Ramayan, Book 3, The

<SPAN name="toc463" id="toc463"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf464" id="pdf464"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XXXIV" id="CantoIII-XXXIV" 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 XXXIV. Súrpanakhá's Speech.</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">Then forth the giant's fury broke</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Śúrpaṇakhá harshly spoke.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Girt by his lords the demon king</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Looked on her, fiercely questioning:</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">“Who is this Ráma, whence, and where?</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His form, his might, his deeds declare.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His wandering steps what purpose led</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Daṇḍak forest, hard to tread?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What arms are his that he could smite</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In fray the rovers of the night,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Triśirás and Dúshaṇ lay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Low on the earth, and Khara slay?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tell all, my sister, and declare</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Who maimed thee thus, of form most fair.”</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 by the giant king addressed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While burnt her fury unrepressed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giantess declared at length</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hero's form and deeds and strength:</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">“Long are his arms and large his eyes:</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A black deer's skin his dress supplies.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">King Daśaratha's son is he,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair as Kandarpa's self to see.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Adorned with many a golden band,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A bow, like Indra's, arms his hand,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And shoots a flood of arrows fierce</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As venomed snakes to burn and pierce.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I looked, I looked, but never saw</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His mighty hand the bowstring draw</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That sent the deadly arrows out,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While rang through air his battle-shout.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I looked, I looked, and saw too well</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How with that hail the giants fell,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As falls to earth the golden grain,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Struck by the blows of Indra's rain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He fought, and twice seven thousand, all</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Terrific giants, strong and tall,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fell by the pointed shafts o'erthrown</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which Ráma shot on foot, alone.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Three little hours had scarcely fled,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Khara and Dúshaṇ both were dead,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And he had freed the saints and made</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Asylum sure in Daṇḍak's shade.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Me of his grace the victor spared,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or I the giants' fate had shared.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The high-souled Ráma would not deign</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His hand with woman's blood to stain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glorious Lakshmaṇ, justly dear,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In gifts and warrior might his peer,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Serves his great brother with the whole</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Devotion of his faithful soul:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Impetuous victor, bold and wise,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">First in each hardy enterprise,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still ready by his side to stand,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A second self or better hand.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Ráma has a large-eyed spouse,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pure as the moon her cheek and brows,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dearer than life in Ráma's sight,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose happiness is her delight.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With beauteous hair and nose the dame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From head to foot has naught to blame.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She shines the wood's bright Goddess, Queen</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of beauty with her noble mien.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">First in the ranks of women placed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is Sítá of the dainty waist.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In all the earth mine eyes have ne'er</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Seen female form so sweetly fair.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Goddess nor nymph can vie with her,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor bride of heavenly chorister.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He who might call this dame his own,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her eager arms about him thrown,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would live more blest in Sítá's love</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Than Indra in the world above.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She, peerless in her form and face</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And rich in every gentle grace,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Is worthy bride, O King, for thee,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thou art meet her lord to be.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I even I, will bring the bride</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In triumph to her lover's side—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This beauty fairer than the rest,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With rounded limb and heaving breast.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each wound upon my face I owe</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To cruel Lakshmaṇ's savage blow.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But thou, O brother, shalt survey</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her moonlike loveliness to-day,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Káma's piercing shafts shall smite</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thine amorous bosom at the sight.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If in thy breast the longing rise</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To make thine own the beauteous prize,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Up, let thy better foot begin</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The journey and the treasure win.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If, giant Lord, thy favouring eyes</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Regard the plan which I advise,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Up, cast all fear and doubt away</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And execute the words I say</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Come, giant King, this treasure seek,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For thou art strong and they are weak.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page270"></span><SPAN name="Pg270" id="Pg270" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Let Sítá of the faultless frame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Be borne away and be thy dame.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy host in Janasthán who dwelt</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Forth to the battle hied.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And by the shafts which Ráma dealt</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">They perished in their pride.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dúshaṇ and Khara breathe no more,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Laid low upon the plain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Arise, and ere the day be o'er</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Take vengeance for the slain.”</span></div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <SPAN name="toc465" id="toc465"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf466" id="pdf466"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XXXV" id="CantoIII-XXXV" 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 XXXV. Rávan's Journey.</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">When Rávaṇ, by her fury spurred,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That terrible advice had heard,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He bade his nobles quit his side,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to the work his thought applied.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He turned his anxious mind to scan</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On every side the hardy plan:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The gain against the risk he laid,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each hope and fear with care surveyed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And in his heart at length decreed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To try performance of the deed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then steady in his dire intent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant to the courtyard went.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There to his charioteer he cried,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Bring forth the car whereon I ride.”</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Aye ready at his master's word</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The charioteer the order heard,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And yoked with active zeal the best</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of chariots at his lord's behest.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Asses with heads of goblins drew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That wondrous car where'er it flew.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Obedient to the will it rolled</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Adorned with gems and glistering gold.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then mounting, with a roar as loud</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thunder from a labouring cloud,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The mighty monarch to the tide</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Ocean, lord of rivers, hied.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">White was the shade above him spread,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">White chouris waved around his head,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And he with gold and jewels bright</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shone like the glossy lazulite.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ten necks and twenty arms had he:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His royal gear was good to see.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The heavenly Gods' insatiate foe,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who made the blood of hermits flow,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He like the Lord of Hills appeared</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With ten huge heads to heaven upreared.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In the great car whereon he rode,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like some dark cloud the giant showed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When round it in their close array</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The cranes 'mid wreaths of lightning play.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He looked, and saw, from realms of air,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The rocky shore of ocean, where</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Unnumbered trees delightful grew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With flower and fruit of every hue.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He looked on many a lilied pool</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With silvery waters fresh and cool,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And shores like spacious altars meet</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For holy hermits' lone retreat.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The graceful palm adorned the scene,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The plantain waved her glossy green.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There grew the sál and betel, there</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On bending boughs the flowers were fair.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There hermits dwelt who tamed each sense</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By strictest rule of abstinence:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gandharvas, Kinnars,<SPAN id="noteref_488" name="noteref_488" href="#note_488"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">488</span></span></SPAN> thronged the place,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nágas and birds of heavenly race.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright minstrels of the ethereal quire,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And saints exempt from low desire,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Ájas, sons of Brahmá's line,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Maríchipas of seed divine,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Vaikhánasas and Máshas strayed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Bálakhilyas<SPAN id="noteref_489" name="noteref_489" href="#note_489"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">489</span></span></SPAN> in the shade.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lovely nymphs of heaven were there,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Celestial wreaths confined their hair,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And to each form new grace was lent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By wealth of heavenly ornament.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Well skilled was each in play and dance</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gentle arts of dalliance.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glorious wife of many a God</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those beautiful recesses trod,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There Gods and Dánavs, all who eat</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The food of heaven, rejoiced to meet.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The swan and Sáras thronged each bay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With curlews, ducks, and divers gay,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where the sea spray rose soft and white</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'er rocks of glossy lazulite.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As his swift way the fiend pursued</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pale chariots of the Gods he viewed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bearing each lord whose rites austere</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Had raised him to the heavenly sphere.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thereon celestial garlands hung,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There music played and songs were sung.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then bright Gandharvas met his view,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And heavenly nymphs, as on he flew.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw the sandal woods below,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And precious trees of odorous flow,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That to the air around them lent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their riches of delightful scent;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor failed his roving eye to mark</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Tall aloe trees in grove and park.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He looked on wood with cassias filled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And plants which balmy sweets distilled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where her fair flowers the betel showed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the bright pods of pepper glowed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The pearls in many a silvery heap</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lay on the margin of the deep.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And grey rocks rose amid the red</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of coral washed from ocean's bed.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page271"></span><SPAN name="Pg271" id="Pg271" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High soared the mountain peaks that bore</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Treasures of gold and silver ore,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And leaping down the rocky walls</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Came wild and glorious waterfalls.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair towns which grain and treasure held,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And dames who every gem excelled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw outspread beneath him far,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With steed, and elephant, and car.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That ocean shore he viewed that showed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair as the blessed Gods' abode</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where cool delightful breezes played</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O'er levels in the freshest shade.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw a fig-tree like a cloud</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With mighty branches earthward bowed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">It stretched a hundred leagues and made</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For hermit bands a welcome shade.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thither the feathered king of yore</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">An elephant and tortoise bore,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And lighted on a bough to eat</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The captives of his taloned feet.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The bough unable to sustain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The crushing weight and sudden strain,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Loaded with sprays and leaves of spring</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gave way beneath the feathered king.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Under the shadow of the tree</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dwelt many a saint and devotee,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ájas, the sons of Brahmá's line,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Máshas, Maríchipas divine.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Vaikhánasas, and all the race</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Bálakhilyas, loved the place.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But pitying their sad estate</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The feathered monarch raised the weight</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of the huge bough, and bore away</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The loosened load and captured prey.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A hundred leagues away he sped,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then on his monstrous booty fed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And with the bough he smote the lands</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where dwell the wild Nisháda bands.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High joy was his because his deed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From jeopardy the hermits freed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That pride for great deliverance wrought</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A double share of valour brought.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His soul conceived the high emprise</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To snatch the Amrit from the skies.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He rent the nets of iron first,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then through the jewel chamber burst,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bore the drink of heaven away</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That watched in Indra's palace lay.</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">Such was the hermit-sheltering tree</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which Rávaṇ turned his eye to see.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still marked where Garuḍ sought to rest,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fig-tree bore the name of Blest.</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 Rávaṇ stayed his chariot o'er</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The ocean's heart-enchanting shore,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw a hermitage that stood</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sequestered in the holy wood.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw the fiend Márícha there</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With deerskin garb, and matted hair</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Coiled up in hermit guise, who spent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His days by rule most abstinent.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As guest and host are wont to meet,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They met within that lone retreat.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before the king Márícha placed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Food never known to human taste.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He entertained his guest with meat</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And gave him water for his feet,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And then addressed the giant king</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With timely words of questioning:</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">“Lord, is it well with thee, and well</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With those in Lanká's town who dwell?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What sudden thought, what urgent need</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Has brought thee with impetuous speed?”</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 fiend Márícha thus addressed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rávaṇ the king, his mighty guest,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And he, well skilled in arts that guide</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The eloquent, in turn replied:</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <SPAN name="toc467" id="toc467"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf468" id="pdf468"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XXXVI" id="CantoIII-XXXVI" 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 XXXVI. Rávan's Speech.</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"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Hear me, Márícha, while I speak,</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And tell thee why thy home I seek.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sick and distressed am I, and see</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My surest hope and help in thee.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Janasthán I need not tell,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where Śúrpaṇakhá, Khara, dwell,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Dúshaṇ with the arm of might,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Triśirás, the fierce in fight,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who feeds on human flesh and gore,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And many noble giants more,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who roam in dark of midnight through</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The forest, brave and strong and true.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By my command they live at ease</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And slaughter saints and devotees.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those twice seven thousand giants, all</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Obedient to their captain's call,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Joying in war and ruthless deeds</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Follow where mighty Khara leads.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those fearless warrior bands who roam</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through Janasthán their forest home,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In all their terrible array</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Met Ráma in the battle fray.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Girt with all weapons forth they sped</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Khara at the army's head.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The front of battle Ráma held:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With furious wrath his bosom swelled.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Without a word his hate to show</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He launched the arrows from his bow.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On the fierce hosts the missiles came,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each burning with destructive flame,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The twice seven thousand fell o'erthrown</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By him, a man, on foot, alone.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Khara the army's chief and pride,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Dúshaṇ, fearless warrior, died,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Triśirás the fierce was slain,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Daṇḍak wood was free again.</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, banished by his angry sire,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Roams with his wife in mean attire.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This wretch, his Warrior tribe's disgrace</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has slain the best of giant race.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page272"></span><SPAN name="Pg272" id="Pg272" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Harsh, wicked, fierce and greedy-souled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A fool, with senses uncontrolled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No thought of duty stirs his breast:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He joys to see the world distressed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He sought the wood with fair pretence</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of truthful life and innocence,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But his false hand my sister left</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mangled, of nose and ears bereft.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This Ráma's wife who bears the name</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Sítá, in her face and frame</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair as a daughter of the skies,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her will I seize and bring the prize</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Triumphant from the forest shade:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For this I seek thy willing aid.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If thou, O mighty one, wilt lend</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy help and stand beside thy friend,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I with my brothers may defy</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All Gods embattled in the sky.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Come, aid me now, for thine the power</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To succour in the doubtful hour.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou art in war and time of fear,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For heart and hand, without a peer.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For thou art skilled in art and wile,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A warrior brave and trained in guile.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With this one hope, this only aim,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Rover of the Night, I came.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now let me tell what aid I ask</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To back me in my purposed task.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In semblance of a golden deer</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Adorned with silver spots appear.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go, seek his dwelling: in the way</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Ráma and his consort stray.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Doubt not the lady, when she sees</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wondrous deer amid the trees,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will bid her lord and Lakshmaṇ take</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The creature for its beauty's sake.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then when the chiefs have parted thence,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And left her lone, without defence,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Ráhu storms the moonlight, I</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will seize the lovely dame and fly.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her lord will waste away and weep</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For her his valour could not keep.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then boldly will I strike the blow</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And wreak my vengeance on the foe.”</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 wise Márícha heard the tale</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His heart grew faint, his cheek was pale,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He stared with open orbs, and tried</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To moisten lips which terror dried,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And grief, like death, his bosom rent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As on the king his look he bent.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The monarch's will he strove to stay,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Distracted with alarm,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">For well he knew the might that lay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">In Ráma's matchless arm.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With suppliant hands Márícha stood</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">And thus began to tell</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">His counsel for the tyrant's good,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">And for his own as well:</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />