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MAHA-ViRA-CHARITA. 
 
PRINTED BV BALLANTYNE AND COMPANY 
 EDINBURGH AND LONDON 
 
MAHA-ViRA-OHARITA. 
 
 THE ADVENTURES OF THE GREAT HERO 
 RAMA. 
 
 3n Intitan IBrama in Sefam Sets. 
 
 TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH PROSE FROM THE 
 SANSKRIT OF BHAVABHUTI. 
 
 JOHN PICKFOED, M.A., 
 
 LATE SCHOLAR OF BRASENOSE COLLEGE, AND BDDEN SCHOLAR IK THE 
 UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD; PROFESSOR OF SANSKRIT, MADRAS. 
 
 LONDON: 
 TEiJBNER & CO., 60 PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 1871. dc 
 \All rights res^ved,] 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The name of Rama is familiar to all persona 
 acquainted with Hindu literature and worship, and 
 has been famous in Indian story for upwards of 
 three thousand years. His exploits and adventures 
 have ever been a favourite theme with Indian poets 
 and dramatists. They are told at length in the 
 " Eamayana," an epic poem similar in character to, 
 but more extensive than, the " Iliad" of Homer; 
 and in the " Maha-Vira-Charita " — which, to a 
 certain extent, is an abstract of the " Ramayana " 
 — the adventures of Rama are briefly dramatised. 
 
 Modern researches tend to show that the story 
 of Rama bears with it much in common with the 
 early mythological stories of fhe Indian, G-reek, 
 Roman, Slavonic, and Teutonic nations. In each 
 of these nations it assumed various yet similar forms, 
 — simple and transparent if belonging to an ancient 
 date, but complex and obscijre in proportion as they 
 
are worked up by more modern hands. Tracing the 
 story to its source, it is purely mythological, and 
 carries us back to a time when the human mind 
 was simple and highly imaginative, and gave to 
 the phenomena of nature an anthropomorphic 
 interpretation. The succession of day and night, 
 light and darkness, was regarded as a battle waged 
 by the bright and dark powers of nature. The 
 change of the seasons was also looked upon as a 
 conflict, — the glorious summer routing the dreary 
 winter, and releasing vast treasures of fruits and 
 grain from the earth where they were imprisoned ; 
 while the winter in turn vanquishes the summer, 
 and robs it of its stores. Of this character are 
 many of. the hymns of the Rig- Veda, the oldest 
 Sanskrit compositions, wherein we read that* — 
 " Indra (the god of the firmament) slew Ahi (a 
 cloud) and poured out the waters. Thou, Indra, 
 didst strike the first-born of the clouds, then thou 
 didst destroy the delusions of the deluders ; then, 
 producing the sun, the sky, and the dawn, thou 
 didst not discover any more a foe." 
 
 Such also is the more modern story oi the 
 * Rig-Veda, 1, 32, 1. 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 Ramayana. It is not upon the gory battlefields of 
 human strife that its scenes are laid ; nor are its 
 heroes mortal men, but the great powers of nature, 
 individualised by the poet, and enlisted into the 
 ranks of toiling mortals, to undergo the same 
 chequered life, and in the same prison-house to be 
 subject to the laws of a perishable existence. The 
 three principal characters are Rama, Sita, and 
 Ravana. Rama is the Solar hero, and the pretended 
 son of the King of Oude, and his frequent title is 
 " descendant of the sun," "'born in the race of the 
 sun." Sita is the wife of Rama, but has no 
 parentage ; the account given of her is, that when 
 King Janaka, her reputed father, was ploughing 
 the ground, Sita was discovered in the furrow 
 made by the ploughshare ; and she is therefore 
 called " sprung from the ground," " not born from 
 the womb." But the meaning of the word itself, 
 which is not once alluded to, indicates her true 
 character ; for Sita really means husbandry, and 
 in this respect corresponds with the Latin Ceres, 
 the patron-goddess of husbandry. Ravana, the 
 king of a country in the South, the capital of which 
 is Lanka, is styled the ruler of night-stalkers: 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 his authority extends over demons and fiends of 
 darkness, who prowl ahont intent upon wickedness 
 and marring the good deeds of others. This 
 demon king, in the course of an evil reign, in 
 which he tyrannises over gods and men, at length 
 seizes Sita and carries her to his capital, Lanka; 
 upon which the Solar hero rouses himself, and 
 going in pursuit, takes Lanka and recovers Sita, 
 destroying Eavana and his army of demons. 
 
 The explanation of this is, either that the powers 
 of night, Eavana andk his followers, conquer the 
 bright powers of day, and put an end to the labours 
 of agriculture, until the sun with its increasing 
 rays drives away the darkness, and restores all 
 things as before; or that winter, from the time 
 that the seed is sown in the ground, robs the earth 
 of its splendour until it is displaced by the glowing 
 sun of summer, when the grain springs up once 
 more. The materials from which the epic is con- 
 structed consist doubtless of a number of popular 
 sayings handed down from the earliest times, 
 and gradually formed into a connected narrative, 
 which invest with personal attributes the constant 
 changes of day and night, and the rotation of 
 
PEBFACE. 
 
 the seasons. This change is expressed in ancient 
 language as a conflict in which the night-fiend with 
 his troops of demons vanquishes the bright powers 
 of day, and carries off to his abode in the west the 
 glorious sunshine, putting an end to the useful 
 works of the husbandman, and leaving him in 
 darkness and dread, until the sun with his in- 
 creasing rays dispels the gloom and brings back 
 the day to expectant mortals. Thus day by day the 
 struggle goes on, and as the issue of the battle is 
 ever alternating, there comes a period of anxiety 
 and doubt, culminating at length in the still 
 grander* conflict of the seasons. Lastly this physi- 
 cal struggle is spiritualised, and takes the form of 
 a combat between good and evil in the world. 
 Rama is the champion of holiness, Eavana, the 
 type of wickedness, and though the evil power is 
 allowed to flom-ish for a time, yet his reign is 
 short, and goodness in the end triumphs. This, 
 then, is no new story ; but one which, under dif- 
 ferent names, we are well acquainted with. Ever 
 and anon it re-appears throughout the whole 
 period of Sanskrit literature. It is the conflict, 
 so often alluded to in the early Vaidik works, 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 of India and Vritra, of the Devas and Asuras. 
 We see clearly its reflection in the story of the 
 Panis, and in that of Vishnu and Bali, and in 
 the myth of Indra and Ahalya ; and it is the 
 same Solar legend that forms the groundwork of 
 the celebrated Indian love-story of Pururavas and 
 Urvaci. 
 
 In Grreek it is a tale that is told without ceasing, 
 and yet without weariness. We recognise it under 
 the form of Theseus, Persephone, and Hades ; 
 Heracles, Alcestis, and Hades ; Orpheus and 
 Eurydice ; also in the far-famed and later story of 
 Paris and Helen. In Latin it is the story of 
 Hercules and Cacus, Ceres and Pluto. In the 
 Teutonic languages it is told under the names 
 of Odin and Baldr, Beowulf and Grendel. Brief 
 and simple as the story may have been at the out- 
 set, each successive age and nation supplied the 
 tradition with fresh characters and scenes, and 
 filled in other details, giving to the legend the 
 appearance of historic truth. In India, these were 
 arranged by the poet Valmiki, and formed into 
 an epic poem, under the title of the " Ramayana," 
 similar to the " Iliad" of Homer. 
 
PREFACE. XI 
 
 There is, however, this remarkable difference ■ in 
 the story as given in the Hindu Mythology, that 
 Rama combines in his own person qualities that are 
 distributed among several of the Greek and Latin 
 mythological heroes. In his youth, he performs 
 exploits equal in greatness to those of the infant 
 Hercules ; and, like Ulysses regaining Penelope, he 
 obtains his bride by drawing a bow that none of the 
 other suitors can bend. As he grew up, he won the 
 esteem of all by his kindness and gentleness of dis- 
 position ; and, like Baldrinthe Scandinavian Edda, 
 or Orpheus, " Whom universal nature did lament," 
 he was loved by the world, and secm-ed the attach- 
 ment of the beasts of the field and the fowls of the 
 air. But, when Orpheus lost his beloved Eurydice, 
 nature only sympathised with his grief; in the case 
 of Rama, she did more — she came to his assistance, 
 and rendered him good service in finding and re- 
 gaining his ravished Sita. Two vulture kings, 
 Sampati and Jatayu, who recall to our mind the 
 winged sons of Oreithyia in the Argonautic expedi- 
 tion, watch over Sita ; and, when she is carried off 
 by the demon kingRavana, Jatayu throws himself in 
 the path of the ravisher, and endeavours to defeat 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 his wicked piirpose ; but is slain in the struggle, and 
 with his expiring breath bewails Sita. Again, as 
 Rama marches towards the south in search of his 
 bride, the monkeys in great numbers join his stan- 
 dard; and a monkey chief named Hamiman discovers 
 the place where Sita is concealed. Before, however, 
 the capital of the demons can be reached, a strait of 
 the sea must be crossed; and here the account, differ- 
 ing from the classical myth of the versatile Proteus, 
 assumes a strictly serious tone. The ocean-god is 
 summoned from his abyss of waters to disclose a 
 path across the strait, but refuses to come forth ; 
 upon which Rama discharges an arrow, which 
 penetrates the body of the ocean-god, and compels 
 him with pain and torture to appear and reveal the 
 desired path. The siege of Lanka is 'then com- 
 menced, and as the haughty Laomedon drew a curse 
 upon Ilium, when he oppressed the gods and used 
 harsh threats to Apollo and Poseidon, so the in- 
 solent behaviour of Ravana, the demon-king, who 
 had enslaved gods and men, and was ever boasting of 
 his power, had brought on his city Lanka the wrath 
 of the Deities. Its destruction, however, was now 
 fast approaching, and as the battle rages, the gods 
 
PEEFACE. 
 
 look on. When Kama, their favourite, is successful, 
 they rejoice; when the tide of war turns against 
 him, they shudder ; nay, they even render him 
 assistance. At length the Solar hero prevails ; the 
 night-stalkers are slain, and the demon chief Ha- 
 vana falls by the hand of Eama; but even then 
 retains his immortality. Such is the story briefly 
 told, and the limits of this introduction preclude 
 a further discussion of its mythological character. 
 
 Thus far, however, an explanation seemed neces- 
 sary, since attempts are from time to time renewed 
 to melt down such legends, and re-coin from them 
 historic truth ; although they bear upon their very 
 face the stamp of mythology, and that, too, not with 
 the figure defaced and the inscription worn out, but 
 palpable and clear, so that all may discern it. True, 
 a few facts may have been di'awn into the legend, 
 and possibly the names of a few real persons may 
 be given ; but even this is questionable, and, at the 
 best, the supposed facts are so involved in fiction, 
 that it is useless to attempt to separate the real 
 from the unreal. 
 
 As the principles of translation here followed 
 are in the main identical with those adopted by 
 
XIV PEEFACK 
 
 most Sanskrit scholars, when clothing the ancient 
 drama of India in a modern dress, it seems un- 
 necessary to say much on that topic. Desirable 
 as it doubtless is to give a translation the best 
 form of which circumstances will allow, still it 
 would be wrong to give up fidelity to the original 
 for a specious affectation of elegance. The sense 
 and character of the author's work must be retained 
 as much as possible, even at the cost of the 
 translator's style. The literature of one modern 
 language may be translated into another with little 
 difficulty, and the turn of expression retained 
 without awkwardness, as it is generally possible to 
 find words and phrases to denote the same con- 
 ceptions and connote the same attributes. To 
 translate a Greek or Latin author into English is, 
 as every scholar is aware, a far harder task ; yet an 
 essentially true rendering may, in most cases, be 
 obtained in good idiomatic English. The chasm 
 is not too great to be bridged over. Oriental, and 
 especially Sanskrit works, will not, however, admit 
 of the same kind of treatment. The difficulty is 
 no longer confined to words and the structure of 
 sentences, but is far more deep-seated, and connected 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 with the whole mode of thought. Hence we often 
 find a single compound word in Sanskrit which 
 cannot be rendered into English except by a long 
 and intricate sentence, with a dependent relative 
 clause for each epithet and allusion. Moreover, the 
 frequent digressions and sudden transitions of San- 
 skrit compositions, clearly mark them as alien from 
 the thought and language of modern Europe. The 
 canons which are with perfect fairness applied to 
 modern versions of classical authors, are inadmis- 
 sible with regard to translations from the Sanskrit. 
 For those who wish to form an idea of the drama 
 of India, and for the students of comparative 
 mythology, it is enough if the thought of the 
 writer be accurately reproduced in language that 
 an English reader can clearly understand. The 
 present work will sufficiently fulfil the translator's 
 intention, if it is accepted as faithful and intel- 
 ligible by those who are qualified to judge. Among 
 the phrases used are some — e.g., the milked ocean — 
 which sound uncouth to an English ear, and would 
 require an apology if now used for the first time. 
 They are such, however, as have been freely ad- 
 mitted in similar translations, and could not be 
 
XVI PREFACE. 
 
 avoided ■without a tedious periphrasis, and the 
 student will find them fully explained in many 
 familiar works. 
 
 The Sanskrit text followed is that published at 
 Calcutta in 1857. 
 
BERATA. 
 
 Page 1, line 22, for "Ja%us," read " Ja%u." 
 J) 13, „ 8, /or "Rautathya," j-ead " Autathya." 
 „ 67, „ 14, /w "Base-born," rmd "a bowman." 
 
MAHA-YIRA-CHARITA: 
 
 THE ADVENTUKES OF UAMA. 
 
PERSONS REPRESENTED. 
 
 A lahd, the sister of LanTcd. 
 
 Angada, the son of Vdli. 
 
 Arundhatl, the wife of Vasislitha. 
 
 Ascetic, an attendant of Vicvdraitra. 
 
 Bharata, half-brother of Rdma. 
 
 Oatdnanda, the family priest of King JanaJca. 
 
 CatrugJma, half-brother of Sdma. 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 Cliarioteer of King Kucadhvaja. 
 
 OhitraraiJia, the King of Aerial Spirits. 
 
 Companions of Sltd and Umiild. 
 
 Cramand, a sylph rescued by Rdma. 
 
 Cilrpanahhd, sister of Rdvana. 
 
 Dacaratha, the King of Ayodhyd, and father of Rdma, &c. 
 
 Danu, a fallen demigod restored by Rdma. 
 
 HaTidriiaid to Mandodari. 
 
 Han'Amdn, a Monkey Chief. 
 
 Indra, the God of the Firmament. 
 
 Jdmadagnya, the sou of Jamadagni, and enemy of the Kshatriyas 
 
 Janaka, King of Videha, and brother of Kucadhvaja. 
 
 Jatdyus, a King of Vultures. 
 
 Kailceyl, the mother of Bharata. 
 
 Kaucalyd, the mother of Rdma. 
 
 Kinnara, I ^e^ai spirits. 
 
 Kinnan, ) 
 
 Kucadhvaja, the brother of King JanaJca, and King of Sdnkdsya. 
 
2 PERSONS EEPEESENTED. 
 
 Lakshmana, the half-brother of Rdma. 
 
 Lanhd, the patron goddess of Lank&, the capital of Rdvana. 
 
 MdZyavdn, the Prime Minister of Sdvana. 
 
 Manager, 
 
 Mandodari, the wife of Bdvana. 
 
 Mdtali, the charioteer of Indra. 
 
 Paracurdma, a Brahman, called also Jdmadagnya, and the destroyer 
 
 of the Kshatriyas. 
 Prahasta, the general of Bdvana. 
 Rdma, the son of Dacaratha. 
 Sdvana, the King of Demons, whose capital, Lanhd, was fabled as 
 
 made of gold. 
 Sampdii, the King of Vultures. 
 Sarvamdya, the priest of Rdvana. 
 Sitd, the reputed daughter of King Janaha. 
 Sugriva, the brother of Vdli. 
 
 Sumitrd, the mother of Lakshmana and Catrughna. 
 Trijatd, a female demon. 
 Urmild, the daughter of King Janaha. 
 Vdli, the King of Monkeys, slain by Edma. 
 Yasiahtha, the family priest of King Dacaratha. 
 Vibhiahana, the brother of Rdvana. 
 Vicvdmitra, the preceptor of Rdma. 
 Yudh4jit, the brother of Kaikeyi. 
 
MAHA-VlRA-CHARITA; 
 
 OB, 
 
 THE ADVENTUEES OF EXMA. 
 
 BENEDICTIOK. 
 Salutation to the God, who is self-existent, eternal, 
 who destroys sin, who is without parts * and beyond 
 all rank, the light f of the soul. 
 
 {After the benediction is ended) — 
 
 Manager. 
 To-day, indeed, in the procession in honour of the 
 
 * This is an address to Civa, as the one supreme God, who is 
 neither before nor after the others (tyahtakrama), and who is with- 
 out parts (vibhd^a). But Jcfamavibhdga may be taken as a tatpuruska 
 compound, meaning participation in order, i.e., the triple division' 
 of the Hindu gods, in which Civa takes the third place in the char- 
 acter of Eudra: — (1.) Brahm4 who creates the world; (2.) Vishnu, 
 who protects it ; (3. ) Civa, who destroys it. 
 
 + Sometimes considered equivalent to chaitanyam eva jyotish— 
 "whose glory consists in his knowledge." 
 
4 MAHA-TIRA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 divine Civa,* the gentlemen appoint that play to be acted 
 in which there are the exploits of the mighty hero, grand 
 and terrible ; in which the language is gentle, and again 
 cruel, and of deep meaning; and in the peerless char- 
 acters of which the heroic spirit is assigned to each by 
 fine but clear divisions. {Joyfully.) Then we must re- 
 present the life of the great hero Bdma ; thus in truth f 
 they have ordered. 
 
 It is the poem of a poet to whom speech is submissive, 
 and that story is of Eima ; and we have obtained an 
 audience that can test the utterance of words, as a 
 touchstone the friction of gold. 
 
 I request here to say, that in the south there is a city 
 named Padma-pura ; in it dwell certain followers of the 
 black Yajur-veda, descendants of Kacyapa, chiefs J of 
 their school, making holy the company,§ keeping || the 
 five fires, holding vows, drinking the soma, most 
 excellent, repeating the Veda. From their illustrious 
 descendant, who is highly esteemed, and makes the 
 V^japeya sacrifice, and is a great poet, the fifth in order, 
 the grandson of one whose well-selected name is Bhat- 
 
 * This is generally taken to be the appellation of a Civa-lingam, 
 vide the commencement of Uttara-rAma-charita, and MeghadUta, 
 Ter. 36 ; but I have seen a commentary on palm-leaves, which ex- 
 plained the compound thus : Kdla, another name of Civa ; Kdla- 
 pny(i=dear to Civa, i.e., Pslrvati, his wife; Kdla-priya-ndtha, the 
 husband of PArvatl, i.e., Civa. 
 
 t Or, "from their meaning," i.e., no play suits their request so 
 well as the life of Sdma. 
 
 i Or, "teachers of their Veda." 
 
 II Literally, "purifying the line," i.e., the row of people who sit 
 near them; or, " taking precedence at festivals." — KUson. 
 
 § See Manu, chap, iii., ver. 18i-186. 
 
THE ADVENTQEES OF KAMA. 5 
 
 tagop4la, and the son of the pure in fame Nilakantha, 
 is the poet whose appellation is Bhavabhuti, surnamed 
 Crlkantha (whose voice is eloquent), and whose mother 
 is Jdtukarnl, a friend of ours. Thus the gentlemen must 
 understand. 
 
 By him, whose teacher is chief of holy ascetics as 
 Angiras is chief of great sages, and who as his name 
 imports is rich in knowledge, was composed this life of 
 the offspring of Eaghu, who punishes those who violate 
 justice, whereby the root of sorrow to the three worlds 
 was plucked up, and wherein the great vigour of the 
 heroic spirit abounds, and which is marvellous ; through 
 his great love for the hero he composed it. 
 
 Therefore you should hallow * it ; and that son of a 
 learned sire has said — That holy life of the chief of 
 Eaghu's Hne, which VAlmfki,t best of sages and first of 
 poets, traced out, in it the speech of me too, a votary, 
 took pleasure : J that life let the good with weU-pleased 
 minds revere. 
 
 JEnter an Actor. 
 
 The audience is attentive ; but, as the composition is 
 new, they desire to learn first the locality of the story. 
 
 Manager. 
 That holy descendant of Kucika, VicvAmitra, about to 
 perform sacrifice, after visiting the palace of Dacaratha, 
 born in the line of Ikshvaku, a king and saint, whose 
 family priest is Vacishtha, had returned to his own 
 penance-grove; and he, wishing to exalt by charmed 
 
 * By listening to it. t Descendant of Prachetas. 
 
 J i.e., I, as a votary of E^ma, took pleasure in speaking of his 
 exploits. 
 
6 MAHA-vfRA-CHAEITA ; OR, 
 
 weapons the victorious and innate valour of EAma, and 
 seeking to unite that seed of succour to the three worlds 
 with MaithUi,* brought the divine BAma, who was 
 accompanied by his younger brother and his bow, who 
 is a storehouse of good fortune, praiseworthy for the 
 slaughter of the family of EAvana. 
 
 The king of Videha was invited by him ; but he, being 
 engaged in sacrifice, sent his brother ; and that king, by 
 name Kucadhvaja, now approaches, accompanied by Sita 
 and Urmild. 
 
 END OP THE PBOLOGUE. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Enter the King in a chariot, the Chaeioteee, and the 
 two Princesses. 
 
 King. 
 long-Uved ones ! Sitd and TJrmilA, to-day you must 
 pay respect to the holy Vicvdmitra with faithful mind. 
 
 Princesses. 
 As our young father t orders. 
 
 King. 
 For he is a fourth holy fire,J or a fifth Yeda, or a 
 
 * Daughter of the king of Mithil^ Sltd. 
 
 f Kanishtha-tdta is equivalent to pitrivya, a paternal uncle. 
 
 t Generally only three fires are mentioned : — (1 . ) the gdrhapatya , 
 (2.) dhavaniya, (3.) daksldndgni ; but Vicvamitra is here called a 
 fourth fire as a compliment to his sacred character. In the same 
 TOy he is called a fifth Veda, though there are only four Tedas. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eImA. 7 
 
 walking sacred stream, or holiness going about in a 
 body. 
 
 Chaeioteee. 
 O King of Sdnkdsya! it is true. Surely no one 
 excels the saint Vicvdmitra in greatness ; for they who 
 are versed in ancient lore tell of this holy one countless 
 marvels surpassing belief, relating to Tricanku,* Cuna- 
 cepha,t and the turning of Eambha J into a pillar : there- 
 fore you only are a householder praiseworthy among 
 householders in the world, since the management of your 
 family is placed on that saint, whose pacification was 
 implored by the gods headed by Brahmd and by sages, 
 and who is the abode of penance and splendour, who 
 acquired for himself a brahmanical state,§ and who is 
 the dwelling-place of knowledge. 
 
 King. 
 
 Good, good ! for you. speak, Charioteer, what is 
 both pleasant and true. Surely these holy and great 
 saints, to whom the supreme spirit has been revealed, 
 indicate by their visit great prosperity. |1 
 
 Darkness fades, calmness increases more and more ; 
 even after once conversing, happiness spreads both in 
 this and the next world; then a close union gives a 
 greatness beyond expression ; the words of the calm bear 
 immeasurable fruit. 
 
 * Vide Rdmdyana, bdlorkdnda, 57-60. 
 t lUd. 61-62. t Ibid. 64. 
 
 § Vicv^mitra was by birth a Kahatriya, but became a Briihman 
 by his penance. 
 
 II Literally, " have their meetings resulting in great prosperity." 
 
8 MAHA-viRA-CHARITA ; OB, 
 
 Chakioteer. 
 The home of that saint, called the ground of the 
 famous hermitage, is in view, pleasant with neighbouring 
 forests which are green, and surrounded by the river 
 Kauciki. Why need I say more ? The son of Kucika 
 with two others is coming here to meet you. 
 
 King. 
 If so, we will descend from the chariot. (After alight- 
 ing with the Princesses.) Charioteer ! Charioteer ! let 
 the troops be warned that the grounds near the hermi- 
 tage are not to be trodden by any one. 
 
 Charioteek. 
 As you command. [Exit. 
 
 Enter Vicvamitra, Eama, and Lakshmana. 
 
 VicvAMiTRA {to himself). 
 Prosperous acts which cause the death of demons 
 must be done by the skilful on this good day ; and the 
 marriage of EAma with Vaidehl,* and our entrance 
 into the sacrificial state, must be made ; and the 
 many marvellous actions of Vishnu, wearing the form 
 of Edma, must be determined for the welfare of the 
 world : then indeed we may wholly rejoice. And think- 
 ing it our duty, we sent word to the king and sage who 
 rules Mithili, " You, although engaged in sacrifice, are 
 invited to our sacrifice ; but let Kucadvaja with Sftd 
 
 * Anotherreading is RagMdvahasya cha ktile= " the marriage of 
 Vaidehl and E4ma must be made, and in our family preparation 
 for sacrifice must be made." 
 
THE ADVENTU-EBS OF KAMA. 9 
 
 and Urmild be sent ;" and that has been done by our 
 dear friend. 
 
 Princes. 
 
 sire ! who then is this noble man whom you, holy 
 as you are, go forth to meet 1 
 
 ViCViMITRA. 
 
 Kingly saints born in the race of Mmi are surely well 
 known in Videha. Their descendant is now the aged 
 King Slradhvaja, to whom the saint Ydjiiavalkya chanted 
 the whole of the Veda.* 
 
 Princes. 
 In whose house is revered that bow of Civa. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. 
 
 Yes. 
 
 Princes (loith surprise). 
 
 Then, indeed, there is another marvel also there — a 
 virgin not born from the womb. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA (smiling). 
 That also is true. But he, being engaged in sacrifice, 
 out of affection for me sent his younger brother Kucadh- 
 vaja here to my house as I was about to sacrifice; 
 therefore you, my sons, ought to show courtesy to this 
 learned king. 
 
 Princes. 
 True. 
 
 * The CuUa-yajur-veda, or Vdjasaneya-cdhhd, of which Ydjrla- 
 valhya is the reputed author — para + ayanam, : sdinagryena adhya- 
 yanam. 
 
10 MAHA-Vf EA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 KucADHVAJA {looking intently at them). 
 Who are these two, holy and handsome by njiturel 
 But this much I know, surely they are sons of a kingly 
 man, and their Vaidik * rite is performed ? Oh ! pleas- 
 ing are the forms of these" two of the second caste and 
 the first order of life, and whose age is young : for at 
 their back are two quivers, the arrows of which are 
 kissed by their locks of hair ; and on their chest, which 
 has the purifying mark of collected ashes,t is a deer- 
 skin ; and their under-garment, tinged with red dye,J is 
 held up by a girdle of the murvi plant ; § and in their 
 hand is a bow, and a bracelet strung with nuts,|| and a 
 staff of the fig-tree. 
 
 Princesses. 
 Truly they are of pleasing aspect. 
 
 King {going near). 
 Sire ! I greet thee. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. 
 
 Oh ! I look on thee as my own child, who art in 
 good health ; and art come hither from the palace of the 
 holy king ; therefore, embrace. {After embracing.) Is 
 the King of Videha, who is engaged in sacrifice, happy ? 
 and the descendant of Gotama Catdnanda, the family 
 priest of the Janakas ? 
 
 * Apastamba dharma-siltra, i. 1, 2. 
 
 t Another reading is stoka, a small mark of ashes. 
 
 X MdAjislUhamnijanyaaya — Apastamba dharmasiUra, i. 1, iii. 1. 
 
 § Mann, ii. 42. 
 
 II Another reading is dando' pare, in the other hand a staff. 
 
the adventures of eama. 11 
 
 King. 
 Truly the noble king is well, with his family priest, 
 the descendant of the saint of great penance, when you 
 attend to the rites of his family. 
 
 Princesses. 
 We make obeisance. 
 
 King. 
 Here is Sfti, who came forth from the place of sacri- 
 fice furrowed by the plough ; and this second is UrmilA, 
 the very daughter of Janaka. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. 
 
 May good fortune attend. 
 
 Lakshmana (aside). 
 A marvel is this noble lady of wondrous birth. 
 
 Easia. 
 Her birth is from the altar of the gods ; her sire is a 
 king who repeats the Veda; her form, pleasing and 
 bright, excites my love. 
 
 King. 
 sire ! who are these two rehgious students of royal 
 family that follow you, like majesty and valour led by 
 holiness ? 
 
 ViCVAMITKA. 
 
 E^ma and Lakshmana, sons of Dacaratha. 
 
 Princes {approaching with modesty). 
 sire ! we greet you. 
 
12 mahI-viea-charita ; OR, 
 
 King. 
 By good fortune I behold the sons of the great King 
 Dacaratha. {After emh-acing.) Nowhere, save in the 
 race of Eaghu, would the birth of these princes be proper." 
 Whence, save from the milked ocean is the origin of the 
 moon and the jewel of Vishnu? For this story, like 
 nectar to the ear, we heard aforetime ; that sons, pious 
 and pleasing, were obtained by the King of Kocala with 
 difficulty, through the holy rites of Eishya-cringa ; and 
 these sons, four in number, seeking the completion of 
 glorious action, lead a bachelor life. Therefore, we 
 pray '^ for an increase of happiness from blessings pro- 
 nounced by you : but the excellence of the family of 
 Eaghu is indeed well known. Whom the holy descen- 
 dant of Mitra and Varuna instructs in the rite of sacrifice 
 made pure by sacred texts, and with whom ever rests the 
 duty, not shared by others, of protecting subjects, — ^the 
 greatness of such kings, born in the exalted Une of 
 Manu, son of the sun, comes not indeed within the 
 range of our speech or mind. 
 
 ViCVAMITEA. 
 
 You only, who are untiring in holy acts, and whose 
 fame is great and purifying, and who know their great 
 happiness, are fit to praise them. Friend ! the people 
 are entering the houses to repose ; therefore, we will sit 
 for a moment in the shade of this Yikankatartree. 
 
 [All walk round and. sit down. 
 
 * The meaning, I think, is, " We pray for an increase of happi- 
 ness, though there is really no need ; for the family of Eaghu is 
 great already." 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA. 13 
 
 (A voice is heard hehind the scenes.) 
 Success ! success to E^machandra, the ruler of the 
 worlds ! Success ! 
 
 [All look with surprise. 
 
 King. 
 Sire ! who is this holy lady ? 
 
 VicvImitra. 
 'Tis the true wife of the great saint Gotama Eautathya, 
 and her name is AhalyA, of whom Catfinanda, descendant 
 of Angiras, was born : her Indra loved, therefore they 
 call him, who assailed the wife of Gotama, by name, 
 " Ahaly^'s paramour." Then the sage was wroth; upon 
 her, his married wife, he invoked blindness : she to-day, 
 by the glory of E^mabhadra, is released from that sin. 
 
 King. 
 How is it that this boy, born in the race of the sun, 
 has such matchless power natural to him, and beyond 
 limit ] 
 
 SiTA (beholding him with love and affection, and 
 turning aside). 
 Truly his disposition corresponds to the structure of 
 his frame. 
 
 King (sighing). 
 
 Sit4 would indeed have been given to E^ma, who is 
 like her, and whose glory is pure, and who is a moon in 
 liiie of Dacaratha, had not the noble Janaka made the 
 marriage-terms unalterable, — consisting in stringing the 
 bow of Civa. 
 
14 MAHA-VIEA-CHARITA ; OK, 
 
 Enter an Ascetic. 
 Ascetic. 
 The priest of Eivana, an aged EAkshasa, named 
 Sarvamdya (all-deceit), desires to see you on the king's 
 
 business. 
 
 Princesses. 
 Oh ! a Rdkshasa. 
 
 Princes. 
 
 He is an object of great curiosity. 
 
 King a%d Vicvamitra {after reflecting). 
 Oh ! let him come. [Exit Ascetic. 
 
 Enter the Eakshasa. 
 Eakshasa. 
 EAvana (the ten-faced one), being forbidden by 
 M4lyav4n, his grandfather, to carry away SitA, sent me 
 to Mithili, the capital, to choose the king's daughter, 
 who is not born from a womb : and that king, as he 
 was there sacrificing, was seen ; and at his command I 
 am come to see Kucadhvaja and the descendant of 
 Kucika. [Thvs speaking, he walks round. 
 
 Eama and Lakshmana {towards Sita and Urmila 
 
 respectively, and speaking to themselves). 
 How is it that this lady pleases my eye like coUyrium 
 of nectar ? 
 
 SfTA and IjRMiLi {in the same manner towards EiMA and 
 Lakshmana). 
 How is it that my gaze is fixed on this delight of my eye ? 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF rImA. 15 
 
 EakshAsa {approaching and looking). 
 This is SiU of wondrous form ; she is fit to be the 
 wife of my lord. saint ! salutation to thee. I trust 
 the king is well. 
 
 Both. 
 
 Welcome. Sit here. Is that king of yours- well, 
 whose mandate Indra reveres with his head from which 
 the diadem is falling ? * 
 
 RaKSHASA (approaching). 
 My lord is well, and the great king has sent word to 
 you thus, " That jewel of virgins, not born from a 
 womb, is yours ; and we are suppliants. If there is a 
 jewel anywhere, it comes down to us even from Indra. 
 The dependency of the maiden is well known; and 
 through her surrender I will become your kinsman, and 
 Pulastya, Pulaha, and Prashtha will be your relations. 
 
 SiTi. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! the R^kshasa asks for me. 
 
 Uemila. 
 How so ? 
 
 {The King and Vicvamitea consider.) 
 
 Lakshmana {aside). 
 Sir, sir ! dost thou not see that the king of demons 
 asks for this goddess ? 
 
 * i.e., To whom Indra, though a god, bows so low that his 
 crown falls off. 
 
16 maha-viba-chaeita j or, 
 
 Rama, 
 Dear brother ! another too without fear may claim 
 the maiden, because of her unmarried state ; how much 
 more, then, may the conqueror of the worlds, the great 
 grandson of the Supreme 1 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 From thy excessively good nature, respect is shown 
 even to this demon, thy natural enemy, who by the 
 destruction of the three Vedas robs us of our glory as 
 warriors, and who slew the king and saint Anaranya, 
 descendant of Ikshvfiku. 
 
 Eama. 
 He is an enemy ; therefore, perhaps, he may be slain ; 
 but thou shouldst not revile as a common person him 
 whose penance is beyond limit, and who is a great hero 
 and no common mortal. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 What heroism has he who has violated the law of 
 heroes ? 
 
 RAma. 
 
 Say not so. Because, though wise and bom in a noble 
 race, he swerved from the rightful path, what shall we 
 say of this ? It is another matter ; * all virtues dwell 
 not together. Save the divine son of Jamadagni, by 
 whom the six-headed one was easily conquered, who is 
 such a warrior as he, — seeing that he obtained victory 
 over the world without hindrance ? 
 
 * It affects not his ralour. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF KAMA. 17 
 
 EiKSHASA. 
 
 Oil ! what are you thinking about here 1 
 Let the daughter of the earth, like the goddess of 
 warriors, recline on the breast of that husband who is 
 the conqueror of the world, — that breast which shines 
 with scars of wounds fixed and implanted * by splinters 
 of the thunderbolt, which was shivered at once by the 
 contact j and upon which the might of the tusks of the 
 elephant of Indra was exerted in vain, for they were 
 broken ; and on which the circle of the garland was 
 hung by the goddesses of Nandana. 
 
 {A noise behind the scenes. 
 
 King. 
 
 sire ! the great sages who have been invited to 
 the sacrifice are assembling with their wives and sons 
 from all quarters, and by them the noise blended with 
 the cry of voices is made. 
 
 \_AU rise up. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 Who is this, that, making the sky to re-echo with the 
 sound of large ornaments moving to and fro, and con- 
 sisting of bracelets harshly tinkling, and rib bones, and 
 large skulls which are filled with entrails, and possessing 
 a body terrible by the weight of breasts, that swing to 
 the side and move upwards, horrid by reason of the 
 mass dense with filth and blood which is first drunk 
 and afterwards vomited up, runs along inflated with 
 pride? 
 
 * Pratyupta, sown over, spread over. 
 
18 MAHA-VIEA-CHABITA ; OE, 
 
 ViCTAMITEA. 
 
 She is the daughter of Suketu, and wife of Sundigura, 
 the mother of MAricha, a terrible fiend named Tdtakd. 
 
 Princesses. 
 sire, sire ! that evil woman is terrible. 
 
 King. 
 Fear not, long-lived ones. 
 
 ViCviMrrRA (touching Eama on the chin). 
 Son, let her be slain. 
 
 SiTi. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! He, and no other is appointed to this. 
 
 Eama. 
 Sire, she is only a woman. 
 
 IJesiila. 
 Heardst thou that, sister ? 
 
 SiTA (with surprise and affection). 
 The nature of his mind is unlike others. 
 
 Kl\G. 
 
 Good ! Truly Edmabhadra is a descendant of 
 
 Ikshviku. 
 
 Eakshasa. 
 
 Here is the famed Einia, son of Dacaratha, who is 
 fearless even in the face of danger arising from the fierce 
 Titaki ; and, being appointed to destroy her, hopes to 
 succeed by reason of her womanhood. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA. 1 9 
 
 ViCVAlIITRA. 
 
 Let the boy hasten ; dost thou not see the large col- 
 lection of Brahman people in front 1 
 
 ElMA. 
 
 Thus your majesty determines. 
 
 Your judgment, which has attained an equality with 
 the Veda, because of its freedom from aU vice, is the 
 standard of good and evU. 
 
 [TJms speaking he icalks round and leaves the stage. 
 
 SfTl. 
 Alas ! he is gone indeed. Alas ! alas ! like a rush of 
 destructive wind the wicked woman assails the high- 
 souled one. 
 
 KraG {twanging his bow). 
 
 Ah, wicked woman ! stop, stop. 
 
 Uemila. 
 See, now my father too has set forth. 
 
 Lakshmana (smiling). 
 
 Your majesty should watch * Tdtak4. 
 
 She is already dead, with a shower of blood eddying 
 and foaming and streaming equally from the two canities 
 of her huge nostrUs,t displaying the contraction of her 
 quivering limbs, caused at once by the speed of the ex- 
 cellent arrow, which falls and pierces the vitals of her 
 heart. 
 
 * There is no need to do aught hut merely to look on. , 
 + Kutlra, literally a hut it is here used, I think, to indicate her 
 huge, open nostrils. 
 
20 mahI-viea-chaeita; oe, 
 
 Princesses. 
 A marvel ! a marvel ! 'Tis pleasing to us. 
 
 King. 
 Oh, the brave fighting of the king's son ! 
 
 Eakshasa. 
 Alas ! noble T4tak4, what does this mean ? Gourds 
 sink in the water, and stones float. Surely this day the 
 majesty of the king of demons was shaken. A fresh 
 insult came from a mere stripling ; and, as I stood here, 
 I beheld the death of my kinswoman. Sorrow and old 
 age impede me. How shall I act 1 
 
 ViCViMITKA. 
 
 This is but the prelude. 
 
 EAkshasa. 
 Oh there ! What is your answer to us 1 
 
 VlCVAMTTKA. 
 
 In this matter Sfradvaja decides, for Kucadhvaja is 
 the youngest ; since he is the father of that maiden, the 
 chief of the race, and our king. 
 
 Eakshasa. 
 He also says that Kucadhvaja and Vicv4mitra decide. 
 
 VicvImitra (to himself). 
 This is the season for the gift of good fortune, namely, 
 the divine weapons, and the fortunate moment is now. 
 (In a loud voice.) Friend Kucadhvaja ! the seeds of true 
 
THE ADTENTUKES OP EAMA. 21 
 
 knowledge of the full use of spells for divine weapons, with 
 all their secrets, namely, their awaking, shooting, and re- 
 calling, obtained by me from KricAcva, by vows and 
 services to my teacher, are now through his favour made 
 manifest to R^mabhadra, with their words and meaning. 
 Ancient saints, headed by BrahmA, after doing penance 
 for more than thousands of years for the good of the 
 Supreme, saw these weapons wrought by penance like 
 their own glories. 
 
 King. 
 The race of Eaghu is favoured. 
 
 Laeshmana. 
 
 By good fortune there is the sound of the drums of 
 the gods, and a shower of flowers. 
 
 Rakshasa. 
 Ah ! even the gods are pleased with the act that is 
 adverse to my king. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 How is it that suddenly all the quarters of heaven 
 seem tinged with gold melted and heated; and, from the 
 yellow hue, the day shines as though it were overcast 
 with the twilight ; and by reason of the multitude of 
 divine weapons, the sky seems filled with flaming comets, 
 and yellow with lightnings which are flashing in every 
 part i The ray of the sun gives up its power, rapidly 
 acquired and then in turn lost, through the splendour 
 of these weapons, flaming everywhere, in each quarter, 
 with a glitter surpassing the sun's hght. 
 
22 MAHA-VfEA-CHAElTA ; OR, 
 
 Princesses. 
 
 By reason of the flash of hght yellow with the mass 
 
 of lightning, which flames on aU sides, eyes seem to 
 
 issue forth. 
 
 Eakshasa. 
 
 Oh! the glory of the divine weapons cannot be 
 approached ; which, as it spreads around, reminds me of 
 the combat fought by the city-destroyer (Indra) and 
 Havana. The thunderbolt shot by Indra as he bent for- 
 ward with his whole strength, and which, after striking 
 the chest of EAvana, had a huge piece broken off by the 
 friction, with just such speed fiUed the sky with thou- 
 sands of lightnings as did my lord's loud and angry 
 laughs, red with the flames in his mouth. 
 
 VicvAinTRA. 
 
 Rimabhadra ! make obeisance, and then leave the 
 divine weapons. Of these which surpass Brahmd, Indra, 
 Kuvera, Rudra, Varuna, Prichinavarhi, the Maruts, and 
 the fire of destruction, and which are di\'ine, and consist 
 of spells from the Veda, and which are excellent by 
 reason of their matchless splendours, Uke those of pen- 
 ance, — ^the power of each one is able to preserve or 
 destroy the three worlds. 
 
 {A voice is heard behind the scents.) 
 
 1 am a suppliant here, and this is our request : Let this 
 gift of the divine weapons be shared by Lakshmana. 
 
 VicvaMITRA. 
 Eimabhadra, be it so. 
 
the adventuees of eama. 23 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Oh, the favour ! I think my mind possesses expanded 
 wisdom, and is powerful beyond thought, and is made of 
 splendour, through the revealing of this knowledge. 
 
 (A cry behind the scenes.) 
 Edma, EAma of the strong arm ! we depend on thee. 
 Do thou with thy brother protect us, with the sanction 
 of Vicvimitra. 
 
 Peincesses. 
 
 The gods speak ! Oh, the marvel ! 
 
 (A cry behind the scenes.) 
 ye collections of divine weapons, this day EAma 
 having obtained you from Vicvdmitra the friend of the 
 world by good acts, is victorious. Do you come when- 
 ever you are thought of Go now to your place. Salu- 
 tation to you ! 
 
 Lakshjiana. 
 
 The arms have vanished at the word of the noble one. 
 
 King. 
 The panegyrist, who has made an attempt to praise 
 the good fortune, great and without limit, of thee, 
 whose devotion is brilliant, and splendour vast, and 
 majesty immeasurable in the world, not finding either in 
 word or thought power of sufficient range, despairs, with 
 his utterance impeded,* and feels disgust with himself 
 
 * I have some doubt about this, for the compound may be trans- 
 lated "having trembling produced," i.e., being filled with fear; 
 still, the general meaning otpratihata is obstructed, impeded. 
 
24 MAHA-VIEA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 I envy King Dacaratha, who is adorned by 'R&mahhadra, 
 favoured by you; but we have been deceived by you, 
 since we are not united with such a son-in-law. 
 
 VicvImitea. 
 Why, even on this day, is there this misconception 
 about us 1 
 
 King. 
 'Tis past. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. 
 
 Then let that bow become visible before E^mabhadra, 
 which gives you its presence merely by meditation, 
 through the favour of Civa. 
 
 King. 
 Be it so. 
 
 [He meditates, and bows his head. 
 
 Eakshasa (to hirroself). 
 Some other matter is begun by them. (Aloud.) 
 Kucadhvaja ! how long do you consider ? 
 
 King. 
 I have already said — " The king decides." 
 
 EAkshasa. 
 
 And I have answered, that he too says — " Kucadhvaja 
 decides." 
 
 King. 
 Even so. 
 
 (Behind the scenes, after a confused noise, a voice is heard.) 
 The bow, which seems as if made of a thousand 
 
THE ADVENTUEIS OF EAMA. 25 
 
 gleaming thunderbolts, and which makes an end of 
 demons, and which is kindled with the splendours of the 
 gods, becomes visible before KAma. 
 
 SiTA (aside). 
 Now I am filled with doubt. 
 
 VicvAmitra (speaking to the King). 
 And the boy fixed his staff-like arm on the bow, as an 
 elephant plants its trunk on a mountain. 
 
 UrmilI. 
 May it be so. 
 
 King. 
 
 And it was drawn, so that the string twanged. 
 
 UrmilA (embracing Sita, who is delighted and ashamed.) 
 By the favour of heaven we prosper. 
 
 King (with surprise). 
 And it is broken ! 
 
 RjCkshasa (speaking to himself). 
 Alas! [the power of EAmabhadra, vile as he is, is 
 assaiHng everything. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 The twanging sound, that rose from breaking the 
 huge bow of Civa, which was bent easily by his arms 
 and was like a drum to foretell the actions of the 
 noble youth, and the harshness of which is concentrated 
 and whirhng within the hollows of the universe, blend- 
 
26 MAHA-Vf BA-CHARITA ; OE, 
 
 ing with the cavities of the sky, which is suddenly over- 
 spread, — how is it that it does not cease even now ? 
 
 King {with joy and delight). 
 Come, come ! descendant of Eaghu, Rdmachandra ! 
 I kiss thy head ! At length I embrace thee. Clasping 
 thee to my heart, I wiU bear thee day and night, or I 
 will salute thy two lotiis-like feet. 
 
 Eama {entering). 
 What ! through excess of affection is there then a 
 violation of rule ? * 
 
 Y1CV.VMITRA. 
 Your majesty is the superior, and the child-like 
 R4mabhadra is your pupU. 
 
 Kestg (bowing to him). 
 Sire, those your blessings to Sfti are fulfilled by her 
 possessing RAma. At this very festival Urmil4 shall be 
 given by me to Lakshmana. 
 
 Pkixcesses (with tears). 
 Alas ! we are given in marriage. 
 
 EaKSHASA {speaVtng to himself). 
 That which was to be seen, has been seen. 
 
 ViCVAjnTRA. 
 
 'Tis well, we bow in assent ; but you must hear the 
 rest. 
 
 * In an elder making obeisance to a young man. 
 
the adventures op bama. 2 ( 
 
 King. 
 Give me your commands. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. , 
 
 Thy two daughters, Mtodavi and Crutaklrti, I request 
 for Bharata and Catrughna. 
 
 Eakshasa {to himself). 
 See the family respect paid towards a warrior by a 
 Brahman who dwells in a forest. 
 
 King. 
 Sire, why should we hesitate at all about this ? But, 
 I am dependent on the will of another in this matter. 
 
 ViCVAMITKA. 
 
 On whom ? 
 
 King. 
 
 Oh your honour, for one. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. 
 
 On whom besides 1 
 
 King. 
 On the noble Siradhvaja and CatAnanda, descenda,nt 
 of Gotama. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA {smiling). 
 I will speak in behalf of Siradhvaja and Catdnanda. 
 
 King. 
 Your honour now decides. To whom is not the union 
 of the Janakas and the Eaghus agreeable, in which you 
 
28 mahI-viea-charita ; oe, 
 
 who are a source of happiness, are both the giver and 
 receiver ? 
 
 ViCVlMITRA. 
 
 Boy Cunacepha, go to Ayodhy^, and tell the holy 
 Vasishtha at our command : " Those four daughters of the 
 king in the race of Nimi were given and received by me 
 alone, acting in behalf of Vasishtha and Gautama, for the 
 four sons of Raghu; therefore, after inviting aU the 
 great sages, and following the great king, Dacaratha, 
 come to the city of Vaideha. Then, at the end of the 
 sacrifice, performed by me and the king of Mithili, the 
 princes, whose good fortune is enhanced by the rite of 
 tonsure, shaU marry." 
 
 Princes {speaking to themselves). 
 This is more and more pleasing. 
 
 Princesses. 
 Oh ! a separation of us sisters wiU not now take place. 
 
 RIkshasa. 
 Oh there ! even to-day listen to a word of duty. It 
 is indeed in vain that this maiden is given to another. 
 Paulastya asks with courtesy. Even when there is such 
 a praiseworthy union as this, you show no respect, and 
 you have no desire for friendship with the lord of the 
 three worlds : but assuredly Sitd shall in another way 
 go to our LankA. Therefore, let there not be here the 
 law that is used against the captive women of the city 
 of Indra. 
 
 [Behind tlie scenes a confused noise. 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF eImA. 29 
 
 King. 
 Who then are those two, that, terrible as thunder- 
 clouds out of season, rush by with a crowd ? 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. 
 
 They are Sub^hu and M^richa, sons of Sunda and 
 Upasunda, followers of EAvana, terrible, causing hind- 
 rance to sacrifices ; therefore boys, Eima and Lakshmana, 
 let this hindrance to sacrifice be destroyed. 
 
 Princes. 
 As you command. 
 
 [Thus sneaking they walk proudly round. 
 
 Princesses. 
 In this case now how will it be ? 
 
 EiKSHASA. 
 
 Ah ! that which is done seems well, but the course of 
 things may be reversed ; therefore, when I have seen 
 the end of the matter, I will report it to MAlyavdn. 
 
 King {twanging his how). 
 Child EAmabhadra, child Lakshmana, calmly vanquish 
 this wild foe. I am come to your side. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA {smiling and taking him by the hand). 
 king, come here ! see the matchless valour of Edma 
 with his younger brother : for, like the fierce rites of 
 the Atharva-Veda, he destroys all the enemies of the 
 
 Supreme. 
 
 [Exeunt omnes. 
 
 END OP THE HBST ACT. 
 
30 MAHA-ViKA-CHAEITA : OE, 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Enter MaLYAVaX. 
 
 MaLYAVax {seated and ikmghiful). 
 
 Oh, from the day that I heard the story about the 
 famous hermitage* from Sarvamdya, ever since then 
 the king's son, who repelled afar off like a blade of 
 grass the son of TitakA, though huge as a mountain, 
 the slayer of Sub^hu too, and the foe of T&takk, pains 
 me to the heart. And the slaughter of their many 
 followers in a moment by one man, — how this can be, 
 is the cause of my wonder. 
 
 That bow which the lotus-born one made by the 
 great powers of the nectar-eating gods, that bow of 
 Civa, EAma broke in sunder, — the hero who of matchless 
 power obtained from the saiat Vicvimitra, pupU of 
 KricAcva, instruction in divine weapons which produces 
 victory. To him the wondrous gift of arms hostile to 
 RAvana was forcibly made in good season by the 
 haughty saint, while our ambassador looked on. For 
 the outrage of seizing Sitd as a captive was forbidden 
 that king, and the sovereignty over the gods is in our 
 case brought to a feeble state, since an auspicious act, 
 beginning with the sound of the blessing, was then 
 performed by them. Everything generally suffers a 
 change when majesty is weakened. 
 
 What ! is the child Curpanakhd come ? 
 
 * The abode of Vicvimitra. 
 
THE AD VENTURES OF EAMA. 31 
 
 Enter CtfEPANAKHl. 
 
 CtfEPANAKHA. 
 
 Success, success to my grandfather ! 
 
 MalyavaN. 
 Child, sit down. What news is there with the king? 
 
 CtJrpanaeha. 
 'Tis said the marriage has taken place, and the 
 excellent bow of Civa, which brings victory, has been 
 sent to EAma by the great sage Agastya. 
 
 MiLYAViN. 
 
 Those weapons, the power of which in the worlds is 
 beyond conception, come to E4ma from the divine sages. 
 {Thoughtfully). A weapon that fails not and the favour 
 of Brdhmans belong to a Kshatriya ; and that glory of 
 a Kshatriya, when united with divine knowledge, is' 
 difl&cult of approach. 
 
 CliKPANAKHA. 
 
 Why such thought as this about a mere man ? 
 
 MalyavaN. 
 Child, not so indeed. For the descendant of Eaghu 
 by his birth alone has somehow such a form in the 
 world. This is strange. But what has be to do with a 
 mortal state, when his actions are sung by gods and 
 demons? Saints and gods grant him in all things 
 power beyond thought ; and it was from a mortal only 
 that the Supreme warned us of danger, at the time that 
 he granted the boon. Besides, he is by nature the 
 
32 MAHA-VIBA-CHARITA ; OE, 
 
 champion of holiness. We violate holiness : a natural 
 enmity * with a powerful rival has arisen to us. 
 
 CtSepanakha. 
 What doubt? While the ten-headed EAvana remains 
 thus, with head bent, and his roUing eyes robbed of 
 their twenty glances weU-nigh closed, so long, I know, 
 the speed of the painful workings of his heart, which is 
 terrible, will not cease thus. 
 
 Malyavan. 
 Ah ! indeed. How is it that we and the seven sages 
 deserving of worship, creators of worlds, teachers at the 
 beginning of ages, sons of the Supreme, were not 
 welcome relations to the king of Videha ? But let that 
 be. How is it that feebleness has arisen in the heart of 
 Paulastya, lord of the world, who is bright by reason of 
 his penance, hard to approach, and of bright glory ? 
 Again, when his suppliant state was made known, the 
 gaining of the prize accrued not to my lord ; but, on the 
 contrary, Ddcarathi, who is working mischief, and whose 
 actions are hostile, is united to that maiden. How is it 
 that the haughty ten-faced hero, the lord of the worlds, 
 bears the rise of an enemy, and the decline of his own 
 respect and fame, and (the loss of) the pearl of maidens ? 
 
 Chamberlain {half entering from behind the scenes). 
 The messenger whom you despatched to Paracu-i-ima 
 
 * An enmity whicli vre sought not, but which was likely to 
 follow, and might be inferred from our respective actions. 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF EAMA. 33 
 
 has brought this palm-leaf, on which letters are written 
 with the juice of the TamAla. 
 
 [He lays it down and departs. 
 
 (MalyavaN takes it and reads.) 
 
 Greeting ! Paracu-r^ma from the island Mahendi-a 
 salutes Mdlyav4n the minister at Lankd. 
 
 CtfRPAJSTAKHA. 
 
 How like a chief he writes in noble style ! 
 
 MalyavaN. 
 Here indeed, saluting the king of Lankd, the follower 
 of the great Mahecvara, he says, " This you know, that 
 I have given promise to protect the saints who dwell 
 near the sacred streams of the Dandakd forest ; and 
 it is reported that certain people, Virddha, and the 
 headless Danu, and others, are there trespassing : there- 
 fore you should forbid them, and thus adopt a good 
 course of life, which will be gratifying to us and 
 will please Mahecvara. If you refrain from trespass 
 against BrAhmans, it will tend to your welfare, and the 
 son of Jamadagni will be your friend ; if not, he will be 
 angry." 
 
 CljRPANAKHA. 
 
 This speech displays self-confidence combined with 
 gentleness, and is deep and haughty. 
 
 MIlyavan. 
 
 Oh ! what can we say 1 Truly he is the son of Jama- 
 
 c 
 
3i MAHl-vfEA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 dagni. That saint, — ^whose tranquillity is increased by 
 his excellences of birth, penance, learning, valour, and 
 actions ; and who, after renouncing all things, abides in 
 a state free from all desires, — through his friendship for 
 the followers of Civa instructs us reluctantly and from 
 no wish of his own ; but, Uke a chieftain, in his every 
 act he becomes merciless indeed. 
 
 [Hius he reflects. 
 
 CtiKPANAKHA. 
 
 What are you reflecting upon ? 
 
 MiXT.AViX. 
 
 Child ! if the breaking of the bow becomes known to 
 the pupil of Civa, he will not endure it : then should 
 the death of both ensue in the battle by reason of their 
 rage, tliis will be most pleasing to us. But even in the 
 victory of either, should the hero who causes the death 
 of Kshatriyas conquer the king's son, the angry one will 
 not cease without slaying him ; and thus will be effected 
 our wish, namely, the death of Edma. But should the 
 descendant of Ikshvaku conquer ; he will not, since he is 
 a friend to BrAhmans, slay the holy sage. He will employ 
 the weapon, even though laid aside, against him * who 
 is endowed with prosperity, and this will be worst of 
 all. 
 
 CuRPANAXHA. 
 
 What difierence wiU there be 1 
 
 ]\Ialyavan. 
 If the son of Jamadagni, who wears a different vow, 
 
 * Rdvaiia. 
 
THE ADVBNTOEES OF EAMA. 35 
 
 should slay the descendant of Eaghu, still even after 
 killing him he will be just the same ; but let this view 
 be taken, — should the king's son, who strives to excel, 
 kill by reason of his great power and energy that saint 
 who is most happy, and who conquers by his holiness, all 
 will acknowledge him when he is victorious. Then, 
 indeed, all the gods, whose anger, is increased by his 
 (Eivana's) violent attacks, will forcibly appoint him as 
 their chieftain; for a natural enmity* ever arises to- 
 wards the victorious demons, because they are disdain- 
 ful. EAma, whose actions are holy and pleasing even 
 though he has the power by which evil deeds may be 
 wrought, will be lord of the universe ; he who inflicts 
 proper punishment on that saint, who made a happy 
 commencement of the rite of finishing t the story of all 
 the Kshatriyas, in the person of Kdrttavirya, whose deeds 
 were violent by reason of his defeat of Paulastya. 
 
 CltRPANAKHA. 
 
 Therefore what think you now about this matter ? 
 
 Malyavan. 
 We must excite Paracu-rdma. 
 
 CtfRPANAKHA. 
 
 In the other case it wUl be a grievous sin. J 
 
 * Or, "the enmity of their subjects," i.e., of those whom the 
 demons have enslaved. 
 
 + Of exterminating them to a man. 
 
 t If Eama kill P^racu-rima, Mdlyavsin will incur the guilt of 
 causing a Brdhman's death. 
 
36 maha-vIka-chabita ; oe, 
 
 MiLTAViX. 
 
 Against that also, to the best of our power, we will 
 employ a remedy. But if the elements are the same, if 
 his powers are the same as aforetime, then we cannot 
 expect the defeat of Paracu-rdma. Therefore arise, we 
 will go to Mahendra to incite Jdmadagnya to start for 
 MithilA ; and the holy descendant of Bhriga must there 
 be seen. He, who is haughty from his noble nature, and 
 of the greatest purity, and beyond all in goodness, calm, 
 and giving pleasure to all, like a mine of holiness, when 
 seen will increase our goodness, and will dispel sin 
 through the excellence of his sovereign state and the 
 ripe purity of his penance. 
 
 [They rise up, and walk round, and have the staye. 
 
 {Behind the scenes a voice is heard.) 
 Ho there ! let the noble chamberlains belonging to the 
 city of Yideha tell Kdmabhadra, who is gone to the cham- 
 ber of the princess, that " the hero, through whose anger 
 Kdrttavirya of old had the stock of his family rendered 
 like to a tree shorn of its stalwart branches, for he was 
 reft of his huge arms, and had the joints of his massive 
 shoulders cleft by the axe, hard as he was to vanquish, 
 and though he had humbled easily, as in play, the pride 
 in battle even of Paulastya, whose arms were made famous 
 by acquiring victory over the three worlds through his 
 strength which heaved up the mountain Kailisa, — that 
 hero, the son of Jamadagni, by whom the exercise of the 
 art of warriors was performed without defect thrice seven 
 times, and who by cleaving the Krauncha pass opened 
 for the swans a descent, that before was not, to the 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF KAMA. dl 
 
 land ; — he, the conqueror of the enemy of Tiraka,* who 
 is followed by hosts of divine warriors headed by Her- 
 amba and Bhringa, is come asking for you through 
 anger at the breaking of the bow of Civa his teacher." 
 
 Enter Kama, SitI, and her Friends. 
 
 Ram A (with firmness and haste). 
 Oh ! the lord of the race of Bhrigu, who is a great 
 mine of good fortune, the pupil of the revered god who 
 destroyed the cities of demons, and whose every act 
 is pure by his sacred learning, who is even desirous of 
 seeing me, must be seen by the shame-faced bride, and 
 she must cast aside her modesty. Natural friendship, 
 concealed by his high birth, is made manifest to me 
 from this threatening. 
 
 SlTA. 
 
 Oh, my friends ! how will this end ? 
 
 Friends. 
 Prince, away with such haste ! 
 
 Rama. 
 Valour knows not a want of enmity arising from 
 patience. 
 
 Friends. 
 
 That Paracu-rima, by whom the earth was made desti- 
 tute of warriors time after time, and by whom deeds of 
 matchless power and courage are done, is heard. 
 
 Rama. 
 What ! is the high-mindedness of Paracu-rtoa, trea- 
 * i.e., Skanda, the god of war. 
 
.3.-5 maha-vIea-chaeita ; ob, 
 
 sure of great learning, contracted all at once ? He who, 
 after making the quarters of the world to have their 
 monarchs, Uke forests of bamboos, uprooted thrice seven, 
 times by the strength of his arm, which is praiseworthy 
 for his victory over the famed KArtikeya, then gave the 
 earth with its islands to his teacher Kacyapa in the 
 horse-sacrifice ; and dwelling in a region given up by 
 the ocean, which was driven back by his arms, performs 
 penance. 
 
 (Behind the scenes a voice is heard.) 
 
 The saint, descendant of Bhrigu, regarded with pain 
 and glances of fear by the chamberlains, grieved at the 
 decay of their strength, and whose faces are made awry 
 by this obstacle to their sight, pursues his way un- 
 hindered ; and bent upon finding BAma, and fiUed with 
 anger, enters, alas ! the chamber of the princess, while 
 cries of lamentation are sent forth by the domestics. 
 
 EaMA. 
 
 Surely these are the guides to the path of good 
 behaviour ; how is it, then, that this wise man behaves 
 so rashly 1 Let it be, I will approach. 
 
 [Re walks rmnd pioudhj and haughtily. 
 
 Friends. 
 
 The women's chambers are filled with lamentations of 
 all. the domestics, terrified, and alarmed, and uttering 
 cries on all hands : " Alas ! divine, moon-faced Rlma- 
 chandra ! son-in-law ! " Therefore, O princess, tell 
 this to the prince. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA. 39 
 
 SiTA. 
 
 Then let us hasten, and speak to the prince, who is 
 gone forth with speed. 
 
 [So saying she walks round. 
 
 Friends. 
 Prince, Prince, look at the Princess, whose quick gait 
 is tremulous, and rendered uneven with haste. 
 
 RlMA (turning back with affection and tremor). 
 Surely you at least ought to detain this timorous one ! 
 
 Friends. 
 Friend, friend, thou with the flush of love spread over 
 thy lotus-like face, filled with the beauty of thy lily-like 
 eyes glancing and open, ever in our presence wouldst 
 describe this R^ma as able to destroy gods and demons, 
 as the happiness of the three worlds, as having the mark 
 of the fortune of great victory. Therefore how comes it 
 that when the priace turns his face towards victory thou 
 art afirighted 1 
 
 SiTA. 
 
 Because of Paracu-rdma, who brings woe to all 
 
 Kshatriyas. 
 
 [She shows signs of fear, &c. 
 
 Eama. 
 Darling, return with good cheer. 
 
 {A voice behind the scenes.) 
 fugitives ! where is Rima, son of Dacaratha ? 
 
40 maha-vjea-chaeita ; oe, 
 
 Women. 
 Alas, alas ! 'tis his name and none other that he utters. 
 
 Kama. 
 This sound of the voice, strong as the peal of terrible 
 thunder-clouds clashing against each other, of him 
 whose action is violent with haste, which well becomes 
 him, pleases the hollow of my ear. 
 
 [Thus Sjpeaking he walks round. 
 
 SiTA. 
 
 What help is there ? {holding Mm by his bow.) O 
 prince ! you must not indeed go until our father comes. 
 
 Fkiends. 
 Shame is revealed by our dear friend with another 
 feeling. >> 
 
 Eama (speaking to himself). 
 
 Love conquers. (Aloud.) Then I will leave my bow 
 and go. 
 
 (Behind the scenes he repeats) — fugitives, &c. 
 
 SiTA. 
 Then I will detain you by force. 
 
 Eama. 
 Alas ! alas ! Through the coming of one who is 
 proud, and who is a treasure of penance and valour, love 
 for the company of the good and anger at the violence 
 of a hero drag me on the one side, and on the other 
 the embrace of Vaidehf, ever stealing my mind, 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF rAmA. 41 
 
 pleasing and cool as sandal, the moon, and dew, hinders 
 me. 
 
 Feiends. 
 
 That Paracu-rSma is indeed come, bearing his axe, 
 very sharp, flashing, gleaming with the bright motion of 
 his body seen in the light of the flaming sun, and wear- 
 ing locks of hair which resemble thousands of flames of 
 fire burning, and shooting upwards ; by whom the earth 
 is shaken with the fierce blow of his stafi", huge and 
 massive, being torn by the distant east, — that demon to 
 all Kshatriyas. 
 
 Eama. 
 
 Here is the descendant of Bhrigu, the only warrior 
 in the three worlds and a saint ; who, like a great mass 
 of splendours, cannot easily be approached, like the union 
 of majesty and penance endowed with a bright form, 
 and like the fierce warrior spirit reduced to a solid form. 
 {With surprise.) Although holy yet terrible in action, 
 a storehouse of vows, powerful beyond measure, wearing 
 a form pleasing and yet awful, he shines like the 
 Atharvana Veda ; for he is the essence of power solidi- 
 fied, starting up in the individual, disguised as a Brah- 
 man, capable of destroying the entire collection of worlds, 
 of a fierce spirit ; — that essence of power of the god of 
 gods, who conquered Tripura, who is roused to wrath, 
 assuming the form of KSla, Eudra, and Fire, appropriate 
 to the destruction of the world. Oh, the wondrous self- 
 action of the diwne one ! His axe surrounded with sheets 
 of bright flames is near ; on his shoulder is a quiver ; 
 and on his body matted locks, a bow, bark-clothing, and 
 a deer-skin ; an arrow flashes in his hand, in which a 
 
42 MAHl-VfRA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 string of nuts forming a bracelet revolves ; his dress 
 spreads a twofold splendour, terrible and peaceful. 
 
 Dear one ! be is our superior, therefore turn aside and 
 veil yourself. 
 
 ' SlTA, 
 
 Alas ! alas ! he is indeed come. (Joining her hands 
 together.) noble one! defend me. Dear but rash 
 prince ! be gracious to me. 
 
 RAma. 
 Ah, dear one ! he is a saint, and besides a great 
 warrior ; therefore 'tis pleasing to me. Let thy trem- 
 bhng cease, timorous one ! Thou art a Kshatriya, I 
 am a Kshatriya, descended from Eaghu, able to confront 
 him, whose fame is widely spread in the world, and 
 whose arm itches with pride. 
 
 Enter JaMADAGXYA. 
 
 Jamadagnya (in anger). 
 Oh, the self-ignorance of an evil-minded warrior boy ! 
 Though indeed he felt no fear of the god who is the 
 husband of Bhav4nf, and whose soul is tranquU by the 
 greatness of his mercy to all creatures, when he broke 
 his bow ; still had he not heard of his son Skanda, 
 or of me, his pupil dear as Skanda ? This is the change 
 to harshness of me who am otherwise tranquil; because 
 sovereignty once more abides with Kshatriyas, and by 
 them alone bows are now borne, and haughty deeds of 
 them who pride in the strength of their arms I now 
 again hear of with pain. 
 
the adventures of rama. 43 
 
 EAma. 
 When the saint, the greatness of whose penance, 
 splendour, and prowess cannot be told, and who is a 
 treasury of penance, incited with not undue pride 
 attacks me in anger, then my hand with excitement 
 throbs for the act worthy of the pride which arises from 
 recent instruction in the bow, and also to embrace his 
 feet. But he is not an object for such respect. 
 
 JAmadagnya. 
 
 fugitives ! where is E4ma, son of Dacaratha ? 
 
 Rama. 
 
 1 am here, here, sir. 
 
 JImadagnya. 
 Good, O Prince, good ! Truly thou art indeed a 
 descendant of IkshvAku. Thou, whose nature is pure 
 by birth, offerest thyself through pride to me, who am 
 seeking thee for destruction ; just as the royal young of 
 a wild elephant offers itself to the foe of beasts,* whose 
 paw, like a thunderbolt, cleaves the hammer-like temples 
 of elephants. 
 
 Women. 
 
 May the sin be pardoned, and the evil omen averted. 
 
 JaMADAGNYA {beholding him and speaking to himself). 
 
 This pleasant one became the son of a Kshatriya. 
 
 This youth, who possesses a form encircled by tufts of 
 
 hair five in number and moving, beautiful and noble, 
 
 grand and pleasing to the mind, and bearing marks of 
 
 * The lion. 
 
44 
 
 maha-viea-chaeita; ob. 
 
 natural good, fortune, even the moment he is seen 
 carries away my mind by the glory of his passing 
 beauty ; stiU he must indeed be killed. Alas ! for the 
 cruelty of the vow of warriors ! {Alovd.) Let the axe, 
 wielded by the stalwart arm of the descendant of 
 Bhrigu, fearful and incited by anger arising from the 
 act of breaking the bow of the glorious Civa, an act 
 unheard of aforetime, flaming and strong, be for a 
 moment the guest of thy broad throat; that axe by 
 which the god Civa is celebrated in the world as the 
 god of the keen-edged axe. 
 
 "WOMEX. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! he is indeed excited. 
 
 EiMA {beholding him with firmness, respect, and curiosity). 
 
 This is that axe which it is said was granted of old 
 by the purple-throated god, pleased by the victory over 
 Skanda and his followers, as a favour to thee, his pupU 
 for a thousand years. 
 
 Friends. 
 
 Princess ! look ! The Prince, whose self-confidence 
 is rising up and filling the soul, by reason of his freedom 
 from fear and his firm courage smiles at the receipt of 
 the weapon from Civa. 
 
 [Sita looks icith sw-prise and ttars. 
 
 Jajlidagxya (to himself). 
 A marvel ! a marvel ! His manner is indeed difterent ; 
 and this his good nature, which utters words tlie mean- 
 ing of which I cannot fully understand, is beyond praise ; 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF BAMA. 45 
 
 and so is his goodness, and his courageous self-reliance is 
 grand and noble by reason of his pride. {Aloud.) 
 'R&ma, ! son of Dacaratha, here is that very axe, dear 
 to my venerable teacher. 
 
 Friends. 
 His conversation is as of one taking breath for a 
 moment. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 The god of war, well practised in the use of weapons, 
 although surrounded by hosts of divine warriors, was 
 indeed vanquished by me. Pleased even by such an 
 act, my revered tutor who loves merit embraced me and 
 gave me this axe. 
 
 Eama (to himself). 
 
 Why does he say, " by such an act 1 " Oh, the great- 
 ness of his haughty pride ! (Aloud.) And for this, 
 O saint, thy fame as a warrior is spread in heaven and 
 earth. That weapon, by which alone the holy but 
 wrathful instructor, the husband of Chandi, attained re- 
 nown in the three worlds, as the god of the keen-edged 
 axej by that, won in the victory over the enemy of 
 Tiraka, thy fame as Rima of the axe has attained splen- 
 dour. Besides, thy birth is from Jamadagni; that re- 
 vered god who bears the bow pinAka * is thy teacher ; 
 but thy valour is not in the range of speech, nor can it 
 be fully revealed by acts ; and thy liberality extends to 
 the free gift of the earth surrounded by its seven oceans. 
 What is there of your majesty — a storehouse of truth, 
 sacred learning, and penance — that is not most excellent 
 
 in the world ? 
 
 * The peculiar weapon of Ciya. 
 
46 MAHA-VIRA-CHAKITA ; OR, 
 
 Friends. 
 
 The noble prince knows language pleasing to the 
 
 saint. 
 
 JAmadagnya. 
 
 EAma ! EAma ! endowed with a form pleasing to the 
 eye and like to thy mind, whose welcome virtues are 
 beyond thought, thou dost captivate my heart in all 
 manner of ways. 
 
 Moreover, my chest, which is like a wall torn up by 
 the grinding teeth of Heramba, and which is marked 
 with scars from the arrows of the war-god, and which 
 is covered with bristling hair as with a coat of mail, from 
 meeting with a surpassing warrior desires to embrace 
 thee. I speak the truth. 
 
 FErEXDS. 
 
 O Princess ! see the good fortune of your husband. 
 But you do yourself wrong in always turning your face 
 aside. 
 
 [Sit A sighs and sheds kars. 
 
 Rama. 
 Sire, the word embrace is at variance with your 
 present behaviour. 
 
 Feiexds. 
 The modesty of the brave and uoble hero is made 
 resplendent by his high-m i n dedness. 
 
 Jamadagxya {to Mmsdf). 
 Oh ! the mind of this warrior-prince perceives the ripe 
 excellence of the merits of himself and others, and is 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eImA. 47 
 
 pure by his noble birth ; but his great pride, which is 
 hardly seen by reason of exceeding courtesy, may be per- 
 ceived by one of skilful judgment. Though he is 
 attracted by the marvellous acts of me vi^ho am no com- 
 mon hero, excelling, as I do, all in brave deeds ; still he 
 exhibits indifference towards me ; therefore, he is some 
 great being wearing the form of a warrior boy, made of 
 a number of excellences, and high-mindedness surpassing 
 belief. A wonder ! we cannot but infer that his form 
 possesses countless holy qualities, consisting in the wel- 
 come gift of protection to the worlds ; for in him there 
 shine both beauty and splendour, made brighter by his 
 natural good qualities, and holiness and self-respect, and 
 victory and prowess. For he is the science of war 
 changed and possessing a body, in order to protect the 
 worlds; the duty of heroes endowed with a form to 
 guard the treasure of sacred lore, like a collection of 
 efficient causes, or an assemblage of good qualities, or a 
 heap of holy actions in the world, existing in a visible 
 state. (Aloud.) ladies ! let this woman enter into 
 the house. 
 
 EAma {to himself). 
 So be it. 
 
 (Behind the scenes a voice is heard.) 
 Siradhvaja with bow in hand comes here indeed; and 
 Catdnanda descendant of Gotama, the family priest of 
 the Janakas. 
 
 Friends. 
 
 O Princess ! your father is indeed come. Let us go 
 into the house. 
 
48 MAHA-VIEA-CHAEITA ; OB, 
 
 SiTA {to herself). 
 Divine goddess of war ! I join my hands in prayer to 
 
 thee. 
 
 [The women retire. 
 
 JiMADAGNYA. 
 
 This is that wise king Janaka, guarded by Angiras 
 his family priest, to whom the saint Ydjnavalkya, pupil 
 of the sun, revealed the highest sacred learning. He 
 leads a good life ; stUl the thought that he is a Ksha- 
 triya causes me a headache, and rouses my anger. 
 
 Enter Jaxaka and CatInaxda. 
 
 CataNANDA {in an excited manner). 
 king ! what is proper in this case ? 
 
 Janaka. 
 Sire, if this saint be a guest, let a seat, and water for 
 the feet, and water for the hands be got ready for the 
 holy man ; and after that the meat-offering. But if 
 without any reason he is a foe, and hates us in the 
 matter of our son ; then the bow must control him, void 
 as he is of courtesy. 
 
 [They walk round. 
 EaMA. 
 
 How is it, noble Sir, that you shed such tears 1 
 
 JijIADAGNYA. 
 
 'Tis nothiag. As soon as thou arrivest within the 
 range of my sight, happiness coming in full force attains 
 exceeding greatness, and the pleasure of the eye enhances 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA. 49 
 
 its delight ; still thou who art only a young bridegroom 
 though glorious and pleasing to my heart, must be slain 
 because thou hast insulted my teacher. At the thought 
 of this I have long been suffering pain. 
 
 EAma. 
 Bhdrgava ! I know thou dost pity me. 
 
 JiMADAGNYA. 
 
 But thinkest thou that thou art protected ? The axe 
 shall fall on thy neck, though thy neck resembles a 
 shell, and thy body shines like a cloud charged with 
 nectar. 
 
 Eama. 
 
 Truly indeed thou art prevented by pity (from harm- 
 ing me). 
 
 Jaiiadagnya. 
 
 Ah ! even upon me he scowls. Ah ! Kshatriya boy ! 
 thou art but a child, and newly married to a wife ; at 
 the thought of this I feel such pain as I never did 
 aforetime. This report is well known, and it is thus 
 sung in the world, that Edma son of Jamadagni cut oS" 
 the head of his mother with his own hand. 
 
 Besides, fool ! known indeed by all creatures is my 
 nature, who am ever tearing from the womb and cutting 
 into pieces even unborn babes, from my anger towards 
 the descendants of Kshatriyas ; and who am filled with 
 pride, and subdue on every hand the families of Ksha- 
 triyas, even to twenty-one times, and make the fire-Uke 
 anger of my sire burn lower by reason of his great 
 delight arising from death-offerings of pools filled with 
 
 their blood. 
 
 D 
 
50 maha-vira-charita ; oe, 
 
 Eama. 
 In thy words there is the human vice of cruelty. 
 What boast can there be of that 1 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Ah ! Kshatriya boy ! thou art very bold. Strike, bend 
 the bow, I wish to receive the first stroke. For if I 
 deal the blow, what canst thou do -with the next? — 
 thou, a headless trunk, whose hard chest is severed in 
 two by the axe, which glitters with the shooting forth 
 of fire that spreads around with hisses. 
 
 Janaka and Catananda. 
 Son RAmabhadra ! stay in security. 
 
 Eama. 
 
 Alas ! I am become dependent on the command of 
 another. 
 
 JlilADAGXYA. 
 
 I hope Angirasa is well. 
 
 Catananda. 
 Most assuredly after seeing thee. Besides, if thou art 
 our highly-esteemed guest, then we have prepared what 
 is meet for guests. 
 
 J.iilADAGNYA. 
 
 A family priest, of well-spent life, learned, a house- 
 holder, the pupil of Ydjdavalkya, — towards him every- 
 thing is due ; but I seek not the condition of a guest. 
 
the adyentuees of eama. 51 
 
 CatInanda. 
 Thou didst indecently enter the women's apartments, 
 whereby our propriety was outraged. 
 
 JlMADAGNYA. 
 
 I am a Brahman, living in a forest, ignorant of the 
 custom that prevails in the houses of the great. 
 
 Eama {to himself). 
 This excess of arrogance towards kings, shown by him 
 who gave as a present the whole world, looks well in- 
 deed. 
 
 Janaka. 
 
 How is it that thou dost plot a sinful act against the 
 young descendant of Kaghu who is under our protection ? 
 
 Enter a Chambermaid. 
 O King ! the ladies are met together to unloose the 
 marriage thread : let the bridegroom be sent. 
 
 Janaka and Catananda. 
 Son Eilmabhadra ! thy kinsfolk call thee : therefore 
 
 Kama. 
 noble Jdmadagnya ! thus my superiors command. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 What blame is there ? Let thy duty to the world 
 be done, and let thy kinsfolk see thee. But foresters 
 tarry not long in towns. I wish to go, therefore let no 
 
 time be wasted. 
 
 Rama. 
 Even so. 
 
52 maha-vIra-chabita ; oe, 
 
 Enter Sumantra. 
 The much respected Vasishtha and VicvAmitra invite 
 you and the descendant of Bhrigu. 
 
 The others. 
 Where are they ? 
 
 StJMANTEA. 
 
 At the court of the great King Dacaratha. 
 
 Kama. 
 At the command of our superiors we go. 
 
 [Exeunt omnes. 
 
 END OF THE SECOND ACT. 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 EnterY ASisuTKA, VicviMiXRA, Janaka, and Cataxanda. 
 Vasishtha and Vict'Imitra. 
 
 JA,madagnya ! The descendant of Ikshvdku, tlie 
 beloved friend of Indra by reason of his destroying 
 the enemies to the rites of sacrifice and to good works, 
 a hero in whom the earth possesses a king, as the sky 
 possesses a king in the thunder-armed Indra, before 
 whom we exist, — what more can we say ? That king 
 of the world bending in entreaty, and loving his son, asks 
 protection of thee. Therefore cease from this fruitless 
 strife, and let this be done. 
 
 The heifer is ready for sacrifice, and the food is cooked 
 in ghee. Thou art a learned man come to the house of 
 the learned ; favour us." * 
 
 i.e., by staying aud participating in the sacrifice. 
 
the adventures op eama. 53 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 I beg your pardon ; — but I will endure it, if KAma be 
 not an excellent warrior.* Do you mark. E^ma, though 
 a child, is renowned for his marvellous acts ; when BhAr- 
 gava met with insult from him, why did Bh^rgava, im- 
 patient as he is, stand idle 1 If this be asked, who may 
 know that it was from the respect he had for holy men ? 
 There may be one who knows it : but again, there is no 
 one to tell how the case stood ; for the conduct of war- 
 riors is readily exposed to enmity. Besides, when the 
 fame of the great is got together from all quarters what- 
 ever j foul rumour, to which increase is given without 
 reason by the common people, having with difficulty 
 found some ground for tattling, however small, never 
 ceases. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 
 my son ! why carry this demon-like weapon all thy 
 life 1 Jdmadagnya ! thou art a learned man, seek then 
 the path that is pure ; and besides, thou art a forester, 
 therefore woo the four states of friendship and the like, 
 which give calmness to the mind. Yes, and let the pain- 
 less mental state called glorious smile on thee ; and let it 
 cause thee to lay aside thy axe : from the favour of this 
 state arises wisdom, which is called the truth-bearer, 
 the power of which in all things cannot be attained by 
 external means, which is free from misery and misfor- 
 tune, which is powerful, and the means of perceiving 
 the inner splendour. For a Brahman should so live, 
 that he may escape the death of sin : and thou hast 
 
 * The meaning seems to he, — I will consent to stay if Rtima admits 
 that be cannot contend against me. 
 
Si MAHA-VIRA-CHARITA ; OE, 
 
 entered upon another course. See ! This assembly of 
 saints, this aged Yudhajit, and the aged monarch Loma- 
 p4da with his ministers, and this king also of the Jana- 
 kas, unceasing in sacrifice, speaking the Veda, of vener- 
 able years, are indeed thy supphants. 
 
 J.iSIADAGNYA. 
 
 True indeed ; but unless I have destroyed my enemies 
 at the root, I cannot bear to see again the glorious Try- 
 ambaka my instructor, and my instructress PirvatL 
 
 VlCVAMITRA. 
 
 If you regard holy teachers, then think of me also. 
 Moreover the three saints, Vasishtha, Bhrigu, and An- 
 giras, that sprang from Hiranyagarbha, — here is Vasish- 
 tha, thou art the descendant of Bhrigu, and here is the 
 great grandson of Angiras. 
 
 Jasiadagxya. 
 I will make atonement for transgressing against you, 
 since you are worthy of respect ; but I will not so dis- 
 honour my great vow to wield the weapon. For, since the 
 defence of honour is naturally more welcome even than 
 salvation, see ! it is so also in my case. You are kins- 
 men ; but this my arm is rough and marked with scars 
 of the bow-string. 
 
 VlCVAMITRA (to himself). 
 His speech which at every word declares his high- 
 mindedness worthy of esteem, even while piercing my 
 heart, causes my surprise. 
 
the adventures of eama. 55 
 
 JImadagnya. 
 Besides, revered son of Kucika ! Assuredly the 
 noble Vasishtha has his mind fixed only upon the Su- 
 preme ; do thou, time-honoured instructor of the con- 
 duct of heroes, say when one born in the pure race of 
 Bhrigu has taken up a weapon, what is proper for him 
 
 in that case ? 
 
 Vasishtha {to himself). 
 
 Truly he is great by his good qualities, but by nature 
 he is a demon ; for he is altogether proud from the ex- 
 cellence of his behaviour. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. 
 
 Son ! I will say this. Thou roused to anger by the 
 outrage done to one person didst make a slaughter 
 of the race of Kshatriyas with a destruction of babes 
 conceived, so as to leave none remaining, eradicating 
 that very race though sprung from the seed of Brdh- 
 mans, full twenty-one times ; but when restrained by 
 thy aged ancestors Chyavana and others, thou didst cease 
 from thy anger. 
 
 JaMADAGNYA. 
 
 I did indeed cease from the great task of the slaughter 
 of the Kshatriyas enjoined by my father's death. What 
 denial is there of that ? Did not my axe, sharp as the 
 thunder-bolt, leave the slaughter of the Kshatriyas, pleas- 
 ant as it was, and cleave firewood and fuel? and the 
 staff-like bow, with its dense arrow-fangs, bears a like- 
 ness to a snake from which the fire-Uke poison is gone. 
 Thus my flaming anger and the axe were restrained by 
 me, at the command of Chyavana and others; so that 
 
56 MAHA-Vf EA-CHAEITA ; OR, 
 
 again in time the quarters of the world were made dense - 
 with the great famihes of kings, as with forests which 
 have sprung up after burning. But Ei,ma must lose his 
 head for another reason. Then, after I have cut off the 
 head of this chUd of the E^ghavas who has done the 
 wilful deed, and am gone once more to the forest, let the 
 Raghus and Janakas long prosper ; but let there not by 
 any means be again so great an outrage. 
 
 Catananda. , 
 Has any one the power to insult even the shade of the 
 king of Videha, a king and saint, an assistant in sacri- 
 fice most dear to me ? What then of his son-in-law % 
 We here, as the household fire, have in like manner 
 dwelt for a long time in this householder's house, sup- 
 ported by elders of holy action as by pillars. If insult 
 be offered him by another, then shame upon us, and 
 shame upon our priestly state beloved as it is, and shame 
 upon the family of Angiras. 
 
 VlCVlMITRA. 
 
 Well done ! son, descendant of Gotama, well done ! 
 This King Siradhvaja has maintained his honour through 
 thee his family priest. The realm of that king, to whom 
 thou a learned BrAhman art the family priest guarding 
 the state, suffers no distress, totters not, and does not 
 decay. 
 
 J>MADAGNYA. 
 
 Many Kshatriya priests besides thee have felt the 
 divine splendour ; but common splendours grow dim be- 
 fore an uncommon glory. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF RAMA. 57 
 
 CatInanda {angrily). 
 ' 'Thou bull ! heinous sinner by the slaughter of the un- 
 offending races of kings ! wicked and distorted in act ! 
 loathsome in deed ! heathen such as none aforetime ! 
 base-born warrior ! how is it that thou art so bold in 
 this place ! What ! art thou not a Brahman indeed ! 
 Alas ! what behaviour in a great Brahman ! the be- 
 heading even of a mother, the cutting to pieces of 
 babes unborn, the slaughter of kings engaged in sacri- 
 fice heinous as the killing of a BrAhman ! 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Ah ! speaker of good words ! vile, vile priest to petty 
 kings ! thou son of AhalyA ! am I base-born ? 
 
 Catananda. 
 Ah ! wicked foul-mouthed one, disgrace to the family 
 of Bhrigu ! let these kings and elders long-suffering by 
 reason of their, greatness suflfer it indeed ; but CatAn- 
 anda will not thus suffer it. 
 
 [Thus speaking he sprinkles water from his water-jar. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 Who is here ? let him be pacified. This descendant 
 of Angiras, like a fire fanned by a blow-pipe, fearful by 
 the outpouring in drops of offerings of ghee, possesses 
 the brightness of holiness, terrible as a flaming fire. 
 
 CatInanda (hurriedly taking up the water of cursing). 
 Observe, courtiers ! I, in my anger, will very soon with 
 violence reduce to ashes him who is arrogant through 
 
58 MAHA-YIEA-CHARITA ; OE, 
 
 his destruction of others, and who is assailing you ; just 
 as the fire of the lightning scattered by whirling stormy 
 winds reduces a tree to ashes. 
 
 (A voice behind the scenes.) 
 Be calm, sire ! let the unapproachable fire of pen- 
 ance be quenched towards one who is come to our house. 
 He is praiseworthy for his good qualities, and the best of 
 Brihmans, and our own kinsman. Is this conduct pro- 
 per towards him when he is come to our home? Since 
 he, wise as he is, has strayed from the right path, by 
 this the warrior race is to achieve conquest. Be thou 
 tranquil. 
 
 Vasishtha {talcing away tlie water of cursing). 
 Dear Catdnanda ! be it as the great King Dacaratha 
 says. Moreover, that great happiness which is beyond 
 words we will meditate upon in our mind. Thou, accom- 
 panied by Jivdli and others, shouldst make a peace-oflTer- 
 ing over the fire. Then for the purpose of -^-ictory let 
 the holy Vdmadeva, uttering victorious sentences, hymns, 
 and chapters of the Veda, pronounce them with our 
 pupils. 
 
 [He embraces and leaves tlie stage. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Mark the loud threats of a boy supported by war- 
 riors ! But what of him ? Br^hmans ! you who live 
 upon the favour of the king of Kosala and Yideha, and 
 all you warriors who dwell within the seven islands 
 and heights, we declare, whoever among you here 
 
THE ADVENTUKES OF eAmA. 59 
 
 boasts either of his penance or arms, let laim unable to 
 bear it behold in me an enemy arrogant with pride. 
 Paracu-rAma will make the earth to be without Rdma, 
 and destitute of Siradhvaja and Dacaratha, and, not con- 
 tent, will destroy their kinsfolk too. 
 
 (A voice behind the scenes.) 
 Bhirgava ! BhArgava ! thou art indeed over 
 haughty. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Janata here forsooth takes offence at our pride, and 
 is excited. 
 
 Enter Janaka. 
 That glory of warriors, crowned with victory, ours by 
 nature, which reached its zenith through the destruction 
 of enemies, and by the power of old age, and by a con- 
 stant attention to the performance of household rites, 
 and through the acquisition of a true knowledge of the 
 supreme spirit; — that glory arising hastens once more 
 our bow to action. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Janaka ! thou indeed art sacred and aged, and in- 
 tent upon holiness — thee, the best of sages pupil of the 
 sun instructed in the Ved4nta. If knowing this I ap- 
 proached thee, as is my custom, with courtesy, then why 
 dost thou, knowing, no fear, speak hard words in anger ? 
 
 Janaka. 
 His feelings are moved, and courtesy is shown. Thus 
 you hear, courtiers ! He is born in the line of Bhrigu, 
 
60 MAHi-VIEA-CHARITA ; OB, 
 
 and he is engaged in penance, as it is well known. Al- 
 though he hates us, still we have had patience with him 
 for a long time. When again and again he boldly shakes 
 us like a blade of grass, then let the bow be bent against 
 him, although he is a Brahman. There is no other re- 
 source. 
 
 Jamadagnya {with glances of anger and derision). 
 What dost thou say? what dost thou say? — "the bow!" 
 'tis a marvel ! Even though beholding the laughter of 
 my scorn, the marks of which are clear as a fire, excited 
 by the sight of Ksliatriyas, and though beholding the 
 axe sharpened on the heads of enemies, its whetstone, 
 this kinsman of warriors, filled -nith pride and falsely 
 elated by the schooling of Ydjnavalkya and somewhat 
 decrepit with old age, prates against me. 
 
 Janaka (hurrkdhj). 
 What more in this matter ? Let this bow, the fang- 
 like points of which are huge, surrounded by a tongue- 
 like string ; which has a loud roar, deep, awful, and re- 
 sounding, make its huge hollow to resemble the laugh- 
 ing gape of the engine-like mouth of the God of Death 
 engaged in devouring. 
 
 [Thus speaking he dnngs his bow. 
 
 {A voice behind the scenes.) 
 Cease, king and ancient bowman ! how does thy 
 hand by which thousands of kine were given away in 
 constant sacrifice, and which is entirely covered with 
 grey hair, touch the arrow against this BrAliman. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eAma. 61 
 
 Janaka. 
 My friend, great King Dacaratlia ! Let him in truth 
 insult us, that is nothing. When a Brihman speaks 
 harsh -words, who feels pain of mind 1 But how is this 
 sinful boy to be borne, when he prates in our ear hard 
 words opposed to the happiness of our son ? 
 
 JImadagnya. 
 Ah ! vile-minded outcast of warriors ! thou insultest 
 me -with the name of boy. Arise ! arise ! Let the axe 
 by which thy throat, teeth, and neck, falhng to pieces, 
 mixed with semen, bones, nerves, sinews, entrails, 
 breast, lungs, and liver, are cut into bits, — the axe 
 which is marked with gouts of foaming blood welling up 
 from the blood-vessels, veins, and neck through the 
 cutting of thy head, cleave thee limb from limb in a 
 horrid heap, just like a beast. 
 
 Dacakatha (coming in between them). 
 O Bhd,rgava ! Bhdrgava ! This king is to us dearer 
 than our own body ; by reason of the insolent words 
 spoken to him we suffer pain in every way. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 What then ? 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 Therefore we will not bear it. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Thou too like another assailant dost attack me. Ee- 
 flect, I am Edma the son of Jamadagni, by my very 
 
62 MAHi-VfRA-CHAEITA ; OR, 
 
 nature ever impatient of obstacles, and you are a Ksha- 
 
 triya. 
 
 Dacajratha. 
 
 Therefore thou art not lightly regarded. The right 
 of taming those who are hard to be tamed devolves 
 upon Kshatriyas : thou art hard to be tamed, and we are 
 those Kshatriyas who punish. Be stiU at once ; what 
 more must be said 1 Thou art tamed this moment. 
 Where are Brihmans intent upon tranquillity, and where 
 is the weapon that is borne by a Kshatriya? 
 
 Jamadagnya (laughing). 
 After a long time, methinks, the son of Jamadagni is 
 ruled by a master, since you Kshatriya kings are his 
 guides. 
 
 Dacajratha. 
 
 What ! is there any doubt of this ? If a man, either 
 ignorant or meeting with some perplexity or having 
 doubt in his knowledge, commits an act that is opposed 
 to the seen or unseen law ; of such an one his teacher is 
 the protector ; but if, when there is knowledge free from 
 doubt or perplexity, a man commits a hostile act, and 
 the king punishes him not, then this disorder among the 
 subjects arises. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. 
 
 Oh ! the great king speaks rightly. If knowledge 
 exists not, or if it is perplexed with doubt, or frustrated, 
 then pay court to the feet of Vasishtha. Surely there is 
 some fault in thy knowledge, else how would there be 
 the utterance of evil words? If ia purity thou dost 
 commit a crime, kings will not endure it. 
 
the advent uees op eama. 63 
 
 JImadagnya. 
 The divine lord is my instructor in duty, holiness, and 
 the bow. How can Kshatriyas teach courtesy to him 
 who destroyed all the Kshatriyas ? A relationship with 
 the noble Vasishtha is worthy of respect in the matter 
 of age ; but in rivalry there is none superior or equal to 
 me by penance and knowledge. 
 
 Vasishtha.1 
 " Defeat from a descendant of Bhrigu ! " the thought 
 is I pleasing to us. But mark the violation of the 
 time-honoured custom in our house, which ought to 
 be maintained at least by us, and which is pleasing to 
 us by reason of its excellence. 
 
 Janaka, Dacaratha, and Vicvamitea. 
 Ignoble and disrespectful one ! thou who art unruly 
 even before Vasishtha, the ancient instructor of the 
 world, shalt be tamed by us by main force * like a wild 
 elephant. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 
 Thus am I shaken. The anger which has long been 
 scorching like a barb driven into the vitals of my heart, 
 formed into a ball and compressed by the weight of inner 
 firmness at the bidding of my elders — that mine anger, 
 since my spirit has been disturbed by words of contempt, 
 now flames up indeed, like the aurva-fire of the ocean, 
 the waters of which are scattered by winds at the end of 
 the age. Ah ! this contempt is felt, and the axe like my 
 anger flames. Are the kings on the earth placed in the 
 * The reading here, I think, ought to \ie pardkramya. 
 
64 MAHA-ViEA-CHAEITA ; OB, 
 
 might of Dacaratha 1 Then let even the twenty-second 
 destruction of the Kshatriya race, -which will make a 
 festival for the enraged God of Death,' and which is 
 terrible as the destruction of the world, take place after 
 a long interval. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 Alas ! alas ! truly he is our kinsman. StUl through 
 pride he acts in a terrible manner ; how can he escape 
 being killed ? If he should be often seen by me, insulted 
 as I am, that would be a wrong to the boy who is 
 descended from Bhrigu. 
 
 VicvaMtra. 
 O Jdmadagnya ! thou regardest me as destitute of 
 Brdhmanical glory in the water of cursing and without 
 skill in the use of weapons. Thou dost slight the 
 assembly of Br^hmans and Kshatriyas, and thou hast a 
 cruel wish towards the boy Edma ; by such a transgres- 
 sion thou dost pain us. Thou art worthy to be pro- 
 tected as a relation. My right hand, trembling with 
 anger, since I am filled with wrath against thee, seeks 
 the water of cursing ; and my left hand from its former 
 training seeks the bow. 
 
 JaMADAGNYA. 
 
 Kaucika ! if thou dost possess the Brdhmanical glory, 
 or if thou art a bowman by the laws of thy race, come, 
 I will outshine thy penance by my fierce penance. But 
 in the other case let the axe do its duty. 
 
 (A voice behind the scenes.) 
 I, Edma, pupil of Kaucika, make my obeisance here. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA. 65 
 
 and request. I will conquer the enemy of Kdrttavirya- 
 Arjuna arrogant by his victory over Paulastya, though 
 he is the conqueror of Kirtikeya. Greeting be to you ! 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 Edmabhadra is come. What will happen now t 
 
 Janaka. 
 Oh ! 'Tis well. Give the word at once. Let EAmab- 
 hadra conquer. He is the punisher of the proud. This 
 warrior is the lord of the worlds. All of us, with 
 Vasishtha as our chief, are surety in this matter. 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 Assuredly this very day is E^mabhadra born in the 
 virtuous house of us, who are sacrificers and whose 
 fame is widely spread, and who have undertaken the 
 vow of protection ; since the Brdhmans, who understand 
 the past, present, and future by the brightness of their 
 knowledge, recognise in him, although a mere chUd, a 
 power that is beyond expression. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Come ! Prince ! Thou wilt conquer, I suppose, the 
 son of Jamadagni. {Smiling.) Assuredly thou wilt not 
 conquer, for the son of Eenuk^, thy destroyer, is hard 
 to be vanquished. For now, let the bow terrible with 
 the sound of the bow-string dense and collected in the 
 quarters of the world, perform the act of devouring as 
 the voracious angel of death, with the arrows which 
 make the roaring sound of a fire awful with its uprising 
 
 E 
 
66 MAHA-VIRA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 flames, and are sprinkled with blood that flows from the 
 cavern-like throats of slaughtered Kshatriyas. 
 
 [Hxeunt omnes. 
 
 END OP THE THIED ACT. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 (A voice behind the scenes.) 
 O deities ! may the auspicious acts continue. The 
 holy saint Kaucika, pupU of Kricicva, is victorious. 
 Now the Kshatriya race descended from the sun is ■vic- 
 torious in the world. The punisher of the enemy of 
 Kshatriyas, under the vow of granting protection to the 
 worlds, the refuge of the universe, the moon of the 
 family of the sun, is conqueror. 
 
 Enter hurriedly in a heavenly car Cuepaxakha 
 and Maiyavax. 
 
 Malyavan. 
 Child! thou hast seen the unanimous disposition of 
 the gods, that Indra and the rest have become his pane- 
 gyrists. 
 
 CtfRPANAKH^L 
 
 That which you intended is not efiected ; and now I 
 tremble with fear. What, therefore, should be done in 
 this case? 
 
 Malyavan. 
 
 That queen who had two boons formerly granted to 
 her by King Dacaratha, the mother of Bharata by name 
 
THE ADVENTUEES' OP EAMA. 67 
 
 Kaikeyf, — lier handmaid named MantharA, wlio brings 
 the tidings to Dacaratha, has been sent from Ayodhyd 
 to MithiM, and is n6w in the neighbourhood of MithUA ; 
 so I have very lately been told by spies. Do thou enter 
 her body and act as I tell thee. 
 
 [He whispers in her ear. 
 
 CtoPANAKHl. 
 
 What will my poor powers effect in this way 1 
 
 Malyavan. 
 Our bad designs would be frustrated in the house of 
 IkshvAku, especially against such a conqueror. 
 
 CliRPANAKHA. 
 
 What then 1 
 
 Maltavan. 
 
 Then by the plea of practising meditation when we 
 have aUured him to a great distance and brought him to 
 the presence of the demons, while, ignorant of the country, 
 he wanders about in the hhge forests of the Vindhya 
 mountain, our attacks wUl be easily made. For VirMha, 
 Danukabandha, and others will roam about, hostile to 
 the sacrifices in the Dandaka forest. When, indeed, his 
 power as a chief is taken away, his power of energy may 
 be baffled by guUe ; and the capture of Sft4 by E4vana 
 must not be prevented, and that will be easy in this way, 
 and advantageous. 
 
 CtfRPANAKHA. 
 
 But he may derive some advantage from the com- 
 panionship of Lakshmana. 
 
68 MAHA-vfRA-CHAEITA ; OK, 
 
 Malyavan. 
 As E4ma must be considered a hero perfect in the 
 science of arms, so too must he. But covert punishment 
 can be used as efTectually against two as against one. 
 
 CURPANAKHA. 
 
 To me these two things seem not proper. The bring- 
 ing near of the son of Dacaratha, who is now afar off ; 
 and the quarrel about a woman, which never can be made 
 good, with him who has no quarrel against us. 
 
 MjClyavan. 
 Why ! He is indeed near sLace there is no interval of 
 territory between us. But how can the destroyer of the 
 sons of Sunda and Upasunda with their followers, and 
 the enemy of T4tak4, have no quarrel with us. And 
 how can the enmity of Edma and RAvana be beyond 
 remedy ? See ! the world is to be guarded by him, 
 but we are ever doing violence to the world : when 
 this is the case, what concihation can there be with 
 him whose actions are unfriendly, and whose mind is 
 hostile to usl What things are there that the de- 
 scendant of Raghu desires, since he has been chosen 
 by the gods as their lord 1 Therefore, bribery holds 
 not in this case, nor yet must dissension be the 
 means employed by you against him, and even the in- 
 iliction of punishment, if it be open, seems not well 
 against a superior enemj'. But punishment must be 
 inflicted secretly, and this is the commencement of 
 it. Since this is so, what else should he do but carry 
 off SIt4 ? Moreover, if he whose wife has been carried 
 
THE ADVENTTJEES OF EAMA. 69 
 
 off by the enemy is filled with shame, he merely takes 
 refuge in a form of death. He who is crushed down, and 
 is destitute of majesty, is dead indeed; or else, after 
 suffering pain, he joins in a treaty. If he should rise 
 up to destroy us with anger made fierce by the 
 outrage, the ocean will not be able to obstruct his 
 onward course ; for he is a hero equal to the sun in 
 power. But the enemy will be slain by the terrible 
 monkey, the son of the thunder-bearer, whose power is 
 awful and whose friendship with EAvana was secured 
 aforetime ; and by this alliance much will be effected. 
 
 CtoPANAKHA. 
 
 What? 
 
 Malyavan. 
 
 Child ! thou art fond of R^vana, and thou knowest 
 his affairs, therefore the pain of my heart is told with- 
 out fear. E^ma, who is ever doing us evil and who is 
 our oppressor as there is no interval of territory be- 
 tween us, is in two ways our enemy ; being by nature 
 well governed, and being a Kshatriya. My third grand- 
 son, the brother of the lord of night-stalkers, and his 
 enemy, fills me with fear from his extreme nearness to 
 him, just as a serpent. But Kumbhakarna though he 
 lives is like one who lives not, from his propensity to ■ 
 sleep and his want of courtesy ; whUe Vibhishana, 
 who is endowed with good qualities and a mind versed 
 in sacred lore, has won the attachment of the sub- 
 jects. But Khara, Dushana, and Triciras, whose con- 
 duct is Hke that of the family, stand by the king be- 
 cause they obtain wealth from the king, just as people 
 
70 MAHi-VfEA-CHAKITA ; OE, 
 
 get milk from a cow by means of the calf. And the 
 subjects are disaffected and conspire together. There- 
 fore the royal family, split up with internal dissension 
 will be vanquished by Edma the moment it is attacked. 
 As it is said, "a cause of calamity however small is 
 easily brought about against one who is attacked." And 
 the remedy for this is to restrain Vibhishana; but 
 this may be either open punishment, or secret punish- 
 ment, imprisonment, or banishment. But how would the 
 E4kshasas who are unbroken in their attachment bear 
 his public punishment 1 Even his punishment in secret, 
 which would be guessed by the wise, would have a bad 
 end, when EAma who causes the anger of the citizens 
 is the aggressor. If, after he has been defeated, his im- 
 prisonment is determined upon, then KJiara and the rest 
 from their great friendship for him will change sides ; 
 and even if he is banished they will attend him ; there- 
 fore Khara and the rest must chiefly be thought of. In 
 this lies Emma's advantage. 
 
 CtiRPANAKHA. 
 
 Alas ! the dishonour of dependency ! since, although 
 the family tie of Edvana, Khara, and others is equal, our 
 grandfather thinks thus. 
 
 MAlyavIn. 
 Such is the behaviour of the sons of our race. 
 
 CliKPANAKHA. 
 
 Without Khara and liis adherents, how will Vibhlsh- 
 ana act ? 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA. 71 
 
 MlLYAViN. 
 
 He is wise indeed, and on perceiving a change in B,k- 
 vana he would go into voluntary exile, and we may look 
 on with indifference, and need not think he has any in- 
 nate fear ; since he, whose friendship with Sugrlva is 
 deeply rooted even from childhood, would assuredly re- 
 sort to him. whose dwelling is on Eishyamtika, the por- 
 tion of the prince, a parcel of land given by VAlf as a 
 favour ; and therefore V^li will rouse himself to action, 
 but not on his resorting to E4ma ; though perhaps on 
 his union with Rama, V^ll will not look on with in- 
 difference. 
 
 CuRPANAKHa. 
 
 Then RAma will kill V^li whose enmity is caused by 
 his victory over Paracur^ma, and afterwards the union 
 of E4ma and Vibhishana will be a calamity ; so I think. 
 
 Malyavan. 
 Truly, child, he who kills Vdli is able to kill us with- 
 out a doubt J but in that destruction of all may he at 
 least live to continue our race. To him let Eima, all 
 holy as he is, grant the kingdom. 
 
 CtfRPAiSfAKEA {weeping). 
 Thus at least let it be. 
 
 Malyavan. 
 Go now, child, where thou wast sent ; and the per- 
 formance will be easy, when Vasishtha and Vicvdmitra 
 are not near Janaka and Dacaratha. I too will go even 
 to LankA. 
 
72 MAHA-VIEA-CHAEITA j OE, 
 
 CtfEPANAKHl. 
 
 Alas ! Mother ! by thee too anguish must be felt. 
 
 Malyavan. 
 Alas ! Khara, Diishana, and the rest, my children ! 
 wretch that I am, you must be slain ! Alas ! my child 
 Vibhlshana ! thou too must be discarded by reason of my 
 interests. Alas ! my darling child Eavana ! I see great 
 distress for thee. My daughter Kaikasi, alas ! thou art 
 undone ! not long wUt thou behold three sons. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 END OF THE TISHKAMBHAKA. 
 
 Enter Janaka and Dacaratha with Vasishtha and 
 Vicvamitra (the kings embrace). 
 
 Janaka. 
 king ! By the grace of God thou dost prosper, since 
 thou hast such a son as Rimabhadra. The astonishing 
 acts of that great hero which are uncommon and abound 
 with good qualities and surpass the world, and are 
 attended with great success in their results, confer hap- 
 piness not only upon us but upon the three worlds. 
 
 Vasishtha (after embracing Vicvamitra). 
 My friend, descendant of Kucika ! The possession of 
 Eima's greatness caimot be hoped for even by us, since 
 it is through him that we and the worlds are made con- 
 tented. 
 
 Vicvamitra, 
 This greatness has for its cause the ripening of excel- 
 lent holiness. What have we to do with so great a 
 pleasure ? 
 
THE ADVENTTJEES OF EAMA. 73 
 
 Dacakatha. 
 Holy descendant of Kucika ! speak not so indeed ; 
 since former kings, Dillpa aiid others, descended from 
 the sun, resorted in worship to the all-glorious saint, the 
 husband of Aruudhatf, as to the patron goddess of their 
 family ; and since the blessings of saints, -whose penance 
 is great and whose blessings are true, are attended with 
 praiseworthy results, — even of those blessings this only 
 is the happy cause, namely, that your majesty was 
 pleased with us. 
 
 VASISHTIiA. 
 
 True, such is Vicv^mitra. The penance which passes 
 beyond the range of speech and thought, and which is 
 of supreme excellence, kindled with splendours and in- 
 finite in extent, shines in this holy saint who can hardly 
 be approached. 
 
 VicvImitea. 
 
 Holy son of Mitra and Varuna ! The Sanatkum4ra 
 and Angiras are great in learning and penance. If thou 
 dost praise me, then am I as thou sayest indeed ; for 
 thy words are truthful. But in the case of EAmab- 
 hadra this is no wonder, for the great king Daoaratha 
 is his father. Kings in the race of Manu son of the 
 sun, who are like a visible collection of holy actions, 
 protect their subjects by laws which thou hast proposed. 
 Among those who were most famous in the race and 
 whose actions are holy, he is chief, a warrior, the most 
 excellent of Kshatriyas, a mine of good qualities, the 
 praiseworthy king of earth. Indra moreover, that lord 
 of the worlds who was unscathed in the act of destroy- 
 
74 mahI-tiea-chaeita ; OB, 
 
 ing the son of Tvastri, the slayer of Jambha, the ruler 
 of the company of Maruts, selected in many battles 
 this hero who conquers armies, and who ever destroys the 
 demons. How can he, who is of such a character, beget 
 a son of a different character ? How can there be sur- 
 prise herein t The ten-headed chief who conquered the 
 bright god who rules the Maruts, was himself conquered 
 in war by the Mng who is the ruler of the Haihayas : 
 his destroyer, whose fame was spread abroad in the three 
 worlds, a mighty hero, was vanquished by our boy. 
 What then is left unconquered by him 1 
 
 •Dacaratha. 
 How comes it then that the world is divided between 
 two opinions 1 
 
 YicvAmTRX. 
 The boy Eamabhadra. with JAmadagnya is approach- 
 ing here indeed. He who, shining with the glory of 
 warriors and with victory, and bowed down before the 
 saint who is deserving of respect, and yet exalted by 
 his virtues, wearing shame before the chief of the Bhrigus 
 who is reft of the pride of valour, seems like a boy who 
 has committed his first offence against his teacher. 
 
 Enter EIma and Jamadagnya. 
 
 EIma. 
 In that by my destiny I violated courtesy towards 
 thee whose venerable feet are attended by holy men who 
 speak the Veda, and who art a mine of learning, penance. 
 
THE ADVENTtTEBS OF EAMA. 75 
 
 and vows, the best of ascetics : do thou, sire, pardon me. 
 I join my hands to thee in entreaty. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 No offence, child, was committed towards JAmadagnya, 
 but a service was rendered. The malady of pride, one 
 in number yet in reality a forest of countless vices, — 
 which alone robbed me of my Br4hmanical birth, the 
 virtues of my race, my learning, and good behaviour, 
 and stole away my understanding too, — that was cured 
 for my welfare by thee, child ! dear as thou art to 
 me and kind to BrAhmans. 
 
 Eama. 
 How was no offence committed by me, when my 
 wickedness reached so high a pitch ^that I took up a 
 weapon ? 
 
 JImadagnya. 
 
 This is your reasoning. Just as a physician is 
 endured, so is a king with a weapon in his hand, in 
 order to eradicate a defect in men which cannot other- 
 wise be remedied. 
 
 ElMA. 
 
 Who am I that I should speak and reply to your 
 holiness ? Therefore go there, sire. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Where, child, must I go ? 
 
 Eama. 
 Where my father is, and my sire, Janaka. Perhaps 
 'tis forgiven. Or where the saints Vicvdmitra and 
 Kaucika are. 
 
76 MAHA-Vf EA-CHAMTA ; OB 
 
 JImadagnta. 
 This now is impossible ; and the order of kings must 
 not be transgressed. {After walking round). honoured 
 ones ! this Edma from his pleasantness is not fierce, 
 and yet he is fierce in his valour ; since he has inflicted 
 even upon Paracurdma the chastisement of victory. 
 
 Kings. 
 This expression of good-nature is very noble. 
 
 Rama. 
 Here the act of obeisance is made you by the head of 
 Rdma. 
 
 All. 
 Come here, child ! [They embrace him. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Revered son of Mitra and Varuna ! I, the son of 
 Jamadagni, here bowing down, request of you and 
 Kaucika, " Let the spiritual guides appoint for me who 
 have been vanquished by EAma some expiation to re- 
 lease me from that heinous sia caused by trespass against 
 elders. You alone, O sire, were the first revealer of 
 primeval duty ; but Manu and others after receiving that 
 knowledge divided it iu many ways in their treatises. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 Thou who art born in the house of learned men art 
 sinless ; but when thou art uncourteous, we are pained ; 
 otherwise we are pleased, for this is the nature of elders. 
 But what is thy happiness, that same is ours ; therefore 
 thou art purified. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OP rAmA. 77 
 
 Vicvamitka. 
 We know thy sin was destroyed by R^mabhadra ; for 
 instructors in holiness declare that the punishment in- 
 flicted by a king, just like expiation, is a release from 
 sin. What more has the honoured Vasishtha to order in 
 the presence of kings ? 
 
 Rama. 
 
 These are the words of saints by whom holiness was 
 revealed, pleasing, grand, and pure. 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 Revered son of Jamadagni ! what else would be puri- 
 f3T.ng to thee who art naturally pure ? The sacred stream 
 and fire want not purity from aught else. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 goddess earth ! be gracious to me by granting me 
 a cleft (to swallow me up). 
 
 Janaka. 
 Holy one ! If it please thee, purify our palace by enter- 
 ing it without fear; this is a pure seat for your holiness. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Yes, if it please the student of the pupil of the sun, a 
 princely and learned man. 
 
 [All sit down. 
 Dacaratha. 
 
 You dwell outside any town ; we too, through being 
 householders, are occupied with our own matters : there- 
 fore, our meeting with you which occurred not afore- 
 
78 MAHA-VIEA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 time, though wished and longed for by us, has this day 
 happened here at last, in consequence of good actions. 
 And here what praise can there be of thee whose great- 
 ness has passed beyond the range of praise 1 And what 
 can be given to thee who givest away the whole earth 1 
 Of what use are attendants to one who is self-controlled, 
 saint ? Still Dacaratha with his sons this day makes 
 submission to thee. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 Such is your goodness. When I thus reflect, what sur- 
 prise can I feel at this 1 That which the wise call the 
 kindled splendour, that treasure of glories, the bright 
 sun, is the author of your line. "WTiat else should be 
 an object of praise 1 You are those descendants of Iksh- 
 vika, sacrificers, kings, and priests of the highest order, 
 whose instructor in holiness is Vasishtha, whose power 
 is beyond measure like the Veda. Again, the bending 
 of the bow of the ruler of the gods which gives comple- 
 tion to the sacrifice of war, the earth which is marked 
 with rows of dwelling and posts planted in the seven 
 islands, houses, the sacred Ganges, the ocean, and other 
 well-known things countless in number proclaim your 
 greatness -which is linked with undying fame. 
 
 Vasishtha and Vicvamitra {a^ide). 
 This too was taught by the boy. 
 
 JaMADAC4XYA. 
 
 EAmabhadra, consent to my going to the forest. 
 
 Vicvamitra. 
 Allow me also then. An increase of the auspicious 
 
THE ADVENTURES OP KAMA. 79 
 
 acts arising from the union of the children has taken 
 place in the palaces of Eaghu and Janaka. The sub- 
 jection of the chief of Bhrigus — {He stops in the middle 
 of the sentence). And when I have paid homage to the 
 dear child whose greatness is known by the chief of 
 Bhrigus I will go well pleased to my home. 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 My son Edmabhadra ! thy revered Kaucika is gone. 
 
 VicvAmitra {emlradng EIma with tears). 
 I cannot bear to leave thee, fair one ! but the constant 
 performance of rites deprives me of my free will ; for 
 in the case of those who keep sacrificial fires, the con- 
 dition of householders is beset with sins that may arise 
 from neglect. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 You have free liberty to come and go from house to 
 house. 
 
 ViCVAMITEA. 
 
 If your holiness agrees with me, then come, we will 
 both go to Siddbdcrama. As I go with thee before me, 
 I shall become a worthy guest of the mother of Madhu- 
 chhandas. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 
 What ! in so small a matter as this, can you not 
 control us ? 
 
 Kings. 
 
 The meeting of these holy sages is pleasant and pure. 
 Even the enmity of these two who know each other's 
 noble-mindedness, but whose soul is unknown by others, 
 
80 MAHi-VIRA-CHARITA ; OE, 
 
 shines brightly. What then can be said of their friend- 
 ship ? 
 
 (A voice lehind the scenes.) 
 
 The bride of Eima here pays homage to the holy 
 teachers. 
 
 Saints. 
 
 Child, daughter of Janata ! when the great fears of 
 the slayer of Vritra are allayed by thy husband a hero 
 courteous and successful, let Cachi with her mind pay 
 thee exceeding homage, a mark of respect to the wife of 
 the best of Kshatriyas. 
 
 Eama {to himself). 
 It may shortly be so, when the demons are torn up by 
 the roots. 
 
 Saints. 
 Welcome ! Sit here. 
 
 [They rise up. 
 
 The others (rising up). 
 Salutation to you. 
 
 Jamadagnta. 
 J^madagnya greets your majesties. 
 
 Vasishtha and Vicvamitra. 
 May thy tranquillity of mind be firm ; and may the 
 inner light shine upon thee; and may thy soul be 
 undisturbed in its holy thoughts. 
 
 [Eixunt. 
 
THE ADVENTUKES OF EAMA. 81 
 
 Jamadagnya (walking round a little way and then standing 
 still). 
 Eimabhadra, my child ! pray come here. 
 
 EiJVEA {approaching). 
 Give me your commands. 
 
 Jamadagnya. 
 The bow which was borne by me, when wearied with 
 the destruction of the Kshatriyas, — that now attains a 
 state devoid of purpose. But let the axe be employed 
 in cutting fuel and the like. The saints who dwell in 
 numbers on the banks of the. holy rivers in the Dan- 
 dakd forest, — among them the demons who dwell in 
 Lanka are ever wandering for their hurt : in whose de- 
 struction the bow which this moment is his (Rama's), 
 and by means of which authority is implanted in the 
 
 boy, will be useful. 
 
 [He gives it. 
 Rama (bowing). 
 
 I accept your commands. 
 
 Jamadagnya (walking round and shedding tears). 
 
 Prince ! return. 
 
 [With these words he leaves the stage.' 
 
 Rama (shedding tears). 
 The revered Bh^rgava is gone. (Reflecting.) Then 
 may I by some means or other set out for the Dandakd 
 forest. But how will consent be got from my teachers 
 who are fond of Ed,ma? Since the chief of Bhrigus has 
 laid aside his weapon, and I am dependent on the will 
 
 F 
 
8j2 MAHi-VIRA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 of another, alas ! the saints, rich in penance, have been 
 expelled by the cruel demons. 
 
 (A voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 Prince ! Prince ! She who is named Manthard, the 
 dear friend of thy second mother, is come here from 
 AyodhyA, desirous to see thee. 
 
 Rama. 
 
 'Tis well ; for this sorrow of mind arising from the 
 exile of the young people may be dispelled in her. 
 Therefore, dear Lakshmana, bring her near. 
 
 Enter Lakshmana arid CiiRPANAKHA in the disguise 
 of Mantsara. 
 
 CtJrpanakha. 
 
 I am Clrpanakhi, possessing the form of Manthard. 
 The absence of Vasishtha and Vicvdmitra has well 
 happened. Oh ! here is Rdma, the warrior youth, the 
 conqueror of Paracu-rdma. {Looking closely at him.) 
 Ah ! the structure of his body, which by reason of the 
 possession of marks of complete good fortune is pleasant 
 as salve to the eyes, would now again excite the heart 
 of a man who has renounced the pleasures of the world, 
 from having long endured great pain, and would deUght 
 it with his valour and brave actions. 
 
 EIma (bowing down). 
 Manthard ! is our mother well ? 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA. 83 
 
 CtfRPANAKHl. 
 
 She is happy and -vrell. Thy second mother, whose 
 bosom teems with affection, embraces and sends thee 
 word : " son ! I remind thee of the two boons pro- 
 mised aforetime by the great king. Become the bearer 
 of my request in this matter. This is the written 
 message to our father." 
 
 Laxshmana {takes it and reads). 
 
 By one boon let the boy Bharata enjoy the fortune of 
 sovereignty. {To himself.) How, while the noble E4ma 
 lives, can the request of the kingdom for the noble but 
 young Bharata be made ? {Aloud.) By the other boon, 
 let Eama without delay go to the DandakA forest. {To 
 himself.) Alas ! mother, what hast thou done by re- 
 questing the exile of the noble one 1 {Aloud.) And 
 let him wearing bark dress stay in it fourteen years, and 
 let no one follow him save his attendants Sftd and 
 Lakshmana only. 
 
 {To himself.) Ah, wicked widow ! base mother ! what 
 hast thou done, wicked one, disregarding the cry of 
 mother which was ever made by the mouths of Bharata, 
 Catrughna, Lakshmana, and the noble Prince ? 
 
 Eama. 
 Oh, the excellent favour ! The command to go even 
 there where my soul longs to go ; separation has not 
 happened here, for the youth is my attendant. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 By good fortune, the noble one suffers me to follow 
 him. 
 
84 MAHA-viEA-CHAEITAj OE, 
 
 EAma. 
 Noble Mantliari ! I am setting out. 
 
 CriRPANAKHi.. 
 
 Salutation now to the divine world in which such 
 
 Kalpa trees grow. 
 
 [Exit. 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 Ah ! our uncle YudhAjit, accompanied by the noble 
 Bharata, approaches our father. 
 
 Eama. 
 'Tis well — but, alas ! if I embrace not Bharata, I shall 
 have no courage to go ; and yet I cannot bear to behold 
 him pained by grief at our exile. 
 
 YudhIjit and Bharata entering and approaching 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 Sire ! Let the request be heard which the citizens with 
 one accord make of you. This, thy son, the keeper of 
 the three Vedas, — in him, the Prince Edmabhadra, we are 
 possessed of a king ; and, with the favour of thee, our 
 sovereign, we wiU go sure of welfare and with our 
 desires fulfilled. 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 
 Friend Janaka ! we are entreated of our subjects who 
 seek the welfare of our dear boy ; but MaitrAvaruna and 
 Kaucika who are fond of Edma are not here. 
 
 Janaka. 
 An act that is well done in their absence will give 
 
THE ADVENTURES OV RAMA. 85 
 
 pleasure to them ; and the divine V^madeva skilled in 
 rites is here indeed. 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 If it be so, then let the great festival of the victory- 
 over Paracu-rdma be joined to the great festival of in- 
 auguration. 
 
 Eama. 
 
 •How can this be now^ 1 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 Sumantra ! let the vessels for inauguration be brought 
 ■near; and whatever petition any one has, let his desire 
 be satisfied. 
 
 RAma (app-oaching and lowing). 
 I have a request to make. 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 What, child ? 
 
 Eama. 
 The granting of the two boons that were made, that 
 our second mother earnestly requests of thee this day, O 
 sire ! and we desire her pleasure. 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 Truly the Eaghus are true to their word. Why, son, 
 dost thou doubt? When thou art a suppliant, who 
 values even her life 1 
 
 EIma. 
 Dear brother ! Eepeat the request. 
 
86 MAHA-VfRA-CHABITA; OB, 
 
 Lakshmana {reads). 
 " By one boon, &c." 
 
 The others. 
 Wliat ! 'tis some other matter indeed. Alas ! we are 
 
 undone. 
 
 \The king faints. 
 
 Eama and Lakshmana. 
 Father, take heart. 
 
 Janaka. 
 How can the lady, noble as she is, bom in that spot- 
 less race of kings, and wife of a monarch who is the 
 pride of the IkshvAku line, commit such a demon-like 
 and monstrous act ? Alas ! 'tis a great surprise to us. 
 
 Rama. 
 Father ! father ! If you are true to your word, and if 
 Rdma is dear to you, then let our father favour us and 
 let our second mother have her wish fulfilled. 
 
 Dacaeatha. 
 Let it be so. What help is there ? 
 
 Janaka. 
 Ah ! cMld EAmabhadra ! ah ! chUd Lakshmana ! the 
 vow of a forest life, which is worn by the Ikshv4kus 
 when old, and after their wealth has been given to their 
 sons, — that thou assumest when only a suckling. Child 
 JtoakI ! thou art happy, since the order to accompany 
 thy husband is given by thy elders. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OV eIya. 87 
 
 Dacaratha. 
 Alas ! daughter JdnaM, while' but a bride, thou art 
 brought as an offering to the demons. 
 
 [Both faint. 
 Eama. 
 
 Our elders are much afBicted : how comes it 1 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Such is the force of love and pity that comes upon 
 them. What can be done here 1 Delay has been for- 
 bidden us by the mother of Bharata. Away with the 
 pain of excessive affection. 
 
 EAma. 
 
 Good ! oh, thou who art stern in thy purpose ! good ! 
 The power of thy mind seems not human. Therefore, 
 dear brother, bring Vaidehi. 
 
 & 
 
 [Uxit Lakshmana. 
 Bharata. 
 
 Uncle ! This is becoming your house. 
 
 YudhXjit. 
 Child ! I am driven mad. The king enters the mouth 
 of death ; these two sons enter the forest j the unhappy 
 bride is given like an offering to the demons ; the world 
 is without support ; our noble family is ruined by infamy; 
 the wickedness of my sister weakens the whole world. 
 
 Enter Lakshmana and Sfxl. 
 Prince. 
 Prince ! Here is the noble lady. 
 
88 mahi.-vika-chaeita ; or, 
 
 Eama. 
 Come here. (Passing with SitI and Lakshmana io the 
 right of the company of elders.) Unele ! Our father here, 
 and father-in-law, and mothers with their dear children, 
 ought to be comforted in this sorrow by you alone. We 
 are going. 
 
 [He then walks round. 
 
 YttdhIjit (hurriedly). 
 How am I to leave him in the forest ? 
 
 [He rises up and runs after. 
 
 Bharata (following). 
 Uncle ! Say, what am I to do now % 
 
 Yudhajit. 
 Rdmabhadra ! Wait for Bharata, thy forest follower, 
 and attendant upon thy feet. 
 
 ElMA. 
 
 Truly he too has received the command of the elders 
 to protect the four classes and orders^ 
 
 Bharata. 
 Let that be the task of Lakshmana or Catrughma. 
 
 Eama, 
 What ! has any one his own choice in this matter ? 
 
 Bharata. 
 Such is my own wish. 
 
the adventtjees of eama. 89 
 
 Eama. 
 Alas ! Is it possible, while I am living, for thee or any 
 other to transgress propriety 1 
 
 Bharata. 
 
 Alas I how am I abandoned, "unhappy one that I am ! 
 
 [He faints. 
 YudhAjit. 
 Son ! be comforted. 
 
 Bharata (reviving). 
 Uncle ! uncle ! support me. 
 
 YUDHiJIT. 
 
 Son ! I do so. {After whispering in the ear of Bharata.) 
 Rilmabhadra ! He makes this request, " Let the noble 
 one grant me as a favour that pair of golden shoes which 
 were sent by the saint Carabhanga. 
 
 Eama (taking them off). 
 Eeceive them, dear brother ! 
 
 Bharata (placing them on his head). 
 Noble one ! 
 
 Eama (embracing him). 
 
 Eeturn with the covering of my feet. Now revive 
 our fathers who have been long in a swoon. 
 
 Bharata. 
 I now, after performing the inauguration upon the 
 shoes of the noble one, wearing matted hair in Nandi- 
 gr^ma, will govern the earth until the noble one returns. 
 [He goes to the right of Sitd and Rima. 
 
90 MAHi-VfBA-CHABITA ; OE, 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Noble Bharata ! Lakshmana bows to thee. 
 [Bharata embraces him, and tries to suppress his tears. 
 
 Eama. 
 Brother ! revive our fathers. 
 
 Bharata. 
 Alas ! they do not yet recover. 
 
 [He fans them. 
 
 Janaka {recovering and looking round). 
 Alas ! I am bereaved. 
 
 Dacaratha {reviving). 
 Child Rdmabhadra ! do not go. My life is sinking ; 
 I am surrounded by darkness on every side. Sickness 
 such as never before comes upon me and pierces my 
 vitals. Place thy moon-like face near my eyes, and 
 speak a word to me. Ah son ! be not thus suddenly 
 unfeeUng towards me. Alas ! where shall I go ? unhappy 
 man that I am ! 
 
 \Tottering, and led by Bharata and JanaJca, he retires. 
 
 YudhaJIT. 
 Son EAmabhadra ! The city slowly collecting in a 
 body, though possessed of many functions, yet com- 
 bined in one act, with cries of lamentation sent forth 
 here and there, and with its men and women distracted, 
 and asking "What is the matter?" — thus that illus- 
 trious city is seen to have suddenly changed, and in it 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF EAMA. 
 
 91 
 
 there is a murky day, and the roads are miry with 
 showers of falUng tears. 
 
 EiMA. 
 
 Uncle ! uncle ! return. Here is Bharata at your hand. 
 
 YudhIjit. 
 Follow close by me. 
 
 Rama. 
 Peace ! You are elders and not followers. The com- 
 mand of my mother is that I go with only two atten- 
 dants. 
 
 YXJDHAJIT. 
 
 What! Am I the only one following? There are 
 also the citizens with their children and old men ; seest 
 thou not ? These great BrAhmans, with the sacrificial 
 vessels placed upon their shoulders, come to screen from 
 thee the sun's rays, with their umbrellas obtained for the 
 V4japeya sacrifice. Here the inhabitants of Saketa, with 
 the sacred fires borne by their wives who are foUow- 
 iug, and with the sacrificial cows sent on in advance, 
 accompanied by the troops run after thee, old as they 
 
 are. 
 
 Eama. 
 
 Uncle ! uncle ! It is the duty of elders alone to keep 
 children from a violation of duty ; therefore, oblige us. 
 Eeturn and take back this large concourse of people. 
 
 [Thits speaking, he bows. 
 
 YXJDHAJIT. 
 
 Child ! arise, arise! I here, seeing that I have deceived 
 
92 mahI-tiea-chaeita ; oe, 
 
 you my subjects, will go somewhere, wretched man that 
 I am. To thee Lakshmana of the strong arm ! to thee 
 daughter of Vaideha ! I bid farewell. I return, wicked 
 man that I am. May fortune attend you. 
 
 {Returning weeping.) Oh ! assuredly the greatness * 
 of this noble behaviour, which will be sung by creatures 
 in every age in the morning, will give purity to the 
 worlds. 
 
 {Exit. 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 Guha, the king of NishMas, inhabitant of Oringavera, 
 has reported to my noble brother the wicked attempts of 
 the demon Vir4dha, who has invaded the confines of his 
 realm. 
 
 E.4MA. 
 Therefore, in order to destroy the wicked Viridha, 
 we will go to the mountain Chitrakuta, in the neigh- 
 bourhood of which is the sacred confluence, and which 
 has its slope purified by the river Mand4kinl flowing 
 upon it, and has waters frequented by saints ; and, after 
 slaying the demons, and reaching Dandakd, we will pro- 
 ceed to Janasth^na, where dwells the King of Vultures. 
 
 [Exeunt cranes. 
 
 END 01 THB FOUETH ACT. 
 
 * The reading is doubtful. If VaAjikd is taken, the mesnlng 
 is " deception," i.e., concealing from the people Eima's exile. 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF eImA. 93 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 Enter SampIti. 
 Assuredly to-day the dear Jatayu approaches our 
 home in the caverns of the Malaya mountain ; for the 
 flapping of huge wings, in the expansion and contraction 
 of which the quarters of the sky are for a moment seen 
 and then in turn lost to view ; by which the quiver- 
 ing lightning, vivid and shaken, is caused to leave the 
 clouds which are made like snow ; by which the tall 
 lines of huge rocks are made to resound, and are 
 scattered on aU sides, proclaims aloud the coming of the 
 son of Cyeni. The lower world is filled with the furious 
 wind that rushes through the chasms of the ocean from 
 which the hidden fire is tossed up to a distance, and the 
 waters of which are broken and surge upwards ; and 
 frightful with the terrible sound that issues loudly from 
 the cavern-hke throat of the boar of Vishnu, it roars 
 like a thunder-cloud in the night of the deluge suddenly 
 
 come. 
 
 Enter JataYU. 
 
 Jatayu. 
 I will alight from the sky on a lone peak of the 
 Malaya mountain the base of which is encircled by the 
 river KAverl ; where dwells the noble bird descended 
 from Kacyapa, like a second huge mountain which has 
 lost its wings. Pain from the weariness of flying, which 
 takes hold of and makes my wings to droop, has seized 
 upon me : truly the might ,of .all-powerful time, which is 
 
94 MAHA-VtEA-CHAEITA j OE, 
 
 called old age, is a cause of impedinjent to all other 
 powers. Here then is the noble Sampdti, the ancient 
 vulture -king of past ages. Oh, brotherly love ! In a 
 past age, when the sun was scorching my limbs from 
 its extreme nearness which happened in our play, as we 
 were practising distant flights ; he, thinking I was but 
 young, spread out his wings above me to shield me ; 
 and with his own wings protected me altogether from 
 being burned in his compassion. 
 
 {Approaching.) Noble Kdcyapa ! JatSyu greets thee. 
 
 SampIti. 
 Come hither, child ! Cyeni is possessed of a son in 
 thee, the ruler of vultures, just as our grandmother 
 Vinat^ is in the hero Garutman. {After embracing.) 
 Child Jat4yu ! is the sorrow Ed,mabhadra feels at his 
 father's death lessened by the lapse of time ? 
 
 Jataytj. 
 His union with those who are old in learning and 
 penance, and his own firmness, and the just office of pro- 
 tecting, dispel his pain of mind. 
 
 Sampatl 
 It is reported to me, by the vultures sated with the 
 flesh , of VirA,dha, that RAma went from Chitrakdta to 
 the hermitage of Carabhanga; and then Carabhanga 
 made an offering of his body in the fire; after that, Edma 
 visited the saints also, — Sutlkshna and the rest. 
 
 Jatayxt. 
 True, Edma now at the command of Agastya dwells 
 in Panchavatl. 
 
THE ADVENTFEES OF EAMA. 95 
 
 SampIti (remembering after awhile). 
 
 Ah ! tliere is in Janasth^na a place on the banks of 
 the Goddvarl named Panchavatf. Child Jatdyu ! the 
 multiplicity of objects and the lapse of time rob me of 
 my memory. In the beginning of the age my knowledge 
 of places went as far as where the foot of Vishnu rose 
 in the sky, having for its banner the beautiful Ganges ; 
 and along the borders where the mountain Lokdloka, the 
 bracelet-like boundary of splendours, incloses the seventh 
 ocean. 
 
 Jataytj. 
 
 Thither once came Curpanakhd loving the son of 
 Eaghu. 
 
 SampIti. 
 
 Alas ! the want of shame ! She who living in many 
 centuries had 'now numbered her thirteenth age, felt no 
 shame while she put to shame that boy who was but a 
 suckling. 
 
 JatAyu. 
 
 And by cutting off her ears, nose, and lips, Lakshmana 
 obtained as it were the fame of offering an insult to "the 
 ten-headed one. 
 
 SImpati. 
 
 Then, as the result of that, an attack was com- 
 menced by the others. 
 
 Jatayu. 
 
 True, and by Edmabhadra alone, fourteen thousand 
 and fourteen demons besides the three, Dushana, Khara, 
 and Trimtirddhan, were slain in the battle. 
 
96 mahI-vIka-chasita ; or, 
 
 SampAti. 
 It is a marvel, or perhaps this is no marvel in the 
 case of DAcarathi. But I am perplexed when I think 
 that the great door of enmity is again opened; therefore, 
 child Jatiyu ! thou must not for a moment leave Sit4, 
 Edma, and Lakshmana. How will the ten-headed 
 one, an enemy hUnd with pride, cunning, aU powerful, 
 matchless in might, and near at hand, bear the insult 
 offered to his sister born from the same womb, and the 
 destruction of his people time after time 1 Alas ! the 
 children must indeed be carefully guarded. I too after 
 performing my daily vows on the sea-shore will pray that 
 an increase of prosperity may happen. [Exit. 
 
 JatIyxj (rising uj) and imitating flight in the sky). 
 
 I here, drinking as it were the sky the vastness of 
 which is contracted by my speed furious as the destruc- 
 tive wind, am swiftly come from the Malaya hill to the 
 cluster of trees that grow upon the mountain-home. 
 Here is the mountain named Prasravana, the caverns of 
 which re-echo with the mighty river Goddvari, which has 
 neighbouring forests, spotless, and pleasant, and crowded 
 with dense collections of trees, — the blackness of 
 which is increased by the clouds that are ever raining, 
 which lies in the centre of Janasthana ; and this is 
 PaAchavatl. {Looking round.) Ah ! Eama has been 
 allured afar off by the spotted deer ; Lakshmana too is 
 going in that direction. Therefore the ten-headed one 
 here, whose form, alas ! is well known, has entered the 
 cottage in the guise of an ascetic. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF kImA. 97 
 
 What rashness ! That wicked one has placed the 
 young bride in his chariot drawn by more than a thou- 
 sand demon-headed asses, and is going somewhere. 
 EAvana ! EAvana ! your birth is in the line of those 
 who were keepers of the holy Veda in the times of deluge, 
 lords of the worlds, and you were perfected in Vaidic 
 vows, and you are the conqueror of him whose palace is 
 the water, and a king proud by reason of your penance ; 
 how then has this wicked purpose arisen within you, a 
 purpose blameworthy, and of evil act, and unbecoming 
 your high birth ? How is this, that through contempt 
 he appears not to hearken ? Ah, evil-minded one ! out- 
 cast of the demons ! stop, stop. Let the son of Cyenl 
 glut himself with thy members, while all thy entrails 
 drip with blood issuing warm from the liver, spleen, 
 and lungs, which arfe visible and quivering as they are 
 dragged through the top of the skull of thy head, which 
 is split in two by my beak ; while thy bones rattle, and 
 are broken with my claws which pierce as a very sharp 
 saw ; and the blood-vessels of thy neck are broken into 
 pieces. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 END OF VISHKAMBHAKA. 
 
 Unter Lakshmana. 
 
 Ah, Princess ! where art thou 1 Alas ! the noble 
 
 E4ma feels the sad change of his state which Maricha 
 
 has caused. He, like anger embodied, or like a moving 
 
 fire of grief, hardly bears the distraction of his body by 
 
98 MAHi-VIEA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 flames of heart-ache. For with the fire of his anger 
 furious and far-spread, by reason of his sorrow, which, 
 though moderated by his firmness, yet throbs within, 
 and is made known by the knitting of the deep frowns 
 of his bending brows, he assumes the colour of a cloud 
 charged with thunderbolts indicated by its lightnings, 
 like the treasure of waters* encircled by ascending 
 smoke and having the secret fire flashing in its midst. 
 
 Enter Eama. 
 
 ElMA. 
 
 The outrage . painfuUy rankles in my heart like a 
 pointed thunderbolt. My mind shriuks with shame 
 and seems to sink in the terrible and blinding darkness. 
 The sorrow caused by the death of our dear friend bums, 
 me, and there is no help ; but here the pity I feel for 
 poor Sit4 pierces my vitals. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Prince ! Prince ! Such as thou whose deeds are super- 
 human despair not in the midst of difficulties. 
 
 EiMA. 
 
 Child ! the deeds of Eiima are indeed superhuman, t 
 Those ancient kings of men, by whom the worlds were 
 protected and freed from fear, of great splendour, bear- 
 ing the banners of the family of the sun, hare been 
 insulted ; and that good JatAjii who lived even in the 
 ends of the ages of the world, has been sent to heaven. 
 Truly, when I allowed my wife to be carried off in the 
 * The ocean. t This is said in irony. 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF eImA. 99 
 
 forest, I committed an act which was not committed by 
 men in the world. Alas ! Dear Kdcyapa, king of birds ! 
 when again will be the birth of one like thee, so great, 
 so holy, and so good ? 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Methinks I see that last state of the dear Jat^yu. 
 " That Sitd, whom thou, long-lived Prince, dost seek 
 like a healing plant in every forest, she and my life 
 have both been taken away by EAvana." After speaking 
 these words, Jatdyu ascended to the world of heroes. 
 
 Eama. 
 Brother ! brother ! The mention of these stories indeed 
 pierces the depths of my heart. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 And therefore we will by all means be quit of the debt 
 of enmity towards that evil-minded one. 
 
 EaMA. 
 True, but what can be done, that will be equal to the 
 wanton infliction of so great an insult? Even afore- 
 time, my mind was bent upon the destruction of the 
 demons, since they deserve to be slain for many reasons. 
 But when only that is accomplished, how can I get rest ? 
 The one supreme duty of our race is their destruction. 
 Still, my child, the anger which is fierce and compressed 
 into a ball, and the course of which is silent, which 
 points inward, seeming to drink again and again and 
 suddenly flaming upwards, issuing forth as it were by 
 its flames, and not possessing any other object to con- 
 
100 MAHA-vfEA-CHAKITA ; OE, 
 
 sume, burns me, as the hidden fire bums the ocean. 
 Deliver me from it. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 These forests, in which the herds of various deer are 
 greatly terrified, wherein the mountain caverns are 
 frightful, and tenanted " by races of beasts fierce and 
 wild, face the southern quarter : therefore we will go in 
 these very paths. 
 
 EiMA. 
 
 Surely these divisions of Janasthina were not before 
 seen. 
 
 LAkSHMAKA. 
 
 Yes. Then at all events when we set out from 
 the hermitage of Panchavatf, after committing to the 
 flames the dear Aruni, the king of vultures; but now 
 the boundaries of Janasthdna are far distant. And 
 since these woods in front excite fear, assuredly this 
 is a part of the DandakA forest, west of Janasthdna, and 
 named Kuiijavin, and occupied by the headless demon 
 Danu. 
 
 Rama. 
 
 I must indeed see that cruel-minded frog of the 
 forest. 
 
 (A voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 Who is here 1 Oh ! help, help a woman dragged in 
 the forest by this wicked headless demon. For I am 
 a sylph, named Craman4, performing penance, and an 
 inhabitant of the hermitage of Matanga ; and am come 
 in search of EAma. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OP EAMA. 101 
 
 EiMA. 
 
 Dear Lakshmana ! go, go. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 I am gone. [Exit. 
 
 'Rama. 
 
 Darling, where art thou ? Send forth thy sweet 
 voice. Those who are oppressed, as I am, cannot easily 
 obtain even the joy of lamentation. Let Paulastya go 
 blameless, but let censure fall upon me. Now that our 
 enmity has increased, manifold mischief has been 
 wrought by him. . 
 
 Enter Lakshmana and CRAMANiC. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 That face and body, with its distorted form of the 
 long-armed demon, whose bushy beard was wet with 
 blood, pouring from the mass of beasts cut up by his 
 cruel saw-like teeth, was not seen by my noble brother, 
 though anxious to behold demons. 
 
 Noble Cramand ! here is the Prince ! 
 
 Ceamana. 
 Victory, victory to the bright one ! 
 
 EaMA. 
 What then is your object in seeking me ? 
 
 Ceamana. 
 Thou hast heard of Vibhlsljana, the younger brother 
 of Edvana. 
 
102 mahI-viea-chaeita; oe, 
 
 Eama. , 
 
 Who has not heard of him ? 
 
 Cramana. 
 When through fate Khara, Dushana, and the rest 
 were slain, then at length from some cause or other he 
 started from his kinsmen, and through the friendship of 
 Sugriva, now dwells on Eishya-muka. Here is a letter 
 delivered by his own hand. 
 
 [fFith this she delivers the letter. 
 
 Lakshmana {taking it and reading). 
 Greeting ! Vibhishana pays homage to the divine 
 E5ma, and requests leave to inform him : " We, who 
 have lost our good fortune, have but two last alterna- 
 tives, either an increase of holLaess, or your majesty the 
 defender of holiaess." 
 
 EiuA. 
 
 Say then, my dear brother, what answer must be sent 
 to the great king Vibhishana, our dear friend, the ruler 
 of Lank4, highly honoured, who thus speaks. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 When my noble brother calls him "the ruler of 
 Lankd, our dear friend," what answer is there left 1 
 
 EIma. 
 Be it as the son of SumitrS says. 
 
 Ceamana. 
 We are favoured. 
 
the adyentuees of kama. 103 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Noble Cramana ! say, hast thou any tidings of the 
 Princess from thy intercourse with Vibhishana ? 
 
 CeamanI. 
 At present none ; but when she was carried off by 
 that evil-minded and vilest of demons, her upper gar- 
 ment, marked with the name of Anastiyd, fell and was 
 picked up by them. 
 
 Rama. 
 
 Ah, darling ! dear friend of my abode in the great 
 forest, daughter of the king of Videha. 
 
 [Thus speahing he tries to conceal his grief. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Noble one ! by whom and for what purpose was it 
 picked up ? ' 
 
 Cramana. 
 
 On Eishyamiika by Sugrlva, Vibhishana, Haniiman, 
 and others. 
 
 Eajvia. 
 
 Those high-minded beings, who freely confer favours 
 upon me, and whose greatness is worthy of the world's 
 respect, must be seen, as must also that token, Sit4's 
 garment which fell ; therefore, we will go towards Eish- 
 yamuka. 
 
 Cramana. 
 This way then, my lord. 
 
 \With these words she walhs round. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 The name " Hanuman,'' is the title of a great war- 
 
104: MAHA-VIEA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 rior; and stories of marvellous deeds, by whicli gods 
 and demons were perplexed, are told of that great 
 one immediately after his birth. Besides, it is well 
 known, whatever might belongs to Indra who wields 
 the thunderbolt, or whatever greatness belongs to the 
 wind-god, and to the great armed Vdli, the same belongs 
 to the hero Hanuman. 
 
 Cramaka. 
 True, such Ls the son of Anjan^, Hanuman by name, 
 born of the wife of Kesari, the aged chieftain of the 
 powerful monkeys, high in honour, inhabitant of the 
 golden mountain ; but the father that begot him is the 
 divine air. What then can we say of Hanuman alone ? 
 countless hundreds of thousands of those monkeys who 
 drink with the hollow of their hands the water of the 
 ocean like the juice of the cocoa-nut, and the cause of 
 whose leaping on the mountains is this forest of fig- 
 trees, and who are able to destroy the world with their 
 might like the tree their dwelling-place, bow down to 
 the son of the king of gods. 
 
 Eaju.. 
 Lady ! towards the south there is a very large mass of 
 fire. What is it ? 
 
 Ceamana. 
 
 'Tis the funeral pUe of that long-armed demon made 
 by the Prince Lakshmana. 
 
 EAma. 
 Well done ! 
 
THE ADVENTURES OP eImA. 105 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Look, look ! Noble Rima ! Streams of blood large 
 with fulness boil up, exciting wonder ; and the bones 
 from the shrinking of the skin and flesh start out with 
 hideous crackhtigj and foaming waves rise upwards 
 from the destruction of the marrow. A wonder ! a 
 wonder ! some divine being comes forth from this bury- 
 ing- place. ■ 
 
 Enter a Demigod, Danu. 
 
 Danu. 
 May the divine E^ma be victorious ! I, who am the 
 son of Crl, by name Danu, brought by a curse to the 
 state of a demon ' and reduced to a headless trunk by 
 the weapons of Indra, am purified by meeting with your 
 majesty. 
 
 EAma. 
 
 We are pleased. 
 
 Danu. 
 
 I, employed by MAlyaviin, marred the forest in order 
 to eifect your ruin. But away with the recollection of 
 the misery of that time ; now that through your power 
 my natural splendour increases, a certain hidden thing 
 appears to me; and that for your information I will 
 declare to you, who have rendered me great assistance. 
 V^li at the urgent request of MAlyavAn is employed in 
 your destruction, and he too adheres closely to his 
 friendship with Edvana. 
 
 Eama. 
 This, and this only, is the way with those of noble 
 
106 MAHA-Vf EA-CHABITA j OB, 
 
 conduct. Such a friend assumes not a neutral state in 
 time of action. My mind too is fiUed with longing 
 towards that great hero. 
 
 OTHERS. 
 
 Where save in Ei,ma would these words be found ? 
 
 E/^IVTA. 
 
 Good ! the duty of a good friend has now been per- 
 formed. Joy to thee, happy one, in thine own world ! 
 
 As your majesty commands. [Exit. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Lady ! what is the bond of friendship between Vili 
 
 and Edvana ? 
 
 Ceamana. 
 
 When the son of Indra placed under his armpit the 
 ten-headed one who was prepared to wage a war of 
 hands, and was proud because he had shaken the moun- 
 tain Kaildsa, and conquered the three worlds ; and after 
 performing at twilight his wonted rites in the seven 
 oceans, let him go ; on that occasion he granted friend- 
 ship to him whom he had released, and who humbly 
 craved it. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 Evil-minded one ! disgrace to the race of Paulastya ! 
 Such is thy excess of valour, thou bane of Kshatriyas. 
 
 RIma. 
 The world of living beings is strange, in that it ever 
 possesses one superior above another. 
 
the adventures oe kama. 107 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Lady ! what is the name of this pleasant mountain in 
 front of thee ? 
 
 CramanI. 
 
 This is no mountain ; but a heap of bones of Dun- 
 dubhi, the mighty chief of Daityas, like a mound of the 
 hero Veil's fame. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 These paths are blocked up, therefore let us avoid 
 them. 
 
 Eama. 
 
 Nay, come ! [He hides the heap with his foot. 
 
 CeamanI. 
 A marvel ! Eama here by the movement of his great 
 toe drives entirely hence that skeleton, which resembled 
 a grey cloud out of season, and blocked our path, — the 
 skeleton of Dundubhi, the enemy of the gods, who occu- 
 pied the mountain, — which the chief of monkeys, the 
 son of Indra, squeezing by the efforts of his stalwart 
 arms, cast out. 
 
 Lakshmana, 
 
 The land of the mountain and forest of great beauty, 
 blue, grand, and calm, draws near. 
 
 CeamanA. 
 
 These indeed are the lands in the neighbourhood of 
 Eishyamtika, and the lake Pampa ; and in front is also 
 the hermitage-ground of Matanga, where in the ab- 
 sence of the saint the divine fire-god burns even now, 
 
108 MAHi-VIEA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 with its fuel and holy grass spread around, and its, col- 
 lections of special sacrificial vessels, and Soma cups 
 placed near. 
 
 Eama. 
 
 Excellence of penance is attended by prosperity which 
 surpasses thought. 
 
 CramanI. 
 
 Look, look ! my lord ! Here the mountain torrents 
 flow with their waters, clear, and cold, and fragrant 
 with the flowers that fall from the canes filled with lov- 
 ing birds ; and their broad currents resound with the 
 dashing of the water against the creeper-houses of the 
 rose-apple, black with the ripening of its abundant fruit. 
 Again, here the cries of the young boars that tenant 
 the mountain caves attain an increase magnified by the 
 re-echoes ; and the perfume of the sap from the knots of 
 the SaUaki trees, which are broken and scattered by the 
 elephants, spreads around, — cool, aromatic, and fira- 
 grant. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 How is it that my noble brother suddenly stands still, 
 imitating the movement of a hero with his body leaning 
 upon his bow, and surveying with his eye, from which 
 floods of tears fall, the forests of Kadamba trees which 
 are shaken by the strong east wind ? 
 
 CKAMANi.. 
 
 Child! dost thou not see 1 There stand the Kadamba 
 trees with their buds now closed, though their opening 
 is near at hand ; and a wild dance is performed by the 
 peacocks, whose notes are very sweet; and the new 
 
THE ADVENTURES OP eImA. 109 
 
 cloud dark as the Tdpincha blossom when full grown, 
 and opening at the top, spreads over the peak of the 
 mountain. 
 
 Lakshmana {speaking to himself). ' 
 
 Perhaps my noble brother here is overcome by some 
 other emotion. 
 
 {A voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 Grandfather return ! At thy command the slaughter 
 of a good man, although improper, shall be made. 
 Assuredly thou dost deserve my respect ; for he, who is 
 the superior of a friend, is indeed a superior. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Lady ! who comes here ? 
 
 CeamanI. 
 My Lord ! see, see ! The son of Indra, — wearing a 
 beautiful necklace of golden lotuses, given by Indra, 
 and with his yellow body resembling a large cloud 
 charged with lightning and tinged with the twilight ; 
 and possessing the splendour of a mountain marked 
 with red earth on its peaks, which has been rent by up- 
 heavings, — from his speed leaves a track in the sky like 
 an inner line of the parting of the hair. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Brother, brother ! the son of Indra is come, a friend 
 who kindly affords a meeting of warriors. 
 
 Eama {speaking to himself). 
 He is a great hero. 
 
110 MAHA-VfEA-CHAEITA ; OB, 
 
 Enter Viif. 
 
 Vali. 
 
 I can cut the post of Brahma, so that the stream of 
 the seventh ocean will sparkle with ripples in the water- 
 basin Lokdloka, and the three worlds of former ages 
 wiU fall to pieces, and the root the lower world will be 
 entirely dug out, and the cluster-Hke sun and moon will 
 be scattered abroad, and the countless stars Uke to 
 flowers, will fall down : but in this action I feel sharp 
 pain. Men who engage in an improper act like this are 
 hurled into a huge unseemly pit. Since this Mdlyavin 
 by reminding me of my friendship with Edvana has em- 
 ployed me in the destruction of the noble Bdma, the 
 banner of the Eaghu race. Oh, the demon ! from early 
 morn he has followed me, and after inducing me to set 
 out from Kishkindhd he has now returned. Alas ! 
 alas ! when a guest, who was pure from his natural 
 uprightness, holy-minded, and worthy of the respect of 
 the worlds, and deceived by guileful enemies through 
 their villany, came even to my own house, towards hiin 
 proper treatment was not shown ; a kind word was not 
 spoken, even by my tongue. Alas ! why did I, wicked 
 one that I am, make an attempt to kill him as if he 
 were a foe ? And now the spies bring this report. Yib- 
 hlshana, without telling even Sugrlva, has dispatched 
 Cramani to Ednia; and the son of Dacaratha, who has 
 promised him the sovereignty of Lanka, is staying in the 
 neighbourhood of this hermitage of Matanga. Be it so, I 
 will descend. {He imitates a descent.) Ho ! who is there? 
 I am come to see the pleasant one, who vanquished 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA. Ill 
 
 Paracurama, who is pleasing by reason of his truth and 
 holiness, a treasure-house of virtues. When he has 
 been seen, the eye has fulfilled its object; and there 
 arises an agreeable tickling as from the itch of pride. 
 
 ElMA. 
 
 Dear son of Sumitra ! tell the fortunate one that I 
 stand here. 
 
 Lakshmana {approaching). 
 
 Here stands the Prince, let the fortunate one 
 approach. 
 
 YkiA. 
 And art thou the famed Lakshmana 1 
 
 Lakshiviana. 
 I am. [Both approach. 
 
 ValI (speaking to himself). 
 This is that Edma winning by his noble conduct, 
 a hero matchless in holiness, the best of men, peerless, 
 who surpasses only his own former deeds by other later 
 deeds of great wonder.* (Aloud.) Eama ! to my joy 
 and surprise, or to my sorrow, I look upon thee. But 
 now, how can my eye be satisfied in beholding thee ? I 
 am not meet for the pleasure of thy embrace. Of what 
 use therefore is idle talking ? Let the bow be bent in 
 that hand of thine, which is famous for the humbling of 
 Jamadagnya. 
 
 Eama. 
 
 'Tis by good fortune that thou art this day seen ; and 
 
 * i.e., Kone but his own former achievements are worthy to be 
 put in comparison. 
 
112 MAHA-TIBA-CHAEITAj OB, 
 
 this that thou sayest is indeed proper. But how can 
 
 Bima wear a weapon against you who are without 
 
 weapons ? 
 
 VlLf (smiling). 
 
 Great warrior ! why dost thou pity us who need not 
 thy pity ? We are surely known in the worlds by our 
 noble conduct ; what then can be said in words ? Get 
 ready. Truth belongs to your highness : your highness 
 is a true man. We, for the most part are such, that our 
 conquest is not thwarted by means of weapons ; but if 
 you wish me to take up one, then those mountains, by 
 which the monkeys are furnished with weapons, breathe 
 success. From this place, therefore, let us descend to 
 level ground. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 Noble brother ! it is as the fortunate one says ; the 
 laws of wax are determined by the customs of each 
 respective class. 
 
 VALf and R-vMA. (speaking of each other). 
 Assuredly the great festival of a heroic meeting with 
 thee would be praiseworthy ; but now, since thou hast 
 passed thy time, the earth will be without a hero. 
 
 [They walk round and leave the stage. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 How was it that as soon as the bow twanged the son 
 of Indra was angry? For, with a roar terrible as a 
 thundering cloud, ceaseless, and shrill, and loud, he hisses 
 within. And with all the quarters of the world entering 
 into his mouth, that is widely opened in a yawn, and 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF KAMA. 113 
 
 ■which is like a Gunja-seed in colour; and with his banner- 
 like tail, yellow as the lightning, spread out and stand- 
 ing high with erection from excitement, he swells out 
 and shakes his expanded body with pride, covering the 
 canopy of the sky. 
 
 {A voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 Vibhishana ! Vibhlshana ! this is like the cry of the 
 noble YA\i. Surely 'tis his and none other ; for it is 
 fierce as the thunder of a new cloud. Whence can be 
 this frightful twang of the bow-string ? Is it the Pinfika 
 bow made use of by Civa ? 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Lady, who is this ? 
 
 Cramana. 
 
 He is Sugriva, the friend of Vibhishana, and he follows 
 the war with jealousy and anger ; and all the chieftains 
 are assembling from the mountain caverns. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Then I too must now string my bow. , 
 
 CRAMANi.. 
 
 That arrow has now rested in the quiver of Eama, after 
 piercing the body of V^li, the skull of Dundubhi, the 
 seven palm-trees, the mountain, and the earth's surface. 
 
 (A voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 Let Vibhishana and Sugriva take an oath, at my 
 death, to be calm. Oh, brave monkeys ! be tranquil. 
 If I am, as of old, your chieftain to-day, this is the 
 
 H 
 
114 MAHi.-VIEA-CHARITA ; OE, 
 
 prayer I make, having met with the highly honour- 
 able death of a warrior from Edrna. Let * the son of the 
 sun here be to you as I am, and let the child Angada be 
 
 to you as he is. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 
 The son of Indra here, — beheld by his generals, while 
 they conceal their grief which is intolerable, and plainly 
 visible in the assembly, where they are released from 
 their duty as warriors by the constraining behest given 
 to his followers, beheld too by my noble brother with 
 tears of affection ; while the safety of his body is inquired 
 after by Vibhishana, fuU of sorrow and held back by 
 the oath taken at his hour of death ; while the thriU of 
 pain from the cruel stroke which pierced his vitals is 
 with great effort suppressed ; and while under the dis- 
 guise of an embrace he clasps firmly the neck of Sugriva, 
 and hangs around it the string of the necklace of golden 
 lotuses taken from his own neck, even in this state 
 shines with the glory of a warrior. 
 
 Enter Sugeiva, YiBHisH.v^sA, YliA, and EiMA. 
 Eajia. 
 The change that wrought the death of such as these 
 whose conduct, fame, prowess, and birth is rare, 
 and glory pure, and strength vast as a great mountain, 
 is painful indeed. Alas ! death, all-injuring and cruel, 
 works mischief 
 
 Yall 
 
 Dear Vibhishana ! see, see ! the necklace-band of 
 
 * VslU here appoints his successors. Sugriva is to take TSli's 
 place, and Angada to take Sugriva's place. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EaMA. 115 
 
 a thousand lotuses shines well on the chest of the child 
 Sugriva. 
 
 SuGRfvA and VibhIshana {aside). 
 "What is this change wrought by the Creator, cruel and 
 terrible as the thunderbolt, when it falls suddenly and 
 without rain ? How are we, bound as we are by oath, 
 to disobey our chief? and how are we to sit quiet ? 
 
 ViLf. 
 
 Rdmabhadra ! Etoabhadra ! 
 
 Rama. 
 Noble one ! I am here. 
 
 Vali. 
 I have now paid with my life the debt due to that 
 friendship, which through destiny I formed with a man 
 whose friendship I desired not ; and that other duty, 
 which is seemly towards the good, and towards thee, a 
 storehouse of virtues, — that also I have discharged to the 
 utmost of my power at the close of my life. 
 
 [Rama stands with sorroio, shame, and humility. 
 
 SuGRfvA and Vibhishana {aside). 
 
 Noble Cramand, how is it that this change of destiny 
 
 comes from the divine R^ma who is like a pool of 
 
 nectar ? 
 
 Cramana. 
 
 'Tis through MAlyavan indeed. 
 
 [She whispers in the ears of loth. 
 
116 mahA-viea-chaeita ; oe, 
 
 YkLi. 
 Dear Sugriva. 
 
 [Sugriva tries to suppress Ms tears. 
 
 Vali. 
 Truly Sugriva Las become hostile. 
 
 SuGEfvA {sorrowfully). 
 My noble brother ! be gracious. Give me your com- 
 mands. 
 
 VALf. 
 
 Dear Sugriva ! tell me what am I to thee 1 
 
 Sugriva. 
 My teacher and lord. 
 
 Vali. 
 And what art thou to me. 
 
 SUGRfVA. 
 
 PupU and servant. 
 
 Vali. 
 Say, dear, what are our respective duties ? 
 
 SUGRiVA. 
 
 Yours to rule and mine to serve. 
 
 VIli {taking him by the hand). 
 
 Then I give thee to Eima. Eimabhadra! do thou 
 receive him. 
 
 Eama and Sugriva. 
 
 Wlio does not highlj- respect the word of our honoured 
 master ? 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eImA. 117 
 
 VlBHlSHANA. 
 
 Brief words on a great subject, yet pure and full of 
 duty. 
 
 ValI 
 
 Dear Sugrlva ! what is the Taw of friendship that 
 thou who hast studied all the laws of duty hast learned 
 from J£mbav£n, thy teacher, the son of the supreiae. 
 
 SUGRiVA. 
 
 Good conduct maintained even at the cost of life, free- 
 dom from wrong-doing, avoidance of guile, and plea- 
 sant actions, as if to one's self, — this is the great vow of 
 friendship. 
 
 VlLf. 
 
 E4mabhadra, this only is the doctrine thou too hast 
 received from the holy Vasishtha, the family priest to the 
 race of the sun. 
 
 Eama. 
 Noble one, it is. 
 
 YAlL 
 
 Then you must practise through life this law of friend- 
 ship to each other ; and at my request let an oath be 
 taken witnessed by the fire : the moment must not pass. 
 Here just at hand is the sacrificial fire of Matanga. 
 
 Eama and SuGRiVA (taking each other's hand). 
 
 In the holy sacrificial fire of Matanga our friendship 
 is formed : let my heart be thine, and thy heart mine. 
 
 Vali. 
 Eimabhadra ! here too is the dear Vibhishana, to whom 
 
118 MAHi-TfKA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 thou didst promise the sovereignty of Lankd in the pre- 
 sence of Craman^. 
 
 ViBHfSHANA {with shame and suspicion). 
 How am I found out ? 
 
 Cramana and Lakshsiana. 
 Ah ! the power of seeing through spies ! 
 
 EiJIA. 
 
 Very true. 
 
 VlBHfSHANA. 
 
 Then I had the favour of your majesty. 
 
 [He bows. 
 
 SUGKiVA. 
 
 I am surprised when I think that the message of Cra- 
 mana, though untold even to me, has been successful. 
 
 Rama. 
 My dear friends, great Kings Sugriva and Vibhishana, 
 this is now your Saumitri. 
 
 Lakshsiana. 
 Princes ! I Lakshmana greet you. 
 
 Both. 
 
 Come here, dear one ! 
 
 [TJiey enibrace him. 
 Ceamana. 
 
 That reception is grand and affectionate. 
 
 YiLt. 
 Child Vibhishana ! aiyay now with anxiety about thy 
 
THE ADVENTURES OP KAMA. 119 
 
 affairs. This matter must thus end, for EAvana is no 
 more ; this is made known by my story. Though our 
 grandfather has equal affection for his children, still it is 
 his special duty to guard the interests of E^vana, seeing 
 that he lives at his table, and to declare in full the 
 union of Vibhishana with his friend. The great alone 
 know the bold attempts of such as he, whose nature is 
 unfathomable. My life ebbs away, lead me therefore to 
 the place where is the vault of death. 
 
 Nila and you others, alas ! oh warrior ! alas ! son of 
 Indra ! thou whose might was immovable as the moun- 
 tain Mandara. A warrior peerless in the world, the 
 clasp of whose stalwart arms was terrible and fierce 
 in the slaughter of the haughty Dundubhi, thou art 
 gone ! Alas ! we are slain ! 
 
 [Thus speaking and supported by them weeping he walks mind. 
 
 YAlL 
 
 Oh ! noble-minded and excellent monkeys, that the 
 sovereignty here belongs to Sugriva and Angada is 
 owing to your good nature; and from your attachment to 
 me, indeed, it must not be slighted, and this will be in 
 keeping with your greatness. Already the war between 
 K^ma and Eavana is at hand to test your friendship, 'tis 
 about this I implore you. But cease; what are we to 
 you in valour? Again, those destructions of the two 
 pairs of sky-guarding elephants bereft of their ears, 
 and those leaps into the lower world through the chasms 
 of the ocean which opens beneath the blows of your tail, 
 
120 mahI-viha-chaeita ; oe, 
 
 and that conduct which is well becoming your monkey- 
 prowess, and affection, and greatness, and your arms by 
 which enemies are crushed, must not escape your minds. 
 
 [Exeunt omnes. 
 
 END OP THE FIFTH ACT. 
 
 ACT VI. 
 
 Enter MalyavaN doioncast. 
 
 MiLYAVAN {thoughtfully). 
 Ah ! the buds of the tree of the demon-king's bad 
 policy seem scattered all around. Its seed was the 
 request for the daughter of the king of Videha ; 
 its sprout the journey of his sister; the guileful act 
 of MArlcha to deceive those two the saphng ; the 
 rape of her who is not bom of a woman the col- 
 lection of branches ; the death of the lord of the 
 treasure and the departure of his younger brother and 
 his friendship with those two are clearly its buds. And 
 very soon indeed, I think, this tree wUl bear fruit ; since 
 the mind of the aged sees that which has not yet 
 happened. (Sighing.) Alas ! the perverseness of fortune ! 
 In this calamity, whatever remedy I apphed by the 
 power of counsel, each one came to naught of itself like 
 the act of an idle man. {JFith pain.) The office of 
 minister tends to great sorrow. "Whatsoever the haughty 
 desire with self-will and unrestrainedly, in each case a 
 remedy must be devised, even though destiny is adverse. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OP KAMA. 121 
 
 Alas ! the all-surpassing deeds of the evil-minded warrior- 
 boy ! What did he not achieve, when he curbed by 
 his arrows the ruler of monkeys, the fire of whose 
 courage is so great ? {After reflecting.) And it was re- 
 ported by the spy who had returned from KishkindhA, 
 that the powerful monkeys repaired to every quarter to 
 search out Sit^. 
 
 {A voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 Fire whirling with red circles of more than seven 
 flames having rapidly spread, unperceived by the war- 
 riors, in the golden houses heated beyond measure, — fire 
 so great that a fear of the end of the world fills 
 the minds of the warlike demons who are running 
 away half-burnt, breaking out on all sides devours 
 Lankd, with the mountain Trikuta as far as the 
 ocean. 
 
 Enter Teijata in great alarm, throwing aside the curtain. 
 
 Trijata. 
 Save, save me ! good grandfather ! 
 
 [She falls heating her heast. 
 
 MiLYAVAN. 
 
 Child ! away with this fright. What means this great 
 cry that is raised ? 
 
 Tkijata (rising up). 
 Good grandfather ! what can I say, unhappy one 
 that I am? Some wicked monkey here, after setting 
 fire to the whole city in a moment, drove out the world 
 
122 MAHA-YIRA-CHAEITA ; OK, 
 
 of countless demons the same instant like deer in their 
 
 flight ; and when attacked even by the Prince Aksha, 
 
 practised upon him the play of death, and suddenly went 
 
 out. 
 
 Ma£yavaN {painfully). 
 
 What ! Is the city burned, and the Prince Alisha 
 slain ? Can it be a monkey indeed ? {Remembering.) 
 It was reported by the spy that Hanuman had gone 
 to the south. Alas ! was the fierce valour of the king 
 of Lank4 quenched by Hanuman, while he burned his 
 capital LankA as one burns cotton ? 
 
 Child ! did he obtain any tidings of Sit4 1 
 
 Trijata. 
 Good grandfather ! this much I know, that even be- 
 fore this a very small monkey was seen taking counsel 
 with her, and she unfastened and gave into his hand her 
 hair-adornment, saying, " It is a token." 
 
 MaLYAVaN. 
 
 What has not been done? {With fear.) That very 
 small monkey alone accomplished so much. More than 
 hundreds of millions of such are now heard of in the 
 monkey-tribe, protected by the strength of the arm of 
 Sugriva. 
 
 Trijata {thoughtfully). 
 
 How is it, that Sitd., being a mortal, so mild in ap- 
 pearance, so gentle in conduct, became a demon even to 
 us who are demons 1 
 
 Maly.a.v.4n. 
 Child ! it is nevertheless correct. 'Tis the brightness 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF KAMA. 123 
 
 of chastity to her husband that is thus declared, calm, 
 and glorious. {After thinking.) And yet what has that 
 unhappy one to do with it ? 
 
 This is but the evil consequence of his bad actions 
 flaming forth spontaneously. 
 
 Trijata. 
 
 G-randfather ! at first we demons had our abode 
 merely on parts of the various mountains that stand in 
 the neighbourhood of the DandakS forest, while our 
 pleasure grounds were over the whole of Jambudvlpa ; 
 but now our abode even in this city is impos- 
 sible. What can be done? What remedy can we 
 devise ? 
 
 MiLYAVAN. 
 
 Child ! why art thou thus afraid ? See, here is the 
 fortress Chitrakuta, and above it is the city with its 
 seven walls like the seven elements of the body ; and 
 this its trench, which is hard to cross and without 
 boundary, is the ocean whose waves touch the sky. 
 {Reflecting.) And yet what of this ? We must look only 
 to the stalwart arms of the demon-king, which are ready 
 to subdue the proud enemy, as a great sacrifice. {Ex- 
 hibiting a throbbing of his left eye, painfully.) What can 
 our destiny be in connection with these words 1 Its sad 
 change is unbearable. Child ! how much is yet left of 
 the period of Prince Kumbhakarna's sleep ? 
 
 Trijata. 
 Grandfather ! on this very day of the dark fortnight, 
 the fourth month is completed. 
 
124 MAHi.-VfEA-CHAEITA ; OB, 
 
 MalyavIn. 
 What ! is the time of his aw^aking so very distant 
 even now 1, (Bemembering.) But, when I think over it, 
 alas ! only the young boy is far-seeing, whose habit of 
 acting without thought produces good results ; and 
 when I reflect again and again, I look forward only to 
 him as the source of the continuance of our race. 
 
 Teijata (tremhling). 
 My grandfather! alas ! alas ! may the evil be destroyed 
 and the bad omen averted. 
 
 MaLYAvAn. 
 "What is it 1 
 
 Teuata. 
 
 These words of policy that my grandfather has uttered 
 have only ended in another evil omen. 
 
 MIlyavan. 
 Child ! it was not because I wished it that I spake 
 this. But thus it will terminate. For he falls not in any 
 place except where something great is to result, and he 
 has not a thought of evil, being pure by his birth like 
 this sun, which leaving the mountain where it sets re- 
 volves in the boundless sky, and is followed by the Hght of 
 day. Therefore in the remedies against this, it is only left 
 for us to wake up our sleeping mind. Enough of this. 
 Child ! knowest thou in what matter our chief Rivana 
 is occupied ? 
 
 TeijatI. 
 
 Grandfather ! our king has now ascended the tower 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eImA. 125 
 
 called all-fortunate, and stands looking at the grove of 
 Acoka-trees, wliere she who is a night of destruction to 
 the race of demons dwells ; besides, as I was coming 
 here, I heard these tidings, that the queen too, grieved 
 at heart upon hearing the account about our city, was 
 gone thither to inform him of his danger. 
 
 Malyavan. 
 Child ! the Queen Mandodarf, whose mind is anxious 
 to inform him, is superior, woman as she is ; but not so 
 the king, who though informed rouses not himself. 
 Therefore come, let us go within, and consider what 
 our spies must do. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 END OF THE VISHKAMEHAKA. 
 
 Enter Eavana {full of longing). 
 
 Eavana (beholding SitI). 
 
 If her face be here, what need is there of the moon 1 
 If her eyes with rolling glances, what need of clusters of 
 lotuses 1 If her brows arched like waves, what need of 
 the bow of the self-born one 1 If her well-pressed hair, 
 what need of lines of clouds ? If this her body, what 
 need of the goddess of beauty 1 
 
 (With 2}leasure arising from memory.) Oh ! now that 
 I am in the enjoyment of that pearl of women, that 
 came forth from the all-nourishing earth when pierced 
 by the mouth of the plough, my wish has borne fruit 
 after a longtime. (Reflecting.) This surely is the trust 
 of propitious destiny. (Proudly.) But what is this 
 
126 MAHl-VfRA-CHAEITA ; OR, 
 
 destiny ? If I should crush, the universe, and then from 
 this division of the world raise up another, and give 
 Brahmd his place of authority; and, after making his 
 peerless and brilliant gloiy, and his fame into a sun and 
 moon, should then take much repose, there would be no 
 blame of idleness. (With compassion.) But what anger 
 can there be towards those who deserve my pity ? 
 
 JEnter Ma^jdodari and a Handmaid. 
 
 Handmaid. 
 
 Here, lady! this is the entrance to the way of the sUver 
 staircase, therefore let my lady ascend. 
 
 Mandodari (beholding Eavana). 
 How is it that the great king EAvana remains here ? 
 (Looking intently.) Why does he look towards the gi'ove 
 of Acoka-trees ? {JVith pain.)_ How comes it that when 
 such an attack is made by an ally of the enemy, the great 
 king EAvana seems indifferent to his duty as a king ? 
 {Approaching near.) May the great ten-headed king 
 be victorious ! 
 
 Eavana {showing a suppression of his emotions). 
 What ! is it Mandodari ? 
 
 [Thus speaking, he makes her sit down at his side. 
 
 Mandodari {obeying). 
 Oh, great king! what thinkest thou about this matter? 
 
 Eavana. 
 What matter? 
 
the adventures of kama. 127 
 
 Mandodari. 
 The attack made by the enemy's ally. 
 
 ElvANA {with a loud laugh). 
 
 What ! that there is an enemy, that he has an ally, 
 and that he has made an attack — this that my queen 
 has heard is a thing unheard of. I with my two arms 
 at once resisted the tusks of the wild sky-guarding 
 elephants on the field of battle ; and with my four hands 
 opposed by main force even the lords of the celestial 
 quarters, aforetime unvanquished ; and the skin of my 
 chest is scarred by the fall of weapons, the flaming 
 thunder-bolt, and others : but still I am rivalled, and have 
 an enemy. This that is spoken is some unheard of madness. 
 
 Be it so ; still, I should like to hear, Queen, who 
 he is. 
 
 MandodarL' 
 
 'Tis reported to be Eitma the son of Dacaratha, accom- 
 panied by his younger brother ; and his general is 
 Sugriva, who is followed by hosts of monkeys of all 
 
 sorts. 
 
 Eavana. 
 
 What ! the ascetic and his younger brother. What of 
 that ill-fated one ? What will he do by their means ? 
 
 Mandodari. 
 It is the host that is dreaded, great king. Besides, 
 after he had encamped his army on the shore of the 
 ocean, he summoned the ocean-god ; and, when he did not 
 come forth from his abode, then he (here the queen changes 
 from Prdkrit to Sanskrit) shot an arrow a little within the 
 
128 MAHi-VIEA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 cavity of the ocean, by the might of which in half a 
 moment the whole water, revolving again and again with 
 the motion of a wheel, became crimson with boiling; and 
 its shoals of sea-monsters began to faint, and its swarms 
 of tortoises suddenly to burst asunder, and its countless 
 mermen to swoon ; whUe a strange sound rang out, and 
 its shells and pearls were plainly seen. 
 
 Eavana (with contempt). 
 
 What then ? 
 
 Mandodaei. 
 
 Then, great king, the ocean-god, with his body 
 covered with numbers of sharp arrows, the ends only of 
 which were visible, came forth from' the water; and 
 honouring him by falling at his feet, pointed out the 
 way; and thus friendship was formed with that bold one. 
 So it is reported. 
 
 EiVANA (with laughter). 
 Be it so, it is reported. "What sort of way is it, 
 queen ? 
 
 Mandodaei. 
 
 great king ! a causeway is made by means of moun- 
 tains brought by thousands of monkeys. 
 
 Eavana. 
 Queen ! thou hast been deceived by some one. The 
 great depth of this lord-of-waters is indeed unknown ; 
 surely not even a corner of his belly would be filled 
 by all the mountains that are in Jambudvipa, or the 
 other islands. 
 
THE ADVEXTDKES OE eImA. 129 
 
 Beside, when the queen called him bold, she had 
 almost forgotten my boldness ; but my witness is Civa, 
 to whom water for the feet was offered in streams of my 
 blood, fresh, and pouring largely from the veins of my 
 necks which kept growing up : whose feet too were 
 honoured with my heads in place of lotuses, the beauty of 
 which shone in smiles, which had tears of joy like abun- 
 dant honey. 
 
 Mandodari. 
 Know, great king, that the structure of the bank 
 is somewhat strange ; for at the touch of the hand of a 
 certain monkey those rocks stand up on the water. 
 
 EXVANA (shaJcing his head). 
 
 To fancy " that rocks swim," is that incurable ignor- 
 ance of women. Queen, what need of more words 1 
 The poet of sacred lore knows my learning, the husband 
 of Cachi my command, the thunderbolt my strength, 
 these three worlds my fame, the mountain KaiMsa 
 my power. What more ? Oh ! the god of the keen- 
 edged axe, whose feet were bathed in my streaming 
 blood instead of water, knows my daring also. 
 
 [Behind the scenes a loud confused cry. 
 
 MandodaeL 
 
 O great king ! help ! help ! 
 
 [ With these words she looks at him with fear. 
 
 Eavana. 
 queen ! away with thy fear. 
 
130 MAHA-VIRA-CHAEITA ; OR, 
 
 {Again a voice behind the scenes). 
 troops of demons that guard the gates of Lankd ! 
 Give up quickly your tall and heavy gates, throw down 
 the bolts heavy as rocks ; then bring forth all your arms, 
 and think of your families ; keep the lives of your chil- 
 dren and young women free of harm, and have regard 
 for your stores of grain. Rdmabhadra accompanied by 
 his younger brother, and surrounded by monkeys headed 
 by Sugrlva, is come. 
 
 TJie Chambermaid half enters from behind the scenes. 
 
 Chambermaid. 
 Here on the threshold of the door stands the General 
 Prahasta desirous of informing your majesty. 
 
 RAVANA. 
 
 What ! the General Prahasta ? Let him enter. 
 
 Chambermaid. 
 As your majesty commands. [Uxit. 
 
 Enter Prahasta. 
 Prahasta. 
 Oh ! the all-powerful deeds of the stripling of a man. 
 For he crossed hke a mere cow's track the lord of waters 
 (ocean), which was terrible and rough, with a line of 
 huge breakers on all sides ; and approaching slowly with 
 his eyes fixed upon Lank4 encamped his army on the 
 rugged top of the mountain SuveM, and then surrounded 
 by certain powerful monkeys occupies in person the 
 outskirts of the city. {Looking in front.) What ! is this 
 the king of Lank4 1 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF bXmA. 131 
 
 EAVANA. 
 
 My good general ! what is the cause of this loud 
 noise 1 
 
 Prahasta {speaking to himself). 
 
 What ! is the king still in ignorance ? Let it be, I 
 will inform him of the state of affairs. {Aloud.) The 
 city has been carefully secured, the gates are closed, and 
 a defence is maintained on all sides by the trusty and 
 loyal demons. 
 
 Ravana. 
 
 What is this ? 
 
 Prahasta [to himself). 
 How is it that he is in the very same state 1 Let it 
 be. {Aloud.) Sire, king of Lank4 ! thy city is block- 
 aded by a mere stripUng of a man who is accompanied 
 by his younger brother, so that stores of grain, and the 
 like, are hard to be got. 
 
 Enter the Chambermaid. 
 
 Chambermaid. 
 Sire ! Here is a monkey who says that he is the am- 
 bassador of E4ma, and waits on the threshold. 
 
 Ravana {with contempt)^ 
 A monkey ! Let him enter. 
 
 Chambermaid. 
 As your highness commands. [Exit. 
 
 Enter ivith Angada. {To Angada.) 
 Here is the king ! Approach. 
 
132 MAHA-TIEA-CHARITA ; OE, 
 
 Angada {approaching). 
 May the king of Lankd, the follower of the supreme 
 one, be victorious ! 
 
 ElVANA. 
 
 You are a follower of Sugriva. 
 
 AJigada. 
 Not so. 
 
 Eavana. 
 Whose then ? 
 
 Angada. 
 
 king of Lank4, listen who I am, and on what ac- 
 count I am come. I am an ambassador by the command 
 of EAma, who is hke a terrible forest-fire to the armies 
 of proud demons ; and I am come to instruct thee in his 
 words. Give up Siti, and pay homage to the feet of 
 Saumitri, accompanied by thy sons, kinsmen, friends, 
 and females ; otherwise, difficult as thou art to be 
 vanquished, thou wilt be punished by his arrows. 
 
 Ravana (laughing). 
 Even the monkey is talkative. What should I say ? 
 
 Angada. 
 
 1 am of little account ; but do thou finally determine. 
 Shall thy heads this day be bowed down and touch the 
 nails of his lotus-like feet, or the mouths of his sharp 
 arrows 1 Say, which wilt thou of these two 1 
 
 RaVANA (angrily). 
 
 Who is here 1 Let him purify the mouth of this vain 
 speaker. 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OP eImA. 133 
 
 Peahasta. 
 Sire ! he is an ambassador. Is anger then proper 1 
 
 RlVANA. 
 
 To amend his mouth indeed would be an answer to 
 , the ascetic. 
 
 Angada (gesticulating a thrill of excitement with bristling 
 hair) . 
 Thinkest thou I would return without giving, as an 
 offering to the quarters of heaven, thy heads which 
 droop as the collar-bone is crushed by the bold attack of 
 my claws piercing and rugged as a sharp saw, one claw 
 to each head, if I were not dependent upon the will of 
 another in that I am the ambassador of the chief of the 
 Eaghus ? 
 
 [Re then jumps up and departs. 
 
 RivANA (watching). 
 Ah ! the agility easy to his race and beyond prevention ! 
 
 Prahasta. 
 Sire ! my heart longs to receive the line of letters con- 
 taining your command. 
 
 EaVANA. 
 What ! Need any command be asked in this case ? Let 
 the bolts on all hands be broken, and let the battle be 
 commenced on all sides by the demons, who are proud 
 by reason of their strength famous in all worlds, and 
 who are able to thrust back foes ; and repelling the 
 destructive weapons of the enemy, let their arms be 
 
134 MAHA-VfRA-CHARITA ; OK, 
 
 broken in pieces ; and let the monkeys wto pride in 
 their leaps and idle jumps be stricken down again and 
 again. 
 
 {Behind the scenes a lovd cry ; ' all listen with fear. Again 
 a cry is heard behind the scenes). 
 
 The bravest of the demons are slain by the chiefs of 
 the monkeys whose stature is terrible, and the terraces 
 are everywhere strewed with slaughtered fiends ; and here 
 these in their desire to escape outside, blind with passion, 
 have been slain in the midst in a moment ; and the tall 
 gates are broken in every quarter by the huge rocks 
 hurled at them. 
 
 Eavana {holing up and watching angrily). 
 
 How is it that, from attachment to the ascetics, the 
 gods too, headed by Indra, who know not themselves, 
 and are filled with emnity towards me, arouse themselves 
 to the battle 1 Therefore, queen ! go within ; and I 
 too, with some of my arms, will scatter to the quarters 
 of heaven the wild and overgrown monkeys ; and with 
 my other powerful arms I will crush those two stripling 
 ascetics, the actors in performing the play of war ; and 
 with the rest I will drag down those wicked gods, who 
 have merely taken advantage of my neglect, which is 
 trivial, but is reflected in their own minds ; and casting 
 aside mercy, I will fill my prison with them. 
 
 [He walks fiercely round and leaves the stage. 
 
THE ADVENTUKES OF RAMA. 135 
 
 Enter in a chariot Indra with Attendants and his 
 Charioteer Matali. 
 
 MAtali. 
 
 Sire, ruler of the sky ! Since here, over Lankd, a shout 
 resounds loudly from the demons running to and fro, 
 powerful, and rushing about more than thousands in 
 number; — a shout furious as the sweep of conflicting 
 waves in the seven oceans, which roll greatly as in the 
 time of the deluge ; therefore, I infer that the com- 
 mander of the night-stalkers is about to march forth to 
 battle. 
 
 Indra. 
 
 Charioteer ! see, see ! The leader of demons, seeing 
 the attack to be very firm, has suddenly thrown open 
 the gates in haste ; and accompanied by his sons, 
 brothers, servants, and thousands of demons, is gone 
 forth from the city, causing all the inhabitants of the 
 forest to fly apart. {Re gesticulates listening to the sound.) 
 Ah ! who is this, that comes here, in haste from the 
 quarter of Kuvera in an aerial car garlanded with a 
 wreath of golden tinkling bells 1 
 
 Charioteer. 
 
 Sire ! it is Chitraratha ; upon whom your majesty 
 alone conferred the great favour of installing him in the 
 sovereignty over the kingdom of heavenly spirits. 
 
136 MAHi-Vf RA-CHARITA ; OE, 
 
 Enter Chttrakatha in an aerial car. 
 
 CHITEAilATHA. 
 
 Success to the king of the gods ! 
 
 Indra. 
 King of the heavenly spirits ! is thy mind fixed upon 
 seeing the battle ? 
 
 Chitraeatha. 
 
 That is one reason ; but there is another also. 
 
 Indra. 
 What other? 
 
 Chitraratha. 
 The command of the king of Alak4. 
 
 Indra. 
 What manner of command 1 
 
 Chitraratha. 
 A certain sickness* difficult to be cured, which has 
 increased from the day of my birth, or, perhaps, one 
 that prevails over the three worlds ; this is the day of 
 its destruction by the wiU of destiny. Whether its 
 termination wiU be happy or unhappy, that is what I 
 have been sent to learn. 
 
 Indra. 
 Such is the wish even of kinsmen. 
 
 Chitraratha. 
 What wonder ! for those relatives are mutual enemies. 
 * i.e., Edvana. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF rAmA. 137 
 
 The craftiness, too, of him, whose actions are bad and 
 whose wont is to carry off the car and other treasures 
 is well known. Nay rather, the whole range of living 
 creatures in the three worlds, pained by his arrogant 
 and evil deeds watches anxiously for the victory of the 
 son of Raghu from its love to him. 
 
 Indra (looJdng intently). 
 King of heavenly spirits ! Since here, from the top of 
 the mountain SuvelA, the army of monkeys has suddenly 
 risen up in disorder, causing the ends of the quarters of 
 the sky to re-echo with their loud screams ; therefore, I 
 think the demons have now hurled their weapons. 
 
 Chitraratha. 
 King of gods ! see, see ! The ruler of the demons here 
 standing in his car huge as a mountain-peak, a leader * 
 of those whose minds know well the joy of war, deafens 
 on all sides the hollow vault of the sky with the ceaseless 
 screams of living creatures, redoubled by the echoes of 
 the mountains in the ends of the quarters. 
 
 Indra. 
 
 King of G-andharvas ! the equipment which it becomes 
 
 warriors to use is not evenly balanced in the case of these 
 
 two. (In haste.) Charioteer; offer my war chariot to 
 
 R^mabhadra. I too wiU ascend the aerial car driven 
 
 by the king of Gandharvas. 
 
 [He does so. 
 
 * A better reading would be preshtha = very dear to. 
 
138 MAHl-VfRA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 Charioteer. 
 As the king commands. 
 
 Chitraratha. 
 King of the gods ! how are we to avoid this turmoil ? 
 For the battle is begun by the huge demons and 
 monkeys, who have suddenly broken their ranks, and 
 whose senses are stunned by blows of the fist, and drag- 
 ging of hair, and the discharge of arms; so that the way 
 is become difficult to pass through by reason of the 
 streams of blood, that spring forth from the corpses 
 shrunken in the painful crush of bodies together. Again, 
 here on the ground of the battlefield is a heap, raised 
 up by the huge and haughty bodies of rival heroes 
 stricken down by the act of cleaving their stalwart arms, 
 which are large and skilful in severing the heads and 
 trunks of warriors ; — a heap rugged, and resembhng the 
 mountain Chitrakuta, where reptile-soldiers lurk in 
 thousands, terrified by the attack of the enemy. 
 
 Indra. 
 King of aerial spirits ! Here the heroes, with their bodies 
 smeared all over with streams of blood running from 
 countless wounds caused by the blows of arms, desist from 
 the attack, and rest for half a moment on the borders of 
 the battlefield ; while the heat of the sun is screened by the 
 shadow of the broad pinions of the vulture-kings which 
 are speeding in their haste to devour the hearts covered 
 with torrents of blood pouring from warriors pierced 
 with darts. Here too the combatants, through whose 
 thick skin now torn away the flesh is hacked, while the 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF RAMA. 139 
 
 mass of entrails is plainly seen, and the large blood- 
 vessels, bones, and sinews are cut to pieces, each one in 
 the pride of his valour, eagerly receive on their chests in 
 front the sword of a rival. 
 
 Chitraratha. 
 King of gods ! The entrance of the chief of demons 
 into the battle is unparallelled in its manner. Tor well 
 worthy to be seen on the field of battle is on the left 
 side Meghanida surrounded by his hundred brothers, 
 and on the other side Kumbhakarna, who is roused up 
 and whose pride is overbearing among heroes ; here the 
 circle of the kinsmen of Kaikasi, exceeding great, stands 
 in the rear ; while he who is most impenetrable, like the 
 Vindhya mountain, occupies the centre sitting in the 
 front of his chariot.* 
 
 Indra. 
 King of aerial spirits ! E4mabhadra is indeed fear- 
 less, though he sees the enemy who is bold in his 
 attack. But this is truly becoming ; since those lofty 
 mountains, exceeding great in strength, move not a bit, 
 though the loud storm-wind blows in every quarter ; 
 and those oceans too, the extent of which is unknown, 
 and the greatness of whose waters is seen in their vast 
 depth, leave not their boundary. 
 
 Chitraratha. 
 King of the gods ! see, see ! The mighty chieftain 
 of the Eaghus has left with sorrow his younger brother 
 
 * Here E^vana is meant, though his name is not given. 
 
140 MAHi-VIKA-OHABITA ; OK, 
 
 who is bent down in respect, and whose fingers bright 
 as a young shoot are engaged in stringing his bow for 
 the destruction of MeghanAda, and selecting for his aim 
 the king of demons, who is skilled in the battle, and who 
 is accompanied by his younger brother, adorns again 
 with his touch the bow-string. How will this succeed? 
 Methinks it is a difficult matter; for the demon warriors, 
 each one assailing him, conceal the scion of the race of 
 the sun with showers of arrows in thousands, mak- 
 ing on all sides a simultaneous attack. And yet what 
 is difficult ? Even these two, passing strong, whose 
 authority and greatness none can fully declare, and the 
 discharge of whose arrows is telling in its effect of break- 
 ing the weapons of the enemy, shine brightly on the 
 field of battle. {Looking all around.) Ah ! how is it 
 that even these monkeys in the great combat of the 
 enemy, declaring their respective names, five or six only 
 in number worship the sole of the foot of EAmabhadra? 
 For Sugrlva is in the front of the chariot, and Angada 
 here at the back, JAmbav^n and the future king of Lank4 
 on the two sides, five or six only. {Refieding.) But 
 Hanuman waits upon the younger descendant of Kaku- 
 tstha. {Excitedly. ) 'Tis well for two reasons that they only 
 are attendants upon the lotus-like feet of EAmabhadra ; 
 since in their case loyalty to their master and courage 
 declare their bodies to be unscathed ; but in the case of 
 the rest the attack made by the demons, and their own 
 utter helplessness, is plainly seen. 
 
 Indra. 
 King of aerial spirits ! in the world of mortals compas- 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eXmA. 141 
 
 sion is a mere handful of powder, which can make sub- 
 ject all the senses ; for the son of SumitrA is not inferior 
 in certain qualities, such as dexterity of hand ; and the 
 son of E^vana who excels in valour, and whose great- 
 ness is well known, is not inferior in strength ; while thus 
 their respective powers are evenly matched, a shower of 
 arrows indeed keeps flying between EAma and the chief 
 of demons, but all the while their glances are filled with 
 compassion. 
 
 Chitearatha. 
 
 King of the gods ! this is very proper. Thus the 
 high-minded feel the impulse of compassion. {With 
 great eagerness.) Mark, king! The night-stalkers, 
 like lofty mountains, sorely wounded to their very 
 vitals by Lakshmana's arrows, which are like thunder- 
 bolts, run for a short time, and then He down upon the 
 battlefield. Even the leader of the demons, seeing 
 many of his sons fallen, has left his attack upon 
 Edma, and fearing evil, rushes swiftly to the side of 
 Meghan^da. Therefore I fear this may prove a misfor- 
 tune. 
 
 Indea. 
 
 King of aerial spirits ! What misfortune can happen 
 here 1 These scions of the race of Kakutstha are invin- 
 cible in might. For just as the chiefs of the night- 
 stalkers, more than thousands in number, are but one 
 mark to that hero ; so is the ten-headed one also, though 
 he is the pride of the assembly of warriors who excel in 
 battle. 
 
 Chitearatha. 
 
 King of gods ! when an attack is made by many upon 
 
142 MAHA-vfRA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 one, a glorious termination falls not to the lot of many 
 mortals. {With surprise.) Let the king of gods look 
 here. When the chief of demons issued forth in haste, 
 Kumbhakarna, though eager for the war, was dismayed, 
 pierced by the arrows of the leader of the Eaghus. And 
 Kumbha too, when he saw his father brought to this 
 state, rushed to the attack with speed, like to pride em- 
 bodied or a lofty and moving mountain. {With surprise.) 
 Oh ! the ease with which the monkey race can enter an 
 aperture ! Since a monkey suddenly opposed midway 
 upon the field of battle Kumbha, who was swiftly 
 rushing to attack the first scion of the race of Daca- 
 ratha. {Looking very intently.) What ! Sugriva indeed ! 
 {With misgiving.) He, who cannot brook resistance, 
 has fiercely crushed him in his stalwart arms, and fling- 
 ing him to the ground, trampled upon him, and pounded 
 him as one pounds grain. {With fear.) And Kumbha- 
 karna, when he saw this, rushed to the attack, and run- 
 ning very furiously, seized Sugriva ; but he, skilftiUy 
 releasing himself, cut off Kumbhakarna's nose, and thus 
 at the same time took away the shame of his sister. 
 
 Indra. 
 King of aerial spirits ! Look here ! The chief of Eag- 
 hus has quickly achieved a very wondrous exploit upon 
 MeghanAda the leader of demons, whereby he has 
 suddenly brought blindness upon the enemy. Alas ! a 
 requital very difficult to be wrought has here overtaken 
 the descendant of Eaghu. For, as soon as he shook off the 
 serpent-like meshes hurled by MeghanAda, which by the 
 power of spells approach unpcrceived, and are hard to 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF EAMA. 143 
 
 be broken, by employing the weapons of the chief of 
 birds ; immediately the leader of the demons wounded 
 him deeply in the heart with his hundred-killing weapon, 
 fiercely, and in great anger, so that he fell suddenly upon 
 Haniiman, swooning and helpless. 
 
 Chitraratha. 
 King of gods ! here is a very wondrous conflict. For 
 when he learned the fainting of his brother from the 
 future king of LarikA, E4ma, with his inner feelings made 
 known by the sorrowful state of the hero, longed to see 
 him even in that state ; and though he was surrounded 
 on all sides disorderly by the army of the demons headed 
 by Kumbhakarna, he then again wrought this remedy; 
 since that mighty chieftain of the Eaghus attained in form 
 that very state which aforetime the destroyer of cities 
 assumed in his conquest of Tripura, and after cutting to 
 pieces in a moment the younger brother of the king of 
 demons with his arrows, reduced to ashes also his army, 
 and went eagerly towards his younger brother. {Watch- 
 ing closely.) Ah ! the passing affection of the chief of the 
 Eaghus ! whereby he understood the state of his younger 
 brother the moment he perceived him. {Looking round 
 with joy.) By good fortune I see there is safety for these 
 princes of the race of Eaghu ; since in this great ocean 
 of calamity that threatens these two, fear has seized 
 upon the leader of the demons with his followers from 
 the death of Kumbhakarna. {Again looking at both of 
 them.) How is it that they are still insensible ? This 
 silence that is come upon them is of evil hap, since the 
 demons have many wiles, but the enemy is utterly help- 
 
144 MAHl-VfEA-CHAEITA j OE, 
 
 less ; such is their state, whUe the monkeys their allies 
 are also powerless. I know not therefore what destiny- 
 will do in this case. 
 
 Indra. 
 King of aerial spirits ! why hasi thou this distrust ? 
 See, the son of the wind, the chief of those whose great- 
 ness is beyond thought, lives and comes to his senses. 
 He now, with the hair bristling from the pores of his 
 skin, resembling a shower of dust whirling round at the 
 destruction of the world, while the circle of stars is cast 
 aside by the huge sweep of his tail bent a little at the 
 end, with energy corresponding to his zeal has leaped 
 up high in his strength, and after going to some place 
 or other in a moment has wisely returned bringing a 
 huge mountain. 
 
 Chitraeatha {tlioughtfully and pleased). 
 
 King of gods, see ! Like a cluster of lotuses by the in- 
 fluence of the moonlight, like iron by the influence of the 
 magnet-stone, like one who has entered the ocean of exist- 
 ence by the influence of true knowledge sweet as nectar, 
 so these two by the breeze from the mountain brought by 
 Han^iman suddenly revive. The power of things is indeed 
 hard to be understood. (Looking towards the south.) What ! 
 here is the king of Lank4. Again he comes against the 
 enemy bringing with him the army of demons, like the 
 water of the ocean which breaks from its boundaiy at 
 the end of the age. (Bcjtcctiiig.) But this time the 
 cowardly demons, though many thousands in number 
 consider not about these two, that they despised that 
 
THE ADVBNTDEES OF eImA. 14-5 
 
 army though its chief men were numerous and unshackled 
 by scruples of honourable warfare, and destroyed it so 
 as to leave Eiivana and Meghanfida alone remaining. 
 {Again watching Lahhmana.) Thus like a jewel cut 
 upon the stone, like the sun free from dense clouds, like 
 a sword drawn from the scabbard, or a hooded serpent 
 casting its skin, suddenly the chief of Eaghus shines 
 forth. What can be the cause 1 What other than the 
 divine healing plant, whose greatness and inconceivable 
 power prevails 1 {Watching.) What ! the battle is again 
 commenced by the warriors that march in the van of the 
 monkeys and demons ; for on the battlefield one army 
 with sharp " arrows, the other with fierce claws, their 
 minds full of self-pride, pierce each other with repeated 
 blows J and they wear on their breast, late scented with 
 fragrant powder, the dust of the ground upraised in the 
 furious conflict. {Emmining closely.) The difference 
 perceptible between these two armies is like that be- 
 tween deep darkness and the light of dawn in the morn- 
 ing twilight ; for this army of demons each moment de- 
 creases more and more, while the infinite qualities of the 
 monkeys increase. 
 
 Indea. 
 
 King of aerial spirits ! a great slaughter has again 
 been begun on this side. The son of Eavana, leader of 
 the demons, and Lakshmana, chief of the Eaghus, have 
 suddenly joined in single combat ; and, while their skill 
 in the bow is seen in the passing strength of their throb- 
 bing arms, since each has an equal power of resistance 
 to the use of charmed weapons, they have made their 
 
 K 
 
146 MAHA-VIKA-CHARITA ; OK, 
 
 troops feel contempt for the fiames that will spread at 
 the Tirorld's end. 
 
 Chitraeatha. 
 
 King of gods ! This deadly conflict between the two 
 mighty warriors cannot easily be prevented ; for they 
 have long filled the heavens with their shouts, the sky 
 with showers of arrows, and the surface of the earth 
 with the bodies of their enemies cleft in two ; and they 
 cause us, as we look on, to lose the range of vision, 
 which is dimmed with streams of tears, and to be 
 covered with bristling hair rising up and full of trem- 
 bling. {Looking very fixedly.) How is it that only 
 one thing becomes very conspicuous, ascertained both 
 by perception and inference ; since I see that the 
 conduct of Efighava is ten times superior to the 
 conduct of Rivana, and I infer that it is infinitely 
 superior from the death of the demons that fall at his 
 side? {Loohing round with curiosity and surpise.) All 
 those night-stalkers, as many as went forth from the 
 city, with their banner-like arms waving the sword, 
 fighting front to front with the enemy, and incited by 
 tlje pride of their throbbing limbs, have been strangely 
 reduced in a moment to the state of locusts in the fire- 
 like splendour of D^carathi, which is fanned with wind 
 from the wings of showers of hurled arrows. (Thoitghl- 
 fidly.) Such indeed is this creation composed of the 
 five elements ! Those demons, for whom even the 
 three worlds were not sufficient to stand upon, now 
 in death rest on this lower world only. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eImA. 147 
 
 Indra. 
 King of aerial spirits ! See ! Those two, Eama 
 and Rdvana, excite wonder by their combat ; for 
 EAvana, whose heads are swiftly cut oif by the arrows 
 of the two sons of Eaghu, being but one seems like 
 many, and those two with their pleasing qualities 
 deserve the praise of the enemy ; and as they merely 
 watch for a long time, a glory beyond description 
 attaches to them, while their energy and courage fail 
 not, and their arrows also cease not to cut the hero's 
 heads. 
 
 (A voice is heard behind the scenes.) 
 
 Rfimabhadra! why even now dost thou lightly 
 regard this wicked one? Why neglect this matter 
 which ought to be accomplished at once 1 Just listen. 
 Your majesty should obtain SltS ; the people who are 
 in the three worlds the joy that is proper ; the young 
 descendant of Pulastya the city, and Eavana here his 
 own immortality. What rdore can be said here 1 The 
 assembly of saints, to whom the highest truth has been 
 revealed, should receive peace in their minds, in which 
 joy is increased by calmness. 
 
 Chitraeatha (listening). 
 What ! here is a company of divine sages urging on 
 the two sons of Eaghu to destroy their foes. To 
 whose mind does not the destruction of the wicked give 
 pleasure ? (Hurriedly and with great eagerness.) King 
 of gods ! See ! The heads of Edvana, the chief of 
 demons, and of his son after him, were cut off by the 
 
148 MAHi-VfEA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 two sons of Eaghu with arrows, effectual by help of 
 remembering the immortal arms of the supreme; and 
 then on the battlefield the headless trunks of the demons, 
 and with them the demon-women frantic with grief, 
 fell upon the ground ; but on the head of the glorious 
 sons of Dacaratha fell a shower of flowers from the sky. 
 
 Indra {looking towards the tiriTig-room and with 
 delight). 
 
 King of aerial spirits ! See ! The gods here filled 
 with joy upon hearing the tidings of the death of 
 the ten-headed one, the enemy of the three worlds, 
 accompanied by sages of placid minds wish to keep 
 some festival, and are waiting only for me. I will 
 therefore go to gratify their wish. Do thou too gladden 
 the ruler of AlakA, our dear friend, by informing him of 
 these tidings. 
 
 [All walk round and then retire. 
 
 END or THE SIXTH ACT. 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF eIma. 149 
 
 ACT VII. 
 Enter the Patron Goddess of LankA full of grief. 
 
 LankA {with loud lamentations). 
 Alas ! great King E^vana ! thou that wast pampered 
 by thy marriage with the goddess of warriors in the 
 three worlds, thou that didst wrongly pride thyself on 
 thy stalwart arms able to protect the whole world of 
 demons ! Alas ! thou that didst offer up thy lotus-like 
 centre face when thou didst worship the feet of the lord 
 of creatures ! Alas ! thou glory of the sons of Kaikasi. 
 Alas ! thou that didst tenderly love the circle of 
 thy kinsfolk ! where can I see thee 1 Alas ! Prince 
 Kumbhakarna ! Alas ! dear Meghanada ! where art 
 thou ? give me an answer. {Looking round.) How 
 is it that no one speaks ? {Looking up.) Alas ! cruel 
 sport of destiny ! why art thou thus changed ? And 
 yet what blame attaches to destiny for this ? Surely it 
 is only his own bad actions that are come to this evil 
 end. 
 
 [Thus with loud lamentations she weeps. 
 
 Enter Alaka. 
 Alas ! since of the company of demons, so great as 
 it was, even in a moment only Vibhlshana is left; 
 how is it that this change of state, strange and unparal- 
 lelled, has befallen the king of demons ? {Listening to the 
 sound.) What ! here is my young sister Lankd wailing 
 and afilicted with grief at the late bereavement of her 
 husband. {Approaching.) Sister, be comforted. 
 
150 MAHi-VIKA-CHAEITA ; OB, 
 
 Lanka (Reflecting). 
 AVhat ! my sister Alakd. 
 
 Alaka. 
 Sister, be comforted. Such indeed is the way of the 
 world. 
 
 - Lanka. 
 
 Ah, sister ! whence can I have comfort ? I am bereaved 
 of everything save my maidens, while the Prince Vib- 
 hishana alone remains to continue the race. But even 
 he by reason of our sad misfortune serves the enemy. 
 
 Alaka. 
 Ah, sister ! 'tis not so ; he is not indeed our enemy. 
 
 Lanka. 
 How so? 
 
 Alaka. 
 
 He to whom he was an enemy is gone, and the 
 enmity is gone. But now the son of Dacaratha, whose 
 prosperity is famous in the three worlds, is our natural 
 friend. 
 
 Lanka (reviving). 
 
 What ! is he such t 
 
 Alaka. 
 He is indeed. 
 
 Lanka. 
 
 How can he who was such towards our kings have so 
 changed 1 
 
 AlakI. 
 
 Why dost thou thus speak without due inquiry? 
 Listen ! When the pride of the race of Eaghu attended 
 
THE ADVENTTJKES OF BAM A. 151 
 
 only by his brother at the command of his father entered 
 the DandakA, forest, proper* treatment was shown him 
 by this thy ruler of the demons, and this is the full re: 
 suit of that action. 
 
 LankI. 
 
 But why art thou come hither at such a moment as 
 this? 
 
 Alaka. 
 
 When his half-brother, descendant of Pulastya, learned 
 these tidings from Chitraratha, the king of aerial spirits, 
 he sent me to instruct his kinsmen that are left, and openly 
 to install Vibhishana in the kingdom of Lanka, and to 
 give directions for presenting RSmabhadra with the 
 chariot, the best of cars, that was carried off by RAvana. 
 
 Lanka. 
 
 Ah ! how is it that even the lord of treasures, the 
 friend of the divine ruler of creatures, himself honours 
 EAmabhadra ? 
 
 Alaka. 
 
 What wonder at this 1 He, indeed, is the truth to 
 those who possess the highest knowledge ; he is the 
 ancient male visible before us ; he is nature triply 
 divided, of himself come down to protect the good upon 
 earth. 
 
 Lanka. 
 
 But how could our lord the king of demons be 
 ignorant of this 1 
 
 * This is said in irony, she really means improper treatment. 
 
152 mahI-vika-chakita ; oe, 
 
 AlakI. 
 Ah, my dear sister ! Seeing that his infatuation was 
 increased by the greatness of a curse, he is guilty of no 
 trespass. 
 
 [^ noise behind the scenes. Both listen eagerly. 
 
 (Again a cry behind the scenes.) 
 
 Give heed, you creatures that move in the three worlds. 
 The god of great renown (Indra) accompanied by Vasu, 
 Arka, and Eudra, is come in person to salute the virtuous 
 lady. Do thou, best of the Raghus, honour Sita who is 
 the stay of thy life, and whose purity is declared by her 
 entering and coming out of the fire. 
 
 Alaka. 
 
 What ! even the gods here salute the divine SitA, who 
 has entered and come forth from the fire, in order to 
 dispel the suspicion of the rumour of unchastity arising 
 from her residence in the house of E4vana» The glory 
 of faithfulness to her husband is increased by another 
 glory. This is a marvel, or perhaps it is in accordance 
 with the way of the world. 
 
 LankI {listening). 
 
 What ! Songs blended vAth. auspicious notes are 
 heard. 
 
 Alaka (looking towards the tiring-room). 
 
 Ah ! Vibhlshana, whose happy inaguration has 
 been performed at the command of EAmabhadra by 
 nymphs who are come down to congi-atulate Sita on her 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF KAMA. 153 
 
 purity, and by divine sages, conies towards EAmabhadra 
 in a celestial car. Come then, let us satisfy our eyes by 
 beholding the high-minded one who is deserving of 
 praise for his peerless and natural greatness. 
 
 {They walk round and leave the stage. 
 
 END 01" THE VISHKAMBHAKA. 
 
 Enter Vibhishana in a celestial car. 
 
 I have carried out the command of E4mabhadra ; for 
 honour was paid to M^tali, and after him the captive 
 women who belong to the world of gods, whose cheeks 
 were marked with wounds made by floods of tears that 
 fall without ceasing, while their golden bracelets 
 dropped down, wearing only one braid of smooth 
 hair, with garments very miry from rolling upon the 
 ground, went forth with smiles. {Approaching.) Suc- 
 cess to Edmabhadra. Sire, your command, which thus 
 concluded, is accomplished. The prison-houses, that 
 were filled with captive women, are now adorned with 
 chains of gold worthy to be seen, and with banners. 
 And here is that best of chariots, called Push- 
 paka, unimpeded in its motion, of coveted speed, 
 under control, the action of which is ever obedient 
 
 to the wUl. 
 
 Eama. 
 
 'Tis well, king of Lank^ ! 'tis well done. {Towards 
 Sugriva.) Friend, descendant of the sun, what now re- 
 mains ? 
 
154 M AH A- Vf EA-CHAEITA ; OB, 
 
 SUGRIVA. 
 
 That bane of the three worlds, although his greatness 
 was declared by his haughty stalwart arms, has been 
 rooted out ; and the outrage to the divine Sitd has been 
 atoned for ; and a treaty has here been concluded by in- 
 augurating the all-excellent Vibhishana. But now the 
 Prince Bharata, who heard the news with all its details 
 from Hanuman, who was bringing the mountain Drona, 
 is sorely afflicted. Let the son of the wind be dispatched 
 to bear tidings to him, and do thou adorn the best of 
 chariots. 
 
 EaMA. 
 
 At the pleasure of our dear friend. 
 
 [He mounts tlie car. 
 
 {All gesticulate an ascent of the cMriot.) 
 
 Sita {speaking aside to Lakshmana). 
 Where shall we go now ? 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 queen ! to Ayodhyd, the capital of the race of the 
 Eaghus. 
 
 SiTl. 
 
 Is the period of our residence in the forest ended 1 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 It is, queen ! this very day. 
 
 [All watch the motion of the cliariot. 
 
 Sfxi {with surprise). 
 Prince ! what axe these neighbouring places that are 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eImA. 155 
 
 seen in the distance, the southern part of which we 
 cannot determine, and the darkness of which extends on 
 all sides ? 
 
 Eama. 
 These, queen ! are the confines of the earth ; but 
 visible there is the first form of the eight-formed one, 
 consisting of water, and called by men ocean, the inner 
 depth of which is beyond limit. 
 
 SfTl. 
 The form of which was made by our ancient fathers- 
 in-law, thus it is said in the tradition of the learned. 
 But what is this that appears in the middle of it, like a 
 white garment spread widely in the parts that are 
 covered with fresh grass ? 
 
 Laxshmana. 
 queen ! this is the new causeway seen in the ocean 
 like a pillar of fame to tell the exploits of the noble one,, 
 built by the leaders of the monkeys who carried out the 
 command of their chief with energy and pleasure, and 
 who caused the peaks of tall mountains to be brought 
 from the ends of the quarters, the greatness of which is 
 worthy of worship to the world's end. 
 
 EIma {pointing with his finger). 
 brother ! thou rememberest these parts, where 
 circles of creeper-houses covered with dew are dark- 
 ened by the shade of clusteriug Tamdla- trees, and where 
 fuU and clear streams of cataracts fall from the top of 
 the high peak of the Malaya mountain ? 
 
156 maha-vf ea-chaeita ; oe, 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 Brotlier ! they are those parts indeed ; and not far 
 hence is that old cavern where we passed the night, 
 while the heavens were rent with roars, and the huge 
 cloud, deafening with peals of thunder, kept rolling 
 in the sky through the fury of the storm-wind, and the 
 deep darkness of the trees as it met the eye confused 
 and blinded it, and the rain-cloud poured. I know it 
 by the bamboos. 
 
 SfTA {speaking to herself). 
 Alas ! the thoughtlessness ! Why did I, unhappy one 
 that I am, cause these high-minded heroes to experience 
 so different a state at the hands of the demons ? 
 
 VlBHfSHANA. 
 
 King Edmabhadra ! here the lands on the bank of the 
 river Kaveri are seen, and on the skirts of the neigh- 
 bouring mountain the numerous hermitages are known 
 by the tall and decayed trees, by the grounds covered 
 with betel-trees, close, pouring showers of sap from 
 the Kuhall trees ; where dwell saints to whom the 
 supreme has been revealed in their firm penance and 
 meditation, and who are witnesses to the duration of 
 the world. And not far hence towards the south, in the 
 ground adorned by Lopamudrd, there shines a splendour 
 arising from the saint Agastya. 
 
 Eaila. 
 What ! Is the hermitage of Agastya passed ? He, in 
 whose sport this ocean became a desert, and by whom 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA. 157 
 
 the Vindhya mountain was spoiled of its play and gave 
 up its increase ; and in tlie fire of whose belly the body 
 of the demon VAtApi melted. Within the range of whose 
 speech does that saint of unimpaired soul come 1 Hence 
 those high-minded ones are powerful beyond measure, 
 and witnesses of the inner soul of the universe. How 
 then are they not worthy to be bowed down to 1 
 
 [All bow. 
 {A voice is heard in the sky.) 
 
 Do thou, with thy younger brother, protect the people. 
 May thy fame abide to the end of the world! May 
 thy name " R4ma " be able to give immortality to those 
 who pronounce it ! 
 
 EaMA (listening). 
 What ! He who makes obeisance to the great sage is 
 highly favoured with a voice that possesses not a body. 
 
 [TJie rest applaud. 
 
 ViBHiSHANA. 
 
 King E^mabhadra ! These are the places in the neigh- 
 bourhood of the river PampA, where the tokens perceived 
 after a long time forcibly attract the eye ; for a part of 
 that decayed palm-tree which was pierced by a single 
 arrow shines in front ; and here by reason of countless 
 shafts the famed V411 experienced only for a moment 
 the monkey-state he assumed in play. Saumitri here 
 cast aside easily with a kick of his foot the heap of 
 bones. Your majesty saw the state of the headless 
 demon, and the upper garment of the queen in the 
 hand of Hanuman. 
 
158 MAHA-Vf EA-CHAEITA ; OE, 
 
 SiTA {to herself). 
 Was my upper garment seen by the prince in the 
 hand of Haniiman ? 
 
 EaMA {remembering). 
 Ah, queen ! when you -were carried away helplessly, 
 your upper garment fell, and that was the first token we 
 obtained. As soon as it was seen, it became like the 
 brightness of an autumn moon to our eyes, and a shower 
 of camphor-powder to the body, and copious sprink- 
 ling from a jar of nectar to the mind. 
 
 [SfTA gesticulates shame. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 That vulture king, the friend of our father, quickly 
 following the wicked demon in this forest, left his Umbs 
 enfeebled by old age, and obtained a new body of 
 renown. 
 
 Sixi. {to herself). 
 How is it that such deep distress is said to have be- 
 fallen those high-minded heroes on account of me ? 
 
 SUGRiVA. 
 
 Queen ! "We are passing over those boundaries of the 
 
 DandakA forest where the demons Trimurddhan, Khara, 
 
 and Dushana with their followers went somewhere in 
 
 , their desire to search for the lips, nose, and ears of their 
 
 sister. 
 
 SiTA {trembling). 
 Alas ! how is it that the demons are again heard ? 
 
THE ADVENTUEES OF eAmA. 159 
 
 Ei.MA. 
 
 queen, away with thy fear. Their name alone is 
 left. The destruction of the demons arises from the 
 mere twang of the bow of Saumitri, as the destruction 
 of elephants' from the roar of the lion. {Looking 
 intently). What ! the motion of this most excellent of 
 chariots seems changed. 
 
 ViBHiSHANA. 
 
 sire ! This mountain Sahya is very high indeed, and 
 must be passed in order to reach Aryyavartta. There- 
 fore, in order to surmount it, even this chariot leaves a 
 little its proximity to the middle world. 
 
 Lakshmana. 
 The middle world, marked by the feet of the first 
 male, is worthy to be seen. 
 
 [All watch closely the speed of their ascent. 
 
 Eama (beholding with astonishment). 
 The visible god, author of the ancestors of our race, 
 treasure of splendours, great essence of the three Vedas 
 endowed with a form, the sun, is very near through the 
 ascent of the heavenly chariot. 
 
 [All bow, folding their hands into the form of a clove. 
 
 Sit A (looking up). 
 
 Ah ! how is it that even in the daytime there appears 
 as it were this circle of stars ? 
 
 Eama. 
 Queen ! it is indeed a circle of stars ; but owing to 
 
160 MAHA-VIEA-CHAEITA ; OB, 
 
 the great distance we cannot perceive it in the daytime ; 
 as our eyes are dimmed by the rays of the sun.- Now, 
 that distance is removed by the ascent of the chariot. 
 
 SIta {with surprise). 
 How comes it that flowers seem to be blooming in the 
 garden of the sky ? 
 
 Eama {looking round). 
 Ah ! the world seems to have the divisions of its 
 quarters indefinable, for the traces of the earth cannot 
 be clearly perceived by reason of the distance, but those 
 of the sky seem everywhere the same. 
 
 SUGRIVA. 
 
 king ! I well remember what time I was united in 
 friendship to my brother, and wandered at will in the 
 ends of the world ; for these are the two mountains 
 where the sun rises and sets, in the lap of which the 
 sun and moon pass infancy and old age in ease and 
 without fear. Look here, king ! these are the two 
 mountains Kailasa and Arijana, equal in height and 
 width, like the two breasts of the earth tinted with 
 sandal and musk. And here is the golden mountain, 
 and next is the mountain GandhamAdana, the peaks of 
 which touch the sky; and after that are the lands 
 impassable to such as me. 
 
 EAma (JooVing round and speaUng hurriedly and icitk 
 
 surprise). 
 How is it that everything suddenly comes within the 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF RAMA. 161 
 
 range of the eye ? And the order of creation is clearly 
 determined. 
 
 SlTA. 
 
 Oh ! some object here appears, unseen before, and 
 strange indeed. It is neither man nor beast. 
 
 EaMA. 
 
 Queen ! This is a pair of horse-headed demigods. 
 Such spirits as these roam in great numbers in these 
 districts. 
 
 ViBHiSHANA. 
 
 What ! 'They are coming towards us, perhaps they 
 may bring some command from the king of Alak4. 
 
 {A voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 O king, jewel in the race of the sun ! Eamabhadra ! 
 as we were going to Sdketa to praise your majesty com- 
 manded by the king of the mountain of demigods, thou 
 didst appear before our sight midway, because of the 
 propriety of our journey. Obedience to his command 
 tends to great merit, for thus is perceived that splendour 
 which belongs to the order of manifestations of the 
 ancient male. 
 
 [They pass round to the right and praise him. All look on. 
 
 (A Demigod behind the scenes.) 
 
 O Eimabhadra J thou who art kind to the distressed 
 and the sole friend to the people in the world ! thou who 
 art to the wise as a cluster of lotuses to swans ! May thy 
 
162 MAHA-VfEA-CHAEITA ; OB, 
 
 fame for a thousand years be enjoyed by the good, who 
 are like to chakora birds, and who are perplexed by 
 birth, and the like events of life. 
 
 (A Female Spirit behind the scenes.) 
 
 As long as this orb of the world endures on the head 
 
 of the chief of serpents ; — as long as the sky is decked 
 
 with hosts of stars ; so long, Vaidehi ! may thy praise, 
 
 spotless and holy, be sung in the world by those of noble 
 
 conduct. 
 
 The rest. 
 
 We are well pleased. 
 
 Ei-MA. 
 
 king of Lanka ! from long walking I find no plea- 
 sure in this place, it is better therefore that we should go 
 hence, nearer the middle world. 
 
 ViBHfSHANA. 
 
 These are the pure feet of the father of Gauri, whose 
 rocks are washed by the river of the gods, and shine 
 Avith portions of camphor, and have the bark of decayed 
 birch trees ; where there ever shines a lustre — naturally 
 pleasant and bright — of the saints, the darkness of whose 
 ignorance has been dispelled by the Ught of truth, and 
 who possess a knowledge of the supreme spirit, and 
 know the Veda. 
 
 Lakshjiana. 
 Noble brother ! how is it that these neighbouring 
 places of the earth suffer not our eye to perceive any 
 other objects that were before well known ? 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF EAMA, 1 63 
 
 Eama {looking and remembering quicUy). 
 Brother ! here are the grounds of the penance grove 
 of the saints, the neighbourhood of which is made pure 
 by the walking of Kaucika's feet ; where the second 
 king of Videha, the honoured pupil of YSjnavalkya, and 
 the saints who enjoyed the nectar-like pleasure of his 
 conversation, sported with us, and we indulged in the 
 play that is proper for infancy. 
 
 SiTA {to herself). 
 What ! do I hear the name of my uncle ? 
 
 \_She looks eagerly round. 
 
 Eama. 
 O king of Lank4 ! it is not proper now to ride in the 
 chariot in these districts that are purified by the lotus- 
 like feet of our preceptor. 
 
 {A voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 Eama and Lakshmana ! the holy pupil of Kric4cva 
 commands you. 
 Both {making a sign to the goddess of the chariot to stop it). 
 
 We are attentive. 
 
 {Again a voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 Do you two go to the city as you are, and delay not 
 on the way ; the glory that accompanies Arundhati 
 awaits you there. I also, who am busy now performing 
 the rites of the third season, will come in two hours. 
 
 Both. 
 
 As our instructors command. 
 
 [Again they urge on the chariot. 
 
164 maha-vira-charita ; oe, 
 
 Eama. 
 Oh ! even these high-minded ones are full of compas- 
 sion, so great that, although the time of their penance 
 and meditation is divided into small portions, even in 
 that small portion they watch for our approach. Per- 
 haps it is seemly, since hy the fulness of their mercy 
 they are kindly disposed towards the deer of the her- 
 mitage and the trees. What then are they towards 
 men 1 Moreover, our birth only is in the house of kings 
 bom in the line of the sun ; but our training, which 
 consists chiefly in the knowledge of arms and charmed 
 weapons, came frfem this high-minded priest. 
 
 ViBHfSHANA (looking). 
 How is it that suddenly the skies are covered with 
 the dust of the earth as by showers of dew ? 
 
 [All look with surprise. 
 
 EaMA (thoughtfully). 
 I think Bharata has learned tidings of us from the 
 son of the wind, and is coming mth the army to meet 
 me. 
 
 Enter Hanuman {bowing so as to touch his feet). 
 sire ! Bharata, who stood for a long time thinking 
 of some great deed in his mind, when he learned from 
 me the tidings, started out ; and now wearing matted 
 hair and bark dress, and pronouncing the name of Rama 
 of eternal power, approaches with his whole nature again 
 and again frantic with joy. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF RAMA. 165 
 
 Eama (Joyfully). 
 We are quite overjoyed at the thought that we 
 shall obtain after so long a time the friendship of the 
 prince. 
 
 Laeshmana {inquiringly.) 
 
 Friend Hanuman ! where is he 1 
 
 Hangman. 
 Thou seest those five or six in front of the army. In 
 their midst is the general, the high-minded Bharata, ac- 
 companied by his younger brother. 
 
 [Lakshmana looJcs. 
 
 SiTA (beholding.) 
 What ! He appears altered. 
 
 ViBHiSHANA. 
 
 prince of chariots ! This moment stop. Let these 
 high-souled ones enjoy the pleasure of each other's em- 
 brace, by seeing and clasping in their arms and honour- 
 ing their kinsfolk after their long separation. 
 
 \_AU gesticulate a descent from the chariot. 
 
 Enter Bharata and Cateughna surrounded by several 
 chieftains. 
 
 Eama {gidcldy raising up Bharata, who had fallen at his feet). 
 Come here, brother ! This day thy touch, rough as 
 the budding fibre of the best of lotuses, makes me 
 almost realise the pleasure of the supreme. 
 
 [After closely embracing he lets him go. 
 
166 MAHA-VIRA-CHAEITA ; OK, 
 
 (Lakshmana falls at the feet of Bhahata and embraces 
 him. Catkughna salutes Eama arid Lakshmana.) 
 
 Eama and Lakshmana. 
 Honour the stay of our race ! 
 
 (Bharata and Catrughna low down prostrate before Six a.) 
 
 Sixi.. 
 Princes ! may you be welcome to your elder 
 brothers. 
 
 Eama. 
 Dear Bharata and Catrughna ! This king of monkeys 
 here became a boat to us in the ocean of our calamity ; 
 and here is his friend, the king of Laukd, ever engaged 
 in the cause of holiness. Therefore embrace them. 
 
 [He points to Sugriva and Vihhishana. 
 
 (Bharata and Catrughna embrace them and pay tJie 
 customary honours.) 
 
 Bharata. 
 Noble brother ! Our family preceptor the holy Maitr- 
 dvaruni, has collected together all the vessels for inau- 
 guration that you may ascend the throne, and awaits 
 your majesty's command. 
 
 E.viiA {speaking to himself). 
 The feet of Kaucika are worthy of respect, and the 
 holy Maitrdvaruni makes this request. Be it so. a suit- 
 able answer shall be given. (Aloud.) As our family 
 preceptor requests. 
 
 lAll icalk round. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eImA. 167 
 
 Enter Vasishtha and Arundhati attended by the wives 
 of Dacaratha. 
 
 Vasishtha (to himself). 
 "We are very busy about E^ma from the joy we feel 
 at the thought that he is worshipped here externally by 
 the eye^he who is the support of the earth, and full of 
 virtues like a mine of countless precious stones, the em- 
 bodied development of the good deeds of those mortals 
 whom he has succoured, and pleasant by reason of his 
 mercy. Be it so, still we must follow the way of the 
 world. (Aloud.) You wives KaucalyA and Sumitr^ ! 
 
 Both. 
 Let the family preceptor command us. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 Your children are returned to you unscathed. 
 
 Both. 
 'Tis due to the power of your blessings. 
 
 Arundhati (looking at Kaikeyi). 
 Daughter Kaikeyi ! why art thou thus afflicted ? 
 
 Kaikeyi. 
 Mother ! Through my misfortune, wretched woman 
 that I am, even the whole world speaks vile words, 
 saying that through the mouth of Manthari the second 
 mother became the cause of her children's exile. How, 
 therefore, can I behold their face 1 
 
168 MAHA-VIRA-CHARITA ; OR, 
 
 ARXTNDHATi. 
 
 Daughter ! Away with thy false fears of slander. The 
 noble princes at once perceived this matter with their 
 inner eye. 
 
 All. 
 How so ? 
 
 Aeundhati. 
 
 Curpanakhd wearing the form of MantharS did this at 
 the instigation of Mdlyavan. 
 
 All. 
 Alas ! the wicked plots of the demons that pain even 
 the women that stand here ! 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 On this happy occasion, away with all sorrow. Why 
 even on this day is there mention of the plots of 
 demons ? 
 
 Rama {belwlding Vasishtha joyfully). 
 
 Here is the holy Maitr4varuni, at the sight of whom 
 my mind seems to melt, as the moon-stone melts in 
 the light of the full moon. (Speaking to Lakshmana.) 
 Brother, come here. 
 
 Both (approaching). 
 Honoured preceptor of our race ! EAma and Laksh- 
 mana salute you. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 
 Do you two, my children, whenever you have leisure, 
 be to my eyes an ornament preceded by modesty, holi- 
 ness, and knowledge. 
 
 (Both salute ArundhatI.) 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF niUA. 169 
 
 Arxjndhati. 
 May your desires be gratified. 
 
 (Both salute all the Mothers in order.) 
 
 All of them {embracing Eama and Lakshmana and 
 
 hissing their head). 
 May that which we are thinking of befall you. 
 
 (SIta approaches and salutes Vasishtha.) 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 Daughter ! Mayst thou become the mother of a hero. 
 (Sita salutes ArundhatL) 
 
 Artindhati {closely embracing Sita). 
 LopAmudr^, Anasily4, myself and thou, — let the chaste 
 wives be now, Jdnaki ! four in number. 
 
 (Sita salutes her Mothers-in-law.) 
 All. 
 Daughter ! Mayest thou become the mother of a 
 prince who will prove the support of the race. 
 
 {A voice behind the scenes.) 
 
 Citizens ! go to your homes, and celebrate the festival 
 
 to-day. And you, oificers, attend long to your respective 
 
 duties. And you, Br4hmans ! place here the vessels as 
 
 ordered; the chief of the Kucikas, the pupil of Kricdcva, 
 
 commands you. 
 
 Vasishtha {listening). 
 
 Oh ! this is due to the excellent good fortune of the 
 prince, that the divine Kaucika is come in person to 
 place him on the throne. 
 
170 maha-viea-chaeita ; oe, 
 
 The rest. 
 We are pleased. 
 
 Enter Vicvamitra attended by pupils. 
 
 ViCVAlIITRA. 
 
 The plan that I formed in my mind when I took him 
 from the hand of Dacaratha to destroy the enemies of 
 sacrifice, and the energy that was shown in the corre- 
 sponding act have, through the propitiousness of destiny 
 and the might of his efforts, borne fruits to us, and we 
 are now satisfied after anointing the glorious Rdma in 
 the kingdom ; and at the thought of this we are more 
 and more pleased. [He walks round. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 This is that Kaucika, whose natural glory as a warrior 
 and whose splendour as a Brihman exceed all. What is 
 there in him, a store of wonder surpassing the world, 
 that is not astonishing 1 
 
 (Vasishtha and Vicvamitra approach and salute each 
 other.) 
 
 Vicvamitra. 
 Honoured Maitr4varuni ! what dost thou wish to- 
 day. 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 
 Let the proper sacrifice be made. 
 
 ViCV^UiiTRA {addressing the assembhj of divine sagci<). 
 Let the inauguration of EAmabhadra be made. 
 
 [T/ie rest carry out what is iwassary. 
 
THE ADVENTURES OF eImA. 171 
 
 {^4 Sound of celestial drums behind the scenes. All hehold 
 with wonder a shower of flowers.) 
 
 Vasishtha. 
 What ! The divine Indra with the world's guardians 
 approves of the inauguration of Rdmabhadra. 
 
 Rama (ivho has received the auspicious rites of inauguration, 
 approaching Vasishtha and Vicvamitra). 
 preceptors ! I salute you. 
 
 Both. 
 EAmabhadra, pleasing by thy virtues ! Do thou, 
 attended by thy brother, bear the burden that has long 
 been borne by the kings of earth, headed by IkshvAku. 
 
 The rest. 
 
 Let it be so. 
 
 Vicvamitra. 
 
 Son EAmabhadra ! 
 
 Rama. 
 
 Let my teachers give me their commands. 
 
 Vicvamitra. 
 Let Sugriva and Vibhisliana, who have felt the joy of 
 the festival, be dismissed ; and let the car, which can 
 easily be had whenever it is desired, go to the king of 
 kings. [RaMA does so. 
 
 Vicvamitra. 
 Son Rimabhadra ! The harsh command of thy father 
 was borne, and his duty was performed, and the three 
 
172 MAHA-VIEA-CHAEITA, ETC. 
 
 worlds had their mental sickness cured by the destruc- 
 tion of, the demons ; the gods were satisfied, and the 
 kingdom was won by thee, accompanied by thy younger 
 brother, friends, and wife. What more than this can be 
 done ? Let that favour too be declared. 
 
 Eama. 
 Can any favour be greater than this ? However, be 
 this also with the approval of your majesty. May the 
 guardians of the world, free from indolence, protect the 
 orb of the earth. May the clouds pour down their rain 
 in due season ; may the whole kingdom be free from 
 calamity, and suppKed with grain : may poets make 
 sweet verses, which will give undying pleasure to the 
 world ; and may the learned go forth and teach men to 
 delight in the compositions of others. 
 
 ViCVAMITRA. 
 
 Jlay it be so. [Exeunt omnes. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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