, Urged onward by his bold intent, And by the best of R^ma sent.' ' In a note on the corresponding passage in the Bengal recenqion Qorresio says : ' The text here makes use of a strange and something more than bold metaphor which I have sought to modify. The text K 162 THE RA'M^YAN. Book IV. The gathered Vanars saw and fled. And raised aloud their cry of dread. Son of Queen Tar^ Angad ran To parley with the godlike man. Still fieiy-eyed with rage and hate Stands Lakshman at the city gate, And trembling Vdnars scarce can fly Scathed by the lightning of his eye. Go with thy son, thy kith and kin. The favour of the jMince to win. And bow thy reverent head that so His fiery wrath may cease to glow. What righteous Rama bids thee, da. And to thy plighted word be true.' says : " Here is Lakshman: the charioteer of words who by the orders of Rama has come hither upon the car of resolution:" In his Ita- lian translation he renders the passage : " Here is Lakshman-, the bro- ther of Rama who by his orders comes hither the determined bearer of words." 163 CANTO XXXII. han'umAn's counsel. Sngriva 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, my lords — ^for you ar& wise — Speak truly what your hearts advise, And, pondering each event, inquire The reason of the prince's irfe. No fear have I of Lakshman : none : No dread of Raghu's mightier son. But wrath, that fires a friendly breast Without due caUse, disturbs my rest. Wdth labour light is friendship gained. But with severest toil maintained. And doubt is strong, and faith is weak. And friendship dies when traitors speak. Hence is my troubled bosom cold With fear of Rdma lofty-souled ; For heavy on my spirit weigh His favours I ca,n ne'er repay'. He ceased : and Hanum^ of aH The Vdnars in the council hall In wisdom first, and rank, expressed 164 THE RAMAYAN. Book IV. The thoughts that filled his prudent breast : ' No marvel thou rememberest yet The service thou shouldst ne'er forget. How the brave prince of Raghu's seed Thy days from fear and peril freed ; And Bali for thy sake o'erthrew, Whom Indra's self might scarce subdue. I doubt not Rama's anger bums 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 is 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 hith^i' coines to. break Thy slothful trance and bid thee wake. Then, Monarch, with a patient ear The high-souled Rama's message hear. Which, reft of wife and realm and friends,, Thus by another's mouth he sends. Thou, Vanar King, hast done airviss : 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 Canto XXXII. THE BAM AY AN. 165 My speech, King, is free and boldi For Rdma, if his anger glow, Can;, with the terrors oi Ms bow. This earth withi all the Gods subdUe,- Gandhar\cas,' and the demon, crew. Unwise to stir his wrathful mood Whose favour must again be wooed. And, niost 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.' ' Inclra's asaociateaiu.atms, and^musicians oi hii^ heaven^ 1.6? GANTO XXXIII. LAKSHMAN'S ENTRY. Through the fair city Lakshman came_, . Invited in Sugriya's name. Tii^ithin the gates the guardian bands iOf V^nars 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 vere chilled with sudden fear : They ga?ed^ but daje(J not yenture near. before his eyes the city, gay Ay^ith gems and flowery gardens, lay, Where fane and palace rose on high, ilnd things of beauty charmed the eye. Where trees of every blosspm grew Yielding their fruit in season due To Vaijars pf celestial seed Who wpre each varied form at need. Fair-faced ^nd glgrious with the shine Of heavenly robes and wreaths divine. There sandal, aloe, lotus bloonaed, And their delicious, breath perfumed The city's broad street, redolent Of sugary inetid ' and honey scent. There many a lofty palace rose ' Mairejia, a spiiituova li^uqr ^rom the blossoms of tbe I^ytlirun Iraticosum, vnth sugar &c. Cmto XXXIII. THE RAM^AN. \&l Like Vindhya or the Lord of Snows, And with sweet murmur sparkling rills Leapt lightly down the sheltering hills. On many a glorious palace, raised For prince and noble, ' Lakshman gazed : Like clouds of paly hue they "shone With fragrant wreaths that hung thereon : There wealth 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 Kaildsa'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, Wielding their weapons, at the gate Where golden portals flashed between Celestial garlands red and green. Within Sugriva's Mr 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. And reached the royal bower at last. Where seats were set with couch and bed Of gold and silver richly spread. ' Their names are as follows : Angad, Mainda, Dwivida, Gavaya, Gav^iksha, Gaja, ^arabha, Vidyun- milli, Samp^ti, Suryaksba, HanumiCD, Virabahu, Subahu, Nala, Eumuda Sushena, Wra, Jambuvatu, Dadbivakra, Nila, Supitala, and Sunetra. 168 THE RAMAYAN. Book IV. While the young chieftain'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 dresa 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 shamei 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 E^ma flUed his heart, Sugriva knew the sounding string. And at the call the Vdnar king Sprang swiftly from his golden seat. And feared) the coming prince to meet. Then with cold lips, that terror dried To beauteous Tara thus he cried : ' What cause of anger, my spouse t'air with the charm of lovely brows. Sets Laksbma^'s gentle brast on fire, And brings Mm in unwonted ire ? Canto XXXIII. THE RAMAYAN. 169 Say, canst thou see, O faultless dame, A cause to fill his soul with flame ? For there must be a reason when Such fury stirs the king of men. Reveal the sin, if sin of mine Anger the lordof Raghu's line. Or go thyself, his rage subdue, And with soft words his favour woo. Soon as on thee his eyes are set His heart this anger will forget. For nien like him of lofty mind Are never stern with womankind. First let thy gentle speech disarm His fury, and his spirit charm, And I, from fear of peril free. The conqueror of his foes will see.* She heard : with faltering steps and slow. With eyes that shone with trembling glow. With gold-girt body gently bent To meet the stranger {nrince she went. When Lakshmap 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 Lakshman's 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 wittered trees ?' Then Lakshman spoke^ her mind to ease, His kind reply in words like these : 170 TEE RjTMAYAN. Book IV: ' Thy lord his days in pleasure spends, Heedless of duty and of friends. Nor dost thou mark, though fondly true. The evil path his steps pursue. He cares not for affairs of state. Nor us forlorn and desolate. But sits a mere spectator still, A sensual slave to pleasure's will. Four months were fixed, the time agreed When he should help us 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 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, dame Who knowest duty's every claim. What further work remains for us Deceived and disappointed thus.' . She listened, for his words were kind, Where virtue showed with gain combined, And thus in turn the prince addressed. As hope was rising in his breast : 'No time, no cause of wrath I see With those who love and honour thee ; And thou shouldst bear without offence Thy servant's fitful negligence. Canto XXXIU. THE RAM AY AN. 171 I know the seasons glide away, While Rdma maddens at delay. I know what deed our thanks has earned, I know that grace should be returned. But still I know, whate'er befall, That conquering love is lord of all ; Know where Sugriva's 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 austerest rite. At love's comnaandment have unbent. Beguiled by sweetest blandishment. And know, Sugriva, roused at last, The order to his lords has passed, Andj long by love ajid bliss delayed. Wakes all on fire your hopes to aid. A countless host his city fills, Ijf ew-gathered fronj a thousand hills : Impetuous chiefs, who wear at need Each varied form, his l«gions lead. (Come then, 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, ^d by his own impatient breast 172 THE RAMJ^YAN. Book IT. Refulgent there in sunlike sheen Sugriva on his throne was seen. Gay garlands round his neck were twined. And Buma by her lord reclined. 17S CANTO XXXIV. LAKSBMAN'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 RumS and her fellows, too. And closely round Sugriva drew, As 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 Lakshman saw, and, fiercely moved, With angry speech the king reproved : ' Famed is the prince who loves the truth, 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, ' The Kalpadruma or Wiahmg-tree is one ef the trees of Svarga or India's Paradise : it has the power of granting all desires. 174 THE RAMAYAN. Book lY. 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 aU decay.' 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 Brahm^ sung Is echoed now by every tongne. Hear what He cried in angry mood Bewailing man's ingratitude : 'For draughts of wine, for slaughtered cows. For treacherous theft, for broken vows A pardon is ordained : but none For thankless scorn of service done.' Ungrateful, V£nar 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 surelypressed To aid the hero in his quest. Thou art, in vulgar pleasures drowned, False to thy bond in honour bound. Nor yet has llama's guileless heart Discerned thee for the thing thou art — A snake who holds the frog that cries And lures fresh victims as it dies. Brave R^ma, born for glorious fate. Has set thee in thy high estate. And to the Vanars' throne restored, ' 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 kiUed a hun- dred horsesi Canto XXXIV. THE RAMAYAN. 175 Great-souled himself, their mean-souled lord. Now if thy pride disown what he, High-thoughted prince, has done for thee, Struck by his arrows shalt thou fall. And Bdli meet in Yama'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 Bama, shot Like thunderbolts, thou heedest not. Who canst, absorbed in sensual bliss. Thy promise from thy mind dismiss.' 176 CANTO XXXV. TkRkS 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, 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 Rama 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 Vilvfimitra once, alas. He marks not how the seasons pass. That saint ten thousand years remained By sweet Ghritachi's ' love enchained, And deemed those years, that flew away So lightly, but a single day. ' The story is told in Book I. Canto LXIII,, but the charmer there is called Menuk^. Canto XXXV. THE RAM AY AN. 177 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 fire to glow. At length, righteous prince, relent, Nor let my words in vain be spent. This sudden blaze of fury slake, I pray thee for Sugriva's sake. He would renounce at Rama's call Ruma and Angad, 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 bstse In, soul than all his impious race. And happy Rama reunite To Sfta, rival in delight Of the triumphant Moon when he Rejoins bis darling Rohini.' Ten million million demons guard The gates of Lank^ firmly barred. All hope until that host be slain, ' Rohini ia the name of the ninth Nakshatra or lunar asteriam per* sonified as a daughter of Oabsha, and the favourite wife of the Moon, Aldebaran is the principal star in the conatellation, L 178 THE EA'MAYAN. Book IV. 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 knew^- Spake Bali, and his words are true. I know not what his proofs might be. But speak the words he spake to me. Hence far and wide our lords are sent To raise the mightiest armament. For 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.* 179 CANTO XXXVI. SUGBIVA'S SPEECH. She ceased : and Lakshmap 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 himself 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 Rdma to my rescue came, And gave me back my power and fame. O Lakshman, say, whose grateful heart Could nurse the hope to pay in part, By service of a life, the deed Of B^ma sprung of heavenly seed ? His foeman Ravau 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 180 THE RAMAYAN, ' Book IV. His bow, and one great arrow flew Through 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 warrior king Marching on his impetuous way Fierce Ravan and his hosts to slay. If I be guilty of offence. Careless through love or negligence. Let him his loyal slave forgive ; For error cleaves to all who live.' Thus King SugrJva, good and brave. In humble words his answer gave, Softened was Lakshman's angry mood Who thus his friendly speech renewed : ' My brother, Vanar 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 reign 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 ^eakest 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 Rama's frantic bitterness,' 181 CANTO XXXVII. THE OATHERING. He ceased : and King Sugriva cried To sage Hanum£n ' by his side : ' Summon the Vanar legions, those Who dwell about the Lord of Snows : Those who in Vindhyan groves delight, KaiMsa's, or Mahendra's height. Dwell on the Five bright Peaks, or where Mandar's white summit cleaves the air : Wherever they are wandering free In highlands by the western sea, On that east hill whence springs the sun, Or where he sinks when day is done. Call the great chiefs whose legions fill The forests of the Lotus Hill,' Where every one in strength and size With the stupendous Anjan ' vies. Call those, with tints of burnished gold, Whom MahaSaila's caverns hold : ' V^lmiki and succeeding poets make the second vowel iq thU name long or short at their pleasure. ' Some of the mountains here mentioned are fahulous and others it is impossible to identify. Sugriva means to incUide all the mountains of India from Kail^s the residence of the God Kuvera, regarded as one of the loftiest peaks of the Himalayas, to Sfabendra iq the extreme south, from the mountain in the east where the sun is said to rise to Astachal or the western mountain where be sets. The commentators give little assistance : that Mah^saila &o. are certain mountains is about all the information they give. ' One of the celestial elephants of the Gods who protect the four quarters and intermediate points of the compass. 182 THE RAMAYAN. Book IV. 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, Quafl&ng sweet juices that 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,' Canto XXXVll. THE RAMA7AN. 183 He ceased : the son of Vayu ' 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 Vdnars, fierce and strong As Anjan's self, a wondrous throng. Sped from the spot where Rama still Gazed restless from the woody hill. Ten million others, brave and bold, With coats that shone like burning gold. Came flying from the mountain crest Where sinks the weary sun to rest. Impetuous from the northern skies. Where Mount KaiMsa's summits rise, Ten hundred millions hasted, hued Like manes of lions, ne'er subdued : The dwellers on Him^aya's side. Whose food his roots and fruit supplied, With rangers of the Vindhyan chain And neighbours of the Milky Main. ' Some from the palm groves where they fed. Some from the woods of betel sped : ' Viyu or the Wind was the father of Hanumihi. ' The path or station of Vishnu is the space between the seven Rishis or Ursa Major, and Dhruva or the polar star. ' One of the seven seas which surround the earth in concentric cir- cles. J 8^ THE RAM AY AN. Book IV. In countless numbers, fierce and brave. They came from mountain, lake, and cave. As on tbeir way tbe Vanars went To rouse each distp^nt armamept, They chanced that wondrous tree to view That on Himalaya's summit grew. Of old upon that sacred height Was wrought Mahelvar's ' glorious rit/e. 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 Amrit to the tastie, The summit of the mountain graced. Who once should eat the virtuous fruit That sprang from so divine a root, Qne whole revolving moon sho,i4ld be From every pang pf hunger free. The Vanars culled thg fruit they fqun^ Ripe on the sacrificial ground With rare celestial odours sweet, To lay them at Sugriva's feet. Those noble envoys scoured the l^nd To summon every Vdnar band. Then swiftly homeward ^t the head Of countless armaments they sped. They gathered by Kishkindhd'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 : ' Through every land our way we took ' The title of Mahesrar or Mighty Lord is sometimes given to Indra, but more generally to ^iva whom it here denotes. Canto XXXV 11. THE MM AY AN. 185 To visit hill and wood and 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 Bewarding and dismissing each. 186 CANTO XXXVIII. SUGRIVA'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 : ' Now, chieftain, if thy wiU be so, Forth from Kishkindhd let us go.' Sugriva's heart swelled high with pride As to the prince he thus replied : ' Come, speed we forth without delay : ' Tis mine thy mandate to obey.' Sugriva bade the dames adieu. And Tara and 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, my friend,' Sugriva cried, And straight Sumitra's son complied. Then took by Lakshmau'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 Canto XXXVIII. THE RjfMAYAN. 187 A paly canopy was spread, And chouries white in many a hand The forehead of the monarch fanned, And shell and drum and song and shout Pealed round him as the king passed out. About the monarch went a throng OfV^nar warriors brave and strong. As onward to the mountain shade Where Rama dwelt his way he made. Soon as the lovely spot he viewed Where Rdma lived in solitude, The Vanar monarch, far-renowned. 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 VSnar 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 Rdma, when the king, to greet His friend, had bowed him at his feet. Raised him who ruled the Vdnar 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 : ' The prince who well his days divides, And knows aright the times and tides Tp follow duty, joy, or gain. He,, only he, deserves to reign. But he who wealth and virtue leaves. 188 THE RAM AY AN. Book IV. And every hour to pleasure cleaves, Falls from his bliss like him who wakes From slumber on a branch tha.t breaks. True king is he who smites his foes, And favour to his servants shows, And of that fruit makes timely use Which virtue,- wealth, and joy produce. The hour is come that bids thee rise To aid me in my enterprise. Then call thy nobles to debate, And with their help deliberate.' ' Lost was my power,' the king replied, ' All strength had fled, all hope had died ; The Vanars owned another lord ; But by thy grace was all restored. All this, O conqueror of the foe. To thee and Laksbman's aid I owe ; And his should be the villain's shame Who durst deny the sacred claim. These Vanar chiefs of noblest birth Have- at my bidding roamed the earth. And brought from distant regions all Our legions at their monarch's call : Fierce bears with monkey troops combined. And apes of every varied kind, Terrifip in their forms, who dwell In grove and wood and bosky dell : The bright Gandharvas' brood, the seed . Of Gods, ' they change their shapes at need. Each with his legions in array, Hither, O Prince, they make their way. They come : and tens of millions swell ' See Book I. Canto XVI. Canto XXXVIII. THE MAM AY AN. 189 To numbers that no tongue may tell. ' For thee their armies will unite With chiefs, Mahendra's peers in might. From Mem and from Vindhya's chain They come like clouds that bring the rain. These round thee to the war will go. To smite to earth thy demon foe ; Will slay the Rdkshas and restore Thy consort when the fight is o'er.' ' The numbers are uumanageable in English verse. The poet speaks of hundredii of arbudas ; and an arimda is a hundred millions. 190 CANTO XXXIX. THE vAnAR host. Then Rama, best of all who guide Their steps by duty, thus replied : 'What marvel if Lord Indra send The kindly rain, faithful friend ? If, thousand-rayed, the God of Day Drive every darksome cloud away 1 Or, rising high, the Lord of Night Flood the broad heaven with silver light ? What marvel. King, that one like thee The glory of his friends should be ? No marvel, my lord, that thou Hast shown thy noble nature now. Thy heart, Sugriva, well I know : Naught from thy lips but truth may flow. With thee for friend and champion all My foes beneath my arm will fall. ' The Rakshas, when my queen he stole. Brought sure destruction on his soul. Like Anuhlada ' who beguiled Queen Sachi called Puloma's child. Yes, near, Sugriva, is the day When I my demon foe shall slay, ' AnuhUda or Anuhr^da ia one of the four sons of the mighty Hiranyakaaipu, an Asur or a Daitya son of Kasyapa and Diti and killed by Vishnu in his incarnation of the Man-Lion Naradnha. According bo the Eh^avata Furfipa the Daitya or Asur Hiranyakasipu and Hirany- aksha his brother, both killed by Vishnu, were born again as Bavan and Kumbhakarna hi^ brother," Canto XXXIX. THE RAM AY AN. 191 « As conquering Indra in his ire Slew Queen Paulomi's haughty sire.' ' He ceased : thick clouds of dust rose high To every quarter of the sky : The very sun grew faint and pale Behind the darkly-gathering veil. The mighty clouds that hung o'erhead From east to west thick darkness spread. And earth to her foundations shook With hill and forest, lake and brook. Then hidden was the ground beneath Fierce warriors armed with fearful teeth. Hosts numberless, each lord in size A match for him who rules the skies : From many a sea and distant hill, From rock and river, lake and rill. Some like the morning sun were bright. Some, like the moon, were silver white : These green as lotus fibres, those "White-coated from their native snows. ' Then Satabali came in view Girt by a countless retinue. Like some gold mountain high in air Tare's illustrious sire ' was there. There Ruma's father,* far-renowned, With tens of thousands ranged around. There, tinted like the tender green ' Fuloma, a demon, was the father-in-law of Indra who destroyed faim in order to avert an imprecation. Paulomi is a patronymic denot- ing Sacbi the daughter of Fuloma, ' " Observe the variety of colours which the poem attributes to all these inhabitants of the different mountainous regions, fiome white, others yellow &c. Such different colours were perhaps peculiar and distinctive characteristics of those various races.'' Qoeresio. ^ SushejQ, * Tara, 192 THE RJ'MJ'YAN. Book JV. Of lotus filaments, was seen, Compassed by countless legions, one Whose face was as the morning suny Hanuman's father good and great, Kesari ', wisest in debate. There the proud king Gavaksha, feared For his strong warrior arm, appeared. There Dhumra,. mighty lord, the dread Of foes, his ursine legions led, There Panas, first for warlike fame. With twenty million wa,rriors came. There glorious Nila, dark of hue. Arrayed his countless troops in view. There moved lord Gavaya brave and bold, Eesplendent like a hill of gold, And near him Darimukha stood With millions from the hill and wood. And Dwivid famed for strength and speed, And Mainda, both of ASvin seed. There Gaja, strong- and glorious, led The countless troops around him spread. And Jdmbavan * the king whose sway The bears delighted to obey, ' Kesari was the husband oi Hanum^H's mother, and is here calleci his father, ^ " I here unite under one heading two animals of very diverse nature and race, but which from some gross resemblances, proba- bly helped by am equivoque in the language, are closely affiliated in the Hindoo myth a reddish' colour of the skin, want of symmetry and ungainliness of form, strength in hugging with the fore paws or arms, the faculty of climbing, shortness of tail (?), sensuality, capacity of' instruction in dancing and in music, are all characteristics which more or less distinguish and meet in bears as well as in monkeys. In the Samayfmam, the wise Jambavant, the Odysseus of the expedition of Lank^ is called now king of the bears (rikshaparthivah), now great monkey ( MahSkapih). De Gobernatis : Zoological Mythology, Vol, II, p. 97. Canto XXXIX. THE RmAYAN. 193 With swarming myriads onward pressed True to his lord Sugriva's hest ; And princely Ruman, dear to fame, Led millions whom no hosts could tame.. All these. and many a chief beside ' Came onward fierce in warlike pride; They covered all the plain, and still Pressed forward over wood and hill. In rows for many a league around They rested on the graSsy ground ; Or to Sugriva made their way, Like clouds about the Lord of Day,. And to the king their proud heads bent In power and might preeminent. Sugriva then to Rama sped. And raised his reverent hands, and said That every chief from coast to coast Was present with Ms warrior host. ^ ' Gandliamidnna, Angad, Tara, Indra'janu, Ratnbha, Durmukha, HanumiiD, I^ala, Darimukliii, ^arabha, Ejumuda, Yalini. m 194 CANTO XL. TEE ARMY OF THE EAST. With practised eye the king reviewed The Vanars' countless multitude. And, joying that his hest was done. Thus spake to Raghu's mighty son ; ' See, all the Vdnar hosts who fear My sovereign might are gathered here. Chiefs strong as Indra's self, who speed. Where'er they list, these armies lead. Fierce and terrific to the view As Daityas or the Danav ' crew. Famed in all lands for souls afire With lofty thoiights, they never tire. O'er hill and vale they wander free, And islets of the distant sea. And all these gathered myriads, all Will serve thee, Rama, at thy call. Whate'er thy heart advises, say ; Thy mandates will the host obey.' Then answered Rama, as he pressed The Vanar monarch to his breast : ' search for my lost Sita, strive To find her if she still survive : And in thy wondrous wisdom trace Fierce Ravan to his dwelling-place. And when by toil and search we know ' Daityas and Danavaa are fiends and enemies of the Qods, like the Titans of Greek mythology. Canto XL. , THE RAM AY AN. J 95 Where Sit^ lies and where the foe, With thee, dear friend, will I devise Fit means to end the enterprise. Not mine, not Lakshma^'s is the power To guide us in the doubtful hour. Thou, sovereign of the V£nars, thou Must be our hope and leader now.' He ceased : at King Sugriva's call Near came a Vanar strong and tall, Huge as a towering mountain, loud As some tremendous thunder cloud, A prince who warlike legions led : To him his sovereign turned and said : ' Go, take ten thousand ' of our race Well trained in lore of time and place. And search the eastern region ; through Groves, woods, and hills thy way pursue. There seek for Sita, trace the spot Where Ravan hides, and weary not. Search for the captive in the caves Of mountains, and by woods and waves. To Surju," KauSiki,' repair, Bhagirath's daughter * fresh and fair. Search mighty Yamun's ° peak, explore Swift Yamuna's ' delightful shore. ' I reduce the unwieldy numbers of the original to more modest figures. * Sarayu now Sarju is the river on which Ayodhya was built. ' Kausiki is a river which flows through Behar, commonly called Kosi. ♦ Bhagirath's daughter is Gangi or the Ganges. The legend is told' at length in Vol. I. Canto XLIV. The Descent of Ganga. ' A mountain not identified. "■ The Jumna. The river is personified as the twin sister of Tama, and hence regarded as the daughter of the Sun. 196 THE RAM AY AN. Booh IV. ' Sarasvati ' and Sindhu's * tide, And rapid Sona's '" pebbly side. Then roam afar by Mahi's * bed Where Kalamahi's groves are spread. Go where the silken tissue shines, Go to the land of silver mines.* Visit each isle and mountain steep And city circled by the deep. And distant villages that high About the peaks of Mandar lie. Speed over Yavadwipa's land,* And see Mount Silir ' proudly stand .Uplifting to the skies his head By Gods and Danavs visited. Search each ravine and mountain pass, Each tangled thicket deep in grass. Search every cave with utmost care If haply Rama's queen be there. Then pass beyond the sounding sea Where heavenly beings wander free, And Sona's " waters swift and strong ' The Sarasvati (corruptly called Sursooty) is supposed to join the Ganges and Jumna at Prayag or Allahabad. It rises in the monOtains bounding the north-east part of the provifioe of Dehli, and running in a south-westerly direction beocmes lost in the sands of the great desert. ' The Sindhu is the Indus, the Sanskrit s becoming A in Persian and being in this instance dropped by the Greeks. ' The Sone which rises in the district of Nagpore and falls into the Ganges above Patna. * Mahl is a river rising in Malwa and falling into the gulf of Cam- bay after a vpesterly course of 280 miles. 6 There is nothing to show what parts of the country the poet in- tended to denote as silk-producing and silver-producing. 6 Yavadwipa means the island of Tava, wherever that may be. 1 Sisir is said to be a mountain ridge projecting from the base of Meru on the south. Wilson's Vishnu Parana, ed. Hall, Vol. II. p. 117. 8 This appears to be some mythical stream and not the well-known gone. The name means red-ooldured. Canto XL. THE RAM AY AN. 197 With ruddy billows foam along. Search where his shelving banks descend, Search where the hanging woods extend : Try if the pathless thickets screen The robber and the captive queen. Search where the torrent floods that rend The mountain to the plains descend : Search dark abysses where they rave, Search mountain slope and wood and cave. Then on with rapid feet, and gain The islands of the fearful main Where, tortured by the tempest's lash. Against rude rocks the billows dash : An ocean like a sable cloud. Whose margent monstrous serpents crowd : An ocean rising with a roar To beat upon an iron shore. On, onward still ! your feet shall tread Shores of the sea whose waves are red, Where spreading wide your eyes shall see The guilt-tormenting cotton tree, ' And the wild spot where Garud ' dwells Which gems adorn and ocean shells, High as KaiMsa, nobly decked, Wrought by the heavenly architect. ' Huge giants named Mandehas ' there ' A fabulous thorny rod of the cotton tree used for torturing the wicked in bell. The tree gives its name, S.-ilmali, to one of the seven Dwipas or great divisions of the known continent ; and also to a hell where the wicked are tormented with the prickles of the tree. ' The king of the feathered creation. ' Visvakarmst, the Mulciber of the Indian heaven. * " The terrific fiends named Mandehas attempt to devour the sun : for Brahmi denounced this curse upon them, that without the power to perish they should die every day (and revive by night) aud therefore a fierce contest occurs (daily) between them and the sun." Wilson's Vishnu, Purdna, Vol II. p. 250. igs THE RAMAYAN. Book IV. In each foul shape they love to wear, Numbing the soul with terror's chill, Hang from the summit of the hill. When darts the sun his earliest beam They plunge them in the ocean stream, New vigour from his rays obtain. And hang upon the-rocks again. Speed onward still : your steps shall be At length beside .the Milky Sea Whose every ripple as it curls Gleams glorious with its wealth of pearls. Amid that sea like pale clouds spread The white Mount Kishabh ' rears his head. About the mountain's glorious waist Woods redolent of bloom are braced. A lake where lotuses unfold Their silver buds with threads of gold, Sudarian ever bright and fair Where white swans sport, lies gleaming there, The wandering Kinnar's ■ dear resort, Where heavenly nymphs and Yakshas ' sport. On ! leave the Milky Sea behind : Another flood your search shall find, A waste of waters, wild and drear. That chills each living heart with fear. There see the horse's awful head, Wrath-bom, that flames in Ocean's bed. * ' Said in the Vishnu Purana to be a ridge projecting from the base of Meru to the north. < Kinnars are centaurs reversed, beinga with equine heads and human bodies. ' Yakshas are demi-gods attendant on Kuvera the God of wealth. * Aurva was one of the descendants of Bhrigu. From his wrath pro- ceeded a flame that threatened to destroy the world, had not Aurva cast it into the ocean where it remained concealed, and having the face of a horse. The legend is told in the Mahabharat, I. 6802. Canto XL. THE RJ^MATAN. 199 There rises up a fearful ciy From the sea things that move thereby, When, helpless, powerless for flight, They gaze upon the horrid sight- Pass to the northern shore, and then Beyond the flood three leagues and ten Your wondering glances will behold Mount Jatanipa ' bright with gold. There like the young moon pale of hue The monstrous serpent " will ye view. The earth's supporter, whose bright eyes Resemble lotus leaves in size. He rests upon the mountain's brow. And all the Gods before him bow. Ananta with a thousand heads His length in robes of azure spreads. A triple-headed palm of gold — Meet standard for the lofty-souled — Springs towering from the mountain's crest Beneath whose shade he loves to rest. So that in eastern realms each God May use it as a measuring-rod. Beyond, with burning gold aglow. The eastern steep his peaks will show. Which in unrivalled glory rise A hundred leagues to pierce the skies. And all the neighbouring air is bright With golden trees that clothe the height. A lofty peak uprises there Ten leagues in height and one league square, Saumanas, wrought of glistering gold. " The word J^tarupa means gold. » The celebrated mythological serpent king Sesha, called also Ananta or the infinite, represented as bearing the earth on one of his thou- sand heads. 200 TEE RAM AT AN. Booh IV. Ne'er to be loosened from its hold. There his first stgp Lord Vishnu placed When through the uni¥erse he paced, And with his second lightly pressed The loftiest peak of Meru's crest. When north of Jambudwfp ' the sun A portion of his course has run, And hangs above this mountain height. Then creatures see the genial light. Vaikhanases, ' saints far renowned, And Balakhilyas ' love the ground Where in their glory half divine, Touched by the morning glow, they shine. The light that flashes from that steep Illumines all Sudarlandwip,^ And on each creature, as it glows. The sight and strength of life bestows. Search well that mountain's woody side, If Ravan there his captive hide. The rising sun, th,e golden hill The air with growing splendours fill, Till flashes from the east the red Of morning with the l,ight they ?hed. This, where the sun begins his state. Is earth and heaven's most eSiStern gate. Through all the mountain forest seek ' Jambudwipa is in the centre of the seven great dwipog or continents into which ^le world is divided, and in the centre of Jambu- dwipa is the golden mountain Meru 34,000 yojans ^i^b, aai crowned by the great city of Brahml See Wilson's Vuhnu Purana, Yol. 11, p. 110. ' VaiUhiinases are a race of hermit saints said to have sprung from the nails of Praj^pati. 3 " The wife of Kratu, Samnati, brought forth the sixty thousand Viilakhilyas, pigmy sages, no bigger than a joint of the thumb, chaste pious, resplendent as the rays of the Sun." Wilson's Vishnu Purana. * The continent in which Sudacian or Meiu stands, i, e. Jambudwip. CmvtoXL. THE RJlM^AN. 201 By waterfall and cave and peak. Search every nook and bosky dell, ^ If Rdvaa there with Sita dwell. There, Vanars, there your steps mwst stay : No farther eastward can ye stray. Beyond no sun, no moon gives light. But all is sunk in endless night. Thus far, Vanar lords, may you O'er sea and land your search pursue. But wild and dark and known to none Is the drear space beyond the sun. That mountain whence the sun ascends Your long and weary journey ends,' Now go, and in a month returft. And let success my praises earn. He who beyond the month shall stay Will with his life the forfeit pay.' ' The names of some bistorio*! peoples whieh gee^ur in this Canto and in the Cantos describing the south and north will be found in ths Additional Notes. They are bare lists, not susceptible of a metrical version. 202 CANTO XLI. THE ARMY OF THE SOUTH. He gathered next a chosen hand For service in the southern land. He summoned Nila son of Fire, And, offspring of the eternal Sire, Jambavan hold and strong and tall, And Hanuman, the best of all. And many a valiant lord beside,' With Angad for their chief and guide. ' Go forth,' he cried, ' with all this host Exploring to the southern coast : The thousand peaks that Vindhya shows Where every tree and creeper grows : Where Narmad^'s ' sweet waters run, And serpents bask them in the sun : Where Krishnaveni's ' currents flee, And sparkles fair God^varl. * Through Meikhal' pass andJJtkal's' land : Go where Dalarna's ' cities stand. ' Suhotra, ^aritri, Sarivgulma, Qaja, Qavaksha, Gavaya, Soshena, Gandhamiidaiia, Ulkifmukba, and Ananga. ' The modem Nerbudda. ' Krishnaveni is mentioned in the Vishnu Pw&na as "the deep Erishnaveiii" but there appears to be no clud to its identification. * The modem Godavery. ' The Mekhalas or Mekalag according to thePuranas live in the Vin- dhya hills, but here they appear among the peoples of the south. ° Utkal is still the native name of Orissa. ' The land of the people of the ' ten forts.' Professor Hall in a note on WasOK's Vish^v, Pwrana, Vol, II. p. 160 says : " The oral traditions Canto XLl. THE RJ'MJ'YAN. 203 Avanti ' seek, of high renown, And Abravanti's " glorious town. Search every hill and brook and cave Where Dan dak's woods their branches wave. Ayomukh's ' woody hill explore Whose sides are bright with richest ore, Lifting his glorious head o;i high From bloomy groves that round him lie. . Search well his forests where the breeze Blows fragrant from the sandal trees. Then will you see Kaveri's * stream Whose pleasant waters glance and gleam, And to the lovely banks entice The sportive maids of Paradise. High on the top of Malaya's ' lull. In holy musing, calm and still. Sits, radiant as the Lord of Light, Agastya,' noblest anchorite. Soon as that lofty-thoughted lord His high permission shall accord. Pass T^mraparni's ' flood whose isles Are loved by basking crocodiles. The sandal woods that fringe her side Those islets and her waters hide ; of the vicinity to this day assign the name of Dasdrni to a region lying to the east of the District of Chundeyree.'' ' Avanti is ore of the ancient names of the celebrated Cjjayin or Oujein in Central India. ' Not identified. • Ayomukh means iron faced. The mountain is not identified. * The Kaveri or moderr. Cauvery is well known and has always borne the same appellation, being the Ghaberis of Ptolemy. ' One of the seven principal mountain chaips : the southern portion of the Western Ghiits. ^ Agastya is the great sage who has already frequently appeared as Kama's friend and benefactor. ' Tamraparni is a river rising in Malaya. 204 TEE RAMAYAN. Book IV. While, like aa amorous matron, she Speeds to her own dear lord the sea. Thence hasting on your way behold The P^ndyas' ' gates of pearl and gold. Then, with your task maturely planned, .On ocean's shore your feet will stand. Where, by Agastya's high decree, Mahendra, ■' planted in the sea, With tinted peaks against the tide Rises in solitary pride. And glorious in his golden glow Spurns back the waves that beat below. Fair mountain, bright with creepers' bloom And every tint that trees assume. Where Yaksha, God, and heavenly maid Meet wandering in the lovely shade, At changing moon and solemn tide By Indra's presence glorified. One hundred leagues in fair extent An island ' fronts the continent : No man may tread its glitering shore : With utmost heed that isle explore. For the fair country owns the sway Of E&vao whom we burn to slay. A mighty monster stands to keep The passage of the southern deep. Lifting her awful arms on high She grasps e'en shadows as they fly. Speed through that isle, and onward still ' The Pindyas are a people of the Deccan. ' Mahendra is the chain of hills that extends from Oriesa and the northern Sircars to Gondwi£na, part of which near Ganjam is still called Mahendra Malay or hills of Mahendra. ' Lanki, Sinhaladvipa, Saraodib, or Ceylon. Canto XLl. THE RAMAYAN. 205 Where in mid sea the Flowery Hill ' Raises on high his bloomy head By saints and angels visited. There, with a hundred gleaming peaks Bright as the sun, the sky he seeks. One glorious peak the Lord of Day Gilds ever with his loving ray; Thereon ne'er yet the glances fell Of thankless wretch or infidel. Bow to that hill in reverence due, And then once more your search pursue. Beyond that glorious mountain hie, And Suryavan, " proud hill, is nigh. Your rapid course yet farther bend Where Vaidyut's " airy peaks ascend. There trees of noblest sort, profuse Of wealth, their kindly gifts' produce. Their precious fruits, Vdnars, taste. The honey sip, and onward haste. Next will ye see Mount Kunjar rise. Who cheers with beauty hearts and eyes. There is Agastya's ' mansion, decked By heaven's all-moulding architect. Near Bhogavati * stands, the place Where dwell the hosts of serpent race : A- broad -wayed -city, walled and barred, Which watchful legions keep and guard, ' The Flowery Hill of course is mythical. 2 The whole of the geography south of Lankit is of course mythical Suryavan means Sunny. ^ Vaidyut means connected with lightning. • Agaatya is here placed far to the south of Lanka. Earlier in this Canto he was said to dwell on Malaya. ' Bhogavati has been frequently mentioned : it is the capital of the serpent Gods or demons, and usually represented as being in the re- gions under the earth. 206 THE RJ:mAYAN. Booh IV. The fiercest of the serpent youth, Each awful for his venomed tooth : And throned in his imperial hall Is Vasuki ' who rules them all. , Explore the serpent city well. Search town and tower and citadel, And scan each field and wood that lies Around it, with your watchful eyes. Beyond that spot your way pursue : A noble mountain shall ye view. Named Rishabh, like a mighty bull, With gems made bright and beautiful. All trees of sandal flourish there Of heavenly fragrance, rich and rare. But, though they tempt your longing eyes. Avoid to touch them, and be wise. For Rohitas, a guardian band Of fierce Gandharvas; round them stand. Who five bright sovereign lords * obey. In glory like the God of Day. Here by good deeds a home is won, With shapes like fire, the moon, the sun. Here they who merit heaven by worth Dwell on the confines of the earth. There stay : beyond it, dark and drear. Lies the departed spirits' sphere. And, girt with, darkness, far from bliss, Is Yama's sad metropolis.' So far, my lords, o'er land and sea Your destined course is plain and free. ' Viisuki is according to some accounts the ting of the N^gas or ser- pent Gods. ' ^ Sailusha, Graminii Siksha, Suka, Babhru. ' The distant south beyond the confines of the earth is the home of departed spirits and the city of Yama the God of Death, Canto XLI. THE RAMAY4.N. 207 Beyond your steps you may not set, Where living thing ne'er journeyed yet. With utmost care these realms survey, And all you meet upon the way. And, when the .lady's course is traced, Back to your king, Vdnars, haste. And he who tells me he has seen. After long search, the Maithil queen. Shall gain a noble guerdon : he In power and bliss shall equal me. Dear as my very life, above His fellows in his master's love ; I call him, yea though stained with crime, My kinsman from that happy time.' 208 CANTO XLII. THE ARMY OF THE WEST. Then to Sushen Sugriva bent, And tEus addressed him reverent : ' Two hundred thousa,tid of our best With thee, my lord, shall sefek the west. Explore Surashtra's ' distant plain. Explore Vahlika's '' wild domain. And all the pleasant brooks that flee Through mountains to the western sea. Search clustering groves on mountain heights, And woods the home of anchorites. Search where the breezy hills are high, Search where the desert regions lie. Search all the western land beset With woody mountains like a net. The country's farthest limit reach. And stand upon the ocean beach. There wander through the groves of palm Where the soft air is full of balm. Through grassy dell and dark ravine Seek Ravan and the Maithil queen. Go visit Somagiri's ' steep Where Sindhu ' mingles with the deep. There lions, borne on swift wings, roam The levels of their mountain home, ' Surashtra, the 'good country,' is the modern Surat. ' A country north-west of Afghanistan, Balkh. ° The Moon-mountain here is mythical. * Siudhu is the Indus. Canto XLll. THE RjfM.rYAN. 209 And elephants and monsteTS bear, Caught from the ocean, to their lair. You V^nars, changing forms at will. With rapid search must scour the hill. And his sky-kissing peak of gold Where loveliest trees their blooms unfold. There golden-peaked, ablaze with light. Uprises Pariyatra's ' height Where wild Gandharvas, fierce and fell. In bands of coimtless myriads dwell. Pluck ye no fruit within the wood ; Beware the impious neighbourhood, Where, very mighty, strong, and hard To overcome, the fruit they gward. Yet search for Janak's daughter still, For Vdnars there need fear no ill. ■Near, bright as turkis, Vajra '' named, There stands a hill of diamond framed. Soaring a hundred leagues in pride, W^ith trees and creepers glorified. Search there each cave and dark abyss By waterfall and precipice. Far in that sea the wild waves beat On Chakrav^n's ' firm-rooted feet,. Where the great discus, * thousand- rayed, By ViSvakarmi's ' art was made. When Panchajan * the fiend was slain, ' Pariyittra, or as more URually written P.iripiitEa, is the central or western portion of the Yindliya chain which skirts the province of Malwa. ' Vajra means both diamond and thunderbolt, the two substances being supposed to be identical. » Chakravto means the discus-bearer. ' The discus is the favourite weapon of Vishpu. ° The Indian H^haistos or Vuloiin. ' Panchajan was a demon who lived in the sea in the form of a conch shell. Wilson's Vielmu Purdna, V. 21. N 210 TBE RA'MAYAJUf. Book IV, And Hayagriva, ' fierce in vain. Thence taking' shell and discus went Lord VishEiu, God preeminent. On ! sixty thousand hills of gold With wondering eyes shall ye behold. Where in his glory every one Is brilliant as the morning sun. Full in the midst King Meru, * bests Of mountains, lifts his lofty crest, On whom of yore, as all have heard. The sun veil-pleased this boon conferred s ' On thee, King, on thee and thine Light, day and night, shall ever shine, Gandharyas, Gods who love thee well And on thy sacred summits dwell, Undimmed in lustre, bright and fair. The golden sheen shall ever share.' The Viiyas, ' Vasus, * they who ride ' Hayagrm, Horse-necked, is the name of a Daitya who at tho .diesolution of the universe caused by Brahma's sleep, seized and carried off the Vedas. Yishnu slew him and recovered the sacred treasures. ' Meru stan4s i;> the centre of Jambudwipa and consequently of the .earth. . " The su» travels rpund tjie world, keeping Meru always on his right. To the spectator who fronts him, therefore, as he rises Meru njust be always on the north ; and as the sjin's rays do not pene- trate beyond the centre of the mountain, the regions beyond, or to the north of it must be in darkness, whilst those on the south of it must be ia light : north and south being relative, not absolute, terms, depending on the position of the spectator with regard to the Sun koA. Meru." Wilson's Vishna Ptp-ana, Vol. II. p. 243, IjTote. ' The Visvadevas are a class of deities to whom saprifioes should be daily offered, as part of the ordinary worship of the hpuseholder. Ac- cording to the Ydyu Purana this is a privilege conferred on them by Brahma and the Pitris as a reward for religious austerities practised by them upon Him^aya. * Tlie eight Vasus were originally personifications like other Vedio > deitjes, of natural phenomena, suph as Fire, Wind &c. Their appej- Jations are Variously given by different authorities. Canto XLIl. THE RA MAYAN. 2ll The tempest, ' every God beside, Draw nigh to Meru's lofty crest When evening darkens in the west, And to the parting Lord of Day The homage of their worship pay, Ere yet a while, unseen of all, Behind Mount Asta's ' peaks he fall. Wrought by the heavenly artist's care A glorious palace glitters there. And round about it sweet birds sing Where the gay trees are blossoming : The home of Varun ' high souled-lord. Wrist-girded with his deadly cord. ' With ten. tall stems, a palm between Meru and Asta's hill is seen : Pure silver from the base it springs. And far and wide its lustre flings. Seek Rdvau aijid the dame by brook. In pathless glen, in leafy nook. On Meru's crest a hermit lives Bright with the light that penance gives : Sdvarpi ' is he named, renowned As Brahma's peer, with glory crowned. There bowing down in reverence speak And ask him of the dame you seek. Thus far the splendid Lord of Day Pursues through heaven his ceaseless way. Shedding on every spot his light ; ' The Maruts or Storm-Gods, frequently addressed and worshipped aa the attendants and allies of Indra. * The mountain behind which the sun sets. ■' One of the oldest and mightiest of the Vedic deities ; in later my. thology regarded as the God of the sea. * The knotted noose with whiclji he seizes and punishes transgres- sors. ' SiCvarni is a Manu, offspring of the Sun by Chhay^. 212 THE RXMAYAN. Booh 1¥. Then sinks behind Mount Asta's height. Thus far advance : the sunless sea Beyond is all unknown to me. Sushen of mighty arm, long tried In peril, shall your legions guide. Receive his words with high respect, And ne'er his lightest wish neglect. He is my consort's sire, and hence Deserves the utmost reverence.' 213 CANTO XLIII. THE ARMY OF THE NORTH. Forth went the legions of the west : And wise Sugriva then addressed Satahal, summoned from the crowd. To whom the sovereign cried aloud : ' Go forth, Vdnar chief, go forth. Explore the regions of the north. Thy host a hundred thousand be, And Yama's sons ' attend on thee. With dauntless courage, strength, and skill Search every river, wood, and hill. Through every land in order go Right onward to the Hills of Snow. Search mid the peaks that shine afar. In woods of Lodh and Deodar. ' Search if with Janak's daughter, screened By sheltering rocks, there lie the fiend. The holy grounds of Soma tread By Gods and minstrels visited. Reach Kola's mount, and flats that lie Among the peaks that tower on high. Then leave that hill that gleams with ore. And fair Sudar^an's heights explore. Then on to Devasakha' hie, ' The poet has uot said who the sons of Tama are. ' The Lodhra or Lodh (Symplocos Bacemosa} and the Devad^ru or Deodar are well-known trees. ^ The hills mentioned are not identifiable. Soma means the Moon, E^la, black ; Sudaraian, fair to see ; and Devasakha, friend of the Gods, 214 TSE RAMAYAN. Book IV. Loved by the children of the sky. A dreary land you then will see Without a hill or brook or tree, A hundread leagues,, bare, wild, and dread, In lifeless desolation, spread. Pursue your onward way, and haste Through the dire horrors of the waste Until triumphant with delight You reach Kailasa's glittering height. There stands a palace decked with gold. For King Kuvera ' wrought of old, A home the heavenly artist planned And fashioned with his cunning hand. There lotuses adorn the flood With full-blown flower and opening bud. Where swans and mallards float, and gay Apsarases ^ come down to play. There King Vailravan's' self, the lord By all the universe adored, Who golden gifts to mortals sends. Lives with the Guhyakas ' his friends. Search every cavern in the steep. And green glens where the moonbeams sleep. If haply in that distant ground The robber and the dame be found. Then on to Krauncha's hill, ' and through His fearful pass your way pursue : Though dark and terrible the, vale ' The God of Wenlth. ' The nymphs of Paradise. ' Kuvera the son of Visravas. ' A class of demigods who, like the Yak^has, are the attendants of Kuvera, and the guardians of his treasures. * Situated in the eastern part of the Himalaya chain, on the north o|. Assam. The mountain was torn asunder and the pass formed by the War-Qod K&tikeya and Parasur^ma. Ccwito XLIII. TEE RjfMAYAN. 215 Your wonted courage must not fail. There through abyss and cavern seek, On lofty ridge, and mountain peak. On, on ! pursue your journey still By vaUey, lake, and towering hill. Reach the North Kurus' land, where rest The holy spirits of the blest ; Where golden buds of lilies gleam Resplendent on the silver stream. And leaves of azure tmrkis throw Soft splendour on the waves below. Bright as the sun at early morn Fair pools that happy clime adorn, Where shine the loveliest flowers on stems Of crystal and all valued gems. Blue lotuses through all the land The glories of their blooms expand, And the resplendent earth is strown With peerless pearl and precious stone. There stately trees can scarce uphold The burthen of their fruits of gold. And ever flaunt their gay attire Of flower and leaf like flames of fire. All there sweet lives untroubled spend In bliss and joy that know not end, While pearl-decked maidens laugh, or sing To music of the silvery string.' Still on your forward journey keep, ' " The Uttara Kurus, it should be remarked, may have been a real people, as they are mentioned in the Aitareya Brahmana, VIII, 14 , " Wherefore the several nations who dwell in this nothem quarter, be. yond the Himavat, the Uttara Kurus and the Uitara Madras are con- secrated to glorious dominion, and people term them the glorious. In another passage of the same work, however, the Uttara Eurus are treated as belonging to the domain of mythology." MuiR's Samkrit Texts, Vol. I. p. 494. See Additional Notes. 216 THE RJ:mj:¥AN. Book lY. And rest you by the northern deep, Where springing from the billows high Mount Somagiri ' seeks the sky, And lightens with perpetual glow The sunless realm that lies below. There, present through all life's extent. Dwells Brahma Lord preeminent, And round the great God, manifest In Eudra '' forms high sages rest. Then turn, Vdnars : search no more, Nor tempt the sunless, boundless shore.' ' The Moon-mountaia. * The Rudras are the same as the storm winds, more usually called Mar 11 ts, a ud are often associated with Indra. In the later mythology thn Rudras are regarded as inferior manifestations of Siva, and most of itheir aanjes are also names of Siva. t 217 CANTO XLIV. THE RING. But special counselling he gave To Hanuman the wise and hrave : To him on whom his soul relied, With friendly words the monarch cried : * O best of Vanars, naught can stay By land or sea thy rapid way, Who through the air thy flight canst bend. And to the Immortals' home ascend. All realms, I ween, are known to thee With every mountain, lake, and sea. In strength and speed which naught can tire Thou, worthy rival of thy sire The mighty monarch of the wind, Where'er thou wilt a way canst find. Exert thy power, swift and strong. Bring back the lady lost so long, For time and place, thou most wise. Lie open to thy searching eyes.' When Rama heard that special best To Hanuman above the rest. He from the monarch's favour drew Hope of success and trust anew That he on whom his lord relied. In toil and peril trained and tried. Would to a happy issue bring The task commanded by the king. He gave the ring that bore his name. 218 THE RAMAYAN. Booh 17. A token for the captive dame. That the sad lady in her woe The missive of her lord might know. ' This ring', he said,. " my wife will see. Nor fear an envoy sent by me. Thy valour and thy skill combined. Thy resolute and vigorous mind; And King Sugriva's high behest. With joyful hopes inspire my breast'. 219 CANTO XLV. THE DEPARTURE. Away, away the V^nars sped Like locusts o'er the land outspread. To northern realms where rising high The King of Mountains cleaves the sky, Fierce Satabal with vast array Of V£nar warriors led the way. Far southward, as his lord decreed. Wise Hanuman, the Wind-God's seed, With Angad his swift way pursued, And Tara's warlike multitude. Strong Vinata with all his band Betook him to the eastern land, And brave Sushea in eager quest Sped swiftly to the gloomy west. Each Vanar chieftain sought with speed The quarter by his king decreed. While from his legions rose on Jiigh The shout and boast and battle cry : ' We will restore the dame and beat The robber down beneath our feet. My arm alone shall win the day From Ravan met in single fray. Shall rob the robber of his life, And rescue Rama's captive wife All trembling in her fear and woe. Here, comrades, rest : no farther go : For I will vanquish hell, and she 220 THE RAMJiYAN. Book IV. Shall by this arm again be free. The rooted mountains will I rend, The mightiest trees will break and bend, Earth to her deep foiuadations cleave, And make the calm sea throb and heave. A hundred leagues from steep to steep In desperate bound my feet shall leap. My steps shall tread unchecked and free Through woods, o'er land and hill and sea, Range as they list from flood to fell. And wander through the depths of hell.' 221 CANTO XLVI. SUGBIVA'S TALE. ' How, King,' cried Rdma, ' didst thou gain Thy lore of sea and hill and plain ? ' ' I told thee how,' Sugtiva said, ' From Bali's arm M^ySvi fled ' To Malaya's hill, and strove to save His life by hiding in the cave. I told how Bali sought, to kill His foe, the hollow of the hill ; Nor need I, King, again unfold The wondrous tale already told. Then, wandering forth, my way I took By many a town and wood and brook. I roamed the earth from place to place, Till, like a mirror's polished face, The whole broad disk, that lies between Its farthest bounds, mine eyes had seen. I wandered first to eastern skies Where fairest trees rejoiced mine eyes, And many a cave and wooded hill Where lilies robed the lake and rill. There metal dyes that hill ' adorn Whence springs the sun to light the morn. There, too, I viewed the Milky Sea, Where nymphs of heaven delight to be. Then to the south I made my way ' Canto IX. ' Udayagiri or the hill from which the sun rises. 222 THE R.mAYAN. Book IV. Front regions of the rising day, And roamed o'er Vindhya, where the breeze Is odorous of sandal trees. Still in my fear I found no rest : I sought the regions of the west, And gazed on Asta,' where the sun Sinks when his daily course is run. Then from that noblest hill I fled And to the nothern country sped. Saw Himavan;''and Meru's steep. And stood beside the northern deep. But when, by Bali's might oppressed, E'en in those wilds I could not rest. Came Hanumag. the wise and brave. And thus his prudent counsel gave : ' I told^thee how Matanga ' cursed Thy tyrant, that his head should burst In pieces, should he dare invade The precincts of that tranquil shade. There may we dwell in peace and be From thy oppressor's ma;lice free.' We went to Rishyamuka's hill, -And spent our days secure from ill Where, with that curse upon his head. The cruel Bali durst not tread.' ' Asta is the mountain behind which the sun sets. * HimiJIaya, the Hills of Snow. 3 Canto XI. 223 CANTO XLVII. THE RETURN. Thus fortti in quest of Sit^ went The legions King Sugriva sent. To many a distant town they hied By many a lake and river's side. As their great sovereign's order taught, Through valleys, plains, and groves they sought. They toiled unresting through the day : At night upon the ground they lay Where the tall trees, whose branches swayed Beneath their fruit, gave pleasant shade. Then, when a weary month was spent. Back to Prasravan's hill they went. And stood with faces of despair Before their king Sugriva there. ' Thiis, having wandered through the east, Great Vinata his labours ceased, And weary of the fruitless pain jReturned to meet the king again. Brave Satabali to the north Had led his V&nar legions forth. Now to Sugriva back he sped With all his host dispirited. Sushen the western realms had sought, And homeward now his legions brought. All to Sugriva came, where still He sat with Rama on the bill, Bfsfore their sovereign humbly bent 224 THE RAM AY AN. Book IV. And thus addressed him reverent : ' On every hill our steps have been, By wood and cave and deep ravine ; And all the wandering brooks we know ' Throughout the land that seaward flow. Our feet by thy command have traced The tangled thicket and the waste. And dens and dingles hard to pass For creeping plants and matted grass. Well have we searched with toil and pain. And monstrous creatures have we slain. But Hanuman of noblest mind The Maithil lady yet will find ; For to his quarter of the sky ' The robber fiend was seen to fly.' ' Hanumin was the leader of the army of the south which was under the nominal command of Angad the heir-apparent. 225 CANTO XLVIII. TEE ASUB'S DEATH. Btit Hanuman still onward pressed With Tara, Angad, and the rest. Through Vindhya's pathless glens he sped And left no spot unvisited. He gazed from every mountaia height. He sought each cavern dark as night. And wandered through the bloomy shades By pool and river and cascade. But, though they sought in evey place. Of Sits, yet they found no trace. On fruit and woodland berries fed Through many a lonely wild they sped. And reached at last, untouched by fear, A desert terrible and drear : A fruitless waste, a land of gloom Where trees were bare of leaf and bloom ; Where every scanty stSream was dried. And niggard earth her roots denied. No elephants through all the ground, No buffaloes or deer are found. There roams no tiger, pard, or bear. No creature of the wood is there. No bird displays his glittering wings, No tree, no shrub, no creeper springs. There rise no lilies from the flood, Eesplendent with their flower and bud. Where the delighted bees may throng 226 , THE RAMAYAN. Booh IV. About tke fragrance with their song. There lived a hermit Kandu named, For truth and wealth of penance famed. Whom fervent zeal and holy rite Had dowered with all-surpassing might. His little son, a ten year child — So chanced it — ^perished in the wild. His death with fury stirred the sage, Who cursed the forest in his rage. Doomed from that hour to shelter none, A waste for bird and beast to shun. They searched by every forest edge. They searched each cave and mountain ledge, And thickets whence the water fell Wandering through the tangled dell. Striving to do Sugriva's will They roamed along each leafy rill. But vain were all endeavours, vain The careful search, the toU and pain. Through one dark grove they scarce could wind, So thick were creepers intertwined. There as they struggled through the wood Before their eyes an Asur ' stood. High as a towering hill, his pride The very Gods in heaven defied. When on the fiend their glances fell Each braced him for the combat well. The demon raised his arm on high, And rushed upon them with a cry. Him Angad smote,; — for, sure, he thought This was the fiend they long had sought. From his huge mouth by Angad felled, The blood in rushing torrents welled, ' The Bengal recension — Qorresio'a edition — ealls this Asur or de- mon thie son of Miirioha. Canto XLVIII. THE RAMAYAN. 227 As, like a mountain from his base Uptom, he dropped upon his face. Thus fell the, mighty fiend : and they Through the thick wood pursued their way ; Then, weary with the toil, reclined Where leafy houghs to shade them twined. 228 CANTO XLIX. ANGAD'S SPEECH. Then Angad spake : ' We Vanars well Have searched each valley, cave, and dell. And hill, and brook, and dark recess. And tangled wood, and wilderness. But all in vain : no eye has seen The robber or the Maithil queen. A dreary time has passed away. And stem is he we all obey. Come, cast your grief and sloth aside ; Again be every effort tried ; So haply may our toil attain The sweet success that foUows pain. Laborious effort, toil, and skill. The firm resolve, the constant will Secure at last the ends we seek ; Hence, my friends, I boldly speak. Once more then, noble hearts, once more Let us to-day this wood explore, And, languor and despair subdued, Purchase success with toil renewed. Sugriva is a king austere. And Emma's wrath we needs must fear. Come, Vanars, if ye think it wise. And do the thing that I advise'. Then GandhamMan thus replied With lips that toil and thirst had dried : ' Obey his words, for wise and true Canto XLIX. THE RAMAYAN. 229 Is all that he has counselled yon. Come, let your hosts their toil renew And search each grove and desert through, Each towering hill and forest glade. By lake and brook and white cascade. Till every spot, as our great lord Commanded, be again explored.' Uprose the V^nars one and all. Obedient to the chieftain's CaH, And o'er the southern region sped Where Vindhya's tangled forests spread. They clomb that hill that towers on high Like a huge cloud in autumn's sky, Where many a cavern yawns, and streaks Of radiant silver deck the peaks. In eager search they wandered through The forests where the Lodh trees grew. Where the dark leaves were thick and green. But found not Rama's darling queen. Then faint with toil, their hearts depressed. Descending from the mountain's crest. Their weary limbs a while to ease They lay beneath the spreading trees. 230 CANTO L. 'THE ENCHANTED CAVE. Angad and Tara by his side. Again rose Hanuman and tried Each mountain cavern, dark and deep. And stony pass and wooded steep. The lion's and the tiger's home. By rushing torrents white with foam. Then with new ardour, south and west, O'er Vindhya's height the search they pressed. The day prescribed was near, and they Still wandered on their weary way. They reached the southern land beset With wQody mountains like a net. At length a mighty cave they spied That opened in a mountain's side. Where many a verdant creeper grew And o'er the mouth its tendrils threw. Thence issued crane, and swan, and drake. And trooping birds that love the lake. The Vanars rushed within to cool Their fevered lips in spring or pool, Vast was the cavern, dark and dyead. Where not a ray of light was shed ; Yet not tte more their eyesight failed. Their courage sank or valour quailed. On through the gloom the Vanars pressed With hunger, thirst, and toil distressed. Poor helpless wanderers, sad, forlorn. Canto I. THE RAMJfYAJ!}. 231 With wasted, faces wan and worn. At length, when; life- seemed lost for aye, They saw a splendour as of day; A wondroiis forest, fair and; bright. Where golden trees shot flkmy light. And lotus-covered pools were there With pleasant waters fresh' and; fair^ And streams their rippling currents rolled: By seats of silver and of gold. Fair houses reared their- stately height Of burnished gold, and lazulite, And glorious was the lustre throwni Through, lattices of precious stone. And there were flowers and! fruit on, stems Of coral decked with rarest gems, And emerald leaves on. silver trees, And honeycomb and golden, bees. Then as the Ydnars nearer drew, A holy woman, met their view. Around her form was duly tied. A garment of the blaokdeer's hide.'' Pure votaress, she shone with- light Of fervent zeal and holy rite. Then Hanuman, before the rest With reverent words the dame addressed : ' Who art thou ? say ; and who is lord. Of this vast cave with treasures stored ? ' ' T.he skin of the hlack.antelope was the ascetic's proper gajU, 232 CANTO LI. svayamprabhL ' Assailed by thirst and hunger, dame, Within a gloomy vault we came. We saw the cavern opening wide, And straight withii^ its depths yfe hied, But utteriy amazed are we At all the marvels that we see. Whose are the golden trees that gleam With splendour like the morning's beam ? These cates of noblest sort ? these roots ? This wondrous store of rarest fruits ? Whose are these calm and cool retreats, These silver homes and golden seats. And lattices of precious stones ? Who is the happy lord, that owns The golden trees, of rarest scent, Neath loads of fruit and blossom bent ? Who, strong in holy zeal, had power To deck the streams with richest dower, And bade the lilies bright with gold The glory of their blooms unfold. Where fish in living gold below The sheen of changing colours show ? Thine is the- holy power, I ween. That beautified the wondrous scene j But if another's, lady, deigli To tell us, and the whole explain,' To him the lady of the cave Canto LI. THE RAM AY AN. 233 In words like these her answer gave : ' Skilled Maya framed in days of old This magic wood of growing gold. The chief artificer in place Was he of all the Danav race. He, for his wise enchantments famed, This glorious dwelling planned and framed, He for a thousand years endured The sternest penance, and secured From Brahma of all boons the best, The knowledge Ufenas ' possessed. Lord, by that boon, of all his will. He fashioned all with perfect skill ; And, with his blissful state content. In this vast grove a season spent. By Indra's jealous bolt he fell For loving Hemd's" charms too well. And Brahma on that nymph bestowed The treasures of this fair abode, Wherein her tranquil days to spend In happiness that ne'er may end. Sprung of a lineage old and high, Merusavarni's ' daughter, I Guard ever for that heavenly dame This home, Svayamprabha * my name, — ' TJsanas is the name of a sage menfioned in the Vedas. In the epic poems he is identified with Sukra, the regent of the planet Venus, and described as the preceptor of the Asuras or Daityas, and possessor of vast knowledge. ' Hemi is one of the nymphs of Paradise. ' Merusavarni is a general name for the last four of the fourteen Manus. ' Svayamprabha, the " self-luminous" is according to De Gubernatis the moon': " In the. Svayamprabhd, too, we meet with the moon as a good fairy who, from the golden palace which she reserves for her friend Hemft (the golden one,) is during a month the guide, in the vast cavern /of IJanumant and his companions, who have lost their waj in the search 234 THE RAM AY AN. Booh IV. For I have loved the lady long, So skilled in arts of dance and song. But say what cause your steps has led The mazes of this grove to tread. How, strangers, did ye chance to spy The wood concealed from wanderer's eye ? Tell clearly why ye come ; but first Eat of this fruit and quench your thirst' of the dawn SM." This is not quite accurate: Haaum^n and hi» companions wander for a month in the cavern without a guide, au^ then Svayamprabha leads them out. 235 CANTO LII. THE EXIT. 'Rdma,' he cried, 'a prince whose sway All peoples of the earth ohey. To Da^dak's tangled forest came With his hrave brother and his dame. From that dark shade of forest boughs The giant Ravan stole his spouse. Our king Sugriva's orders send These Vdnars forth to aid his friend. That so the lady be restored Uninjured to her sorrowing lord. With Angad and the rest this band Has wandered through the southern land. With careful search in every place The lady and the fiend to trace. We roamed the southern region o'er. And stood upon the ocean's shore. By hunger pressed our strength gave way j Beneath the spreading trees we lay. And cried, worn out with toil and woe, 'No farther, cqmrades, can we go.' Then as our sad eyes looked around We spied an opening in the ground. Where all was gloomy dark behind The creeping plants that o'er it twined. Forth trooping from the dark recess Came swans and mallards numberless. With drops upon their shining wings 236 THE RA MAYAN. Book IV. As newly bathed where water springs. ' On, comrades, to the cave,' I cried, And all within the portal hied. Each clasping fast another's hand Far onward pressed the Vanar band ; And still, as thirst and hunger drove, We traced the raazes of the grove. Here thou with hospitable care Hast fed us with the noblest fare, Preserving us, about to die, With this thy plentiful supply. But how, pious lady, say, May we thy gracious boon repay V He ceased : the ascetic dame replied : ' Well, V^nars, am I satisfied. A life of holy works I lead, And from your hands no service need.' Then spake again th^ V^nar chief: ' We came to thee and found relief. Now listen to a new distress. And aid us, holy votaress. Our wanderings in this vasty cave Exhaust the time Sugiiva gave. Once more then, lady, grant release. And let thy suppliants go in peace Again upon their errand sped. For King Sugriva's ire we dread. And the great task our sovereign set, Alas, is unaccomplished yet.' Thus Hanuman their leader prayed. And thus the dame her answer made : ' Scarce may the living find their way Returning hence to light of day ; But I will free you through the might Canto LIl. THE BA'MA'YAN. . 237 Of penance, fast, and holy rite. Close for a while your eyes, or ne'er May you return to upper air.' She ceased : the V&naxs aU obeyed ; Their fingers on their eyes they laid, And, ere a moment's time had fled, Were through the mazy cavern led. Again the gracious lady spoke, And joy in every bosom woke : ' Lo, here again is Vindhya's hill. Whose valleys trees and creepers fill ; And, by the margin of the sea, Prasravan where you fain would be.' With blessings then she bade adieu, And swift within the cave withdrew. 238 CANTO LIII. AFGAD'S COUNSEL. They looked upon the boundless main. The awful seat of Varun's reign, And heard his waters roar and rave Terrific with each crested wave. Then, in the depths of sorrow drowBed, They sat upon the bosky ground, And sadly, as they pondered, grieved For days gone by and naught achieved. Pain pierced them through with sharper sting When, gazing on the trees of spring, They saw each waving bough that showed The treasures of its glorious load ; And helpless, fainting with the weight Of woe they sank disconsolate. Then, lion-shouldered, stout and strong, The noblest of the Vanar throng, Angad the prince imperial rose, And, deeply stricken by the woes That his impetuous spirit broke, Thus gently to the chieftains spoke : ' Mark ye not, Vanars, that the day Our monarch fi,xed has passed away ? The month is lost in toil and pain, And now, my friends, what hopes remain ? On you, in lore of counsel tried, Our king Sugriva most relied. Your hearts, with strong affection fraught. €anto LI II. THE RjfMAYAN. 239 His weal in every labour sought, And the true valour of your band Was blazoned wide in every land. Forth on the toilsome search you sped. By me — for so he willed it — led. To us, of every hope bereft. Death is the only refuge left. For none a happy life may see Who fails to do our king's decree. Come, let us all from food abstain. And perish thus, since hope is vain. Stern is our king and swift to ire. Imperious, proud, and fierce like fire, And ne'er will pardon us the crime Of fruitless search and wasted time. Far better thus to end our lives, And leave our wealth, our homes and wives. Leave our dear little ones and all. Than by his vengeful hand to fall. Think not Sugriva's wrath will spare Me Bdli's son, imperial heir : For Raghu's royal son, not he. To this high place anointed me. Sugriva, long my bitter foe. With eager hand will strike the blow, And, mindful of the old offence, Will slay me now for negligence. Nor will my pitying friends have power To save me in the deadly hour. No — here, chieftains, will I lie By ocean's marge, and fast and die.* They heard the royal prince declare The purpose of his fixt despair ; And all, by common terror moved, 24.0 THE RAM AY AN. Book IV. His speech in these sad words approved ; ' Sugriva's heart is hard and stern, And Rama's thoughts for Sita yearn. Our forfeit lives will surely pay For idle search and long delay, And our fierce king will bid us die The favour of his friend to buy.' Then T^ra softly spake to cheef The Vdnars' hearts oppressed by fear : ' Despair no more, your doubts dispel : Come in this ample cavern dwell. There may we live in blissful ease Mid springs and fruit and bloomy trees, • Secure from every foe's assault. For magic framed the wondrous vault. Protected there we need not fear Though RSma and our king come near ; Nor dread e'en him who batters down The portals of the foeman's town. ' ' ' Purandara, the destroyer of cities ; the cities being the clouds which the God of the firmament bursts open with his thunderbolts, to release the waters imprisoned in these fortresses of the demons of drought. 241 CANTO LTV. hanumAips speegb. But Hanuman, while T£ra, best Of splendid chiefs, his thought expressed, Perceived that Bali's princely son A kingdom for himself had won.' His keen eye marked in him combined The warrior's arm, the ruler's mind. And every noble gift should grace The happy sovereign of his race : Marked how he grew with ripening age More glorious and bold and sage, — ' Like the young moon that night by night Shines on with ever waxing light, — Brave as his royal father, wise As he who counsels in the skies ; ' Marked how, forwearied with the quest, He heeded not his liege's best, But Tara's every word obeyed Like Indra still by Sukra ' swayed. Then with his prudent speech he tried To better thoughts the prince to guide, And by division's skilful art ' Perceived that Angad had secured, through the love of the Vanars, the reversion of Sugriva's kingdom ; or, as another commentator ex- plains it, perceived that Angad had obtained a new kingdom in the en- chanted cave wrhioh the V^uai's, through love of him, would consent to occupy. ' Vilohaspati, Lord of Speech, the Preceptor of the Gods. ' ^ukra is the rugent of the planet Venus, and the preceptor of the Daityas. P 242 THE RAM^^YAN. Book IV. The Vdnars anii the youth to part: ' Illustrious Angad, thou in fight Hast far surpassed thy father's might, Most worthy, like thy sire of old, The empire of our race to hold. The Vanars' fickle people range From wish to wish and welcome change. Their wives and babes they will not leave. And to their new-made sovereign cleave. No art, no gifts will draw away The Vanars from Sugriva's away. Through hope of wealth, through fear of pain Still faithful will they all remain. Thou fondly hopest in this cave The vengeance of the foe to brave. But Lakshmaa's arm a shower will send Of deadly shafts those walls to rend. • Like Indra's bolts his shafts have power To cleave the mountain like a flower. O Angad, mark my counsel well : If in this cave thou choose to dwell. These Vanar hosts with one accord Will quit thee for their lawful lord. And turn again with thirsty eyes To wife and babe and all they prize. Thou in the lonely cavern left Of followers and friends bereft. Wilt be in all thy woe, alas. Weak 9S a blade of trembling grass ; And Lakshman's arrows, keen and fierce From his strong bow, thy heart will pierce. But if in lowly reverence meek Sugriva's court with us thou seek. He, as thy birth demands, will share Canto LIV. THE RAMJ^YAN. 243 The kingdom with the royal heir. Thy loving kinsman, true and wise, Looks on thee still with favouring eyes. Firm in his promise, pure is he, And ne'er will vex or injure thee. He loves thy mother, lives for her A faithful friend and worshipper. That mother's, love thou mayst not spurn : Her only child, return, return.' 244 CANTO LV. ANGAD'S REPLY. ' What truth or justice canst thou find/ Cried Angad, ' in Sugriva's mind ? Where is his high and generous soul, His purity and self-control ? How is he worthy of our trust, Righteous, and true, and wise, and just, Who, shrinking not from sin and shame. Durst take his living brother's dame ? Who, when, in stress of mortal strife His noble brother fought for life. Against the valiant warrior barred The portal which he stood to guard ? Can he be grateful — he who took The hand of Rama, and forsook That friend who saved him in his woes. To whom hi? life and fame he owes ? Ah no ! his heart is cold and mean. What bids him search for Rama's queen ? Not honour's law, not friendship's debt. But angry Lakshman's timely threat. No prudent heart will ever place Its trust in one so false and base. Who heeds not friendship, kith or kin. Who scorns the law and cleaves to sin. But true or false, whate'er he be, One consequence I clearly see : Me, in my youth anointed heir CoMto LV. THE RAMJlYAN. 245 Against his wish, he will not spare, But strike with eager hand the blow That rids him of a household foe. Shall I of power and friends despoiled. In all my purpose crossed and foiled, — Shall I Kishkindha sfeek, and wait, Like some poor helpless thing, my fate ? The cruel wretch through lust of sway Will seize upon his hapless prey, And to a prison's secret gloom The remnant of my years will doom. ' Tis better far to fast and die Than hopeless bound in chains to lie. Your steps, Vanars, homeward bend. And leave me here my life to end. Better to die of hunger here Than meet at home the fate I fear. Go, bow you at Sugriva's feet, And in my name the monarch greet. Before the sons of Raghu bend, And give the greeting that I send. Greet kindly Ruma too, for she A son's affection claims from me, And gently calm with friendly care My mother Turd's wild despair ; Or when she hears her darling's fate The queen will die disconsolate.' Thus Angad bade the chiefs adieu : Then on the ground his limbs he threw Where sacred Darbha ' grass was spread, And wept as every hope had fled. ' The name of various kinds of grass used at sacrificial eeremonles, especially of the Kusa grass, Poa oynosuroides, which was used to strew the ground in preparing for a sacrifice, the officiating Brahmans being purified by sitting on it. 246 THE R^MAYAN. Book IV. The moving words of Angad drew Down aged cheeks the piteous dew. And, as the chieftains' eyes grew dim. They swore to stay and die with him. On holy grass whose every hlade Was duly, pointing southward, laid. The Vdnars sat them down and bent Their faces to the orient. While ' Here, comrades, let us die With Angad,' was the general cry. 247 CANTO LVI. samfAti. Then came the vultures' mighty kiftg Where sat the V^nars sorrowing,— Sampdti, ' best of birds that fly On sounding pinions through the sky, Jatayus' brother, famed of old. Most glorious and strong and bold. Upon the slope of Vindhya's hill He saw the V&iars calm and still. These words he uttered while the sight Filled his fierce spirit with delight : ' Behold how Fate with changeless laws. Within his toils the sinner draws, And brings me, after long delay, A rich and noble feast to-day. These Vanars who are doomed to die My hungry maw to satisfy.' He spoke no more : and Angad heard The menace of the mighty bird ; And thus, while anguish filled his breast,. The noble Hanumdn addressed : ' Vivasvat's ' son has sought this place For vengeance on the Vdnar race. See, Yama, wroth for SitS^'s sake. Is come our guilty lives to take. Our king's decree is left undone,, ' Sampdti is the eldest sou o£ the celebCated^ Gt]iruda< the- king of birds. ' VivsMvat OT the Sun ia the father. o£ Yama the Gud. of Death, 248 THE RAMATAN. Book IV. And naught achieved for Raghu's son. In duty have we failed, and hence Comes punishment for dire offence. Have we not heard the marvels wrought By King- Jatayus,' how he fought With RSvan's might, and, nobly brave, Perished, the Maithil queen to save ? There is no living creature, none. But loves to die for Eaghu's son, And in long toils and dangers we Have placed our lives in jeopardy. Blest is Jatayus, he who gave His life the Maithil queen to save. And proved his love for BS.ma well When by the giant's hand he fell. Now raised to bliss and high renown He fears not fierce Sugriva's frown. Alas, alas ! what paiseries spring From that rash promise of the king !' His own sad death, and E^ma sent With Lakshman forth to banishment ; The Maithil lady borne away : Jajayus slain in mortal fray : The fall of BSli when the dart Of Etoa quivered in bis heart ; And, after toil and pain and care, Our misery and deep despair.' He ceased : the feathered monarch heard, His heart with ruth and wonder stirred : ' Whose is that voice,' the vulture cried, ' That tells me how Jatayus died, And shakes my inmost soul with woe ' Book ni, Canto LI. > Pasaratba'B rash oath and fatal promise to his wife EaikeyL Ccmto LVI. THE RAM AY AN. 249 For a loved brother's overthrow ? After long days at lengh I hear The glorious name of one so dear. Once more, O Vd,nar chieftains, tell How King Jatdyus fought and fell. But first your aid, I pray you, lend. And from this peak will I descend. The sun has burnt my wings, and I No longer have the power to fly.' 250 CANTO LVIL ANGAD'S SPEECH. Though grief and woe his utterance broke;, They trusted not the words he spoke ; But, looking still for secret guile, Keflected in their hearts a while : 'If on our mangled limbs he feed. We gain the death' ourselves decreed.' Then rose the Vanar chiefs, and lent Their arms to aid the bird's descent ; And Angad spake : ' There lived of yore A noble Vanar king who bore The name of Riksharajas, great And brave and strong and fortunate. His sons were like their father : fame Knows Bali and Sugriva's name. Praised in all lands, a glorious king Was Bali, and from him I spring. Brave Rama, Dalaratha's heir, A glorious prince beyond compare, His sire and duty's law obeyed. And sought the depths of Dandaks' shade, Sit£ his well-beloved dame. And Lakshman, with the wanderer came. A giant watched his hour, and stole The sweet delight of Rama's soul. Jatdyus, Dalaratha's friend. Swift succour to the dame would lend. Fierce Ravaa from his car he felled, Canto LVII. TRE RA'M^VAN. 251 And for a time the prize withheld. But bleeding, weak with years, and tired, Beneath the demon's blows expired. Due rites at Rama's hands obtained, And bliss that ne'er shall minish, gained. Then Rdma with Sugrlva made A covenant for mutual aid. And B£i, to the field defied. By conquering Rama's arrow died. -■ Sugriva then, by Rdma's grace. Was monarch of the Y^nar race. By his command a mighty host Seeks Rdma's qileen from coast to coast. Sent forth by him, in every spot We looked for her, but find her not. Vain is the toil, as though by night We sought to find the Day-God's light. In lands unknown at length we found A spacious cavern under ground, Whose vaults that stretch beneath the hill Were formed by Maya's magic skill. Through the dark maze our steps were bent, And wandering there a month we spent. And lost, in fruitless error, thus The days our king, allotted us. Thus we though faithful have transgressed. And failed to keep our lord's behest. ^ No chance of safety can we see. No lingering hope of life have we. Sugriva's wrath and Rama's hate Press on our souls with grievous weight : And we, because ' tig vain to fly. Resolve at length to fast and die.' 252 CANTO LVIII. TIDINGS OF SITA. The piteous tears his eye bedewed As thus his speech the bird renewed : ' Alas my brother, slain in fight By Ravan's unresisted might ! I, old and wingless, weak and worn, O'er his sad fate can only mourn. Fled is my youth : in life's decline My former strength no more is mine. Once on the day when Vritra ' died, We brothers, in ambitious pride. Sought, mounting with adventurous flight. The Day-God garlanded with light. On, ever on we urged our way "Where fields of ether round us lay, Till, by the fervent heat assailed. My brother's pinions flagged and failed. I marked his sinking strength, and spread My stronger wings to screen his head. Till, all my feathers burnt away. On Vindhya's hill I fell and lay. There in my lone and helpless state I heard not of my brother's fate.' • ' Vritra,' the ooverer, hider, obstruoter (of rain)' is the name of the Vedic perBonifioation of an imaginary malignant influence or demon of darkness and drought supposed to take possession of the clouds, caus- ing them to obstruct the cle^irness of the sky and keep back the waters. Indra is represented as battling with this evil influence, and the pent- up clouds being practically represented as mountains or castles are shat- tered by his thunderbolt and made to open their receptacles. Canto L VIII. THE RAM AY AN. 253 Thus King Sampati spoke and sighed : And royal Angad thus replied : ' If, brother of Jatayus, thou Hast heard the tale I told but now, Obedient to mine earnest prayer The dwelling of that fiend declare. O, say where cursed Ravan dwells, Whom folly to his death impels.' He ceased. Again SampS,ti spoke, And hope in every breast awoke : ' Though lost my wings, and strength decayed. Yet shall my words lend Rama aid. I know the worlds where Vishnu trod, ' I know the realm of Ocean's God ; How Asurs fought with heavenly foes, And Amrit from the churning rose. " A mighty task before me lies, To prosper Rama's enterprise, A task too hard forgone whom length Of days has rifled of his strength. I saw the cruel Rdvan bear A gentle lady through the air. Bright was her form, and fresh and young, And sparkling gems about her hung. ' Rama, Rama ! ' cried the dame, And shrieked in terror Lakshman's name. As, struggling in the giant's hold. She dropped her gauds of gems and gold. Like sun-light on a mountain shone The silken garments she had on. And glistened o'er his swarthy form As lightning flashes through the storm. ' Frequent mention has been made of the three steps of Vishnu ty- pifying the rising, culmination, and setting of the sun. ' For the Churning of the Sea. See Book I. 45. 254 THE RAMJ^YAN. Book IV. That giant Ravau, famed of old, Is brother of the Lord of Gold. ' ' The southern ocean roars and swells Round Lanka, where the robbfcr dwells In his fair city nobly planned And built by Vilvakarma's ' hand. Within his bower securely barred, With monsters round her for a guard. Still in her silken vesture clad Lies Sitd, and her heart is sad. A hundred leagues your course must be Beyond this margin of the sea. , Still to the south your way pursue, And there the giant Ild,vau view. Then up, Vanars, and away ! For by my heavenly lore I say, There will you see the lady's face. And hither soon your steps retrace. In the first field of air are borne The doves and birds that feed on corn. The second field supports the crows And birds whose food on branches grows. Along the third in balanced flight Sail the keen osprey and the kite. Swift through the fourth the falcon springs. The fifth the slower vulture wings. Up to the sixth the gay swans rise. Where royal Vainateya ' flies. We too, O chiefs, of vulture race. Our line from Vinata may trace. Condemned, because we wrought a deed Of shame, on flesh and blood to feed. ' Kuvera, the God o£ Wealth. ' The Architect of the Gods. " Garuda, son of Vinata, the sovereign of the birds. Canto LVIIl. THE RjfMJTAN. 255 But all Suparna's ' wondrous powers And length of keenest sight are ours, That we a hundred leagues away Through fields of air descry our prey. Now from this spot my gazing eye Oan Kavaa and the dame descry. Devise some plan to overleap This barrier of the briny deep. Find the Videhan lady there. And joyous to your home repair. Me too, Vanars, to the side Of Varun's"" home the ocean, guide. Where due libations shall be paid To my great-hearted brother's shade.' ' ' The well-winged one,' Garuda. > The God of the Sea. 256 CANTO LIX. sampItps story. They heard his cotinsel to the close. Then swiftly to their feet they rose ; And Jambavan with joyous breast The vulture king again addressed : ' Where, where is Sitd ? who has seen. Who borne away the Maithil queen ? Who would the lightning flight withstand Of arrows shot by Lakshman's hand ? ' Again Samp^ti spoke to cheer The Vanars as they bent to hear : ' Now listen, and my words shall show What of the Maithil dame I know, And in what distant prison lies The lady of the long dark eyes. Scorched by the fiery God of Day, High on this mighty hiU I lay. A long and weary time had passed. And strength and life were failing fast. Yet, ere the breath had left my frame. My son, my dear Sup&lva, came. Each mom and ere he brought me food. And filial care my life renewed. But serpents still are swift to ire, Gandharvas slaves to soft desire, And we, imperial vultures, need A full supply our maws to feed. Once he returned at close of day, Canto LIX. THE RAM. iY AN. 257 Stood by my side, but brought no prey. He looked upon my ravenous eye. Heard my complaint and made reply : ' Borne on swift wings ere day was light I stood upon Mahendra's' height. And, far below, the sea I viewed And birds in countless multitude. Before mine eyes a giant flew Whose monstrous form was dark of hue, And struggling in his grasp was borne A lady radiant as the morn. Swift to the south his course he bent, And clfeft the yielding element. The holy spirits of the air Came round me as I marvelled there, And cried, as their bright legions met : ' say, is Sita living yet ? ' Thus cried the saints and told the name Of him who held the struggling dame. Then while mine eye with eager look Pursued the path the robber took, I marked the lady's streaming hair, And heard her cry of wild despair. I saw her silken vesture rent And stripped of every ornament. Thus, O my father, fled the time : Forgive, I pray, the heedless crime.' In vain the mournful tale I heard My pitying heart to fury stirred. What could a helpless bird of air, Reft of his boasted pinions, dare ? Yet can I aid with all that will And words can do, and friendly skill.' * Mahendra ia a chain of mouutaiua generally identified with part of th» QbtftB of the Feninaula. Q 25S eANTO; LX. sampItfs stoet. Then from tte flood Sampati paid Due offerings to Ms bafothers shade. He bathed him when the rites were donfii, Apd spake again to Bali's son : ' Now listen. Prince, while I relate How fii-st I learned the lady's fate. Burnt by the sun's resistless might I fell and lay on Vindhya's height. Seven nights in deadly swooa I passed^ But struggling life returned at last Around I bent my woodering view,. But eveiy spot was strange and new. I scanned the sea with eager ken. And rock and brook and lake and glen. I saw gay trees their branches wave, And creepers mantling o'er the cave. I heard the wild birds' joyous song. And waters as they foamed along, And knew the lovely hill must be Mount Vindhya by the southern sea. Revered by heavenly beings, stood Near where I lay, a sacred wood. Where great Nii^kar dwelt of yore And pains of awful penance bore. Eight thousand seasons winged their flight Over the toiling anchorite — "Upon that hill my days were spent, — Canto LX. THE RAMAYA^. 259 And then ta heaven the hermit went. A-t last, with long and hard assa;f , Pown from that height I made my way. And wandered through the mottnt»in pass Bough with the spikes of Darbha grass. I with my misery worn and fainit Was eager to behold the saint ; For often with JatSyus I Had sought his home in days gone by.. As nearer to the groye I drew The breeze with cooling fragrance blew,, And not a tree that was not fair With richest flower and fruit was there. With anxious heart a while I stayed. Beneath the trees' delightful shade, And. soon, the holy hermit, bright With feryent penance^ came iu sight. Behind him, bears and lions,, tame A^ thpse who knpw their feeder, came,. And tigers, deer, and snakes pursued. His steps, a wondrous multitude,. And turned, obeisant when, the sage- Had reached, his shady hermitage.. Then came Ni^akar. to, my side And looked, with wond'ering eyes, and' cried : 'I knew thee not, so, dire a change Has made thy form and. feature strange. Where are thy glossy feathers ? where The rapid wings that cleft the air ? Two vulture brothers. once I knew :; Each form at will could, they, endue.. They of the vulture race were kings,. And flew with M^tariSva's ' wings.. 'M^tarjsvii.is identified witb Vayu, Has wiud«. 260 TEE RAMAYAN. Book IV. In human shape they loved to greet Their hern^it friend, and clasp his feet, The yoifnge?" was JatSyus, thou The elder whom I gaze on now. Say, has disease or foeman's hate Reduced thee from thy high estate ? ' 261 CANTO LXl. saMpAti's story. ' Ati iiie I o'erWhelmed with shame and weak With wounds, ' I cried, ' 1 scarce can speak. My hapless brother once and 1 Our strength of flight resolved to try^ And by our foolish pride impelled Our way through realms of ether held. We vowed before the saints who tread The wilds about Kailasa's head. That we With following wings would chase The sWift sun to his resting place. Up on oUr soaring pinions through The fields of cloudless air we fleW. Beneath Us far, and far away, Like chariot wheels bright cities lay. Whence in wild snatches rose the song Of women mid the gay-clad throng, , With sounds of sweetest music blent And many a tinkling ornament. Then as our rapid wings we strained The pathway of the sun we gained. Beneath us all the earth was seen Clad in her garb of tender green, And every river in her bed Meandered like a silver thread. We looked on Meru far below, And Vindhya and the Lord of Snow, Like elephants that bend to cool 262 THE RAMAYaN. Book IV. Their fever in a lilied pool. But fervent heat and toil o'ercame The vigour of each yielding frame. Our weary hearts hegSfo^io quail, And wildered sense to reel and fail. We knew not) fainting atid distressed, The north or south or east or west. With a great strain mine eyes I turned Where the fierce sun before me burned, And seemed to my astonished eyes ' The equal of the earth in size. ' At length, o'erpowered, Jatayug fell Without a word to say farewell. And when to earth I saw him hie I followed headlong from the sky. * With sheltering wings I intervened And from the sun his body screened. But lost, for heedless folly doomed. My pinions which the heat consumed. In Janasthan, I hear them say. My hapless brother fell and lay. I, pinionless and faint and weak, Dropped upon Vindhya's woody peak. Now with my swift wings burnt away. Reft of my brother and my sway , From this tall mountain's summit I Will cast me headlong down and die.' i ' ■ ' ' '— ' 1 1 : . La < u ' Of course not equal to the whole earth, says the Commentator, but equal to Janasthan. ^ This appears to be the Indian fornli of the stories Of Phaethon and Deedalus and Icarus. 263 CANTO IXII. sampAti's story. * As to the saint I thus complamed My bitter tears fell unrestrained. He pondered for a while, then broke The silence, and thus calmly spoke : ' Forth from thy sides again shall spring, O royal bird^ each withered wing. And all thine ancient power and might Return to thee with strength of sight A noble deed has been foretold In prophecy pronounced of old i Nor dark to me are future things. Seen by the light which penance brings. A glorious king shall rise and reign. The pride of old Ikshvaku's strain. A good and valiant prince, his heir. Shall the dear name of Rama bear. With his brave brother Lakshman he An exile in the woods shall be, Where RS,van, whom no God may slay, ' Shall steal his darling wife away. In vain the captive will be wooed With proffered love and dainty food. She will not hear, she will not taste : But, lest her beauty wane and waste. Lord Indra's self will come to her ' According to the promise given bim by Braliini. See Book I. Canto XIV. 264, . THE BAM AY AN. Book IV. With heavenly food, and minister. Then envoys of the Vanar race By Kama sent will seek this place. To them, O roamer of the air. The lady's fate shalt thou declare. Thou most not move — so maimed thou art — Thou canst not from this spot depart. Await the day and moment due. And thy burnt wings will sprout anew. I might this day the boon bestow And bid again thy pinions grow, But wait until thy saving deed The nations from their fear have freed. Then for this glorious aid of thine The princes of Ikshvaku's line. And Gods above and saints below Eternal gratitude shall owe. Fain would mine aged eyes behold That pair of whom my lips have told. Yet wearied here I must not stay. But leave my frame and pass away.* 265 CANTO LXIII. sampAti's story. ' With this and many a speech beside My failing heart he fortified. With glorious hope my breast inspired, And to his holy home retired. I scaled the mountain height, to view The region round, and looked for you. In ceaseless watchings night and day A hundred seasons passed away, And by the sage's words consoled I wait the hour and chance foretold. But since NiSdkar sought the skies, And cast away all earthly ties. Full many a care and doubt has pressed With grievous weight upon my breast. But for the saint who turned aside My purpose I had surely died. Those hopeful words the hermit spake, That bid me live for Rama's sake. Dispel my anguish as the light Of lamp and torch disperse the night. ' He ceased : and in the Vanars' view Forth from his side young pinions grew, And boundless rapture filled his breast As thus the chieftains he addressed : ' Joy, joy I the pinions, which the Lord Of Day consumed, are now restored 266 THE R.mAYAN. Book tV. Through the dear grace and boundless might Of that illustrious anchorite. The fire of youth within me burns, And all my wonted streagth returns. Onward, ye V^nars, toil and strive> And you shall find the dame alive. Look on these new-found wings, and hence Be strong in surest confidence. ' Swift from the crag he sprang to try His pinions in his native sky. His words the chieftainii' doubts had stilled. And every heart with courage filled. ' ' Id the Bengal recension ihe fourth Book ends here, the remaittiog cantos being placed in the fifth. 267 CANTO LXIV. THE SEA. Shouts of triumphant joy outrang As to their feet the Vdnars sprang ; And, on the mighty task intent, Swift to the sea their steps they bent. They stood and gazed upon the deep, Whose billows with a roar and leap On the sea banks were wildly hurled,— The mirror of the mighty world. There on the strand the Vanars stayed And with sad eyes the deep surveyed. Here, as in play, his billows rose, And there he slumbered in repose. Here leapt the boisterous waters, high As mountains, menacing the sky, And wild infernal forms between The ridges of the waves were seen. They saw the billows rave and swell, And their sad spirits sank and fell ; For ocean in their deep despair Seemed boundless as the fields of air. Then noble Angad spake to cheer The Vanars and dispel their fear : ' Faint not : despair should never find Admittance to a noble mind. Despair, a serpent's mortal bite. Benumbs the hero's power and might.' 268 THE RAM AY AN. Book lY. Then passed the weary night, and all Assembled at their prince's call, And every lord of high estate Was gathered round him for debate. Bright Was the chieftains' glorious band Kouind Angad on the ocean strand. As when the mighty Storm-Gfods meet Bound Indra on his golden seat. Then princely Angad looked on each, And thus began his prudent speech : ' What chief of all our host will leap A hundred leagues across the deep ? Who, O illustrious Vanars, who Will make SugriVa's promise true, And from our weight of fear set free The leaders of our band and me ? Tb whom, O warriors, shall we owe A sweet release from pain and woe. And proud success, and happy lives With our dear children and our wives,^ Again permitted by his grace To look with joy on llama's face. And noble Lakshman, and our lord The king, to our sweet homes restored ? ' Thus to the gathered lords he spoke ; But no reply the silence broke. Then with a sterner voice he cried : 'O chiefs, the nation's boast and pride, Whom valour strength and power adorn. Of most illustrious lineage born. Where'er you will you force a way. And none your rapid course can stay. Now come, your several powers declare, And who this desperate leap will dare ? £69 CANTO LXV. THE COUNCIL. But none of all the host was found To clear the sea with desperate bound, Though each, as Angad bade, declared His proper power and what he dared. ' Then spake good Jambav^n the sage. Chief of them all for reverend age : ' I, Vanar chieftains, long ago Limbs light to leap could likewise show, But now on frame and spirit weighs The burthen of my length of days. Still task like this I may not slight; When Rdma and our king unite. So listen while I tell, friends, What lingering strength mine age attends. If my poor leap may aught avail, Of ninety leagues, I will not fail. Far other strength in youth's fresh prime I boasted, in the olden time. When, at Prahlada's ' solemn rite, I circled in my rapid flight Lord Vishnu, everlasting God, When through the universe he trod. ' Each chief cornea forward and says how far he can leap. Gaja says he can leap tec yojans, Gavsiksha cau leap twenty, Qavaya thirty, and so on up to ninety. ' FrahUda, the son of Hiranyakasipu, was a pious Daitya remarkable for his devotion to Vishnu, and was on this account persecuted by his father. 270 THE RAM AY AN. Booh IV. But now my limbs are weak and old, My youth is fled, its fire is cold. And these exhausted nerves to strain In such a task were idle pain.' Then Angad due obeisance paid, And to the chief his answer made ; ' Then I, ye noble Vdnars, I Myself the mighty leap will try ; Although' perchance the power I lack To leap from Lanka's island back.' Thus the impetuous chieftain cried. And Jambavan the sage replied : ' Whate'er thy power and might may be,. This task, Prince, is not for thee. Kings go not forth themselves, but send The servant? who their hest attend. Thou art the darling .and the boast. The honoured lord of all the host. In thee the root, Angad, lies Of our appointed enterprise ; And thee, on whom our hopes depend, Our care must cherish and defend.' Then Bali's noble son replied : ' Needs must I go, whate'er betide, For, if no chief this exploit dare. What waits us all save blank despairj — Upon the ground again to lie In hopeless misery, fast, and die? For not a hope of life I see ' If we neglect our king's decree.' Then spok^ the aged chief again : ' Nay, our attempt shall not be vain. For to the task will I incite A chieftain of sufficient might.' 271 CANTO LXVI. HANUMAir. The chieftain turned his glances where The legions sat in mute despair ; And then to HanumSn, the best Of Vanar lords, these words addressed : ' Why still, and silent, and apart, O hero of the dauntless heart ? Thou keepest treasured in thy mind The laws that rule the Vanar kind. Strong as our king Sugriva, brave As RSma's self to slay or save. Through every land thy praise is heard. Famous as that illustrious bird, Arishtanemi's son, ' the king Of every fowl that plies the wing. Oft have I seen the monarch sweep With sounding pinions o'er the deep. And in his mighty talons bear Huge serpents struggling through the air. Thy arms, O hero, match in might The ample wings he spreads for flight ; And thou with him mayst well compare In power to do, in heart to dare. Why, rich in wisdom, power, and skill, O hero, art thou lingering still ? ' The Bengal recension calls him Arishtanemi's brother. " The com- mentator says " Arishtanemi is Aruna." Arunathe charioteer of the sun is the son of Kasyapa and VinabJ and by consequence brother of Garuda called Vainateya from Vinata bis mother." Qobresio. 272 THE RAMAYAN. Book IV. An Apsaras, ' the fairest found Of nymphs for heavenly charms renowned, Sweet PunjikasthaM, became A noble Vanar's wedded dame. Her heavenly title heard no more, Anjana was the name she bore, When, cursed by Gods, from heaven she fell In Vdnar form on earth to dwell, New-bom in mortal shape the child Of Kunjar monarch of the wild. In youthful beauty wondrous fair, A croAvn of flowers about her hair. In silken robes of richest dye She roamed the hills that kiss the sky. Once in her tinted garments dressed She stood upon the mountain crest. The God of Wind beside her came. And breathed upon the lovely dame. And as he fanned her robe aside The wondrous beauty that he eyed In rounded lines of breast and limb And neck and shoulder ravished him ; And captured by her peerless charms He strained her in his amorous arms. Then to the eager God she cried In trembling accents, terrified : ' Whose impious love has wronged a spouse So constant to her nuptial vows ?' He heard, and thus his answer made : ' 0, be not troubled, nor afraid. But trust, and thou shalt know ere long My love has done thee, sweet, no wrong. So strong and brave and wise shall be ' A nymph of Paradise. Canto LXVI. , THE RAMAYAN. 273 The glorious child I give to thee. Might shall be his that nalight can tire, And limbs to spring as springs his sire.' Thus spoke the God : the conquered dame Rejoiced in heart nor feared the shame. Down in a cave beneath the earth The happy mother gave thee birth. Once o'er the summit of the wood Before thine eyes the new sun stood. Thou sprangest up in haste to seize What seemed the fruitage of the trees. Up leapt the child, a wondrous bound. Three hundred leagufes above the ground. And, though the angered Day-God shot His fierce beams on him, feared him not. Then from the hand of Indra came A red bolt winged with wrath and flame. The child fell smitten on a rock, His cheek was shattered by the shock. Named Hanum^n ' thenceforth by all In memory of the fearful fall. The wandering Wind-God saw thee lie With bleeding cheek and drooping eye, And stirred to anger by thy woe Forbade each scented breeze to blow. The breath of all the worlds was stilled, And the sad Gods with terror filled Prayed to the Wind, to calm the ire And sdbthe the sorrow of the sire. His fiery wrath no longer glowed. And Brahma's self the boon bestowed That in the brunt of battle none Should slay with steel the Wind-God's son. ' Hanu or Hanii means jaw. Uanumidi or Haniimjn means properly one with a large jaw. R t74> THE R^MAYAN. Book IV. Lord India, sovereign of the skies, Bent on thee all his thousand eyes. And swore that ne'er the bolt -which he Hurls from the heaven should injure thee. 'Tis thine, mighty chief, to share The Wind-God's power, his son and heir. Sprung from that glorious father thou, And thou alone, canst aid us now. This earth of yorOj through all her climes, I circled one-and-twenty times. And gathered, as the Gods decreed. Great store of herbs from hill and mead, "Which, scattered o'er the troubled wave. The Amrit to the toilers gave. But now my days are wellnigh told. My strength is gone, my limbs are old, And thou, the bravest and the best. Art the sure hope of all the rest. Now, mighty chief, the task assay : Thy matchless power and strength display. Rise vip, prince, our second king, And o'er the flood of ocean spriiig. So shall the glorious exploit vie With his who stepped through earth and sky.' ' He spoke : the younger chieftain heard, His soul to vigorous effort stirred. And stood before their joyous eyes Dilated in gigantic size. ' YiEhniu, the Qod of the Three Steps. 275 cakto Ltni. EAWUmAN'S aPESGH. Soon as his stature they beheld, Their fear and sorrow were dispelled j And joyous praises loud and long Rang out from all the Vanar throng. On the great chief their eyes they bent In rapture and astonishment. As, when his conquering foot he raised, The Gods upcMi N^rdyan ' gazed. He stood amid the joyous crow<^ Bent to the chiefs, and cried aloud : 'The Wind-God, Fire's eternal friend. Whose blasts the mountain summits rend, With boundless force that none may stay. Takes where he lists his viewless way. Sprung from that glorious father, 1 In power and speed with him may vie, A thousand times with airy leap Can circle Mtiest Meru's steep : With my fierce arms can stir the sea Till from their bed the waters flee And rush at my commaiid to drown This land with grove and tower and town. I through the fields of air can spring Far swifter than, the feathered king, And leap befote him as he flies ■' NariCyan,. ' He wIiO' moved upon the waters,'' is Vishnu. The allu- sion is to the famous three steps of that Go(L 276 THE RAM AY AN. Book 17. On sounding pinions through the skies, I can pursue the Lord of Light Uprising from the eastern height, And reach him ere his course be sped With burning beams engarlanded. I will dry up th^ mighty main, Shatter the rocks and rend the plain. O'er earth and ocean will I bound. And every flower that grows on ground. And bloom of climbing plants shall show Strewn on the groijnd, the way I go, Bright as the lustrous path that lies Athwart the region of the skies. ' The Maithil lady will I find,— Thus speaks mine own prophetic mind, — And cast in hideous ruin down The shattered walls of Lanka's town.' Still on the chief in rapt surprise The V^nar legions bent their eyes, And thus again sage Jambavdn Addressed the glorious Hanumdn : * Son of the Wind, thy promise cheers The Vdnars' hearts, and calms their fears, Who, rescued from their dire distress. With prospering vows thy way will Wess, The holy saints their favour lend, And all our chiefs the deed commend Urging thee forward on thy way: Arise then, and the task assay. Thou art our only refuge ; we, Our lives and all, depend on thee.' Then sprang the Wind-God's son, the best Of Vanars, on Jtfahendra's crest, > The Milky Way. Canto LXVn. THE MMAYAN. 277 And the gieat mountain rocked and swayed By that unusUal weight dismayed, As reels an elephant beneath The lion's spring and rending teeth. The shady wood that crowned him shook, The trembling birds th6 boughs forsook, And ape and pard and lion fled From brake and lair disquieted. BOOK V.' CANTO I. eanumAn's leap. Thus Ravan's foe resolved to trace The captive to her hiding-place Through airy pathways overhead Which heavenly minstrels visited. With straining nerve and eager brows, Like some strong husband of the cows, In ready might he stood prepared For the bold task his soul had dared. O'er gem-like grass that flashed and glowed The V^nar like a lion strode. Roused by the thunder of his tread. The beasts to shady coverts fled. Tall trees he crushed or hurled aside. And every bird was terrified. Around him loveliest lilies grew. Pale pink, and red, and white, and blue. And tints of many a metal lent The light of varied ornament, Gandharvas, changing forms at will, And Yakshas roamed the lovely hill, ' This Book is called Sundar or the Beautiful. To a Kuropean taste it is the most intolerably tedious of the whole poem, abounding in re- petition, overloaded description, and long and useless speeches which impede the action of the poem. Manifest interpolations of whole Cantos also occur. I have omitted none of the action of the Book, but have occasionally omitted long passages of common-place descrip- tion, lamentation, and long stories which have been again and again repeated. 280 THE RjfMJ[YAN. Book V. And countless Serpent-Gods were seen Where flowers and grass were fresh and green. As some resplendent serpent takes His pastime in the best of lakes. So on the mountain's woody height The Vanar wandered with delight. Then, standing on the flowery sod. He paid his vows to saint and God. Swayambhu ' and the Sun he prayed. And the swift Wind to lend him aid, And Indra, sovereign of the skies, To bless his hardy enterprise. Then once again the chief addressed The Vanars from the mountain crest : ' Swift as a shaft from £,dma's bow To Rdvan's city will I go. And if she be not there will fly And seek the lady in the sky ; Or, if in heaven she be not found. Will hither bring the giant bound.' He ceased ; and mustering his might Sprang downward from the mountain height. While, shattered by each mighty limb. The trees unrooted followed him. The shadow on the ocean cast By his vast form, as on he passed. Flew like a ship before the gale When the strong breeze has filled the sail. And where his course the V^nar held The sea beneath him raged and swelled. Then Gods and all the heavenly train Poured flowerets down in gentle rain ; Their voices glad Gandharvas raised, ' Brahma the Self-Existeot, Canto I. TEE RA'MJtVAN. 281 And saints in heaven the Vanar praised. Fain would the Sea his succour lend And Raghu's noble son befriend. He, moved by zeal for Rdma's sake, The hill Mainaka ' thus bespake : ' strong Mainaka, heaven's decree In days of old appointed thee To be the Asurs' bar, and keep The rebels in the lowest deep. Thou guardest those whom heaven has cursed Lest from their prison-house they burst. And standest by the gates of hell Their limitary sentinel. To thee is given the power to spread Or spring above thy watery bed. Now, best of noble mountains, rise And do the thing that I advise. E'en now above thy buried crest Flies mighty Hanura^n, the best Of Vdnars, moved for RS,ma's sake A wondrous deed to undertake. Lift up thy head that he may stay And rest him on his weary way.' He heard, and from his watery shroud. As bursts the sun from autumn cloud. Rose swiftly, crowned with plant and tree. And stood above the foamy sea.' There with his lofty peaks upraised Bright as a hundred suns he blazed, And crest and crag of burnished gold Flashed on the flood that round him rolled. ' Mainaka was the son of Himflaya and Meni or Menaki ' Thus Milton makes the hills of heaven self-moving at command : * At his command the uprooted hills retired Each to his place, they heard his voice and went Obsequious.' 282 THE RAM^YAN. Booh V. The V^nar thought the mountain rose A hostile har to interpose, And, like a wind-swept cloud, o'erthrew The glittering mountain as he flew. Then from the falling hill rang out A warning voice and joyful shout. Again he raised him high in air To meet the flying Vanar there. And standing on his topmost peak In human fornj began to speak : ' ' Best of the Vanars' noblest line, A mighty task, chief, is thine. Hefe for a while, I pray thee, light And rest upon the breeisy height. A prince of Raghu's line was he Who gave his glory to the Sea, ' Who now to Rama's envoy shows High honour for the debt he owes. He bade me lift my buried head Uprising from my watery bed. And woo the Vanar chief to rest A moment on my glittering crest. Refresh thy weary limbs, and eat My mountain fruits for they are sweet. I too, chieftain, know thee well ; Three worlds thy famous virtues tell ; And none, I ween, with thee may vie Who spring impetuous through the sky. To every guest, though mean and low. The wise respect and honour show ; ' The spirit of the mountain is separable from the mountain, Him- iClaya has also been represented as standing in human form on one of his own peaks. ^ Sagar or the Sea is said to have derived its name from Sagar. The Btory is fully told in Book I. Cantos XLII., XLIII., and XLIV. CmtQ J. Tm RAM AY AN. 283 And how shall I neglect thee, how Slight the great guest so near me now ? Son of the Wind, 'tis thine to share The might of him who shakes the air ; And, — for he loves his offspring, — -he Is honoured when J honour thee, Of yore, when Krita's age ' was new, The little hills and mountains flew Where'er they listed, borne on wings More rapid than the feathered king's.' But mighty terror came on all The Gods and saints who feared their fftU, And Indra in his anger rent Their pinions with the bolts he sent. When in his ruthless fury be Levelled his flashing bolt at me. The great-souled Wind inclined to save, And laid me neath the ocean's wave, Thus by the favour of thy sire I kept my cherished, Tilings entire ; And for this d^ed of kindness done I honour thee his noble son. O come, thy weary limbs relieve. And honour due from me receive.' ' I may not rest,' the Vanar cried ; ' I must not stay or turn ^.side. Yet pleased am I, thou noblest hill. And as the deed accept thy will.' Thus as he spoke he lightly pressed With his broad hand the mountain's crest, ' Krita is the first of the fqur ages pf the world, the golden age, aliio called Satya. ^ Fariiaia means a mountain and in the Vedag a cloud. Hence in later mythology the mountains have taken the place of the clouds as the objects of the attacks of Indra the Sun-God, The feathered king is Qaruda. 284 THE RJ'MAYAN. Book V. Then bounded upward to the height Of heaven, rejoicing in his might. And through the fields of boundless blue, The pathway of his father, flew. Gods, saints, and heavenly bards beheld That flight that none had paralleled, Then to the Ndgas' mother ' came And thus addressed the sun-bright dame ; ' See, Hanumin with venturous leap Would spring across the mighty deep, — A Vanar prince, the Wind-God's seed : Come, Surasa, his course impede. In E^kshas form thy shape disguise, Terrific, like a hill in size : Let thy red eyes with fury glow, And high as heaven thy body grow. With fearful tusks the chief defy, That we his power and strength may try. He will with guile thy hold elude, Or own thy might, by thee subdued.' Pleased with the grateful honours paid, The godlike dame their words obeyed. Clad in a shape of terror she Sprang from the middle of the sea. And, with fierce accents that appalled All creatures, to the Vanar called : ' Come, prince of Vdnars, doomed to be My food this day by heaven's decree. Such boon from ages long ago To BrahmS,'s favouring will I owe.' She ceased, and Hanuman replied, ' " The children of Surasa were a thousand mighty many-headed serpents, traveising the sky." Wilson's Vishm Purdna, Vol. il. p. 73.' Canto I. THE RAMjfVAN. 285 By shape and threat unterrified : ' Brave Rdma with his Maithil spouse Lodged in the shade of Dandak's boughs. Thence Ravari king of giants stole Sit£ the joy of Rdma's soul, By Rdma's high behest to her I go a willing messenger ; And never shouldst thou hinder one Who toils for Da^aratha's son. First captive Sita will I see, And him who sent and waits for me, Then come and to thy will submit. Yea, by my truth I promise it.' ' Nay, hope not thus thy life to save ; Not such the boon that Brahmd gave. Enter my mouth,' was her reply, 'Then forward on thy journey hie ! ' ' ' Stretch, wider stretch thy jaws,' exclaimed The Vdnar chief, to ire inflamed ; And, as the Rakshas near him drew. Ten leagues in height his stature grew. Then straight, her threatening jaws between, A gulf of twenty leagues was seen. To fifty leagues he waxed, and still Her mouth grew wider at her will. Then smaller than a thumb became. Shrunk by his power, the Vdnar's frame.' He leaped within, and turning round Sprang through the portal at a bound. Then hung in air a moment, while ' She meaaa, says the commentator, pursue thy journey if thou can. * If Milton's spirits are allowed the power of infinite self-extension and compression the same must be conceded to Valmiki's supernatural beings. Given the power as in Milton the result in V^lmiki is per- fectly consistent. 286 THE RAMATAN. Book V. He thus addressed her with a smile : * Daksha's childj' farewell at last ! Eor I withia thj mouth have passed. " Thou hast the gift of Brahma's gr&ce : I go, the Maithil queen to trace.' Then, to her former shape restored. She thus addressed the V^nar lord : * Then forward to the task, and may Success and joy attend thy way ! Go, and the rescued lady bring In triumph to her lord and king.' Then hosts of spirits as they gazed The daring of the V^nar praised. Through the broad fields of ether, fast As Garud's royal self, he passed, ' The region of the cloud and rain. Loved by the gay Gandharva train. Where mid the birds that came and went Shone Indra's glorious bow unbent. And like a host of wandering stars Flashed the high Gods' celestial cars. Fierce Sinhikd " who joyed in ill And changed her form to work her will, Descried him on his aify way And marked the V^nar for her prey. * This day at length,' the demon cried, ' My hunger shall be satisfied',' ' " Daksha is the son of Brahma and one of tte Prajapatis or divine progenitors. He had B"fxty daughters, tweiUly-geven of whotti mafried to Kasyapa produced, accordiug to one of the Indian cosmogonies, all mundane beings. Does th« epithet, Descendent of Daksha , given to Suras^ mean that she is one of those daughters ? I think not. This epithet is perhaps an appellation common to a3\ crested beings aa having sprung from Daksha." QoEriESio. ' SinhikiC is the mother of Raha the drago&'s head or ascending node, the chief agent in eclipses. Canto 1. THE RJCMAYAN. 287 And at his passing shadow caught Delighted with the cheering thought. The Vdnar felt the power that stayed And held him as she grasped his shade. Like some tall ship upon the main That struggles with the wind in vain. Below, above, his eye he bent And scanned the sea and firmament. High from the briny deep upreared The monster's hideous form appeared. ' Sugriva's tale,' he cried,' is true : - This is the demon dire to view Of whom the Vdnar monarch told. Whose grasp a passing shade can hold.' Then, as a cloud in rain-time grows. His form, dilating, swelled and rose. Wide as the space from heaven to hell Her jaws she opened with a yell, And rushed upon her fancied prey With cloud-rlike roar to seize and slay.' The Vanar swift as thought compressed His borrowed bulk of limb and chest, And stood with one quick bound inside The monstrous mouth she opened wide. Hid like the moon when Rfihu ' draws The orb within his ravening jaws. Within that ample cavern pent The demon's form he tore and rent. And, from the mangled carcass freed. Came forth aigain with thought-like speed.' ' Bilhu 13 the demon who causes eclipses by attempting to swallow the sun and moon. ^ According to De Gubematis, the author of the very learned, in- genious, and interesting though too fanciful Zoological Mythology, Hanuman here represents the sun entering into and escaping from a 288 THE RAM AY AN. Book V. Thus with his skill the fiend he slew, Then to his wonted stature grew. The spirits saw the demon die. And hailed the Vanar from the sky : ' Well hast thou fought a wondrous fight Nor spared the fiend's terrific might. On, on ! perform the blameless deed, And in thine every wish succeed. Ne'er can they fail in whom combine Such valour, thought, and skill as thine.' Pleased with their praises as they sang, Again through fields of air he sprang. And now, his travail wellnigh done, The distant shore was almost won. Before him on the margent stood In long dark line a waving wood. And the fair^island, bright and green With flowers and trees, was clearly seen. And every babbling brook that gave Her lord the sea a tribute wave. He lighted down on Lamba's peak Which tinted metals stain and streak. And looked where Lanka's splendid town Shone on the mountain like a crown. cloud. The biblical Jonah, according to him, typifies the same pheno- menon. S^'di, speaking of sun< Yilvakarm^ is the architect of the Oods. Canto II. THE RA'MjtYAN. 291 Make victory mine only aim. But, if I wear my present shape, How shall I enter and escape The Rakshas troops, their guards and spies, * And sleepless^ watch of cruel eyes ? The fiends of giant race who hold This mighty town are strong and bold ; And I must labour to elude The fiercely watchful multitude. I in a shape to mock their sight Must steal within the town by night. Blind with my art the demons' eyes. And thus achieve my enterprise. How may I see, myself unseen Of the fierce king, the captive queen. And meet her in some lonely place, With none beside her, face to face ? ' When the bright sun had left the skies The Yinar dwarfed his mighty size, And, in the straitest bounds restrained. The bigness of a cat retained. ' Then, when the moon's soft light was spread, Within the city's walls he sped. ' So in Paradise LoBt Satsui when he haa stealthily entered the gar- den of Eden assumes the form of a cormorant, ' 292 CANTO IIL THE GUARDIAN GODDESS. There from tte circling rampart's height He gazed upon the wondrous sight ; Broad gates with burnished gold displayed. And courts with turkises inlaid ; With gleaming silver, gems, and rows Of crystal stairs and porticoes. In semblance of a Rdkshaa dame The city's guardian Goddess came, — For she with glances sure and keen The entrance of a foe had seen, — And thus with fury in her eye Addressed him witli an angry cry : ' Who art thou ? what has led thee, say, Within these walls to find thy way ? Thou mayst not enter here in spite Of Ravan and his warriors' might' ' And who art thou ? ' the V£nar cried, By form and- frown unterrified ; ' Why hast thou met me by the gate. And chid me thus infuriate ? ' He ceased : and Lanka made reply : ' The guardian of the town am I, Who watch for ever to fulfil My lord the Rdkshas monarch's wiU. But thou shalt fall this hour, and deep Shall be thy never-ending sleep.' Again he spake : ' In spite of thee Canto III. THE RAMAYAN. 293 This golden city will I see. Her gates and towers, and all the pride Of street and square from side to side. And freely wander where I please Amid her groves of flowering trees ; On all her beauties sate mine eye. Then, as I came, will homeward hie.' Swift with an angry roar she smote With her huge hand the Vanar's throat. The smitten Vanar, rage-impelled, With fist upraised the monster felled ; But quick repented, stirred with shame And pity for a vanquished dame. When with her senses troubled, weak With terror, thus she strove to speak : ' spare me thou whose arm is strong : spare me, and forgive the wrong. The brave that law will ne'er transgress That spares a woman's helplessness. Hear, best of Vanars, brave and bold. What Brahma's self of yore foretold : ' Beware,' he said, ' the fatal hour When thou shalt own a Vanar's power. Then is the giants' day of fear. For terror and defeat are near.' Now, Vanar chief, o'ercome by thee, 1 own the truth of heaven's decree. For Sitd's sake will ruin fall On B^van, and his town, and all.' 294 CANTO IV. WITHIN TEE CITY. The guardian goddess thus subdued, The Vanar chief his way pursued, And reached the broad imperial street Where fresh-blown flowers were bright and sweet. The city seemed a fairer sky Where cloud-like houses rose on'high, Whence the soft sound of tabors came Through many a latticed window frame. And ever and anon rang out The merry laugh and joyous shout. From house to house the Vdnar went And marked each varied ornament. Where leaves and blossoms deftly strung About the crystal columns hung. Then soft and full and sweet and clear The song of women charmed his ear. And, blending with their dulcet tones. Their anklets' chime and tinkling zones. He heard the R^kshas minstrels sing The praises of their matchless king ; And softly through the evening air Came murmurings Of text and prayer. Here moved a priest with tonsured head, And there an eager envoy sped. Mid crowds with hair in matted twine Clothed in the skins of deer and kine, — Whose only arms, which none might blame. Cmfo VI. THE RAMA7AK 295 Were blades of grass and holy flame.' There savage warriors roamed in bands With clubs and maces in their hands, Some dwarfish forms, some huge of size, With single ears and single eyes. Some shone in glittering mail arrayed With bow and mace and flashing blade ; Fiends of all shapes and every hue, Some fierce and foul, some fair to view. He saw the grisly legions wait In strictest watch at Ravan's gate, Whose palace on the mountain crest Rose proudly towering o'er the i:est. Fenced with high ramparts from the foe. And lotus-covered moats below. But Hanumfin, unhindered, found Quick passage through the guarded bound. Mid elephants of noblest breed. And gilded car and neighing steed. ' Priests who fought only with the weapons of religion, the sacred grass used like the vetbena of the Romans at sacred rites and the consecrated fire to consume the ofEering of ghee. 296 CANTO VI.' THE COURT. The palace gates were guarded ■well By many a Rakshas sentinel, • And far witliin, concealed from view. Were dames and female retintie For charm .of -form and face renowned ; Whose tinkling armlets made a sound. Clashed by the wearers in their glee, ' I omit Canto V. which corresponda to chapter XI. in Gorresio'* ' edition. That Bcholar justly observes : " The eleventh ehapter, De- Bcription of Evening, is certainly the vrork of the Rhapsbdists and an interpolation of later date. The chapter might be omitted without any injury to the action of the poem, and besides the metre, style, con- ceiis and images differ from the general teneur of the poem ; and that continual repetition of the same sounds at the end of each hemistich which is not exactly rime, \mt assonance, reveals the artificial labour of a more recent age." The following sample will probably be enough. I am unable to show the difference of style in a translation: Fair shone the moon, as if to lend His cheering light to guide a friend. And, circled by the starry host. Looked down upon the wild sea-coast. The y^nar chieftain raised his eyes, And saw him sailing through the skies Like a bright swan who joys to take His pastipie on a silver lake : Fair moon that calms the mourner's pain. Heaves up the waters of the main, And o'er the life beneath him throws A tender light of soft repose. The charm that clings to Mandar's hill, Gleams in the sea when winds are still. And decks the lily's opening flower, Showed in that moon her sweetest power. Canto VI. THE RAM/C!^AN. 297 Like music of a distant sea. The hall beyond the palace gate. Rich with each badge of royal state, Where lines of noble courtiers stood, Showed like a lion-guarded wood. There the wild music rose and fell Of drum and tabor and of shell. Through chambers at each holy tide By solemn worship sanctified. Through grove and garden, undismayed. From house to house the VAnar strayed, And still his wondering glances bent On terrace, dome, and battlement : Then with a light and rapid tread Prahasta's' home he visited. And Kumbhakarna's ^ courtyard where A cloudy pile rose high in air ; And, wandering o'er the hill, explored The garden of each Edkshas lord. Each court and grove he wandered through, Then nigh to Eavan's palace drew. She-demons watched it foul of face. Each armed with sword and spear and mace. And warrior fiends of every hue, A strange and fearful retinue. There elephants in many a row. The terror of the stricken foe, Huge as Air&vat, ' deftly trained In battle-fields, stood ready chained. Fair litters on the ground were set Adorned with gems and golden net. Gay bloomy creepers clothed the walls ; ' One of the Rdkalias lords. ' The brother of B^van. ' India's elephant. 298 THE R^M^AN. Booh V. Green bowers were there and picture halls. And chambers made for soft delight. Broad banners waved on every height. And from the roof like Mandar's hill The peacock's cry came loud and shrill.' ' Bavan'ti palace appears to have occupied the whole extent of ground, and to have contained within its outer walls the mansions of all the great RiSkshas chiefs. Rlvan's own dwelling seems to have been situated within the enchanted chariot Puahpak : but the description is involved and confused, and it is difficult to say whether the chariot was inside the palace or the palace inside the chariot. 299 CANTO VIT. EAVA^'S PALACE. He passed within the walls and gazed On gems and gold that round him blazed. And many a latticed window bright With turkis and with lazulite. Through porch and ante-rooms he passed Each richer, fairer than the last ; And spacious halls where lances lay, And bows and shells, in fair array : A glorious house that matched in show All Paradise displayed below. Upon the polished floor were spread Fresh buds and blossoms white and red, And women shone, a lovely crowd. As lightning flashes through a cloud : A palace splendid as the sky Which moon and planets glorify : Like earth whose towering hills unfold Their zones and streaks of glittering gold ; Where waving on the mountain brows The tall trees bend their laden boughs, And every bough and tender spray ,With a bright load of bloom is gay, And every flower the breeze has bent Fills all the region with its scent. Near the tall palace pale of hue Shone lovely lakes where lilies blew. And lotuses with flower and bud 300 THE RAMAYAN. Book V. Gleamed on the bosom of the flood. There shone with gems that flashed afar The marvel of the Flower-named ' car. Mid wondrous dwellings still confessed Supreme and nobler than the rest. Thereon with wondrous art deigned Were turkis birds of varied kind, And many a sculptured serpent rolled His twisted coil in burnished gold. And steeds were there of noblest form With flying feet as fleet as storm : And elephants with deftest skill Stood sculptured by a silver rill. Each bearing on his trunk a wreath Of lilies from the flood beneath. There Lakshmi, ^ beauty's heavenly queen. Wrought by the artist's skill, was seen Beside a flower-clad pool to stand Holding a lotus, in her hand. ' Pushpak from pmhpa a flower. The car has been mentioned be- fore jn Riivan's expedition to carry off SitsJ, Book III, Canto XXXV. ' Lakshmi is the wife of Vishnu and the Goddess of Beauty and Felicity. She rose, like Aphrodite, from the foam of the sea. For am account of her birth and beauty, see Book I. Caitto XLV. 301 CANTO VIII. THE ENCHANTED CAR. There gleamed the car with wealth untold Of precious gems and burnished gold ; Nor could the Wind-God's son withdraw His rapt gaze from the sight he saw, By Vilvakarmd's ' self proclaimed The noblest work his hand had framed. Uplifted in the air it glowed Bright as the sun's diurnal road. The eye might scan the wondrous frame And vainly seek one spot to blame. So fine was every part and fair With gems inlaid with lavish care. No precious stones so rich adorn The cars wherein the Gods are borne. Prize of the all-resistless might That sprang from pain and penance rite,' Obedient to the master's will It moved o'er wood and towering hill, A glorious marvel well designed By Vilvakarm^'s artist mind. Adorned with every fair device That decks the cars of Paradise. Swift moving as the master chose " Visvakarmii is the architect of the Gods, the Hephsestos or Mai- ciber of the Indian heaven. • Ravan in the resistlesa power which his long austerities had en- dowed him with, had conquered his brother Kuvera the God of Gold and takes from him his greatest treasure this enchanted car. 302 THE R^MATAN. Book V. It flew through air or sank or rose,' And in its fleetness left behind The fury of the rushing wind : Meet mansion for the good and great, The holy, wise, and fortunate. Throughout the chariot's vast extent Were chambers wide and excellent. All pure and lovely to the eyes As moonlight shed from cloudless skies. Fierce goblins, rovers of the night Who cleft the clouds with swiftest flight. In countless hosts that chariot drew. With earrings clashing as they flew. ' Like Milton's heavenly car : ' Itself iaetiuct with spirit.' 203 CANTO IX. THE LADIES' BOWER. Where stately mansions rose around, A palace fairer still he found, Whose royal height and splendour showed Where Ravan's self, the king, abode. A chosen band with bow and sword Guarded the palace of their lord. Where Edkshas dames of noble race. And many a princess fair of face Whom E,d,van's arm had torn away From vanquished kings, in slumber lay. There jewelled arches high o'erhead An ever-changing lustre shed From ruby, pearl, and every gem ■ On golden pillars under them. Delicious came the tempered air That breathed a heavenly summer there. Stealing through bloomy trees that bore Each pleasant fruit in endless store. No check was there from jealous guard, No door was fast, no portal barred ; Only a sweet air breathed to meet The stranger, as a host should greet A wanderer of his kith and kin And woo his weary steps within. He stood within a spacious hall With fretted roof and painted wall. The giant Ravan's boast and pride, 304 THE RAM AY AN. Book V. Loved even as a lovely bride. 'Twere long to tell each marvel there. The crystal floor, the jewelled stair. The gold, the silver, and the shine Of chrysolite and almandine. There breathed the fairest blooms of spring ; There flashed the proud swan's silver wing, The splendour of whose feathers broke Through fragrant wreaths of aloe smoke. ' Tis Indra's heaven,' the Vanar cried, Gazing in joy from side to side ; ' The home of all the Gods is this. The mansion of eternal bliss.' There were the softest carpets spread. Delightful to the sight and tread, Where many a lovely woman lay O'ercome by sleep, fatigued with play. The wine no longer cheered the feast. The sound of revelry had ceased. The tinkling feet no longer stirred, No chiming of a zone was heard. So when each bird has sought her nest. And swans are mute and wild bees rest, Sleep the fair lilies on the lake Till the sun's kiss shall bid them wake. Like the calm field of winter's sky Which stars unnumbered glorify, So shone and glowed the sumptuous room With living stars that chased the gloom. ' These are the stars,' the chieftain cried, ' In autumn nights that earth-ward glide. In brighter forms to reappear And shine in matchless lustre here.' With wondering eyes a while he viewed CmtQ IX. ms R^M^f^N. 905 Eax:h graceful form and attitu^- One lady's head was backward thrown, Bare was her arm and loos^ her zone. The garland that he? brow had graced Hung closely round another's vaist- Here gleamed two Uttle feet all bare Of anklets that had sparkled there. Here lay a queenly dame at ya?t In all her glorious garmeots dressed. There slept another whose small hattd Had loosened every tie wd baad. In careless grace another lay With gems and jewels cast away, Like a young creeper when the tread Of the wild elephant has spread Confusion and destruction round. And cast it flowerless to the ground. Here lay a slumberer still as death, Save only that her balmy breath Raised ever and anon the lace That floated o'er her sleeping face. There, sunk in sleep, an amorous maid Her sweet head on a mirror laid. Like a fair lily bending till Her petals rest upon the rill. Another black-eyed damsel pressed Her lute upon her heaving breast. As though her loving arms were twined Round him for whom her bosom pined. Another pretty sleeper round A silver vase her arms had wound. That seemed,' so fresh and fair and young, A wreath of flowers that o'er it hung. In sweet disorder lay a throng 306 THE RAM^tYAN. Book V. Weary of dance and play and song, Where heedless girls had sunk to rest One pillowed on another's breast. Her tender cheek half seen beneath Red roses of the falling ■wreath. The while her long soft hair concealed The beauties that her friend revealed. With limbs at random interlaced Round arm and leg and throat and waist, That wreath of women lay asleep Like blossoms in a careless heap. So7 CANTO X. BkVAN ASLEEP. Apart a dais of crystal rose With couches spread for soft repose, Adorned with gold and gems of price Meet for the halls of Paradise. A canopy was o'ef them spread Pale as the light the moonbeams shed, And female figures,' deftly planned. The faces of the sleepers fanned. There on a splendid couch, asleep On softest skins of deer and' sheep, Dark as a clOud that dims the day The monarch of the giants lay, Perfumed with sandal's precious scent And gay with golden ornament. His fiery eyes in slumber closed, In glittering robes the king reposed Like Mandar's mighty hill asleep With flowery trees that clothe his steep. Near and more near the Vanar drew The monarch of the fiends to view, And saw the giant stretched supine Fatigued with play and drunk with wine, While, shaking all the monstrous frame. His breath like hissing serpents' came. With gold and glittering bracelets gay ' Women, says V^Imiki. But the Commentator says that automatic figures only are meant. Women would have Been Hanuman and given tho alarm. 308 THE R^MJrYAM. SeoTc V. His mighty arms extended lay- Huge as the towering shafts that bear The flag of Indra high in air. ^Scars by^r^yat's tusk impressed Showed red Tipon -his shaggy breast, And'On his shoulders were displayed The dints. the thunder-bolt had made!' The spoTises of the giant king Around theix lord were slujnbOTing, And, gay with sparkling earrings, shone • Fair as the moon to look upon. There iby her husband's iside was seen Mandodari the favourite queen. The beauty of whose youthful face Beamed a soft glory through the place. The VanaiT marked the dame more fair Than all the -royal ladies there. And thought, ' These .rarest beaitties speak The matchless dame I come to seek. Peerless in grace and splendour, she The Maithil queen must surely be.' ' Ravan had fought against Indra and the ©ode, and his body was still scarred by the wound r inflicted by thetuskpof ladra'a elephant and l?y the fiery bolts of the Thunderer. S09 CANTO XI. TEE BANQUET HALL. But' soon, the baseless ttought was spumed, And, longing Hope again; returned^-. ''No: Rama's wife- is none o£ these,. No careless dame that lives at. ease.- Her widowed. heart has ceased. to care ■ Eor dress and sleep-and. dainty fare. She near, a lover, ne'er would lie Though Indra. wooed her from the sky. Her own, her only, lord, whom none Can match in heaven, is Raghufs son.' Then,, to the banq[uet hall intent On strictest search, his steps he bent.. He passed- within the door, and, found' Fair women sleeping on the ground, Where wearied, with the song,, perchance, The merry game, the wanton, dance, Each girl with wine and sleep oppressed Had, sunk her drooping head to rest. That spacious hall from' side to side With, noblest fare was well supplied. There quarters of the boar, and here Roast of the buffalo and deer. There on. gold plate, untouched as yet. The peacock and. the hen were set. There deftly mixed with, salt and curd Was meat of many a beast and bird, Of kid and porcupine and hare. 310 TEE RA'MJTAN. Book V. And dainties of th.e sea and air. There wrought of gold, ablaze with shine Of precious stones, were cups of wine. Through court and bower and baijquet hall The Vanar passed and viewed them all ; From end to end, in every spot. For Sit4 searched, but found her not, 311 CANTO XII. THE SEARCH RENEWED. Again the Vanar chief began Each chamber, bower, and hall to scan. In vain : he found not her he sought. And pondered thus in bitter thought : ' Ah me, the Maithil queen is slain : She, ever true and free 'from stain. The fiend's entreaty has denied. And by his cruel hand -has died. Or has she sunk, by terror killed. When first she saw the palace filled With female monsters evil-miened Who wait upon the robber fiend ? No battle fought, no might displayed. In vain this anxious search is made ; Nor shall my steps, made slow by shame, Because I failed to find the dame. Back to our lord the king be bent, For he is swift to punishment. In every bower my feet have been, The dames of E^van have I seen ; But Rama's spouse I seek in vain. And all my toil is fruitless pain. How shall I meet the Vanar band I left upon the ocean strand ? How, when they bid me speak, proclaim These tidings of defeat and shame ? How shall I look on Angad's eye ? 312 TEE nmAYAN. Booh V. What words will Jdmbavan replyj?~ Yet dauntless hearts will never fail To win success though foes assail. And I this sorrow wili subdue And search the palace through and through, Exploring with my caiutious tread Each spot as yet unvisited.' Again he turned him to explore Each chamber, hall, and corridor. And arbour bright with scented bloom. And lodge and cell and picture-rocan. With eager eye and noiseless feet He passed through many a cool- retreat Where women lay in slumber drowned ; But Sitd still was nowhere found. S13 CANTO XIII. BESPAIR AND HOPE. Then, rapid as the lightning's flame From Rivan's halls the Vdnar came. Each lingering hope was cold and dead, And thus within his heart he said : ' Alas, my fruitless search is done : Long have I toiled for Raghu's son ; And yet with all my care have seen No traces of the ravished queen. It may be, while the giant through The lone air with his caj)tive flew. The Maithil lady, tender-souled, Slipped struggling from the rohber's hold. And the wild sea is rolling now O'er Sita of the beauteous brow. Or did she perish of alarm When circled by the monster's arm ? Or crushed, unable to withstand The pressure of that monstrous hand ? Or when she spurned his suit with scorn. Her tender limbs were rent and torn. And she, her virtue unsubdued. Was slaughtered for the gianf s food. Shall I to Raghu's son relate His well-beloved consort's fate. My crime the same if I reveal The mournful story or conceal ? If with no happier tale tb tell 314 THE RAMAYAN. Book V. I seek our mountain citadel/ How shall I face our lord the king, And meet his angry questioning ? How shall I greet my friends, and brook The muttered taunt, the scornful look 1 How to the son of Raghu go And kill him with my tale of woe ? For sure the mournful tale I bear Will strike him dead with wild despair.- And Lakshmaij, ever fond and true. Will, undivided, perish too. Bharat will learn his brother's fate, And die of grief disconsolate. And sad Satrughna with a cry Of anguish on his coi^pse will die. Our king Sugriva, ever found True to each bond in honour bound. Will mourn the pledge he vainly gave. And die with him he could not save. Then Ruma his devoted wife For her dead lord will leave her life, And Tara, widowed and forlorn. Will die in anguish, sorrow-worn. On Angad too the blow will fall Killing the hope and joy of all. The ruin of their prince and king The Vdnars' souls with woe will wring. And each, o'erwhelmed with dark despair. Will beat his head and rend his hair. Each, graced and honoured long, will miss His careless life of easy bliss. In happy troops will play no more On breezy rock and shady shore. But with his darling wife and child Canto XI 11. THE RJ^M^FAN. 315 Will seek the mountain top; and wild With hopeless desolation, throw Himself, his wife, and babe, below. Ah no : unless the dame I find I ne'er will meet my.Vdnar kind. Here rather in some distant dell A lonely hermit will I dwell, Where roots and berries will supply My humble wants until I die ; Or on the shore will raise a pyre And perish in the kindled fire. Or I will strictly fast until With slow decay my life I kill, And ravening dogs and birds of air The limbs of HanumSn shall tear. Here will I die, but never bring Destruction on my race and king. But still unsearched one grove I see With many a bright Aloka tree. There will I enter in, and through The tangled shade my search renew. Be glory to the host on high. The Sun and Moon who light the sky, . The Vasus ' and the Maruts' ' train, Adityas ' and the A^vins * twain. So may I win success, and bring The lady back with triumphing.' ' The Vasus are a' class of eight deities, originally personification* of natural phenomena. ' The Maruta are the winds or Storm-Gods. ' The Adityaa were originally seven deities of the heavenly sphere of whom Varuna is the chief. The name Aditya was afterwards given to any God, especially to Siirya the Sun. * The Asvins are the Heavenly Twins, the Castor and Pollux of the Hindus. sier CANTO XIV. THE A&OKA GROVE. He cleared the barrier at a bound : He stood within the pleasant ground. And with delighted eyes surveyed The climbing plants and varied shade. He saw unnumbered trees unfold The treasures of their pendent gold. As, searching for the Maithil queen. He strayed through alleys soft and gr«en j; And when a spray he bent or broke Some little bird that slept awoke. Whene'er the breeze of morning blew„ Where'er a startled peacock flew,. The gaily coloured branches ehed Their flowery rain upon his head That cjiung around the V6nar till He seemed a blossom-covered hill. ' The earth, on whose fair bosom lay The flowers that fell from every epray. Was .glorious as a lovely maid In all her brightest robes arrayed. He saw the breath of morning shake The lilies on the rippling lake Wbose waves a pleasant lapping made On crystal steps with gems inlaid. Then roatning thTough the enchanted ground, ' The poet forgets that HanumsEa has reduced himself to the size of a cat. Canto XIV. THE RJtUAYAN. 317 A pleasant hill the Vdnar found, And grottoes in the living stone With grass and flowery trees o'ergrown. Through rocks and boughs a brawling rill Leapt from the bosom of the hill. Like a proud beauty when she flies From her love's arms with angry eyes. He clomb a tree that near him grew And leafy shade around him threw. ' Hence,' thought the Vinar, ' shall I see The Maithil dame, if here she be. These lovely trees, this cool retreat Will surely tempt her wandering feet. Here the sad queen will roam apart. And dream of Rdma in her heart' 318 CANTO XV. Fair as Kaildsa white with snow He saw a palace flash and glow, A crystal pavement gem-inlaid, And coral steps and colonnade. And glittering towers that kissed the skies. Whose dazzling splendour charmed his eyes. There pallid, with neglected dress. Watched close by fiend and giantess. Her sweet facei thin with constant flow Of tea^s, with fasting and with woe ; Pale as the young moon's crescent when The first faint light returns to men : Dim as the flame when clouds of smoke The latent glory hide and choke ; Like Rohini the queen of stars Oppressed by the red planet Mars ; From her dear friends and husband torti. Amid the cruel fiends, forlorn, Who fierce-eyed watch around her kept, A tender woman sat and wept. Her sobs, her sighs, her mournful mien. Her glorious eyes, proclaimed the queen. ' This, this is she,' the Vanar cried, ' Fair as the moon and lotus-eyed, I saw the giant Rdvan bear A captive through the fields of air. Such was the beauty of the dame ; CcmtoXV. THE RAMAYAN. 319 Her form, her lips, her eyes the same. This peerless queen whom I behold Is Rama's wife with limbs of gold. Best of the sons of men is he. And worthy of her lord is she.' 320 CANTO XYI. HANUMAN'S LAMENT. Then, all his thoughts on SitS, bent, The Vdnar chieftain made lament : ' The queen to Rama's soul endeared. By Lakshman's pious heart revered. Lies here, — ^for none may strive with Fate, — • A captive, sad and desolate. The brothers' might full well she knows. And bravely bears the storm of woes, As swelling Ganga in the rains The rush of every flood sustains. Her bird, for her, fierce Bali.slew, Viradha's monstrous might o'erthrew. For her the fourteen thousand slain In Janasthan bedewed the plain. And if for her Ikshvfi,ku's son Destroyed the world 'twere nobly done. This, this is she, so far renowned, Who sprang from out the furrowed ground, ' Child of the high-souled king whose sway The men of Mithild obey : The glorious lady wooed and won By Dalaratha's noblest son ; And now these sad eyes look on her Mid hostile fiends a prisoner. From home and every bliss she fled ' Sita ' not of woman bom,' was found by King Janak aa he was turn- ing up the ground in preparation for a sacrifice, See Book 11. Canto cxvni. Canto XVI. THE R^MAYAN. 321 By wifely love and duty led, And, heedless of a wanderer's woes, A life in lonely forests chose. This, this is she so fair of mould, Whose limbs are bright as burnished gold. Whose voice was ever soft and mild, Who sweetly spOke and sweetly smiled. O, what is Rama's misery ! how He longs to see his darling now ! Pining for one of her fpmd looks As one athirst for water-brooks. Absorbed in woe the lady sees No Rakshas guard, no blooming trees. Her eyes are with her thoughts, and they Are fixed on Rdma far away." tr 822 CANTO XVII. SITA'S GUARD. His pitying ey6s tpith tears bedewed, The weeping queen again he viewed, And saw around the prisoner stand Her demon guard, a fearful band : Some earless, some with ears that hung Low as their feet and loosely swung : Some fierce with single ears and eyes, Soine dwarfish, some of monstrous size: Some with their dark necks long and thin With hair upon the kjiotty skin : Some with wild locks, some bald and bare. Some covered o'er with bristly hair : Some tall and straight, some bowed and bent With every foul disfigurement ; All black and fierce with eyes of fire, Ruthless and stem and swift to ire : Some with the jackal's jaw and nose, Some faced like boars and buffaloes : Some with the heads of goats and kine. Of elephants, and dogs, and swine : With lions' lips and horses' brows. They walked with feet of mules and cows : ' ' Somewhat similarly haa Ariosto described tke band of monsters at the gate of the city of Alcina : " Non fu reduta mai piu strana torma, Piu monstruoBi volti e peggio fatti ; Aloum dal oollo in giii d'uomini ban forma, Con viso altri di simie, altri di gatti ; Stampano alcun con pi^ caprigni I'orma ; Alcuni son centauri agili ed atti." Orlando Furioso, Canto VI. Canto XV U. THE RAMJCZAN. 823 Swords, maces, clubs, and spears they bore In hideous hands that reeked with gore, And, never s^ted, turned afresh To bowls of wine and piles of flesh. Such were the awful guards who stood Round Sitd in that lovely wood, While in her lonely sorrow she Wept sadly neath a spreading tree. He watched the spouse of Edma there Regardless of her tangled hair. Her jewels stripped from neck and limb, Decked only with her love of him. 384 CANTO xvin. While from his shelter in the bough* The Vanar looked exi Kama's spouae. He heard the gathered giants rais© The solemn hymn of ^uyer and praisa,— Priests skilled in rite and rittial, who The Vedas and their branches ' knew. Then, as loud strains of music broke His sleep, the giant monarch woke. Swift to his heart the thought returned Of the fair queen for whom he burned ; Nor could the amorous fiend control The passion that absorbed his soul. In all his brightest garb arrayed He hastened to that lovely shade. Where glowed each choicest flower and fruit. And the sweet birds were never mute. And tall deer bent their heads to drink On the fair streamlet's grassy brink. Near that ASoka grove he dre.w, — A hundred dames his retinue. Like Indra with the thousand eyes Girt with the beauties, of the skies. Some walked beside their lord to hold ' The six Angas or sutordinate branches of the Vedaa are 1. Siktha, thescieneeofproperarticvilationand pronunciation : 2. CAAondos, metre : 8. YyaTcaratia, linguistic analysis or grammar : 4. Nlrnhta, explanation of difficult Vptlio words : 5. Jyotisha, Astronomy, or rather the Vedio Calendar : 6. Kalpa, ceremonial. Canto XVIII. TRM RAMAYAN. 126 The chouries, fans, and lamps of gold, And others purest water bote In golden urns, and paced before. Some carried, piled on gold^ pla,tM, Delicious food of dainl;]j^ catss ; Some wine in massive bowls wfafeffedtt" The fairest gems resplendent shone. Some by the monarch's side displayed, Wrought like a swan, a silken shade ; Another beauty walked behind, The sceptre to her care assigned. Around the monarch gleamed the crowd As lightnings flash about a cloud, And each made music as she went With zone and tinkling ornament. Attended thus in royal state The monarch reached the garden gate. While gold and silver torches, fed With scented oil a soft light shed. ' He, while the flame of fierce desire Burnt in his eyes like kindled fire. Seemed Love incarnate in his pride, His bow and arrows laid aside. ' His robe, from spot and blemish free Like Amrit foamy from the sea,' Hung down in many a loosened fold Inwrought with flowers and bright with gold. ' There appears to be some confusion of time here. It was already morning when Hanumdn entered the grove, and the torches would be needless. » E^van is one of those beings who can " limb them as they will " and can of course assume the loveliest form to please human eyes as well as the terrific shape that suits the king of the Riikshases. ' White and lovely as the Amrit or nectar recovered from the depths of the Milky Sea when churned by the assembled Gods. See Book I. Canto XLV. : 3£6 . THE RJ^MAYAN. : Book 7. The Vanar from his station viewed, Amazed, the wondrous multitude, Where, in the centre of that ring Of noblest women,,stood the king, As stands the fuU inoon fair to view, Girt by his starry retinue. 327 CANTO XIX. sitA's fear. Then o'er the lady's soul and frame A sudden fear and trembling came. When, glowing in his youthful pride. She saw the monarch by her side. Silent she sat, her eyes depressed. Her soft arms folded o'er her breast. And, — all she could, — her beauties screened From the bold gazes of the fiend. There where the wild she-demons kept Their watch around, she sighed and wept Then, like a severed bough, she lay Prone on the bare earth in dismay. The while her thoughts on love's fleet wingsk Flew to her lord the best of kings. She fell upon the ground, and there Lay struggling with her wild despair. Sad as a lady bom again To misery and woe and pain. Now doomed to grief and low estate. Once noble fair and delicate : Like faded light of holy lore. Like Hope when all her dreams are o'er : Like ruined power and rank debased. Like majesty of kings disgraced ; Like worship foiled by erring slips. The moon that labours in eclipse ; A pool with all her lilies dead, 328 THE R.mATAK. -Book V. An army when its king has fled : So sad and hopeless, wan and worn, Shei lay among the fiends forlorn. S29 CANTO XX. rIvan's wootm. With amorous -look and soft address The fiend began his suit to press : " Why wouldst thou, lady lotus-eyed, Fronj my fond glance those beauties hide ? Mine eager suit no more repel ; But love me, for 1 love thee well. Dismiss, sweet dame, dismiss thy fear ; No giapt and no man is near. Ours is the right by force to seize What dames soe'er our fancy please.' But I with rude hands will not touch A lady whom I love so much. Fear not, dear queen ; no fear is nigh : Come, on thy lover's love rely. Some little sign of favour show. Nor lie enamoured of thy woe. Those limbs upon the cold earth laid, Those tresses twined in single braid,' The fast and woe that wear thy frame, Beseem not thee, beauteous dame. ' R^van in his magic car carrying off the moat beautifal Women reminds us of the magician in Orlando FuriMO, possessor of tb« flying ii«rse : " Volando talor salza ne le stell», K poi quasi talor la terra rade ; E ne porta con lui tutte le bell« Dimne nhe trova {i«rqu«lte contrade." ' Indian women twisted their long hiiir iu a. jsingle braid as a sign «£ mouruiog lot their absent husbands. 830 THE RAMATAN. Book V. For thee the fairest wreaths were meant. The sandal and the aloe's scent, Eich ornaments and pearls of price, And vesture meet for Paradise. . With dainty cates shouldst thou be fed. And rest upon a sumptuous bed. All festive joys to thee belong. The music, and the dance and song. Rise, pearl of women, rise and deck With gems and chains thine arms and neck. Shall not the dame I love be seen In vesture worthy of a queen ? Methinks when thy sweet form was made His hand the wise Creator stayed ; For never more could he design A beauty meet to rival thine. Come, let us love while yet we may, For youth will fly and charms decay. Come, cast thy grief and fear aside. And be my love, my chosen bride. The gems and jewels that my hand Has reft from every plundered land, — To thee I give them all this day. And at thy feet my kingdom lay. The broad rich earth will I o'errun. And leave no town unconquered, none ; Then of the whole an offering make To Janak,' dear, for thy sweet sake. In all the world no power I see Of God or man can strive with me. Of old the Gods and Asurs set In terrible array I met : Their scattered hosts to earth I beat. ■ Janak, king o£ Hithili, was Site's father. Canto XX. THE RJ[MAYAN. 331 And trod their flags beneath my feet. Come, taste of bliss and drink thy fill, And rule the slave who serves thy will Think not of wretched Rama : he Is less than nothing now to thee. Stript of his glory, poor, dethroned, A wanderer by his friends disowned. On the cold earth he lays his head. Or is with toil and misery dead. And if perchance he lingers yet, His eyes on thee shall ne'er be set. Could he, that mighty monarch, who Was named Hiranyakasipu, Could he who wore the garb of gold Win Glory back from Indra's hold ? ' O lady of the lovely smile. Whose eyes the sternest heart beguile. In all thy radiant beauty dressed My heart and soul thou ravishest. What though thy robe is soiled and worn. And no bright gems thy limbs adorn. Thou unadorned art dearer far Than all my loveliest consorts are. My royal home is bright and fair ; A thousand beauties meet me there. But come, my glorious love, and be The queen of all those dames and me.' ' Hiranyakasipu was a king of the Daityas celebrated for his blas- phemous impieties. When his pious son Frahl^da praised Vishnu the Daitya tried to kill him, when the God appear«diii the incarnation of the man-lion and tore the tyrant to pieces. 38S CANTO XXI. sitA's scorn; She thought upon hef lord afld sighed, And thus in gentle tones replied : • Beseems thee not, King, to woo A matron, to her husband true. Thus vainly one might hope by siti And evil deeds success to win. Shall I, so highly born, disgrace My husband's house, my royal race ? Shall I, a true and loyal dame, Defile my soul with deed of shame ? ' Then on the king her back she turned, And answered thus the prayer she spurned : ' Turn, Ravan, turn thee from thy sin ; Seek virtue's paths and walk therein. To others dames be honour shown ; Protect them as thou wouldst thine own. Taught by thyself, from wrong abstain Which, wrgught on thee, thy heart would pain. ' Beware : this lawless love of thine Will ruin thee and all thy line ; And for thy sin, thy sin alone, Will Lank4 perish overthrown. Dream not that wealth and power can sway ' Do unto others as thou wouldst they should do unto thee, is a pre- cept frequently occurring in the old Indian poema. , This charity ia to emhrace not human beings only, but bird and beast as well : " He prayeth best who loveth best all things both great and small." Canto XXI. THE RA'^JVAN. 33S My heart from duty's path to stray. Linked like the Day-God and his shine, I am my lord's and he is mine. Eepent thee of thinq impious deed ; To Rama's side his consort lead. Be wise : the hero's friendship gftio. Nor perish in his fury slain. Go, ask the God of Death to spare. Or red holt flashing through the air. But look in vain for spell or charm To stay my Rama's vengeful arm. Thou, when the hero bends his bow, Shalt hear the clang that heralds woe. Loud as the clash when clouds are rent And Indra's bolt to earth is sent. Then shall his furious shafts be sped, Each like a snake with fiery bead. And in their flight shall hiss and flame Marked with the mighty archer's name.' Then in the fiery deluge all Thy giants round their king shall fall.' ' It was the custom of Iwliau wariiora to mark tUoi)' arrows with their ciphers or names, and it seems to have been regarded iis a point of lio. nour to give an enemy the satiafaoticn of knowing who had shot at him. This passage however contains, if my memory serves me well, the first mention in the poem of thia practice, and aa arrows have been so fre- quently mentioned and desoabed with almost every conceivable epithet, its occurrence here seems suspicious. No mention of, or allvtsion to writing has hitherto occurred in the poem. 33* CANTO XXII. BAVMSrS THREAT. Then anger swelled in Ravan's breast. Who fiercely thus the dame addressed : Tis ever thus : in vain -we sue To woman, and her favour woo. A lover's humble words impel Her wayward spirit to rebel. The love of thee that fills my soul Still keeps my anger in control," As charioteers with bit and rein The swervifig of the steed restrain. The love that rules me bids me spare Thy forfeit life, thou most fair. For this, Sita, have I borne The keen reproach, the bitter scorn, And the fond love thou boastest yef For that poor wandering anchoret ; Else had the words which thou hast said Brought death upon thy guilty head. Two months, fair dime, I. grant thee still To bend thee to thy lover's wiU. If when that respite time is fled Thou still refuse to share my bed. My cooks shall mince thy limbs with steel And serve thee for my morning meal.' ' The minstrel daughters of the skies Looked on her woe with pitying eyes. ' This threat in the same words occurs in Book III. Canto LVI. Canto XXll. THE RAMIYAN. 335 And sun-bright children of. the Gods ' Consoled the queen with smiles and nods. She saw, and with her heart at ease, Addressed the fiend in words like these : * Hast thou no friend to love thee, none In all this isle to bid thee shun The ruin which thy crime will bring On thee and thine, impious King ? Who in all worlds save thee could woo , Me, Kama's consort pure and true, As though he tempted with his love Queen Saxshi ' on her throne above ? How canst thou hope, vile wretch, to fly The vengeance that e'en now is nigh, When thou hast dared, untouched by shame, To press thy suit on Rama's dame ? Where woods are thick and grass is high A lion and a haro may lie ; My Rima is the lion, thou Art the poor hare beneath the bough. Thou railest at the lord of men, But wilt not stand within his ken. What ! is that eye unstricken yet Whose impious glance on me was set ? Still moves that tongue that would not spare The wife of DaSaratha's heir ? ' Then, hissing like a furious snake, The fiend again to Sitd spake : * Deaf to all prayers and threats art thou, Devoted to thy senseless vow. No longer respite will I give, And thou this day shalt cease to live ; . ' Btivan carried off and kept in his palace not only earthly princesses but the daughters of Oods and Qandharvas. ' The wife of Indra. 336 TRS RmAYAN. Book Y, For I, as sunlight kills tlxe mom. Will slay thee for thy scathe aad soom.' The R^kshas guard was summoned : all The monstrous crew obeyed the call. And hastened to the kiag to take The orders which he fiercely spake ; ' See that ye guard her waU, and tajna. Like some wild thiag, the stubhofU daDiQj Until her haughty soul be beat By mingled threat and blandishmeBt.' ' The monsters hew d : awfty he strode. And passed within his queens' abode, ' These four lines have ecoured before. Book III. Canto LVl. §3? CANTO xxni. TSiE DEMONS'' TBREAtS. Theh round the helpless Sita drew With fiery eyes the hideous crew, And thus assailed her, all and each, With insult, taunt, and threatening speech \ ' What! can it be thou prizest not *rhis happy chance, this glorious lot, To be the chosen wife of one So strong and great, Pulastya's son ? Pulastya-^thus have sages told — Is mid the Lords of Life ' enrolled. Lord Brahma's mind-bom son was he, Fourth of that glorious company. Vilravas from Pulastya sprang, — Through all the worlds his glory ran^i And of Vi^ravas, large-eyed dame ! Our king the mighty Ravan came. His happy consort thou mayst be : Scorn not the words we say to thee.' One awful demon, fiery-eyed. Stood by the Maithil queen and cried t ' Come and be his, if thou art -wise, Who smote the sovereign of the skies, And made the thirty Gods and three,' O'ercome in furious battle, flee. ' PrajsJpatis are the ten lords of created beings first created by firah- ma ; somewhat like the Demlurgi of the Gnostics. ' " This is the number of the Vedio divinities mentioned in the Rig-veda. In Ashtaka I. Siikta XXXIV. the Rishi Hiranyastupa invoking the Asvins says : A Nasatyi! trlbhirek^dasairiha devebhiry^- V 338 THE RAMAYAN. Book V. Thy lover turns away with scorn From wives whom! grace and youth adorn. Thou art his chosen consort, thou Shalt be his pride and darling now.' Another, Vikati by name. In words like these addressed the dame: The king whose blows, in fury dealt, The N%as' and Gandharvas' felt. In battle's fiercest brunt subdued. Has stood by thee and humbly wooed. And wilt thouin thy folly miss The glory of a love like this ? - Scared by his eye the sun grows chill, The wanderer wind is hushed and still. The rains at his command descend. And trees with new-blown blossoms bend. His word the hosts of demons fear. And wilt thou, dame, refuse to hear? Be counselled; with his will comply. Or, lady, thou shalt surely die.' tarn : " Ndsatyas (Asvins) come hither with the thrice eleven Gods." And in Sukta XLV. the Eishi Praskanva addressing his hymn to Agni (ignis, fire), thus invokes him : " Lord of the red steeds, propitiated by our prayers lead hither the thirty-three Gods." This numbermast certainly have been the actual number in the early days of the Vedio religion ; although it appears probable enough that the thirty-three Vedic divinities could not then be found co-ordinated in so systematic a way as they were arranged mote recently by the authors of the Upa- nishads. In the later , ages of Brahmanism the number went on in- creasing without measure by successive mythical and religious creations which peopled the Indian Olympus with abstract beings of every kind. But through lusting veneration of the word of the Veda the custom remained of giving the name of " the thirty -three Gods " to the im- mense phalanx of the multiplied deities." 'GoBfiESio. ' Ssrpent-Qods who dwell in the regions under the earth. ' In the mythology of the epics the Gandharvas are the ieavenly singers or musicians who form the orchestra, at the banquets of the . Gods, and they belong to the heaven of Indra in whose battles they share. 839 CANTO XXIV. Sirl'S REPLY. i "friiii repf oaclies rough and rude Those fiends the gentle queen pursued : ' What! can so fair a life displease, To dwell with him in joyous ease? Dwell in his bowers a happy queen In silk and gold and jewels' sheen? Still must thy woman fancy cling To Rdma and reject our king ? Die in thy folly, or forget That wi'etched wandering aflctioret. Oome, Sitd, in luxurious bowers Spend with our lord thy happy hours^j The mighty lord who makes his own The treasures of the Worlds o'erthrown.' Then, as a tea* bedeWed her eye, The hapless lady made reply :• ' I loathe, with heart and soul detest The shameful life your words stiggest. Eat, if you wjll, this mortal frame : My soul rejects the sin and shame. A homeless Wandefer though he be^ In him my lord, my life I see, And, till my earthly days be done, "Will cling to great Ikshvdku's son.' Then with fierce eyes on SitS set They cried E^ain with taUnt and threat : Each licking with her fiery tongue 340 THE RAMJ^YAN. Book V. The lip that to her bosom hung. And menacing the lady's life With axe, or spear or murderous knife : 'Hear, Sitd, and our words obey. Or perish by our hands to-day. Thy love for Eaghu's son forsake, And Ravan for thy husband take. Or we will rend thy limbs apart And banquet on thy quirering heart. Now from her body strike the head. And tell the king the dame is dead. Then by our lord's commandment she A banquet for our band shall be. Come, let the wine be quickly brought That frees each heart from saddening thought. Then to the western gate repair. And we will dance and revel there.' 841 CANTO XXV, SItl'S LAMSNT., On the. bare earth the lady sank, ^nd tremhling from- their presence shrank,^ Like a strayed fawnj when night is dark,. And hungry wolves around her bark. Then to a shady tree she crept,. And thought upon her lord and wept. By fear and bitter woe oppressed ^he bathed the beauties of her breast With her hot tears' incessant flow,. And found no respite from her woe. As shakes a plantain in the bree?e She shook, and fell on trembling knees ;, While at each demon's fu.rious look Her cheek its native hue forsook.. She lay and wept and made her moan. In sorrow's saddest undertone. And, wild with grief, with fear appalled;. On R^ma and his brother called : '• dear Kausalya, ' ' hear me cry ! Sweet Queen Sumitra, list my sigh ! True is the sa,w the wise declare : Death comes, not to relieve despair. ' Tis vain for dame or man to pray; Death will not hear before his day ; Since I, from llama's sight debarred?^ ' The mother of Eama. ' The mother of Lakshman, S42 THE R^MJrrAN. Booh V. And tortured by my pruel guard. Still live in hopeless woe to grieve And loathe the life I may not leave. Here, like a poor deserted thing, My limbs upon the ground I fling. And, like a bark bepeatb the blast. Shall sink oppressed with woes at last, Ah, blest are they, supremely blest. Whose eyes upon my lord may rest ; Who mark his lion port, q,nd hear His gentle speech that charms the ear, Alas, what antenatal crime. What trespass of forgotten time Weighs on njy soul, and bids me bow Beneath this load of misery now ? ' 343 CANTO XXVI. sItA's lament. ' I Rdma's wife, on that sad day, By Ravau's arm was borne away, Seized, while I sat and feared no ill, By him who wears each form at will. A helpless captive, left forlorn To demons' threats and taunts and scorn, Here for my lord I weep and sigh. And worn with woe would gladly die. For what is life to me afar From Rdma of the mighty car ? The robber in his fruitless sin Would hope his captive's love to win. My meaner foot shall never touch The demon whom I loathe so much. The senseless fool ! he knows me not, Nor the proud soul his love would blot. Yea, limb from limb will I be rent, But never to his prayer consent ; Be burnt and perish in the fire, * But never meet his base desire. My lord was grateful, true and wise. And looked on woe with pitying eyes ; But now, recoiling from the strife, He pities not his captive wife. Alone in Janasthdn he slew The thousands of the Rikshas crew. His arm was strong, his heart was brave. S44 THE RAMJtYAN. Moot Y. Why comes he- not to free and save ? Why blame my lord in vain surmise ?* He knows not where his lady lies. O, if he knew, o'er land and sea His feet were swift to set me free; This Lanka, girdled by the deep. Would fall consumed,, a shapeless heap>, And from each ruined home would risft A Brakshas. widow's ^oap^ a^d cjcies,' 345 CANTO XXVII. TRIJATkS DREAM. Their threats unffeared, their counsel spurned'^ The demons' breasts with fury burned. Some sought the giant king, to bear The tale of Siti's fixt despair.. With threats and taunts renewed the rest Around the weeping lady pressed. But Trijatd, of softer mould, A Rakshas matron wise and old. With pity for the captive moved, In words like these the fiends reproved : ' Me, me,' she cried, ' eat me, but spare The spouse of DaSaratha's heir. Last night I dreamt a dream ; and still The fear and awe my bosom chill ; For in that dream I saw foreshown Our race by Rama's hand o'erthrown. I saw a chariot high in air. Of ivory exceeding fair. A hundred steeds that chariot drew As swiftly through the clouds, it flew. And, clothed in white, with wreaths that shone, The sons of Raghu rode thereon. I looked and saw this lady here. Clad in the purest white, appear High on the snow-white hill whose feet The angry waves of ocean beat. .^nd she and Rama met at last 346 THE RAMATAN. Booh F. Like light and sun when night is past. Again I saw them side by side : On Ravan's car they seemed to ride, And with the princely Lakshman flee To northern realms beyond the sea. Then E^van, shaved and shorn, besmeared With oil from head to foot, appeared. He quaffed, he raved : his robes were red : Fierce was his eye, and bare his head. I saw him from his chariot thrust ; I saw him rolling in the dust. A woman came and dragged away The stricken giant where he lay. And on a car which asses drew The monarch of our race she threw. He rose erect, he danced and laughed, With thirsty lips the oil he quaffed, Then with wild eyes and streaming mouth Sped on the chariot to the south. ' Then, dropping oil from every limb. His sons the princes followed him, And Kumbhakaraa,' shaved and shorn. Was southward on a camel borne. Then royal Lanka reeled and fell With gate and tower and citadel.' This ancient city, far-renowned : All life within her walls was drowned ; And the wild waves of ocean rolled O'er Lanka and her streets of gold. Warned by these signs I bid you fly ; Or by the hand of Rama die, Whose vengeance will not spare the life ) In the Bouth is the region of Yama the God of Death, the placa of departed spirits. > Kumbhakarna was one of B^Tan's brothers. Canto XXVII. THE RAM^YAN. 3*7 Of one who vexed his faithful wife. Your bitter taunts and threats forgo ; Comfort the lady in her woe, And humbly pray her to forgive ; For so you may be spared and live/ CANTO XXX.'- MARTI mIN'S DELIBERATIOm Tbe V^nar-watoheii concealed : each; worcj Of Sita and; the fiends he heard,. And in a m^ze of anxious thought His quick-conceiving bosom wrought : ' At length my watchful eyes have seen,. Pursued so long, the Maithil queen. Sought hy our Vanar hosts in. vain From east to, west, from main to, main.. A cautious spy have I explored The palace of the Rakshas lord,^ And throughly learned, concealed from sight,. The giant monarch's power and might.. And now my task must be to cheei; The royal dame who sorrows here.. For if I go, and soothe her not, A captive in this distant spot. She, when she finds no comfort nigh„ Will sink beneath her woes and die. ' I omit the aSth and 39tli Cantos as an unmistakeable intei^olation. Instead of advajicing the story it goes back to Canto 2YII. containing a., lamentation o| Sit^ after Rivan has left her, and, describes the auspici- ous signs sent to cheer her, the throbbing of her left eye, arm, and side. The Canto is found in the Bengal recension, Gorresio translates it and observes ; " I think that Chapter XXVIII. — The Auspicious Signs — is an addition, a later interpolation by the Ehapsodists. It has no bond of connexion either with what precedes or follows it, and may be struck out not only without injury to, but positively to the advantage of the poem. The metre in which this chapter is written differs &om that which is generally adopted in the course of the poem." Vanio XXX. mE RAM AY AN. 349 How shall my tale, if unconsoled I leave her, be to Rdma told ? !How shall I answer Raghu's son, * No message from my darling, none ? ' ? The husband's wrath, to fury fanned. Will scorch me lifeless where I stand. Or if I urge my lord the king To Lankd's isle his hosts to bring, In vain will be his zeal, in vain The toil, the danger, and the pain. Yea, this occasion must I seize That from her guard the lady frees, ' To win her ear with soft address And whisper hope in dire distress. Shall I, a puny Vdnar, choose The Sanskrit men delight to use ? If, as &, man of Brahman kind, I speak the tongue by rules refined, The lady, yielding to her fears. Will think ' tis Ravan's voice she hears. I must assume-my only plan — The language of a common ' man. Yet, if the lady sees me nigh. In terror she will start and cry ; ' The guards are still in the grove, but they are asleep ; and Sit^ has crept to a tree at some distance from them. '^ " As the reason assigned in these passages for not addressing Si'ta in Sanskrit such as a Brahman would use is not that she would not understand it, but that it would alarm her and be unsuitable to the speaker, we must take them aa indicating that Sanskrit, if not spoken by women of the upper classes at the time when the Rimayana was written (whenever that may have been), was at least Understood by them, and was commonly spoken by men of the priestly class, aoid other educated persons. By the Sanskrit proper to an [ordinary] man, alluded to in the second passage, may perhaps be understood not a language in which words different from Sanskrit were used, but the employment of formal and elaborate diction." Muir'b Sanalcrit Texts, Part II. p. 166.. 350 , THE RAMJtYAN. Book V. And all tie demon band, alarmed. Will come witli various weapons armed, Witli tteir wild shouts the grove will fill. And strive to take me, or to kill. And, at my death or capture, dies The hope of Kama's enterprise. For none C£|,n leap, save only mey A, hundred leagues across the seav It is a sin i?i me, I own, To talk wit|i Janak's child alone. Yet greater is the sin if I Be silent, and the lady die. first I will utter Rama's name, And laud the hero's gifts and fame. Perchance the name she holds so dear WiU soothe the faithful lady's fear,' 351 CANTO XXXI. RANUMiurS SPEECH. Then in sweet accents low and mild The Vdnar spoke to Janak's child : ' A noble king, by sin unstained. The mighty DaSaratha reigned. Lord of the warrior's car and steed. The pride of old Ikshv^ku's seed. A faithful friend, a blameless king, Protector of each living thing. A glorious monarch, strong to save. Blest with the bliss he freely gave. His son, the best of all who know The science of the bended bow. Was moon-bright Rama, brave and strong. Who loved the right and loathed the wrong. Who ne'er from kingly duty swerved. Loved by the lands his might preserved. His feet the path of law pursued ; His arm rebellious foes subdued. His sire's command th^prince obeyed And, banished, sought the forest shade, Where with his wife and brother he Wandered a saintly devotee. There as he roamed the wilds he slew The bravest of the Rakshas crew. The giant ki^g the prince beguiled. And stole his consort, Janak's child. Then Rama roamed the country round. 352 THE RAMATAN, Booh F. And a firm friend, SugriVa, found, Lord of the Vanar race, expelled From his own realm which Bali held. He conquered B^li and restored The kingdom to the rightful lord. Then by Sugriva's high decree The Vanar legions searched for thee. Sampati's counsel bade me leap A hundred leagues across the deep. And now my happy eyes have seen At last the long-sought Maithil queen. Such was the form, the eye, the grace Of her whom Rama bade me trace.* He ceased : her flowing locks she drew To shield her from a stranger's view ; Then, trembling in her wild surprise, Raised to the tree her anxious eyes. ^SS um imt SITA'S DOUBT. Het eyes tlie Maithil lady raised And on the monkey speaker gazed. She looked, and trembling at the sight Wept bitter tears in wild affright. She sank a while with fear distraught, Then, nerved again, the lady thought : ' Is this a dream mine eyes have seen. This creature, by our laws unclean ? O, may the Gods keep Rama, still, And Lakshmai), and my sire, from ill ! It is no dream : I have not slept, But, trouble-worn, have watched and wept. Afar from that dear lord of mine For whom in ceaseless woe I pine. No art may soothe my wild distress Or lull me to forgetfulness. I see but him : my lips can frame No syllable but Rama's name. Each sight I see, each sound I hear. Brings Rdma to mine eye or ear. The wish was in my heart, and hence The sweet illusion mocked my sense. ' Twas but a phantom of the mind, And yet the voice was soft and kind. Be glory to the Eternal Sire, ' Be glory to the Lord of Fire, ' Svayambhu, the Self-existdnt, Brahm^. w 354 THE RJ:MJ[TAN. Booh V. The mighty Teacher in the skies, ' And Indra with his thousand eyes, And may they grant the truth to be E'en as the words that startled me.' ' Vrihaspati or V^chaBpati, the Lord of Speech and preceptor of the Gods. So 5 CANTO XXXIII. THE COLLOQVt. Hovra from the tree Hanuman came And humbly stood before the dame- Then joining reverent palm to palm Addressed her thus with words of balm : ' Why should the tears of sorrow rise, Sweet lady, to those lovely eyes, ■ As when the wind-swept river floods Two half expanded lotus buds ? Who art thou, most fair of face ? Of Asur, ' or celestial race ? 'Did N^ga mother give thee birth ? For sure thou art no child of earth. Do Rudras ^ claim that heavenly form ? Or the swift Gods ' who ride the storm ? Or art thou Rohini ' the blest. That star more lovely than the rest, — Reft from the Moon thou lovest well And doomed a while on earth to dwell ? Or canst thou, fairest wonder, be The starry queen Arundhati, ' Fled in thy wrath or jealous pride ' The Asurs were the fierce enemies of the Qods, ' The Rudras are maaifestations of Siva. ' The Maruts or Storm-Gods. * Robini is an asteriam personified as the daughter of Dakaha and the favourite wife of the Moon. The chief star in the conatellation is Aldebaran. ' Arundhati wns the wife of the great sage Vasishtha, and regarded aa the pattern of conjugal excellence. She was raised to the heavens as one of the Pleiades. 356 THE RA:mJ^YAN. Book V. From lier dear lord Vasishtha's side ? Who is the husband, father, son. Or brother, thou loveliest one. Gone from this world in heaven to dwell. For whom those eyes with weeping swell ? Yet, by the tears those sweet eyes sted. Yet, by the earth that bears thy tread, ' By calling on a monarch's name. No Goddess but a royal datoe. Art thou the queen, fair lady, say. Whom Rdvan stole and bore aWay 1 Yea, by that agony of woe, That form unrivalled here below. That votive garb, thou art, I ween, King Janak's child and Rdma's qtieen.' Hope at the name of Eama woke, And thus the gentle lady spoke ; ' I am that Sita wooed and won By Dalaratha's royal son. The noblest of Ikshvi,ku's line ; And every earthly joy was mine. But Rama left his royal home In Dandak's tangled wilds to roam, Where with SumitrS.'s Son and me He lived a saintly devotee. The giant Ravan came with guile And bore me thence to Lanka's isle. Some respite yet the fiend allows, Two months of life, to Rama's spouse. Two moons of hopeless woe remain, And then the captive will be slain.' ' The Gods do not shed tears ; nor do they touch the ground when they walk or stand. Similarly Milton's angels marched above the ground and " the passive air upbore their nimble tread.^' Virgil's 'vera inoessu patuit dea ' may refer to the same belief. 357 GANTO XXXIV. ffAFUMlurS SPEECH; Thus spoke the dame iU' mournful mjjod;^ And HanumdUi his speech r:enew»d :. '•O lady, by thy lord's decree li come a messenger to thee. Thy lord is safe with, steadfast friendS,,, And greetipg to his queen he sends. And Lakshman, ever faithful bows His reverent head, to Rama's spouse.' Through, all her frame the rapture ranj, •As thus again. the dame- began:. 'Now verily the tnith I know. Of the wise saw of long ago :; 'Once only i» a hundred, years. True joy to liying man appears.' He marked her rapture-beaming bttS*^ And nearer to. the lady, drew.. But at each, onward step. he took Suspicious fear her spirit shook. . 'Alas, Alas,' she cried, in fear, 'False is. the tale I joyed to-hear. ' Tis R^yajj, ' tis the fiend,. who tries To mock me with a new disguise. If thou, t,o. wring my woman's heart. Hast changed thy shape by magic art,. And woujdst a helpless dame beguile,. The wicked, deed is doubly vile. Sut no : that fiend thou canst not be :. 358 TEE RAMAYAN, Pooh V, Such joy I had from seeing thee. But if my fancy does not err, And thou art Rama's messenger, The glories of my lord repeat ; For to these ears such -words are sweet.' The Vanar knew the l^dy'g though^, ' And gave the answer fondly sought : ' Bright as the sun that lights the sky, Dear as the Moon to every eye, He scatters blessings o'er the land Like bounties from VaiSravan's ' hand, Like Vishpu strong and unsubdued. Unmatched in might and fortitude, Wise, truthful as the Lord of Speech, With gentle words he welcomes each, Of noblest mould and form is he, Like love's incarnate deity. He quells the fury of the foe. And strikes when justice prompts the blow, Safe in the shadow of his arm The world is kept from scathe and harm. J^ow soon shall Ravan rue his theft, And fall, of realm and life bereft. For Rama's wrathful hand shall wing His shafts against the giant king. The day, Maithil Queen, is near When he a,nd Lakshmaa will be here, And by their side SugrJva lead His countless hosts of V^nar breed, Sugriva's servant, I, by name Haniim^n, by his order came. I That a friend of RiSuia would praise him as he should be praised, pnd thai, if the stranger were Riivag in disguise he would avoid the puVject. ' Ruvera the God of Gold, Cvs right in, all his, ways. And ne!er frojn i;oyal du;ty strays, He knows th,e lore that strengthens kings ;• His heart to.tri^th and honour clings. Each grape and gift of form and mind, €untoXXXV. Tm R4MAYAN. SSI Adorns that |)rince of human kijid ; And virtues like his oipn endue His brother ever fim^ and true.. O'er all the land they roamed distravgtt^ And thee with vain endeaYWr sought. Until at length their wandering feet Trod wearily our wild retreat. Our banished king Sugriva spied The princes from the mountain, side.. By his command I sought the pair And led them to our monarch there. Thus Rdma and Sugnya met. And joined the bonds that knit them yet. When each besought the other's aid. And frien,dship and alliance made. An arrow launched from Rama's bow Laid Bali dead, Sugriva's foe. Then by commandment of our lord The Vanar hosts each land explored. We reached the coast : I crossed the se^, .^nd found my Tsray at length to thee.' ' • ' gita of course knows nothing o| w^at has happened to R^ma sinca (he time when she was carried away hy Bava^. The poet therefore thinks it necessary to repeat the whole s.toty of the meeting between Biima and Sugriva, the defeat of B^U, and aubsequent events. I give the bjriefest possible outline of the story. 362' CANTO XXXVI. eAma'S ring. ' Receive,' he cried, ' this precious ring, ' Sure token from thy lord the king : The golden ring he wont to wear : See, Rama's name engraven there.' Then, as she took the ring he showed. The tears that spring of rapture flowed. She seemed to touch the hand that sent The dearly valued ornament, And with her heart again at ease. Replied in gentle words like these : ' thou, whose soul no fears deter. Wise, hrave, and faithful messenger ! An,d hast thou dared, o'er wave and foam. To seek me in the giants' home ? In thee, true messenger, I find The noblest of thy woodland kind. Who couldst, unmoved by terror, brook On Ravan, king of fiends, to look. Now may we commune here as friends. For he whom royalRama sends Must needs be one in danger tried, A valiant, wise, and faithful guide. Say, is it well with Rama still ? Lives Lakshman yet untouched by ill ? Then wliy should Rdma's hand be slow ' De Gubebnatis thinks that this ring which the Sun Bdma sends to the Dawn Sitd is a symbol of the sun's, disc. Canto XXXri. THE R^M^VAN. 363~ To free his consort from her woe ? Why spare to burn, in search of me, The land encircled by the sea ? Can Bharat send no. %rmy out With banners cars and battle shout ? Cannot thy king Sugriva lend His legions to assist his friend ? ' His hands upon his head he laid. And thus again his answer made : * Not yet has Rdma learnt where lies His lady of the lotus eyes, Or he like Indra from the sky To Sachi's ' aid, to thee would fly. Soon will he hear the tale, and then. Roused to revenge, the lord of men Will to the giants' island lead Fierce myriads of the woodland breed. Bridging his conquering way, and make The town a ruin for thy sake. Believe my words, sweet dame ; I s^yea,r By roots and fruit, my woodland fare, By Meru's peak and Viadhya's chain. And Mandar of the Milky Main, Soon shalt thou see thy lord, though now He waits upon Prasravap's ' brow. Come glorious as the breaking mom. Like Indra on Airfivat ' borne. For thee he looks with longing eyes ; The wood his scanty food supplies. For thee his brow is pale and worn. For thee are meat and wine forsworn. ' Sachi is the loved and lovely wife of Indra, and she is taken as the type of a woman protected by a jealous and all-powerful husband. ' The mountain near Kishkindhii. ' Airavat is the mighty elephant on which ludra y asses. Here horses are spoken of. ' The cotnmeatator notices the discrepancy and says that by horses asses are meant. 380 CANTO XLV. THE SEVEW DEFEATED. Forth went the seven in brave attire^ In glory brilliant as the fire, Impetuous chiefs with massive- bows. The quellers of a host of foes : Trained from their youth, in martial lore-. And masters of the arms they bore : Each emulous and fiercely bold. And banners "wrought with glittering gold Waved o'er their chariots, dtawn at speed By coursers of the noblest breed. On through the ruins of the grove- At Hanuman they fiercely drove. And from the ponderous bows they strained' A shower of deadly arrows rained. Then scarce was seen the Vd.nar's form' Enveloped in the arrowy storm. So stands half veiled the Mountains' King When rainy clouds about him cling. By nimble turn, by rapid bound He shunned the shafts that rained around,. Eluding, as in air he rose. The rushing chariots of his foes.. The mighty Vanar undismayed Amid his archer foemen played. As plays the frolic wind on high Mid bow-armed ' clouds that fill the sky. ' Armed with the bow of Indra, the rainbow. Cmto XLV. THE RAM AY AN. 381 He raised a mighty roar and yell That fear on all the army fell, And then, his warrior soul aglow With fury, rushed upon the foe. Some with his open hand he beat To death, and trampled with his feet ; Some with fierce nails he rent and slew. And others with his fists o'erthrew ; Some with his legs, as on he riished. Some with his bulky chest he crushed ; While some struck senseless by his roar Dropped on the ground and breathed no more. The remnant, seized with sudden dread. Turned from the grove and wildly fled. The trampled earth was thickly strown With steed and car and flag o'erthrown, And the red blood in rivers flowed From slaughtered fiends o'er path and road. 382 CANTO XLVL TEE CAPTAINS. Mad with the rage of injured pride King Ravan sumpioned to his side The valiant five who led his host, Supreme in war and honoured most. ' Go forth,' he cried, ' with car and steed. And to my feet this monkey lead. But watch each chance of time and place To seize this thing of silvan race. For from his wondrous exploits he No monkey of the woods can be, But some new kind of creature meant To work us woe, by Indra sent. Gandharvas, Nagas, and the best Of Yakshas have our might confessed. Have we not challenged and subdued The whole celestial multitude ? Yet wUl you not, if you are wise, A chief of monkey race despise. For I myself have Bali known. And King Sugriva's power I own. But none of all their woodland throng Was half so terrible and strong.' Obedient to the words he spake They hastened forth the foe to take. Swift were the cars whereon they rode. And bright their weapons flashed and glowed. They saw : they charged in wild career Cmto XLVI. TEE RAMAYAN. 383 With sword and mace and axe and spear. FromjDurdliar's bow five arrows sped And quivered in the Vanar's head. He rose and roared : the fearful sound Made all the region echo round. Then from above his weight he threw On Durdhar's car that near him drew. The weight that came with lightning speed Crushed pole and' axle, par and steed. It shattered Durdhar's head and neck, And left him lifeless mid the wreck. Yupaksha saw the warrior die. And Virup^ksha heard his cry. And, mad for vengeance for the slain, They charged their Vdnar foe again. He rose in air : they onward pressed And fiercely smote him on the breast. In vain they stmck his iron frame : With eagle swoop to earth he came. Tore from the ground a tree that grew Beside him, and the demons slew. Then Bhdsakarna raised his spear. And Praghas with a laugh drew near. And, maddened at the sight, the two Against the undaunted V^nar flew. As from his wounds the torrents flowed. Like a red sun the V^ar showed. He turned, a mountain peak to seize With all its beasts and snakes and trees. He hurled it on the pair : and they Crushed, overwhelmed, beneath it lay. 384 CAHTO XLVIL THE DEATH OF AKSHA. But RavaD, as his fury burned, • His eyes on youthful Aksha ' turned, Who rose impetuous at his glance And shouted for his bow and lance. He rode upon a glorious car That shot the light of gems afar. His pennon waved mid glittering gold And bright the wheels with jewels rolled. By long and fierce devotion won That car was splendid as the sun. With rows of various weapons stored ; And thought-swift horses whirled their lord Racing along the earth, or rose High through the clouds whene'er he chose. Then fierce and fearful war between The V^nar and the fiend was seen. The Gods and Asurs stood amazed, And on the wondrous combat gazed. A cry from earth rose long and shrill, The wind was hushed, the sun grew chill. The thunder bellowed from the sky, And troubled ocean roared reply. Thrice Aksha strained his dreadful bow. Thrice smote his arrow on the foe. And with full streams of crimson bled Three gashes in the Vanar's head. ' B^van's son. Canto XLVn. THE It J^M AY AN. 385 Then rose Hanum^n in the air To shun the shafts no life could bear. But Aksha in his car pursued, And from on high the fight renewed With storm of arrows, thick as hail When angry clouds some hill assail. / Impatient of that arrowy shower The V^nar chief put forth his power, Again above his chariot rose And smote him with repeated blows. Terrific came each deadly stroke : Breast neck and arm and back he broke ; And Aksha fell to earth, and lay With all his ,life-blood drained away. 380 CANTO XLVIIL bawumIn captured. To Indrajit ' the bold and brave The giant king his mandate gave : ' trained in warlike science, best In arms of all our mightiest. Whose valour in the conflict shown To Asurs and to Gods is known, The Kinkars whom I sent are slain. And JambumSli and his train ; The lords who led our giant bands Have fallen by the monkey's hands ; With shattered cars the ground is spread. And Aksha lies amid the dead. Thou art my best and bravest : go, Unmatched in power, and slay the foe.' He heard the best ; he bent his head ; Athirst for battle forth he sped. Four tigers fierce, of tawny hue, With fearful teeth, his chariot drew. Haniimdn heard his strong bow clang. And swiftly from the earth he sprang. While weak aikd inefiective fell The"archer's shafts though pointed well. The Rakshas saw that naught might kill The wondrous foe who mocked his skill, And launched a magic shaft to throw A binding spell about his foe. ' Conqueror of Indra,' another of BEfvan's sons. Canto XLVIIT. THE RJ^MAYAN. 387 Forth flew the shaft : the mystic charm Stayed his swift feet and numbed his arm. Through all his frame he felt the spell, And motionless to earth he fell. Nor would the reverent Vanar loose The bonds that bound him as a noose. He knew that Brahmd.'s self had charmed The weapon that his might disarmed. They saw him helpless on the ground, And all the giants pressed around, And bonds of hemp and bark were cast About his limbs to hold him fast. They drew the ropes round feet and wrists ; They beat him with their hands and fists, And dragged him as they strained the cord With shouts of trumph to their lord. ' ■ The aloka which follows is probably an interpolation, as it is inconsistent with the questioning in Canto L. : He looked on RiEvan in bis pride. And boldly to the monarch cried : ' I came an envoy to this place From him who rules the Viinar race. €ANTO XLIX. mAvan On tte fierce ting Hanuraan turned His angry eyes that glowed and burned. He saw him decked with wealth untold Of diamond and pearl and gold. And priceless "was each wondrous gem That sparkled in Tiis diadem. About his neck rich chains were twined, ' The best that fancy e'er designed. And a fair robe with pearls bestruug Down from his mighty sboulders bung. Ten Tieads be reared,' as Mandar's hill Lifts woody peaks whicb tigers fill. Bright were bis eyes, and bright, beneath, The flashes of bis awful teeth. His brawny arms of wondrous size Were decked with rings and scented dyes„ His bands-like snakes with five long heads Descending from their mountain beds. He sat upon a crystal throne Inlaid with wealth of precious stone, .Whereon, of noblest work, was set A gold-embroidered coverlet. ' The ten heads of Ravan have provoked much ridicule from Euro- pean critics. It shouid be remembered that Spenser tells us of " two brethren giants" " The one of which had two heads, the other three " ; and Milton speaks of the " four-fold ^isaged Four," the four Cherubic shapes each of whom had four faces. Canto XEIX. TEE: M^MAYAN. 389 Behind the monarch stood the best Of beauteous women gaily dressed, And each her giant master fanned^, Or waved a chourie in her hand. Four noble courtiers ' wise and goodi In counsel, near the monarch stood,. As the four oceans ever atand About the sea-encompassed land. Still, though his heart with, rage was fired,. The Vanar marvelled and admired : ' 0, what a rare and wondrou? sight ! What beauty, majesty, and might .' All regal pomp combines to grac^ This ruler of the Rikshas race. He, if he scorned not right and law, Might guide the world with, tempered awe : Yea, Indra and thfr Gods on high Might on his saving power rely.' ' Ourdhar, or as the Bengal recenaion reads Mahodaia, Frahii^ta, Mahiiparsva, and Kikumbha. 390 CANTO L. PBAHASTA'S QVESTIONS. Then fierce the giant's fury blazed As on Hanuman's form he gazed ; And shaken by each wild surmise He spake aloud with flashing eyes : ' Can this be Nandi ' standing here. The mighty one whom all revere ? Who once on high KaiMsa's hill Pronounced the curse that haunts me still ? Or is the woodland creature one Of Asur race, or Bali's ' son ? The wretch with searching question try ; Learn who he is, and whence ; and why He marred the glory of the grove. And with my captains fiercely strove.' Prahasta heard his lord's behest. And thus the Vanar chief addressed : ' monkey stranger be consoled : Fear not, and let thy heart be bold. If thou by Indra's mandate sent Thy steps to Lanka's isle hast bent. With fearless words the cause explain. And freedom thou shalt soon regain. Or if thou comest as a spy ' The chief attendant of Siva. ' Bali, not to be ooufoanded with Eiili the Vinar, wan a celebrated Daitya or demon who had usurped the empire of the three worlds, and who was deprived of two thirds of his dominions by Visljnu in the Dwarf-incarnation. Comto L. THE RAM AY AN. 391 Despatched by Vishnu in the sky, Or sent by Yama, or the Lord Of Riches, hast our town explored ; Proved by the prowess thou hast shown No monkey save in form alone ; Speak boldly all the truth, and be Released from bonds, unharmed and free. But falsehood spoken to our king Swift punishment of death will bring.' He ceased : the Vdnar made reply : ' Not Indra's messenger am I, ' Nor came I hither to fuliil Kuvera's best or Vishnu's will. I stand before the giants here A Vdnar e'en as I appear. I longed to see the king : 'twas hard To win my way through gate and guard. And so to gain my wish I laid In ruin that delightful shade. No fiend, no God of heavenly kind With bond or chain these limbs may bind. The Eternal Sire himself of old Vouchsafed the boon that makes me bold. From Brahma's magic shaft released ' I knew the captor's power had ceased. The fancied bonds I freely brooked. And thus upon the king have looked. My way to Lankd have I won, A messenger from Raghu's son.' ' when Hanumiin was bound Trith cords, Indrajit released his captive from the spell laid upon him by the mngic wpapon. S92 CANTO LI. hanumIn's reply. ' My king Sugriva greets thee fair, And bids me thus his rede declare. Son of the God of Wind, by name Hanuman, to this isle I came. To set the Maithil lady free I crossed the barrier of the sea. I roamed in s6arch of her and found Her weeping in that lovely ground. Thou in the lore of duty tra.ined. Who hast by stem devotion gained This wondrous wealth and power and fame Shouldst fear to wrong another's dame. Hear thou my counsel, and be wise : No fiend, no dweller in the skies Can bear the shafts by Lakshman shot. Or Rama when his wrath is hot. Giant King, repent the crime And soothe him while there yet is time. Now be the Maithil queen restored Uninjured to her sorrowing lord. Soon wilt thou rue thy dire mistake : She is no woman but a snake. Whose very deadly bite will be The ruin of thy house and thee. Thy pride has led thy thoughts astray, That fancy not a hand may slay The monarch of the giants, screened Canto LI. THE R^MAYAN. . 393 From mortal blow of God and fiend. Sugriva still thy death may be : No Yaksha, fiend, or God is he. And Rama from a woman springs, The mortal seed of mortal kings. think how B^li fell subdued ; Think on thy slaughtered multitude. Respect those brave and strong allies ; Consult thy safety, and be wise. I, even I, no helper need To overthrow, with car and steed, Thy city Lankd half divine : The power but not the will is mipe. For Raghu's son, before his friend The Vanar monarch, swore to end With his own conquering arm the life Of him who stole his darling wife. Turn, and be wise, Ravan, turn ; Or thou wilt see thy Lankd burn. And with thy wives, friends, kith and kin. Be ruined for thy senseless sin.' 394 CANTO LII. VIBHISHAN'S SPEECH, Then Ravan spake with flashing eye : ' Hence with the Vanar : let him die.' Vibhishaa heard the stern behest, And pondered in his troubled breast ; Then, trained in arts that soothe and please, Addressed the king in words like these : ' Revoke, my lord, thy fierce decree. And hear the words I speak to thee. Kings wise and noble ne'er condemn To death the envoys sent to them. Such deed the world's contempt would draw On him who breaks the ancient law.' Observe the mean where justice lies, And spare his life but still chastise.' Then forth the tyrant's fury broke, And thus in angry words he spoke : ' O hero, when the wicked bleed No sin or shame attends the deed. The Vanar's blood must needs be spilt. The penalty' of heinous guilt.' Again Vibhishao made reply : ' Nay, hear me, for be must not die. Hear the great law the wise declare : ' Thy foeman's envoy thou shalt spare.' ' Tis true he comes an open foe ; . I " One who murders an ambassador {rdja hJiata) goes to Taptakumbha (the hell of heated caldrons)." WiLSOs's Vishna Purdna, Vol. II- p. 217. Ccmto LII. THE RAMAYAN. 395 ' Tis true his hands have wrought us woe, But law allows thee, if thou wilt, A punishment to suit the guilt. The mark of shame, the scourge, the brand, The shaven head, the wounded hand. Yea, were the Vdnar envoy slain, Where, King of giants, were the gain ? On them alone, on them who sent The message, be the punishment. For spake he well or spake he ill. He spake obedient to their will. And, if he perish, who can bear Thy challenge to the royal pair ? Who, cross the ocean and incite Thy death-doomed enemies to light ? ' " It will be remembered that the envoys of King David had the half of their beards shaved oflF by Hanun, King of Ammou. (2 Sam. X.) " Whbelbe, Eiat. of India, Vol. II. 342. 396 CANTO LIII. THE PIFNISMMENT. King E^iran, by his pleading moved, The counsel of the chief approved : ' Thy words are' wise and true : to kiH An envoy would heesem us ill. Yet must we for his crime invent Some fitting mode of punishment. The tail, I fancy,, is the part Most cherished by a monkey's heart.' Make ready : set his tail aflame, And let him leave us,, as he came,. And thus disfigured and disgraced Back to his king and ppople haste.' The giants heard their monarch's speech ; And, filled with burning fury, each Brought strips of cotton cloth, and round The monkey's tail the' bandage wound. As round his tail th« bands they drew His mighty form dilating grew Vast as the flame that bursts on high Where trees are old and grass is dry. Each band and strip they soaked in oil. And set on fire the twisted coil. Delighted as they viewed the blaze, The cruel demons stood at gaze ; And mid loud drums and shells rang out The triumph of their joyful shout. ' I have not attempted to tone down anything in this Cauto, give a faitliful translation. Canto LIU. tHt: RJ^MAYAN. 397 They pressed about him thick and fast As through the crowded streets he passed, ObserviHg with attentive care Each rich and vrondi'ous structure there. Still heedless of the eager cry- That rent the air, The spy ! the spy ! Some to the captive lady ran. And thus in joyous words began -. ' That copper-visaged monkey, he Who in the garden talked with thee, Through Lanka's town is led a show. And round his tail the red flames glow.' The mournful news the lady heard That with fresh grief her bosom stirred, Swift to the kindled fire she went And prayed before it reverent : ^ If I my husband have obeyed. And kept the ascetic vows I made, Free, ever free, from stain and blot, O spare the Vanar ; harm him not.' Then leapt on high the flickering flame And shone in answer to the dame. The pitying fire its rage forbore : The Vanar felt the heat no more. Then, to minutest size reduced, ' The bonds that bound his limbs he loosed. And, freed from every band and chain. Rose to his native size again. He seized a club of ponderous weight That lay before him by the gate. Rushed at the fiends that hemmed him round, ' " Behold a wonder ! they but now who seemed In bigness to surpass earth's giant sods, Now less than smnllest dwarfs in narrow room Throng numberless" Paradise Lost. I. 776. 398 THE RAM4YAN. Book V. And laid them lifeless on the ground. Through Lanka's town again he strode, ' And viewed each street and square and road, — Still wreathed about with harmless blaze, A sun engarlanded with rays. 399 CANTO LIV. THE BURNING OF LANK A. ' What further deed remains to do To vex the Rakshas king anew ? The beauty of his grove is marred, Killed are the bravest of his guard. The captains of his host are slain ; But forts and palaces remain. Swift is the work and light the toil Each fortress of the foe to spoil.' Reflecting thus, his tale ablaze As through the cloud red lightning plays, He scaled the palaces and spread The conflagration where he sped. From house to house he hurried on. And the wild flames behind him shone. Each mansion of the foe he scaled, And furious fire its roof assailed Till all the common ruin shared : Yibhishan's house alone was spared. From blazing pile to pile he sprang, And loud his shout of triumph rang. As roars the doomsday cloud when all The worlds in dissolution fall. The friendly wind conspired to fan The hungry flames that leapt and ran. And spreading in their fury caught The gilded walls with pearls inwrought. Till each proud palace reeled and fell 400 THE RAMJ^YAN. Book V. As. falls a heavenly citadel. Loud -was the roar the demons raised Mid walls that split and beams that blazed. As each with vain endeavour strove To stay the flames in house or grove. The women, with dishevelled hair, Fl6cked to the roofs in wild despair, Shrieked out for succour, wept aloud. And fell, like lightning from a cloud. He saw the flames ascend and curl Eound turkis, diamond, and pearl. While silver floods and molten gold From ruined wall and lattice rolled. As fire grows fiercer as he feeds On wood and grass and crackling reeds, So Hanuman the ruin eyed With fury still unsatisfied. 401 CANTO LV. PEAR FOR SITL But other tkoughts resumed their sway When Lanka's town in niin lay ; And, as his bosom felt their weight, He stood a while to meditate : ' What have I done ? ' , he thought with shame ; ' Destroyed the town with hostile flame. O happy they whose firm control Checks the wild passioH of the soul ; Who on the fires of auger throw The cooling drops that check their glow. But woe is me, whom wrath could lead To do this senseless shameless deed. The town to fire and death I gave, Nor thought of her I came to save, — Doomed by my own rash folly, doomed To perish in the flames consumed. If I, when anger drove me wild, Have caused the death of Janak's child, The kindled flame shall end my woe, Or the deep fires that bum below, ' Or my forsaken corse shall be Food for the moDsters of the sea. How can I meet Sugriva ? how Before the royal brothers bow, — I whose rash deed has madly foiled The noble work in which we toiled ? ' The file nliich is supposed to burn beneath the aea, z 402 THE RAMA7AN. Booh V. Or ha's her own bright virtue shed Its guardian influence round her head ? She lives untouched,— ^the peerless dame } Flame has no fury for the flamefj ' The very fire would ne'er consent To harm a queen so excellent, — The high-souled Rama's faithful wife. Protected by her holy life. She lives, she lives. Why should I fear' For one whom Raghu's sons hold dear ? Has not the pitying fire that spared The V£nar for the lady cared 1 ' Such were his thoughts : he pondered longy And fear grew faint and hope grew strong. Then round him heavenly voices rang, - And, sweetly tuned, his praises sang : ' glorious is the exploit done By Hanuman the Wind-God's son. The flames o'er Lankd's city rise : The giants' home in ruin lies. O'er roof and wall the fires have spread. Nor harmed a hair of Sita's head.' ' SiU is Ukjened to the fire which is au embleta o{ purity. 403 CANTO LVI, MOUNT ARISHTA. He looked upon the burning waste, Then sought the queen in joyous haste, With words of hope consoled her heart, And made him ready to depart. He scaled Arishta's glorious steep Whose summits beetled o'er the dee|); The woods in varied beauty dressed Hung like a garland round his crest; And clouds of ever changing hue A robe about his shoulders threw. On him the rays of morning fell To wake the hill they loved so well; And bid unclose those splendid eyes That glittered in his mineral dyeis. He woke to hear the music made By thunders of the white cascade, While every laughing rill that sprang From crag to crag its carol sang. For arms, he lifted to the stars His towering stems of Deodars, And morning heard his pealing call In tumbling brook and waterfall. He trembled when bis woods were pale And bowed beneath the autumn gale. And when his vocal reeds were stirred His melancholy moan was heard. Far down against the mountain's feet 404 THE RAMATAN. Book V. The Vanar heard the wild waves beat ; Then turned his glances to the north, Sp.; ng from the peak and bounded forth. The mountain felt the fearful shock And trembled through his mass of rock. The tallest trees were crushed and rent And headlong to the valley sent. And as the rocking shook each cave Loud was the roar the lions gave. Forth from the shaken cavern came Fierce serpents witli their tongues aflame ; And every Yaksha, wild with dread. And Kinnar and Gaudharva, fled. 405 CANTO LVII. HANUMlirs RETURN. Still, like a winged mountain, he Sprang forward through the airy sea, ' And rushing through the ether drew The clouds to follow as he flew, Through the great host around him spread, Grey, golden, dark, and white, and red. Now in a sable cloud immersed, Now from its gloomy pall he burst. Like the bright Lord of Stars concealed A moment, and again revealed. Sunabha ' passed, he neared- the coast Where waited still the Vanar host. They heard a rushing in the skies, And lifted up their wondering eyes. His wild triumphant shout they knew ' ' I omit two stanzas which continue the metaphor of the sea or lake of air. The moon is its lotus, the sun its wild-duck, the clouds are its water-weeds, Mars is its shark and so on. Gorresio remarks ; ' Tills comparison of a great lake to the sky and of celestial to aquatic objects is one of those ideas which tho view and qualities of natural scenery awake in lively fancies. Imagine one of those grand an4 splendid lakes of India covered with lotus blossoms, furrowed by wild-ducks of tho most vivid colours, mantled over here and there with flowers and water weeds &o., and it will he understood how the fancy of the poet could readily compare to the sky radiant with celestial azure the blue expanse of the water, to the soft light of the moon the tender hue of the lotus, to the splendour of the sun the brilliant colours of the wild- fowl, to the stars the flowers, to the clouds the weeds that float upon the water &c.' ' Sunabha is the mountain that rose from the sea when Hanumin passed over to Lanka. 406 THE RJlMJ^YAN. Book f. That louder still and louder grew, And Jambayan •with eager voice Called on the V^nars to rejoice : ' Look he returns, the Wind-God'« son, And fi^U success his toils have ■won ; Triumphant is the shout that comes Like music of a thousand drums.' Up sprang the Vanars from the ground And listened to the wondrouq sound Of hurtling axm and thigh as througl^ The region of the air he flew. Loud as the wind, when tempests rave, Koars in the prisoii of the cave. . From crag to crag, from height to height. They bounded in their mad delight. And when he touched the mountain's crest. With reverent welcome round hiin pressed. They brought him of their woodland fruits, They brought him of the choicest roots. And laughed and shouted in ^heir glee. The noblest of their chiefs to see. Nor Hanumdn delayed to ^reet Sage Jdmbav&n with reverence meet ; To Angad and the chiefs he bent For age and rank preeminent. And briefly spoke : ' These eyes have seen. These lips a^dresseid, the ]!ila,ithil queen.' They sat beneath the waving trees. And Angad ^poke in words like these : ' noblest of the Y^nar kind For valour power and might combined, ^o tl^ee triumphant o'er the. foe Our hopes, our lives and all we owe. P faithful heart in perils tried, Oanto LVII. THE RAMJTZAN. 407 Which toil nor fear could turn aside, Thy deed the lady will restore, And Rdma's heart will ache no more.' ' f Thrpe Cantos of repetition are pmitte4. 408 CANTO LXI. TEE FMAST OF HONMY. They rose in air : the region grew Dark with their shadow as they flew. Swift to a lovely grove ' they came That rivalled heavenly Nandan's " fanje ; Where countless bees their honey stored,— » The pleasancfe of the Vanars' lord. To every creature fenced and barred. Which Dadhimukh was set to guard, A noble Vanar, brave and bold, Sugriva's uncle lofty-souled. To Augad came with one accord The Vanays, and besought their lord That they those honeyed stores might eat That made the grove so passing sweet. He gave consent ; they sought the trees Thronged with innumerable bees. They rifled all the treasured store. And ate the fruit the branches bore. And still as they prolonged the feast Their merriment and joy increased, Drunk with the sweets, they danced and bowed, They wildly sang, they laughed aloud. Some climbed and spraug from tree to tree. Some sat and chattered in their glee, Some scaled the trees which creepers crowned, ' JladJmvan the ' honey-wood.' ? I.ijiJra'B pleaaijre-ground or elysijjm. Canto LXJ. THE RAMAYAN. 409 And rained the branches to the ground. There with loud laugh a Vanat sprang Close to his friend who madly sang. In doleful mood another crept To mix his tears with one who wept. Then Dadhimukh with fury viewed The intoxicated multitude. I^e looked upon the rifled shade. And all the ruin they had made ; Then called with angry voice, and strove To save the remnant of the grove. But warning cries and words were spumed, And angry taunt and threat returned. Then fierce and wild contention rose : With furious words he mingled blows. They by no shame or fear withheld, By drunken mood and ire impelled. Used claws, and teeth, and hands, and beat The keeper under trampling feet. 410 CANTO Wf, ' l^IIE TIDINGS. 00 tQ Prasravaa's hill they sped Where blooming trees their branches spread. To I^aghii^'s sons their heads they bent And did obeisance reverent. Then to their king, by Angad led, Each Vanar chieftain bowed his head ; And Hanuman the brave and bold His tidings to the monarch told ; But first in Rama's hand he placed The gem that Sita's brow had graced ; ' I crossed the sea : i searched a while For Sita in the giants' isle. 1 found her vext with taunt and threat By demon guards about her set. Hsp tresses twined in single braid. On the bare earth her limbs were laid. Sad were her eyes : her cheeks were pale As shuddering flowers in wiii.ter'B gale. I stood beside the weeping dame, And gently whispered Rama's name ; With cheering words her grief consoled, And then the whole adventure told, ' Three Cantos consisting of little but repetitions we omitted. Dadhtmukh escapes from the infuriated monkeys and hastens to Su- griva to report tlieir misconduct. Sugriva infers that Hanuman and his band have been successful in their search, and that the exuberance of Elicits and the mischief complained of are but the natural expressiori of their joy. Dadhimukh obtains little sympathy from Sugriva and is told to return aM send the monkeys on with all possible spe^d. Omto LXV. TEE BjTM^FAN. 411 She weeps afar beyond the sea, And her true heart is still with thee. She gave a sign that thou wouldst know, ^he bids thee think upon the crow, And bright mark pressed upon her brow When none was nigh but she and thou. She bids thee take this precious stone, The sea-born gem thou long hast known. ? And I ', she said, ' will dull the sting Of woe by gazing on the ring. One little month shall I sustain This life oppressed with woe and pain ; And when the month is ended, I The giants' prey must surely die'. 412 CANTO LXVI. mAma's speech. There ceased the Vdnar : Rama pressed The treasured jewel to his breast, And from his eyes the waters broke As to the Vdnar king he spoke : ' As o'er her babe the mother weeps. This flood of tears the jewel steeps. This gem that shone on Sita's head Was Janak's gift when we were wed. And the pure brow that wore it lent New splendour to the ornament. This gem, bright offspriiig of the wave, The King of Heaven to Janak gave, Whose noble sacrificial rite Had filled the God with new delight. Now, as I gaze upon the prize, Methinks I see my father's eyes. Methinks I see before me stand The ruler of Videha's land. ' Methinks mine arms are folded now Round her who wore it on her brow. Speak, Hanuman, say, dear friend. What message did my darling send ? speak, and let thy words impart Their gentle dew to cool my heart. Ah, 'tis the crown of woe to see This gem and ask ' Where, where is she ? ' ' Janak was king of Videha or MithiW iu Behar. Canto LX VI. THE RAMAYAN. 413 If for one month her heart be strong, Her days of life will yet be long. But I, with naught to lend relief, This very day must die of grief. Gome, Hanum&n, and quickly guide The mourner to his darling's side. lead me — thou hast learnt the way — 1 cannot and I will not stay. How can my gentle love endure, So timid, delicate, and pure, The dreadful demons fierce and vile Who watch her in the guarded isle 1 No more the light of beauty shines From Sitd as she weeps and pines. But pain and sorrow, cloud on cloud, Her moonlight glory dim and shroud. speak, dear Hanuman, and tell Each word that from her sweet lips fell. Her words, her words alone can give The healing balm to make me live'. ' ' The original containa two more Cantos which end the Boob. Canto LXVII begins thus : ' Hanumiln thus addressed by the great- eouled son of Baghu related to the son of Baghu all that Sit^ had said*. And the two Cantos contain nothing but Hauum^n's account of his interview with Sit£, and the report of his own speeches as well as of hers. Additional notes. BOOK IV. Page 17. THE SOVEREIGN OF THE vINAR RACE. "Vanar is one of the most frequently occurring names by which the poem calls the monkeys of Rama's army. Among the two or three derivations of which the word Vanar is susceptible, one is that which dedu- ces it from cR which signifies a wood, and thus Vdnar would mean a forester, an inhabitant of the wood. I have said elsewhere that the monkeys, the Vdnars, whom Rama led to the conquest of Ceylon were fierce •woodland tribes who occupied the mountainous regions of the south of India, where their descendants may still be seen. I shall henceforth promiscuously employ the word Vana/r to denote those monkeys, those fierce combatants of Rfima^s army." GoBEESIQ. Page 25. No change of hue, no pose of Imib Gave sign that aught was false in him. Concise, unfaltering, sweet and clear, Without a word to pain the ear, From chest to throat, nor high nor low. His accents ccume in measured flow. Somewhat similarly in The Squire's Tale . ' He with a manly voice said his message, After the form used in his language, 416 ADDITIONAL NOTES. Withouten vice of syllable or of letter. And for his tale shoulde seem the better Accordant to his wordes was his chere. As teacheth art of speech them that it lere.' Page 32. eAma'S alliance with SUGRIVA. "The literal interpretation of this portion of the Ramayana is indeed deeply rooted in the mind of the Hindu. He implicitly believes that Rama is Vishnu, who became incarnate for the purpose of destroying the demon Ravana ; that he permitted his wife to be captured by Ravana for the sake of delivering the gods and Brahmans from the oppressions of the Raksbasa; and that he ultimately assembled ain army of monkeys, who were the progeny of the gods, and led them against the strong-hold of RaVana at Lanki, and deli- vered the world from the tyrant Rdkshasa, whilst ob- taining ample revenge for his own personal wrongs. One other point seems to demand consideration, namely the possibility of such an alliance as that which R^ma is said to have concluded with the mon- keys. This possibility will of course be denied by modern critics, but still it is interesting to trace out the circumstances which seem to have led to the acceptance, of such a wild belief by the dreamy and marvel-loving Hindi. The south of India swarms with monkeys of curious intelligence and rare physical powers. Their wonderful instinct for organization, their attachment to particular localities, their occasional journeys in large numbers over mountains and across rivers, their obstinate assertion of supposed rights, and the ridicu- lous caricature which they exhibit of all that is animal and emotional in man, would naturally create a deep impression Indeed the habits of monkeys well ADDITIONAL NOTES. 417 deserve to be patiently studied ; not as they appear in confinement, when much that is revolting in their nature is developed, but as they appear living in free- dom amongst the trees of the forest, or in the streets of crowded cities, or precincts of temples. Such a study would not fail to awaken strange ideas ; and al- though the European would not be prepared to regard monkeys as sacred animals, he might be led to specu- late as to their origiQ by the light of data, which are at present unknovrn to the naturalist whose observa- tions have been derived from the menagerie alone. Whatever, hbwever, may have been the train of ideas which led the Hindu to regard the monkey as a being half human and half divine, there can be little doubt that in the Ramayana the monkeys of southern India have been confounded with what may be called the aboriginal people of the country. The origin of this confusion may be easily conjectured. Perchance the aborigines of the country may have been regarded as a superior kind of monkeys ; and to this day the fea- tures of the Marawars, who are supposed to be the aborigines of the southern part of the Carnatic, are not only dififerent from those of their neighbours, but are of a character calculated to confirm the conjecture. Again, it is probable that the army of aborigines may have been accompanied by outljring bands of monkeys impelled by that magpie-like curiosity and love of plunder which are the peculiar characteristics of the monkey race ; and this incident may have given rise to the story that the army was composed of Monkeys." "Wheelee's Sistory 6f India, Vol. II. pp. 816/. A a 418 ADDITIONAL NOTES. Page 86. THE FALL OF bIlI. " As regards the narrative, it certainly seems to re- fer to some real event amongst the aboriginal tribes ; namely, the quarrel between an elder and younger brother for the possession of a Raj ; and the subse- quent alliance of Rama with the younger brother. It is somewhat remarkable that Rama appears to have form- ed an alliance with the wrong party, for the right of Bali was evidently superior to that of Sugriva ; and it is especially worthy of note that Rama compassed the death of Bali by an act contrary to all the laws of fair fighting. Again, Rama seems to have tacitly sanction- ed the transfer of Tar a from Bali to Sugriva, which was directly opposed to modern rule, although in con- formity with the rude customs of a barbarous age ; and it is remarkable that to this day the marriage of both widows and divorced women is practised by ,the Mara- wars, or aborigines of the southern Camatie, contrary to the deeply-rooted prejudice which exists against such unions amongsts the Hindus at large." Wheeler's History of India, Vol. II. S24i. Page 190. TEE tINAR host. "The splendid Marutas form the army of Indras', the red-haired monkeys and bears that of R^mas ; and the mythical and solar nature of the monkeys and bears of the RilmiyaDam manifests itself several times. The king of the monkeys is a sun-god. The ancient king was named B41in, and ,was the son of Indras. His younger brother Sugrivas, he who changes his shape at pleasure (Kamarupas), who, helped by R§,mas, usurped ADDITIONAL NOTES. 419 Lis throne, is said to be own child of the sun. Here it is evident that the Vedic antagonism between Indras and Vishnus is reproduced in a zoological and entirely apish form. The old Zeus must give way to the newj the moon to the sun, the evening to the morning sun, the sun of winter to that of spring; the young sun betrays and overthrows the old one Eslmas, who treacherously kills the old king of the monkeys, Mlin, is the equivalent of Vishnus, who hurls his predecessor Indras from his throne ; and Sugnvas, the new king of the monkeys resembles Indras when he promises to find the ravished SltS,, in the same way as Vishnus in one of his incarnations finds again the lost vedLs. And there are other indications in the ES,m^yanam of op- position between Indras and the monkeys who assist Reimas. The great monkey Hanumant, of the reddish colour of gold, has his jaw broken, Indras having struck him with his thunderbolt and caused him to fall upon a mountain, becausej while yet a child, he threw him- self off a mountain into the air in ordei? to arrest the course of the sun, whose rays had no effect upon him. (The cloud rises from the montain and hides the sun, whidh is uhable of itself to disperse it ; the tempest comes, and brings flashes of lightning and thunder-bolts, which tear the cloud in pieces.) The whole legend of the monkey Hanumant repre- sents the sun entering into the cloud or darkness, and coming out of it. His father is said to be now the wind, now the elephant of the monkeys (Kapikunjaras), now KeSarin, the long-haired sun, the sun with a mane, the lion sun (whence his name of Kesarinah putrah). From this point of view, Hanumant would seem to be the brother of Sugnvas, who is also the offspring of the sun.. ■.••■. 420 ADDITIONAL NOTES. All the epic monkeys of the Rdmdyanam are descri- bed inthetwentieth canto of the first book by expressions which very closely resemble those applied in the Vedic hymns to the Marutas, as swift as the tempestuous wind, changing their shape at pleasure, making a noise like clouds, sounding like thunder, battling, hurling mountain-peaks, shaking great uprooted trees, stirring ■up the deep waters, crushing the earth with their arms, making the clouds fall. Thus Balin comes out of the cavern as the sun =0ut of th« cloud. . . . But the legend of the monkey Hanumant presents another curious resemblance to that of Samson. Ha- numant is bound with cords by Indrajit, son of R£va- iias; he could easily free himself, but does' not wish to do so. R^vanas to put him to shame, orders his tail to be burned, because the tail is the part most prized by monkeys The tail of Hanumant, which sets fire to the city of the monsters, is probably a personification of the rays of the morning or spring sun, which sets fire to the eastern heavens, and destroys the abode of the noctur- nal or winter monsters." De Gubeenatis, Zoological Mythology, Vol. II. pp. 100 ff. " The Jaitwas of Ilajputana, a tribe politically reck- oned as Rajputs, nevertheless trace their descent from the monkey-god Hanuman, and confirm it by alleging that their princes still bear its evidence in a tail-like prolongation of the spine ; a tradition which has pro- bably a real ethnological meaning, pointing out the Jaitwas as of non- Aryan race." * Ttloe's Primitive GuUure, Vol. I p. 341. * Campbell in ' Joura. As. Soc. Bengal,' 1866, part ii. p. 132 ; La- tham, 'Descr. Eth.' Vol. ii. p. 456 ; Tod, 'Annals of Eajasthan,' Vol. i. p. 114. ADDITIONAL NOTES. 421 Page 195.- The names' of peoples occurring in the following Mohas are omitted in the metrical translation : . 'Goto the BrahmamSlas,' the Videhas/ the Mala- Tas,' the -K^^ikoSalas/ the Magadhas," the Puadras," and the Angas/ and the land of the weavers of silk, and the land of the mines, of silver, and the hills that stretch into the sea, and the towns and the hamlets that are about the top of Mandar, and the Karna- prlvaranas,' and the Oshthakarnakas,' and the Ghora- ' Said by the commentator to bean eastern people between the Hi- malayan and Viiidhyan ohaina. ' Videha was a district in the provinoe- of Behar, the ancieat Mithi- 14 .or the modern Tithoot. . ' The people of Malwa,< * "The Kasikosalas ar« a central nation in 'the Vsfyn Puraria. The Bamdyana places them In the east. The combination indicates the country between- Benares and Oode Koaala is a name variously applied; Its earliest and most celebrated application is. to the. country on. the bants of the Sai'ayu, the kingdom of Kama, of- wiiieU- Ayodhyi was the.- capital... . . In the Mahabhiirata we have one Ko- Sala in the east and- another \n the south, besides the Prilk-Kosalas . and Uttara-Eosalas in the east and north. Th* PuriJn»is place the Kosalas amongst the peopleon the back of V-ihdhya ; and.it would ap- pear from the VsJyu that Kuia the son of Rama transferred his king- dom to a more central position ; he ruled over Koiala at his capital. of Kusasthali or Kusavati, built upon the Vindhyan preoipicesi'' Wilson's Vislmu Purina Vol. II. pp. 157, 172.. 6 The people of South Behar. ' The Fundras are said to be the inhabitants of the western, provin- ces of Bengal " In the Aitareyahrahmanu, VII. 18, it is said that the elder sons of VfsviSmitra were • cursed to become progenitors ffi, 355, 374, 384 ff. Hayageiva, 96, 210.. Hema, 233. HlBANTAKAsipU, 3311'- HlMAVAN, 222. HlUALATA, 61, 1S3;.. T. Ikshvaku, 263; liiDRAJAiin, 193.: Ibdba, 45, 61, 77, 1^5, 158, 191, Ihdbajit, 386.- 233, 241, 263, 274^ 286^ 324. J. Jambudwip, 200. Jambumali, 378, 379: Janasthak, 262, 320, 343C jAMBAVAfT, 192, 202, 256, 26^; 406; Jambuvattt, ler; JXtae'^pa, 199. jATATOS,-247.£fi, 259; 262; Kailasa, 139, 183, 214, 2611 Kala, 366. Kalamahi, 196. Kalingas, 422; Kandu, 226. Kala, 213. Kaveei, 203. KamboItas, 423. KaknapeavaeaitaiSj 42U Kausieas, 423. KisiEOSALAS, 421( Kac^iki, 195. - Kausalya, 15. Eeralab, 423. K. KeIaeij' 192; EiRATAS, 422': KisHKiNDHA, V note,- 50, 52, 55j. 62,71,74,75,78, 118, 13,7, 140>. 184, 245. KosAL, 421. Kratincha, 214; Krishnateni, 202s Keita, 282. kumbhakaena, 297, 346. . KuMUDA, 169', 193, 206j KuNJAE, 205, 272. KURCS, IfORTH, 215i- KuvBRA, 214, 374* INDEX. 429 Lakshmatt, passim. iSLiKSHMi, 26 , 31, 32, 71, 254, 288, 300. Madhovan, 167. ^Madbakas, 423. MahIeun, 182. MahXiSaila, 181. MaheSvab, 184. Mainaka, 280. Mahi, 196. Mahaparsva,. 389. Mainda, 167, 192. Malaya, 19, 32, 203. Mabishikas,. 422. Mahendra, 63 189, 204, 2S7. Mahendaeini, 12, 3@8. Mandar, 158, 196. Mandehas, 197. Mandodaiu, 308. Hahu, 1C4. :Nala, 75, 122, 151, 167. Namdohi, 61. ITauda, 366. Nandi, 390. I^ABMADA, 262. OSHTHAEAB^AKAS,. 24L L. Lahba, 287. 270, Lanka, 177, 204 note, 254, 270, 288,289,292,346, 399. M. Mars, 72, S18. Maya, 233, 2S1. Marcts, 211 note, 315. Matanga, 64, 65, 222. Matsyas, 422. Malavas, 421. Maqaohas, 421, Malyavat, 144. Makdhata, 101. MayIvi, 50, 51, 55, 221. Matabisva, 259. Mekhal, 202. Merouby, 72. Mbeu, 24, 182, 189, 200, 219. 222, 261, 275. Mlecbcehas, 423. N. NIoAS. 283. Kabayan, 275. NlKUMBHA, 389. NiLA, 75, 122, 151, 167, 192, 202. KiSAEAB, 258, 259, 26S. 0. Pampa, 1 ff., 27. Fanas, 192. ' Panohajan, 209. Pandyas, 204. PabdjXtba, 209. Paulomi, 191. Pbaqhas, 383. Pbahasta, 297, 378. Prabhava, 161. PRAHLiDA, 269. Pbasthalas, 423. pclastya, 337. PUSDBAS, 423. PULOMA, 196. PUBAHDABA, 240 notS. Pbasbavan, 223, 363. PuLmDAS, 423. PunjieastsaiuC, 205. FnsHFAE, 300. 430 INDEX. R. Eambha, 193'. , EoHiNf, 177, SlS, 35al. felmr, ll'7, 28S. Rohitas, 206. Eatan, 32, 38, 43', U1, \U, 253, Rudea, 216. 263, 284, 288, 303, 318, 334, 337, Kdman, I93. 343, 346, 379, 382< 388.- &IESHABAJAS, 250. EiSHABH, 198, 206. BiSHiiKAS, 422. Saoht, 190, 33S. Saqar, 281 note. Sakba, 64, 90. Sakab, 423. Sabandib, idi not^. Sakasvati, 196, Saeju, 146, 195. ^ABABHA, 167. ^ATA^Ati, I91, 219, 22Sf. SivABNI, 211. Sesha, 199 note^ Sism, 196. SiNDHU, 196, 208. Rdma, 111, 145, 160, 176, 177y 24S. EiSHTAMUEA, l7, 22, 25, 32, 4tfy «6, 72, 222. S. ^tJKEA, 241. SnBAHu, 167. SUDAKSAN, 198, 213. Sddahsandiwip, 200. SUNABHA, 405. SnHETKA, 167. SuP^BsvA, 256. SuQEivA, 18, 19, 20, 26, 26, 3S, 44, 66 ff,, 161 ff., 179 ff., 223y 242, 352, 368. SupaeSta, 88,255. Shbasa, 383. StPATALA, 167. SiTA, 28, 35, 37, 146, 254, 318, SueashtbA, 208. 322, 334, 337, 339, 341, 348. g^EASENAS, 423. SINHIkI, 285. SUETAKSHA, 167. Soma, 213. SuetaVan, 205. SOMAOIBI, 208, 216. SVATAMBH0, 279. Soma, 196. Svatampeabha, 233. gsAKDA, 46. SusBEl^r, 116, 208, 219, 221 T. TiMBAPAENi, 20g. 112, 116, 119, 122, 12«, 130, 131, TiEA, 75, 92, 9.5, 129, 131, 225, 132, 148,169, 160, 168, 176, 179, 241, 245. Taba, 63, 82; 86, 104, 106, 107, Tbijata, 345. u. UsANAS, 233, Utkal, 20Z. Vajbj>,209. 'Vahki, 193, INDEX. 431 Vaikhanaskb, 20a. Vaidtut, 209. Vabadas, 428. Varun, 71, 211, 238, 265, 2i6&. Vasus, 210, 315. Vasishtha, 236. VIhlika, 20». Vatoki, 206. ViSEHAS, 421. YiDAnBBAS, 422. VlBYnilMALI, 167. VlKAJA,' 338. ViNATi, 219, 223, 264. ViiTDHTA, 24, 189, 202, 222, 226, 237, 262, 268. Yama, 40, 89, 96, 115, 122, 175, 206, 213, 247. TAMBNi, 195. T^VN, 195. ViEADHi, 32a. VrfVAB, 210. ViSVAKAEMA, 209, 264, 8W, VieupIksha, 383. VlSVAEUPA, 125. Vl3tiMI*EA, 17e>. VirabIhu, 167. ■VAraATBtA, 254. Taiseavast, 214, 358. ViBHisHASr, 365, 366, 394.. Vishnu, 91, 183, 200, 210, 26», 868. VlBBAVAS, 337. VrsTASVAT, 247. Vkitba, 252f. Y. Yavdwip, 196. Yavaitas, 423, Tatati, 91. TUPAESBA, 383.