THE
RAGHUVAMSA
by Kavikula Guru
Sri Kalidasa
translated by
P. DE LACY JOHNSTONE
THE
RAGHUVAMSA
THE STORY
OF RAGHU'S LINE
BY KALIDASA
TRANSLATED BY
P. DE LACY JOHNSTONE
96 RAGHUVANC'A [canto
So when her time was
come the chaste chief Queen
Brought forth a son,
Sun fit to banish gloom,
As phosphorescent
plants receive at night
The dying sunlight.
But the King, rejoiced
To see his winsome
beauty, "Rama" named
His son, chief
blessing to a longing world.
He, lamp of Raghu's
line, of peerless beam
Outshone the
brightness of the chamber-Hghts,
Which paled before
him. Lightened now, the Queen,
With Rama cradled near
her, shone as shines
—
Slim in the autumn—Ganga, lily-banked.
Kaikeyi bore a son,
with beauty dowered,
Great Bharat, whose
reflected loveliness
Made her more fair, as
Fortune is enhanced
By virtuous Conduct.
Sumitra brought forth
Twins, Lakshman and
^atrughna :—Foresight so
And Temperance Wisdom
fully-followed bears.
Now stainless showed
Creation, and the Earth
Displayed her virtues
: Heaven to Earth came down
In train of the
Supreme. At Vishnu's birth,
The Four-faced God,
those regions breathed anew
With purest gales, where
erst fell Ravan's dread
Had cowed the Gods.
Fire rising clear of smoke.
And Sun in cloudless
sky, shook sorrow off.
Who late had groaned
beneath the Giant's yoke.
Then shed the Fortune
of the Rakshasas
Hot tears, that fell
as jewels from the crowns
Ten-headed Ravan wore.
Through all high Heaven
tgo
200
X.] RAMA'S BIRTH 97
The drums celestial
preluded, on earth,
The royal trumpets
hailed the Princes' birth.
The Tree of Paradise
rained down its blooms
On palace-roof, fit
preface to the rites
That Fortunes high
demand, with wreaths from Heaven.
Cleansed as the Law
required, with fostering care
The Princes grew,
while grew their Father's joy,
As 'twere their elder
brother. Self-restraint, 220
Inborn, by modest
actions still increased.
As, fed with fragrant
unguents, Fire's bright flame
More brilliant shows.
They four, harmoniously
—
Not envying each the
other—nobly graced
Great Raghu's
blameless line, as each in turn
The seasons four adorn
the groves of Heaven,
So love fraternal
ruled ; but closest ties
To Rama Lakshman
bound, while Catrushna
With Bharat went, by
love peculiar joined.
Yet was not either
pair dissevered from 230
That other : Wind with
Fire is closest joined,
And Moon with
Ocean—yet this breeds no strife.
True Princes of their
people, splendidly
They bore them, yet
not haughtily,—and won
All men's great
love,—as at hot summer's end
Days of dark cloud are
pleasant. Gloriously
So shone the King's
four sons, as though to Earth
Came Virtue, Wealth,
and Joy, and Final Bliss.
Their Father well they
loved : by virtuous deeds
G
98 RAGHUVANCA [canto
They made him glad, as
the Four Seas with pearls 240
Served him, sole
Monarch of Four Continents.
As with his tusks
Heaven's mighty elephant
Breaks the sword-edges
of the Daitya-host,
As kingcraft wins
success by skilful wiles,
As by His league-long
arms great Vishnu's self
Shines glorious,—so by
these four sons Divine
Shone the great
Monarch o'er his world-wide realm !
XI.] SITA'S WEDDING 99
CANTO XI
Ramals Triumph a?id
Marriage with SUA, and his Defeat of
Paracu Rama. >
Hear now my tale
:—While Rama still was young,
And wore a boy's dark
curls, came Kaugika
To beg him from the
King, those foes to curb
Who marred his
sacrifice : in hero-souls
Mere age is not
regarded. Him the King,
Though hardly he had
won him, honouring
The perfect Sage, with
Lakshman gave at once
:
No suppliant ere went
back ungratified
From Lord of Raghu's
race, not though he asked
As boon the Monarch's
life. Forthwith the King lo
Bade deck the highways
for their passing out,
Forthwith the clouds
wind-driven arched the sky,
And rained down
flowers. That mighty warrior-pair,
Swift to obey their
Father's will, bent low
Before his feet, and
as they bowed his tears
Fell on them passing
forth to far-ofif toils.
Now, deeming that the
Saint had only craved
Rama with Lakshman
following, the great King
100 RAGHUVANCA [canto
His all-prevailing
prayers bestowed as guard,
But not an armed host.
The archer-boys, 20
Their locks bedewed
with tears their Father shed,
Went with the Saint,
the people's anxious looks
Half-shading all their
way. The Hero-pair,
Their mothers leaving,
kissed their royal feet.
Then followed where
the glorious Saint led on,
—
Like summer months
that course behind the Sun.
Childlike, unsteady
paced they, fair to see.
With lissom arms like
crested waves that dance.
As streams, when
rain-clouds gather, work and whirl,
As suits their name.
Till now they only trode 30
Smooth inlaid floors,
yet by the potent spells,
Bala, Atibala named,
which the Saint
Had taught them on the
road, they walked untired
As at their mother's
side. Time-olden tales,
Told by their Father's
friend, in legend skilled.
So lifted them and
carried, scarce they felt
That now they
walked—nor missed a chariot's ease.
The lakes sweet waters
gave, and birds gay songs.
Winds scented pollen
waved, and clouds spread shade
For them so passing.
More than lakes that stretch 40
Bright with the lotus,
more than restful trees.
They beamed on
hermits' eyes, and cheered their hearts.
The grove of penance
when with lifted bow
Sweet Rama entered, by
his lovely shape
—
But not by wanton
act—he showed like Love
Whom Civa scorched.
Then passing on the way
XI.] SiTA'S WEDDING
101
Which thrice-accursed
Taraka laid waste,
(For so the Saint had
taught them), all in sport
They bent their bows
and strung them. At the sound
The Demon-maid
appeared, black as dark night 50
When wanes the
moon—her ear-drops polished skulls,
That on her swarthy
neck gleamed white as cranes
Lined 'gainst a dense
cloud-bank. On Rama then
She swooped, and
rushing shook the wayside trees.
In ghostly
grave-clothes clad, with gruesome screech,
As whirlwind issuing
from a charnel-house.
But Rama, when he
marked her onslaught fell,
—
One lean arm raised,
men's entrails hanging low
Down to her waist—at
once let fly his shaft.
Nor shamed to slay a
woman. Such a wound 60
His arrow in her
flinty bosom made,
That Death
therethrough among the Demon-hosts
First won an entrance.
For the arrow cleft
Her heart ; she
clanging fell, and shook the Earth ;
Not only so, but
Ravan's kingdom too
Her falling shook—the
Master of the worlds.
Struck to the heart by
lovely Rama's shaft
Resistless, spite of
all her horrid charms.
Her sandal-wood and
gore, the Demon-queen
Passed to the home
where Death reigns Lord of life. 70
When Taraka was slain,
the Saint, well-pleased
With Rama's prowess,
gave the missile dread,
Spell-wielded,
Demon-slaying,—as the Sun
Gives to the Sun-gem
flaming fire to hold.
102 RAGHUVANgA [canto
Thereafter Rama,
coming to the grove
Once hallowed by the
Dwarf, as told the Saint,
Unwitting of his
former life, was natheless seized
With eager longing.
Thence the Sage passed on
To where himself did
penance, where his host
Of pupils sacrificed,
and as in prayer 80
The tree-tops lowly
bowed, and deer looked up
To greet their coming.
There the Princely boys
Stood firm to guard
the duly-cleansed Saint
From all disturbing
foes, as Moon and Sun
Alternate rising with
their radiance save
The world from
blinding darkness. Sudden fell
A terror on the
priests, for they beheld
The altar- floor
defiled with blood-gouts, broad
As Bandhujiva
blossoms—at which sight
They ceased their
pious rites, and cast away 90
The sacrificial
ladles. Instantly
Upgazing, Rama from
his quiver drew
His arrow, saw in air
a Demon-host
With banners waving,
fanned by vulture's wings.
Then at the two Chiefs
only, not the rest.
He launched his shaft
: so Vishnu's bird, whose might
Mates Cesha,
Serpent-King, deigns not to war
On water-snakes.
Skilled archer, on his string
He laid the keen,
swift shaft, the Wind-god's child,
And at Maricha loosed
it ; like a stone, 100
Or withered leaf, the
ponderous Demon fell.
The second leader
then, Subahu named,
XI.] SIT A^S WEDDING
103
Who flitted to and
fro, by magic art,
With steel-shod shafts
the cunning Archer smote,
And gave him to the woodland
birds a prey.
Then, freed from fear
and unimpeded now,
The pious Priests
praised both the hero-boys,
Next in due order all
the sacred rites
Performed for their
great Chief, to silence vowed.
He, purified and
hallowed, solemnly no
Blessed both the Princes,
bowing reverently
With waving locks, and
on them laid his hand.
Pierced by the holy
grass :—Age blessing Youth.
But now the King of
Mithila had made
A mighty sacrifice,
and bade the Sage.
He thither went, and
with him Raghu's sons,
Whose keen desire he
spurred to see the Bov,-
World-famous. And at
night they took their rest
Where wave the
pleasant trees of Gautama,
Sainted Ascetic, whose
fair spouse—deceived
—
lao
Short space to Indra
yielded. For that sin
She turned to stone,
nor sooner her fair form
Regained, till, after
ages, holy dust
From Rama's blessed
feet fell on her limbs.
Now, when King Janaka
had heard the Saint
Was come, with Raghu's
sons attending, straight
He went to meet them,
showing honour due
To Virtue's self, with
Wealth and Pleasure joined.
The dwellers in
Videha*, glad at heart,
104 RAGHUVANgA [canto
With longing looks
devoured the Princes twain, 130
Like Punarvasu come
once more to earth,
Nor dared to wink,
lest haply they might miss
One moment's joy. Now,
when the Sacrifice
And altar-rites were
over, Kaugika
—
Who knew all fitting
seasons—told the King
How Rama longed to try
the mighty Bow.
He, when he saw the
lovely, high-born Boy,
And knew the Bow, how
stiff it was to bend,
Grieved he had set his
daughter's hand a prize
For thews and sinews
:—" Nay," he soon replied, 140
" Great Saint, it
were not meet a noble calf
Should vainly try a
task which all the strength
Demands of full-grown
forest elephants.
For, Sire and Saint !
thou knowest—many kings,
Skilled archers,
braAvny-armed from bowstring's use.
Have failed to draw
the Bow, and wrung their hands.
And crying—'Fie !
' departed." But
the Sage
Quick answered
:—" Know, O King, this Hero's might
Transcends all words :
thyself shalt see the proof
Upon thy Bow—as shows
a shattered rock 150
The lightning's
power." The Monarch, soon convinced
Of Rama's might,
though veiled in boyish mien
—
As Indra's beetle
holds the power of flame
—
Gave order that the
attendant host should bring
The Bow renowned, as
Indra thousand-eyed
Commands the ranged
clouds to show his Bow
Mild-beaming. Soon as
Rama saw the Arm,
THE TRIAL OF THE BOW
XI.] SiTA^S WEDDING
105
Fell as great ^esha
sleeping, eagerly
He seized it : 'twas
the Bow that ^iva used,
That mighty God whose
standard bears a bull, 160
To shoot the escaping
Victim as it fled.
On Rama wondering all
the assembly gazed
With fixed eyes, and
saw him string the Bow,
Unyielding as a rock,
not using more
Of strength (it
seemed) than Love puts forth to string
His own soft bow of
flowers. Nay more, that Bow,
Drawn by the Hero's
careless hand too far,
Snapped with harsh
thunderous sound, proclaiming loud
To wrathful Bhrigu's
son the Warrior-race
Again had raised its
head. The Monarch, glad 170
To hail such might
transcendent, snapping thus
Great Civa's Bow, to
Rama gave Sita,
His lovely daughter,
not of woman born.
Like Lakshmi born on
earth. His child the King,
Fulfilling so his
promise, straight bestowed
In presence of the
Saint :—fit witness he,
Not less than sacred
Fire, to bind their vows.
Then noble Janaka—his
household Priest
Revered—as envoy sent
to Kogala,
This message bearing
:—" Grant me, noble King, iSo
That through my
daughter's marriage Nimi's race
Be made thy servants !
"
Now the Father's heart
Was set for Rama e'en
on such a bride.
When lo ! the Brahman
came, and crowned his wish :
106 RAGHUVANgA [canto
So speedily a good
man's thoughts bear fruit,
As doth the
Wishing-Tree ! The Brahman's speech,
With lowly words due
prefaced, when he heard,
Great Indra's friend,
the Ascetic-King, set forth,
—
The Sun eclipsing with
his army's dust.
Surrounding Mithila,
he pressed the woods 190
That girt it round,
with close-investing host,
—
A friendly pressure,
which the capital
Endured, as brides
their bridegrooms' close embrace
Rejoice in. Those two
Kings, like Varuna
And Indra meeting,
skilled to mark fit times,
Then son with daughter
wedded, in such state
As suited with their
splendour. Raghu's Fame
Earth's daughter took
to wife ; and Urmila,
Her younger sister,
Bharat ; while the Twins,
Their mighty younger brethren,
mated them 200
With Kugadhvaja's
slender-waisted maids.
So wedded to fair
brides the Princes four.
With Rama chief, shone
glorious,-—as in States
Successful Kingcraft
shines by peace or war,
Or bribing foes, or
sowing discord dire.
Harmonious matched.
King's daughters with King's sons,
Each in the other
found their bliss complete.
In closest union
joined, as words unite
In ordered speech. The
King of Kogala,
The Princes four thus
wedded, well content, 210
Three marches by the
King of Mithila
Escorted on his
journey, homeward passed.
I
RAMA'S MARRIAGE
*^B R A /r
or THE
UNIVERSITY
_ or
XT.] SfTA^S WEDDING
107
The host swept on
:—but fierce opposing winds
Blew down the
flagstaffs, made the march a toil,
As river-torrents
overflow their banks,
And tear the fallow.
Then a stormy ring.
Portentous, clasped
the Sun,—as 'twere a gem
Borne by a snake the
King of Birds had slain
Amid the lissom coils.
The expanse of heaven.
Swept by grey
vulture-wings, and hung with clouds aao
Blood-dripping, awed
the sight. Grim jackal-troops
With hideous howling
hied them to the west.
To rouse (it seemed)
fierce Bhrigu's Son, long used
To appease his
father's ghost with Warrior-blood.
At these ill omens,
this tempestuous wind,
Awestruck, the prudent
King besought his Priest
To read the portents :
soothing, he replied
—
" All will be
well, my King ! " Then suddenly
A dazzling splendour
rose before the host,
Which soon with
clearer sight they pierced, and saw 230
A glorious
Warrior-shape. The Hero bore
His Brahman father's
cord, a mighty bow
Proclaimed his mother
born of Warrior-blood,
—
Like Sun and Moon
together met he seemed.
Or snake-girt
sandal-tree. For he it was
Who, when his Sire's
fierce rage burst bounds of right.
And bade him slay his
mother, did the deed,
—
First triumphed o'er
his heart, then o'er the world.
From his right ear a
string of Aksha seeds
Hung down, a score and
one, as numbering 240
108 RAGHUVANCA [canto
The times he had
destroyed the Warrior-race,
An awful chaplet. Then
the King despaired
At sight of Bhrigu's
Son, in whom fell wrath
(Stirred by his
father's fate) worked to destroy
The Warrior-seed ; for
yet his sons were boys,
And he defenceless.
Joy and dread at once
The name of Rama
brought him, borne alike
By his loved son and
by the mighty foe,
—
So snakes and chaplets
bear one common name.
Yet, " Welcome,
Saint ! " he cried : the cruel foe 250
Disdained his
greeting, rolling baleful eyes.
That blazed with wrath
'gainst all the Kshatriya race,
To where young Rama
stood,—and thus addressed
The Prince advancing
fearless, while his bow
He firmly grasped, and
'twixt his fingers laid
The arrow on the
string, as hot for strife :
—
" I hate the
Warrior-brood : they wronged me first,
And I destroyed them,
winning rest ; but now
Thy valour and renown
have stirred my wrath.
As when a sleeping
snake at blow of staff 260
Starts up enraged.
'Tis rumoured thou hast broke
The Bow of Mithila,
not bent before.
Though oft attempted :
exploit this, I deem.
Which blunts my horn
of glory. Yea, my name,
The name of Rama,
famous through the world,
Thou also bearest, and
thy thirst for fame
Must cast reproach on
me. Know then, I hate
With equal hatred only
two,—the King
XI.] SITA'S WEDDING
KM)
Who stole away the
sacred Calf, and thee,
Offending equally,
whose hand would snatch 270
My honour from me :
yet I bear an Axe
That splits the
stubborn rock, and my renown
Is stablished on the
smiting of thy race,
—
Which yet delights me
not if thou be left
Unconquered ; for the
might of Fire is shown
By blazing in the
waves no less than when
Dry tinder feeds it.
Know that ^iva's bow,
Which thou didst
break, had lost through Vishnu's power
Its primal virtue : so
a soft-breathed gale
Lays low a tree which,
on the river's brink, 280
The stream has
undermined. But take my bow
(Be this the test !),
string it, and draw when strung,
The arrow firmly laid
: then, only then.
Will I confess thee
Victor, and avow
Thy prowess mates my
own. But, if thou blench
And dread my flaming
Axe-edge, then submit
!
And sue for mercy,
though that prayer be vain."
So spake with aspect
fierce great Bhrigu's Son :
But Rama, while a soft
smile curved his lips,
For fitting answer
stretched his hand to grasp 290
The offered bow :—that
weapon, once his own,
Again he clasped, and
laughed for joy : so clouds.
In new-born beauty
smile, but tenfold fair
Shine when the Bow of
Indra lends its hues.
Then, resting the
great bow a moment's space
Upon the ground to
string it, high aloft
110 RAGHUVANgA [canto
The mighty Hero raised
it : but the foe
Of all the
Warrior-race, like dying lamp,
Lost all his lustre.
Wondering gazed the host
Upon the twain, while
one in splendour grew 300
And waned the other
fast, like Sun and Moon,
When sets the Sun and
rises the Full Moon.
With mild-eyed pity
Rama saw his foe
Bereft of strength,
and saw the fatal shaft
Which on the string he
laid,—not less in might
Than ^iva's peerless
son,—and thus he spake :
—
" O Brahman-hero
! not without remorse
Can I resolve to smite
thee, though thyself
Wast first the
aggressor : choose thou then thy doom !
Shall this my shaft
destroy for thee this world, 310
Or that beyond, thy
pious actions' meed ?
"
The humbled Saint
replied :—" I know Thee now,
The Soul Supreme
incarnate ! wherefore, Lord,
Shouldst Thou be angry
that I longed to see
Great Vishnu's majesty
in Thee come down
To earth ? My
chastisement by Thee, my Lord,
Itself exalts me,
though my Father's foes
By me were burnt to
ashes, and I deemed
'Twas but a little
thing to give away
The World of land and
ocean. Wherefore now, 320
O Sage Divine ! I pray
Thee, leave me free
To haunt Earth's holy
places : loss of Heaven
Will scarce affect
whom pleasure least attracts."
And Rama answered
:—" Have thy wish ! " and turned.
XI.] StTA^S WEDDING
111
And shot his arrow
Eastward, barring so,
Spite of his merits,
for all time to come,
To Bhrigu's Son the
path to Paradise.
Then Rama clasped his
feet, and pardon craved :
To bear him humbly
toward a conquered foe
Fits well a Hero !
Then that Saint replied :
—
330
" My mother's
sinful nature now at length
Is cast off wholly ;
peace I win from strife.
My Sire's blest state
; yea, loss itself bears fruit
Matured and perfect,
by Thy favour, Lord
!
Now I depart
:—unhindered be Thy course
To work deliv'rance
for the Blessed Gods !
"
The Brother-princes
thus the Saint addressed,
And vanished from
men's sight. Then Rama's Sire
Embraced his Hero-son,
in pride and love,
As snatched from Death
; and now new-born deHght 340
Dispelled his
transient fear, as cooling showers
Soon quench a
forest-fire around a tree,
The woodland's pride.
So, after certain nights
Spent on the march in
pleasant rustic bowers.
The Monarch,
far-renowned as (^iva's self,
Reached his Ayodhya,
where the city-dames
Came crowding fast,
and filled the lattices
With eager eyes, to
gaze on Sita fair
!
112 RAGHUVANCA [cakto
CANTO XII
The Banishment of Rhna
; the Carrying-away of Sita ; her
Rescue^ afid Ravaiias
Defeat and Death.
Now Dagaratha, having
known all joys
Of sense, and entering
on life's final stage,
Neared his eclipse, as
fades before the dawn
The lamplight. Fearing
Kaikeyi, Old Age
Squat at his ear and
hidden in grey hairs
—
Urged that the Kingdom
be to Rama given.
Then rumour spread
that Rama should be King,
The people's Darling,
gave to every man
His inmost heart's
desire, as springs refresh
—
Spread through a
garden—every tree alike. lo
But when for his
Anointing all was ripe,
Kaikeyi interposed
with fell resolve,
Marred all the pomp,
and drew hot tears of grief
From her Lord's aged
eyes. In vain he sought
To soothe her
rage,—who urged more veh'mently
Two promises erst made,
as flooded plains
Drive hissing from
their holes two monstrous snakes.
One promise now she
used, for fourteen years
DACARATHA'S DISTRESS
XII.] TUIAL AND
TRIUMPH 113
To banish Rama,—with
the next she claimed
(Though well she knew
the cost, her husband's life), 20
For her own son the
Royal throne. With tears.
At bidding of his
Father, Rama took
The world-wide Realm,
but with all cheerfulness
Received the doom of
exile. Sore amazed.
The people marked his
aspect all unchanged,
Both when he wore the
robes of royal state,
And when the
bark-dress. Lakshman and Sita
He took for his
companions, and possessed
Both Dandaka's wide
forest and the hearts
Of all who virtue
loved : so he discharged 30
From stain upon his
truth his Kingly Sire.
That Sire,
heart-broken at his exile, knew
How by rash act of
yore he earned the curse
;
And, deeming only
Death could make him pure,
Forsook the throne and
sought for ways to die.
Then foes, that eager
watched for wasting flaws,
Pounced on the realm,
whose King was now eclipsed.
And Rama banished.
Aged councillors
The people,
masterless, sent to recall
Prince Bharata, then
with his mother's kin, 40
And dried their tears.
But when that noble Prince
Heard how his Father
died, the Kingly state
Grew hateful to
him,—and his mother too.
With armed host he
followed Rama's steps,
And marked with many a
tear where Hermits showed
The trees 'neath which
with Lakshman he had slept.
H
114 RAGHUVANCA [canto
When found in
Chitrakfita's forest, first
He told their Father's
passing ; next, he urged ,
Persistent his return,
to wed the Realm,
Whose charms now
withered unenjoyed. Himself so
He deemeB a mere
supplanter, gathering
The fruits of Earth,
while Rama still delayed,
His elder brother,
Fortune's hand to claim.
But Rama yielded not ;
he rather chose
His sainted Father's
doom to abide,—and gave.
Long-urged, as pledges
of his right as King,
The Royal sandals.
Then the Prince went back,
Yet entered not the
city ; but, encamped
In Nandi, ruled the
Kingdom as a trust.
Not as his own : firm
in his loyalty, 60
Not grasping at the
crown, pure Bharata
Made expiation for his
mother's crime.
But Rama with bright
Sita lived content
A forest-life,
sustained on forest-food,
And—with his younger
brother-—while in youth
Took up the life
austere and rigid vows
That bind in age
Ikshvaku's mighty line.
Now on a day when,
wearied with the chase,
His head awhile he
laid in Sita's lap.
Beneath a forest-king,
whose spreading shade 70
Was fixed by power
divine, great Indra's bird,
As 'twere in scorn of
Rama's love-contests.
Scratched with his
claws her breasts. She quickly roused
BHARATA'S ARRIVAL AT
CHITRAKUTA
"^B R A ;^'
or THE
UNIVERSITY
OF
XII.] TRIAL AND
TRIUMni 115
Her mighty Lord, who
with a blade of grass
The offender smote,
and bUnded one rash eye.
But Rama deemed his
refuge all too near,
Lest Bharat might
return to urge his suit.
And left the glades on
Chitrakuta's slopes.
Whose deer lamented
when he left. He passed
Far to the South, as
welcome guest received 80
In Hermits' huts ;—so
in the Autumn months
The Sun for southern
quarters quits the North.
Him following Videha's
Princess shone,
Bright as the
Kingdom's Genius, fain to woo
His Royal virtues, by
Kaikeyi's wiles
Forbid to wed him.
Perfumes strangely sweet,
From Anasuya's
ointment on her limbs.
She shed around her,
luring so the bees
From forest-blossoms.
Black as cloud of night,
A Rakshasa, Viradha
named, stood up, 90
Opposing Rama's march,
as Rahu's bulk
Obstructs the moon.
Then sudden from between
The guardian Brothers
he the Princess tore,
As drought licks up
the rain in Autumn months.
But him the Heroes
slew, Kakutstha's sons,
And,—ere the fetid
stench from his foul limbs
Could taint the
world,—they quickly buried him.
Then at Agastya's
bidding Rama fixed.
The bounds of right
observing, his abode
In wide Panchavati, as
Vindhya high 100
Stands stablished in
his might. To Rama there
116 RAGHUVANgA [canto
Came Ravan's sister,
faint with love, as seeks
A snake oppressed with
heat on Malaya
The forest's grateful
shade. Her shameless love
The crook-clawed Demon
told, nor shamed to tell
In Sita's very
presence : true it is,
That woman's
high-strung love respects no bounds.
She told her lineage
too :—but he replied,
—
" Ah, Maiden, I
am wedded ! seek the love
Of my young brother !
"—so the
love-sick maid no
Bull-shouldered Rama
counselled. She forsooth
Had sought out
Lakshman first, and so returned
Again to Rama, as
alternately
A stream sweeps either
bank. Her Sita's laugh
From momentary
softness roused to rage,
As Ocean's waves that
sleep 'neath windless skies
Are swollen by the
Moon. "Beware ! " she cried,
" This scorn thou
'It dearly rue ! Thou, timid roe.
Hast dared a tiger's
fury ! Look, and fear !
"
So spake the Demon
threatening : Sita shrank 120
Against her husband's
breast, dismayed to see
The foe resume her
hideous shape, and spread
Her murderous claws.
Heroic Lakshman too,
Who heard a gentle,
dove-like cooing first.
Then wolfish bowlings,
knew her for transformed,
—
He drew his sword,
swift burst into the hut,
And hacked with blow
on blow that awful shape.
She flying upward
shook a threatening hand,
With fingers crooked,
thick as knotted reeds,
XII.] TRIAL AND
TRIUMPH 117
Then flew to
Janasthan, and told her wrongs 130
To Khara and his
peers,—new insult heaped
By Rama on the
Demon-host. In wrath
They made her wrongs
their own, whose lips and mouth
Were scored and
scarred, and courted foul defeat,
Attacking Rama. On
they boldly came.
With arms uplifted,
whom when Rama saw,
—
His hope of victory
laying on his bow,
—
His Spouse he left to
Lakshman's guard. The foes
Were full a thousand,
Rama only one,
Yet in the fight each
several Demon found 140
A foe to meet him.
Dushana he smote,
Sent as their
champion, as pure-living men
Smite fleshly lusts
:—him first, and Khara next,
And Trigiras : so
swift he slew the three.
They seemed to fall
together. His bright darts
Pierced through them,
and—unstained—drank their foul
lives.
The birds their blood.
Soon of that Demon-host,
By Rama's arrows
quelled, save headless trunks
Nought on the plain
stood up ; beneath the rain
He showered on them
all that dread array 150
Lay lapt in endless
slumber, while foul wings
Of filthy vultures
hovered o'er their heads.
Alone escaping,
Siirpanakha bore
The news of foul
defeat at Rama's hands
To mighty Ravan, sore
dismayed, who deemed
That by his sister's
maiming, then defeat
118 RAGHUVANgA [canto
And slaughter of his
kinsmen, his ten heads
Lay trampled in the
dust by Rama's heel.
By magic art a Demon
at his word
Took form of deer, and
Raghu's sons deceived i6o
By futile chase,
and—though a while delayed
By staunch
Jatayti—Sita bore away.
The brothers seeking
her the Vulture found
With mangled pinions,
who with failing breath
Love's final debt to
Dagaratha paid.
In faltering words he
told how Ravan fell
The Princess tore away
: his wounds declared
His brave resistance :
then he died. The twain.
Who late, had mourned
a Father's loss, renewed
For him as for a
parent funeral rites, 170
And reared a lofty
pyre. Bold Rama then,
Kabandha's counsel
following, who by death
Escaped from lifelong
curse, made treaty firm
And strong aUiance
with the Monkey-King,
Sugriva, mourning like
himself a bride
Late torn away. The
Hero quick discrowned
Usurping Bali, and his friend restored
—
Sugriva—to his throne,
as fitter word
Displaces one less
fit. The Monkey-hosts
At Rama's bidding sped
to every clime, 180
And like his owrt sad
thoughts searched through the world.
Sampati meeting,
Hanuman at length,
The Wind-god's son,
had news where Sita dwelt,
And crossed the
Ocean,—as a happy soul
XII.] TRIAL AND
TRirMlMI 110
The stream of Death.
Last, searching Lanka through,
He found the fair
Princess, but compassed round
By Demon-guards,—a
fair mimosa clasped
By poisonous creepers.
Rama's token first,
The ring, he gave,
which she with joyful tears
Bedewed,—then with her
husband's love-words cheered. 190
Stout Aksha next he
slew, and—high of heart
—
Set Lanka all in
flames, then for brief space
Sustained unequal
fight. His work so done.
He hied him back to
Rama, and the ring
—
His Sita's
token—showed, as 'twere the heart
She fain had sent. As
Rama touched the gem.
He closed his eyes in
rapture, and in thought
Felt her heart beating
on his own : so keen
His longing was to
meet his prisoned Love,
That Ocean circling
Lanka round appeared 200
A narrow moat, no
more. ^ At once he marched.
The Demon-foes to
quell,—while Monkey-hosts
Behind him swarmed,
careering through the air
Not less than on the
earth. On Ocean's shore
He fixed his camp ; to
whom Vibhishan came,
His brother's side
deserting, sage advice
In love to Rama
offering,—wise in time.
To him did Rama give
the Demon-realm
In recompense : so
ever counsel sage
And timely bears rich
fruit. Across the sea 210
The Hero laid a
bridge, resembling much
That mighty Serpent
which for Vishnu's sleep
120 RAGHUVAN^A [canto
Above the waters
rises. So he crossed,
And Lanka close
besieged with tawny Apes,
That like a doubled
golden rampart showed.
Then Demons joined in
deadly strife with Apes,
And Heaven resounded
with their battle-cries,
—
For Ravan or for Rama.
Steel-bound clubs
By trees were
shattered, maces split on rocks,
And claws gave wounds
more terrible than steel, 220
While elephants dashed
rocks in splinters small.
Fair Sita watched the
fight : and swooned at sight
Of Rama's head struck
off, but soon revived
When good Trijata told
that Rama lived.
And 'twas but glamour.
At this healing word,
Her sorrow turned to
joy ; yet loving shame
Still ruled her as she
thought,—" I yet could live,
While thinking He was
dead ! " Now in the fight
Bold Meghanada's noose
one moment bound
The mighty Brethren,
whom the Bird of Heaven 230
Loosed, swooping down
; so soon that peril passed,
It seemed a dream, no
more. The Demon-King
Pierced Lakshman's
breast with deadly spear,—whereat
The heart of Rama,
though himself unharmed,
Was cleft in twain by
sorrow. Healing herbs
The Monkey-monarch
brought, and salved the wound,
—
And Lakshman swift
reviving with keen shafts
Again taught Lanka's
wives to weep. No more
He suffered
Meghanada's shout, but snapped
His bow that rivalled
Indra's,—Autumn so 240
XII.] TRIAL AND
TRIUMPH V2\
Dissolves a cloud.
Stout Kumbhakarna next,
By Hanuman to woeful
straits reduced,
Like his fell sister,
Rama's self assailed,
—
Wide-gaping like a
rocky cave. Him soon
The Hero's arrows sent
to sleep in death :
And Rama mused,—"
Much lovedst thou sleep, my foe !
And wert untimely
roused in evil hour."
The Brethren many a
famous Rakshas more
Smote with their
arrows till the battle-dust
Was smothered with
their blood in copious streams. 250
At length came Ravan
forth again to fight.
His palace leaving,
well resolved that now
The Worlds that day
should either Rdma lose
Or Ravan. On he drove
his fenced car
To where the Hero
stood,—till Indra sent
His chariot and bay
steeds to Rama's help.
That car auspicious,
leaning on the arm
Of Mathali, He mounted,—while
its flag
Waved in the breeze,
cool from the waters pure
Of Heaven's own river.
Indra's mail he donned, 260
Helped by the
charioteer,—that mail from which
Repelled the Daityas'
arrows fell to earth,
Soft as frail
lotus-stems. Herce battle raged
Between the mighty
foes, who found at last,
So meeting, scope to
show their matchless might.
Fell Ravan fought
alone, his hosts withdrawn,
But by his many necks,
and heads, and arms,
Appeared encircled by
his mother's kin.
122 RAGHUVANQA [canto
The Demon-foe, whose
might prevailed of yore
Against the world's
great Guardians, who had won 270
His boon from
Brahma—offering up his heads,
Who poised aloft
Kailasa, Rama held
A worthy foeman.
Ravan, fiercely wroth,
Drove deep his arrow
in that strong right arm.
Which,
wildly-throbbing, told he should redeem
His fair Princess.
Then Rama loosed a shaft
Which, piercing
Ravan's breast, lodged in the ground.
Glad tidings bearing
to the Serpent-world.
The fight grew stern ;
each hero matched his foe,
With sword for sword,
and taunt for taunt, as when 280
Two rival speakers
strive for mastery.
Swayed by their equal
valour Victory
Long wavered, as a
rampart set between
Two raging elephants.
The showers of shafts
That either poured on
other stayed the fall
Of flowers rained down
by Gods and Demons, keen
To mark the rapid
interchange of blows.
Then Ravan dashed an
iron-studded mace,
Fell as the club of
Death, of silkwood formed,
Full at his foe. But
Rama with keen shafts, 290
Curved-headed, cut the
mace in twain or e'er
It reached the
chariot,—like a slender twig,
—
Thus shattering the
Demons' soaring hopes.
Then did the matchless
archer to his string
Lay that unerring
arrow, Brahma named,
A simple meet to heal
the stinging pain
XII.] TRIAL AND
TRIUMPH 123
That gnawed his Sita's
heart. With flaming points,
Split in a hundred
parts, resembling most
The Serpent-King's
huge frame, when baleful gleams
His awful hood, it
hurtled through the air. 300
Then in a moment,
winged with spells, the shaft
Smote off,—the wound
unfelt,—the whole ten heads
Of Ravan. But the line
of headless necks
Shone, as the body
fell, with fitful gleams.
Like morning sunbeams
sparkling on a lake,
By wavelets broken.
Even then the Gods,
Though all the heads
had fallen, scarce rejoiced
With full rejoicing ;
for they feared those heads
(As erst befell) might
join the trunk once more.
Then fell on Rama's
head, which soon should wear 310
The Kingly crown, a
rain of fragrant flowers.
Poured by the joyful
Gods,—while on them swarmed
(Their wings with
honey laden) bees that late
Forsook the perfumed
streams which from the brows
Distilled of Elephants
that guard the Worlds.
Now Rama soon unbent
his mighty Bow,
The Gods' high mandate
well fulfilled ; and now
The Charioteer of
Indra bade farewell,
And drove to Heaven
his car with thousand bays,
While waved aloft the
flags which Ravan's shafts 320
Pierced through and
through. The Lord of Raghu's
line
Took back his
well-loved Bride from purging fires,
And to his loyal
friend Vibhishan gave
124 RAGHUVANCA [canto
The crown he tore from
Ravan. Then by him
Followed, by Lakshman,
and by Hanuman,
—
King o'er the
Monkey-host,—the radiant Car
Won by his valour from
proud Ravana
He mounted joyfully,
and homeward sped.
XIII.] RAMA'S RETURN
125
CANTO XIII
Rama's Triumphant
Return with Sitd
Incarnate now in Rama,
Vishnu's self,
High Judge of virtue,
crossed in Heavenly Car
His sound-pervaded
realm,—and, as He gazed
On Ocean rich in
pearls, his Spouse addressed
In love's soft tones
:—"See, Fairest! how my bridge
Yon foamy mass now
spans, as Autumn's skies
Unruffled, bright with
stars, the Milky Way
Divides in twain. This
sea, old stories tell.
Of yore my Sires made
flow, when in their quest
They tore up Earth to
reach the Victim-horse
By Bali
to Patala led, to stop
Their father's
sacrifice. The sunbeams hence
Derive engendering
virtue, riches swell.
And viewless fire is
bred, and moonlight mild.
Like Vishnu's self
almighty, multiform.
Unmeasured, subtle,
all ten spti^res it clasps.
Transcendent in its
worth as in its power.
" The Soul Supreme,
by Brahma's praise extolled
(From whom the Lotus
springs whereon he sleeps),
126 RAGHUVANgA [canto
Upon its breast
reclines, when ends the Age
Of working,
when—absorbing all that is
—
He sinks again to
rest. To Ocean's arms
The mountain-hosts
dismayed in hundreds fled,
Shorn of their pride
when Indra clipped their wings.
As to a King revered
when whelmed by foes
The neighbouring
monarchs flee. Its waters clear
Swelled at the Deluge,
and one moment's space
Earth's cheeks made
lovely, till the Mighty God
Upheaved her from
Patala. All his wives.
Impartial in his love,
he greets alike.
With wavy lips
receiving kisses sweet
From eager
river-mouths. Those monsters see
!
With yawning mouths
they drink the fishy flood,
Close with a snap
their mighty jaws, and spout
Great streams of water
through their fissured skulls.
Sudden leap up the
monster crocodiles,
And cleave the foam,
while on their cheeks the spray
Like sparkling
eardrops clings. Here piled-up shells.
Which rushing waters
tear from coral-sprays
That mock thy ruby
lips, hang on the points
Of slender branchlets,
till at length they fall
—
Their strength
exhausted. Wide-backed Ocean now,
Grazed by the
waterspout that stooped to drink
Till by fierce
storm-wind driven, milk-white gleams.
As when of yore with mighty
Mandara churned
By hosts Divine. Along
the salt deep's shore,
That stretches slender
like a copper rim.
XIII.] RAMAS RETURN
127
Wave dark Tamalas
mixed with forest-palms,
Like streak of rust on
polished metal's gleam.
" Bride with dark
almond-eyes ! the landward breeze so
With Ketak-Y>o\\en
dusts thy cheek,—a care
By me omitted, while I
pine to taste
Thy ruby lips. Our
swiftly-rolling car
Now in a moment brings
us to that shore,
Where from cleft
shells lie pure pearls richly heaped.
Where betel-trees
fruit-laden sweep the sands.
Look down, O Queen,
whose roe-like eyes delight
And form of ample
curves, and mark our way !
As Ocean vanishes see
how boon Earth,
Clothed with green
woods, seems sinking as we gaze ! 60
Obedient to my will
this Car Divine
Cleaves now the sphere
of Gods, anon of clouds,
Now skims the path of
birds. A breeze from Heaven,
—
Sweet-laden by
Airavat's fragrant brows,
Cooled by the spray
from triple Ganga's flood,
Wipes from thy brows
those drops that morning's heat
Had raised. The cloud,
by lightnings braceleted,
Touched by thy curious
hand through lattice stretched.
My hasty Queen ! with
double gold is decked.
These bark-clad
Eremites, who deem that now 70
This Dandaka is free
from hindrances
To Saintly works,
well-pleased rebuild their homes.
Too long forsaken. In
this very glade
I vainly sought thee,
found an anklet dropped,
Struck dumb with
sorrow, riven from thy foot,
128 RAGHUVANgA [canto
That mocks the lotus'
hue. Ah, timid Fair !
These creepers, dumb
yet pitying, bent their arms
To show the path by
which the Rakshasa
Had borne
thee,—bending low the tender tips
Of all their boughs.
Their fragrant food the roes 80
Neglecting, gazed with
moveless brows full south.
And taught my
ignorance the way thou 'dst gone.
" There in our
front soars Malaya to Heaven,
Whereon the clouds
dropped rain, and I salt tears
For loss of thee.
There, reft of thee, the scents
Which lakes,
fresh-filled by clouds, exhaled I loathed
;
Kadamba flowers,
half-opened, pleased me not.
Nor peacocks' low,
sweet tones ; the thundering clouds.
From caves resounding,
harshly struck my ear.
Who thought on thee,
my timorous Love ! who erst 90
Didst sportive hide
thee, teasing. There thine eyes,
Beauteous, yet clouded
by the smoke that rose
From marriage-fires,
tormented,—while half-oped
Bright fungus-growths
(earth yet in cloud-mist veiled)
Were vainly emulous.
Scarce can the sight,
Far-darting downwards,
Pampa's lake
descry.
With storks at play,
shut in 'mid circling brakes
Of mighty reeds.
There, Love ! I fondly gazed
On happy Chakravdkas,
in their love
United still, in
gracious ministry 100
Each giving to his
mate fresh lotus-blooms,
While I was reft of
thee ! When all in tears
By river-bank a lithe
Afoka-trunk,
XIII.] RAMA'S RETURN
129
Bent by its swelling
clusters like fair breasts,
I vainly clasped, and
thought I held thee, Queen !
Lakshman forbade me.
O'er Godavari's waves
Now soar the cranes,
scared hy the golden bells
That tinkle round our
Car, so welcoming thee
With all their white
array. This sacred grove,
Where thou didst nurse
the mango, tender-framed, no
With daily
watering,—where the deer look up
Expectant of thee,—now
once more I see
More gladly for long
absence. I recall
How on a day, worn out
by toil of chase
By this Godavari's streams, while spray-cooled winds
Dried off my face the
sweat, my weary head
I rested on thy breast
in reed-built hut.
Here while on earth
that famous Saint had dwelt,
Who cleared the
streams of mud, whose wrinkling brow
Hurled Nahusha of old
from Indra's realm. 120
" Free from all lust,
here takes my soul delight
To sniff the scented
smoke from altar-fires
Well-fed, that triple
rise full in our path.
And lightly meet the
Car,—by spotless Saint
Enkindled. Here, high
Lady ! gleams the lake
Of ^atakarni's
pleasures,—' Five Nymphs ' named.
Embowered in distant
woods, a second moon
Half-seen amid the
clouds. Of old, men tell.
Amid the deer he
lived, and Darbha grass
Alone he ate, till
Indra, much dismayed 130
At such strict
penance, bound him in the toils
I
130 RAGHUVANCA [canto
Of five celestial
Nymphs. The cymbal's clang
Harmonious and the
music of the voice,
Still rising from his
palace closely-hid,
Wake momentary echoes
from the hood
That shades our Car.
" Here mild
Sutikshna dwells.
High merit storing up,
'mid four fierce fires,
The blazing Sun a
fifth. Him Indra sought,
Anxious, to tempt
through wanton Nymphs' bright eyes,
With laughter beaming,
and coquettish wiles 140
That half-revealed
their zones,—but vainly sought.
With arms uplifted now
he waves the right.
With holy beads encircled,
graciously
Requiting
courtesy,—that arm wherewith
He strokes the hinds
and gathers sacred grass.
Vowed to strict
silence, only with his head
Bowed slightly he
returns my courteous words,
And—now the Car is
past—his constant gaze
Again has sought the Sun.
Yon penance-grove
Afforded Carabhanga's
rites austere 150
Pure shade, who long
the fire with fuel fed.
And last his body
gave, by Holy Texts
From sin redeemed. The
welcome of his guests
His worthy sons, those
trees, give now, whose shade
Dispels long journeying's
toil, whose luscious fruit
"'Veighs down
their branches. Chitrakuta's peak,
O lithe-limbed Lady !
now enchants the eye ;
—
Like stately bull he
stands, his mouth a cave,
XIII.] RAMA'S RETTTRN
131
With cascade-roar
loud-bellowing, highest peaks
Cloud-capped like
horns lime-whitened from a wall. i6o
Low at his base, with
rapids smooth, shines out
—
By distance
thread-like made,—Mandakini,
A pearly band on
Earth's sweet neck ! 'Twas here
That from a tall
Tamala fragrant blooms,
Hard by the mountain-side,
I plucked, and twined
Bright earrings for
thy cheeks, as barley pale.
" Here in the
wood doth pious Atri keep
His vows austere ;
with herds of beasts 'tis filled
That fear no harm,—nor
need his trees to flower
Before they fruit.
Here AnasClya brought 170
The threefold Ganga, Civa's crown, to earth,
That Holy men, in
merit rich, might bathe
Where erst the mighty
Seven golden blooms
Of lotus gathered.
Hermits' very trees,
While they within
their huts are plunged in thought,
Amid the
altar-precincts motionless.
Their leaves unstirred
by wind, themselves seemed
wrapped
In pious
contemplation. Here, my Love !
Behold the dark-leaved
fig-tree thou didst choose.
Which, bowed with
fruit, glows like an emerald-heap 180
With rubies
interspersed. A necklet here
Thou seest of pearls,
'midst which the emerald gleams.
There a pure
lily-crown, where sapphire-like
The lotus glows : that
string of birds beheld,
That love the
Manas-lake, where sw ans appear,
132 R A G H U V A N g
A [canto
White-winged : there
on the Earth a yellow band
Of sandalwoods, picked
out with aloes dark.
" See here the
Moon's bright orb with sable shade
Streaked
sharply,—therethrough rifted autumn-clouds
Resplendent shows
Heaven's blue. Here, might one
say, 190
Is Civa's body dark,
with black snake girt,
And smeared with'
ashes : there see, peerless Queen !
Where Ganga rolls her flood, by Jamna cleft.
Those souls, men say,
that cast the mortal coil.
Washed in the
confluent waters of these twain,
Unknowing even of the
Soul Supreme,
No more are sent to
earth. Nishada dwells
In yon fair city :
there, when I refused
The crown and bound my
locks up Hermit-wise,
Sumantra mourning
cried :—' Ah, Kaikeyi
!
200
Thy wish is now
fulfilled !
' Sarayii here.
Whose source the wise
have traced to Brahma's lake,
Where golden lilies
charm fair Yakshis' hearts,
Rolls mighty : so
flows Mind from Soul Supreme.
Its banks well lined
w^ith sacrificial stones.
Past proud Ayodhya
sweeps its flood,—where bathe,
After Horse-Sacrifice,
Ikshvaku's sons.
And sanctify its
waves. It fills my soul
With reverence, common
Mother of the Kings
Of Northern
Kogala, who find delight 210
In her sand-islets and
abundant stream.
" Sarayfi now, my
noble Father lost.
XIII.] RAMANS RETURN
133
Indeed my Mother
seems, and clasps me round
Though distant
yet—with wavy arms that stir
A cooHng breeze. As
dusky twilight grey,
Before us dust-clouds
rise : I augur thence
That Bharata from
Hanuman has heard
News of my coming, and
with all his hosts
Prepares to welcome
me. My Father's realm.
That Father's vow to
keep, I left ; but now, 220
My penance o'er, that
virtuous Prince restores
The Royal State
unblemished : rescued so,
Thee Lakshman gave,
won back by slaughter grim
Of Khara and his
peers. To meet me now
On foot comes Bharata,
our household Priest
Placed in the van, his
army's serried ranks
Close following : he
in Hermit-dress comes forth,
And old-time
councillors bear gifts in hand.
From love to me the
Prince, in flush of youth.
Wed not fair Lakshmi,
whom his Sire bequeathed, 230
Who sought herself his
arms : yea, all these years
Abiding with her, yet
he tasted not
Pure wedlock's joy
!"
As Rama spake, the
Car,
—
That knew by sense
divine his unspoke will,
—
Swift glided from the
sky, by wondering eyes
Of Bharat's hosts
observed. Then, on the hand
Apt for all service—of
the Monkey-King
One moment leaning,
Rama lighted down,
—
On well-wrought ladder
stepping, crystal-runged,
134- RAGHUVANCA [canto
Held by Vibhishan.
First the reverend Sage, 240
Priest of Ikshvaku's
line, he greeted well,
Then took the gifts,
and—bathed in tears—embraced
His brother Bharat,
kissing that leal head,
Which, reigning in his
stead, refused the Crown.
Courteous he welcomed
old-time ministers,
With beards untrimmed,
and hair like Peepal-roots
Close-matted ; they
with tuneful voices asked
Respectful of his
welfare. Spake the King :
—
"Behold my
friend, of Riksha's Monkey-hosts
Great Chief, my stay
in trouble : next the stout 250
Vibhishan know !
" Then Bharat hailed the twain,
By Rama praised, ere
Lakshman he embraced,
Sumitra's son, upraising
his bent head,
And to his bosom
clasping,—close, more close,
He well-nigh bruised
his breast on cruel scars
Which Indrajit had
left. At Rama's word
At once the
Monkey-chiefs took human shapes,
And mounted elephants,
whose mighty brows
Streamed ichor sweet,
rejoicing as to climb
Great mountains. At
his word the Rakshas-King, 260
With all his hosts
ascended cars unmatched
In splendour by their
own, by magic art
Fair-fashioned. Then
the Chief of Raghu's line
Once more sat in his
car, and with him sat
His Brothers, and the
banner at his will
Moved or was
steady,—as the stars' high Lord,
The Moon, shines
glorious climbing up a bank
XIII.] RAMANS RETURN
135
Of dusky clouds at
evening, lightning-streaked,
With Jupiter attending
and his Sire.
Then Bharat praised
the beauteous Maithili, 270
From Ravan's grasp by
Rama's might set free,
As from dark flood the
Lord of worlds saved Earth,
Or when the rains are
over clears the moon
From cloudy masses. So
her dazzling feet.
Who faithful kept her
vow and dashed the hopes
Presumptuous Ravan
nursed, set on tlie head
Of him whose matted
locks proclaimed the faith
He kept unswerving to
his elder's claim :
—
Each to the other
greater lustre lent.
Then glorious Rama
half a kos advanced, 280
Escorted by his folk,
while Pushpaka,
—
His Car
Celestial,—checked its magic speed
;
Then in the
pleasure-forest dwelt well-pleased.
That round Ayodhya
stretched, where Catrughna
With careful foresight
had prepared the Camp.
136 RAGHUVANCA [canto
CANTO XIV
The Resioratton oj
Rama to his Kingdom,
and the Divorce of
Sita.
Then did the Princely
Brothers seek the homes
Where dwelt their
mothers, sorrow-stricken Queens,
Of husband late
bereaved,—like clinging-plants
Forlorn and left of
strong protecting trunk.
The Heroes twain,
resplendent in their might.
Bent low before the Queens, whose happy eyes
(By tears half-bhnded)
scarce discerned their forms.
Though each was
blessed, as in her mother's arms
She clasped her son.
But in the Heroes' eyes
The soothing tear of
joy cut sorrow short, lo
As Jamna's torrent
rushing from the rocks
Cleaves Ganga's heated wave. Condolingly
They touched the
scarce-healed scars the Demon's wounds
Left on their bodies :
nay, the much-prized name,
" Mother of
heroes," brought them little joy
Who felt its pains.
Then Sita, bending low.
Her Husband's mother
greeted, nor transgressed
The line of awful
duty, while she said :
—
XIV.] DIVORCE OF StT A
137
" Lo, here is
Sita, fatal to her Lord,
Not worthy your regard
! " " Dear Daughter, rise !
"
20
(So said they) "
'Twas thy spotless life alone
That brought thy Lord
and Lakshman through their toils
Triumphant." Then
with loving words and true
They praised her,
worthy Wife of worthy Lord.
Thus with their joyful
tears the widowed Queens
Began the
sacring,—which with hallowed stream,
From many a sainted
river, poured from jars
Of gold unmixed, the
Kingdom's Senators
Completed,—of pure
Raghu's Hero-son.
From seas and streams
and lakes the loyal Chiefs 30
Of Demons and of
Monkeys brought great store
Of water, pouring it
on Rama's head,
As rain in torrents
falls on Vindhya's peaks
From Autumn-clouds.
The splendid robes of state
To Him fresh lustre
gave, whose lovely limbs
The ascetic's dress
scarce veiled, nor feared reproach
Of over-gorgeousness.
Then with his hosts,
His sage advisers,
loyal Demons, Apes,
He to his Father's
home passed : arches spanned
The roads, and rice
from lattices was poured 40
In welcoming showers.
High in his Car of State
The Hero sat, while
Lakshman gently waved
The royal fan, and
Bharat screened his head.
Like Kingship's triple
powers to Earth come down
Rose from the palaces
wind-cloven smoke.
As 'twere the
long-bereaved City's hair.
138 RAGHUVANgA [canto
Its braids unloosing
at the King's return.
Next Sita, Rama's
Queen, in litter borne,
—
Dressed by her husband's
kin in glorious robes,
—
Ayodhya's matrons
hailed, with clasped hands 50
From palace-windows
gazing. She the rare,
Exhaustless unguent,
Anasuya's gift.
Had deftly used ; a
halo round her shone ;
And doubly pure she
beamed, shown by her Lord
From cleansing fires
come forth. That King himself,
Deep mine of
friendship, to his friends assigned
Well-ordered dwellings
; then with tears went in
To that revered home,
where dwelt his Sire,
His image only left.
With clasped hands,
And loving words, he
soothed Kaikeyi's shame, 60
And hailed her "
Mother ! " " WeW," he said, " thou didst
:
To thee we owe it that
our Sire held firm,
Nor swerved from
truth, and by that truth won Heaven !
"
Sugriva, and
Vibhishan, and the rest,
With splendid
courtesies he entertained.
That, though to have
they needed but to wish,
Their minds sank
overpowered. To Saints Divine,
Come down from Heaven
to do him reverence,
He paid due honour :
they His might extolled,
And told in sacred
numbers all the tale 70
Of His high birth, His
acts, and foe subdued.
So like a dream the
days uncounted flew,
Till half a month was
spent :—the Saints were gone
;
Then, richly guerdoned
by the Queen's own hand,
THE ENTHRONEMENT OF
RAMA
Om Tat Sat
(Continued ..)
(My humble salutations to Kavikula
Guruh Kalidasa and greatfulness to
Sreeman C H Tawney
for the collection)
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