<SPAN name="toc415" id="toc415"></SPAN>
<SPAN name="pdf416" id="pdf416"></SPAN>
<SPAN name="CantoIII-X" id="CantoIII-X" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto X. Ráma's Reply.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The words that Sítá uttered, spurred</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By truest love, the hero heard:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then he who ne'er from virtue strayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Janak's child his answer made:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“In thy wise speech, sweet love, I find</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">True impress of thy gentle mind,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Well skilled the warrior's path to trace,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou pride of Janak's ancient race.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What fitting answer shall I frame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To thy good words, my honoured dame?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou sayst the warrior bears the bow</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That misery's tears may cease to flow;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And those pure saints who love the shade</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Daṇḍak wood are sore dismayed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They sought me of their own accord,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With suppliant prayers my aid implored:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They, fed on roots and fruit, who spend</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their lives where bosky wilds extend,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My timid love, enjoy no rest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By these malignant fiends distressed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These make the flesh of man their meat:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The helpless saints they kill and eat.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hermits sought my side, the chief</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Bráhman race declared their grief.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I heard, and from my lips there fell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The words which thou rememberest well:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I listened as the hermits cried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to their prayers I thus replied:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Your favour, gracious lords, I claim,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'erwhelmed with this enormous shame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That Bráhmans, great and pure as you,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Who should be sought, to me should sue.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And then before the saintly crowd,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“What can I do?”</span> I cried aloud.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then from the trembling hermits broke</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One long sad cry, and thus they spoke:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Fiends of the wood, who wear at will</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each varied shape, afflict us still.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To thee in our distress we fly:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O help us, Ráma, or we die.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When sacred rites of fire are due,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When changing moons are full or new,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These fiends who bleeding flesh devour</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Assail us with resistless power.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They with their cruel might torment</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hermits on their vows intent:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We look around for help and see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our surest refuge, Prince, in thee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We, armed with powers of penance, might</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Destroy the rovers of the night:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But loth were we to bring to naught</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The merit years of toil have bought.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Our penance rites are grown too hard,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By many a check and trouble barred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But though our saints for food are slain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The withering curse we yet restrain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus many a weary day distressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By giants who this wood infest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We see at length deliverance, thou</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">With Lakshmaṇ art our guardian now.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">As thus the troubled hermits prayed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I promised, dame, my ready aid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And now—for truth I hold most dear—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still to my word must I adhere.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My love, I might endure to be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deprived of Lakshmaṇ, life, and thee,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But ne'er deny my promise, ne'er</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Bráhmans break the oath I sware.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I must, enforced by high constraint,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Protect them all. Each suffering saint</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In me, unasked, his help had found;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still more in one by promise bound.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I know thy words, mine own dear dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From thy sweet heart's affection came:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I thank thee for thy gentle speech,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For those we love are those we teach.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis like thyself, O fair of face,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis worthy of thy noble race:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dearer than life, thy feet are set</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">In righteous paths they ne'er forget.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus to the Maithil monarch's child,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His own dear wife, in accents mild</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">The high-souled hero said:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then to the holy groves which lay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beyond them fair to see, their way</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">The bow-armed chieftain led.</div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
<SPAN name="toc417" id="toc417"></SPAN>
<SPAN name="pdf418" id="pdf418"></SPAN>
<SPAN name="CantoIII-XI" id="CantoIII-XI" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto XI. Agastya.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma went foremost of the three,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Next Sítá, followed, fair to see,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ with his bow in hand</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Walked hindmost of the little band.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As onward through the wood they went,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With great delight their eyes were bent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On rocky heights beside the way</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And lofty trees with blossoms gay;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And streamlets running fair and fast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The royal youths with Sítá passed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They watched the sáras and the drake</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On islets of the stream and lake,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gazed delighted on the floods</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright with gay birds and lotus buds.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They saw in startled herds the roes,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The passion-frenzied buffaloes,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wild elephants who fiercely tore</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The tender trees, and many a boar.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A length of woodland way they passed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And when the sun was low at last</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A lovely stream-fed lake they spied,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Two leagues across from side to side.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tall elephants fresh beauty gave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To grassy bank and lilied wave,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page240"></span><SPAN name="Pg240" id="Pg240" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By many a swan and sáras stirred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mallard, and gay-winged water-bird.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From those sweet waters, loud and long,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though none was seen to wake the song,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Swelled high the singer's music blent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With each melodious instrument.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma and car-borne Lakshmaṇ heard</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The charming strain, with wonder stirred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Turned on the margent of the lake</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Dharmabhrit<SPAN id="noteref_424" name="noteref_424" href="#note_424"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">424</span></span></SPAN> the sage, and spake:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Our longing souls, O hermit, burn</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This music of the lake to learn:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We pray thee, noblest sage, explain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The cause of the mysterious strain.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He, as the son of Raghu prayed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With swift accord his answer made,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus the hermit, virtuous-souled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The story of the fair lake told:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Through every age 'tis known to fame,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Panchápsaras<SPAN id="noteref_425" name="noteref_425" href="#note_425"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">425</span></span></SPAN>
its glorious name,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By holy Máṇḍakarṇi wrought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With power his rites austere had bought.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For he, great votarist, intent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On strictest rule his stern life spent.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ten thousand years the stream his bed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ten thousand years on air he fed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then on the blessed Gods who dwell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In heavenly homes great terror fell:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They gathered all, by Agni led,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And counselled thus disquieted:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The hermit by ascetic pain</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The seat of one of us would gain.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus with their hearts by fear oppressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In full assembly spoke the Blest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bade five loveliest nymphs, as fair</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As lightning in the evening air,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Armed with their winning wiles, seduce</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From his stern vows the great recluse.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Though lore of earth and heaven he knew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hermit from his task they drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And made the great ascetic slave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To conquering love, the Gods to save.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each of the heavenly five became,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bound to the sage, his wedded dame;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And he, for his beloved's sake,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Formed a fair palace neath the lake.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Under the flood the ladies live,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To joy and ease their days they give,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And lap in bliss the hermit wooed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From penance rites to youth renewed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So when the sportive nymphs within</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those secret bowers their play begin,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">You hear the singers' dulcet tones</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Blend sweetly with their tinkling zones.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“How wondrous are these words of thine!”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cried the famed chiefs of Raghu's line,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thus they heard the sage unfold</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The marvels of the tale he told.</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">As Ráma spake, his eyes were bent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon a hermit settlement</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With light of heavenly lore endued,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With sacred grass and vesture strewed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His wife and brother by his side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Within the holy bounds he hied,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And there, with honour entertained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By all the saints, a while remained.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In time, by due succession led,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each votary's cot he visited,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And then the lord of martial lore,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Returned where he had lodged before.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here for the months, content, he stayed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There for a year his visit paid:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here for four months his home would fix,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There, as it chanced, for five or six.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here for eight months and there for three</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The son of Raghu's stay would be:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here weeks, there fortnights, more or less,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He spent in tranquil happiness.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As there the hero dwelt at ease</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Among those holy devotees,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In days untroubled o'er his head</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ten circling years of pleasure fled.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So Raghu's son in duty trained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A while in every cot remained,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then with his dame retraced the road</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To good Sutíkshṇa's calm abode.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hailed by the saints with honours due</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Near to the hermit's home he drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And there the tamer of his foes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dwelt for a time in sweet repose.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One day within that holy wood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By saint Sutíkshṇa Ráma stood,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus the prince with reverence meek</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To that high sage began to speak:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“In the wide woodlands that extend</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Around us, lord most reverend,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As frequent voice of rumour tells,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya, saintliest hermit, dwells.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So vast the wood, I cannot trace</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The path to reach his dwelling place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor, searching unassisted, find</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That hermit of the thoughtful mind.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I with my wife and brother fain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would go, his favour to obtain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would seek him in his lone retreat</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the great saint with reverence greet.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This one desire, O Master, long</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cherished within my heart, is strong,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That I may pay of free accord</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">My duty to that hermit lord.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">As thus the prince whose heart was bent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On virtue told his firm intent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The good Sutíkshṇa's joy rose high,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus in turn he made reply:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The very thing, O Prince, which thou</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hast sought, I wished to urge but now,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bid thee with wife and brother see</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page241"></span><SPAN name="Pg241" id="Pg241" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya, glorious devotee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I count this thing an omen fair</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That thou shouldst thus thy wish declare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And I, my Prince, will gladly teach</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The way Agastya's home to reach.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Southward, dear son, direct thy feet</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Eight leagues beyond this still retreat:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya's hermit brother there</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dwells in a home most bright and fair.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis on a knoll of woody ground,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With many a branching Pippal<SPAN id="noteref_426" name="noteref_426" href="#note_426"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">426</span></span></SPAN> crowned:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There sweet birds' voices ne'er are mute,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And trees are gay with flower and fruit.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There many a lake gleams bright and cool,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And lilies deck each pleasant pool,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While swan, and crane, and mallard's wings</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Are lovely in the water-springs.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There for one night, O Ráma, stay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with the dawn pursue thy way.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still farther, bending southward, by</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The thicket's edge the course must lie,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thou wilt see, two leagues from thence</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya's lovely residence,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Set in the woodland's fairest spot,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All varied foliage decks the cot:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There Sítá, Lakshmaṇ thou, at ease</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">May spend sweet hours neath shady trees,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For all of noblest growth are found</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Luxuriant on that bosky ground.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If it be still thy firm intent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To see that saint preëminent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O mighty counsellor, this day</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Depart upon thine onward way.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The hermit spake, and Ráma bent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His head, with Lakshmaṇ, reverent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And then with him and Janak's child</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Set out to trace the forest wild.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw dark woods that fringed the road,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And distant hills like clouds that showed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And, as the way he followed, met</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With many a lake and rivulet.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So passing on with ease where led</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The path Sutíkshṇa bade him tread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hero with exulting breast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His brother in these words addressed:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Here, surely, is the home, in sight,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of that illustrious anchorite:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here great Agastya's brother leads</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A life intent on holy deeds.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Warned of each guiding mark and sign,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I see them all herein combine:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I see the branches bending low</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beneath the flowers and fruit they show.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A soft air from the forest springs,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fresh from the odorous grass, and brings</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A spicy fragrance as it flees</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'er the ripe fruit of Pippal trees.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">See, here and there around us high</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Piled up in heaps cleft billets lie,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And holy grass is gathered, bright</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As strips of shining lazulite.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Full in the centre of the shade</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hermits' holy fire is laid:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I see its smoke the pure heaven streak</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dense as a big cloud's dusky peak.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The twice-born men their steps retrace</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From each sequestered bathing-place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And each his sacred gift has brought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of blossoms which his hands have sought.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of all these signs, dear brother, each</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agrees with good Sutíkshṇa's speech,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And doubtless in this holy bound</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya's brother will be found.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya once, the worlds who viewed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With love, a Deathlike fiend subdued,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And armed with mighty power, obtained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By holy works, this grove ordained</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To be a refuge and defence</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From all oppressors' violence.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In days of yore within this place</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Two brothers fierce of demon race,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Vátápi dire and Ilval, dwelt,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And slaughter mid the Bráhmans dealt.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A Bráhman's form, the fiend to cloak,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fierce Ilval wore, and Sanskrit spoke,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And twice-born sages would invite</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To solemnize some funeral rite.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His brother's flesh, concealed within</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A ram's false shape and borrowed skin,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As men are wont at funeral feasts,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He dressed and fed those gathered priests.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The holy men, unweeting ill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Took of the food and ate their fill.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ilval with a mighty shout</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Exclaimed <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Vátápi, issue out.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon as his brother's voice he heard,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fiend with ram-like bleating stirred:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rending in pieces every frame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forth from the dying priests he came.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So they who changed their forms at will</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thousands of Bráhmans dared to kill,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fierce fiends who loved each cruel deed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And joyed on bleeding flesh to feed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya, mighty hermit, pressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To funeral banquet like the rest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Obedient to the Gods' appeal</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ate up the monster at a meal.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“'Tis done, 'tis done,”</span> fierce Ilval cried,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And water for his hands supplied:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then lifting up his voice he spake:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Forth, brother, from thy prison break.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then him who called the fiend, who long</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Had wrought the suffering Bráhmans wrong,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus thoughtful-souled Agastya, best</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of hermits, with a smile addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“How, Rákshas, is the fiend empowered</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To issue forth whom I devoured?</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy brother in a ram's disguise</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Is gone where Yáma's kingdom lies.”</span></div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page242"></span><SPAN name="Pg242" id="Pg242" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When from the words Agastya said</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He knew his brother fiend was dead,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His soul on fire with vengeful rage,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rushed the night-rover at the sage.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One lightning glance of fury, hot</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As fire, the glorious hermit shot,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As the fiend neared him in his stride,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And straight, consumed to dust, he died.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In pity for the Bráhmans' plight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya wrought this deed of might:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This grove which lakes and fair trees grace</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">In his great brother's dwelling place.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">As Ráma thus the tale rehearsed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with Sumitrá's son conversed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The setting sun his last rays shed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And evening o'er the land was spread.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A while the princely brothers stayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And even rites in order paid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then to the holy grove they drew</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hailed the saint with honour due.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With courtesy was Ráma met</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By that illustrious anchoret,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And for one night he rested there</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Regaled with fruit and hermit fare.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But when the night had reached its close,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the sun's glorious circle rose,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The son of Raghu left his bed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to the hermit's brother said:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Well rested in thy hermit cell,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I stand, O saint, to bid farewell;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For with thy leave I journey hence</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Thy brother saint to reverence.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Go, Ráma go,”</span> the sage replied:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then from the cot the chieftain hied.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And while the pleasant grove he viewed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The path the hermit showed, pursued.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of every leaf, of changing hue.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Plants, trees by hundreds round him grew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With joyous eyes he looked on all,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Jak,<SPAN id="noteref_427" name="noteref_427" href="#note_427"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">427</span></span></SPAN>
the wild rice, and Sál;<SPAN id="noteref_428" name="noteref_428" href="#note_428"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">428</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw the red Hibiscus glow,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw the flower-tipped creeper throw</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glory of her clusters o'er</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tall trees that loads of blossom bore.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Some, elephants had prostrate laid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In some the monkeys leapt and played,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And through the whole wide forest rang</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The charm of gay birds as they sang.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma of the lotus eye</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Lakshmaṇ turned who followed nigh,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus the hero youth impressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Fortune's favouring signs, addressed:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“How soft the leaves of every tree,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How tame each bird and beast we see!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon the fair home shall we behold</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of that great hermit tranquil-souled.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The deed the good Agastya wrought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High fame throughout the world has bought:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I see, I see his calm retreat</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That balms the pain of weary feet.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where white clouds rise from flames beneath,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where bark-coats lie with many a wreath,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where silvan things, made gentle, throng,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And every bird is loud in song.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With ruth for suffering creatures filled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A deathlike fiend with might he killed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gave this southern realm to be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A refuge, from oppression free.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There stands his home, whose dreaded might</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has put the giant crew to flight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who view with envious eyes afar</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The peaceful shades they cannot mar.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Since that most holy saint has made</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His dwelling in this lovely shade,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Checked by his might the giant brood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Have dwelt in peace with souls subdued.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all this southern realm, within</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose bounds no fiend may entrance win,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now bears a name which naught may dim,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Made glorious through the worlds by him.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When Vindhya, best of hills, would stay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The journey of the Lord of Day,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Obedient to the saint's behest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He bowed for aye his humbled crest.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That hoary hermit, world-renowned</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For holy deeds, within this ground</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has set his pure and blessed home,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where gentle silvan creatures roam.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya, whom the worlds revere,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pure saint to whom the good are dear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To us his guests all grace will show,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Enriched with blessings ere we go.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I to this aim each thought will turn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The favour of the saint to earn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That here in comfort may be spent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The last years of our banishment.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here sanctities and high saints stand,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gods, minstrels of the heavenly band;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon Agastya's will they wait,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And serve him, pure and temperate.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The liar's tongue, the tyrant's mind</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Within these bounds no home may find:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No cheat, no sinner here can be:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So holy and so good is he.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here birds and lords of serpent race,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Spirits and Gods who haunt the place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Content with scanty fare remain,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As merit's meed they strive to gain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Made perfect here, the saints supreme,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On cars that mock the Day-God's gleam,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their mortal bodies cast aside,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sought heaven transformed and glorified,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here Gods to living things, who win</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their favour, pure from cruel sin,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Give royal rule and many a good,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page243"></span><SPAN name="Pg243" id="Pg243" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Immortal life and spirithood.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now, Lakshmaṇ, we are near the place:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Do thou precede a little space,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And tell the mighty saint that I</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">With Sítá at my side am nigh.”</span></div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
<SPAN name="toc419" id="toc419"></SPAN>
<SPAN name="pdf420" id="pdf420"></SPAN>
<SPAN name="CantoIII-XII" id="CantoIII-XII" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto XII. The Heavenly Bow.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He spoke: the younger prince obeyed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Within the bounds his way he made,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus addressed, whom first he met,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A pupil of the anchoret:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Brave Ráma, eldest born, who springs,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Daśaratha, hither brings</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His wife the lady Sítá: he</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would fain the holy hermit see.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lakshmaṇ am I—if happy fame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">E'er to thine ears has brought the name—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His younger brother, prompt to do</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His will, devoted, fond, and true.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We, through our royal sire's decree,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To the dread woods were forced to flee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tell the great Master, I entreat,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Our earnest wish our lord to greet.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He spoke: the hermit rich in store</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of fervid zeal and sacred lore,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sought the pure shrine which held the fire,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To bear his message to the sire.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon as he reached the saint most bright</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In sanctity's surpassing might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He cried, uplifting reverent hands:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Lord Ráma near thy cottage stands.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then spoke Agastya's pupil dear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The message for his lord to hear:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Ráma and Lakshmaṇ, chiefs who spring</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Daśaratha, glorious king,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy hermitage e'en now have sought,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And lady Sítá with them brought.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The tamers of the foe are here</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To see thee, Master, and revere.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis thine thy further will to say:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Deign to command, and we obey.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">When from his pupil's lips he knew</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The presence of the princely two,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Sítá born to fortune high.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glorious hermit made reply:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Great joy at last is mine this day</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That Ráma hither finds his way,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For long my soul has yearned to see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The prince who comes to visit me.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go forth, go forth, and hither bring</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The royal three with welcoming:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lead Ráma in and place him near:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Why stands he not already here?”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus ordered by the hermit, who,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lord of his thought, all duty knew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His reverent hands together laid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The pupil answered and obeyed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forth from the place with speed he ran,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Lakshmaṇ came and thus began:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Where is he? let not Ráma wait,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">But speed, the sage to venerate.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then with the pupil Lakshmaṇ went</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Across the hermit settlement,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And showed him Ráma where he stood</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Janak's daughter in the wood.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The pupil then his message spake</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which the kind hermit bade him take;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then led the honoured Ráma thence</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And brought him in with reverence.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As nigh the royal Ráma came</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Lakshmaṇ and the Maithil dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He viewed the herds of gentle deer</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Roaming the garden free from fear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As through the sacred grove he trod</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He viewed the seat of many a God,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Brahmá and Agni,<SPAN id="noteref_429" name="noteref_429" href="#note_429"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">429</span></span></SPAN> Sun and Moon,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And His who sends each golden boon;<SPAN id="noteref_430" name="noteref_430" href="#note_430"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">430</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here Vishṇu's stood, there Bhaga's<SPAN id="noteref_431" name="noteref_431" href="#note_431"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">431</span></span></SPAN> shrine,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And there Mahendra's, Lord divine;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here His who formed this earthly frame,<SPAN id="noteref_432" name="noteref_432" href="#note_432"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">432</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His there from whom all beings came.<SPAN id="noteref_433" name="noteref_433" href="#note_433"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">433</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Váyu's,<SPAN id="noteref_434" name="noteref_434" href="#note_434"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">434</span></span></SPAN> and His who loves to hold</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The great noose, Varuṇ<SPAN id="noteref_435" name="noteref_435" href="#note_435"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">435</span></span></SPAN> mighty-souled:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here was the Vasus'<SPAN id="noteref_436" name="noteref_436" href="#note_436"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">436</span></span></SPAN>
shrine to see,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here that of sacred Gáyatrí,<SPAN id="noteref_437" name="noteref_437" href="#note_437"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">437</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The king of serpents<SPAN id="noteref_438" name="noteref_438" href="#note_438"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">438</span></span></SPAN> here had place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And he who rules the feathered race.<SPAN id="noteref_439" name="noteref_439" href="#note_439"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">439</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Here Kártikeya,<SPAN id="noteref_440" name="noteref_440" href="#note_440"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">440</span></span></SPAN> warrior lord,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And there was Justice King adored.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then with disciples girt about</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The mighty saint himself came out:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through fierce devotion bright as flame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before the rest the Master came:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And then to Lakshmaṇ, fortune blest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma these hasty words addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Behold, Agastya's self draws near,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The mighty saint, whom all revere:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With spirit raised I meet my lord</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">With richest wealth of penance stored.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The strong-armed hero spake, and ran</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forward to meet the sunbright man.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before him, as he came, he bent</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And clasped his feet most reverent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then rearing up his stately height</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stood suppliant by the anchorite,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While Lakshmaṇ's strength and Sítá's grace</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stood by the pride of Raghu's race.</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page244"></span><SPAN name="Pg244" id="Pg244" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sage his arms round Ráma threw</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And welcomed him with honours due,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Asked, was all well, with question sweet,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bade the hero to a seat.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With holy oil he fed the flame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He brought the gifts which strangers claim,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And kindly waiting on the three</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With honours due to high degree,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He gave with hospitable care</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A simple hermit's woodland fare.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then sat the reverend father, first</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of hermits, deep in duty versed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus to suppliant Ráma, bred</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In all the lore of virtue, said:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Did the false hermit, Prince, neglect</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To hail his guest with due respect,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He must,—the doom the perjured meet,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His proper flesh hereafter eat.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A car-borne king, a lord who sways</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The earth, and virtue's law obeys,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Worthy of highest honour, thou</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Hast sought, dear guest, my cottage now.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He spoke: with fruit and hermit fare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With every bloom the branches bare,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya graced his honoured guest,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus with gentle words addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Accept this mighty bow, divine,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whereon red gold and diamonds shine;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Twas by the Heavenly Artist planned</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For Vishṇu's own almighty hand;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This God-sent shaft of sunbright hue,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose deadly flight is ever true,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By Lord Mahendra given of yore:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This quiver with its endless store.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Keen arrows hurtling to their aim</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like kindled fires that flash and flame:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Accept, in golden sheath encased,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This sword with hilt of rich gold graced.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Armed with this best of bows</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lord Vishṇu slew his demon foes,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And mid the dwellers in the skies</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Won brilliant glory for his prize.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The bow, the quivers, shaft, and sword</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Received from me, O glorious lord:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These conquest to thine arm shall bring,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">As thunder to the thunder's King.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The splendid hermit bade him take</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The noble weapons as he spake,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And as the prince accepted each</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In words like these renewed his speech:</div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.