r

THE RAGHUVANgA

TTbrT?'

4s\
4

THE

RAGHUVANgA
THE STORY
OF RAGHU'S LINE

BY KALIDASA
TRANSLATED BY
P.

DE LACY JOHNSTONE

M.A., OXOK.

M.R.A.S.

SERVICE (retired)

OF H.M. BENGAL CIVIL

SOMETIME BODEN' SANSKRIT

SCHOLAR IN THE UNIVERSITV OF OXFORD

l/A

DENT AND CO.

ALDINE HOUSE: LONDON
J.

M.

1902

my HI

Edinburgh

Printed by T. and A.

Constable

PREFATORY NOTE
The

Introduction

tells

the story

of the

poet and

the poem.

For the Mythological Notes which

and which

the

special

hope

will

indulgence

Pronunciation

is

help English readers,

of

Scholars.

The Index

added.

follow,

is

ask

Note on

intended only

to supplement very shortly the Mythological Notes.

For the

Illustrations

which embellish

my

book

am

indebted to the kind permission of Miss Growse, of

Thursby

Hall, Haslemere, Surrey.

ished reproductions of works

These are dimin-

by native Indian

artists,

prepared at great expense for her brother, the late

Mr. Growse, CLE., of the Bengal Civil Service, to

adorn his valuable and scholarly translation of the

Hindi Rdmdyana^ which

Book
death

may

be called the Sacred

of North- Western Bengal.

is

Mr. Growse's early

a loss to Indian scholarship that will not

easily be repaired.

CONTENTS
PAGE

INTRODUCTION

xi

CANTO
How King

DiLtPA

went to Vacishtha's Hermitage

CANTO

II

Nandin! grants the King his Desire

CANTO
Raghu

....

Raghu succeeds

stayed by

....

his

is

CANTO IV
Father, and conquers
CANTO

Raghu's splendid Generosity

the World

19

28

Aja

is

born, and,

when

grown to Manhood, starts to woo Indumati

CANTO

lo

III

born DilIpa's Horse-sacrifice

Indra, with whom Raghu fights
is

37

47

VI

The Wooing of Indumat!, and her Choice of Aja

RAGHUVANgA

viii

PAGE

CANTO
Aja's

Wedding

VII

and how he smote

Rivals on his

treacherous

Way Home

58

CANTO
Aja's

his

early Happiness

VIII

Death of Indumat!, and

his

Lament

66

CANTO

IX

The Prosperous Reign of Da9aratha, and

Hunting

his

Fatal
78

CANTO X
invoked by the Gods, becomes incarnate as
Rama, to destroy the Tyrant Ravana

Vishnu,

...

CANTO

XI

Rama's -Triumph and Marriage with

Defeat of Para^u Rama

CANTO
The Banishment of Rama

Sita,

and

his

99

XII

the Carrying-away of SIta

her Rescue, and Ravana's Defeat and Death
;

CANTO

89

XIII

Rama's Triumphant Return with Sita

....

112

125

CANTO XIV
The Restoration of Rama to
Divorce of Sita

his

Kingdom, and the

136

CONTENTS

ix
PAGB

CANTO XV
The slaying of Lavana

Rama vanquishes Death

bears twin sons, and at a sacrifice

AND VANISHES

THE PASSING OF RaMA

Sita

....
is

rf.stored,
I49

CANTO XVI
The Reign of Kuca
how he returned to Ayodhya,
AND WEDDED KUMUDVATI
:

161

CANTO XVII
The wise Rule of King Atithi

CANTO

174

XVIII

The later Kings of Raghu's Race

184

CANTO XIX
Agnivarma's voluptuous Reign and Death

Index

192

196

ILLUSTRATIONS
.

SITAPURA, " SITA'S CITY "

(Photogravure)

To face

Title

PAGE

THE TRIAL OF THE BOW

104

RAMA'S MARRIAGE

106

DAgARATHA'S DISTRESS

113

BHARATA'S ARRIVAL AT CHITRAKOtA

THE ENTHRONEMENT OF RAMA

RAMA'S COURT

....

114
138
149

INTRODUCTION
Kalidasa

more than

There hangs over his

personal history that mist of time and distance which seems
to enwrap all things historical in the early life and thought of
Ancient India. But his work is with us, more of it probably
than of any other great Sanskrit author; and he must always
is little

a name.

have a special interest

for us, as the translation in

drama Qdkuntala by

1781 of

William Jones gave the first

impulse to the study of that wonderful literature of old India
his

Sir

which has revolutionised philology, and has had very great

influence in modifying our thoughts in the political

towards our Indian fellow-subjects.

made him one

of the " nine

gems

The

" at the

Vikramaditya reigning in the age of

vanished before

later research,

Dramas, and of

his

domain

also

pretty legend that

polished Court of a

Roman

Augustus has

but the charms of his tender

noble Epics, abide with

us.

Kalidasa lived probably about the middle of the sixth

century of our
personally.

dramatist,

into

but beyond this we

His fame

and the

With the noble

come

era,

is

simplicity of the
;

of

him

perennial, as that of India's greatest

greatest epic

comparison

know nothing

poet of her classical days.

Ramdyana

his

work does not

but in respect of true poetic feeling

for the aspects of nature,

and

insight into both the

manly

and the tender moods of human emotion, he stands very

high among the great poets of all lands and ages. That he

RAGHUVANgA

xii
fell in his

epics occasionally into the snares laid for

him by

the technical perfection of classical Sanskrit, and played with

words and sounds

in a

way

seems frivolous

that

to us,

we

forget

how

much

very

should

Nor should

not blind us to his great and varied excellence.

has done this than any other

less he

of the famous classical poets

Bharavi in the

of India.

Ktratarjumya and Bhatta in his poem shows us what temptations Kalidasa resisted, and will make us more highly value
the self-restraint he has shown in this matter of

As

have

indeed

literature,^which

nature

considering the

Dramas

his

said,

is

are

not

of the

artificiality.

supreme

rich

that

in

province,

who seem

people,

Indian

in

apt for

But the beauties of

The Hero and the
(^akuntala and the Ring and of
Nymph have long been before the European and particularly
Among
the English public, and I need not dilate on them.
branches of

such

his

activity.

literary

own countrymen, however, Kalidasa

at least equally

is

renowned as an epic poet of the classical period, which extends

over several centuries.
There are different lists of the Six
Maha-Kavyas but all name two {Kumara"great poems"
Kartikeya, and
sambhava^ the Birth of the War-God
Raghuvan^a, the Story of Raghu's Line) of Kalidasa's among
them and one that is well accredited would include a third,

The

the graceful Cloud-Messenger, in the short roll of fame.

poem which

have here translated

esteemed of them
legend,

all.

while the varied

language lend

it

in

It

is

by

far

the

most

a storehouse of poetry and

metres and exquisitely beautiful

the original a

transferred into another tongue.

me

is

It

charm

that cannot

be

has long been a wonder

no one has hitherto done for it what Mr. Griffiths

has so well done for its companion, the Birth of the Warto

that

INTRODUCTION^

God, especially as

it

Xlll

appears (from Stenzler's Preface,

that the greater part of the

into English before the

poem had been

work of editing

it

p.

ii.)

already translated

was given

to him.

But name and fame of the translator seem to have vanished,

nor have I been able to find any further trace of them.
And here I must acknowledge my debt to the great scholar
just named.
While I have used for my work the best native
of
editions
the poem, with constant reference to the Sanskrit
commentators,
Stenzler's

have always derived the greatest help from

Latin

translation

without

it,

indeed,

my own

would probably not have been undertaken. I must here

add also, what only lately came to my knowledge, that Mr.
Griffiths has made (but not published) what he calls, in his
Notes to the translation of the whole Ramdyana, a " rough "
translation of the Raghuvanca.
He adds that fragments of
it

have appeared

The Poem
tells

as

us that in

in print,

we have
its

but

it is

original

have not seen them.

certainly incomplete.

form

consisted of twenty-five

it

come down

Cantos, of which only nineteen have

the abrupt ending of the

poem

Tradition

to us

and

confirms the tradition.

theme is the glories of the great Solar race of Ikshvaku,

which Vishnu was pleased to become incarnate as Rama,

Its

in

who had his capital

gods and men from his

that he might destroy the giant Ravana,

in

Ceylon (Lanka), and might free

tyranny.

This supremacy Ravana

Indra, the Thunderer, chief

among

had won, supplanting

the

Gods

inferior to the

Three (Brahma, Vishnu, Civa, Creator, Preserver,

Destroyer), by the power of his ascetic austerities, which
could, according to Brahmanical notions, compel Fate.
When therefore his yoke had become too hard to bear, when
great

RAGHUVANgA

xiv

Gods were banished or made to serve him, they sought

the aid of Vishnu, who heard their prayer and promised his
help.
This he would afford them by taking birth as a man,
for when Ravana asked
in the noble kingly line of Raghu
to be made invulnerable, he had omitted to secure himself

the

against

mere human

trace the fortunes of

poem Cantos

In our

foes.

to

ix

Rama's four immediate predecessors,

Cantos x to xv are occupied

from Dilipa to Dagaratha;

with the story of

Rama

through his noble

himself,

youth

from

his

and manhood,

wonderful birth,
triumphant

his

and happy reign,

till the time when he shook off the veil of humanity and
returned to his original glory as the Unconditioned God
and Cantos xvi to xix carry on the tale of the Kings who
succeeded him to (as we have it) a sad eclipse in the luxurious
marriage with

Sita,

victory over Ravana,

Agnivarma.

THE STORY BRIEFLY TOLD

(i)

The poet makes excuse

IN

PROSE

for his rashness in attempting

such an arduous task as that of celebrating the praises of this

famous

But he has been attracted by its very

The race is dazzling in its virtue and might, and

line of Kings.

magnitude.

the great Valmiki has trodden the path before him.

line sprang Dilipa, pious King,

of his

who grew

In the

old, rich in the love

Queen Sudakshina and the devotion

of his

happy

subjects, but not blessed with a son to succeed him.

purifying himself

and casting

sovereignty, he goes with his

from the

off for

Queen

a season the cares of

to seek counsel

saintly Vacishtha in his hermitage.

journey through

lands

prosperous

So,

and help

After a pleasant

and smiling

with

the

INTRODUCTION
blessings of his rule, where

all

xv

good omens attend them on

the way, they reach the peaceful hermitage.

Their errand

is

and the saint points out the remedy for their sorrow.
The King had neglected to pay due honour to the Holy Cow,
Surabhi, and must now (with his Queen) lead an ascetic life
and pay all worship to her offspring the Saint's own Cow
until she be propitiated, and grant him the desire of his
told,

heart.
(2)

And

the days went by.

From

early

morning

to

dewy

eve the noble, patient King assiduously tended the semi-divine

Cow and

at

herself took

evening the Queen welcomed them back, and

up the

pleasant, hopeful task.

day the King had followed his charge up

the green slopes of the Himalaya, and while he gazed on the
beauties of the scene, secure that her own sanctity would protect her from all harm, he was startled by her agonised cry,

But one

and
lion.

in

fateful

dismay saw her prostrate under the paw of a fierce

He fitted an arrow to his bow, but could not draw it,

and found himself powerless to help. The lion addressed him

in human voice, told him he was set by Civa to guard a
favourite tree beloved by Uma, that the Cow had trespassed
and had justly forfeited her life, and bade him leave her to
her fate and himself return, saving his own valuable life. But
He entreated that he
the King would hear of no desertion.
might save his honour though he should lose his life, and
offered his own body a ransom for that of his charge, that she
might go unharmed. Then the magic scene rolled away the
Cow praised his devotion and promised him the boon he
sought, and the two returned to the hermitage.
The Queen
and her husband drank the sacred milk, and were dismissed
in peace and gladness to their own city.
:

RAGHUVANCA

xvi
(3)

Then

in

due time the Queen bore

to her

husband a

and wearing from his birth the

His nurture in holy things
signs of worth and
was intrusted to the wisest Brahmans in the land, and he
richly rewarded their care, whilst the King himself instructed
him in the arts of war and the chase. Raghu was he called,
the vehement in battle, and he grew up noble and generous,
the light of his father's eyes and the hope of his kingdom.
Fully trained in all sacred and kingly lore, he was raised to
association in his father's dignity, and happily wedded to
fair son,

delighting

all

hearts

prosperity.

And

on his son
and honour of the kingdom, set himself to perform
the long series of a hundred sacrifices, which is crowned by
the great Offering of the Horse, and raises the sacrificer to
The God, ever on the
the rank of Indra, King of Heaven.
watch to foil such enterprise, stole away the destined victim
and the Prince, to whose care it had been committed, pursued the aggressor. He plied him first with vain entreaties,
and then boldly attacked him. A terrible battle ensued
each inflicted wounds on the other but at length the God,
moved by the courage and devotion of the young hero,
relaxed his anger and granted that, though the crowning
noble princesses.

Dilipa, having devolved

the cares

sacrifice

might not be accomplished, yet Dilipa should win

mount to the throne of

forsook Earth and Raghu reigned

the prize of his sacred acts, and

Heaven.

So

Dilipa

gloriously in his stead.

(4)

Raghu, being seated on

his father's throne,

by

his firm

but mild rule soon took even a higher place in his people's
affections than his father

kingdom,

and

had held

like a loving bride,

valiant,

he ruled

and the Fortune of the

clung closely to him.

his people for a time in peace

Just
;

then,

nobly ambitious,

NTRODUCT1
he

set

with

forth

xvii

mighty and

appointed host on a career of universal conquest.

well-

In the

mild autumn season, when calm skies and pleasant days

and Earth and Heaven

invited him,

Smiting

down
over

rivers,

he led his victorious army across great

all foes,

lofty

rejoiced, he set forth.

through pathless

mountains,

Then, having

the shores of ocean.

set

forests,

up everywhere

to

pillars

of victory, and restored the vanquished kings to their thrones

as his vassals, the hero returned to his capital,

Ayodhya, and

pomp, swelled by the infinite treasures

tribute, and graced by the presence of

there with magnificent

he had received

in

captive kings, celebrated the gorgeous sacrifice which only a

Universal Conqueror

But the

(5)
all his

may

sacrifice

offer

he had made involved the bestowal of

wealth in alms, and at

its

Monarch was as
his subjects, when

close the

bare of earth's riches as the meanest of

came before him an eminent Brahman, Kautsa,

there

from

generosity

his

Varatantu.

the

fee

required

In gracious words the king

and

by
first

his

to ask

Preceptor

inquired of the

and then the

purpose of his guest's coming. The Brahman, seeing the
King had stripped himself of all he possessed, was reluctant
welfare of the Saint

his dependants,

all

make an unreasonable request but, being

told his need. The King invited him to stay for

to

as his guest,

pressed, he

little

while

and himself prepared to start forth to obtain, by

force of arms,

if

necessary, the almost boundless treasure

wanted, from Kuvera the Lord of Wealth.

slept,

meaning

to set forth in

down, unconstrained, into

and unimagined.

Brahman
fee,

But while he
the morning, the God poured

his palace courtyard riches untold

Then ensued

a contest of generosity.

at first refused to receive

more than

The

his Teacher's

but was at length persuaded by the generous King to

b

RAGHUVANCA

xviii

take the whole

then he blessed him with the promise of a

glorious son to continue his race,

>J

So

to

Raghu was born

and departed.

a son, Aja, called after

Brahma

the

and brave and gentle as himself, the

And when the Prince was
desire of aU eyes and hearts.
fully perfect in wisdom and in arms, his father sent him to
Vidarbha, whither King Bhoja had invited many a noble
King and Chief, that his fair sister Indumati might choose
Aja marched with such
her husband from among them.
and was
attendant army as befitted his royal rank,
welcomed by King Bhoja, having on the way secured a
friend in the demi-god Priyamvada, whom he freed from
enchantment and who gave him a magic spear whose virtues
One night the Prince
could strike whole armies with sleep.
slept before Vidarbha, and in the morning was roused from
his slumbers by the sweet voices of minstrels, hymning him
in soft lyrical strains, which form one of the gems of the
noble

Uncreated,

poem.
(6)

pany

Then

the Prince, nobly attired, went to join the

com-

where Princess Indumati

of suitor kings in the lofty hall

was to make her Maiden's Choice, of the lord of her love and
Waiting her entry, there sat round the hall on lofty
her life.
thrones an anxious assemblage of

all

noble Chiefs of the time, come from

peerless Maid.

To

the most famous and

far

and near

hide their anxiety they

to

trifled

woo

with their

garlands, their jewels, their robes, or talked in whispers to

another.
litter,

Then,

came

fair

to

Kings

one

the sweet sounds of music, borne in a

Indumati into the

were fixed on her.

the

Her

hall,

and the eyes of

all

guide, Sunanda, led her past the

each as the Princess

But neither the valiant and

in their order, eloquently praising

slowly passed along the line.

INTRODUCTION

xix

pious lord of Magadha, nor he of Avanti, nor of Anga, nor

the mighty King of AnQpa, before

whom Ravana

stooped and

who braved fierce Paragu-Rama's axe nor devout Susheria,

who in beauty and valour rivals the mighty Gods, found
favour in her eyes.
And as she passed, each one, silently
;

rejected, felt the hue of glad hope fade from his face,
shadowed by the gloom of failure. Then she passed on, and
her guide commended to her the King of Kalinga, lord of the
southern realm, bordering on Ocean, where palm-trees wave
and spice-laden breezes blow; and next the Pandu King,
friend of Indra, ally even of mighty Ravana
but neither of
those powerful Kings won the Maiden's choice, and they too
passed into darkness, " like wayside trees lit up but for a
moment by a traveller's torch." Onward she went to Prince
Aja, and her choice was no more doubtful.
She heard his
praises, she saw his noble beauty, and she cast over him the
wreath that proclaimed her election, and the happy union
was welcomed with loud acclaim
(7) Then did King Bhoja pass to the city, with his sister
and her chosen lover, while the disappointed wooers followed
in their train.
The glad procession was welcomed with loyal
shouts of the citizens, while their ladies looked on eagerly
from the lattices, hastening though dishevelled or but halfNext the grave marriage
attired
to see the goodly sight.
;

ceremonies were accomplished, hallowed by the witness of

Fire

and hailed by all onlookers

as fortunate.

with lordly gifts dismissed to their

who took

own

Then

the

King

places the suitor-kings,

their leave with pleasant words, but with thoughts

of revenge in their hearts.

on their homeward journey had

parted from Bhoja, the banded Kings barred the way, to

So when Aja and

his bride

RAGHUVANCA

XX

But Aja, placing Indumati

boldly charged them, and fierce battle was joined.
carry off the bride.

in

safety,

Chariots

with chariots, horse with horse, elephant with elephant,

in

Heaven was obscured by the dust,

flowed with streams of blood. So swift came death

deadly

earth

met
and

strife.

disembodied warriors saw their lifeless trunks still

tottering on the plain, as themselves mounted to heaven,
The fortune, of battle wavered, and
there to renew the strife.
Aja had more than once to rally his yielding battalions. At
that the

length, weary

of slaughter,

the

Prince

used the magical

weapon given him by his friend Priyamvada. At once the

foes were charmed into sleep, the noise of battle was stilled,
the Prince wound his horn to rally his forces, and at his
bidding blushing Indumati set her foot on the necks of his
prostrate foes.
So, happy and triumphant, they returned to
Ayodhya, and were welcomed by King Raghu.
(8) Thereafter, King Raghu, rejoicing in his son's glory and
happiness, gave the kingdom, to Aja, and himself prepared for
the life of austerity and meditation with which the pious
Kings of the Sun-Race make themselves fit to exchange earthly
But his son weeping besought him to
for heavenly crowns.
So the two
stay in the city, and the loving King yielded.
remained together, the one by justice and wise counsel ruling
his subjects, winning their love and fostering their well-being,
while they saw his father live again in him but the other,
subduing all desire, fixing his thoughts on the Supreme,
waited for the call to heaven. When thus some years had
gone by, the father passed to his rest, deeply mourned by
;

his son.

Now

Indumati bore

Aja a noble boy, and the clouds of

softened regret were dispelled by a new delight, while Aja's life
to

INTRODUCTION
budded

wondrous fulness towards his son Da^arath a,

forth in

fated father of the divine hero

But sorrow follows

through

sauntered

xxi

joy.

Rama.
As one day

pleasant

their

the

gardens,

loving

there

pair

on

fell

Indumati's breast from the sky a wreath of flowers, fallen

from the harp of the Minstrel-Saint Narada,

which she paled and

fell

dead.

touch

at

of

The King swooned, and on

recovering burst into a passionate lament for the cruel loss.

" Why,
my Beloved, hast thou so suddenly left me, whose

own?

Never wittingly did I aught to

displease thee, yet without a word am I forsaken
Let me
too die with thee.
Yet was Death kind to slay thee with

heart was

thine

all

flowers

Love,

how

couldst thou have the heart to leave

me, and our son, and even the deer and trees thou hadst
tended

All, all

think thee dead

mourn

for thee.

Ah, Beloved,

the breeze stirs thy hair

and

scarce can

rustles

through

gone from me for ever

Counsellor,
Friend, Queen of my heart and home, thou hast left me,
and what good is my life now to me ? Nought more can I
do for thee. Thy fair body must lie on the rough funeralpyre, and I must drag on my lonely life "
Yet for his
people's sake the King lived on, and bore himself nobly
though sorrowful. Duty he performed, but joy was gone
But thou

thy dress.

art

from

his

life.

The

counsels of his Saintly Preceptor,

who

him the true story of his lost Indumati a Nymph of

Heaven condemned for former sin to a period of exile on
earth and now recalled to her home
fell on unheeding ears.
For a few years he endured then, committing the kingdom
told

to his son,
his

he peacefully departed, to be reunited

for ever to

beloved Indumati.

(9)

Thereafter did mighty Da^aratha rule in righteousness,

RAGHUVANCA

xxii

Yama, beneficient as Indra, terrible as the War-God.

also subdued all the Earth under him, made the Sacrifice

just as

He

Dominion, fought often side by side with Indra

against the Demons, and raised his famous line to the
Three noble princesses he
pinnacle of glory and prosperity.
for Universal

wedded

of Magadha, Kogala, and Kekaya with

lived in

whom

he

unclouded happiness, save that no son was born to

him.

So the years

rolled on.

One

fateful spring,

when

all

the

world rejoiced in new beauty, as the warmer Sun dispelled

the chill numbness of winter, the King with his Queens went
forth to enjoy the pleasures of that season of love.

Earth

put on her robes of fresh green, and the forest trees budded

and blossomed the air was filled with the glad hum of bees
and the love-notes of birds of varied plumage. Youths and
maidens rejoiced in the spring-time of life and snatched the
bloom of the fleeting hour, careless of the morrow. Lovers
decked their mistresses with fresh flowers, and feasted them
with all that was choicest, and the sounds of laughter or the
;

soft

murmurs of

love were heard throughout the land.

King, having drunk of this cup of pleasure to the

the more

full,

The
sought

manly delights of the Chase, sport of Kings.

Through the forests went he with his great bow, rejoicing in
his skill and might.
Watched by the eager eye of forestgods, he smote the fierce boars and lions but spared the
gentle deer breezes fanned his cheek, and great trees lent
their shade.
But one morning, fresh from his fragrant
woodland couch, keen for sport, he heard in the reeds of the
sacred river Tamasa a gurgling sound as of an elephant
drinking.
In his eagerness he forgot the law forbidding a
king to slay an elephant his arrow is shot horrified he hears
;

INTRODUCTION
a

human

and bursting through the reeds

cry of pain,

lad mortally

xxiii

wounded with

boy, adopted son of a saintly Ascetic,

is

finds a

The

beside him.

his water-jar

borne by the sorrow-

King to his aged parents, and honoured with due funeral

rites
and the Hermit lays on the penitent King the heavy
ing

weird that his heart too shall in old age be broken by the
loss

of

son.

his

carrying with

it

Meekly the King received the doom,

the promise of a son yet to be born.

thanked the grieving

father,

and returned, sorrowful

He

yet in

hope, to his home.

(lo) But

when many

years

had

rolled by,

and the King

was aged, the Gods, led by Indra, sought in the fulness of

time from the mighty Vishnu rest and refuge from the

terrible

oppression of the Giant-Demon

Ravana,

the ten-

headed King of Lanka, who had by his penitential austerities

won from the Creator (Brahma) dominion over the Universe

Them the
and invulnerability from all superhuman foes.
Supreme favourably received, and listened well-pleased to
their hymn of praise.
They hailed him Omnipotent, Allembracing, the Substance from which all other entities
proceed and into which all are reabsorbed. " Passionless art
Thou and All-wise, yet grantest to all their desires ChangeSource
less, yet Author of all the vicissitudes of existence
of Duty and Law, Lord of Life and Death Thyself untouched
by pain or sin, yet All-pitiful for the sorrows and errors of
Thy creatures " Then Almighty Vishnu, in a voice that rose
above the thunderous roar of Ocean, on which he was seated,
promised that He himself, becoming incarnate in! the heroline of Dacaratha, would slay the Oppressor and free Gods
and men from his tyranny.
So, at the Sacrifice which Dacaratha was offering, the mighty
;

RAGHUVANgA

xxiv

God

entered the milk of the oblation

among

who

this the

pious King

due time bore four

noble
Bharata, Lakshman, and ^atrughna.
And the Princes grew up, trained to all royal virtues and knit
together in brotherly love, desired of all mankind, dear before
divided

his three wives,

sons -Rama,

all

in

things to their father.

(ii) But, while they were

boys, the

still

claimed from the King the help of

who were bound

together

in

Brahman Kaugika

Rama and Lakshman,

special

to

love,

guard his

from assaults of the Demons.

So the Princes went

with him, welcomed and helped on their way by all nature.
sacrifice

The Sage

lightened the road with legends of olden time, and

sustained

them by

slew the

Demon

his

magic powers.

On

the way

Rama

Taraka, and at the Saint's hermitage he

discomfited the Demon-hosts, shot their leaders, and enabled

the Saint to perform his long-obstructed Sacrifice.

Thus having proved their valour, the princes went with

Kaugika to a great Sacrifice which the King of Mithila had
made. On the way favouring portents occurred, heartily
were they welcomed, and Rama achieved the adventure of
^iva's Bow by bending and even breaking it
task which had
baffled many famous warriors
and so won for his bride
lovely Sita, the mysterious daughter of King Janaka.
On his
invitation Dagaratha came with a gallant army to be present

at the marriage,

when Rama's

brothers also were united to

due festivities he went home with his

sons and their newly-wedded wives.
But on the way they
were terrified by evil omens. The wind was adverse, the sun
was darkened, jackals howled at last appeared awful ParaguRama, with his dreaded axe, sworn foe of the Warrior-Race,
whom twenty-one times he had swept from the face of the
fair brides,

and

after

INTRODUCTION
beginning

xxv

own
who belonged to it.
He taunted and defied his
namesake, whose name and fame were equally a reproach to
him
made light of his adventure with ^iva's bow, and
offered him his own huge weapon to bend.
Rama, to whom
as Vishnu's bow it was familiar, lightly grasped and bent it,
earth

deed

savage

the

by

slaying

his

mother,

But the glory of

smiling the while.

the

elder

humbled

before
himself,

the

later

his foe paled before his,

manifestation of the

embraced the

offer to

God; he

purchase pardon at

the expense of losing that heaven which his arduous austerities

had won

and

Conqueror.

departed,

Then

in joy

and triumph Da^aratha and

his

Then

full,

grieved.

the King, having drunk

life's

pleasure-cup to

prepared (according to the wont of his noble race) to

establish

hermit's

plaudits of the heavenly host

Rama.

rejoicing over

the

and

his

sons went home, amid the

{12)

blessing

praising

after

Rdma on

throne and

the

himself

All the people rejoiced,

cell.

And now

doom

the

Rama

the

himself

long-since pronounced was to

His wife Kaikeyi, Bharata's mother,

overtake the aged King.

who had once saved

but

seek

to

when he was sore wounded,

claimed fulfilment of a promise then made her of two boons,
whatsoever she should ask. She demanded the kingdom
for her own son Bharata, and the banishment for fourteen
years of Rama.
The promise was fulfilled Rama, with his
his

life

faithful wife

and

his brother

Bharata, against his

own

will,

Lakshman, went into exile

was seated on the throne ; and

the aged King, after a short, sad term in the

passed away.
rites,

followed

Bharata, after duly performing

Rama, and

take up his birthright.

vainly besought

him

hermitage,

the

funeral-

to return

and

But the Hero would not be persuaded,

RAGHUVANgA

xxvi
till

the years of his exile should be complete, and to escape

further importunity plunged into the great Southern forest.

Then began

for

Rama

a series of battles with the Rakshasas,

and kinsfolk of the Demon-King of Lanka. He slew

Viradha, who attempted to carry Sita away and he dreadfully mutilated the terrible Surpanakha, when she furiously
allies

attacked him, frenzied at rejection of her proffered love.

She

fled

for aid

to

Ravana, and a great host came forth

against the two mighty brothers.

But

Rama

slew

them with

and only Silrpanakha escaped to

tell the tale in Lanka.
Ravana himself then took the field ;
he decoyed Rama away, and carried off Sita to his island
his death-dealing arrows,

fortress.

Rama
King

disconsolate

whom

made

alliance with the great

Monkey-

and whose
general, Hanuman, Son of the Wind, discovered and comforted Sita in Lanka, and brought back tidings to Rama.
The Hero then marched south with his allies. By their aid
he built a causeway over the strait to Lanka, and by it he
crossed to storm Ravana's capital.
A terrible battle was
fought before the walls.
Apes and Giants performed'^
Sugriva,

he restored to

his throne

c--"

prodigies of valour.

Meghanada with

his deadly lasso was'^~

and so was the terrible but slothful Kumbhakarna.'"^

Ravana himself came forth to the battle, and nearly slew
Lakshman, when Rama advanced against him, mounted on
Indra's war-chariot.
The champions encountered Gods
and Giants looked anxiously on while the stupendous duel
raged each put forth his utmost valour against his foe for
long the strife seemed doubtful, and arrows flew thick and
fast between them.
But at last Rama smashed the Giant's
mighty club, smote off his ten heads with unerring arrows,
slain,

INTRODUCTION
and

laid the

Oppressor low.

Then was he

xxvii
hailed with shouts

of joy by the Gods, and celestial flowers were rained on his

head.

Sita

was recovered, and Fire attested her

whom happy

stainless

had led to desert his

brother Ravana, was crowned in the dead tyrant's stead and
the joyful victor turned his face homewards.
J, ^^JuT^
Then
he
magic
car
Pushtravelled with Sita in the
(13)
'^aka, which moved through the air obedient to his will,
the while he called on her to admire the varied loveliness of
sea and land over which they passed.
Ocean with its
purity

Vibhishan,

fate

^^

monsters,

its

foaming waves,

waterspouts

its

the

shore

sombre betel and waving palm-forests the lofty

mountains, crowned with clouds
the cool, dark woods
through which he had sought his lost bride
the peaceful
hermitages of saintly ascetics
all he lovingly pointed out

fringed with

to her, telling the story (tender or terrible) of each.

And

as

they drew near the place of their exile, he told her of the

which he had sought her, and how mute nature had

shared his sorrow and helped his search.
At length they
reached the noble river Sarayii, which washes the walls of
Ayodhya, honoured as divine by Raghu's race, whose banks
were studded with the pillars that marked each the completion of some great Sacrifice.
There was he met by Bharata
and his other brothers, with the Chiefs of his allies. They
embraced one another, and rejoiced at their meeting and

grief in

Rama, the set term of his exile having now expired, received
back the kingdom from loyal, unselfish Bharata, and entered
Ayodhya in triumph.
(14) First of all the brothers and Sita visited the widowed
Queens, to comfort them in their bereavement, and were
specially tender to remorseful Kaikeyi.

The ceremonies

of

RAGHUVANgA

xxviii

consecration and enthronement

exampled splendour

were

Rama and

observed

with

un-

amid

Sita entered the city

the glad acclaims of the whole people, and a reign of peace

and prosperity began.

Living happily with her Lord, Sita

soon gave signs that she was about to become a mother, and
the glad King redoubled his tenderness, and readily promised
to indulge her wish to revisit the quiet hermitages by the

Godavari.

Now

on a day the King went up on his palace-roof, and

his heart swelled within him as he marked the splendour of
his city, the richness of her busy marts, the security and
happiness of her citizens.
He turned to a follower, and
asked what the people said of him. The loyal servant
answered that in all things they praised him, save for the
matter of the Queen whom he had taken back after long

sojourn in

Ravana's palace.

Struck with

horror at

insinuated calumny, after fierce struggle with himself,

deemed

it

his duty to put

away

his

the

Rama

innocent Queen, rather

than the cloud of reproach should rest on his

line,

hitherto

So he summoned his brothers to counsel, told

them his decision, and charged Lakshman to escort Sita to
the hermitage of Valmiki, and leave her there.
None dared
to remonstrate, and Lakshman with heavy heart obeyed.
Sita innocently rejoiced at her Lord's kindness, but on the
way as she admired the pleasant scenes and sounds,
unfavourable omens roused her fears, and she prayed for her
Lord's welfare.
But when on their arrival at the hermitage,
Lakshman told her the dreadful truth, at first she swooned
away. Then graciously she forgave him his share in her
sorrow, sent loving greetings to all her relations, and tender
words of farewell to the King. The blame of her misery she
stainless.

INTRODUCTION
laid not to his charge, but

her

own

life

until his child

sin in

a former

bewailed

life

it

xxix

as the

punishment

for

she promised to endure her sad

should be born, and vowed that then she

would devote herself

to

penance and prayer, that

existence they might be reunited for ever.

in a future

Then Lakshman
The

went back to Ayodhya, and Sita entered the hermitage.

shed their blossoms, the deer ceased to feed and the

trees

The
mute sympathy with her.
Poet-Saint Vdlmiki welcomed her to the peace of his dwelling,
soothed her sorrows, blamed her husband, and, for her
father's sake and her own, blessed her and her future
offspring.
So the pure Queen lived on in hope and resignation
but Rama in his palace mourned her, and devoted himpeacocks to dance,

all

in

self solely to the duties of his rank, joy

his

having passed from

life.

Now there
(15) Thus Rama all lonely ruled the world.
came from Yamuna's banks hermits to seek help against the
Rakshasa Lavana, who troubled their sacrifices. The king gave
them as their champion his younger brother Catrughna, who
after a terrible fight slew the

Giant and returned

in

triumph to

But on his homeward way he stopped at Valmiki's

hermitage, and that same night Sita gave birth to twin sons,
Kuga and Lava. These the Poet-Saint brought up, performing
for them all religious rites, and teaching them the sweet strains

Ayodhya.

of the Epic of their father, which

he himself had made

{Ramayana)r Then did Catrughna found the noble city of

Mathura, after which he returned to Rama's court, where he
was lovingly received, and where he told all his story, save the
birth of Sita's sons, which the Saint had forbidden him to tell.
Now there came to Rama's palace a Brahman, weeping for
his son who had died untimely, and reproaching the King.

RAGHUVANgA

XXX
Rama,

all-pitiful,

promised him

and

relief,

set

out on his

compel Death to restore his prey. But a

warning voice told him as he started that first he must root
out a grievous sin which was being committed in the land.

celestial chariot to

This he found to be a Ciidra, who was seeking to win Heaven

austerities, a thing

by the practice of severe

forbidden by the

degraded order. The King slew him with his own

hand, and by that happy death the sin was wiped away and
Then Rama returned, found
the sinner passed to Heaven.

Law

the

to his

Brahman

rejoicing over his

son restored to

hfe,

and

received his grateful blessings.

Rama now

prepared

to

splendour the great Horse-sacrifice.

great

Saints,

with

celebrate

gathering from

the

To

regions

it

extraordinary

came
of

all

Earth

the

and

and the Rakshasas, formerly disturbers, were now

With the rest came Valmiki, at
guardians of the rites
whose command Ku^a and Lava went singing before the
King and the people, melting them to tears when they heard

Heaven

Rama

matchless verse. Then

Rama,
and
the Saint craved as
were his
a boon that he should take back his own true wife.
Sita,
summoned by the Saint, came forward, and solemnly prayed
the sweet story of

in the Poet's

sons made known

that Earth

to

would proclaim her

stainless

and receive her

to

chasm opened, Earth appeared in glorious

form, clasped her pure daughter to her breast, and vanished.
The King was hardly restrained from a vain attempt to
her bosom.

recover her, but at length submitted to Fate's decree.

Rama, having established his brothers' sons in separate

kingdoms, now prepared for the end. Death himself came
with a summons from the Supreme, and the Divine Hero
returned to the repose of that eternity which he had quitted

INTRODUCTION
for a time, to deliver

And when he

Gods and men from Ravana's

tyranny.

departed, there followed him in one mighty

stream the dwellers in Ayodhya

Rakshasas and Monkeys,

(i6)

xxxi

The sons

of

bitterly

Rama and

and

his faithful allies, the

bewailed his

loss.

his brothers ruled their various

realms in harmony, the chief rank being given to Ku^a,

dwelt in Ku^avati.
still,

But one

night,

he woke from sleep, to see in

who

when all the palace was

his chamber the guardian

Ayodhya, clad as a mourning

She bewailed the
bride, who besought him to return to her.
desolation of her streets and palaces, where jackals howled
and spiders spread their webs ; of the painted halls, where

goddess of his ancestral

now

fierce lions

prey to apes

capital,

lurked; of the pleasant gardens, fallen a

of the river-banks, where once

fair

women

bathed and now wild buffaloes wallowed. Her houses were

fallen into decay, grass grew on the roofs, and no fires burned

So the King promised to return to her, his

ministers approved, and on a propitious day he set out.
His
host was like a moving city, with its multitude of chariots
and horses, its mountainous elephants, its forest of flagstaffs.
He crossed Ganges, adoring the sacred stream, and came to
on the hearths.

Saraytl,

hard by his own

worshipped the Gods

self in the

city.

He

restored the buildings,

in their temples,

and established him-

ancient capital of his race.

Then came

when scarcely
The King with all

the grievous heats of summer,

even the rich could escape from misery.

the ladies of the palace went forth to bathe in the cool water

There they played, delighting in the pleasant

cold, splashing one another and the King, floating and
dancing, displaying all their charms.
But when the King
left the water, he found he had lost a precious bracelet, the
of Sarayu.

RAGHUVANCA

xxxii

Rama. Fishermen searched the river, but in

monarch of a Serpent-King who dwelt
below the water, and had perhaps stolen it. Armed with his
bow the King repaired to the bank, when at once there
appeared the Naga, with his fair sister Kumudvati, who when
playing at ball had seized the glittering bracelet as it fell.
The bracelet was restored, and the appeased Kuga took
Kumudvati to wife, thus forming an alliance auspicious to

gift

of his father

vain.

They

told the

the Worlds.

To Kuga Kumudvati

(17)

bore a son Atithi,

father trained in all noble nurture ere

Demon

he

fell

whom

his

in battle with

Kumudvati followed him in death, and Atithi

Him did Brahmans and ministers unite
reigned in his stead.
to consecrate King, stablishing him on an ivory throne in a
When duly anointed he lavished gifts on
new-built palace.
the priests and set all his captives free.
Fair in form, by his
beauty and winning ways he made all hearts his own his
;

royal state

was

as Vishnu's, his palace a second Paradise.

Pious to the Gods, terrible in war, careful and just in administration,

was he

and

generous, resisting

his

all

kingdom

flourished.

Truthful and

temptation, trampling on the allure-

ments of sense, tempering severity with mercy, he struck the

roots of his Kingship deep in the hearts of his subjects.
he daily held his council and

Carefully dividing his time,

watched both friends and

guarded

his

own realm

foes.

well

Boldly he attacked, but

nor by over-confidence did he

put himself in the power of any.

Riches he gathered as

power and fostered his army therewith ; commerce

he protected, and religion using power or policy as best
Mighty, generous, modest all bowed before his
served.
throne his subjects adored, and the Gods favoured him.
reserve of

INTRODUCTION
To him

xxxiii

Queen, Nishada's princess, bore a famous

son, Nishiidha, who sat on the throne when Atithi passed to
(i8)

When

heaven.

his

Nishadha's glorious rule was

valiant

after

lofty-souled, skilled to discern the thoughts of

^ila

fiery

him mild, virtuous Pundarika. Then

Devanika came and after him magnanimous Ahinagas

Nala reigned, and

ended

and

succeeded,

Ku^a and Unnabha

men.

Next

Vajranabha,

^ankhana, Dhushita^va, Vi^vasaha, Hiranyanabha, pleasant

Kau^alya, mighty Putra, Paushya, and peaceful Dhruvasandhi

Polar Star among Kings,

slain

But when Dhruvasandhi died

Him

child.

untimely in the chase.

Sudargana was but a

prince of high promise and

his son

the council installed,

mighty heart, whose dignity and grace delighted his people.

Kings bowed before him, eloquent of speech, and earth

rested in

was he

peace under the shadow of his boyish arm.

to learn,

soon mastering the

and when he grew

to man's estate

Apt

wisdom and war

he wedded a lovely bride
arts of

who bore him a fair son, Agnivarma.

(19) Now when Prince Agnivarma was

of age, his father

placed him on the throne, and himself retired to the hermit's

cell.

For some few years Agnivarma endured the cares of

but then, fearing no foreign foes, he gave himself up

royalty

entirely
welfare.

to

sensual

Wasting

pleasure,

nor recked of

his

his life in ignoble pursuits, lavishing his

strength in vicious indulgence, heeding no counsel

sumed away before

people's

his time, unblest with offspring.

he conBut

his

sage ministers, hastily and secretly performing his obsequies,

honoured the widowed Queen as regent and performed the

ceremonies of inauguration for her unborn son.
(So abruptly closes the

Poem

in its present state.)

NOTES MYTHOLOGICAL AND

EXPLANATORY
In orthodox Hindu cosmogony Brahma is the Supreme Soul.
In Him exists no will
All that exists proceeds from Him.
nor anything that (to

human

apprehension) indicates

soul.

Kalpas Brahma

becomes energetic in the forms of the three Supreme Gods of Hindu

At the end of
mythology Brahma, Vishnu, and ^iva.
Gods, men, all living
these world-periods, whatsoever exists
creatures, and all matter
is reabsorbed in Brahma, who goes
But the object of each
to sleep again for an equal period.
But

at

determined periods

individual soul

is

to free itself

from the chain of births within

Brahma, so losing
In our poem Vishnu is
individual being and responsibility.
with
Brahma.
identified, and made co-extensive
The function of Brahma, performed either directly, or
the

world-age and be

reabsorbed

in

through the Prajapatis, "fathers of living souls," ends with

creation, except that

He

won by

To him

worship

asceticism.
is

paid.

is

represented as granting the boons

therefore

no

Vishnu, the Preserver,

adoration in the world, and to

whole poem looks.

altars rise
is

and no

God of
Rama the

the chief

him incarnate

as

Nine times has he been incarnate in

the current World-Age a period of stupendous length,
430,000,000,000 years for a Day of Brahma, divided into four

MYTHOLOGICAL NOTES
Ages, of which each

which preceded

it,

long and more vicious than that

less

is

xxxv

gradually sinking from primeval goodness

and a tenth Descent in human form (Avatar) remains to

come, before all shall be reabsorbed, and the Dvine shall go
to sleep again.

Vishnu's

first

place in the

four incarnations or Descents (Avatars) took

first,

the most perfect.

succeeded, of which the

last

Age

the three

that

was the divine Hero of our

most complete,
Krishna, in the third Age
whilst the last and most evil,
and also the shortest, boasts of two, the Buddha and Kalki,
who is yet to come. Each of the four Ages, corresponding
in some sort to the Golden, Silver, Copper, and Iron Ages
of Classic Mythology, is preceded and succeeded by a
" twilight " equal in length to one-tenth of the period to which
it belongs.
But of what happens during these minor periods
poem,

in

the

second

the

and

eighth

of rest

we know

In each succeeding Age the Great

nothing.

Seven and sometimes identified

with the stars of the Great Bear, come again into being and
activity ; apparently they live through the World- Age, as does
Sages, usually reckoned as

Vagishtha, the great spiritual Director (Guru) of Ikshvaku's

line,

Ikshvaku being himself the son of Manu, the seventh

of the great succession of

logical

Manus, of

whom Hindu

mytho-

chronology numbers fourteen.

This seventh

Manu

has the Sun for his father, and

self the progenitor of the

mighty Solar

line of Kings.

is

him-

A Manu

Kalpa or Great Yuga,

which is thence called also a Manu-period or Manvantara.
Until the individual soul by pious meditation and abstraction
frees itself from the chain of individuality, it remains subject
to the laws of transmigration, and is born in successive states
presides throughout the whole of a

RAGHUVAN^A

xxxvi
of existence

higher

to the deeds

done

happy or miserable, according

the body.
These previous births con-

or lower,

in

determining the course of Hfe in subsequent

stitute Fate, as

existences.

human sphere the Creator placed on earth four

Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaigyas, and Cudras
orders of men
The three former
Priests, Warriors, Husbandmen, Slaves.
In the

are

bound by common

privileges

but the

On
Rama

rise higher.

the earlier

and

rites

duties, admitted to

may

a slave, and

last is

the other hand,

it

common

not attempt to

be seen that whereas

will

a Brahman, the second (and mightier)

is

more than one

Throughout the
Vai^ya, who was both Saint and King.
poem the extraordinary supremacy of the Brahman is insisted
on.
Gods and Kings alike tremble before his curse, and
is

a Kshatriya; and the Mythology

The

alike seek his aid against calamity.

and heroes

Brahmans

to protect the

is

their sacrifices,

tells

and Ravana's

of

chief duty of Kings

performance of

in the

guilt lies at least as

much

in his

obstruction of their rites as in his oppression of the worlds.

Now, while men

are

on

earth, their lives are

rule divided into four stages

recluse,

and

into one.
to

It

ascetic

in the

by Brahmanical

those of student, householder,

poem

the last two

seem

to

merge

was the duty of a boy of the three upper classes

spend the years between childhood and maturity in the

when perfect therein

marry and have a house-

study of the Vedas and other sacred lore

he was permitted and

hold of his own.

he was

free

to

ivas

When

bound to

he had a son to carry on

consult his

own

future happiness

his line,

by with-

drawing himself from the world, and by meditation on the

Supreme

fitting

the final goal.

himself for that union with

Brahma which

is

But most awful consequences awaited the

MYTHOLOGICAL NOTES
man who had

no son

left

succeed him

to

ancestors would be in misery

xxxvii

the ghosts of his

and he himself could never

escape from the dread round of transmigration.

how

the matter

is

presented to

us,

though

if

(This

is

the ancestors

had attained as Raghu's line did to union

with Brahma, one does not see how they could be affected by
in succession

failure of the line

cf.

expedient of adoption

in. 26.
is

It

elemental,

origin

noticed too that the

not contemplated.)

Inferior to the three Great

their

may be

of

Gods

whom

are

many

the chief

less
is

mighty, in
Indra,

the

who has won his place by perhundred sacrifices, and may be supplanted by any

thundering god of the sky,

forming a

one who does the like (see C. in.) Indra too has been the
champion of the Gods against the Demons, and he has drunk
the Nectar produced by the Churning of Ocean with Mount

Mandara
to

which gave the gods strength

for the churning-stick,

overcome

He

their foes.

has a hundred eyes, drives seven

bay horses, and is lord of the thunder ; the rainbow is his

bow, and he clipped the wings of the mountains when they
threatened heaven in their

His wife is Cachi, his son

Jayanta, and his special heaven Svarga, on Mount Meru ; his
followers are the Maruts or wind-gods.
According to one
legend Vishnu is his younger brother, both being sons of

Agni

Aditi.

Kuvera, of

is

god of

flight.

fire

Yama,

w^ealth, his followers

(and Vishnu's) Kailasa

In the earthly

life

lastly,

of death and of justice

being the Yakshas, his

home

Varuna, of the waters.

each individual in his

student-stage

chooses as preceptor in Sacred Lore a Brahman, his Guru,

whom

he

and

whom

to

Such

is

is

bound

to venerate far

he would seek on

all

beyond

his natural father,

occasions of special need.

Vacishtha to the whole Sun-descended Kingly

line.

RAGHUVANCA

xxxviii

The Brahmans,

as

we

find

them

in the

poem,

live for the

most part in little separate communities, in groves by sacred

rivers, where they perform their sacrifices and lead holy,
They have their wives and children about
peaceful lives.
them, live in huts, and wear robes of bark their enemies
Rakshasas trouble their rites ; and when Kings
the
have solemn festivals births, marriages, funerals, or other
;

solemnities

they gather

to them,

and are graced with

rich

gifts.

The Rakshasas
on raw

feasting

are

flesh,

varied shapes at

will,

spirits

of

evil.

Of

terrible aspect,

delighting in darkness, able to assume

they trouble the holy

rites

of the pious.

Their King was Ravana, whose brother was Kumbhakarna,

his

son Meghanada or Indrajit, slain by Lakshman, his

sister

S<irpanakha.

King

is

imaged as having wedded the Earth, loving and

realm as a bridegroom his bride. Also, Royal

protecting his
State

is

represented as his bride, the Fortune or

Kingdom

sometimes she

The

bride (as of Sita).

is

Luck of the

figured as jealous of his

special insignia of royalty are the

umbrella and the yak-tail whisks or fans (Chamari).

the heir comes to

human

manhood, he

is

When

usually installed as Yuva-

raja or associate-King.

The

elephant

is

a favourite

dignity and strength,

and

subject of comparison,

for

also for the peculiar sweet-scented

liquid that exudes from his temples in the season of love-

passion (mada).
chief place,

Among

for its

two

plants the lotus or water-lily takes

species, distinguished

the one opens up to the rays of the

by the

moon and

fact that

closes during

the day, while the other expands to the sun and remains closed
at night.

There

is

frequent allusion also to the phosphores-

MYTHOLOGICAL NOTES

xxxix

on Himalaya, which shine

through the darkness as though the setting sun had left his
cent plants,

them.

light with

File

is

specially flourishing

thought specially pure

and pervades
haps,

is its

all

ministers at the sacrifice,

it

nature, abiding even in the sea (which, per-

phosphorescence).

The dead

pyre, but perfect ascetics are buried

are

and

consumed on the

Rama

also buries

the Rakshasas.

The Law under which all are

set is the

Code

divine progenitor of the whole human

of the

is

derivative sacred book, the authority on which

Cruti,

or

Heard

Revelation,

the

Manu,

This Code was

race.

revealed by Bhrigu, son of the Creator, and

the

first

Veda.

it

a Smriti or
rests

being

That Code,

composed in the third

century a.d., is a mine of information on the orthodox
Brahmanical system. The perfect King orders himself by
Manu's precepts, the cosmogony of the poem is his, and his,
above all, is the exalted position of the Brahman, whether as
which in

its

present form was probably

Preceptor (Guru), Sacrificer, Ascetic, or Counsellor.

his

Law-book too

are derived the ceremonies which consecrate

the royal children,

position.

From

and the studies that

There also are found the

fit

them

for their high

rules that regulate the

solemn ceremonies of the Qraddha^ those

sacrifices to de-

parted Ancestors that were so imperatively incumbent on

every Hindu, and the duty of which

such fervent

desire.

[These

made

a son the object of

sacrifices to the spirits of the

dead probably point to an earlier stage of belief than most

which we find prevailing among Hindus.]

As

three of Vishnu's incarnations are prominently brought

before us in the poem,

logue of them

all.

it

may be

interesting to give a cata-

RAGHUVANCA

xl
I St.

The

Fish

when he saved Manu and the seven Risbis

and rescued theVedas from

in the great Deluge,

destruction
2nd.

{cf.

xiii. 20).

when

he allowed the
gods to pivot on his back the Mountain Mandara,
with which they churned the Ocean to obtain the
Nectar to strengthen them against the Demons

The

Tortoise

that form

in

(Asuras).
3rd.

The Boar

when on

solid earth
4th.

his

mighty tusk he raised up the

above the waste of waters.

The Man-lion

when

Hiranyakagipu,

Demon

he tore to pieces the

who was oppressing

the world, in

defence of his son Prahlada, a devout worshipper

of Vishnu.
5th.

who saved the world from the tyranny of

The Dwarf

Approaching

Bali.

sacrifice,

him

at

end of a great

the

he obtained as a boon the grant of as

space as he could cover in three strides

to his

own Divine

proportions, with the

much

then rising
first

stride

he covered earth, with the second heaven {cf. xvi.,

"Vishnu's second stride"), and with the third he
crushed Bali down to Patala, the region of semidivine snakes below the earth.
6th.

Rama

with the Axe, Paragu-Rama, son of Jamadagni,

Bhdrgava).

descended from Bhrigu

(hence

came
King

from the

to earth to deliver

of the Haihayas,

Demon

who provoked

his

He

Arjuna,

death at

Rama's hands by stealing his father's cow. Arjuna's

death was avenged by his sons on Jamadagni, and

MYTHOLOGICAL NOTES

xH

then did

Rama

cession,

sweep away the generations of the Warrior

in his fury,

twenty-one times in suc-

In obedience to his father he had already

Class.

own mother Renuka, for having entertained

impure thoughts. But when his father, delighted at

slain his

him whatever he should ask,

he obtained her restoration to life and pristine
purity, the revocation of curses laid on his brothers,
and for himself the highest renown as a warrior.
his obedience, granted

7th.

Rama Chandra the Rama

of our poem, incarnate for

the destruction of Ravana.

8th.

Krishna

the

most

popular form

come down, whereas

said to have

Krishna

in part.

the Mahabharata, as

He

was born

of Ci^upala.

any

in a

Gautama

the

undisputed.

Rama

is

His worship

is

Buddha

is

last, is

He

Hero

of

Ramayana,

for the destruction

say) of Hercules

though

this

This manifestation

to restore religion

Vishnu

and

of the

is

the most widespread of

to

inclusion of the arch-heretic

loth,

God

India at the present day, and the god

in

made

Vishnu's

in the others

the Divine

is

humble home,

compound (one may

9th.

all

In him the whole

earthly manifestations.

came only

of

is

is

and Cupid.
by no means

is

said to have been

pristine

among

purity.

The

the Avatars of

a masterpiece of Brahmanical craft.

the Descent of Vishnu as Kalki, which

come, when the earth

still

to

evil

and lawlessness

is

to

is

at length full of all

be restored

for a

primeval innocence, before the end of the

the Great Dissolution (Maha-Pralaya).

while to

Age and

RAGHUVANgA

xlii

Vishnu's special weapon

is

the Quoit (Chakra)

he rides on

Garuda, King of birds, foe of snakes, his constant attendant

he wears the jewel Kaustubha, won from Ocean at

and

its

Churn-

marked by a sacred curl, the Crivatsa.

His wife is Lakshmi, and in the intervals of his activity he
slumbers on the waters seated on a lotus.
ing,

his breast

is

The Svayamvara,

the maiden's choice of her bridegroom,

a great feature in both Sanskrit Epics

those

is

of Sita and

Indumati in the story of Rama, and of Draupadi in the Mahabharata.

It points to a freedom of choice by the women of

now been

India which has

through the influence of

Mount Himalaya

curtailed or abolished, probably

Mohammedan modes

has a divine character.

comes the sacred Ganga, and on

perform his arduous
specially

Parvati,

austerities

won

now

of Skanda

daughter of the mountain,

the love of Civa and

Kuviarosambhava?[

of the

She

is

armies of

who by

her

became thereby the

his

the Pleiades in heaven), born

leader

his slopes

His daughter was Uma,

mother of Kartikeya (so called "from

Kritikas,

From

peaks did the god Civa

his

austerities.

of thought.

the

six

nurses,

the

among

the reeds

gods.

[See the

invoked with ^iva

at the begin-

ning of the poem.

For the ordinary daily

butter-oblation, havis (ghi)
fire

2nd, the

in India,

Kuca

sacrifice

ist,

the

clarified butterlaid on the holy

grass, a

Khas-Khas.

were needed

scented grass

still

much esteemed

the

The greatest of all sacrifices was that of the Horse

AQvamedha being the final one of a series of a hundred,

the

accomplishing of which would raise the sacrificer to the rank

of Indra.

For

this final sacrifice

it

was necessary that the

horse chosen as the victim should have been free to range

MYTHOLOGICAL NOTES
where he would

for a full year before

attempted

So

off

and Raghu attacked the god.

the third of the Great Gods,

(j^iva,

five

it,

he was offered up.

by Civa, when Sagara tried to comof sacrifices, and so also by Indra when Dilipa

was the victim carried

plete his series

xliii

is

(C. in.).

With

the Destroyer.

heads, and in the principal one three eyes, he rides

clothed with a tiger-skin

on the bull Nandi.

He

wields the

Trident and a mighty bow, bears on his brow the crescent

moon

his

produced

neck

at

is

blue from the effect of drinking the poison

and on
In one of his

Ocean's Churning

his breast

hangs a

life-stages

his wife

chaplet of

human

was

one of the daughters of Daksha.

Sati,

skulls.

But Daksha

both by not inviting them to a great

slighted

made.

Sati in wrath leaped into the altar-fire

sacrifice

he

and destroyed

the ceremony, and Civa with a flash from his terrible central

eye smote off Daksha's head; but afterwards relented and

replaced

it

with that of a ram.

His two most famous achievements are

I St.

When

to purify
its fall

the Ganges was to descend to earth from heaven

from

sin the ashes of the sons of Sagara,

with his head, lest

wandered
its final

for a

it

he broke

should overwhelm the earth.

It

thousand years among his matted locks before

descent to earth.

Mount

2nd. While he was engaged in severe austerities on

Himalaya, Kama, god of love (sent by the Gods), archer of

the flowery bow, attempted to awake passion in his breast,
that he might beget a son to lead the hosts of heaven, where-

upon the angry God reduced him

his terrible eye.

though

Hence Kama

is

to ashes with

called

one

flash of

(Ananga) Bodiless,

at last, yielding to the prayers of Rati, his wife,

of the Gods, ^iva gave him a body again.

The

story

is

and
told

RAGHUVANCA

xliv
at length

by Kalidasa

the War-God").

It is

metaphor throughout

in

Kumarasambhava ("Birth of

the

an unending source of allusion and

Sanskrit

poetry,

especially

in

com-

bination with beautiful descriptions of Spring, the gladsome

season of love.

Ganga was the daughter of Mount Himalaya, and originally

flowed only in heaven. But King Sagara having by austerities
gained by one wife one son, and by the other 60,000, pre-

pared

for the great

When

Horse-sacrifice.

all

was ready,

the victim was stolen away by Civa in guise of a monstrous

snake.

The 60,000 dug down through

earth, enlarging the

bounds of Ocean, hence called Sagara, and were reduced to

ashes by the angry God when they found him in Patala.
Their half-brother renewed the quest, and found the ashes.
Garuda, Vishnu's bird, told him from that God that the ashes
could be purified only by the waters of heavenly Ganges.
For four generations did Sagara and his descendants practise
Then at last the
severe austerities to bring the river down.
Creator allowed the descent, and Civa broke the fall. The
mighty river, still however flowing also in heaven, descended
in seven streams upon the earth, and flows also through the
gloomy realms of Patala, home of the Nagas, or semi-divine

snakes.

On

earth

it

bears the

name

of Bhagirathi, daughter

of the saintly King, whose severe asceticism won the grace

of her descent
but also by the name of " Jahnu's daughter,"
;

having been swallowed by Jahnu

in

his

anger,

and again

Her pure waters washed the ashes of Sagara's

and they mounted to heaven. One legend makes the

released.

sons,
river

proceed from Vishnu's foot

{cf.

x. 38).

of the earliest Kings of the Solar line

was grandson of Ikshwaku, and his

Sagara was one

{cf. xiii.).

Kakutstha

name "rider

on the

MYTHOLOGICAL NOTES
hump" was

av
xl

derived from his riding in battle against the

Asuras on Indra himself

found that the

form of a

in the

bull.

will

It

be

between the gods and their enemies,

strife

Daityas, Asuras, Rakshasas,

is

never-ending, still-beginning.

Agastya, tutelary Saint of the southern region, and

in

Rama's age a hermit's life.

He was born in a Jar. When Mount Vindhya aspired to
eclipse Himalaya in height, the Saint prevailed on him to
bow to let him pass southward and so remain till his return
which never took place. Hence Vindhya's inferior height.
The Churning of Ocean was undertaken by the gods by
heaven the

Canopus, led

star

in

command,

Vishnu's

had been

and

lost,

to recover various precious things that

obtain

to

the draught of immortality

The churning was done

(Amrita).

with

Mount Mandara

for

the churning-stick, the Serpent Va^uki for the rope, Vishnu

Then were produced

goddess of Wine Parijata,

himself as the Tortoise for the pivot.

Surabhi, the

Holy Cow

the Celestial
Apsarases,

Nymphs

the

Varuni,

wishing-tree,

dess of beauty
vantari,

glory

of

heaven

Indra's

of exquisite loveliness

the

the

Lakshmi, god-

Vishnu's precious jewel, Kaustubha

Hindu ^sculapius

Moon

the

Dhandeadly

and last of all, the precious Amrita, by

drinking which the Gods became immortal, and with resistless
might smote the Demons. The Dragon Rahu managed to
steal some drops, and, becoming immortal, thenceforward
periodically swallowed the sun and moon, so causing eclipses.
Halahala poison

given in xiv. 159.)

three mental qualities so often alluded to are Truth or

(But the true theory

The

is

Virtue, Passion, Ignorance.

The

perfect sage must have his

senses completely subdued, and be dead to

all

emotion.

independently

Asceticism

is

in itself meritorious,

disturbing

RAGHUVAN^A

xlvi

of any purpose to be served by

So the great Gods are

it.

and one of Vishnu's titles is the

been already referred
Great Ascetic,
to, and Brahma engaged in them before the work of Creation.
In connection with the supreme power and authority of
the Brahmans, in seeming contradiction of their passionless
character, it will be noted that, as their blessings are most
described as engaging in

it,

^iva's austerities have

potent for good, so their curses

of which they are not sparing

are the most awful engines of

evil.

For a handy and accurate account of the mythology,

religion, and modes of thought and life in Ancient India,
no book is better than Sir Monier- Williams's Indian Wisdom.

His Indian Epic Poetry gives an excellent analysis of both

Dowson's Dictionary of
the^ Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The great source,
Hindu Mythology is also very useful.
however, for English readers
the Vishnu Purdi,ia.
lately

is

still

Wilson's translation of

Professor Macdonnell, of Oxford, has

published a short but excellent History of Sanskrit

Literature^

which should be consulted.

NOTE ON PRONUNCIATION
Sanskrit names

have tried to

transliterate, without losing

sight of scientific accuracy, so as to enable ordinary readers

to

pronounce them correctly.

Scholars are, however, un-

happily not yet agreed upon a uniform system

I

adopt

is

almost exactly what

Jonesian," the

official

is

known

that which

as the

"Modified

system of the Government of India.

Vowels, speaking generally, are to be pronounced as in

Italian,

consonants as in English

preserves

its

arities

the aspirate

own sound when combined

sonants, except ch

The

and

sh,

(/z),

however,

with other con-

which are sounded as

in English.

following table will sufficiently explain any peculi:

is

RAGHUVANCA

xlviii

Consonants
(^

represents a modified

pronounced as

Ch

is

is

s/i

pronounced as

always

s,

in

hardly distinguishable from

s/i,

and both are

s/ie.

in choose.

/larJ, as in

Bh, Gh, Kb, Dh, Th,

game,

get, etc.

etc., are aspirated

sounds as

in cab-horse, log-

hut, blockhouse, madhouse, hothouse, etc.

is

always a consonant, as in yoke.

Dots below consonants are significant to the scholar, but the slight
difference in sound between dotted and plain consonants the
ordinary reader

may

neglect.

CANTO
How

King Dillpa went

The Lord Supreme and

to Vafishtha^s

Hermitage.

Parvati I praise,

The parents of all worlds, close-joined in one

As word with sense, and pray for gift of speech
With mighty meaning
Weak-witted, dare to

hymn

Descended from the Sun,

Than one who

Some pathless

How

fraught.

else could

the Kingly race

daring not

less

ventures on a raft to cross

sea

For, dullard though I am,

seek a poet's fame, and risk men's jeers,

dwarf who stretches tiny arms to grasp

Fruit

hung well-nigh beyond a

follow

thread

till

may
they

go,

altar-fire

Most

yea, pass through hardest gem.

pure from their

line I sing,

won

Earth to the Sea

The

where a diamond shows the way,

So Raghu's

Who

lo

giant's reach.

Yet Bards of old have entered, haply

May

I,

birth.

success worked on, and ruled

their car-track

reached to Heav'n.

they tended, suppliants

all

fully satisfied, ill-deeds with stripes

RAGHUVANCA

2
They punished,

nor were

Wealth they amassed

Not

gain,

fame

20

slothful in their rule.

to scatter

Ne'er spake they falsely

[canto

and wedded love

sparing words,

in

for

war they sought,

noble seed.

Their children studied, gravely youth pursued

decent pleasures, and in ripe old age

Its

Ascetic Uved they,

till

At length they passed

through pious thought

to

Me, poor of words and

win the Bliss Supreme.

foolish,

has their fame

That sounded through the worlds late moved to write

May wise men hear for in their judgment Hes
!

Or fame
First

30

or shame, as fire parts gold from dross.

King was Manu, whom the Sun begot,

Wise, reverend, as the Holiest

The

sacred

Hymns.

Word

begins

In that unspotted line

'mong Kings a Moon,

Dilipa purer sprang,

As

in the

Milky Ocean Soma

Broad-chested,

tall

rose.

as Cal-tree, as a bull

Wide-shouldered, long of arm, the Warrior-race

He

seemed embodied,

fit

for

All-glorious, all-surpassing,

Like Meru's

Was

the Earth.

His vigorous mind

his beauty, while his

equal with them

Were twinned

Him

he bestrode

self

Matched with

famous deeds.

and

Holy Lore

valour and success

still

his

Kingly virtues made

to his foes a terror, but his folk

Loved him and honoured,

as the Sea yields pearls

ap

THE HERMITAGE

I.]

Yet nurtures monstrous

That Manu

From

No

He

held the path

so the

his folk

Save to guard the realm,

that pure model.

Sun derives

so

earth that moisture which a thousandfold

soon gives back

Was

He

no hair's-breadth strayed

traced,

tax was taken

From

births.

His armed host

in rain.

escort only for the King,

Two arms

who used

alone in war, his insight keen

In Holy Lore, and bow well-strung.

Mankind

Knew

to fruit,

deep purpose when

his

Not sooner

it

came

fathomless his mind and ways

So here we reap the

fruit

of former lives

Fearless himself he guarded, duty's path

He

wealth he stored, nor grudged

strictly followed,

To spend

Mighty yet

Opposed

wise,

virtues

seemed

By duty curbed he
Brought no decay.

his words,

in

him

twin-born.

straining Brahma-wards,

pleasure,

that his age

For nurture, maintenance,

for protection looked his folk to

Their parents gave

Repressed the

Loved

virtue,

life

only.

So the King

held the world upright,

wedded

for the Fathers' sake,

As Indra doth

drew from Earth her wealth

And both

him

sinful,

Kept righteous ways.

He

he spared

patient, generous secretly.

By sense unshackled,

And

and unenthralled enjoyed

that wealth,

His royal pleasures

60

for corn,

for Sacrifice,

alternate mildly ruled the Worlds.

70

RAGHUVANCA

His glory other Kings despaired

For

theft,

ungrasping, lived in

[canto

to reach,

name

alone.

worthy foe he honoured, as one sick

Loves healing

bitters

friends

unworthy proved

Like hand snake-bitten did the King cast

off.

Him the Creator formed of choicest seed,

To rear for men rich crop of good alone
He reigned o'er Earth, sea-moated, girdled

80

By Ocean-ramparts,
Sudakshina

his

Proclaimed her

As Daksha pure
Delighted
Before

Were

town.

Queen, whose lucky name

virtues, shared his pious

;

in

whom

chiefly, loving

all other.

still

like a single

round

home.

her royal spouse

her and Earth

Yet the noble pair

unblessed with offspring, and the King

Longed, and was weary, and well-nigh

So, bent

on

lost

hope.

90

Sacrifice to win a son.

The Kingdom's weight now

casting

off,

Pure, with his consort, after prayer and

the King,
fast,

Sought sage Va^ishtha, lord of Saintly Lore,

As

in the rains

one cloud Airavata

And

lightning mount, deep-rumbling, so that pair

One

chariot mounted,

whom

a modest train

Attended, "lest the Hermits be disturbed,"

Their glory like a host encircling them.

Scented with ^al-tree gums a pleasant breeze,

100

I.]

THE HERMITAGE

That shook the

forest,

Of

flowers, followed

bearing fragrant dust

and a deep, sweet cry

Was raised by peacocks, as the car swept

Amazed the deer looked up, and left the
As on the

chariot rolled

Were on them

Anon
Flew

bent,

past.

path

their love-filled eyes

that pair so like themselves.

they watched the cranes, that overhead

tuneful, arching o'er the gate df

Heav'n,

Unpillar'd, while the favouring breeze foretold

and

Success, and kept unsoiled both robes

Pale

lilies'

They

no

hair.

perfume, fragrant as their breath,

savoured, from 'the tanks which rippling waves

Cooled

ever.

Priests,

from wayside

villages

Themselves had founded, blessed the Royal

Rich from

their bounty,

where the

pair,

altars rose.

Butter of kine received they, herdsmen grey

With kindly greeting questioned, asking them

The names
Untold

of shady trees that lined the roads.

their glory,

As through
They sped

pure their hearts and robes.

the sky speed Chitra and the

delighted, while the smiling

This pointed out and

Was

He

that,

King

ending, ere they reached the Sage's grove.

his

Queen,

nobly courteous led her to their Host.

Now
And

120

nor knew the way

checked the horses, handed forth

And

Moon

from the neighbouring woods, with grass and

store of fuel, Saintly

bands came home,

fruit

RAGHUVANQA

Met by

the Sacred Fire, unseen

Thronged round the

maidens

S\Yeet

filled

Unfearing drank

Where

rice

allotted rice

the trenches, where the birds

130

then couched the timid roes

and chewed the cud.

at eve,

Wind-shaken now the

fed,

the deer

and ate the

huts,

was heaped

With butter

[canto

rising altar-smoke.

made pure

the attentive guests

That noble

Around the Hermitage.

pair,

Alighting meekly, sought the Ascetic's home.

Then

hailed the Saintly tribe their pious Lord

With worthy honour, grave

When

Receiving him.

He

evening

saw the Sage supreme

Arundhati was seated

Shone

like the

in self-control.

rites

were

o'er,

close at his side

140

and the Saint

Sacred Fire, like Svaha she.

The Royal pair saluting clasped their feet,

And lovingly with blessings were received.
Then,

after rest

and food, the glorious Saint

Asked of the Ascetic King how

And how

himself.

The

fared his realm,

patient Conqueror

Returned grave answer, speaking

all his

mind

Before the Saint, high Lord of Sacred Spells

"All ways

Whom

prospers, holy Sage

men

thou protectest neither Gods nor

Can harm

The

my Kingdom

thy

Holy

spells defeat far off

foe malignant, while

Smite those

I see,

my

feebler shafts

superfluous

and the

Abundant cheers the drought-consumed

rain

corn,

150

THE HERMITAGE

I.]

Bred by thy Sacred

To

man's

lives

all this

Deep-rooted, flawless,

For thou
" Yet,

My

my

my

is

art ever watching,

O my

subjects live

nor fear nor pain disturbs

full age,

Their happy

rites

we owe

to thee.

prosp'rous state,

Brahma's child

Father, I myself,

and

i6o

this

Queen, thy daughter, bowed with sorrow, long,

And

vainly long, for offspring

and the Earth,

Sea-girdled, rich in gems, delights

The

Fathers of

my

whom

race,

Delight, foresee a failing of the

And mourn my

me

not.

funeral cakes
rite.

the while with tears they foul

fate,

Drink-offerings poured by me, their sonless son.

Thus pure by
For longing,
Half
"

sacrifice,

childless,

sunlit, half in

By

gifts,

and

May Heav'n be

my

eyes are

as the mountain-peak

shade,

my

self-control,

glory

As

dimmed

and holy

life.

O my

Guide

childless state distress thy heart.

'twere a tree thou plantedst fruitless, bare

Three debts men owe

Torments me,

The

this last alone,

as a shackle binds

lordly elephant

Oh, help

teach

me how

One moment

at length to

unpaid.

and pains

me

then,

Father, Protector, Stay of Manu's line

And

170

won, but sons of noble line

Are blessings here and yonder,

Does not my

dim

pay

180

this

debt

only sank the Priest in thought.

RAGHUVANCA

[canto

Like lake that slumbers, having heard the King.

To pious thought the hindrance stood revealed,

And thus the mighty Saint made grave reply
" Of yore returning home from Indra's courts,
By Parijata passing, where the Cow
:

Surabhi rested in the grateful shade,

To

her by thee due reverence was not paid.

As

fearing to neglect thy loving

Then was
Till

Queen.

190

the curse of childlessness pronounced.

by submission thou shouldst purge thy

sin

But Ganga roared, where heavenly monsters plunged.

And

so her curse was

Hence

is

all

unheard by

thy sin thy scourge

thee.

as Sages teach,

Scorn of the worthy works the scorner woe.

Now

in Patala,

By mighty
For

where the gates are barred

snakes, she helps a royal rite

bless'd Prachetas.

Therefore,

With due observance tend her holy

Pure-living, with thy

Queen, that

She may bestow the

priceless

Even

as

O my

King,
200

Calf,

so, well-pleased,

boon ye seek

"
!

he spake, came Nandini, the Cow-

That gave the

oblation, faultless,

In tender, tawny

lustre, like

from the wood,

a leaf

All fresh, with arching eyebrow of white hair.

Like crescent on night's brows

Flowed now

Then

the streaming milk

in holy flood to feed her calf.

said the Saint,

who knew

The King should prosper

" See,

Fate's course,
this fruitful

and knew

Cow

210

THE HERMITAGE

I.]

Comes here unprompted

Surprise thee

hear

my

so shall thy success

loving counsel then

Attend her ever as she roams the woods,

As Study

follows

Walk thou

Knowledge

she standing, stand

She drinking, drink

at

dawn

Fasting, with close observance

Her

while she walks,

to the forest's edge,

must attend

So

fell

And

true,

For

whom

and chief

docile, with his

Night

220

"

Then
Bowed

eve

shalt stand,

Sire of Princely sons,

fathers

at

shall her grace

By constancy be won, and thou

Of Royal

sit

of day, thy Spouse,

and thence

Receive her coming home.

Proud Father,

she couching,

the grateful

King

Queen, and both

and Brahma's

retired.

son, the eloquent

dismissed to sleep the pious King,

success was dawning

well he could

Bestow the boon, but knew that grace divine

Is

hard to win, nor won save after

He

gave him but a rustic hut, and there

The Queen
While

toil.

reposed, where fragrant grass was spread,

saintly students passed all night in prayer.

230

RAGHUVANgA

10

CANTO
Nandini grants

When

morning broke, the King,

Rose, loosed the Cow, and

Again secured

II

King

the

[canto

his Desire.

in glory rich,

when her calf had drunk

Next the gracious Queen

it.

With wreaths and perfumes honoured Nandini.

Then turned
Their way

For

state

they to the forest, and the

made

and

Queen, renowned

holy, while the

purity,

Cow

pursued her

steps,

As pious Learning follows Holy Texts.

The careful Monarch bade his spouse return.

And

cheerful, glorious,

As though

herded Nandini,

'twere Earth embodied,

Her udders

next, his

penance

That royal Herdsman sent

And walked

alone, well-guarded

fed his charge

he fanned

Nor checked her wayward

Oceans four
fulfil,

his guards away,

Their own right arm defends.

He

to

lo

With
her,

steps

Manu's race
freshest grass

smoothed her

as

hide.

shadow close

He followed. When she stood, he also stood

When she went, on went he when she lay down,
He sat by patient when she drank, drank he.
;

ao

THE BOON

II.]

11

very King he strode, whose glory shone,

Unhelped by outward show,

like elephant.

Lord of the herd, whose passion undisplayed

Burns

Was bound,

He

His hair

fierce within.

his

bow

in

well-strung

woodland wreath
so through the

woods

ranged, close guarding Nandini the Cow.

The

wild beasts fled

but birds in wayside trees

Hymned him with cheerful praises, Yama's peer,

Who strode along unguarded. Climbing vines,
Wind-shaken, showered their scented blooms on him,

Thus

30

splendid, worshipful, as city-dames

Honour with parched

rice a favourite Lord.

Unfearing watched the deer that Archer mild,

Whose

face revealed a tender heart,

The

His beauty with wide gaze.

He
On

heard,

who sang

his praise in

and drank

Forest-gods

shady bowers.

rustling reeds, wind-shaken, for soft flutes.

Nigh

fainting

Pure-hearted,

from the heat, no sunshade near.

him the breeze refreshed, which bore

Sweet blossoms from the

From foaming

and cooling spray

trees,

The woodland maze

waterfalls.

Soon

as he entered forest-fires were quenched,

More

rich

No

bloomed

fruit

and

longer vexed the weak.

They took

the

flower,

and stronger brutes

At eventide

homeward path

the copper

And tawny Cow, each in its proper

Had cleansed both Earth and Sky

sphere,

The

guests,

sacrifice to

Gods, to

Sires,

and

Sun

then to complete

40

RAGHUVANCA

12
She turned

By

Works on Faith

the

Lord of men,

righteous souls revered, attended her,

And

gazed on darkening

Were

Now
To

as

[canto

trooping

tired deer

flew

Majestic paced the Cow,

well-known roosts.

Moved

the pools

and peacocks

grassy glades received,

Whose udders swept

whence the boars

forests,

homeward from

50

the ground

stately, following

them

King

the mighty

his

Queen

received

At border of the wood, and longing gazed.

Thus the Cow

All open-eyed as thirsting.

He

and she welcomed

followed,

Nandini

Like twilight glowed, midway 'twixt Day and Night.

Then

60

with a plate of grain Sudakshina

Revered the Cow, and bent

to that

broad front

Whereof the horns seemed door-posts, through whose

valves

Success might issue.

King and Queen were

Who thought, "Though longing

Stayed to receive our offering

Once

pleased,

for her calf, she yet

such as She,

then success

shows favour,

glad.

is

sure

"
!

Dilipa next, All-Conqueror, lowly paid

Due homage

to the Saint

For closing day he

Now

milked

offered,

the sacrifice

and the Cow

he followed home to where she

70
lay.

While Nandini was sleeping, King and Queen

Set lamps and flowers about her, then lay down,

So

-and they rose too.

dawn she

rose,

thrice seven days

went

Till with the

by.

The noble King,

THE BOON

II.]

Who

saved his realm from harms,

Pursued

their hopeful task, to

Thereafter one

fair

still

13

Queen

with his

win a son.

day the Cow,

to try

Her follower's valour, entered that famed grove

Of Gauri's lord, where Ganga falls in foam,

And

grass

A lion

is

green and fresh.

At once,

'tis

80

told,

sprang and roughly seized the Cow,

While mused the King on Gauri's Father's might,

And

thought,

" No foe

Her long-drawn

cries,

will

my

charge

"
!

re-echoing from the caves.

Aroused him, and recalled

Where stood

dare to harm

his gaze, to see

the lion with the tawny

Cow

Pressed 'neath his paw, as 'twere a Lodhra-ixtQ

High on

a red-chalk mountain table-land

The astounded King, himself

bowman bold, would snatch

Full-blossoming.
In gait a lion,

An

arrow from his

belt, to slay

Deathworthy, as he

He seemed

oft

a statue

had

90

the foe,

slain his foes.

for his fingers clave

Tight to the arrow, lighting with their gleam

The heron's wing, while he stood powerless.

Thus stayed from action, furious raged the King,
To strike unable though the foe was nigh,
Like snake subdued by spells and drugs.

In

human

voice,

But

amazing that great King,

By noble souls beloved, a Lion bold.

The Pride of Manu's line, still holding down

lo

100

RAGHUVANCA

14

[camo

The Cow, that Hon spake : " Cease, mighty King,

From futile efiforts vain would be thy shaft,
Though it should strike me, as a wind that fells
!

A tree

blows harmless round a mountain-peak.

Know me Nikumbha's

Who

serve the Eight-shaped God,

To mount
His holy

To

Kumbhodara,

friend,

guard

his snow-white bull,

this tree,

which as a son he

As poured from golden

forest-elephant

By

rests

That God has placed

feet.

Where Skanda's mother's milk

who

jars,

had torn

furious rubbing

when he deigns

on

my

me

here

And

all

no

loves,

divine has flowed,

who wept when once

its

bark

scarcely grieved she

To see Ganega wounded by his foes.

The Trident-bearer placed me here, to
In lion-shape

back

more

scare

roaming elephants,

prey on beasts that venture near these haunts.

Now doomed to death by Civa comes this Cow,

so the Moon's sweet sap
'Twill stay my hunger

120

a blood-stained feast

The Dragon

drains,

No shame

thine, a son's devotion

is

Hast shown.

To

fail

Return

for

I claim.

thou

know, when arms are vain

can shame no warrior."

Then

the

King

Took comfort from his words by Civa's might

Restrained, he bowed to fate, nor scorned himself.
:

Again he spake

(now

first

his

hand had

To

loose his shaft, as Indra's self stood

At

Civa's angry glance

:)

failed

numbed

" O King of beasts

130

the boon

it]

My

words

move

will

thy laughter, since

Restrained from action

I

Whose power has made,

Whatever

Look on

or

is

moves

Longs

for the

Then

my

fair

Lord of wealth

Thou wouldst

in haste

Tis madness,

for the

all

Fear not the

Losing one

By

gift

will

destroy

sacrifice.
!

her calf

his flashing teeth

and thus he spake

caves,
!

bright

life,

cause deserves

fiery Saint

Cow may

Enjoy the goods of

and youth.

thee

not.

it

thy death

while living thou

though angry, he

quickly be appeased

Save thy precious

fate,

life,

150

for Indra's state,

Save that thou dwell'st on Earth, scarce passes thine."

So spake the forest-King ; and mountain-caves,

Loud-echoing, urged that plea in flattering tones.

The

He

the King,

who

pitiful rejoined.

while in mute appeal the

Caught

the World with constant care.

of millions.

And wooed

140

renounce, and sovereign sway

Thy people all depend on

Would only save one life,
Protectest

and

mother, and the night draws on."

^iva's servant smiled

King,

heart,

Master's Cow,

food

for thy

Shone through the darksome

"O

my

yet can I not

the slaughter of

my body

stand

reverence

sustains^

His treasure, that supplies the

Oh, take

yet thou know'st

That Lord

therefore speak.

16

in the lion's

paw

only worthy bears

Cow

looked on.

"The Warrior's name

who

saves from

harm

RAGHUVANCA

16
'Tis proverb-lore

Would

The

forfeit

whoe'er betrays that trust

Royal state and earn foul scorn.

Saint might well despise

If this

were

other cows

all

the might of ^iva thou

My

Didst dare attack.

give as

i6o

Surabhi's child and peer,

lost,

Which only by

[canto

ransom

In her one meal

body

freely

now

scarcely wouldst thou find

the Master's sacred rites

Will not be hindered

Well thou know'st, who serve

Thyself a Master, and with anxious zeal

Protectest here this tree, that

if

one lose

His charge, himself unwounded, 'twere not well

To

My

Spare then

face his Lord.

body only precious

By

all

other.

intercourse

is

such as

nor think

Fame we prize
Friendship, so men say,

Scarce value fleeting

Beyond

my Fame,

170

but

life,

ripened

meeting thus

On forest-bounds, I claim thee friend, and

To have my boon, O Qiva's follower "

claim

Then was

He

the

prey before the

Looked

lion,

be

it

Sweet sounded

well-pleased

When

"

180

the noble

from

lion's

King

paw,

on him, and a voice

in his ear

That voice revived him

lion,

who

up, expecting death

rain of flowers fell

No

free

threw his weapons down, and cast himself

Had said," So

charm reversed, the Monarch

" Rise, O my son

straight he rose,

"
!

and saw

but the Cow, whose udders streamed

THE BOON

ii]

Amazed he heard

Like mother's breasts.

"

Hero-King, by magic

This scene to

try

17

thee

art I raised

Muni's power

for the

her say

Guards me so well that Yama, Lord of Death,

Must pass me

by,

what other power could harm

Thy loyalty hath pleased me, and the care

Thou show'dst for me choose now, my Son,
:

My

udders yield not milk alone, but

Abundant where

190

Low

I love."

thy

Whose

had won him warlike fame,

boon

his

Born of Sudakshina

my

The

prayer was heard.

udder

nor stint the sacred

my

Then,

if

Thus

to a

At

Then

Master bid me,

King Earth

this yet

more did Nandini

to the grove returned she,

Dilipa, chief of monarchs,

(While like

How

full

moon

his face

he had prospered

Repeating what a

first

thy child

drink

Royal
rejoice

sixth."
:

he behind.

made known

beamed)

to the Saint

then he sought his Queen,

joy-lit face

had told

To her who loved him. Then, what time

Was satisfied, and evening-rites complete,
Va^ishtha bidding, drank the noble King,

200

rites.

/ will

yields the

Son," she said,

first let

satisfied,

fair

cup

in a leafy

" Nay, Mother " answered he, "

Be

hands

a son of noble race,

And granted, " Draw and drink,

" Milk from

knelt the King,

giver, clasping

And named

boon

gifts

Himself a generous
skill in fight

the calf

210

RAGHUVANCA

18

[canto

Blameless and virtuous, milk of Nandini,

Thirsting for

as ever for fair

it

And now his

Was duly held

The

Fame.

task was ended,

the

rites to

Saint performed

and a

feast

speed his guests

then to the Royal

home

Dismissed them, as they grateful took their leave,

With

To

fullest

Fire

More

and

honours paid to him,

Sacrifice, to

glorious

still

his wife,

Cow and

and purer

220

Calf,

for the rite.

Then with his Queen the much-enduring King

Went in swift chariot on their prosperous way.
With pleasant clangour,

Him

like the crescent

For noble

offspring,

They greeted now

like a fruitful

vow.

moon, through penance waned

whom

his folk

had mourned,

returning, nor could sate

He, great Indra's

Their eyes with gazing.

Hailed by glad subjects, to his

All decked with flags,

city

peer,

came

whence with unwearied arm.

Strong as the Serpent-King, he ruled the World.

As from

great Atri's eye the sky receives

Its light, or

Ganga

^iva's potent seed.

The Queen conceived

the Sun-race to prolong,
The World's great Regents blessed her fruitful womb.
:

230

THE SACRIFICE

ni.J

CANTO
Raghu

is

born

Then

in her

III

Dilipas Horse-sacrifice
with

19

is

stayed by Indra,

whom Raghu fights.

handmaids' sight Sudakshina

Shone pregnant, whence Ikshvaku's stock should spring

More

vigorous, hke an early crescent

moon,

To crown her husband's life. Her, pale as night,

When dawn is near, when dimly shines the moon
And stars are few, or like a Lodhra-ixte,
The King embraced
Nor could be

sated, as

he knew earth's scent, and longed,

an elephant

Scarce slakes his thirst at forest ponds, though

By plenteous
'*

So

To
On

shall

my

rain.

"

As Indra Heaven," she

son rule Earth

Earth's remotest

bound

filled

said,

his car shall range

So mused the Queen,

"

earthly savours fixing her desires.

Her

loving Lord,

who

feared that bashful

mood

Might check her utterance, asked her serving-maids

Of all her

fancies, bent to ease her

So

months went on, whate'er she craved

as her

Was brought

unasked,

since

The mighty King could

mind.

all in

for her

Earth or Heav'n

needs provide.

lo

RAGHUVANCA

20

And

[canto

so conception's pain was soothed for her,

Whose frame shone

stouter, as the

20

cHmbing-vines

Their old leaves shedding don the bright array

Of new-born Spring. The months rolled swiftly

Her bosom swelled, and on her lovely breasts
The nipples rose, to shame fresh lotus-buds

Where black bees

cluster

As Earth which Ocean

past.

and her Lord was glad.

clothes,

where treasure

which nurses secret

Or

as that tree

Or

as Sarasvati in flood, she

lurks,

fire.

seemed

To him who constant-minded kept the feasts

Due for a Prince's birth, as love required
Owed to his Queen, with pomp that well might match
The wealth Earth yielded, and the joy he felt.
With eyes that swam with love the King at home
Watched

as she slowly rose

Her womb weighed down

from cushioned
with seed the

30

seat.

Gods had

sown,

Weak hands
But

that scarce could

skilled physicians

lift

the offerings.

watched the embryo birth

Until her time was near,

when

like the sky

At eventide she shrank from public gaze

Last, at

due season

she, fair (^achi's peer,

Brought forth a son, whose greatness

That high

As

in

stars foretold

heaven shone, not quenched by dawn.

threefold Virtue wins the Highest Bliss.

Calm was

the vault of Heaven, soft winds blew

Clear rose the altar-flame, with butter fed

40

THE SACRIFICE

,11.]

happy days

All augured

Brings good to

Where

lay the

all

such princes' birth

Now

mankind.

Queen

at

round the bed

once the midnight-lamps,

Dimmed by

the native glory of the child,

Showed but

as pictured lights.

Who

From

so

the happy maid,

brought the joyful news his son was born,

Three things alone the King withheld, but

The moon-bright
With steady

parasol

and royal

eye, like lotus in

three,

fans.

still

lake,

The King devoured

his son's fair face, with joy

So great

bounds, as Ocean's tide

At

21

burst

it

all

fulness of the

From Hermits'

moon.

Then came a

and

grove,

Priest

perfectly performed

All rites for birth, that so Dilipa's son

As gem new-polished shone with

60

brightest gleam.

The joy-drums' cheerful sound, and twinkling feet

Of dancers echoed through the palace-halls.
Nor less in courts of Heav'n. The happy sire
Could

set

no prisoner

Where crime was not

From

coil of

Then

praying,

free, for

none

lay

bound

himself alone he freed

debt he owed the Blessed Shades.

" May

this child

through Sacred Lore

Pass quickly, warring swiftly smite his foes

He named him
The

Raghu, " swiftly-moving

child grew

Lord of

all

wealth,

Increased, as

up beneath

" Prince.

his Father's eye,

and day by day

summer

his strength

Sun's still-growing power

70

RAGHUVANCA

22

Pervades the waxing moon.

(.The Prince

[canto

made

glad

His parents, great as Civa and Uma,

Or Indra and

He

his

daily grew, as

Or famed

Queen

since Hke themselves

grew the Reed-born God,

Jayanta, while their mutual love

Like love of rain-birds

burned the more intense

That each one's love was centred on

What word
Held

When

He

his nurse first taught

their son.

he docile spake,

he walked her hand, obedient bowed

as

so she bade

perfected,

him

The body

thus his Father's joy

who took him to

As though he bathed

in nectar

his breast,

when he

clfisped

of a son, with eyes askance

For perfect

joy, delight

he scarce had hoped

Thus, following close the Law, he saw his

In this

80

fair

line

son established, as the World

Great Brahma sees established, his own self

In form derived, with primal Virtue clothed.

The Prince's childish locks had now been cut

As Law ordained, his childhood's comrades still
Preserving their long hair

Of

the principles

learning he acquired, as streams suck

Great Ocean's water.

That marked

his

up

Next the sacred cord

second birth the noble child

Assumed, and sages taught him,

For learning's seed

fruitful soil

on well-prepared

fields

What work men spend will prosper. Oceans four

Of knowledge soon he crossed, his mental strength

100

THE SACRIFICE

III.]

23

Concentring, as the Sun's untiring bays

(Than wind more

swift)

through the sky's four

pass

zones.

The

deerskin next he donned, and from his Sire

The

spell-ruled weapon's use

Not only was

Excelled

all

sole

he learned

Emperor, but

As

archers bold.

the King

in skill

bull's estate

steer attains, or elephant's the calf.

So Raghu passed from childhood up

And

to youth,

no

bore a form of gracious majesty.

His tonsure

o'er,

forthwith the careful

King

Procured him worthy brides, who lovely shone

As Daksha's daughters wedded

With arms

like

to the

Moon.

beams, broad shoulders, mighty neck,

chest like portal wide, though

Raghu seemed

In strength above his Father, modestly

He

took rank lower.

But the King, who long

Had

borne the weight of

The

state of Sociate-King,

And

training, to bear half the

rule,

conferred on him

by nature meek

heavy charge.

So goddess Fortune, loving aye the

120

best.

Had left the King, who long had been her choice.
And sought the Heir, as leaving parent flower
For opening bloom.

As

Fire grows, fanned by

His charioteer, or Sun when cloud-banks break,

Or elephant when love-streams bathe

So did the Son enhance
Till

then unmatched.

his brows,

his Father's state.

Wind

RAGHUVANCA

24

At

With princes

Was

set as

[canto

length, in season due,

comrades, that high Prince

for his

guard to keep the sacred horse,

130

While King Dilipa, Indra's peer, performed

Save one a hundred

But Indra,

all

sacrifices pure.

unseen, drove off the horse,

Set free to roam, to keep the rite unflawed.

Amazed

the guards looked

on

that princely host

Stood by perplexed, confounded,

till

at length

Vagishtha's Cow, unbidden, blessed their sight,

Well known to

all

through her great power the Prince

Received as from a mother grace to see

Then looking East he saw

Things veiled from sense.

The God who curbed

Drive

the

hills,

great Indra's

140

self,

off the steed reluctant, while his starts

The driver checked the God he forthwith knew

By eyes unwinking and his bright bay steeds,
:

And challenged with

To win him from his
Thee Sages

" King of Gods

who

why then impede my

share

Sire,

seeks by sacrifice to win Heaven's bliss ?

Thine

To

purpose

praise as chief of those

All sacred rites

Who

a voice that pierced the sky.

'tis,

highest Lord, whose eyes are stars,

smite our impious foes

if

then,

my

Lord,

Thyself shouldst spoil the offering, worship's dues

Would lie destroyed.

Most needful for the

Ah,
Rite

let

the horse go free,

great guides in

Ne'er stoop to methods base."

Law

In stark amaze

150

THE SACRIFICE

III.]

25

At those bold words the King of Gods restrained

His chariot, making answer

Thou

fair

ever 'gainst attack.

it

me

father seeks to rob

That

" Noble Prince,

Yet know, that those who prize

speakest well.

Their fame must guard

Thy

my

of

name,

i6o

renown which through the Worlds

is

mine.

Alone does Vishnu reign Supreme, Great Lord

me

Is ^iva's title only,

Call

Lord of Hundred

Alone each keeps

his

the Saints
Sacrificial Rites

To

Name.

To

off the

win

it

Which sons

Vain thy

sacred Victim.

back

save this

toil

seek not to tread the path

of Sagara trode

"
!

The Prince

Undaunted keeper of the victim horse

"

now

Kapila

I drive thy Father's horse, as

Drove

replied,
170

Take then thy weapon, King of Gods, since so

Thou
Or

choosest war

yield the horse,"

His arrow

Prone

thou must

Then on

and Civa's

laid,

bow,

o'er the

Expectant

Me

fair,

self

first

lay low,

his string the Prince

he seemed

looking to the sky

then he sped a golden shaft

God

Which pierced

the

Of mountains,

losing patience, to his

that

God, who clipped the wings

Bow-

That weapon dread which gathered clouds compose,

Laid his unerring shaft

With demon-gore

Of men, before

that awful dart,

familiar,

drank the blood

untasted, greedily,

Next, brave as Kartikeya, that stout Prince

180

RAGHUVANCA

26

[canto

With name-marked arrow smote great Indra's hand,

All rough from hide of Heaven's elephants,

And marked
Then

He

with pictures from

^achi's arms.

fair

with another, fledged with peacock's plume,

rent the Lightning-flag

As though he 'd

Now

fierce

raged the God,

torn the heavenly Lakshmi's hair.

joined they awful battle

quite apart

Stood Siddhas and the Prince's host

Strove for the mast'ry

190

they twain

down they shot and up

Their arrows, hurtling, terrible as snakes

To look on, winged.

The Prince's inborn
His

Nor could Indra quench

courage, though he rained

shafts in quick succession

In vain would quench the

so the cloud

fire itself

has bred.

With crescent-headed arrow Raghu cut

Resplendent Indra's bowstring, which the

Grasped

in a

hand

God

gleamed with sandalwood,

that

200

Deep-sounding as the Ocean when 'twas churned.

The God

To

laid

down

his

slay his gallant foe

Bow, and seized

that flaming

in

wrath

Bolt,

Wherewith of old he clipped the mountains' wings,

And

Then the Hero fell to earth

Sore-wounded, when his comrades' tears fell
hurled

it.

But soon revived, undaunted,

Acclaimed on

rising.

Vritra's

whom

fast

their shouts

mighty

foe.

Admiring much the valour which so long.

Sustaining fierce assault, defied his power

For virtue aye

is

precious

called aloud

210

THE SACRIFICE

III.]

"Thou

only hast withstood

Which mountains could not

Whate'er thou

Then

wilt,

my

mighty Bolt,

face

well-pleased

grant

except the Victim horse."

King of Gods the Prince

to the

27

replied,

Sweet-voiced, returning to his belt the shaft

Half-drawn, whose feathers shone above his head

"

If,

The
The

mighty Lord, thou

horse,
full

So near
Grant

oh

perfection,

pious father win

this

joy,

from thy envoy

all

Warned by

that

now

King

the

by Civa's glory kept,

May know

Gave Raghu

220

rites

which he may not reach.

Lord of Heaven,

this too.
set,

By

my

nowise restore

reward of those long, arduous

In council

With

let

wilt

"

Then

God

the

he craved, and soared to Heaven.

the God, the

King received

his

and stroked with love-numbed hand

lightning scarred.

His honoured

life

now

Son
his limbs,

Then, fixed to win Heaven's

bliss.

ending, ladder-like

His ninety-nine great Offerings he stretched

To

ease the way.

He

quite withdrew, then solemnly gave o'er

out,

His soul from things of sense

To his young son the Kingdom, and himself

Went with his Queen to Hermits' shady grove,
The use of aged Kings of Manu's race.

230

RAGHUVANCA

28

Raghu

CANTO
Father,

[canto

IV

a?id conquers the World.

succeeds his

Then Raghu took the Kingdom which his

Had given, and shone more glorious, as at

eve

Fire gains fresh splendour from the setting

Sun

at the news, in kings

But

Blazed wrathful

His

folk, in

fire

Sire

who hated him

from smouldering envy bred.

children rich, with hearts and eyes

Alike uplifted, rank on rank, rejoiced

To

see

For,

him

mounted on

At once

his elephant,

Sun-circled, hailed as

In bards embodied

With verse

sincere

Kings from

Wooed him

as

he seized

and foemen's realms.

lo

to undivided rule.

lotus-parasol the

Whom

like Indra's flag.

his Father's throne

Him, consecrate
With

on high

raised

Royal

Lord

State,

while Eloquence

loudly sang his praise

and treasure-yielding Earth,

Manu onwards

well

had loved.

though she ne'er had loved before.

Like Southern breeze, which neither burns nor

chills.

While sternly smiting wrong he won men's hearts

By

virtues excellent with joy

he chased

20

RAGHU'S CONQUESTS
his Sire to lose,
What grief the people

29

IV.]

felt

As when the

fruit

Men

remembered.

Is scarce

Both good and

He

appears the mango's flower

ill

before

chose, but never

ill

him

of counsel spread

peculiar grace

that

The Primal

Virtues won,

Beneath

sway seemed new.

his

The Moon

refreshes,

Gives

and

life

True " King

Lit

up

"

he,

only good

all

By

World

her cool rays

by his heat the Sun

who

appeared.

shining charmed his folk.

His wide-expanded eyes

but Sacred Lore

his face,

the

it

30

was.

Dividing subtle points of right and wrong,

That gave best

On

insight.

virtue based

the

Firm he

set his throne.

grateful Earth reposed.

Past Summer's heat, serene

came Autumn

Like Royal State redoubled, lotus-decked

Then

in bright

on,

splendour cloudless Sun and he

Together ruled the world, invincible.

When

after rain light clouds

prepared their way.

The rainbow Indra drew, his mighty bow

Drew Raghu in his sphere each reigned supreme,
And blessed by ruling. Autumn with sunshade
;

And

fan of waving grass his Royal state

Affected, but his glory could not reach.

The Moon,

with clear cold rays, and his

fair face,

Unruffled, drank the folk with equal zest

The

radiance of their glory seemed dispersed,

In rows of swans,

in stars, in lilied lakes

40

RAGHUVANCA

30

[canto

Seated in the cane-brakes' shade,

Resplendent.

While women watched the crops they sang

As good

his praise,

50

as far-renowned, from childhood up.

when Canopus

Clear shone the waters

rose,

Great jar-born Saint, while fearful of defeat

The foes of Raghu quaked for furious bulls,

Of mighty frame, huge-humped, that tore the banks
Of rivers, shadowed forth his sportive strength.
;

His elephants,

in

seeming

rivalry,

by fragrant blooms

Poured sevenfold

ichor, struck

Of Sapta-parna.

Autumn now

dried

up

The roads, made rivers fordable, and stirred

The King to war and conquest, though his host
Was not yet ready. Rose the altar-fire.
With solemn

To
It

prepared.

rites for sacrifice

bless his conquering

arms

60

with lambent flame

His capital

gave auspicious sign.

The King safeguarded, and his

Nor left his rear exposed then
:

frontier-posts.

with his host

Complete, six-membered, conquering he went.

As Milky Ocean churned with Mandara

On

Vishnu dashed

Showered

He

rice

its

foam, so matrons staid

on Raghu, when to the East his face

turned, with wind-shook pennants threatening

His foes with chastisement,

while clouds of dust

His chariots raised and elephants,

Seemed borne on

high,

and

air

till

earth

a well-trod

plain.

In front flashed armour, followed noise of war,

70

RAGHU'S CONQUESTS

IV.]

Next

dust, then chariots, horses,

Then

Fourfold-divided marched.

He made

men,

the host

in his

might

the desert plains to laugh with streams.

Made rivers fordable, not hard to cross,

And cleared the forests, cutting roads. He
His valiant

Or

as

31

host, that rolled like

80

led

Northern Sea,

when heavenly Ganga, by the

Saint

Brought down to earth, strayed in the braided hair

Of

Passed the King, whose passing kings

Civa.

O'erthrown, deposed, or brought to vassalage.

Marked by

their

fall,

Trees show uprooted.

as

march of elephant
Eastward swept the King

(And one by one subdued

To

the Eastern realms)

Ocean's shore, which sombre palm-trees shade.

90

the Suhma power

who opposed he spoiled
Submitting, won his grace, who bowed like reeds

Chiefs

Before a mountain-torrent

He

sm.ote the Bangal hosts,

Vainglorious of their ships

On

Ganga's

isles

And bowed
Then

who proudly

his

stubborn

foe,

re-settled, tribute brought.

like rice before his lotus-feet.

with his hosts he crossed the Kapica

living bridge (Utkalas

showed the way),

Smote the Kalingas, on Mahendra's

fought,

triumphal stones

he reared

Subdued and then

On

but in wrath

pillar fixed of

crest

conquest, as Mahauts

In head of restive elephants their goads.

For, strong in elephants, with

pomp

of war

100

RAGHUVANCA

32

[canto

Kalingas met him, as with rocky rain

Mountains met Indra's onslaught, when he came

To

Their shower of darts the King

clip their wings.

Sustained undaunted, winning glorious

While hurtling

Of due

shafts

lustration

fight,

seemed but the cleansing drops

no

then his warriors drank

In shady betel-bowers at once the milk

Of cocoa-palms, and

The King

with lawful triumph took his fame,

But not

his country,

And

him

set

vict'ry o'er their foes.

free

from Mahendra's king.

then by the sea-coast way,

Where bowed with

Arecas, peaceful passed.

fruit

In Kaveri

Since there Agastya ruled.

His soldiers plunged,

Of elephants, and

all

fragrant with the juice

stirred the jealous rage

Of Ocean, spouse of rivers. Pepper-groves

On Mount Mahendra's skirts, lov'd home of
His forces occupied,

To

conquest.

fruit

birds,

on he marched

Trampled by

Upflying from the

Clung

as

120

of

his steeds, the

bloom

cardamums

to the foreheads of his elephants,

And

challenged their rich scent

The

strong neck-chains embraced the sandal-trunks.

And bound
The Sun

the elephants that

like

hooded snakes

mocked

at ropes.

himself glows dim on Southern shores.

Yet could the Pandyas not endure e'en there

The beams

of Sun-like Raghu,

who

Sported on Malaya and Dardura,

his

fill

130

RAGHU^S CONQUESTS

IV.]

Which, sandal-clad,

33

crown the shore.

like twin breasts

Invincible in might, the Sahya range

He

crossed, by

Ocean

Reft of their garment

Of

left

as 'twere Earth's loins

Jamadagni's son

old disjoined them, but as Raghu's hosts

Marched

Low bowed

the Sahyas, and their choicest pearl

From Ocean won where

Down
Of

and mountain met.

further west, the sea

to the Sea,

spotless fame.

Saptaparni flows

presented, symbol

140

fair

Fine-powdered sandalwood.

Which women of Karela wore, with dust

Raised by his army soon the King replaced.

Unforced the yellow seed of Ketakas,

Which

Was

river-breezes waft

scented powder for his mail-clad host.

Through

On

from Murala,

forests sighed the

wind

their harness

clanked

swiftly-moving steeds, that overpowered

Areca-trees deep-rustling, while black bees

130

Dropped from Funndgas on the streaming brows

Of elephants love-maddened,

tied to trunks

Of smooth date-bearing palms.

The

At Jamadagni's bidding ceased

to flow,

But through the Western King

its

To Raghu.

He

Trikilta's

Where

furious elephants

For

to see,

all

mighty

He

men

tell,

tribute gave

mountain made,

had graved

the record of

pillar.

Sea,

his

fame

his deeds,

'Gainst the Persians next

through the desert marched, as holy

men

160

RAGHUVANgA

34

[canto

By Sacred Learning smite their inbred foes,

The senses. Scarcely could the King withstand
Soft wiles of

Yavan women,

That sought

his love,

Untimely-risen,

Beams

He

lotus-faced.

as Autumn-clouds must fade.

when the Sun new-born

bright above the lotus.

Fiercest war

with the Westerns waged, in horses strong.

While twang of bows alone revealed

The bearded heads

Now

had cut

off

strewed the plain, as bees swarm thickly round

The honeycomb

And

his warriors

their place.

the remnant bared their heads,

claimed his mercy

Submission

His host

Which

will

appease.

rage in hero-souls

Their

toils

forgot, carousing in choice

of war

bowers

vines surrounded, spread with costly furs.

Thence Northward marched the King, resolved

The Northern princes with his dreaded shafts.

As, when his beams have drained moist Southern
The Sun too turns him North. His mighty acts.
Wrought on

their husbands,

Recorded on

their

Huna dames

cheeks in angry

His horses, resting

to quell

lands.

proclaimed,

scars.

after toils of war,

Refreshed on Sindhu's banks, their shoulders shook.

Where

170

saffron-tendrils clung.

Akshota

trees,

Bruised by the chains that bound his elephants.

Bent low

bowed too Kambojas,

Before his prowess

fain to yield

heaps of gold,

fine steeds.

In tribute offering, which the mighty King

Accepted graciously, and spared

their pride.

180

RAGHU^S CONQUESTS

IV.]

Famed

He

for his horses, next

35

Himalaya

190

mounted, where the clouds of dust they raised

From trampled rocks exalted more

Couched in their caves, great lions

the peaks.

brave as he

Gazed on him undisturbed, nor feared the noise

His warriors made

Through Bhurja

while murmuring winds that coursed

trees, or rustled in the canes,

Moist from the waves of Ganga, cherished him

As on he swept
His soldiers

to conquest.

On

the rocks

rested, fragrant of musk-deer.

That couched

in

shade of great Nameru

200

trees.

Tall phosphorescent plants that gleamed at night.

Their lustre doubled by the glancing chains

Which bound

Were lamps

great elephants to Sardla trees.

Raghu,

for

Where he encamped
Told hillmen of

By

halters torn.

With mountain

his

lamps not fed with

oil.

the towering Devadars

march, with bruised bark

grim and bloody

fight

he fought, where

tribes

darts,

and

And arrows mingled hurtHng, striking fire.

The Utsavasanketas from their feasts

210

He stopped, and taught the Kinnaras to sing

New anthems for his conquests. Tribute there
The tribes presented Raghu owned
Of great Himalaya, and was by him
:

Acknowledged peerless
His

glory's

mound

there the

secure,

Paulastya raised of yore.

the might

Monarch

and shamed the

He

fixed

Hill

traversed next

Lauhitya, and Pragyotish quaked, as shook

stones,

RAGHUVANgA

36

[canto

Black aloes where he bound his elephants.

Scarce could he bear with Raghu's chariots' dust,

Which

and darkened

veiled the sun

Yet brought no

rain

The armed

host

all

the sky,

how then should he

Him

220

withstarfd

Kamarupa's king

Served with his elephants, those mighty beasts,

Love-maddened, which he used to smite

And gems
Which

he offered

for flowers

his foes

at those feet.

laid on golden footstools shone divine.

All realms subdued,

home came

the mighty Lord,

While humbly kings, with heads unshaded now,

Received the dust raised by

Then Sacrifice he made

By conquest won, when
Bestows

To

in

alms

his chariot-wheels.

for

Rule Supreme

all

his wealth a

230

King

as clouds store up the

rain.

feed their bounty generous kings take tax.

But when the solemn

Great Raghu,

With

signal

whom

Sacrifice

was

o'er.

his ministers loved well.

honours healing

first

the

wounds

Defeat had branded, sent away the kings

and who yearned to clasp

peace.
Their long-forsaken queens, dismissed
Who

graced his triumph,

in

Low bowed
Not boastingly

And

that royal

band before

his feet,

stretched out, with lines, and

flags.

thunderbolts adorned, and jasmine white,

Which from

their

diadems those kings

let fall.

240

AJA

^]

S7

CANTO
Raghus

splendid Generosity

Manhood,

Now when the

Aja

lavished,

Kautsa,

whom

when grown

to

woo Indumatt.

starts to

Imperial Sacrifice the King,

came

all his

wealth

to seek his Teacher's fee

mighty Varatantu taught

Lore was

Him

Till

he

Met

courteous, mighty, splendid,

in

born, and,

is

All-Conqueror, had performed, and

Was

perfect.

the

King

gave his

gift

In earthen vessel, for his gold was done.

Low bowed the King then, rich in fame, and

To know the right, observant of his due,
:

He

seated him, and thus addressed

Thy

taught

"How fares

Master, keen of insight, chief of Saints

Who

frame the Veda's hymns

Thou

tookst as from the

Sun

Oh, say not that the Sage's

from

this

thy Lore

world gets

life.

triple toils

Austere, of limb, speech, thought

Are now disturbed

whom

which Indra

Have storms

fears

laid waste the trees

That shade and guard your dwellings, which with care

Ye 've

watered, fostered, nurtured from the seed

lo

RAGHUVANCA

38

And

are the deer unharmed, which

That couch on Kuca kept

And
And

Gods and Shades,

the holy pillars

Is the rice.

and

whom

Spoiled by the rabble,

for

your guests.

the husks should feed

That second

Most

life

to serve

wife,

and guide thy home,

whence draws the world

to pass,

earthly profit

still

my care, thou
me how I may

All

oh,

tell

Best serve thee, or thy Teacher,

know'st,

for that grace

Now, dismayed, the

Looked on the earthen

Know, famous King,

rulest,

To dim

that

men must

Is high in heav'n,

men's

it,

Saint

and knew the cause

dish,

Then, hopeless to obtain

Thou

spake his need

all is

prosper

well with us

while the

Sun

no darkness can prevail

sight.

Revered the worthy

Still
;

yet

has thy glorious race

my need

is

such

scarce thou canst supply, though thou surpass

In that thy Sires

30

"

look for from thee

As

the great Saint dismissed thee perfect, Saint,

That now thou shouldst take

"

are those streams unsullied, which erst pure

Self-springing food for you

20

bear their young while clasped in Saintly arms

Where stood

Is

tend,

for sacred use,

Libations yielded both for

Has

Munis

[canto

Unhelped must go

untimely
!

have come,

For, clad in glorious fame.

Else thou art bare, thy riches well bestowed,

Stripped as the wild-rice stalk,

when savage hands

40

AJA

v.]

Have

spoiled

Thou, Lord of

its fruit.

Thus seeming

poor, as

still

Which Gods drink up wins

No

further errand

Elsewhere

The

mine

seek,

'11

39

so

blessing as

As he was
Or what

grieves

fare thee well,

He

his.

had won

first

am,

'

The

great.

all,

was made the mighty Sacrifice

asked the Sage, when

poor

called back the Saint,

the lowly Lord of

long-proved, loyal love

How

all lore,

pronounced

his fee

but, further urged,

my

sciences,'

60

state,

he

said,

taught thee scarce can fourteen millions pay

That bring

The name

me
of

'

Coming

King

is left

here, full plain I see

thee, not the wealth

That earthen bowl proclaims

Ask from thee then

lovely, clean of heart

From base

affections,

Who
To

if

dare

meed he

claims

"

but quick the King supreme,

As Vishnu

were to Raghu,

How

it.

the boundless

So spake the Sage

It

50

perfect Sage

In hasty wrath, nor thinking of

King

" Say how

The

the fee he asks."

whom
I

him

turning, asked

What meed was

'

Thus answered him,

My

wanes.

Teacher's fee

The King

"

it

rain-bird craves not rain from emptied clouds,

Nor missing

For

Moon,

the cold-rayed

my

show'st well,

all,

pleaded

and pure

"Strange disfame

a perfect Sage

sought his Teacher's

fee,,

should turn away.

seek his guerdon from another Lord

70

RAGHUVANCA

40

Be thou my

guest,

Keep pure my
That

may

Sage

hearth for

like

me

[canto

Holy Fire

two days or

three,

Gratefully the Saint

help thee."

Consented, while the King, whose plighted word

None e'er knew fail, set forth to wrest the boon

From famed Kuvera, since Earth teemed with wealth.
So great

At

his glory,

which Va^ishtha's

his Anointing gave, his car

Would

course through

air,

With

unchecked

o'er

Then

Like wind-borne cloud.

spells
80

mountains and

o'er seas,

in his car at eve.

store of arms, brave, pious

Raghu

slept,

dawn Kuvera, whom he deemed

But lo at dawn
neighbour-king, no more.

To

smite at

Amazed his treasure-keepers told the King,

What stayed his march, that while men slept there fell
From Heav'n a rain of gold and filled his store.
The whole bright heap Kuvera fearing sent,
The King to Kautsa gave, as 'twere a crag
By Hghtning split from Meru and the folk
Praised both the Saint, who asked his fee, no more,
And praised the generous King, who pressed on him

90

More than
At

last

his asking.

Now, the well-pleased

Saint,

consenting, took the golden store.

Which camels bore and mares, and

On Raghu

laid his

bending low, and parting blessed

hands
:

" While such a King rules men, well

Yield wealth with which she teems

Thy

fame, for

whom

e'en

may the Earth

yet how conceive

Heav'n pours forth such store

100

AJA

v.]

All things else thou hast,

Beyond men's asking ?

Save what

now bestow

Rich as thyself

Got

receive a son

in virtue, as

thee, praiseworthy

Then sought

his

Master

thy Sire

Him

"

sunlight power of seeing

At Brahma's hour,

'tis

living souls
:

for the

Queen

brought forth a prince,

told,

As Uma's child resplendent,

Named

the Saint thus blessed,

and the King ere long

Received the promised son, as

From

41

whom

his Sire

no

Unborn, from the Soul Supreme.

Aja,

His Father's joy was he

like

him

in might.

Tall as himself, as vigorous, grew the Prince,

As shines a

To

that

it

lamp with equal

fresh-lit

springs from.

light

Teachers trained the boy

In lofty learning, radiant beamed his youth.

And Fortune

loved him well, yet seemed to wait

(Like bashful virgin)

till

the King his Sire

Should mate her with him.

Now
Of Krathakaigakas,

to

Raghu

great Bhoja,

King

sent

noble envoy, bidding Aja come

To

fair

His

Indumati's Swayamvara,

sister's

With

To

The King,

Maiden Choice.

Both deeming Aja come

And

120

to

well-pleased.

manly prime.

her a peerless bride, sent forth the Prince,

lordly host well-guarded

high Vidarbha.

on the way

Ever on the march

Pavilions fair received him, while the folk

RAGHUVANgA

42
With

and with

blessings

His journey

o'er,

Where, gently

gifts his

[canto

favour sought.

on Narmada's green banks,

stirred

and moistened by the breeze,

130

Waved Karang trees, his weary host found rest,

And reared their standards, dusty from the road.
Sudden a mighty Tusker reared

Amid

his front

the waves, where hovering swarms of bees

Betrayed his presence, washing ichor sweet

From

his

broad temples,

Showed by

How on
Up rose

while his blunted tusks

the dark-blue streak (the ore washed off)

Rikshavan's rocks he spent his rage.

he, faced the bank,

and nimbly waved

His mighty trunk before him and behind,

Roared

loudly,

and with

140

all-resistless strength

Burst through the torrent, breaking watery chains.

Broad-chested as a mountain, tangled nets

Of

clinging weeds he drew, the while in front

threatening mass of waters rose,

The

river-bank.

And from

then climbed

His captive peers he marked,

his cloven

brows the ichor-stream.

Checked only by the wave, returned

in flood.

That much exciting savour when they knew,

As

acrid as the Saptachadas sap,

The mighty

150

beasts of Aja's host broke bounds,

Unheeding sharpest goads, and

At once confusion seized
Yoke-oxen broke

in

fled.

The camp

headlong

flight

their bands, threw o'er the cars

(Their axles smashed),

and active warrior-hands

AJA

v.]

The

Scarce saved the timid dames.

Availed to stay the rout

To

lightly

wound, not

Shed

like a

slightly drew,

and

'twixt the

The

bestial

shaft,

brute he smote.

At once, being

Prince alone

slay (so runs the Law),

His bowstring, loosed a

The mighty

who

43

eyes

shape

i6o

wondering army saw

struck, the

garment, while in radiant guise.

In heavenly beauty clad, with light-rays crowned,

A princely form appeared. A rain of flowers.

Won by his power from Heav'n, he grateful poured
On

Aja's

The

head

then spoke in winning tones.

while his flashing teeth

That clung about

his

neck

Drew down Matanga's

lit

" Of old my pride

curse,

In hateful tusker's shape

up the gems

and doomed my

stay

for I, fair Prince,

170

am named, great Indra's son.

" Moved by my humble prayers, the Saint

Priyamvada

More mild became,

May

raise to boiling, yet

Resumes
'

When

its

and thus decreed

shaft shall cleave thy brow.

glorious shape thou shalt regain

see thee long I 've yearned

Freed by thee from

must requite

Were

useless.

Named

Aja, sprung in high Ikshvaku's line.

Thy proper

which the flame

by nature's law

grateful cold,

With iron-pointed

To

as water

appeased

thee,

my

Take,

now, mighty Prince,

curse, with worthy gift

else

my

power restored

friend, this

magic shaft

Sleep-compeller, launched and then recalled

180

RAGHUVANCA

44

By

spells diverse,

which to

[canto

master gives

its

Sure triumph o'er his foes, those foes unhurt.

Blush not

for

shame

at

only seeming harm

Thy blow was kindness grieve me not, I pray,

By scorning this my gift."
The courteous Prince,
!

Moon

That

of

men,

gave

thanks;

then

faced

the

North,

Touched
And,

Moon-born stream,

the pure waters of the

skilled in arms, received the

\Vhich his high friend

How

these,

Should join

now

once seeming

gave.

foes,

fast friendship

190

magic dart

Thus Fate decreed

wayfaring met.

Chaitraratha's groves

The one now sought, well-ruled Vidarbha's realm

The other welcomed soon, whom courteously
Before the city gates the joyful King
Received, as Ocean swells to greet the

With heaving waves, and

Moon

to the city brought,

His glory waiving, with observance sweet

And

lowly bearing,

till

200

the crowds might

deem

Their King was guest, and Aja was the King.

Then

as the

God

of Love, his

boyhood

past,

Takes on the pride of youth, so Raghu's

heir

Possessed the lovely palace, newly-built.

Before whose gates an altar stood, and jars
Brimful of water, destined for his use.

Then

To

Sleep, as loving wife

Aja's eyes

came

late,

who

who

seeks her lord.

sighed and longed

AJA

v.]

45

To win the peerless Maid, to woo whose Choice

The rival kings had come in pomp and state.

Him
Whose

aio

ere 'twas day, that all-accomplished Prince,

shoulders bore the scars of ear-drops

gemmed,

From whose dark limbs the ointment had been wiped

By silken bedding, with sweet songs his peers,
Well-skilled to sing, roused for the auspicious day.

"Awake, wise Prince

And Brahma now

Which
"

has

for

up and

The waning Moon now

Of beauty

to thy face,

sinks,

half Thyself.

and

yields the prize

roll

220

for Sleep.

" Unclose thine eyes, that so by mutual

Where

past

whom Lakshmi wooed.

Forsaken and despised by thee

Their beauty and the

is

the weight of rule.

cleft

half thy Sire bears

darksome night

lily's

may

gift

increase,

or pupils dark or black wild bees.

The morning breeze, that vainly seeks to win

From other source the scent of thy sweet breath.
Tears from their stalks the flowers that loosely hang

On blossoming trees, or woos the lotus bright

New opening to the Sun. Now on the leaves
Tinged ruddy

With double

rests the

dew, a pearly band

lustre, as thy

gladsome smile

Plays o'er the gleaming teeth.

The dawn,

Dispels night's clouds until the

Sun

Then

Now
"

ceases

thou

Thy

art

230

fair

Prince

arise,

shall thy Sire then crush the foe.

come

to lead his

armed host

elephants have burst the bands of sleep,

RAGHUVANCA

46

They drag

their clanking chains,

and quit

[(

their

Their tusks hke fresh buds gleam when bathed

Shed by the morning

As

anto

couch
in light

sun, a glittering show,

240

stained with ochre from the mountain-sides.

" These steeds Vanayu-bred,

Bound

mild-eyed Prince,

with long tent-ropes, shaking slumber

Stain with hot breath the rock-salt left to

"

Thy

flower- wreaths languish

Burn dim, and

And

off.

lick.

now, and now the lamps

lose the halo of their rays,

thy caged parrot, warbling cheerful notes,

Mocks

this

our morning

hymn

So sang the bards.

The

Prince, fresh roused from sleep by tuneful praise,

Forsook

By

his couch, as Heav'n's great elephant

cranes' clear song aroused an islet leaves

Of holy Ganga.

Commanded

in

Due devotions paid.

the Law for morning's

The bright-browed
In

fitting vesture,

prime,

Prince, by skilful hands arrayed

sought the lofty

Where Kings were met

hall,

to grace the

Maiden's Choice.

250

VI

MAIDENS CHOICE

TjHE

CANTO

47

VI

The Wooing of Indumati, and her Choice of AJa.

Then

fair as

Gods who mount

celestial cars,

In royal robes arrayed, and seated high

On

thrones, refulgent, raised

The noble

on

range of suitor-kings he saw.

These looked dismayed on Aja,

dais-steps,

for

he seemed

second Love, at Rati's prayer restored

To

that bright form

Nor longer hoped

which ^iva's wrath burnt up,

to

win Indumati.

By carven

stair

The King

assigned him, as a lion stalks

he mounted to the throne

lo

O'er rocks to gain a mighty mountain-peak.

Then
With

sat

he down on diamond-sparkling

costliest

cushions spread, that glorious Prince,

As Kartikeya mounts

his favourite bird.

His beauty much enhanced

seat,

his stately mien,

dazzling lustre which perplexed men's eyes.

Like lightning-flash o'er gloomy banks of cloud

So by

his flawless grace high

Amid

their

Raghu's son.

gorgeous thrones and splendid robes.

In simple vesture shone as 'mongst Heaven's trees

20

RAGHUVANgA

48

Famed

Forsook

eyes of

other Kings to gaze on

all

men

him

woodland blossoms, wild bees swarm

So, leaving

To

The

Parijata shines.

[canto

As they

streaming brows of elephants.

sat,

Their royal lineage, drawn from Sun and Moon,

Bards skilled

in

olden story

praised

fitly

Rose from the smouldering aloes

Which

all-pervasive

fragrant smoke.

round the banners curled

Auspicious music floated from the conchs

In ambient

air,

and through the city-groves

The

Glad peacocks madly danced.

In wedding-vesture clad, on

30

Princess came,

borne

litter

With solemn pomp, to choose herself a Lord,

And down

the eager rows of suitors passed.

That perfect woman, Brahma's

The

work.

goal of countless hearts, drew all their souls

Out through

their eyes,

Remained behind.
It

last best

the lumpish clay alone

When

Spring reviving comes,

decks in varied charms the forest-trees

So showed those Kings by various

arts their love.

One toying twirled a lotus, sportive struck

The clustering bees with petals, balling so
The golden pollen. SmiHng playfully.
Another turned

his

beaming face askant

His flower-wove necklet

On

fall'n,

moment caught

jewelled bracelet, careless he replaced.

One, sidelong glancing, with

Traced

lines

on golden

his lotus-foot

footstool,

where the

nails

40

THE MAIDEN'S CHOICE

VI.]

Like summer lightning gleamed.

49

Another prince

In seeming earnest talk his neighbour held,

His

left

arm

resting

on

so

his chair, that so

His shoulder raised and back broke through

Of Keiaka one fashioned

Those hands

An

his wreath.

with his hands,

that lately clasped his

queen

in love,

earring blossom apt to win the heart

Of that fair Princess. One tossed dice in sport.

The while his jewelled bracelets gleamed on hands
Light-brown as lotus, seamed with banner-lines.

One

fixed his coronet with nervous hand,

Ablaze with diamonds,

though

had not

it

60

fall'n,

Then eloquent Sunanda, high-born dame

Who ruled the palace, led the royal Maid

To where

the mighty

Sat gorgeous

His worth,
"

In

Deep

then with clear, deep voice proclaimed

well-taught the name and fame of each

's

arm

to save

up

his

stubborn

foes.

Spouse of Earth, though thousand Kings

Usurp the

style

'Mid

and

stars

his

rules, his people's joy,

blazing wrath burns

Alone he

So

and strong

are his thoughts,

Magadha he

Whose

Lord of Magadha

as

rules the night

70

planets, pale beside his throne,

rules he Earth.

Where Indra

Soma

still

By

constant rites devout,

appears, he pales the cheek

Of Cachi, while her curls hang limply down

Undecked with Svarga's flowers, a mourning
Her husband absent, Give, O give thy hand
D

bride.

RAGHUVANgA

50

To him

in

wedlock

charm

[canto

bright, loving eyes

By festal entry to his noble town,

Whose dames expectant wait " She spake, and paused
The Princess slightly bowed, thus silently
!

80

Rejecting him, her wreath of fragrant flowers

With dnrva intertwined, a shade displaced.

Then
As

to a second

King she led the Maid,

wind-stirred, rippling

wave on Manasa

To second lotus brings a graceful swan,

And praised him thus " Behold great
:

Whom

Anga's Lord,

heavenly brides themselves have vainly wooed,

Such youth and beauty

his

his elephants.

Trained by skilled masters, match Airavata

He

rules like Indra.

By

his foes' brides,

Pearl-like tears were shed

a necklace

all

90

unstrung.

Fair speech and noble presence dwell apart.

Except

in

him

Thou mayst be
" Go forward

Her

Him

with

Fame and Eloquence

thou wilt choose

third, if
!

" said

this

the Maiden, turning so

eyes from Anga's Lord, though well she

worthy of

all

mate."

knew

love, save only hers.

Then, passing onward with her

fair

Princess,

The Lady praised another noble King,

Renowned for virtue, terrible to foes,
Fair as new-risen moon
" Avanti's Lord
:

Behold, long-armed, broad-chested, thin of flank.

With doubled radiance

By Vi^vakarma

shining, like the

polished and refined.

Sun

100

THE MAIDEN'S CHOICE

VI.]

When

he

in dauntless

51

might goes forth to war,

The gems that flash from rivals' crowns are dimmed

By dust his steed casts up, as evening clouds
Obscure the Sun. Hard by that mighty God,
Whose brow the Moon adorns, this noble King
Dwells in great Kala, so through

He

all

the

months

no

with his queens takes joy in lightsome nights.

slender-waisted Maid, wilt thou not yield.

And

find thy bliss in

That wave 'neath

wandering through

fair groves,

Sipra's breeze, with this great

King ?

"

But not on him the peerless Maiden fixed

Her tender

love,

though

lily-like

Sun

Friends, scorching foes as

So close

at

dawn those

he charmed

dries

up a marsh

flowers which love the

Moon.

Sunanda next before AnOpa's Lord

Led her

fair

Lady, Brahma's

loveliest child,

For virtues eminent, whose teeth

Flashed white

120

like pearls

then spake once more her winning words

" In days of old great Kartavirya, King

And
His

Saint,
rivals

And

whose thousand arms

crushed,

he, that

Appearing with

alone he ruled.

even thought of sin,

his

smote through

Bow

Who

to

all his

Proud Lanka's Lord,

Till

swayed

triumph-pillars planted through the worlds.

So holy

He

till all

in battle

to

tempted

realm.

whom

souls,

He

kept in bonds

e'en Indra

bowed,

languished, sighing through his many mouths,

he released him, humbled.

In his line

130

RAGHUVANCA

52

[canto

Pratapa rules, devout, firm friend of Saints,

Whom

Defames

Nor

loves, not fickle

Fortune
her.

fears the

Blazing

fire

he wields

mighty Axe which

more than

To Warriors

fatal,

Be thou

Hero's bride

this

in fight,

Rama

bore.

lotus-leaf.

so shalt thou gaze

Enraptured from the palace on

Seductive of

as the world

soft curves

Reva, where she clasps

fair

140

The mighty loins of strong Mahishmati."

Nor he, for all his beauty, favour found
In her pure fancy, as the silvery Moon,
Dispersing Autumn's clouds, can win no grace

From

lotuses that

woo

the Sun.

The Maid

Next heard Sunanda praise Sushena's worth,

Of Surasena Lord, whom heavenly

Hymn

ever, light of

both his high descents

"This King devout

To whom

choirs

is

flower of Nipa's race,

the Virtues sought, as timorous deer

Seek Hermits' peaceful grove, and waive the

That Nature

He

sets

between them.

150

strife

Calmly brave

ever guards his palace, moon-like bright,

And

blazing smites his foes,

Grass grows.

o'er

whose blank

roofs

His lovely queens, who frequent sport

In waves of Yamuna, so tinge the stream

With

fragrant sandal from their breasts, 'twould

seem

That Ganga's yellow waters mingled there

Ere Mathura was reached.

Upon

his chest,

was

lost

The gem he wears

by Kaliya

160

THE MAIDENS CHOICE

VI.]

Who

fled

from Garuda, and almost shames

Ah, Maiden, choose

Kaustubha, Krishna's pride.

That noble Prince

mate

for

then pass thy youth

Rejoicing in Brindaban, not less

Than

53

fair

Chaitraratha, couched on soft flower-sprays,

Reclining on smooth rocks with foam-drops wet,

With

On
In

salt

too pungent

feast thine eyes, Fair

Maid,

peacocks of Govardhan, dancing free

Autumn

Him

rains

too the

among

the hollow rocks

Maiden passed with

"

170

stately mien,

Another's destined bride, as rivers pass

Great mountains on their way to Ocean's breast.

Then came
Hemangada,

the Princess to Kalinga's King,

and then Sunanda spake,

While beamed

like full fair

moon

the peerless Maid,

Designing him whose wrists were clasped with gems.

From

foes

fit

tribute

" See Mahendra's King,

Lord too of Ocean, mighty as the

That seems to lead
In pride of youth

his host,

Of

With long strong arms

hill

an elephant

archers chief

all

is

180

he,

rough with bowstring-scars.

Like streams of brackish tears from pain-dimmed eyes

Of foemen's brides. Great Ocean's thunderous roar.

Whose boisterous waves he from his palace marks,

fitting

time-drum, wakes him at day-dawn

With voice o'erpowering

Choose him thy Lord

Where palm-trees

all his

martial strains.

and walk by Ocean's

shore,

whisper, where moist breezes fan

RAGHUVANCA

54

[canto

The wearied brow, and waft from distant isles

The clove's rich scent " Vidarbha's sister turned,

190

Nor heeded
As

all

her praise, unloving, loved.

royal Fortune turns, though

If Fate

be adverse.

The Lady

"O

Next

to Nagpur's

and thus proclaimed

passed,

bright-eyed Princess

The Pandus' Lord

skill,

King
his

worth

see this generous King,

wreaths from his shoulders hang,

His arms sweet sandal

He

wooed with

stains, a

mountain-lord

seems, amid whose crests the rising Sun

Glows, while the roaring torrents dash and foam.

Him
The

great Agastya greeted,

200

he who bowed

who wide Ocean drained,

asked, when he had bathed

pride of Vindhya,

And of his v/elfare

When the Great Rite was

over.

Lanka's King,

For Janasthana fearing when he led

His serried hosts

conquer Indra's world,

to

Was fain to make him friend, for he had won

The Bow of ^iva. Give to him thy hand
In happy wedlock

Be

Steadfast as the world.

co-wife with the sunny Southern land,

Which Ocean

And

210

rich in pearls clasps lovingly

joyous ever sport where Malaya

Slopes terraced, where the dark-green betel-boughs

Are intertwined, where creepers clasp smooth

Dark

is

he, thou art fair

By union

And

let

other's beauty, as

lightning-flash

"

trunks.

each enhance

do cloud

Unmoved

the royal

Maid

THE MAIDEN'S CHOICE

VI.]

Passed on

the lotus waits the rising Sun,

the Moon's pale beams, but stays close shut.

Nor heeds

Now

as the

Maid went

moment by

Lit for a

55

by, each suitor-King,

220

her dazzling eyes,

Like wayside tower by passing lamp, sank back

Then

In deepest gloom.

Who
Or

questioned with himself, " Shall

fail like

The

? "

them

rising doubt,

That bound

Found
Nor

Aja's heart was stirred,

him her

passed^as

rests a

Contented on the mango

To know

arm throbbing checked

but him the bright Princess

yielded

Nor seeks beyond

right

and well-nigh snapped the cords

his wrist

faultless,

further

His

I find grace.

love,

swarm of bees

in full flower,

Then Sunanda

it.

and stopped

230

skilled

the rank of men, perceiving soon

How

all

That

fair, full

her heart the royal

Moon,

Maid had

set,

on him, took up her

tale

" In high Ikshvaku's line Kakutstha sprang,

'Mong Kings a King,

for virtue eminent,

Whose

rules

And

royal race

still

North Kocala,

bears his famous name.

As Civa

swift in fight,

That King renowned,

ascended high

On Mount Mahendra, made the Demons' wives

To spoil their cheeks of unguents, weeping loud
And, with

his bracelet touching Indra's own.

Loosed by the rubbing of Airavata,

In dignity possessed an equal seat

With him, when even

in

most dazzling shape.

240
;

RAGHUVANCA

56

[canto

More

splendid shone the fame of that proud race,

When

bright Dilipa rose,

Who wanting
One hundred,
Nor

one of

its

radiant lamp,

his full tale of Rites,

calmed the fears of Svarga's Lord,

further laboured.

'Neath his calm, strong rule

The very breeze disturbed not lovers' skirts

As through the groves they strayed, or sank
Far

dared rude men's hands.

less

His son, unconquered Raghu,

Made

sacrifice for

His treasure wholly,

From

he

all

Earth's four quarters

Aught save an earthen

'd

who

late

bestowed

gathered up

and increased, nor kept

vessel.

His renown

Cannot be measured, weighed, or told

It scaled

to rest.

Dilipa's throne

fills,

Won

Empire

350

in

words

high mountains, crossed wide seas, and passed

260

yea, has risen

The portals of Patala,

To Heaven, immortal.
Prince Aja sprang, as

From Indra.
Of that high

Now

From

Jayanta sprang

fair

this

his kingly loins

Prince bears half the weight

charge his Sire erst bore alone.

Unwearied, as a mighty bull-calf bears

One

He

half the yoke.

only

is

In virtues

Ah,

let

Choose him, bright Maid

thy peer

in beauty, lineage, youth,

all,

with modesty the chief

the pearl be set in finest gold

When now Sunanda

Dropped

ceased, the royal

veil of coyness,

270

Maid

by her favouring glance.

Bright with pure love, proclaiming blameless choice,

THE MAIDEN'S CHOICE

VI.]

As

'twere with fateful wreath

57

but modesty

Restrained her tongue, though o'er her slender form

The hair upstanding showed her ardent love.

Then smiling spake Sunanda, when she marked
The Maid's confusion
" Gracious Lady, now
:

Pass we to others "

She from angry eye

Flashed

Graceful as a swan,

indignant.

fire,

Helped by her handmaid,

280

she then the wreath,

laid

With golden sandal scented, on the neck

Of mighty Raghu's

son,

a present Love.

Clasped by that wreath, where

all

were woven, Raghu's child,

And

they alone

The

dauntless Prince, such rapture

Already he were clasped

By

clear effulgence

With her

fit

in love's

"

that bright Princess.

Wins

Ganga's

self unites

Loud

who

In perfect union.

rival

rejoiced

Kings,

delighted saw

Their virtues, else unmatched,

Beamed

embrace

mate, wide Ocean "

people,

as though

felt

Here the cloudless Moon

In shouts like these, harsh to the

The happy

auspicious flowers

Then

now

fitly

joined

the Bridegroom's friends

bright for gladness

gloomy ranks of Kings,

Their hopes dashed down, opposed a hostile

So,

when

the

Sun has

risen, his glorious

front.

beams

Expand the

flowers that love him, but seal

Those other

flowers that

up

open to the Moon.

290

RAGHUVANCA

58

CANTO
Ajas Wedding ; and

VII

hoiv he smote his treacherous Rivals

Way Home.

on his

Vidarbha's King then led the joyous

To wed

[canto

his sister to that

train

worthy Lord,

Like Skanda mating with the Heavenly Host.

As morning-planets when the day

Went

to their

camps the rival-Kings chagrined.

Scorned by Indumati.

Revealed
Prevailed,

begins,

their angry

Both mien and dfess

mood

but Cachi's power

and none disturbed the

marriage-rite.

Then with her Bridegroom went the royal Bride,

Where o'er their way fresh garlands stretched, and where
'

Like Indra's

bow

flashed paintings

on the

gates,

While shading banners kept away the heat.

Bright maids at golden lattices looked out,

To

see the Prince, nor heeded other work,

But

lit

with glancing motions

Thus shone they

To

reach the

Her

various

lattice,

all

one

the house.
in hot haste ran

while her hand held up

clustered locks, from which the loosened wreath

lo

INDUMATi

VII.]

Had

well-nigh

fall'n,

nor stayed to bind her

Another changed her mincing

To

gaze, her footsteps

Still

One brow
Held

stained

20

lac.

Where

her dress one maid

down had

left

unclad

so hurried was her pace.

with cramped toes kept up the belt,

half

its

gems were

strung,

see the wondrous sight.

Those windows
That swam with

lit

They swarmed.

and limping ran

Most

brilliant

30

shone

within by glancing eyes,

joy, as

keen to know the

Drank

and

slipped

by the bracelet's gleam.

irradiate

tied her zone,

And one

a third one held the brush,

well-darkened and the other bare,

up, which

Her form

And

and sped

marking with red

Yet so she went to gaze

To

gait,

hair.

dripping liquid from that dainty foot

Her handmaid

Nor

59

scented with red wine.

least detail, like bees

Their eyes, fixed

in the Prince's charms, as

full

on him alone,

though their hearts

And senses all were merged and lost in sight.

The Princess, worthy of her suitor-Kings,
Deemed well her Choice had ended only so
:

Could she have found an equal mate, as found

Fair

Lakshmi

hers,

the mighty Lord of

Like Love they were and Springtime

'Mong myriad Kings the

all.

she had found

soul that halved her own,

And claimed her beauty, for the soul re-born

Knows of its former fates. The Prince, rejoiced
To hear sweet strains which city-matrons sang,

RAGHUVANCA

60

[canto

Passed to the palace, where with welcoming wreath,

There the

His royal brother waited.

Priest

Revered of Bhoja, having duly served

The

fire

wjth butter clear, and set

As witness

it

and greater

in his,

As when a mango

The

Prince Aja clasped

Glow

On

'twas as

Shared passion's

Shone

his limbs the hair

while tender love

stiff for joy,

radiant

lustre gained,

clasps with answering sprout

Anoka's tendril.

Stood

50

of the wedding, joined that pair,

Pure bridegroom with pure bride.

Her hand

forth

fire

though

made

her

hands

their joined

between them

pleasing pain

meeting eyes, where mutual love

in their

Stood

self-revealed.

They

circled to the

Then round
left,

as

the blazing

fire

60

day and night

Course round Mount Meru, and conjunctive beamed.

command,

great Brahma's peer,

Next

at the Priest's

With

love-lorn partridge-eyes the

Threw on
While,

the

fed

fire

her offering of

modest Bride
rice,

Avith cassia-shoots, fried grain,

and

oil,

Auspicious rose the flame, and round her cheek

Its

tongue curled gently, winning

Such

space

lustre as the lotus in her ear

That trembled,

And
And

for a

while her face grew rosy-red,

ointment melted round her eyes diffused.

barley-ears

hung on

That sanctified the

rite.

her, at the Fire

The

princely pair

Sate on their golden throne, and glad received

70

INDUMATl

vii]

What moist

And

rice-grains the King,

61

most noble

host,

householders, and matrons, threw on them.

That Monarch, mighty, lamp of

(When now

his high race

marriage was complete),

his sister's

Sent to each suitor-King befitting

gifts

By honoured hands, which they with

Received

feigned joy

80

but hid deep anger, as a lake

Whose quiet face hides many a scaly foe.

They thanked their host, requiting him with gifts
Of treacherous import then departing, planned
;

conjoint subtle scheme to seize the Bride,

Which

to

work out they close beset the road

Whereby the Prince must

As

well beseemed,

And convoyed

King Bhoja

When

left

him,

to the Maid,

Aja on his journey home.

Three nights he camped with

Then

Rich dowry gave.

go.

that world-famous Prince,

90

as the Moon deserts the Sun,

fades her borrowed light.

The

rival- Kings,

Recalling earlier grievance 'gainst his Sire,

For

To

now combined in wrath

Prince, who won from them the

tribute taken,

smite the

Of women, Bhoja's

The haughty band

As when Prahlada

When

Bali's

Consigned

Of one both

Bride and Prince

sister.

of Kings stayed, as they drove,

Vishnu's steps opposed,

boon was

his

Pearl

given.

The mighty

Prince

Bride for safety to the care

warrior tried

and counsellor

Then dashed impetuous on

sage.

the hostile ranks.

100

RAGHUVANCA

62

As ^ona's waves smite Ganga.

In equal shock of battle

Fought

Armies met

foot to foot

warriors, horse to horse,

No

While clarions brayed.

[canto

and car

to car,

tribal war-cry rose,

But famous names were known by hurtling

That smote the foe

By

reluctant.

Dust of

shafts,

strife,

horses stirred and chariots, veiled the

Sun

no

(Spread by the flapping ears of elephants),

And tempered

heat

the while rich pennons waved,

Which, rent by rushing wind, devoured the dust

Raised by the hosts, as

fish

drink eagerly

Fresh Autumn's pools though muddy.

The

Through

thick clouds

noise of wheels proclaimed a chariot, bells

Betrayed huge elephants, while friend and foe

Were only known from shouted names of chiefs.

Blood streamed from horses, elephants, and men,

By weapons wounded,

shining as the

Sun

New-risen, ruddy, o'er a field obscured

By

dust-born darkness,

That

dust,

hemming

in

whose root the blood had

As smoke from

fire

120

men's
cut,

sight.

streamed up

new-kindled, while the

wood

Lies in the hearth, blown sideways by the wind.

Now

car-borne heroes, waking from their swoon

Sore-wounded, angry

at their steeds' retreat,

Rebuked

the drivers, turned their cars, dealt death

To

who gave them wounds,

those

Now
By

by pennon known.

skilful archers' shafts, split in

darts opposing, kept their

mid

flight

onward course,

130

INDUMAT!

VII.]

Infixing deadly barbs

Met

63

in battle-shock

smit

elephants,

whose

drivers'

By keen-edged

quoits,

kites snatched with eager claw.

And

(Ev'n in the attack)

And

lingering dropped.
if

horseman spared

his foe

Like Death's banquet-hall

that dread field,

For beakers

off

bruised by shock of horse,

stayed his leisure.

Showed

heads

with dead men's skulls for

fallen helmets,

fruit.

blood for wine.

But wounded elephants, whose mighty trunks

Sharp swords of mailed warriors half cut through,
High-frenzied,

quenched with water-streams the sparks

Struck from the flashing steel

so raged the

One broken arm, which swooping

140

fight.

vultures seized,

greedy jackal caught, and hurt his jaw

On bracelet-buckle. Where a foeman's sword

Had cut the neck, straight to his Heavenly car
The

warrior rose, and clasped his bride divine,

While

still

his lifeless trunk

danced on the

In mutual slaughter other two had

Drivers and fighters

With clubs they

first

To one

Now

fair

engaged
strife,

when

conquering,

these were broke.

by mutual wounds

then, suitors

Nymph,

fall'n,

leaping from their cars,

Close-locked in fiercest

At once they died

plain.

in the skies

forthwith renewed the fight.

now

defeated, swayed the hosts

Like Ocean's waves, that winds drive to and

fro.

By dust-clouds veiled, as through damp morning-mist

The rising Sun shQws dimly. Last the Prince,

150

RAGHUVANCA

64

God

Fair as the

Launched

Which

of Love, unwearied

still,

at his foes that sleep-compelling dart,

i6o

heaven-derived Priyamvada had given.

Then, struck to

no strength to draw the bow

in their hands, while

helmet-chains

That bore the

whole armed host

sleep, the Kings'

Stood motionless

Was
The

[canto

flags.

on

their shoulders

drooped

they leaned against the staves

Then

raised he to his lips.

Whose sweets his Bride had tasted, only she,

And blew the conch-shell, drinking (so it seemed)
Embodied glory, by his right hand won.
His warriors knew the note, faced round, and saw
Where

slept his foes

170

Moon

around him, as the

Shines o'er closed lotuses on quiet lakes.

Then on

their

banners with his blood-stained shafts

" Your glory Raghu's son

Thus wrote the

Prince,

Has taken from

you, but your lives he spares

Of his mere mercy " Resting on

The garland breaking as he raised
!

His brow with sweat-drops moist,

He

then approached, and spoke

Behold our

Might

So

foes, I

seize their

fighting,

bid thee

me ?

bow,

his helm.

his trembling Bride

" Vidarbha's Child

infant

weapons now.

win thee from

his

hands

Could such
"

Then her

180

as they,
face.

Recovering from alarm the foe had caused.

Shone
Is

brightly, as a mirror

wiped away.

when damp breath

Rejoicing, yet for

She praised him not

herself,

shame

but by the

lips

VII.]

Of handmaids,

When
Then

The

rain,

early sprinkled, by the peacocks' song.

set

off"

he his

left

foot

his

upon the crowns

this

done, that faultless Prince

blooming Bride, whose

190

ringlets bright

dust from hoofs and wheels had stirred and tinged,

While

like incarnate Victory

Now came

he home,

she shone

whom

And what had

Of Kingship

chanced.

to his son,

He

the news

then transferred the yoke

way of Peace

in the Solar line is ever

For Monarchs when

all

and eager turned

tread himself the quiet

'Such

with his lovely wife

King Raghu welcomed, knowing

To

G5

as the fallow thanks the

Of those proud Kings

Bore

NDUMAT

use

their sons

have come to age.

200

nAG

66

HrVANC A

CANTO
Ajc^s early Happiness

\"

I I

DeafA of Indumati^

and his Lament.

Thus mighty Raghu

gave Prince Aja Earth,

fair

second bride with

\\'hile still

Not

By

Indumati,

he wore the sacred marriage-ring.

^^^lat others

He took

[cavto

seek by wrong to

make

their

own,

submissive from his father's hand.

lusting after power.

Then Earth

water hallowed and Vacishtha's

with him,

spells,

In wedlock joined, by exhalations dense

Showed

By

The King, anointed such

joy untold.

Saint deep-leamed in Atharva texts,

Foes could not hope to vanquish.

And

lo

Sacred Lore

warlike glory twinned resistless work,

Like Wind and Fire

Was Raghu's

the people

self restored to

For with the Royal State

He had

received.

Two

Shone doubly-bright

all

deemed

their

second youth
Kingly grace

things with other two

his father's

fame revived

By Aja, prudent age by vigorous youth.

The newly-subject Earth Uke virgin-bride

King

INDUMATI

viii.]

He

67

used with tender love, and curbed his strength,

His subjects

Lest she should be dismayed.

all

Thought each, " 'Tis me the King loves best

He

" for

none

scorned, as Ocean, wived with countless streams,

Meets

Nor

He

20

all

Not

with equal love.

yet too lenient,

over-harsh,

the golden

still

mean

followed, causing neighbouring Kings to

bow

Without uprooting, as the tender grass

King Raghu

Inclines before the wind.

Who

saw the Kingdom stablished

As he himself had

Of

all

ruled

in his son,

ceased from care

it,

things earthly, nay, of

Such

still

Who

in their green old age

To

then,

Heavenly joys

30

the wont of great Dilipa's race,

make

o'er the realm

sons of equal virtue, while themselves.

Self-centred, tread the bark-clad Hermits' path.

But when the father sought

Among

to take his place

the pious band, his new-crowned son,

With head bowed low before him, prayed

Not so

to leave

him orphaned.

Vouchsafed the boon

But took not up again

for well

his

Then

he loved

former

And, freed from every

King

his son,

state.

As snakes resume not sloughs once

So Raghu entered on

the

his Sire

life's latest

cast away.
stage.

care, in safe retreat

Hard by the City dwelt, while daughter-like

The Royal State performed her duteous part.

Now

in that

Kingly house the reverend Sire

40

RAGHUVANCA

68

Had

chosen Peace

Bright as

And

is

moon

Were both supreme,

Which

in vigour ruled.

Heav'n when day's great orb mounts high

sinks the

And one

Son

the

[canto

of pious

and Son

so Sire alike

one in the realm of war,

work

each wore the dress

best befitted either, in the quest

Of earthly glory or of Final Bliss.

Then Aja, who was moved to conquer realms
yet subdued, took counsel sage with

Not

Deep-versed in statecraft

men

Raghu companied

jyith holy hermits, seeking joys Supreme.

On

throne of justice Aja sat to watch

His people's weal

his Sire, with senses quelled,

60

Slept on pure Kuca, far from haunts of men,

And weaned

his thoughts

from

earth.

That smote the Kings around him,

On

sacred subjects fixed

Which

The

mortals

warlike might

by thought

smote down the

lusts

The younger King burnt up

feel.

fruits his foes

this

By

most longed

for,

while his Sire

With flame of Holy Lore consumed the deeds

Which

By

else

might bar Salvation.

Seeking

fruit

earthly wisdom, Aja truces made,

Used

other crafts of statesmen

Ignorance,

Wrath, Virtue, Raghu stemmed to reach calm

And

gold he viewed as clods.

The

70
Bliss,

new-set King

Assiduous worked, nor ceased from worthy acts

Till

dawned success

while plunged in thought his Sire,

Detached from every earthly bond or wish.

INDUMATI

vm.]

69

Sent forth his soul to join the Soul Supreme.

Thus

each watched to quell

in his sphere

The one proud

Bliss,)

So Raghu passed,

each obtained his end.

That loving

Kings, the other worldly thoughts,

(One glory sought, the other Final

And

his foes

calm repose

father, years of

80

Then, breaking from the gloomy chains of

life,

Devotion joined him to the Changeless Soul.

When

this

was told to Aja, long he wept.

Then summoned
Laid on the

altar,

Untouched by

He

pious hermits, sacred Fire

fire

and placed him

:

in earth.

then Offerings to the Shades

from mere love presented,

for

known

'tis

That Saints departed need no funeral cake,

Nor claim

it

By

from their sons.

Rishis schooled,

90

In Holy Learning perfect, overmuch

He

grieved not for that father passed to

But strung

his

Heaven

conquering bow, and smiting down

All rival Kings, alone he ruled the World.

Him

Earth had won and fond Indumati

For spouse, the glorious Hero

many gems

Earth gave him, and his mortal bride one son.

Whom,

bright as sunshine, famous through the worlds

As Dagaratha,

The

Sire of

after ages

knew

Rama, ten-necked Ravan's

So paid the King by study,

And
Owe

sacrifice.

fatherhood, that triple debt which

to the Saints, the

foe.

men

Gods, the Blessed Shades,

100

RAGHUVANCA

70

And

like the

From

To

Sun shone glorious when he

'scapes

War's array he used

misty halo.

free the

[canto

oppressed from

fear, his

Sacred Lore

Served but to honour Saints, his wealth alike

He

used and virtue for his people's good.

Thus
But

unclouded happiness he

in

grief lay

ambushed.

One

lived.

no

sad, fatal day,

With loved Indumati the King, who watched

His people

That

And

girt

like

a flock, through pleasant groves

the City strayed, as ^achi's

lover,

Lord of Maruts, haunts the groves

That spread round Nandana.

Minstrel Divine,

To
To

praise

Then Narada,

who sought Gokarna's Lord

him with

his lute, passed through the

northern climes,

The

Lord

while, greedy of the

South

scent,

rushing wind bore off the flowery crown

That decked the

lute celestial.

From painted eye

By bees attended,

'\

Like a tear

120

those flowers shone as they

fell

ravished by the breeze.

That Heavenly wreath, before whose potent scent

Shrank shamed the blooming creepers, lighted

Down on

the Queen's broad breasts, -Vwhich

A moment

soft

when she

felt

only on her ample chest,

The King's Beloved paled, and tottering swooned.

As fails the moonlight when the Moon is hid
She

lifeless fell,

As lamp-spark

and

his life followed hers,

falling takes the

burning wick

130

INDUMATi

VIII.]

Fed with

rich

71

Scared by the loud laments

oil.

Their followers raised, the lotus-haunting birds

Screamed sympathetic

they with fans revived

The King, but lifeless lay

The vital spark be left all
Like lute untuned, and
Fit resting-place

As

in grey

his

vain.

is

Spouse raised up

shows weird and wan.

he, tears nigh

Was broken even

The rigid iron ah
;

choked him,

how much

Chose

Thus wailed

when He

shaft as tender

slay

me launched

kill,

who

of

snow

Death perchance

arrow

oft forgavest

while the tree

wrong

Dost thou unwarning shut those

Who now

have done no wrong

Lady

smiling

(My

lips

life

all

did

from me.

Thou

150

falls,

doubt'st

my

wherefore, scorning fraud,

way

to

Heaven.

pursued thee, but alone

Has now returned

Bear

leave unasked) thou took'st thy

My maimed

the grief?

why can not

Still

what dart

Yet stands unharmed, the creeper smitten

Ah, why

King

life

so, soft flakes

his

141

the stricken

seeks to slay

to take a tender

Destroy the yielding lotus.

To

mind

more

the

" If Fate by touch of flowers can

not be deadly

his firm

as heat intense will melt

Grief melts men's hearts

Or haply Death,

unless

laid her in his lap,

Moon

the

Deep mourned

May

she pale in death reclined,

dawn

help

He

All tendance useless.

Queen

the

on thy

alone

face, fair

Spouse,

love,

RAGHUVANgA

72
Tired love has
Alas,

how

but soul

left its trace,

transient are the lives of

is

[canto

fled

men!

i6o

No thought had I to vex thee, why hast thou

Left me forlorn ? Thee only have I loved.
Though Earth too calls me Lord, Lord but in name.
"

Ah, stately Lady, now thy rippling

curls,

Bee-coloured, wreathed with flowers, wave in

air.

me hope that yet thou wilt return

Again to bless my life wake soon, O Love
Soon bid my sorrow cease the Snowy Mount
And

bid

Has

caves

up by plants

lit

Light through them

I grieve to see

Disfigure,

that nightly shed

so return to melt

"Thy

On

my

and

finds his mate,

life

hum

Night regains her Moon,

that sleep there.

Are cured by meeting

Destroy

parting's

pangs

how canst thou, O Love,

by leaving

me

for

aye

slender limbs scarce rested as they lay

couch of freshest leaves

how

wilt

thou then.

Fair Lady, bear the roughness of the pyre,

All bristling

The
As

See

tones of love,

this zone,

which

mute, since thou

is

first

180

received

liest still,

'twere a sorrowing friend that ev'n in death

Attends a loved one,

Thy

17

once eloquent, as when

mute

The Cuckoo

thy face, which locks dispersed

lonely lotus slumbers, stilled the

Of bees

my gloom

dulcet tones the

To Swans

if

thou wake no more

Cuckoos have assumed.

hath passed thy slow and languorous

gait,

INDUMATi

VIII.]

73

Thy glance of love Gazelles now use, thy grace

these all
The Creepers waving in the wind
Thou leftest me when soaring up to Heaven,
Yet soothe they not my heart, weighed down with woe
:

190

At thy departing.]! Didst not thou betrothe

Mango

This scented

How

leave

Untimely

to his Creeper-bride

them then unwed, deserting me

Shall these

hands weave funeral wreaths

Of that Acokd!s blossoms, which

thyself

Hast coaxed, made Qoy, and fostered

To deck

thy ringlets

The Acoka mourns

To

Lady of

fair

lovingly.

limb

That zone

Thou

lost.
is

sweet-voiced

shedding flowers,

thee, tearful

miss thy graceful steps, thy tinkling

For ever

Queen

gait,

of

yet unfinished, which with

Love

200

me

half hast fashioned of these fragrant blooms.

Fresh-scented as thy breath

how

canst thou sleep,

And leave thy task undone ?! In joy, in grief,

Thy maidens shared and this, thy noble Child,
Shows like a waxing Moon my constant love
;

Is for thee only

Thou

leavest

all,

stern and
unloving.l

Endurance broken

'

pitiless.

Joy

is

sped.

cheerful songs have ceased

Spring charms no longer, gauds are laid aside

My

couch henceforth

is

widowed, desolate.

House-mistress, Friend, Beloved, Counsellor,

In

all

Love's arts apt pupil

Bereaving

me

cruel Death,

of thee, bereaves of

all

210
\

RAGHUVANCA

74

Liquid-eyed

Gave

all

my

to thee

their sweetness

No more

all

troubled by

Sires

has prosperous course

Which owned no

Was

loviig lips

canst thou bear to drink

The lukewarm draughts,

Wherewith we tempt the

centred "
!

Mourned

[canto

my

tears,

Now thou art gone.

my widowed life

other joys, but

all

on thee

220

So the King with grieving words

for his Love, while sympathetic trees

Condoling shed their gums,

like floods of tears.

Then hardly from his lap his loyal men

Removed the Queen, now dead, and reverent

On

laid

pyre of sandalwood with aloes mixed,

Clad rich

That men

His royal heart thought scorn

for Death.

should say, "

Sank overwhelmed

"
!
'

King by

private grief

So, though he cared

no more

To live his life,' yet fearing men's reproach

He dared not mount the pyre that now consumed
His Spouse, but 'twas not love of

life

Ten days he spent, given o'er to

Then in that grove for ever left his
Wise King, w-hom now her
Since

life

was

fled.''

230

withheld.

sorrow's sway.
dear,

virtues only charm,

Dejected, widowed, sad

(As when Night yields to Morning pale and wan),

He

entered his

fair City,

and beheld

The tears that ladies shed, as 'twere the floods

Of grief that overflowed his sorrowing heart.

Now
For

to his

Teacher

in the

Hermitage,

sacrifice prepared, the grief

was known

240

INDUMATI

VIII.]

Which numbed

his senses

75

pitying he sent

Wise words of comfort (since himself was stayed)

By

well-taught pupil,

"

Absorbed

Though

knows thy

on thee.

and

Me

he sends to brace thy heart,

His words of comfort

Or

shall

Bids

Of

He whose

all

that

thee how,

when Trinabindu's

is.

made Indra

fear,

the

God

toils

sent forth

To check his arduous penance Harini,

The Nymph Celestial. Then the Saint,
That

perfect sight

that has been,

all

of peace

250

be in the fortunes of men's souls.

tell

old

sees

restore

ere this heavy blow

O pious King, and speak thee words

O much enduring Hero, lay to heart
Unchecked

perforce must send,

grief,

to teach thee patience,

The calm thou ownedst

P^ell

gravely thus

in sacrifice the perfect Saint,

well he

Not come,

who spake

world-whelming wave flowed

like

in

wrath

o'er his soul,

260

Else patient, cursed her wanton charms, displayed

Delusive,

bidding her be born 'mongst men.

Then bowed she

trembling,

humbly sought

And pleaded the compulsion of her Lord

On her a servant, till the Saint forgave.
And said When thou shalt see Heaven's

his grace,

'

flowers once more,

In Bhoja's house
The curse I spake shall end
The Nymph was born her thou didst win for Bride,
Who long has made thee happy, till at length
!

'

Those Heavenly

flowers proclaimed the Curse's

end

270

RAGHUVANCA

76

[canto

Fate called her home, she could not choose but go

mourn her then no longer

" Oh,

Brings grief for joy

let

Earth have

Fate's decree

all

thy love,

regal Bride beloved of Kingly souls

That

In prosperous times,

E'er passed thy

while perfect Sacred Lore

lips,

King, no vaunting words

now that sorrow comes.

Though thou die with her,
Be man and quell it
Scarce shouldst thou find her more for souls of men
Shone

in thy patience

Take

280

paths that vary with their deeds.

fateful

Quit then thy grief; prepare the funeral cake,

Nor weep

preparing,

since the

Disturb departed souls.

Is

bondage

If then

to the Soul,

one breathe an

His gain

is

As deadly

highest

tears of friends

Know,

earthly

which Death
instant,

and

life

sets free

depart,

only fools regard

darts infixed the death of friends

The constant-minded know

Life's painful barb,

that

Death draws out

and opens up

for

men

The gate of Bliss.\\ Thou know'st the soul must

Then leave the destined body shall the wise

meet.

290

Grieve when the soul casts off those coils of sense

Which bind

Fall never, wisest King,

in life ?

Before unreasoning

grief, as fools

may

fall

Trees bend, but rocks stand firm when tempests rage

" 'Tis well

The

"

he said assenting, bowed, and blessed

Saint departing

Took on

but the words of peace

his sorrow-laden heart

no hold,

"
!

INDUMATI

VIII.]

The King

So to the Sage returned.

To

rear his son to

77

bereaved,

manhood, hardly bore

300

Eight widowed years, which only dreams relieved

When

she appeared, or marble forms that mocked

Her matchless
Deep-rooted

Deep

beauty.

in his soul, as strikes a

roots in palace-roofs

To end

his

As one

that set

life,

when

he welcomed

him

First perfectly

The

Sorrow's dart had struck

its

Fig

sickness

came

stern dint.

free to join his Love.

he trained his warrior-son

folk to guard, to smite the

stubborn foe

Then, pining sore to quit the frame diseased

That

fettered him, the pious

Renouncing earthly food and

Bliss Endless.

He

resolved,

drink, to win

Wherefore to that holy place

went where Ganga meets

There shed

King

his body,

Sarayfi's stream.

and regained

More beauteous than on earth

Of Nandana they love and live

his Spouse,

now
for

aye

in the groves

310

RAGHUVANCA

78

CANTO

[(!anto

IX

The Prosperous Reign of Dacaratha^ and

his

Fatal Hunting.

So mighty Da^aratha

to his Sire

Succeeded, self-controlled

Of

royal Sages

first,

Who knew him

in Kogala,

he ruled

his folk,

noble Kartikeya's peer

In righteous glory, spreading wide his power.

Great Sages

Poured

And

tell

that Indra

and

forth their bounties duly

this

King

Bali's foe

he who sprang of Manu's royal

line,

Untiring, 'mongst whose folk no illness set

Earth brought forth her generous

Its foot, while

For him, the pride of Aja, peaceful King.

Broad Earth's ten regions Raghu had subdued,

Succeeding Aja made them

And

after

Increased
Chastising

He

him

rivalled,

Drives

men,

Just, dispensing wealth,

Yama, Varuna,

and Kuvera

Dawn

still,

his son, that ruler sage.

its lustre.
ill

fairer

as the

Sun

before him, so him, self-restrained

For Glory's winning, neither women's

love,

fruit

lo

THE FATAL HUNTING

IX.]

Nor

dice,

nor youth's

spring-time led astray,

fair

Nor wine moon-mirroring.

Not even

to

No

ao

abject word,

Lord Indra, would he use ;

Nor, even jesting, falsely speak

Would he

79

nor foes

with passion meet, nor nurse revenge.

Earth's Kings received from Aja's son the fates

That raised them or destroyed ;

To
To

for

he was friend

such as did his bidding, harsh and stern

all

who dared

Went conquering

defy.

in

He

with strong

one car sea-girdled Earth,

While elephants and horses, huge and

Did but proclaim

Alone
Rich

he,

bow

swift,

30

Thus the World

his triumph.

mighty archer, quite subdued.

as Kuvera, while the thunderous sea

Beat drums auspicious.

Indra with his

bolt,

One-hundred-pointed, clipped the mountains' wings

He,

lotus-faced,

poured forth from sounding bow

rain of arrows, breaking hostile ranks.

By hundreds Kings did homage,

Bow down

to glorious Indra,

That decked

their

Maruts so

while the pearls

diadems fresh

lustre

won

From his bright toe-nails. Wives disconsolate

Of foemen pitied he, whose infant sons
The counsellors taught to bow so turned he back
From Ocean's shores to where Ayodhya's towers.
As Alaka's resplendent, ruled the plain.
:

Yet, though o'er Earth he

Nor

rival raised his

power supreme had won.

canopy towards heaven,

40

R AGHUVANCA

80

He

sank not back

Like

The

fire,

in sloth,

whose glory blazed

beamed

or moon-like

[fAXXo

for

still

he thought

pinnacle of fame was not yet won.

50

Clear-minded King, he made the river-banks

With golden

Sarayd's streams or Tamasa,

His crown

where flowed

altar-posts to flash,

and doffed

to sacrifice the Horse,

and spent

All wealth late yielded by the conquered World-

Such

Civa's self might seem, in deerskin clad,

With Kuca

girdled, staff

With voice

restrained,

and horn

and dight

in

hand.

for sacrifice,

Incarnate, crowned with matchless lustre, pure,

By due

ablutions cleansed, and

Among

the blessed Gods.

But served none other.

And him

fit

He

to

move

Indra served.

Vishnu, Highest Lord,

from Raghu sprung, the poor man's

Did lotus-handed Lakshmi

She kept her vow.

But

60

stay,

serve, for so

he, the

mighty Lord,

Oft side by side with Indra led Heaven's host.

And by

his archery freed

Of maids

Divine,

from

who hymned

Oft too that matchless Hero,

fear the hearts

his warlike fame.

bowman

skilled.

In front of Indra fighting, laid with blood

Of vanquished Demons dust that veiled the Sun.

The King, whose arrows pierced his foemen's breasts,
Espoused the virtuous daughters of three Kings,

Of Kogala, Kekaya, Magadha,

As rivers from the mountains wed

the Sea.

70

THE FATAL HUNTING

IX.]

So, threefold

wedded,

skilled to smite the foe,

Like Indra's

self

Come down

to earth, to rule the

Came

in his

he seemed, with Virtues three

world in peace

season Spring, that gracious Lord,

In might all-worshipful, the peer alike

80

Of Gods

of Earth,

To deck

the world with new-born flowers.

and Sky, and Wealth, and

Turned towards Kuvera's realms

The morning-hours
Of

of

well-loved Malaya.

Then sprouted

And

SI

and

frost,

his steeds,
left

Sea,

The Sun
and cleared

the slopes

First burst the buds.

fresh green twigs, with

cuckoos' wooing note

hum

of bees

through tree-clad glade

In order due thus Spring revealed himself.

At Winter's ending smiled the glowing year

The Kincuka took on

her wealth of buds,

90

Like red scars laid by fingers of a bride,

With wine deep-drunk and passion, on her spouse.

Not

yet the

Sun

dispelled, but

made

less

keen

The frost by women hated, swollen-lipped

From biting, while their zones slipped down from
That shrank with cold. From southern Malaya
Fresh buds of mango, shaken by

Learned

arts enticinsf,

By charm
As

winds,

in ascetic breasts

of waving twigs to

suitors sought the King,

His virtues doubled, lavish

So to the

warm

waists

fix

Love's power.

whose fortunate
to the good.

lotus-clusters in the lakes

rule

loo

RAGHUVANgA

82

Fresh-blown by present Spring

[caxto

swarmed bees and birds.

AgokcCs spring-like flower was lamp of Love,

And
As

tender blossoms which their

ear-drops,

lit

Love's gentle

In honey

Of

fair

in youthful wooers' hearts

fires,

"i^ow

JhmtVs purple

rich, fresh picture

On

hum

Wine from beauteous

In joyous concert.
fertile

flowers.

from Spring's hand

dainty beauty, stirred the bees to

Made

brides wore

no

lips

bursting blooms, which fragrant blush

Vakulas, where long-drawn swarms of bees

Greedy of sweetness clung.

The

early

Fresh-blossoming glades

Cuckoo haunted with sweet

notes.

Like short and broken words of loving brides.

In garden-borders tuneful creepers sang

With pleasing hum of bees, while tender

Seemed gleaming

flowers

and wind-shook buds were hands

teeth,

To beat the dance's time. Fair women quaffed

The grateful wine, which stirred to wanton grace,
More

fragrant than Love's ally, Vaktila,

That never

By

120

lotus-flowers

Shone bright

Whose

as

and waterfowls'
women's

As waxed the Moon

lover

faces

hang

tinkling zones

Close-pressed by Spring

Whose

House-tanks,

fosters strife.

made

glad

soft notes,

lit

loose.

with smiles.

Thin grew the Night,

her face's lustre paled

as pales a maiden's cheek

fails her.

Now

the Moon's clear

beams

In cloudless lustre heal Love's sweet fatigue,

And

sharpen Kama's darts, the

God who

wields

130

THE FATAL HUNTING

IX.]

The

83

flower-strung bow, his flag a crocodile.

That bloom which glows

Fit ear-drop for the

like fire oblation-fed,

Goddess of the wood,

Soft-petalled, limber-tendrilled, lovers gave,

And

brides twined in their locks.

Where

Of

ointment charms of

Or patch on woman's cheek.

With scented blossoms,
Ensnared men's

New-?nalltkd,

ear-rings,

as

honey-sweet

fresh red sprouts her lips,

hearts.

With garments red

The

fairy eyes,

tree's fair spouse, slim, graceful,

Made

Tila-irees,

clustered bees by contrast heightened charms

flowers, as

The

Shone

Fond

lovers

140

welcomed Love

dawn, and barley-heads

Cuckoos' song,

his

whole

array.

full-blown flowers of Tila, clustering, shone

(The pollen white contrasting with black swarms

Of

bees) not less than bright pearls, intertwined

With

Swift chased the honied tribes

ladies' locks.

That fragrant

pollen,

Stirred, Love's

own

which the zephyrs

token, by that doughty Lord

Laid on the face of Spring, to keep her

Now

sought

fair

light

150

fair.

women, languishing though

strong.

The swings Spring brought them, that their lovers' necks

They might unblamed clasp, scarce touching ropes
That bound
strife

their

seats.

"Be bold!" "Ah,

cease

"
!

" Life's pleasure-time comes once, nor e'er returns

So Kokils sang Love's mind, and yielding maids

Their passion owned.

"
!

from

RAGHUVANCA

84

Then
Of Vishnu,
With

Spring,

[canto

he, the King, high peer

and Love, the

feast

enjoyed

Next, he longed

his fair wives to fulness.

To know a hunter's joys. The Chace gives skill

To cleave swift-moving marks, by outward signs
To ken both fear and rage the hunter's will.

160

Fatigue despising, braces

Wherefore

his

Dressed then

Council

all his

frame

much approved

in hunter's

the thought.

garb that Sunlike King,

With quiver on broad neck, obscured the sky

With dust of

horses' hoofs

with woodland wreaths

His locks he braided, wearing mail of green,

His ear-rings trembling from the horses' speed.

So through deer-haunted glades he glanced, and Gods

Of woods, who
Black bees

Whose

veiled their forms in slender vines.

their eyes,

well the bright-eyed King,

passing.

Men

sent before him, robbers fled,

Were quenched

And
As

marked

righteous rule spread joy through Kogala,

And watched him

He

170

with dogs and nets

and

fires

the soil was firm with plenteous wells,

deer and birds and bisons swarmed around.

Indra's

Nabhanga

bow

with golden bowstring armed

bears, so bore that

King

Well-strung, his passions quelled,

Enraged the Hon.

Led by a

his

bow

whose angry twang

Broke a herd of

deer.

twelve-tined stag, where suckling fawns

Oft checked the fleeing does, while Kuca blades

Hung

from their muzzles.

Them

the well-horsed

King

180

THE FATAL HUNTING

IX.]

85

O'ertook, and from his quiver drew a shaft

They

To

burst their ranks, their troubled glances

light

up

all

From sombre

the wood, as breezes fling

lotus-leaves the

Like Indra skilled

balmy drops.

in bowcraft,

If hind-protected stag

he

'd

passed the King

marked

for

(His love-swayed soul with pity smit)

The

shaft he thought to loose.

When he would

Up

seemed

death

190

he checked

At other deer

shoot, his firm-clenched hand, full

drawn

to the ear, as of itself unclasped,

Moved by

the liquid orbs that rolled in

fear.

Recalling loving looks of tender wives.

path he followed, where the half-chewed grass

Had

fallen,

and broad wet

footprints clearly

showed

Where ran a herd of boars, escaped with speed

From muddy pools they rolled in. Bristling high,
They charged him

200

boldly, while with death-fraught shafts

(His chest slight-bending from his horse) he shot

So dexterously they knew not they were pinned

To

trees 'gainst

Which

The

One

shaft

fell

beast, and, dashing through the flesh,

to the ground,

fearless

its

feathers clean of blood.

King, whose hand long use had trained.

Rained deadly arrows down the yawning

As from

their caves to tear

him

throats,

tigers sprang,

Like blooming Asan-sprouts by tempest broke.

To

he sped,

in a charging bison's eyeball lodged,

Slew the

Dropt

which they leaned.

slay the lions crouching in their dens,

210

RAGHUVANCA

86

He

roused them

Harsh-sounding,

first

for

[canto

with thunderous bowstring's twang,

he grudged the Royal name.

prize of valour'mong the beasts they bore

Which

Them, known

Whose

the fiercest foes of elephants.

forehead-pearls they tear with crooked claw,

Kakutstha's son shot down, and paid the debt

He owed

his

The yaks he
Drawn

mighty servants, staunch

in war.

next pursued with arrows keen,

to his ear

220

seized their white tails as prize,

That royal badge which

oft

from Kings he tore

Then let them lie. At peacock splendid-tailed,

Though next his horse it rose, he aimed no shaft,
So

like

it

seemed

to braided hair, his Queen's,

With bright

flowers intertwined,

Had

its

loosed

Which bathed

Heavy drops

tangles.
his brows,

The dewdrop-laden
The new-born buds

when

fit

loving sport
of sweat.

streams from huntsman's

breeze absorbed, which

to burst.

With

toil,

wooed

skilful wiles

230

Coquetting thus, the Chace enthralled the King,

By

service

made more

loving, wiping out

All thought of graver duties, since he cast

The
The

weight of Kingship on his Council sage.

night he passed on couch of flowers and twigs,

At times unguarded
Alone gave

light

When sounded

at

phosphorescent plants

dawn he woke

in his ear like

refreshed,

deep-toned drums

His elephants loud-trumpeting, and joyed

To

hear the birds' sweet warbling, tuneful bards

240

THE FATAL HUNTING

IX.]

To

sing his praises

But

thus his days sped past.

so Fate willed one unlucky day,

it

Unmarked by
Through

all his train

forest-paths,

(His horse

all

Whose banks

he tracked a stag

and reached the Tamasa

foaming, spent, foredone with heat),

grave Hermits haunt.

There on

his ear

From waterpot one filled fell gurgling sounds,

As of an elephant that quenched his thirst
The King his arrow loosed, which hurtling sped
That act the Law forbids to virtuous Kings,
Yet he transgressed

Though versed
" Oh, Father

in

"

Sacred Lore,

its

Transfixed the King's

will tread

source

among
jar in

like a dart

own

He named

against his

his sire

jar,

paths.

King

the reeds,

hand,

deep pain

Dismounting then.

heart.

The high-descended Hero asked

When, propped

ill

grief-struck, the

found a Muni's son, with

Pierced by an arrow

his race,

with faltering tongue

no Brahman, though a Sage.

Then, as desired, he bore the wounded boy

(The barb not drawn)

Were

waiting,

to

where

his parents blind

and rehearsed the dreadful hap

Which he unwitting brought upon

their son.

Sore grieving did those parents from his breast

Draw out

The

the shaft which murderous

lad expired

In floods of

250

when passion blinds, a Sage,

rang a cry

Pressed on to find

And

87

next,

hand had sped

washing his old hands

tears, the father

cursed the King,

260

RAGHUVANCA

88

And

said

Thou

" When age comes on thee,

too shalt die of

grief, as

Thus, as a snake provoked

He

vented fatal words

its

With

lotus-face has

charmed

Next said he to the Saint

How may
Pure

fire

done

so

not

"

all in

need ? "

and kindling-wood

wrath

lovely son
fire

consumes

sterile

ash

So they spake.

well deserve

that thou shouldst take

I serve thy

270

the offending King

Makes seed the more productive."

ill-deed

son

Corn-bearing land, yet from the

For

for thy

now I die
venom pours,

Meek answered
" Saintly Sage
Thy curse has smit me, whom no
:

[canto

my

life

The Saint required

for with his wife

Their son he fain would follow to the pyre.

Then came

the escort, and in haste the

Did

bade him

as they

His courage damped by

sin.

Deep-graven on his heart,

As Ocean

in its

womb

King

then betook him home,

fell

The

curse he bore.

root of woe.

bears quenchless

fire.

280

RAMANS HIRTII

X.]

CANTO
Vis/uiu,

invoked by the Gods, becomes incarnate as

ruled the King, in fadeless splendour robed,

Like Indra mighty

Were

well-nigh sped.

"

"

Son

named,

to

till

ten thousand years

Yet gained he not the wealth,

pay the debt he owed the

Sires,

That

light

Long

stayed the King, and yearned for grace divine

which

swiftly chases sorrow's gloom.

Ocean thus of

To

give

As

yet unchurned, delayed to yield

him

issue,

Then pious Priests, ascetic,

By Rishya^ringa led, began

To

Rama,

destroy the Tyrant RCivana.

to

Long

89

old.
its

pearls.

self-controlled,

the Rite

lo

win the King a son to heal his care.

At that same time, by Fate's supreme decree,

The Gods, by Ravan vexed, to Vishnu went

As heat-worn wayfarers to shade resort.
Soon

Woke

as they reached

from his

sleep, foreboding

By timeous welcome.

On Cesha

wide Ocean, the Supreme

seated,

Him

the

where around

good success

Gods

beheld,

his limbs

RAGHUVANCA

90

The

flashing

gems

set in

its

sparkling

[canto

hood

Shed radiance, while bright Lakshmi, lotus-throned,

Held
In

in her lap

silk,

His

feet,

and wrapped her zone

and spread her hands

There

beamed

his eyes.

calm autumn day

seemed, as gracious on their sight

The

He

like clinging vines.

clear as full-blown lotus

Like new-born Sun his robes

He

20

He

rose.

jewel Kaustubha on his broad chest

wore, that pearl of Ocean, in whose rays

Shines out the wonder of His breast, the glass

Where Lakshmi's beauties play. His branching arms,

With gems of Heaven bedecked, amid the waves
Like Parijata seemed

30

while living darts.

That paled the cheeks of Daityas'

wives, upraised

There the King of

Their song triumphant.

Birds,

With talons sheathed, relaxing warlike rage

Against the Snake, scarred by the lightning-stroke,

Attended watchful.

Thus with shining

eyes,

He woke from fateful sleep,

The Saints by Bhrigu led He greeted well
Who first had greeted Him with lowly words.
Then falling prostrate, Him the Gods extolled,
Who smote the Demon-host, who speech and thought
Mild-beaming as

Transcends

alike.

Praise-worthy

"Threefold yet One, who

Upholdest now, and

As

rain

from Heaven

first

" Hail

"

they cried,

didst all things frame,

wilt at last destroy

is

one, yet forms diverse

In various lands assumes, so Thou, unchanged

40

RAMA\S BIRTH

X.]

In essence, workest various

Thou

Thyself unmeasured, metest

all

91

worlds,

feeling none.

Thou fillest all desires Unconquered, all

Thou conquerest veiled Thyself, Thou dost display
The World of seeming. Thee men know far off,
;

50

Yet dwelling

in their hearts

Primal Ascetic

from passion

quick to sympathise,

Though Thee no pain can touch

Untouched

art

All-Knowing

Womb

of

all

all

On Oceans
The seven

adore

Fires, sole

Four-branched

is

all

unknown,
none

things, sprung from

;

One, yet manifold

praised in the Seven

Thou

seven

by Age's hand

Thou, yet Ancient

Supreme, Thou know'st no ruler

"Thee

free,

sleep'st

Whose

Hymns,

lips

breathe out

Refuge of seven Worlds.

60

knowledge. Ages four bound Time,

Four orders hath mankind, from Thy four mouths

Proceed

all

For Thee

By

Oh,

worlds.

heart's resplendent goal

ascetics yearn, their lusts

painful exercise,

subdued

and seek from Thee

The Good Supreme.

Unborn,

yet taking flesh

Not seeking triumph. Thou dost smite Thy

foes

Thou sleep'st, yet watchest ever

who can tell
Thy being's truth ? The binding chains of sense.
Of hearing and all else, at will Thou tak'st
:

dost shield Thy worlds,

Endurest harshest

toil,

Yet dwellest high

apart.

The ways

Diversely shown and taught,

all

of Bliss,

lead to Thee,

As Ganga's parted streams seek Ocean's

breast.

70

RAGHUVANCA

92
"

Who

fix their

hearts

All working, free from

on Thee, and

lust,

these

That happy way which none need

[canto

trust to

find in

Thee

Thee

travel more.

Thy greatness none can grasp, though in the worlds

Thou clothe Thyself in matter who shall tell
Thy worship forth, which Holy Writ alone
And thought profound can reach ? The soul of man
Thou purgest wholly, if his thought on Thee
Be purely fixed how fruitful then must be
Yet as Ocean far
Soul-union with Thee
:

80

Outshines the gems he hides, as o'er his rays

The Sun

shines glorious, so

Thy

Transcends our halting praise

greatness. Lord,

Nor want

hast Thou,

Thou tak'st and Toil,

That through the Worlds Salvation may be wrought
Here cease we from Thy praise, exhausted, weak
Thou art exhaustless, boundless spreads Thy might
So hymned the Gods that Soul unthinkable.
And strove to paint His essence, not exalt.
Nor aught

allures

Thee

Birth

90

The Almighty Lord propitious greeted well

The radiant Gods, who told their anxious fear
Lest Earth should sink o'erfiowed by Rakshas-wave.

To them
That

the Blessed spake, with thunderous voice

stilled

Through

the Ocean-roar, re-echoing

sea-girt caverns

so the Ageless Lord

In hallowed tones replied, the while His words

All-holy half-conferred the promised boon.

100

RAMA'S BIRTH

X.]

As Ganga, heavenly

And gleams

stream, springs from His foot,

with foam, so gleamed the mighty word

Lit by His shining teeth

" Well

Your

93

know

how

as thus He spake

Rakshas has smit down

the

glorious might, as Ignorance in

man

Annihilates both Truth and Passion's force.

And

as a

good man's heart unwitting

sin

Disturbs and tortures, so with Demon-might

He
I

tortures the

needed not

tD rouse

For our desire

Are eager

When
The
For

Three Worlds.

is

one, as

Wind and

Fire

own

Long

since his fate

overta'en him, but for Brahma's

I

boon

suffered, as a tree

bears insulting serpents.

Pleased with his

great sword.

head stood, a destined prey

resistless Quoit.

His insolence

Long

will to help,

nine were smitten with his

my

rites austere,

For of yore.

from Brahma's hand

The Demon won this boon, to dread no foe

Of Heavenly race he feared not arm of man,

" Incarnate then as Dacaratha's son.

With

biting arrow I his clustering heads

Will cleave like lotus-clusters, sacrificed

Upon the foughten field. Thereafter soon

The holy offerings which pure priests present.
By skulking ghosts untainted, once again
And you, ye Saints, who now,
Ye shall enjoy
!

no

Yea, in ages past.

allies.

Giant's tenth

Had

my

Great Indra's prayers

120

RAGHUVANgA

94

[canto

In cars celestial riding through the sky,

Seek refuge

At

sight of

The

in

130

dark clouds, dismayed no more

Pushpaka, resume your calm

captive brides of Heaven, by Ravan's rapes

No more

disturbed, their locks shall

Then melted Vishnu's

cloud,

whence blessed words

Like rain of nectar on the parched

Of hopes

of Gods, by

But Indra and

now unbind."

fields

Ravan scorched, had

fallen.

his peers in subtle shapes

Went after the great God, whose mighty will

Was bent to aid them, ev'n as blossoming trees
Waft pollen on the path of favouring

Now when
Performed

to

140

gales.

the Rites were ended, which the King

win him offspring, sudden came

From out the altar-fire a Form Divine,

And awed the Priests. High in His hands he bore

golden dish of mingled rice and milk.

And

scarce could bear, for there the Almighty

That draught God-given drank the King, as

Did Indra drink the

From Ocean's

heart.

essential Nectar,

How

lay.

erst

churned

excellent that King,

150

In virtue eminent, without a peer.

From whom the Soul Supreme now sought His birth

The sacred draught, where Vishnu's self lay hid.

To

his

two Queens he parted, as the Sun

His morning-beams divides

'twixt

Sky and Earth.

Kaugalya high he prized, Kaikeyi loved,

RAMANS BIRTH

X.]

And
As

fain

95

would have Sumitra loved by both,

knew

well they

gracing their wise Lord,

so,

Each with Sumitra shared the holy

Nor grudged

to share

Showed equal

milk,

for she alike to

love, as seeks a

both

i6o

honey-bee

Both fragrant streams that from the mighty brows

Of elephants exude. All three conceived

And in their wombs divided grew the God,
:

As grows a

lotus

quickened by Sun-rays.

Their time w^ent on

with paly gold they beamed,

As gleams the corn blade while the golden

By

Swells in the ear.

They saw themselves

With conch, and
(It

night in happy dreams

girt

round by sworded dwarfs.

and bow, and quoit ; they rode

club,

seemed) on Garuda, who spread

The gauzy

grain

170

in air

glory of his golden wings.

And in swift flight drew in his wake the clouds.

And Lakshmi served them, wearing on her breast
Kaustubha

lent

by Vishnu, waving

soft

Her lotus-fan while all the Saints supreme.

The holy Seven, fresh bathed in Ganga's flood.
;

In solemn chant extolled the Holiest Name.

These dreams they

told their Lord,

And, proud of promised

off'spring,

Transcended even great

Prajapati's

For

One

in their

wombs

the Soul

who joyed

thought his

Supreme now

Like moonbeams shimmering on a quiet

lot

dwelt.

Essence, self-divided, manifold,

lake.

to hear,
180

RAGHUVANC'A

96

[canto

So when her time was come the chaste chief Queen

Brought forth a son, Sun

As phosphorescent

fit

plants receive at night

The dying

sunlight.

To

winsome beauty,

see his

to banish gloom,

But the King, rejoiced

His son, chief blessing

He, lamp of Raghu's

"Rama" named

to a longing world.

line,

of peerless

tgo

beam

Outshone the brightness of the chamber-Hghts,

Which paled
With

Rama

Lightened now, the Queen,

before him.

cradled near her, shone as shines

Slim in the autumn

Ganga, lily-banked.

Kaikeyi bore a son, with beauty dowered,

Great Bharat, whose reflected loveliness

Made her more fair, as Fortune

By virtuous Conduct. Sumitra

brought forth

Twins, Lakshman and ^atrughna

And Temperance Wisdom

Now

stainless

Foresight so

fully-followed bears.

showed Creation, and the Earth

Displayed her virtues

Heaven

In train of the Supreme.

The

enhanced

is

to Earth

At Vishnu's

birth,

Four-faced God, those regions breathed anew

With purest

gales,

where

erst fell

Ravan's dread

Had cowed the Gods. Fire rising clear

And Sun in cloudless sky, shook sorrow

Who

late

of smoke.
off.

had groaned beneath the Giant's yoke.

Then shed
Hot

came down

the Fortune of the Rakshasas

tears, that fell as jewels

Ten-headed Ravan wore.

from the crowns

Through

all

high Heaven

200

RAMA'S BIRTH

X.]

97

The drums celestial preluded, on earth,

The royal trumpets hailed the Princes' birth.
The Tree of Paradise rained down its blooms

On

palace-roof,

fit

preface to the rites

That Fortunes high demand, with wreaths from Heaven.

Cleansed as the

Law

required, with fostering care

The Princes grew, while grew

As 'twere their elder brother.
Inborn, by modest actions

their Father's joy,

Self-restraint,

220

increased.

still

As, fed with fragrant unguents, Fire's bright flame

More

They

brilliant shows.

Not envying each the other

Great Raghu's blameless

The

four,

harmoniously

nobly graced
as each in turn

line,

seasons four adorn the groves of Heaven,

So love fraternal ruled

but closest

To Rama Lakshman bound,

ties

while Catrushna

With Bharat went, by love peculiar joined.

Yet was not either pair dissevered from

That other

And Moon

Wind

with Fire

with Ocean

True Princes of

They bore them,

yet

230

closest joined,

is

this

breeds no

strife.

their people, splendidly

yet not haughtily,

All men's great love,

as

Days of dark cloud are

at hot

pleasant.

and won

summer's end
Gloriously

So shone the King's four sons, as though to Earth

Came

Virtue, Wealth,

and Joy, and Final

Their Father well they loved

Bliss.

by virtuous deeds

RAGHUVANCA

98

They made him

glad, as the

Four Seas with

[canto
pearls

240

Served him, sole Monarch of Four Continents.

As with

his tusks

Heaven's mighty elephant

Breaks the sword-edges of the Daitya-host,

As

kingcraft wins success by skilful wiles,

As by His league-long arms

Shines glorious,

great Vishnu's self

so by these four sons Divine

Shone the great Monarch

o'er his world-wide

realm

SITA'S

XI.]

WEDDING

CANTO
Ramals Triumph

a?id

99

XI

Marriage with SUA, and

his Defeat of

Paracu Rama.
>

Hear now my tale While Rama still was young,

And wore a boy's dark curls, came Kaugika
To beg him from the King, those foes to curb
Who marred his sacrifice in hero-souls
Mere age is not regarded. Him the King,
:

Though

The

No

hardly he had

perfect Sage, with

won him, honouring

Lakshman gave

once

at

suppliant ere went back ungratified

From Lord

of Raghu's race, not though he asked

As boon the Monarch's

Bade deck the highways

Forthwith the King

life.

for their passing out,

Forthwith the clouds wind-driven arched the sky,

And

rained

down

flowers.

That mighty

warrior-pair,

Swift to obey their Father's will, bent low

Before his
Fell

feet,

and

as they

on them passing

Now, deeming

Rama

with

bowed

forth to

far-ofif toils.

that the Saint

Lakshman

his tears

had only craved

following, the great

King

lo

RAGHUVANCA

100
His

all-prevailing prayers

But not an armed

bestowed as guard,

The

host.

[canto

archer-boys,

20

Their locks bedewed with tears their Father shed,

Went

with the Saint, the people's anxious looks

Half-shading

all their

The

way.

Hero-pair,

Their mothers leaving, kissed their royal

Then
Like

feet.

followed where the glorious Saint led on,

summer months

paced they,

Childlike, unsteady

With lissom arms

when

As

streams,

As

suits their

Smooth

that course behind the Sun.

like crested

fair to see.

waves that dance.

rain-clouds gather,

name.

Till

now

work and

they only trode

by the potent

inlaid floors, yet

whirl,

30

spells,

Bala, Atibala named, which the Saint

Had
As

taught them on the road, they walked untired

at their mother's side.

Time-olden

tales,

Told by

their Father's friend, in legend skilled.

So

them and

lifted

carried, scarce they felt

That now they walked

The

nor missed a chariot's

lakes sweet waters gave,

Winds scented

pollen waved,

Bright with the lotus,

They beamed on

The grove
Sweet

hermits' eyes,

lakes that stretch

restful trees.

and cheered

when with

lifted

their hearts.

bow

entered, by his lovely shape

But not by wanton act

Whom

and clouds spread shade

more than

of penance

Rama

and birds gay songs.

More than

For them so passing.

ease.

Civa scorched.

he showed
Then

like

Love

passing on the way

40

SiTA'S

XI.]

Which

WEDDING

101

thrice-accursed Taraka laid waste,

(For so the Saint had taught them),

They bent

their

sport

all in

bows and strung them.

At the sound

The Demon-maid appeared, black as dark night

When wanes the moon her ear-drops polished skulls,

50

That on her swarthy neck gleamed white

Lined

'gainst a

dense cloud-bank.

as cranes

On Rama

She swooped, and rushing shook the wayside

then
trees.

In ghostly grave-clothes clad, with gruesome screech,

As whirlwind

issuing from a charnel-house.

But Rama, when he marked her onslaught

One

arm

lean

Down

Nor shamed
His arrow

men's entrails hanging low

raised,

to her waist

fell,

once

at

to slay a

let fly his shaft.

Such a wound

woman.

in her flinty

60

bosom made,

That Death therethrough among the Demon-hosts

First

Her

won an
heart

Not only

Her

she clanging

so,

falling

For the arrow

entrance.

fell,

cleft

and shook the Earth

but Ravan's kingdom too

shook

the Master of the worlds.

Struck to the heart by lovely Rama's shaft

Resistless, spite of all her horrid charms.

Her sandal-wood and

gore, the

Demon-queen

Passed to the

home where Death

When Taraka

was

slain,

reigns

Lord of

the Saint, well-pleased

With Rama's prowess, gave the

missile dread,

Spell-wielded, Demon-slaying,

as the Sun

Gives to the Sun-gem flaming

fire

to hold.

life.

70

RAGHUVANgA

102

[canto

Thereafter Rama, coming to the grove

Once hallowed by

the Dwarf, as told the Saint,

Unwitting of his former

With eager longing.

To where
Of pupils

The

To

life,

was natheless seized

Thence the Sage passed on

himself did penance, where his host

sacrificed,

tree-tops lowly

and

as in prayer

80

bowed, and deer looked up

There the Princely boys

greet their coming.

Stood firm to guard the duly-cleansed Saint

From

all

disturbing foes, as

Moon and Sun

Alternate rising with their radiance save

The world from

terror

on the

blinding darkness.
priests, for

Sudden

fell

they beheld

The altar- floor defiled with blood-gouts, broad

As Bandhujiva blossoms at which sight
They ceased their pious rites, and cast away
The

Instantly

sacrificial ladles.

Upgazing,

Rama

His arrow, saw

from

his quiver

in air a

He

at the

drew

Demon-host

With banners waving, fanned by

Then

vulture's wings.

two Chiefs only, not the

launched his shaft

rest.

so Vishnu's bird,

Mates Cesha, Serpent-King, deigns not

whose might

to

war

On water-snakes. Skilled archer, on his string

He laid the keen, swift shaft, the Wind-god's child,
And at Maricha loosed it like a stone,
Or withered leaf, the ponderous Demon fell.
;

The second

90

leader then,

Subahu named,

100

WEDDING

SIT A^S

XI.]

Who

flitted to

and

With steel-shod

And

fro,

Next

art,

cunning Archer smote,

shafts the

gave him to the woodland birds a prey.

Then, freed from

The

by magic

103

fear

and unimpeded now,

pious Priests praised both the hero-boys,

in

due order

Performed

all

the sacred rites

for their great Chief, to silence

vowed.

no

He, purified and hallowed, solemnly

Blessed both the Princes, bowing reverently

With waving

locks,

and on them

Pierced by the holy grass

laid his

hand.

Age blessing Youth.

But now the King of Mithila had made

mighty

He

sacrifice,

thither went,

Whose keen

and with him Raghu's

And

at night they

fair

spouse

Short space to Indra yielded.

Regained,

took their rest

the pleasant trees of Gautama,

Sainted Ascetic, whose

She turned

sons,

desire he spurred to see the Bov,-

World-famous.

Where wave

and bade the Sage.

deceived

For that

to stone, nor sooner her fair

till,

sin

form

after ages, holy dust

From Rama's blessed feet fell on her limbs.

Now, when King Janaka had heard the Saint
Was come, with Raghu's sons attending, straight

He

went to meet them, showing honour due

To

Virtue's

The

self,

with Wealth and Pleasure joined.

dwellers in Videha*, glad at heart,

lao

RAGHUVANgA

104

With longing looks devoured the Princes

[canto

twain,

130

Like Punarvasu come once more to earth,

Nor dared

might miss

to wink, lest haply they

One moment's

joy.

And

were over, Kaugika

altar-rites

Now, when

the Sacrifice

Who knew all fitting seasons told the King

How Rama longed to try the mighty Bow.
He, when he saw the

And knew

the Bow,

high-born Boy,

lovely,

how

stiff it

was to bend,

Grieved he had set his daughter's hand a prize

For thews and sinews

" Nay," he

" Great Saint,

it

Should vainly

try a task

Demands
For, Sire

soon replied,

were not meet a noble

which

all

140

calf

the strength

of full-grown forest elephants.

and Saint

thou knowest

many kings,

Skilled archers, braAvny-armed from bowstring's use.

Have

failed to

draw the Bow, and wrung

their hands.

And crying 'Fie departed." But the Sage

Quick answered " Know, O King,
Hero's might
!

'

this

Transcends

all

words

thyself shalt see the proof

Upon thy Bow as shows a shattered rock

The lightning's power." The Monarch, soon convinced
Of Rama's
As

might, though veiled in boyish mien

Indra's beetle holds the power of flame

Gave order

that the attendant host should bring

The Bow renowned, as Indra thousand-eyed

Commands the ranged clouds to show his Bow
Mild-beaming.

Soon

as

Rama

saw the Arm,

150

THE TRIAL OF THE BOW

WEDDING

SiTA^S

XI.]

^esha sleeping, eagerly

Fell as great

He

seized

105

it

Bow

'twas the

that ^iva used,

That mighty God whose standard bears a

160

bull,

To shoot the escaping Victim as it fled.

On Rama wondering all the assembly gazed
With

fixed eyes,

and saw him

string the

Bow,

Unyielding as a rock, not using more

Of

strength

His own

(it

soft

Drawn by

seemed) than Love puts forth

bow

Nay more,

of flowers.

the Hero's careless

hand too

to string

that

Bow,

far,

Snapped with harsh thunderous sound, proclaiming loud

To

wrathful Bhrigu's son the Warrior-race

Again had raised

To

its

The Monarch,

head.

170

such might transcendent, snapping thus

hail

Great Civa's Bow, to

Rama

His lovely daughter, not of

gave

less

fit

born.

His child the King,

Fulfilling so his promise, straight

In presence of the Saint

Sita,

woman

Like Lakshmi born on earth.

Not

glad

bestowed

witness he,

than sacred Fire, to bind their vows.

Then noble Janaka

his

household Priest

as envoy sent to Kogala,

This message bearing " Grant me, noble King,
Revered

iSo

That through my daughter's marriage Nimi's race

Be made

thy servants

"
!

Now

the Father's heart

Was set for Rama e'en on such a bride.

When lo the Brahman came, and crowned
!

his wish

RAGHUVANgA

106

So speedily a good man's thoughts bear

As doth the Wishing-Tree

With lowly

fruit,

The Brahman's speech,

words due prefaced, when he heard,
!

Great Indra's friend, the Ascetic-King, set

The Sun

[canto

forth,

eclipsing with his army's dust.

Surrounding Mithila, he pressed the woods

That

girt

it

190

round, with close-investing host,

friendly pressure,

which the capital

Endured, as brides their bridegrooms' close embrace

Rejoice

And

Varuna

like

Indra meeting, skilled to mark

Then son
As

Those two Kings,

in.

fit

times,

with daughter wedded, in such state

suited with their splendour.

Earth's daughter took to wife

Her younger

sister,

Bharat

Raghu's

Fame

and Urmila,

while the Twins,

Their mighty younger brethren, mated them

200

With Kugadhvaja's slender-waisted maids.

So wedded

With Rama

to fair brides the Princes four.

chief,

shone

as in States

glorious,-

Successful Kingcraft shines by peace or war,

Or

bribing foes, or sowing discord dire.

Harmonious matched. King's daughters with King's

Each

in the other

found their

bliss

sons,

complete.

In closest union joined, as words unite

In ordered speech.

The

The King

of Kogala,

Princes four thus wedded, well content,

Three marches by the King of Mithila

Escorted on his journey, homeward passed.

210

RAMA'S MARRIAGE

*^B

R A /r
or THE

UNIVERSITY
_

or

WEDDING

SfTA^S

XT.]

107

The host swept on

but fierce opposing winds
Blew down the flagstaffs, made the march a toil,
:

As

river-torrents overflow their banks,

And

Then

tear the fallow.

a stormy ring.

Portentous, clasped the Sun,

as 'twere a

Borne by a snake the King of Birds had

Amid

The expanse

the lissom coils.

gem

slain

of heaven.

Swept by grey vulture-wings, and hung with clouds

Blood-dripping,

awed

Grim

the sight.

With hideous howling hied them

To
To

rouse

seemed)

(it

appease his

At these

ill

omens,

jackal-troops

to the west.

fierce Bhrigu's

father's

aao

Son, long used

ghost with Warrior-blood.

this

tempestuous wind,

Awestruck, the prudent King besought his Priest

To

read the portents

" All will be well,

soothing, he replied

my King

"

Then suddenly

dazzling splendour rose before the host,

Which soon with

clearer sight they pierced,

glorious Warrior-shape.

His Brahman
Proclaimed

Moon

From

For he

it

was

his Sire's fierce rage burst

And bade him

First

The Hero bore

a mighty bow

together met he seemed.

snake-girt sandal-tree.

Who, when

bounds of

right.

slay his mother, did the deed,

triumphed

o'er his heart, then o'er the world.

his right ear a string of

Hung down,

230

mother born of Warrior-blood,

his

Like Sun and

Or

father's cord,

and saw

Aksha seeds

a score and one, as numbering

240

RAGHUVANCA

108

The

An
At

[canto

times he had destroyed the Warrior-race,

Then

awful chaplet.

sight of Bhrigu's Son, in

(Stirred

by

King despaired

the

his father's fate)

whom

fell

worked

wrath

to destroy

The Warrior-seed for yet his sons were boys,

And he defenceless. Joy and dread at once
The name of Rama brought him, borne alike
By his loved son and by the mighty foe,
;

So snakes and chaplets bear one

Yet, "

Welcome, Saint

"

common name.

he cried

the cruel foe

250

Disdained his greeting, rolling baleful eyes.

That blazed with wrath

'gainst all the

To where young Rama

stood,

The

He

and thus addressed

Prince advancing fearless, while his

firmly grasped,

The arrow on
"

Kshatriya race,

'twixt his fingers laid

the string, as hot for strife

hate the Warrior-brood

And

and

bow

they wronged

destroyed them, winning rest

but

me

first,

now

Thy valour and renown have stirred my wrath.

As when a sleeping snake at blow of staff
Starts

up enraged.

'Tis

rumoured thou hast broke

The Bow of Mithila, not bent before.

Though oft attempted exploit this, I deem.
Which blunts my horn of glory. Yea, my name,
The name of Rama, famous through the world,
Thou also bearest, and thy thirst for fame
:

Must

cast reproach

on me.

With equal hatred only two,

Know

then, I hate

the King

260

WEDDING

SITA'S

XI.]

Who

stole

away the sacred

and

Calf,

KM)

thee,

Offending equally, whose hand would snatch

My

That

splits the

Is stablished

Which

stubborn rock, and

yet delights

me

for the

not

tinder feeds

Which thou

if

no

river's brink,

!),

string

firmly laid

it,

and draw when

my

But,

thou blench

if

sue for mercy, though that prayer be vain."

But Rama, while a

The

avow

flaming Axe-edge, then submit

So spake with aspect

For

strung,

then, only then.

Thy prowess mates my own.

dread

280

But take my bow

Will I confess thee Victor, and

And
And

than when

so a soft-breathed gale

has undermined.

this the test

The arrow

shown

is

that ^iva's bow,

Lays low a tree which, on the

(Be

left

didst break, had lost through Vishnu's power

Its primal virtue

The stream

race,

thou be

less

Know

it.

my renown

might of Fire

blazing in the waves

Dry

Axe

yet I bear an

on the smiting of thy

Unconquered

By

me

honour from

270

fitting

fierce great Bhrigu's

soft smile

answer stretched

offered

bow

curved his

his

hand

for joy

In new-born beauty smile, but tenfold

Shine when the

Bow

of Indra lends

lips,

its

his

own,

so clouds.

fair

hues.

Then, resting the great bow a moment's space

Upon

the ground to string

it,

to grasp

that weapon, once

Again he clasped, and laughed

Son

high aloft

290

RAGHUVANgA

110

[canto

The mighty Hero raised it but the foe

Of all the Warrior-race, like dying lamp,
:

Lost

Wondering gazed the host

all his lustre.

Upon the twain, while one in splendour grew

And waned the other fast, like Sun and Moon,
When sets the Sun and rises the Full Moon.
With mild-eyed pity Rama saw his foe
and saw the

Bereft of strength,

Which on

Than

^iva's peerless son,

"

Can
Wast

the string he laid,

Brahman-hero

my

not

less in

might

and thus he spake

not without remorse

the aggressor

Shall this

fatal shaft

smite thee, though thyself

I resolve to
first

300

choose thou then thy

doom

shaft destroy for thee this world,

310

"

Or that beyond, thy pious actions' meed ?

" I know Thee now,
The humbled Saint replied
The Soul Supreme incarnate wherefore, Lord,
:

Shouldst

Thou be angry

that I longed to see

Great Vishnu's majesty in Thee come

To

earth

Itself exalts

My

chastisement by Thee,

The World

little

to ashes,

Lord,

Father's foes

and

and ocean.

deemed

Wherefore now,

pray Thee, leave

haunt Earth's holy places

Will scarce affect

my

thing to give away

of land

Sage Divine

To

my

me, though

By me were burnt
'Twas but a

down

whom

And Rama answered

me

loss of

free

Heaven

pleasure least attracts."

" Have thy wish

"

and turned.

320

And

clasped his

My

Hero

to Paradise.

feet,

Then

and pardon craved

peace

Sire's blest state

Matured and

Now

that Saint replied

mother's sinful nature

Is cast off wholly

My

time to come,

bear him humbly toward a conquered foe

Fits well a

"

all

Son the path

Bhrigu's

Then Rama

To

111

shot his arrow Eastward, barring so,

Spite of his merits, for

To

WEDDING

StTA^S

XI.]

depart

at length

win from

330

strife.

yea, loss itself bears fruit

perfect,

now

by Thy favour, Lord

unhindered be Thy course

To work deliv'rance for the Blessed Gods

The Brother-princes thus the Saint addressed,
And vanished from men's sight. Then Rama's Sire
!

Embraced

his Hero-son, in pride

As snatched from Death

Dispelled his transient

Soon quench a

The woodland's

pride.

Spent on the march

Came

his

tree,

So, after certain nights

in pleasant rustic

as (^iva's

bowers.
self,

Ayodhya, where the city-dames

crowding

With eager

cooling showers

around a

The Monarch, far-renowned

Reached

love,

and now new-born deHght

fear, as

forest-fire

and

fast,

and

eyes, to gaze

filled

on

the lattices

Sita fair

340

RAGHUVANCA

112

CANTO
The Banishment of

Rhna ;

the

XII
Carrying-away of Sita ; her

Rescue^ afid Ravaiias Defeat

Now
Of

Dagaratha, having

sense,

Neared

The

known

and entering on

all

life's final

stage,

Fearing Kaikeyi, Old

Squat at his ear and hidden

and Death.

joys

his eclipse, as fades before the

lamplight.

dawn

Age

in grey hairs

Rama given.
Then rumour spread that Rama should be
The people's Darling, gave to every man
Urged

that the

His inmost

Kingdom be

for his

all

every tree

Anointing

Kaikeyi interposed with

Marred

to

King,

heart's desire, as springs refresh

Spread through a garden

But when

[cakto

fell

all

was

alike.

ripe,

resolve,

the pomp, and drew hot tears of grief

From her Lord's aged eyes. In vain he sought

To soothe her rage, who urged more veh'mently

Two

promises erst made, as flooded plains

Drive hissing from their holes two monstrous snakes.

One promise now

she used, for fourteen years

lo

DACARATHA'S DISTRESS

TUIAL AND TRIUMPH

XII.]

To

banish Rama,

(Though

with the next she claimed

knew

well she

the cost, her husband's

For her own son the Royal throne.

At bidding of

The

his Father,

Rama

doom

With

life),

20

tears.

took

world-wide Realm, but with

Received the

113

cheerfulness

all

Sore amazed.

of exile.

The people marked his aspect all unchanged,

Both when he wore the robes of royal state,
And when the bark-dress. Lakshman and Sita

He

took for his companions, and possessed

Both Dandaka's wide

forest

Of all who

virtue loved

From

upon

stain

and the hearts

so he discharged

his truth his

Kingly

30

Sire.

knew

That

Sire,

How

by rash act of yore he earned the curse

heart-broken at his

exile,

And, deeming only Death could make him pure,

Forsook the throne and sought

Then

foes, that

for

ways to

die.

eager watched for wasting flaws,

Pounced on the realm, whose King was now

And Rama
The

banished.

Aged

eclipsed.

councillors

people, masterless, sent to recall

Prince Bharata, then with his mother's kin,

And

dried their tears.

Heard how

Grew

But when that noble Prince

his Father died, the

hateful to him,

and

his

Kingly state

mother

With armed host he followed Rama's

too.

steps,

And marked with many a tear where Hermits showed

The trees 'neath which with Lakshman he had slept.
H

40

RAGHUVANCA

114

When found in Chitrakfita's forest, first

He told their Father's passing next, he
;

Persistent his return, to

wed

urged

[canto

the Realm,

Whose charms now withered unenjoyed. Himself

He deemeB a mere supplanter, gathering
The fruits of Earth, while Rama still delayed,
His elder brother, Fortune's hand

Rama

But

yielded not

so

to claim.

he rather chose

His sainted Father's doom to abide,

and gave.

Long-urged, as pledges of his right as King,

The Royal

Then

sandals.

the Prince went back,

Yet entered not the

city

In Nandi, ruled the

Kingdom

Not

own

as his

Not grasping

Made
But

but,

encamped
as a trust.
60

firm in his loyalty,

at the

crown, pure Bharata

expiation for his mother's crime.

Rama

A forest-life,
And

with

Took up

Now on

sustained on forest-food,

his

the

That bind

with bright Sita lived content

in

younger brother-

life

while in youth

austere and rigid vows

age Ikshvaku's mighty

line.

a day when, wearied with the chase,

His head awhile he

laid in Sita's lap.

Beneath a forest-king, whose spreading shade

Was
As

fixed

by power divine, great Indra's

'twere in scorn of

Rama's

bird,

love-contests.

Scratched with his claws her breasts.

She quickly roused

70

BHARATA'S ARRIVAL AT CHITRAKUTA

"^B

R A

;^'

or THE

UNIVERSITY
OF

TRIAL AND TRIUMni

XII.]

115

Her mighty Lord, who with a blade of grass

The

offender smote,

But

and bUnded one rash

Rama deemed

eye.

his refuge all too near,

Lest Bharat might return to urge his

suit.

And left the glades on Chitrakuta's slopes.

Whose deer lamented when he left. He passed
Far to the South, as welcome guest received
In Hermits' huts ; so in the

The Sun

Him

for

Autumn months

southern quarters quits the North.

following Videha's Princess shone,

Bright as the Kingdom's Genius, fain to

His Royal

virtues,

Perfumes strangely sweet,

From Anasuya's ointment on

She shed around

From

woo

by Kaikeyi's wiles

Forbid to wed him.

80

her limbs.

her, luring so the bees

forest-blossoms.

Black as cloud of night,

Rakshasa, Viradha named, stood up,

90

Opposing Rama's march, as Rahu's bulk

Then sudden from between

Obstructs the moon.

The guardian Brothers he the Princess tore,

As drought licks up the rain in Autumn months.
But him the Heroes
And,

ere the

Could

slew, Kakutstha's sons,

fetid stench

taint the world,

from

his foul limbs

they quickly buried him.

Then at Agastya's bidding Rama fixed.

The bounds of right observing, his abode
In wide Panchavati, as Vindhya high

Stands stablished in his might.

To Rama

100

there

RAGHUVANgA

116

Came

Ravan's

[canto

with love, as seeks

sister, faint

snake oppressed with heat on Malaya

The
The
In

Her shameless

forest's grateful shade.

crook-clawed

Sita's

Demon

very presence

nor shamed to

told,

true

love
tell

it is,

That woman's high-strung love respects no bounds.

She told her lineage too
" Ah, Maiden,

Had

"
!

Rama

to

Rama,

seek the love

so the love-sick maid

first,

and so returned

as alternately

Her

stream sweeps either bank.

Sita's

laugh

From momentary

softness roused to rage,

As Ocean's waves

that sleep 'neath windless skies

Are swollen by the Moon.

" This scorn thou

Hast dared a

'It

"Beware

dearly rue

tiger's fury

"

she cried,

Thou, timid

Look, and fear

So spake the Demon threatening

Sita

roe.

shrank

Against her husband's breast, dismayed to see

The foe resume her hideous shape, and spread

Her murderous claws. Heroic Lakshman too,

Who

heard a gentle, dove-like cooing

Then

He

wolfish bowlings,

drew

She

With

knew her

first.

for transformed,

his sword, swift burst into the hut,

And hacked
flying

no

She forsooth

counselled.

sought out Lakshman

Again

but he replied,

am wedded

Of my young brother
Bull-shouldered

with blow on blow that awful shape.

upward shook a threatening hand,

fingers crooked, thick as knotted reeds,

120

TRIAL AND TRIUMPH

XII.]

Then

flew to Janasthan,

and

They made her wrongs

Were scored and

wrongs

told her

To Khara and his peers, new

By Rama on the Demon-host.

In wrath

and courted

scarred,

130

heaped

insult

own, whose

their

117

lips

and mouth

foul defeat,

On they boldly came.

uplifted, whom when Rama saw,

Attacking Rama.

With arms

His hope of victory laying on

His Spouse he

Were
Yet

full

foe to

Rama

a thousand,

meet him.

Demon

lusts

And

Trigiras

They seemed

foes

found

140

Dushana he smote,

Sent as their champion, as pure-living

Smite fleshly

The

only one,

each several

in the fight

bow,

Lakshman's guard.

to

left

his

him

men

and Khara

first,

next,

so swift he slew the three.

His bright darts

to fall together.

Pierced through

them, and

unstained drank

their foul

lives.

The birds their blood. Soon of that Demon-host,

By Rama's arrows quelled, save headless trunks
Nought on the

He

plain stood

showered on them

Lay

all

up

beneath the rain

that dread array

lapt in endless slumber, while foul wings

Of filthy

vultures hovered o'er their heads.

Alone escaping, Siirpanakha bore

The news

To

of foul defeat at

Rama's hands

mighty Ravan, sore dismayed, who deemed

That by

his sister's

maiming, then defeat

150

RAGHUVANgA

118

And

[canto

slaughter of his kinsmen, his ten heads

Lay trampled

By magic

by Rama's

in the dust

art

Demon

at his

heel.

word

Took form of deer, and Raghu's sons deceived

By futile chase, and though a while delayed

i6o

By staunch Jatayti Sita bore away.

The brothers seeking her the Vulture found
With mangled pinions, who with failing breath
Love's

final

debt to Dagaratha paid.

how Ravan

In faltering words he told

The

Princess tore away

His brave resistance

Who

late, had

For him

And

his

wounds declared

then he died.

mourned

fell

The

a Father's loss,

twain.

renewed

as for a parent funeral rites,

Rama

Bold

reared a lofty pyre.

170

then,

Kabandha's counsel following, who by death

Escaped from

And

lifelong curse,

treaty firm

strong aUiance with the Monkey-King,

Sugriva,

mourning

Late torn away.

Usurping
Sugriva

Bali,

like himself a bride

The Hero quick discrowned

and

his friend restored

to his throne, as

Displaces one less

fit.

like his owrt sad

Sampati meeting,

fitter

word

The Monkey-hosts

At Rama's bidding sped

And

made

to every clime,

thoughts searched through the world.

Hanuman

at length,

The Wind-god's son, had news where

And crossed the Ocean, as a happy

Sita dwelt,

soul

180

TRIAL AND TRirMlMI

XII.]

The

He

stream of Death.

found the

fair

By Demon-guards,

Last, searching

Princess, but

110

Lanka through,

compassed round

mimosa clasped

fair

By poisonous creepers. Rama's token first,

The ring, he gave, which she with joyful tears

then with her husband's love-words cheered.

Stout Aksha next he slew, and high of heart
Bedewed,

Set

Lanka

flames, then for brief space

all in

Sustained unequal

He

Sita's

She

fain

He

token

had

Rama, and the

ring

showed, as 'twere the heart

As Rama touched the gem.

sent.

closed his eyes in rapture, and in thought

Felt her heart beating

on

His longing was to meet

That Ocean

His work so done.

fight.

hied him back to

His

190

circling

his

own

so keen

his prisoned

Love,

Lanka round appeared

200

narrow moat, no more. ^ At once he marched.

The Demon-foes

to quell,

while Monkey-hosts

Behind him swarmed, careering through the

Not

He

less

On

than on the earth.

fixed his

camp

to

whom

air

Ocean's shore

Vibhishan came,

His brother's side deserting, sage advice

Rama offering, wise in time.

To him did Rama give the Demon-realm
In love to

In recompense

And

so ever counsel sage

timely bears rich

The Hero

fruit.

laid a bridge,

Across the sea

resembling

That mighty Serpent which

much

for Vishnu's sleep

210

RAGHUVAN^A

120

Above

the waters

And Lanka
That

like

[canto

So he crossed,

rises.

close besieged with tawny Apes,

a doubled golden rampart showed.

Then Demons joined in deadly strife with Apes,

And Heaven resounded with their battle-cries,
For Ravan or for Rama. Steel-bound clubs
By trees were shattered, maces split on rocks,

And

wounds more

claws gave

While elephants dashed rocks

Fair Sita watched the fight

Of Rama's head

struck

off,

terrible than steel,

in splinters small.

and swooned

220

at sight

but soon revived

When good Trijata told that Rama lived.

And 'twas but glamour. At this healing word,
Her sorrow turned
Still

to joy

yet loving

ruled her as she thought, "

While thinking

He

was dead

"

shame

yet could live,

Now

in the fight

Bold Meghanada's noose one moment bound

The mighty

Brethren,

whom

Loosed, swooping down

It

the Bird of

Heaven

230

so soon that peril passed,

seemed a dream, no more.

The Demon-King

Pierced Lakshman's breast with deadly spear,

whereat

The heart of Rama, though himself unharmed,

Was cleft in twain by sorrow. Healing herbs
The Monkey-monarch brought, and salved the wound,
And Lakshman swift reviving with keen shafts
Again taught Lanka's wives to weep.

He

suffered

No more

Meghanada's shout, but snapped

His bow that

rivalled Indra's,

Autumn so

240

TRIAL AND TRIUMPH

XII.]

By Hanuman
Like his

next,

to woeful straits reduced,

fell sister,

Wide-gaping

Kumbhakarna

Stout

Dissolves a cloud.

V2\

like

Rama's

self assailed,

Him

a rocky cave.

The Hero's arrows

soon

sent to sleep in death

And Rama mused, " Much lovedst thou

sleep,

my

foe

And wert untimely roused in evil hour."

The Brethren many a famous Rakshas more
Smote with

their arrows

Was smothered

till

the battle-dust

with their blood in copious streams.

At length came Ravan

250

forth again to fight.

His palace leaving, well resolved that now

The Worlds that day should either Rdma lose

Or Ravan. On he drove his fenced car
To where the Hero stood, till Indra sent

His chariot and bay steeds

to

Rama's

help.

That car auspicious, leaning on the arm

Of

Mathali,

Waved

He

mounted,

in the breeze, cool

Of Heaven's own
Helped by the

while

its flag

from the waters pure

river.

Indra's mail he donned,

charioteer,

that mail from which

Repelled the Daityas' arrows

fell

to earth,

Soft as frail lotus-stems.

Herce

Between the mighty

who found

So meeting, scope
Fell

But by

to

Ravan fought
his

many

foes,

show

battle raged
at last,

their matchless might.

alone, his hosts withdrawn,

necks, and heads,

Appeared encircled by

and arms,

his mother's kin.

260

RAGHUVANQA

122

The Demon-foe, whose might

[canto

prevailed of yore

Against the world's great Guardians, who had won

His boon from Brahma

Who

offering up

poised aloft Kailasa,

Ravan,

worthy foeman.

Drove deep

his

Rama

270

his heads,

held

fiercely wroth,

arrow in that strong right arm.

Which, wildly-throbbing, told he should redeem

His

Then Rama loosed

fair Princess.

Which, piercing Ravan's

a shaft

breast, lodged in the ground.

Glad tidings bearing to the Serpent-world.

The

fight

With sword

Two

for sword,

and taunt

Swayed by

as a rampart set

raging elephants.
either

Of flowers

To mark

when

280

their equal valour Victory

Long wavered,
That

for taunt, as

foe,

speakers strive for mastery.

rival

Two

each hero matched his

grew stern

between

The showers

of shafts

poured on other stayed the

rained

fall

down by Gods and Demons, keen

the rapid interchange of blows.

Then Ravan dashed an

iron-studded mace,

Fell as the club of Death, of silkwood formed,

Full at his foe.

But

Rama

with keen shafts,

Curved-headed, cut the mace in twain or

It

reached the chariot,

e'er

like a slender twig,

Demons' soaring hopes.

Thus

shattering the

Then

did the matchless archer to his string

Lay

that unerring arrow,

Brahma named,

simple meet to heal the stinging pain

290

TRIAL AND TRIUMPH

XII.]

That gnawed
Split in a

With flaming

his Sita's heart.

hundred

123

points,

resembling most

parts,

Serpent-King's huge frame, when baleful gleams

The

His awful hood,

Then in
Smote off,

it

hurtled through the

300

air.

a moment, winged with spells, the shaft

the wound
But the

Of Ravan.

Shone, as the body

unfelt,

the whole ten heads

line of headless
fell,

with

fitful

necks

gleams.

Like morning sunbeams sparkling on a lake,

By wavelets broken. Even then the Gods,

Though all the heads had fallen, scarce rejoiced
With
(As

full rejoicing

erst befell)

Then

fell

The Kingly

for they feared those

heads

might join the trunk once more.

on Rama's head, which soon should wear

310

crown, a rain of fragrant flowers.

Poured by the

joyful

Gods,

while on them swarmed

(Their wings with honey laden) bees that late

Forsook the perfumed streams which from the brows

Distilled of Elephants that

Now Rama

guard the Worlds.

soon unbent his mighty Bow,

The Gods' high mandate well fulfilled ; and now

The Charioteer of Indra bade farewell,
And drove to Heaven his car with thousand bays,
While waved

aloft the flags

which Ravan's shafts

Pierced through and through.

The Lord

of Raghu's

line

Took back

And

his well-loved

Bride from purging

to his loyal friend Vibhishan gave

fires,

320

RAGHUVANCA

124

Then by him
Followed, by Lakshman, and by Hanuman,

The crown he
King

o'er the

tore from Ravan.

Monkey-host,

the radiant Car

Won by his valour from proud Ravana

He mounted joyfully, and homeward sped.

[canto

RAMA'S RETURN

XIII.]

CANTO

125

XIII

Rama's Triumphant Return with Sitd

Incarnate now
High Judge of

Rama, Vishnu's

in

virtue, crossed in

His sound-pervaded realm,

On Ocean

Heavenly Car

and, as He gazed

rich in pearls, his

In love's soft tones

self,

Spouse addressed

"See, Fairest!

Yon foamy mass now

spans, as

how my

Autumn's

Unruffled, bright with stars, the Milky

Divides in twain.

This

bridge

skies

Way

sea, old stories tell.

Of yore my Sires made flow, when in their quest

They tore up Earth to reach the Victim-horse

By

Bali to Patala led, to stop

Their father's

sacrifice.

The sunbeams hence

Derive engendering virtue, riches swell.

And

viewless

fire is

Like Vishnu's

Unmeasured,

and moonlight mild.

self almighty, multiform.

subtle, all ten spti^res

Transcendent in
"

bred,

its

worth as in

its

it

clasps.

power.

The Soul Supreme, by Brahma's

praise extolled

(From whom the Lotus springs whereon he

sleeps),

RAGHUVANgA

126

Upon
Of

its

working,

He

when

when ends the Age

absorbing
To

sinks again to rest.

The

all

that

Ocean's arms

to a

when Indra clipped

their pride

King revered when whelmed by

The neighbouring monarchs

20

is

mountain-hosts dismayed in hundreds

Shorn of

As

breast reclines,

[canto

flee.

fled,

their wings.

foes

Its waters clear

Swelled at the Deluge, and one moment's space

Earth's cheeks

made

Upheaved her from

lovely,

till

the Mighty

God

All his wives.

Patala.

Impartial in his love, he greets alike.

With wavy

From

lips receiving kisses

eager river-mouths.

30

sweet

Those monsters see

With yawning mouths they drink the

fishy flood,

Close with a snap their mighty jaws, and spout

Great streams of water through their fissured

Sudden leap up the monster

And

crocodiles,

cleave the foam, while on their cheeks the spray

Like sparkling eardrops

Which rushing

clings.

Here piled-up

lips,

slender branchlets,

till

Their strength exhausted.

hang on the points

at length they fall

Wide-backed Ocean now,

Grazed by the waterspout that stooped

Till

by

fierce

As when

By

to drink

storm-wind driven, milk-white gleams.

of yore with mighty

hosts Divine.

That

shells.

waters tear from coral-sprays

That mock thy ruby

Of

skulls.

Along the

Mandara churned
salt

deep's shore,

stretches slender like a copper rim.

40

RAMAS RETURN

XIII.]

Wave dark Tamalas mixed

127

with forest-palms,

Like streak of rust on polished metal's gleam.

" Bride with dark almond-eyes

the landward breeze

With Ketak-Y>o\\en dusts thy cheek,

so

a care

By me omitted, while I pine to taste

Thy ruby lips. Our swiftly-rolling car
Now in a moment brings us to that shore,
Where from cleft shells lie pure pearls richly heaped.
Where betel-trees fruit-laden sweep the sands.
Look down,

And form

ample curves, and mark our way

of

Queen, whose

As Ocean vanishes

see

roe-like eyes delight

how boon

Earth,

Clothed with green woods, seems sinking as we gaze

Obedient to
Cleaves

Now

my

now

will this

60

Car Divine

the sphere of Gods, anon of clouds,

skims the path of

birds.

breeze from Heaven,

Sweet-laden by Airavat's fragrant brows,

Cooled by the spray from

triple

Ganga's flood,

Wipes from thy brows those drops

Had

Touched by

My

The

raised.

hasty

cloud, by lightnings braceleted,

thy curious

Queen

that morning's heat

hand through

with double gold

is

These bark-clad Eremites, who deem

This Dandaka

To

free

decked.
that

now

from hindrances

Saintly works, well-pleased rebuild their homes.

Too
I

is

lattice stretched.

long forsaken.

In this very glade

vainly sought thee, found an anklet dropped,

Struck

dumb

with sorrow, riven from thy foot,

70

RAGHUVANgA

128
That mocks the

lotus' hue.

These

dumb

creepers,

Ah, timid Fair

"

taught

There

Whereon
For

my

in

ignorance the way thou

80

full south.

'dst

gone.

our front soars Malaya to Heaven,

the clouds dropped rain, and

There,

loss of thee.

Which

tips

Their fragrant food the roes

their boughs.

Neglecting, gazed with moveless brows

And

yet pitying, bent their arms

To show the path by which the Rakshasa

Had borne thee, bending low the tender
Of all

[canto

reft of thee,

I salt tears

the scents

by clouds, exhaled

lakes, fresh-filled

loathed

Kadamba flowers, half-opened, pleased me not.

Nor peacocks' low, sweet tones the thundering clouds.
From caves resounding, harshly struck my ear.
Who thought on thee, my timorous Love who erst
;

There thine

Didst sportive hide thee, teasing.

90

eyes,

Beauteous, yet clouded by the smoke that rose

From

marriage-fires, tormented,

while half-oped

Bright fungus-growths (earth yet in cloud-mist veiled)

Were

vainly emulous.

Scarce can the sight,

Far-darting downwards, Pampa's lake descry.

With

storks at play, shut in 'mid circling brakes

Of mighty

On

happy Chakravdkas,

United

Each
While

By

There, Love

reeds.

still,

was

fondly gazed

in their love

in gracious ministry

giving to his
I

reft

100

mate fresh lotus-blooms,

of thee

When

river-bank a lithe Afoka-trunk,

all in tears

RAMA'S RETURN

XIII.]

Bent by
I

its

swelling clusters like fair breasts,

vainly clasped,

and thought

Lakshman forbade me.

Queen

held thee,

soar the cranes, scared hy the golden bells

That

tinkle

With

all their

Where thou

round our Car, so welcoming thee

This sacred grove,

white array.

mango, tender-framed,

didst nurse the

where the deer look up

now once more see
I

More

gladly for long absence.

How

on a day, worn out by

this

Dried
I

no

daily watering,

Expectant of thee,

By

O'er Godavari's waves

Now

With

129

I recall

toil

of chase

Godavari's streams, while spray-cooled winds

off

my

my

face the sweat,

weary head

rested on thy breast in reed-built hut.

Here while on earth

Who

famous Saint had dwelt,

that

cleared the streams of

mud, whose wrinkling brow

Hurled Nahusha of old from Indra's realm.

" Free from

To

sniff the

all lust,

here takes

scented smoke from

my

120

soul delight

altar-fires

Well-fed, that triple rise full in our path.

by spotless Saint
Enkindled.
Here, high Lady gleams the lake
Of ^atakarni's pleasures, Five Nymphs named.

And

lightly

meet the Car,

'

Embowered

in distant

'

Half-seen amid the clouds.

Of

Amid

Darbha

the deer he lived, and

Alone he
At such

ate,

strict

till

moon
men tell.

woods, a second

Indra,

old,

grass

much dismayed

penance, bound him in the

I

130
toils

RAGHUVANCA

130

Of

five celestial

Nymphs.

The

cymbal's clang

Harmonious and the music of the

Still rising

[canto

voice,

from his palace closely-hid,

Wake momentary

echoes from the hood

That shades our Car.

"

High merit

The

blazing

Here mild Sutikshna

storing up, 'mid four fierce

Sun a

Him

fifth.

dwells.

fires,

Indra sought,

Anxious, to tempt through wanton Nymphs' bright eyes,

With laughter beaming, and coquettish

That half-revealed

their zones,

right.

encircled, graciously

Requiting courtesy,

He

140

but vainly sought.

With arms uplifted now he waves the

With holy beads

wiles

that arm wherewith

and gathers sacred

strokes the hinds

grass.

Vowed to strict silence, only with his head

Bowed slightly he returns my courteous words,
And now the Car is past his constant gaze
Again has sought the Sun. Yon penance-grove

Afforded Carabhanga's

rites austere

Pure shade, who long the

fire

150

with fuel fed.

And last his body gave, by Holy Texts

From sin redeemed. The welcome of his
His worthy sons, those

trees, give

Dispels long journeying's

"'Veighs

down

their branches.

lithe-limbed

Like

toil,

Lady

stately bull

guests

now, whose shade

whose luscious

fruit

Chitrakuta's peak,

now enchants

the eye

he stands, his mouth a cave,

RAMA'S RETTTRN

XIII.]

131

With cascade-roar loud-bellowing, highest peaks

Cloud-capped

Low
By

horns lime-whitened from a wall.

like

smooth, shines out

at his base, with rapids

distance thread-like made,

pearly

Hard by

Mandakini,

band on Earth's sweet neck

That from a

Tamala

tall

i6o

'Twas here

fragrant blooms,

the mountain-side,

plucked, and twined

Bright earrings for thy cheeks, as barley pale.

" Here in the

wood doth pious

His vows austere

That

fear

The

nor need

'tis

filled

his trees to flower

Here AnasClya brought

fruit.

170

threefold Ganga, Civa's crown, to earth,

That Holy men,

Where
Of

with herds of beasts

no harm,

Before they

Atri keep

erst the

in merit rich,

mighty Seven golden blooms

Hermits' very

lotus gathered.

While they within

Amid

might bathe

their huts are

trees,

plunged in thought,

the altar-precincts motionless.

Their leaves unstirred by wind, themselves seemed

wrapped
In pious contemplation.

Behold the dark-leaved

Which, bowed with

With rubies

Thou

fig-tree

fruit,

seest of pearls, 'midst

lily-crown,

lotus glows

my Love

thou didst choose.

glows like an emerald-heap

interspersed.

There a pure

The

Here,

necklet here

which the emerald gleams.

where sapphire-like

that string of birds beheld,

That love the Manas-lake, where sw ans appear,

180

RAGHUVANgA

132
White-winged

[canto

there on the Earth a yellow

Of sandalwoods, picked out with

band

aloes dark.

" See here the Moon's bright orb with sable shade

Streaked sharply,

therethrough

autumn-clouds

rifted

Here, might one

Resplendent shows Heaven's blue.

190

say,

body dark, with black snake

Is Civa's

And smeared

with' ashes

Where Ganga
Those

souls,

Washed

rolls

men

there see, peerless

her flood, by

Jamna

say, that cast the

Queen

cleft.

mortal

coil.

in the confluent waters of these twain,

Unknowing even

No more
In yon

girt,

of the Soul Supreme,

Nishada dwells

are sent to earth.

fair city

there,

when

The crown and bound my

Sumantra mourning cried

refused

locks

'

up Hermit-wise,

Ah, Kaikeyi

200

Sarayii here.
Thy wish is now fulfilled
Whose source the wise have traced to Brahma's lake,
Where golden lilies charm fair Yakshis' hearts,
Rolls mighty so flows Mind from Soul Supreme.
!

'

Its

banks well lined

w^ith sacrificial stones.

Past proud Ayodhya sweeps

its

flood,

where bathe,

After Horse-Sacrifice, Ikshvaku's sons.

And

sanctify

its

waves.

It

fills

my

soul

With reverence, common Mother of the Kings

Of Northern Kogala, who

find delight

In her sand-islets and abundant stream.

" Sarayfi now,

my

noble Father

lost.

210

RAMANS RETURN

XIII.]

Indeed

my Mother

Though

distant yet

cooHng

seems, and clasps

me round

with wavy arms that

As dusky

breeze.

Before us dust-clouds

rise

stir

twilight grey,

augur thence

133

That Bharata from Hanuman has heard

News

of

my

coming, and with

My

Prepares to welcome me.

That Father's vow

My

penance

all

his hosts

Father's realm.

to keep, I left

but now,

220

virtuous Prince restores

o'er, that

The Royal State unblemished rescued so,

Thee Lakshman gave, won back by slaughter grim
Of Khara and his peers. To meet me now
:

On

foot

Placed

comes Bharata, our household

And

army's serried ranks

in the van, his

Close following

he

Hermit-dress comes forth,

in

old-time councillors bear gifts in hand.

From

Wed
Who

love to

not

fair

me

the Prince, in flush of youth.

Lakshmi,

whom

sought herself his arms

Abiding with

her, yet

Pure wedlock's joy

his Sire bequeathed,

yea, all these years

he tasted not

!"

As Rama
That knew by sense divine
Swift glided from the sky,

Of

for all service

One moment

On

his

spake, the Car,

unspoke

will,

by wondering eyes

Bharat's hosts observed.

Apt

Priest

Then, on the hand

of the Monkey-King

leaning,

Rama

lighted down,

well-wrought ladder stepping, crystal-runged,

230

RAGHUVANCA

134-

Held by Vibhishan.

First the reverend Sage,

he greeted

Priest of Ikshvaku's line,

Then took

the

and

gifts,

240

well,

bathed in tears embraced

His brother Bharat, kissing that

Which, reigning

[canto

head,

leal

in his stead, refused the

Crown.

Courteous he welcomed old-time ministers,

With beards untrimmed, and

Close-matted

hair like Peepal-roots

they with tuneful voices asked

Spake the King

Respectful of his welfare.

"Behold my

friend, of Riksha's

Great Chief,

my stay

Vibhishan know "

!

By Rama

praised,

in trouble

Monkey-hosts
:

next the stout

250

Then Bharat hailed the twain,

ere Lakshman he embraced,

Sumitra's son, upraising his bent head,

And

He

to his

bosom

clasping,

close,

more

close,

well-nigh bruised his breast on cruel scars

Which

Indrajit

had

At Rama's word

left.

At once the Monkey-chiefs took human shapes,

And mounted

elephants,

whose mighty brows

Streamed ichor sweet, rejoicing

Great mountains.

With

all his

At

his

as to

climb

word the Rakshas-King,

hosts ascended cars

unmatched

In splendour by their own, by magic art

Fair-fashioned.

Once more

Then

the Chief of Raghu's line

sat in his car,

and with him

His Brothers, and the banner

sat

at his will

Moved or was steady, as the stars' high Lord,

The Moon, shines glorious climbing up a bank

260

XIII.]

RAMANS RETURN

Of dusky clouds

at evening, lightning-streaked,

With Jupiter attending and

his Sire.

Then Bharat praised the beauteous

From Ra van's grasp by Rama's might
As from dark

flood the

135

Maithili,

270

set free,

Lord of worlds saved Earth,

Or when the rains are over clears the moon

From cloudy masses. So her dazzling feet.

Who

faithful

kept her vow and dashed the hopes

Presumptuous Ravan nursed,

Of him whose matted

He

set

on

tlie

locks proclaimed the faith

kept unswerving to his elder's claim

Each

to the other greater lustre lent.

Then

glorious

Escorted by his

His Car

Then

head

Rama
folk,

Celestial,

half a kos advanced,

while Pushpaka,

checked

its

magic speed

in the pleasure-forest dwelt well-pleased.

That round Ayodhya stretched, where Catrughna

With careful foresight had prepared the Camp.

280

RAGHUVANCA

136

[canto

CANTO XIV
The Resioratton

and

Then

oj

Rama

to his

Kingdom,

Divorce of Sita.

the

did the Princely Brothers seek the homes

Where dwelt
Of husband
Forlorn and

their mothers, sorrow-stricken

late bereaved,
left

The Heroes

Queens,

like clinging-plants

of strong protecting trunk.

twain, resplendent in their might.

Bent low before the Queens, whose happy eyes

(By

tears half-bhnded) scarce discerned their forms.

Though each was

She clasped her

blessed, as in her mother's

But

son.

in the

arms

Heroes' eyes

The soothing tear of joy cut sorrow short,

As Jamna's torrent rushing from the rocks
Cleaves Ganga's heated wave.

They touched

the scarce-healed scars the

Left on their bodies

"

Condolingly

nay, the much-prized name,

Mother of heroes," brought them

Who

felt its

pains.

Demon's wounds

Then

Her Husband's mother

The line of awful duty,

Sita,

little

joy

bending low.

greeted, nor transgressed

while she said

lo

DIVORCE OF StT A

XIV.]

" Lo, here

her Lord,

Sita, fatal to

is

Not worthy your regard

137

"

"

Dear Daughter,

(So said they) " 'Twas thy spotless

life

rise

Then

They

their toils

with loving words and true

praised her, worthy Wife of worthy Lord.

Thus with
Began the

their joyful tears the

a sainted river, poured from jars

Of gold unmixed,
Completed,

widowed Queens

which with hallowed stream,

sacring,

From many

the Kingdom's Senators

of pure Raghu's Hero-son.

From seas and streams and lakes the loyal Chiefs

Of Demons and of Monkeys brought great store
Of water, pouring it on Rama's head,
As rain in torrents falls on Vindhya's peaks
From Autumn-clouds. The splendid robes of state

To Him fresh lustre gave, whose

The ascetic's dress scarce veiled,
Of

Then

over-gorgeousness.

His sage

He

advisers, loyal

to his Father's

The

roads,

and

rice

The Hero
The royal

lovely limbs

nor feared reproach

Demons, Apes,

from

lattices

High

Lakshman

arches spanned

was poured

in his

while

fan,

and Bharat screened

triple

Car of State

gently

sat,

Like Kingship's

30

with his hosts,

home passed

In welcoming showers.

waved

his head.

powers to Earth come down

Rose from the palaces wind-cloven smoke.

As

20

alone

That brought thy Lord and Lakshman through

Triumphant."

"
!

'twere the long-bereaved City's hair.

40

RAGHUVANgA

138
Its braids

Next

[canto

unloosing at the King's return.

Sita,

Rama's Queen,

in litter borne,

Dressed by her husband's kin

in glorious robes,

Ayodhya's matrons hailed, with clasped hands

From palace-windows

She the

gazing.

Exhaustless unguent, Anasuya's

Had
And

used

deftly

50

rare,

gift.

a halo round her shone

doubly pure she beamed, shown by her Lord

From cleansing fires come forth. That King himself,

Deep mine of friendship, to his friends assigned
Well-ordered dwellings

To

that revered

His image only

then with tears went in

home, where dwelt

his Sire,

With clasped hands,

left.

And loving words, he soothed Kaikeyi's shame,

And hailed her " Mother " " WeW," he said, "
To thee we owe it that our Sire held firm,
!

Nor swerved from

Sugriva,

truth,

and by

that truth

and Vibhishan, and the

60

thou didst

won Heaven

rest,

With splendid courtesies he entertained.

That, though to have they needed but to wish,

Their minds sank overpowered.

Come down

He

told in sacred

Of His high
So

like a

Till half a

Saints Divine,

from Heaven to do him reverence,

paid due honour

And

To

birth,

they His might extolled,

numbers

all

His

and foe subdued.

acts,

the tale

dream the days uncounted

month was spent

70

flew,

the Saints were gone

Then, richly guerdoned by the Queen's own hand,

THE ENTHRONEMENT OF RAMA

DIVORCE OF SIta

XIV.]

The Kings

And

of

Apes and Demons home returned.

Pushpaka, that Flower of Heaven, the Car

thought could swift

He

130

recall,

which with

wrested from His mighty foe,

no more

Required, back to Kailasa's Lord

Then Rama

Who

first

Long

upon

sat at last

obeyed

He

sent.

his throne,

his Father's word,

years in banishment

his life

80

and spent

and now maintained

'Midst Virtue, Wealth, and Love unswerving course.

And

ruled his Brothers with an equal love.

In equal honour too, as duty claimed,

The Queens,

He

held, as

own dear mother and the rest,

He who leads the hosts of Heaven
his

His Foster-mothers

six loves equally.

happy world he

ruled, that generous King,

Whose arm prevailing curbed ignoble fears

As father he corrected, like a son
He smoothed all griefs away. The people's

90

Unwearied,

At

fitting

So

fair

first

he sought, and

love's delight

season he with Sita took

the Queen,

it

seemed

weal,

that Lakshmi's self

Had ta'en her form to know pure marriage-bliss.

And as they tasted all the joys of love
Whene'er they would

The memory

in

gorgeous palaces,

of hardship past, endured

In Dandaka's dark shades, enhanced delight.

Then

Sita, softly smiling,

now

with face

100

RAGHUVANgA

140

Pale as the yellow reed,

Put forth the signs of

Her Lord new

[canto

all silently

fruitfulness,

He

happiness.

and gave

longingly

Pressed to his heart her slender form, and marked

How
And

her ripe breasts assumed a deeper tinge,

Blushingly she owned

If aught she longed for.

Her

On

know

joyfully in whispers craved to

strong desire to seek the Hermits' huts

no

pure Godavari's banks, where Ku^a grass

Luxuriant waves, and roaming cattle crop

Unchecked the growing

Bound

rice,

where Saintly maids

The noble King

in close friendship dwell.

Then

Consented to her prayer.

with a squire

He

sought the palace-roof, which soared to heaven.

To

feast his eyes

He marked
Saraytl

Gay

on

fair

Ayodhya's

streets.

the thronged highway, the busy mart,

ploughed by

and where the parks,

keels,

with rejoicing crowds,

Enraptured at the

sight.

spread round the

Then,

stainless

walls.

King,

120

Most noble Conqueror, most eloquent,

Whose mighty frame

He

asked his

And

vied with the Serpent-King's,

faithful squire the general

sentence on his

life.

Reluctantly,

At length that squire made answer

All that thou doest

Save

this

one thing,

all

mind

" O my Lord

thy people praise.

that thou receivedst back

Thy Queen from Ravan's

palace,

where she dwelt."

That slanderous word, imputing

foul disgrace

DIVORCE OF s!tA

xiv]

To

Sita,

As

falls

On

smote his heart with crushing

Then

despise this slanderous talk? or yield.

blameless Spouse divorcing

He

wavered long, his mind

? "

To end

the slander in the only way,

a swing.

Fame above

gloom

Deep pondering he

like

Dismissing his pure

Unresolved

in helpless

Swayed

Queen

resolved

exalted souls

their lives,

far, far

beyond

So, his joy eclipsed,

All earthly pleasures.

He

130

doubtfully he mused,

My

Prize

force,

the smashing weight of iron sledge

anvil tough.

"Shall

141

called his Brethren

140

they with sorrow marked

The gloom that marred his features, as He told

The stain upon his honour, ending thus
" Behold how dark a blot my act has brought
:

On
So

all

the Sun-descended race, so pure.

flawless in

And famous

virtue,

its

Saints,

stock of Kings

till

As zephyrs moist bedim

now by me

the polished steel.

Such slander spreading wide among

As spreads a drop of
I

could not bear,

soiled,

'tis

oil o'er

my

folk.

troubled waves,

150

so hates the elephant

The post and chain that bind him. Therefore

Though seeming careless of the seed she bears
Now in her fertile womb, must put away

My

well-loved Queen,

I sternly

"

My

put from

The Queen

me

as

my

Father's

word

sea-girdled Earth.

know

people's blaming

at

I,

is

stainless, yet I

dread

Earth's dark shadow

cast

RAGHUVANCA

U2

[caxto

Across the spotless Moon, by vulgar minds

my

So

Is held to stain her.

glorious deeds,

In slaying Giant Ravan, would be vain

Not only

my

so,

triumph would

Let loose^resh springs of hate

A deadly
My

is

fixed,

itself

not unprovoked

snake bites at the heel that

purpose then

i6o

strikes.

nor can be swayed

By aught your pitying hearts might urge, my life

Would wither soon, exposed to slanderous tongues

When
Against

thus the King declared his stern resolve

fair Sita,

silence held them bound,

^^'ho durst not hinder, nor could praise his will.

Then

called

170

Lakshman, famous through the

he

worlds.

To

all his will

obedient, telUng him

In secret conference, wise and eloquent,

His weighty purpose, saying

My

Spouse,

Her

Now

my

Sitd,

" Brother dear.

coyly has

made known

strong desire to seek the penance-groves

therefore, this pretending, drive with her

In thy swift chariot to Valmiki's home.

And

leave her there

That

at his Sire's

Had

slain his

"

Devoted Lakshman knew

command

mother

dread Bhrigu's son

Rama's high behests

Unquestioning, though reluctant, he received

Monarch's mandates must be aye obeyed.

Fair Sita,

He

lifted to

much

rejoiced to have her wish,

the car, by staunch steeds drawn,

180

DIV j'TE OF StTA

XIV.]

And driven by Sumantra.

The pleasing prospects by

the way, and thought

Within her loving heart, "

My

Does

all

to please

Her Tree

me

Sal praised

dearest Lord

Knowing not

"
!

143

Upas

of Life to deadly

the truth,

turned.

190

Yet as she journeyed, though kind Lakshman hid

The heavy

grief appointed,

banishment

For ever from her husband's

Ran through
Dread omen
At once her

And

of

ill

for

felt

fate,

lotus-face

to herself she

Both

her right eye throb,

In fear and doubt,

grew deadly pale,

murmured

loving prayers

her Lord and for his Brethren three.

But when,

He

her as she

face, a chill

fulfilling his

high King's command.

thought to leave chaste

Sita,

Ganga's

200

self

The Holy River raised protesting waves,

And stayed his course. Yet faithful to his vow.
He checked the car, then helped the Queen to alight,
And in a shallop crossed the mighty stream
:

No

barrier stops a trusty envoy's

Then

scarce his voice controlling for the sobs

That choked

his utterance,

That looses from

Portentous,

its

womb

Lakshman

Earth, her

like a

fatal will.

terror smitten, Sita fell

own dear Mother,

fell,

210

as falls

creeper torn by rushing blast of wind

From

its

cloud

a rain of stones,

told her Rama's

With sudden

To

way

supporting trunk, and shed her gauds

R A G H UV ik'N C A

1 44

But 'ooon Earth denied

Like withered blossoms.

Her Daughter

[c axto

refuge, nor believed

it

true,

That, save for some dark stain, her Hero-lord,

The Glory

of his race, had put away

She

His darling Queen.

moment's space

for a

Swooned, and forgot her woes

but sense returned.

And with it gnawing grief, when Lakshman's

To life recalled her, bitterer far than death.

care

220

Yet no reproachful word that noble Queen

Breathed 'gainst her Lord, who so unjustly drove

Her

Upon
For

from him

sinless

ConsoUng

To where

former

Valmiki dwelt

do

Is glad that so

forgive

command,

230

She raised him up,

" Brother,

Sita's heart

thou servest her dear Lord,

self

Unquestioning

then humbly sued

'Tis thy Lord's

"

With gracious answer

"O my Queen

thee.

but his minister

As Vishnu's

to endless grief

pure Wife, great Lakshman led

her,

The wrong

the guilt she laid

With tender words

lives.

For pardon, pleading,

all

foredoomed

herself,

sins of

served Indra, elder-born,

live

many happy

years

Greet well the Queens from me, and say to them,

Each

in her order,

Sita bids you pray

For Rama's seed, which

Thyself hast

womb

she bears.

my message thus convey

seen me purified by Fire,

Next to the King

'

in her

Yet now forsakest, fearing scandal's breath,

240

Pi

DIVORCE OF SIT A

-.]

Mere words

Or

does

shall I think

thee,

by

my

fate inexorable,

most glorious King,

sins

Drawn down from former

For once, Beloved

me

Exile with
I

lives ?

Befits

'

it

in thy

home

When Demons plagued

To seek protection at a
That
All

Did not

Unswerving

On

me

my

that

this

Thou

me

late

sex.

now

husbands,

reignest glorious

bear in

bids

250

Thinkest

maimed

hast cast

me

Thou

off,

thy precious seed,

live?

I shall fix

But, once

my

And

strive that in

only be

since

all

(For so the

my

Thy son

is

born.

weary eyes

260

Lord,

some

future life

my Lord

for

aye

ranks and classes claim the care

Law

Thou

life,

yon bright Sun, and by severest modes

Of penance

ordains) of virtuous Kings,

my banishment I claim Thy care,

No less than Holy men with whom I dwell

So

forlorn

stranger's hand,

would longer bear

empty now

Which

their

me, who through thy favour

still

me now

Myself was styled Protectress of

While Thou

must be so

than Lakshmi's offered charms

jealous fury triumphs o'er

"

It

thou didst rather choose

ousted her, abiding

Her

was no willing deed,

it

But forced upon

beseem Thy noble race

this

145

in

So Lakshman promised

to fulfil her best,

'
!

RAGHUVANCA

146

And

left

With

her presence

then,

by

[canto

grief o'erborne,

straining throat she wailed like stricken hind.

270

In sympathy gay peacocks ceased their dance,

Trees shed their blossoms, deer the fragrant grass

They

scaTce had cropped

through

all

the forest passed

moan unending. Guided by the sound,

The Poet-Saint, whose sympathetic grief

When

he beheld the bird so ruthlessly

Slain by a huntsman,

found heroic

verse,

Came to her from his quest of fragrant

And altar-fuel. Sita reverently

grass

Saluted him, restraining her lament,

280

And driving back hot tears that dimmed her eyes

To whom the Saint, who marked her fruitful womb,
:

Gave

blessing for her offspring

"By Holy

My

intuition well I

then he spake

know,

daughter, that thy Lord, by slander moved.

Put thee away though

guiltless

Fair Princess of Videha

Thou

grieve not then,

shalt reach

Thy father's home, not distant from these groves.

Thy glorious Husband, well I know, has drawn
The barb of sorrow from this Triple World,
Is faithful to his word, all boasting hates,

Yet

for his cruel dealing with thee.

I greatly

blame him

Claimed me

All pious Hermits

Thou

His renowned Sire

as friend

Queen,

thy father saves from tears

'midst true, loyal wives

hast chief place

all this

my

heart constrains

290

DIVORCE OF SIT A

XIV.]

To

pity

Here

and

Dwell secure

to shield thee.

Sacred grove, where savage beasts

in the

With us consorting milder moods assume

Here

when thou

shall thy cleansing be,

Unblemished

offspring.

Whose waves
Whose banks

dispel the

Here

And,

300

Tamasa,

sacrifice,
till

peace return

Munis' daughters here,

offerings in their time of flowers or fruit,

Soft-voiced,

From

shalt bear

with Hermits' huts are thronged, whose isles

bless thy spirit.

With

in

gloom of ignorance,

Smoke ever with the fragrant

Thou day by day shall bathe,

To

147

who

for the altar gather grain

land untilled,

will

charm thy

grief away.

fostering the nurslings of the grove

With slender

Doubt not

Thou

'It

water-jars, as suits thy strength,

that, ere thine

know

own dear Son be

a mother's joy

His kindness she received

born.

"
!

Most

Whose

310

gratefully

the Poet-Sage,

heart for pity melted, led her

home

To where around his hut-door tamed wild beasts

And timid deer were clustered. There the Queen,
Bowed down
Gave

with sorrow^ he to the Saints' pure wives

in strict trust, well-pleased that she

was come

So,

when

By

Saints Divine, she to the moon-plants yields

Her

the Moon's sweet essence has been drunk

latest light,

When

and straight begins to wax.

night drew on, to crown his welcoming,

320

RAGHUVANgA

148

They gave a hut

From well-trimmed lamp,

There dwelt She,

By

all

And

where was spread

to dwell in,

couch of hallowed skins

[canto

and

shone

light

with fragrant

soft

oil new-filled.

by holy chrism,

set apart

who came high-honoured,

throve on rustic fare,

till

She bore her noble Husband

clad in bark,

at full

time

offspring pure.

330

But Lakshman bore her message to the King,

And hoped

that

when He heard her sad reproach

Remorse might move him

Then Rama

fell

a-weeping, as the

In winter showers

He

down snow

thrust his Sita from his

Alone she ruled

And

wisdom's lessons

Gave

And

his heart.

all his

mind

He

by slander stung.

home, yet

By

strength of will

restrained his grief.

men,

Of slanderous
But

Fortune, reigning

Dread Ravan's

now

sole

moved by

Queen,

fear

tongues, had banished his dear Wife.

when she knew her

Sita,

340

Brighter shone

others.

Sole mistress of the King, who,

victor,

mig]jty Lord,

took no second spouse,

worshipping her image spent his days

sacrifice,

And much
Of

still

freed from passion's sway his people ruled,

The Kingdom's

In

Moon

to guard the tribes of

Not more enriched than

But

doom.

to recall the

was greatly comforted.

endured, nor sank beneath the weight

grief for severance

from her

loyal Lord.

350

or THE

'^

I^N/VERSITY
,.

or

RAMA'S COURT

JUlk

THE PASSING OF KAMA

XV.]

149

CANTO XV
The slaying of Lavaiia

Riuna

vanqtiishes

twin Sons, and at a Sacrifice

Death

is restored,

SitCi

and vanishes

bears
:

the

passing of Rihna.

So, Sita banished,

No more

took delight

with any, save sea-girdled Earth.

Then came

And

Rama

the Ascetics,

who by Jamna

dwelt,

sought from him, the World's Protector, help.

Demon Lavana destroyed

Holy rites. On Rama they relied,

For that the

Their

And

so refrained their hands, nor smote the foe

With those tremendous weapons which they owned,

Those awful curses which

to use destroys

The meed of holy penance. Sure reHef

From every hindrance Rama vowed to send,
For surely Vishnu's

Had

this

They

Was

told the

object,

his

on earth below

virtue

Hero how

to be slain,

With
Fall

one

life

this

to uphold.

Demon-foe

"For," said they, ''once he's armed

dread spear, he scarce can be o'ercome

on him then when

'tis

not in his hand

lo

RAGHUVANCA

150

Then

King

sent the

The name he

foe,

and

justify

Each Prince of Raghu's stock

bore.

Foes well could smite,

Exceptions

champion ^atrughna,

as

That he might quell the

[canto

test a law.

as

in the rules of

Him Rama

20

speech

blessed

The Prince undaunted mounted his swift car,

And drove adown the scented forest-glade
That well-ordered

That blazed with blossom.

host,

AVhich Rama's care sent with him as his aid,

Served but as ornament, superfluous.

He, flower of mighty

warriors, held the

Which guiding Hermits showed

way

his outriders

Proclaimed his glory, ev'n as far-shot rays

The

So long

rattling of his car.

Won

by

on the march,

one night he stayed

his journey was,

Where dwelt Valmiki

At

Now

Sun's great majesty.

sage,

whose deer looked up

With

special grace,

his rites austere, the noble Saint

Received the Prince, and bade his tired steeds

While there he

The Queen,

Two

great

tarried,

rest.

even that same night.

Rama's spouse, gave

birth to twins,

perfect sons, as fruitful Earth two hosts

Might bear

for

some

great King.

The noble Prince heard

Of Rama's sons

then at

First reverently saluting,

Made

With pure

delight

of the happy birth

first

he

dawn, the Saint

his car

quickly re^dy, thence unwearied passed.

Soon reached he Lavan's stronghold, where oppressed

40

THE PASSING OF RAMA

XV.]

By Demon-power
Great herds of

To meet

woods

the

cattle,

151

their tribute paid,

and the Rakshas came

All sooty-black he strode.

his foe.

With hair aflame, besmeared with

fetid oils.

Like some great funeral-pyre that stalked the plain,

By Demon-hosts attended.

Catrughna

Straightway attacked him, caught without his spear

Who

take their foes unharnessed win the fight

With boastful words the Demon

"Sure the Creator saw my

To-day was scanty

Thee

to

complete

daily

it."

As

'twere a corn-stalk, fiercely

hurled

meal

Threatening thus, and keen

swallow

down

advanced

fell

so in fear he sent

To

And

50

his foe, a lofty tree,

he tore up

In mid-flisrht Catrucrhna's shaft

it.

Split the great trunk

which, as a shower of dust.

Not

body

solid block, his

60

Forthwith,

struck.

When so the tree was shattered, a great rock,

Huge as Death's fist, detached and firmly clenched,
The Giant cast that too, with Indra's bolt
The Hero smote, and ground to pieces small,
;

Less than sand-grains.

Then, raising

The Demon hurled himself upon

his right hand,

his foe,

very mountain crested with one tree,

Dashed

to the plain

But Krishna's arrow

by awful whirlwind-blast.
cleft his heart

he

fell

And falling shook the earth, but by his fall

Took fear and trembling from all Hermit-hearts.

70

RAGHUVANgA

152

Down on

his carcase

swooped the

[canto

vulture-hosts,

But on the Victor's head rained flowers from Heaven.

O'er Lavan slain in this he most rejoiced,

He now

was worthy shown of brotherhood

With Lakshman, far-renowned

Of

for

overthrow

And, as the Hermits poured

Indrajit.

vouchsafed upon his head,

Their thanks

for aid

He bowed

meekly, heightening so the worth

Of

it

80

valour with the grace of modesty.

Then, clothed
In form

He

all

manhood,

in

lovely

And from

folk

the

There from

from low desires,

on pure Jamna's banks

founded Mathura,

For happy

free

days to come

in

renowned, and nobly ruled,

first

with Heaven's best blessings dowered.

his palace-roof

he looked, and saw

Well-pleased the course of Jamna, gleaming white

With

flocks of Chakravdkas,

Of golden

like a braid

tresses, kissing Earth's fair cheek.

Now, sage Valmiki, who bore equal

To Dagaratha and

love.

to Janaka,

Himself with solemn

rites

gave

Sita's

sons

The second, higher birth and named the

Kuga and Lava, since with fragrant grass
;

And

hair of kine their

First they the

Next, children

And

90

Word
still,

twins

mother had been cleansed.

were taught, and Sacred Lore

they gathered from his lips

sang the Hero-song himself had made.

100

THE PASSING OF RAMA

XV.]

They sang

the Life of

Rama, grand and

sweet,

And

singing

Her

deep-set mourning o'er her banished state.

charmed

153

their mother's grief away,

Now to the younger sons of Raghu's line

Who blazed like steady fires fair sons were born.
To each one two, from loving, faithful wives.
Then ^atrughna, whom Rama loved, to his
To ^atrughdtin and Subahu famed
Gave each a

To

city,

Mathura the bright

Then, fearing further

And check

to disturb the Sage,

his pious course,

Where deer unmoving stood

Of

To

no

one, and to his brother Vidiga.

Sita's boys.
fair

he

left

the groves

to hear the songs

Thence, self-subdued, he turned

Ayodhya, gay with bannered

Whose townsfolk

bore him infinite regard

For slaying Lavan.

There amid

all his

Now

(since his Sita was divorced)

senate round him,

hers.

He, as the

With joy received him

his court,

Rama

With

Claimed only

streets.

sat,

by Earth

victor

bowed,

120

even as Indra hailed

Great Vishnu, Kalanemi's vanquisher.

He

told

him

But of the

all his story,

nought concealed,

birth of Sita's sons told not

For so the Poet-Sage required, who thought

Himself to bring them when the time was

One day

Brahman came, and brought

ripe.

his

son

RAGHUVANCA

154

[canto

making moan

child untimely dead, thus

" O wretched Earth

Before the palace-gate
:

What

from

fate is thine, that

Thou 'rt

his Father's grasp

Rama's hand,

fallen to

bad changed

130
for

worse

"
!

His plaint heard Rama, learned the cause, and grieved

That now

fell

Death remorseless smote

thing which

He

shamed him.

soothed the father's

Awhile

And

his guest

First with pitying

grief,

" For

bring thy child again

By thought he summoned,

"

seek out Death,

The Magic Car

seized his warlike bow,

And straight the Pride of Raghu's line went

To smite the Lord of life. But suddenly

He

scarce

had started

words

then bade him stay

I will
!

his realm,

forth
140

came a warning Voice

From form unseen

"Grave sin,'"' it said, "defiles
Thy land, O King
Search, root it out
this done,
Thou shalt obtain thy wish " This heard, the King
:

Flew through wide Heaven to take away the

Which plagued

his people

sin

sped the flying Car,

soon he came

Its

pennon motionless,

To

where, red-eyed from smoke, with head hung down,

He

saw one self-tormented on a

Then Rama asked

Who

answered him

Thus seek high

'Twas

sin

till

his

name, and whence he sprang,

" Cambuka, Ctidra,

he practised,

slay the sinner,

Rama knew
who transgressed the Law

place in Heaven."

Forbidding him to aspire

To

tree.

But

He grasped

and cut

off his

head.

his

sword

150

THE PASSING OF RAMA

XV.]

Whose beard fierce sparks had singed, like frost-bit

Of lotus from the stalk. The slave, so slain

By Royal
His

washed away by death.

foul transgression

the Saint Agastya, on the road

Rama

Greeting great

met by Autumn

A God

flower

hands, then rose to Perfect Bliss,

Then came
Is

155

i6o

so the placid Moon

gem of price he gave,

might covet, which to win his grace

The Sea bestowed when he had drunk it up.

This on his arm he bound, which now no more
Clasped

Sita's

And found

neck, then took the

homeward way

the Brahman's son restored to

life.

Appeased the Saint blessed where he cursed

"Who

else,"

Thereafter

perfect

he

cried,

Rama

Horse

"can rescue

To

of Apes, of men, of Rakshasas.

all

the mighty Saints

every quarter came, in

Heaven

or Earth,

They camping through

Around Ayodhya made her glorious,

With four great gates

for mouths, like

Fresh from Creation's work.

In right was fixed

No

enhanced

second

While

still

gifts,

thirsty fields.

grace the Rite.

Itself

170

then showered their choicest

Next, at his bidding,

From

dead?"

loosed for Sacrifice

As clouds pour water on the

The Kings

ev'n the

before,

wife,

the groves

Brahma's

The Monarch's

nay, Sita's banishment

his glory, since

he took

but lived in lonely

state.

her golden image ruled his house.

self

throne
i8o

RAGHUVANCA

156

The solemn

[caxto

Sacrifice began, with state

More splendid far than Sacred Law requires,

For Demons, loyal grown, no more disturbed,
But guarded it from harm. Then Sita's sons,
At bidding of
In

many

their great Preceptor,

places to the attentive throngs

Valmiki's Song of

They

sang

Rama

to their depths

stirred the souls of

men

with Rama's deeds,

Valmiki's matchless strains, their

Throned 'midst
That charmed

his brothers,

all

eyes,

own sweet tones

With strange

Like Heaven's minstrelsy.

delight,

Rama marked

and heard

The assembled crowd, attent

Dissolved in tears, as when a

190

their forms

their soft, sweet song.

to hear their strain,

forest-glade

In early morning stillness drips with dew.

Amazed

How

they saw, with fixed unwinking eyes,

like the minstrel-boys

were to the King,

200

By age and dress distinguished, only so.

Nor moved their skill such wonder in men's hearts
As when they saw them carelessly put by
The King's rich, loving gifts, ^\^lereat the King
Asked who had taught them ? Who had framed the song ?
But when they named Valmiki, Rama went

To meet the Sage, his brothers following.

And at his feet the Kingdom and Himself
Laid

freely

down.

The Bard,

all-pitiful.

Presenting Sita's boys, the King's

Chose

as his

boon

that

own

sons,

She should be called home.

21c

THE PASSING OF RAMA

XV.]

157

The King, rejoicing yet perplexed, replied

Thou knowest, Father, how thy Child, my Spouse,
:

"

By

Fire's ordeal

proved herself to

stainless wife; but, wiled

The people held

by Demon-craft,

Bid

her soiled.

Convince them too

so will

I,

By

As pious deeds

Then on

the

Ayodhya's
Fulfil his

Sita

call blessings

my

sons

citizens,

promise

come,

220

from the Gods.

all

and bade the Saint

who

led Sita

up

where the Monarch

to

Hymn

As when with

"
!

forthwith the Saint

morrow Rama summoned

With her two sons

Men

his faith

bade

trusty messengers

Sita then

at thy word.

Receive her back, pure mother of

Thus Rama pledged

me

sat,

of consecrated verse

hail the blessed Sun.

Her

very mien,

Unruffled, clad in red, with eyes cast down.

The

Proclaimed her pure.

people, deep abashed.

Scarce raised their heads, like rice-blades bowed with

grain,

230

And shunned her quiet gaze. With aspect grave

The Saint assumed his seat, and solemn spake
:

"

Now, Daughter, show

Beyond

all cavil

To mark

the

here thy husband

trial

the people thou art pure

Then an

"

sits

acolyte

Brought her clear water, which she drank, then spake

These words sincere

If I in

"All-fostering Goddess Earth

word, in thought, in deed have

still

RAGHUVANCA

158

Held

One

to

my

Lord, nor strayed from duty's path

hair's-breadth,

hide me

the plain was

rent,

Were

fixed

on Rama, who

" Forbear, forbear

For with

his

Then Rama

in

still

her eyes

anguish cried,

" yet all in

vain he prayed,

Spouse Earth vanished from men's

eyes.

rose, to snatch his Sita back,

Enraged with Earth,

saw

crest.

She strongly drew

girdled with the Sea.

Fair Sita to her breast, though

The

240

then Earth was seen,

Enthroned high above a serpent's

Who

"
!

from, the gulf rose as a thunderbolt.

With shining halo crowned

And

arms

in thy loving

So spake the unsullied Wife

And

[canto

in all the

furious Hero.

250

until Va^ishtha sage.

hand of Fate, restrained

Then, the Rite being

o'er,

The King with feasting and with noble gifts

The high Saints honoured and his friends, when all
Went home well-pleased
and to his Sita s sons
:

He

gave the perfect love that had been hers.

So, being blessed with heirs, by sage advice

Of Yudhajit,

as Kingly

appanage

He gave to Bharat all the

Who vanquished in fierce

Sindhu land
fight

Gandharva

260

hosts,

Forbade them use of arms, and them restrained

Henceforth to minstrel-craft

his

noble sons,

Taksha and Pushkala, he crowned

Each

in a city

named from him

as chiefs,

and

straight

THE PASSING OF RAMA

XV.]

Himself went back to Rama.

At Rama's bidding,

great Angada
Those three Kings,

Chandraketu.

Their sons thus

Lakshmana,

Karapatha

in

Set up as Kings his sons,

And famous

159

obsequies

settled, stately

270

Paid to their mothers, who had lately passed

To meet

their

Then Death

Lord

Heaven's unfading bowers.

in

Muni's semblance came, and thus

in

Addressed the King

" Bid

Our conference may be

Death told
I

bid thee

his

He

in

mount

upon

secret

name, and said

to

Heaven

Stood at the door, and

Broke

all

and

'twas done.

" By God's command

Now Lakshmana

"

though he knew 'twas

their secret talk

who

feared Durvasa's curse,

for

sin

more

urgently

280

Then, to atone

Desired to see the King.

For having made

"

withdraw, that so

his Brother

break his word,

In deep devotion on SarayA's banks

He

shed his earthy vesture.

One quarter of his

To Heaven before

Rama

now,

essence so being gone

him, staggered, as on Earth

Fair Virtue scarce can stand, one foothold

Then

in

lost.

Kugavati he Ku^a placed.

Sharp goad to

To Lava he

all his foes

assigned,

(^aravati

whose tender words

Could move men's hearts

to tears.

With Bharata he mounted up

to

Then

Heaven,

290

steadfast-souled

RAGHUVANgA

160

The God

[canto

of Fire preceding, while behind

(In fealty to her Lord)

Ayodhya came,

The Monkey-hosts
And Rakshasas, who knew the King's desire,
Came after on the path his people's tears,
Big as Xada ml>a-h\ossoms, had marked out.
Her

buildings only

left.

He

Yet, though in Car Celestial

To

had passed

highest Heaven, in mercy to his folk

He made

Sarayll's

For them to

Men

300

stream a watery way

follow.

To

its

holy banks

thronged thenceforward, as when herds of kine

Crowd

thirsting to cool streams,

and gave the name

now famous through the Worlds.

And Vishnu, when his scattered particles

Gopratana,

Again were gathered in the Soul Supreme,

Framed
Those

new Heaven,

that there might dwell for aye

souls of men, at once immortal grown.

Thus by

his incarnation having

Deliv'rance for the Gods,

Ten-headed Ravana,

and

slain their foe,

the God resumed

That all-embracing, formless

State, in

All worlds at last are merged,

To

wrought

and

which

on Earth,

left

spread His glory through the realms of men.

The Wind-god's son

to rule the

North

Vibhishan ruled from Lanka's scented

the South
isle.

310

KUgAS GLORY

XVI.]

161

CANTO XVI

ho7v he returned
The Reign of Kuca
wedded Kunnidvatt.
:

Now

to

Ayodhyd, and

did the heroes seven of Raghu's line

Raise Kuga, eldest-born and most renowned

Of all
Of

their race for virtue, to the throne

sovereign power

Ruled love

fraternal.

for,

ever in their house

All alike far-famed

For commerce and bridge-building, skilled to tame

The mighty elephant, they wisely ruled

Nor sought to overstep their mutual bounds,
As Ocean's waves encroach not on the
So smoothly flowed the current of

shore.

their blood,

lo

Eight-fold divided, sprung from Vishnu's heart,

The God

four-armed,

Ungrudging,

like the

who showered on men

their gifts

Guardian Elephants,

Sprung from the Sama-Veda's holy

verse.

One dark midnight, while burned with steady

The chamber-lamps, and all the palace slept
Save only he, to Kuga there appeared

woman's form, unknown

before,

and robed

flame

RAGHUVANgA

162

As one who mourns

husband

far

[canto

away.

So stood that shape before him, mighty Prince,

As Indra
Dear

20

splendid, victor o'er his foes.

to his friends, not prizing Kingly state

Beyond

worth,

its

She hailed him,

"

then, clasping suppliant hands,

King

Whereat, half-starting up

"

From where he lay, the Prince, amazed to see

How, like a shadow falling on a glass,
Through bolted doors she passed, now questioned
" How, Lady, couldst thou to my chamber come

Through

fast-barred doors

no Hermit-dame thou

thus

seem'st,

But rather wearest garb of those that mourn,

Like lotus-clusters withered by the

Who
Why

art thou, Fair

com'st thou thus

For Raghu's noble

Abhors
"

one

my

who

30

frost.

thy Lord

Speak

freely

to

me

yet beware,

race, self-disciplined,

thought of sin

all

am,

"

She gravely spake

Lord, that mourning City's Queen,

Blameless, deserted, since thy Father passed.

And
So

I,

took His subjects to the

festival,

now

in thy days,

Prince of the high Sun-race

thee neglected.

With

above.

more splendid once than Alaka

For Royal

By

home

halls all silent,

lie

40

desolate.

Myriad empty homes,

couches bare, are seen

Like sunset-skies, when at the death of day

Winds rend

Haunt

the clouds.

Now jackals

fiery-mouthed

the roads howling, seeking prey,

where

girls

KUCA'S GLORY

XVI.]

With gleam of tuneful anklets

Once did

the water of

my

lately thronged.

lakelets, struck

By dainty fingers, mock the lute's deep tone

Now, wounded by the buffalo's sharp horn,

And where

It shrinks sore hUrt.

The

trees are broken, silent

They,

terrified,

Have turned

And mark

pet peacocks

50

homed

the lute

is

scarce 'scaping forest-fires.

Blood-stained tigers couch,

to wildness.

with traces of late-slaughtered deer

Stairways once painted by

Bound

163

fair ladies' feet.

And

for the bath.

pictured elephants,

That haunt the lotus-groves, and by

Are fed with tender blossoms,

With crooked claws

Grey through the

their

mates

lions tear

the marble forms of sylphs,

loss of paint,

60

wear squalid robes

Of slimy cobra-sloughs. The fair Moon's beams.

Though pure as virgin-pearl, get back no ray

From

tiles

time-blackened of the palace-roof,

Now

flecked with grass-tufts.

With

careful

Where sweet women plucked

hands the gardefi-creeper

flowers.

Foul apes and savage tear the boughs.

At night

Unlighted now the windows, nor by day

Shine they with

fairy faces

Defile the chambers,

spiders'

and the hearths are

" All scentless flows Sarayll

Bathe there no longer, nor do

Upon

its islets,

Deserted

fall

webs

tender forms
altars rise

nay, the hermits' huts

to ruin.

Oh,

cold.

my King

70

RAGHUVANgA

164

Return, revive thy City's old renown

Here

is

no home

for thee

me

in

thy Sire

His mortal form resigned, and soared to Heaven

So prayed the City

Told

Brahman

to his

she with lightened heart

morning dawned, the King

Soon

as

councillors

In that strange nightly vision

His

They

blessed

him

had sought

stately Capital

then the gracious King,

Well-pleased, consented

Departed.

[canto

highly.

80

what passed

when they knew

his love,

When

a day was come

Auspicious for his march, to holy Priests

He
He

gave Kugavati

sought Ayodhya, followed by his hosts,

As showers

of rain attend a cooling breeze.

host a moving city seemed.

The marching
Its

then with his Queens

banners waving groves that spread around,

Its elephants like

Like palaces

its

mounds

90

for pleasure formed,

stately chariots.

The mighty army, sent to clear the way

To his ancestral home by that great King,
O'er

whom

alone Imperial ensigns waved.

Seemed like majestic Ocean urged to shore

By lunar impulses. The solid earth.
Unfit to bear the chariots' crushing weight.

As on he marched,

And

filled

fled in a cloud of dust

the sky.

Where'er 'twas seen,

Complete

that

army showed,

preparing for the march,

100

KUgA'S

XVI.]

GLORY

165

Or moving stately on, or when encamped,

Not lacking aught. As on the Monarch swept,
So mighty was the trampling of

Such plenteous ichor-streams

Rained from

their brows,

his steeds,

his elephants

that dust was turned to mud,

And mud to dust again. That host of men,

To thread its way through Vindhya's strait defiles,
Divided into bands, which, with their shouts

no

Like loudly-roaring Reva, taught the caves

Through the Vindhya chain

Resounding music.

The Monarch passed

crushed metal

gilt his

wheels,

His trumpets mingled with the myriad shouts

Of trampling hosts, and

The hillmen's offerings.
At

its

graciously he touched

Ganga's sacred stream

most holy place he bridged, and crossed

With mighty elephants

the conscious waves

In awe flowed backward, while the snowy swans

Swift gliding through the air were royal fans.

The

Now

Triple River's waters he adored,

thronged with stately ships, on whose bright waves

Of yore

his Fathers

passed to Heavenly

When Kapila in fury burnt them up,

And those pure waters cleansed them
At length the King reached

By

120

rapid marches,

seats,

from

clear Sarayti's

all stain.

bank

marked by monuments

Set up in hundreds by his mighty Sires,

In

memory
Now,

of continuous Sacrifice.

as with wearied hosts he neared his goal.

RAGHUVANCA

166

Forth came to welcome them reviving

[canto
130

airs,

Fresh from green groves round his ancestral home,

With pollen laden of bright-blossoming

Cooled by Sarayu's waves.

Camp

all

The mighty King,

darling, chief of all his race,

His people's
His foes

trees,

humbled, made the bannered hosts

in his City's outskirts

that

fair

town,

So captured, swarms of workmen from the King

Renewed

in splendour, as with plenteous rain

Clouds cheer the earth, long parched by summer heat.

By

his

command

the craftsmen skilled to build

First fasted, then did sacrifice,

140

and paid

Due honour to the City, far-renowned

As home of sacred images. Himself
Thereafter occupied the palace-home
Ancestral, as a bridegroom claims his bride,

And gave his followers, as beseemed their

To each a noble dwelling. So the town,
Its stables filled

Tied

with steeds, great elephants

in its courts, its market-places thronged,

Shone

glorious as a bride

With gems
Its

is

The

Sita's son,

all

Now Summer's
fine,

150

revived, the

King

dwelt happy, nor desired

state of Swarga's

To don

whose every limb

In his Father's home,

laden.

olden splendour

Pure

rank.

Lord or Alaka's

heat

came

on,

and taught the

jewel-studded robes, while hung

fair

KUgA'S GLORY

XVI.]

On
So

167

radiant breasts their necklets, over stufT

thin

When

yielded to the softest sigh.

it

from the region which Canopus rules

The Sun

returned, the North a shower of

snow

i6o

Sent from Himalaya, like rain of tears

Cool from a joyful

The days were

heart.

As swoln by

heat, night like a

Or both

spouses showed,

Had

like

parted,

now

long,

shadow seemed.

whom

angry words

Pleasure-ponds,

relenting.

^Vhose waters daily shrinking

left

the steps

With moss and lichen clothed, while lotus-stems

Waved on

Now

the surface, like a fair one's waist.

through the groves of scented MalUkds

Bees, lighting with a flutter on the blooms

That opening flung

one bee

their sweets abroad,

To every blossom, numbered them.

From amorous maidens' ears Qirhha
Yet slowly

fell

to earth

adown

Where

The

clung.
safe in

dropped

flowers,

cooling streams were forced

the

damp

with sweat,

rich, reclined

darkened

Thrown on them, shunned

Now

their cheeks,

Fresh-marked with scars of love and

To which the petals

On marble couches,

170

halls.

and scented spray

heat.

Love gathered

strength,

Relaxed when Spring went by,

That

after

bathing hung

(To charm the eye) with

The

down

in ringlets hid

limp, or twined

flowers of Mallikd.

Arjun-txet's long shoot, with pollen grey.

180

RAGHUVANCA

168

Seemed
Not

like Love's bowstring,

satisfied with

Now

all

smashed by

[canto
Civa's wrath,

burning up the God.

that lovers lacked the season gave,

Sweet-scented mango-blossoms, strong rice-wine,

And fresh
Made two

PatCila flowers.

The burning

heat

most precious, Soma's beams

delights

That cooled men's throbbing limbs, and

their

mild Prince

both now were

Whose goodness soothed their hearts
Then longed the King in pure Sarayli's stream,
More grateful for the heat, whose dancing waves
:

190

high.

Bore gladsome swans and dropping creeper-blooms

On
So

their clear breasts,

in

fit

pomp and

The King

to sport with his fair

Queens.

splendour for the Bath

set forth, like

Vishnu

in his might,

To where by

placid waters tents were pitched,

While

arms had swept the

skilful

Of scaly

Down

monsters.

river clear

Maidens tripped

200

in haste

by the stairways to the bank, and scared

With clanging of their armlets gliding swans,

Their anklets tinkling as they moved.

The King

Looked on approving while they bathed and splashed

In

full

delight

then with a handmaid skilled

To ply the oar embarked in pleasure-skiff,

And thus addressed her, as with yak-tail fan
She gently cooled

his

brow

" See, maiden, see

Sarayu's stream, where bathe

my happy

Tinged with the varied colours from

Shows

like a sunset-cloud with

Queens,

their limbs,

rainbow streaked.

210

"

GLORY

KU^A'S

XVI.]

Now

from

fair ladies'

By passage of our

169

eyes the wavelets, stirred

washed away

boat, have

The healing unguents, soon again laid on

As joyous blushes mantle in their cheeks.
The languorous beauties, whose luxuriant charms
Impede

their motions, yet in

pure delight

Forget their weakness, spread their jewelled hands,

And

nimbly cleave the waves.

Qirisha flowers,

Theii" brilliant ear-drops, as they

swim

220

fall off,

Float on the current, lure for silvery fish

In quest of water-weeds.

They

the

strike

Absorbed
while

stream,

in play

on

their

bosoms

bright

The

pearly necklets rest,

Between them

and drops of foam

mock

falling

their silvery sheen.

Here may we see whate'er the

poet's

Compares with women's beauties

mind

eddying waves

Like rounded navels, ripples for their brows,

And ruddy
"

Now

geese show like their shapely breasts.

on the ear a gladsome murmur

Of tuneful

strikes

waters, blending with their songs.

Like note of drum, while peacocks on the banks

Spread wide their

tails

and answer with

soft notes.

Tight cling their garments to their waists, the belts

Are limp and wet, nor

But sparkle

The

still

silent, as

stars shine.

Each one her

fellow,

tinkle

now

their

gems

through darksome night

In joyous sport they splash

each in turn shakes out

230

RAGHUVANgA

170

From

her

damp

tresses drops with sandal red,

Disordered are their locks,

ruby shower.

The
As

[canto

skin washed clear of paint, the pearl-nets

in the

waves they sport

Those winsome

fall'n,

round men's hearts

yet

240

"

tresses twine

So spake the King

Then leaped among them

sporting in the tide

His necklace shook around

As when a noble elephant

Among
About

his

mighty throat,

disports

the herd, and lotus-clusters cling

When

his shoulders.

the stately King

Appeared among them, brighter shone

As

pearls that

Queens,

his

charm the eye show doubly

When matched

with gleaming emeralds.

fair

250

Sportively

With coloured water shot from golden tubes

They splashed
Shone more

the King, whose beauty excellent

for this, as high

With streamlets

Now

trickling

Himalaya's slopes

down

while amid his lovely Queens the King

Plunged

in that

Queen of rivers,

Great Indra sporting with the

In godlike Ganga,

And

vermilion-stained.

all

rivalling

Nymphs

unmarked

of

Heaven

there slipped

sank beneath the waves that priceless

Which, sign of lordship,

erst

gem

Agastya gave

To Rama, he to Ku^a, when he gave

The Kingdom also. When their sport was done.
And sated with their merriment the King
Had got him to his tent, ere yet he donned

260

KUgA'S GLORY

XVI.]

His royal robes, he saw

And knew

the bracelet

For much he prized

And
For

it,

arm was

his

bare,

Sore grieved was he

lost.

gift

light as worthless flowers

he ordered

straight

fishers,

boatmen,

haunt the stream, to seek the gem

And

dived untiring, but in vain

Their faces marred and troubled,

We

Sunk

spared no
in the

toil,

wave,

great

he held mere gauds.

Who

"

of his great Sire

pledge of victory, not for sordid greed

Then

171

King

we found not

then

270

all

they toiled.

told,

how they sped

but thy rich gem,

much we

fear

That mighty Kumuda, the Naga-Prince,

Who

dwells beneath the waters, coveted

And

stole the jewel."

He

Flashed his eyes with rage,

strung his war-bow, strode in fury

Straight to the river-bank,

Unerring,

and

down

280

fixed the shaft

named from Garuda,

to slay

The Serpent-Prince. But scarce the shaft was laid.

When, panic-struck, the stream raised quivering waves
As suppliant hands, and smote the banks, and roared
As from a

pit

a captured elephant.

In terror fled

And

its

scaly monsters too,

from the waters

swift the Serpent-Prince

Rose, with his virgin Sister

so of yore

Sprang from the churned Ocean Indra's tree

With

fairest

Lakshmi.

Outstretched the

The King

gem

held back,

On

they came, with hands

restoring

his

keen bolt

for good men quickly quench

290

RAGHUVANCA

172

[canto

Kumuda,

Their fury when entreated.

warrior, did obeisance to the King,

Bold

Son of the

Mightiest, scourge of

Anointed Monarch

And

bowed

him

thus addressed

his

all his foes.

haughty head,

"Well

Great Vishnu's Son, His other

self,

know
thou

Lord

thee,

art,

He came to work for men

Deliv'rance
How should I oppose

Begotten when

The great
Thy mighty
'Twas

Her

ball

will,

who

rather seek thy grace

who, in eager play,

sister

caught, as meteor-like

precious bracelet,

Restore

was seeking driven from her hand.

And saw and

Thy

300

my

this

of success.

and potent arm.

to thy long

it

emblem

it fell.

Scarred by the bowstrong's use, which like a shield

Protects the worlds

Kumudvati,
Before thy

my

feet,

The memory

Disdain not now,

sister,

who would

King

serve

310

and from thy mind erase

of her crime

"
!

The Naga-Prince
Then

ceasing

To whom
I hail

humbly

the King

thee brother

Kumuda joined
His

sister,

back the gaud,

made answer
Then with
"

" Joyfully
all his train

by solemn marriage-rite

pride of

High Chief

offered

all

her kin, to him,

of Raghu's line

who, when he took

The maiden's hand before the sacred Fire,

Bound with auspicious knot of purest wool,

3*0

KUgA'S

XVI.]

Heard through the

GLORY

173

skiey realms Celestial songs

With Heavenly music joined, while wondrous clouds

Poured down

When now

Whom
Of

all

soft,

copious rain of sweetest fiowers.

alliance firm that

Sita bore to

King had made.

Rama, mighty Lord

Three Worlds, with royal Kumuda,

Fifth son of Takshaka, the Serpent-King

Two Worlds rejoiced since fear of Vishnu's

Who ever rages for his father's death.
:

The Nagas now dismissed

No more

Bird,

and over Earth,

by Serpents vexed, loved Kuga reigned.

330

RAGHUVANCA

174

[canto

CANTO XVII
The wise Rule of King

A tithi.

In happy wedlock joined Kumudvati

Bore to her Lord a son, great

Who

Atithi,

soothed their hearts, as sleep most peaceful comes

He

Just at the dawn.

Rich blessing

Unmatched

to

soul,

both parents and their kin.

for splendour

With bright beams

Him

cheered his Father's

purifies

first his Sire,

so the radiant

Sun

both North and South.

of Sages chief, that Lore

Essential taught which graced through each descent

The line of Raghu then sought fitting brides

From royal houses. Well he deemed, high King,
;

Heroic, self-controlled, that in his Son,

Not

less high-born, heroic, self-controlled,

His

single self

For Kuga's

was nobly multiplied.

virtues,

and

his high descent,

Great Indra called him friend,

with whom he joined

In war against the Daityas, and was slain

By Durjaya,

whom he too slew

So died he

and the

fair

in fight.

Kumudvati,

lo

xvii]

ATITHIS WISE RULE

His

Spouse, soon followed him in death,

faithful

As moonlight

fails

Loved by the

lily.

Held

Was
The

fails

the waning

Ku^a high

half great Indra's throne,

in

ao

Moon,

Heaven

Kumudvati

bosom-friend of ^achi, and enjoyed

fruit

Now,

To

when

175

of Parijata, Tree of Boons.

as their

Lord had bidden when he went

smite the Daityas, his grave Senators

Anointed to the Kingdom

his wise son,

The famous Atithi. To crown him King

By skilful hands a Royal residence,
With

lofty altar hallowed,

Supporting

it,

pillars four

they ordered to be

There on a throne of

And

nobles of the

state

30

he took

Kingdom

built.

his place.

served,

and brought

In golden vessels from the holiest streams

Pure waters

Boomed

deep, entrancing notes the drums

forth,

presaging prosperous, endless reign,

Then, as was taught by Elders of

He

sprinkled Z>//rj'a-grass

and

his house,

barley-stalks.

The fig-tree's bark and lotus-buds, for rites

Of solemn cleansing. Next the Brahmans came,
The royal House-Priests first, with solemn pomps

And anthems
The sacring
Then riverlike

high, to

crown that noble King.

waters plashed upon his head.

flowed down, as Ganga's streams

Erst flowed through Civa's locks.

Whom

heralds loudly praised,

At once the King,

showed

like a cloud,

40

RAGHUVANgA

176

[canto

Majestic, hailed by thirsting cuckoos' song.

Thus

purified with water,

With Holy Texts had

In brighter

glory,

which the Priests

blessed, the

King flashed

forth

50

as the lightning-flame

Spreads wide when dashed with water.

When

the rites

Of Coronation were complete, he gave

Rich

gifts to tribal patriarchs,

With

largesse far

beyond

loading them

their off'ered gifts.

Amazed and joyful, blessings they called down,

Which yet his great achievements cast in shade,
So mighty waxed

Whose
Gave

high

command

to those

life

Mercy next he showed,

he.

loosed every prisoner's chain.

condemned

to die,

unyoked

60

The patient oxen, gave the kine relief

yea, all caged birds
From cruel milking
:

That pined

for

freedom he released, to

Anon

Where'er they would.

He

mounted, where

the ivory

in stately hall

it

fly

Throne

stood.

Pure, curtained round, to assume the Royal robes.

His locks were

Next

first

with fragrant unguents dressed,

careful tiremen choicest jewels gave,

Last on his head, where rows of pearls reposed

diadem, a ruby rare

Twined

in the

(Bathed

in its flashing rays) they set.

With sandalwood they rubbed,

As purest musk

fullest

Royal

His limbs

as sweet of scent

they stained his velvet skin

With comely Rochana.

In

70

state,

Enthroned he

sat,

with crown on head.

ATITHIS WISE RULE

XVII.]

Clad

in soft silken robe,

177

where swans were wrought,

And drew the eyes of all men, worthiest seen

To woo and win the Genius of the realm.
Resplendent was the form that met

his gaze.

Reflected from the golden mirror's plane

On

80

Meru's slopes so shines the Wishing-tree

Beneath the Sun's

The

first

He

beams.

entered then

audience-hall, which rivalled Indra's own,

'Mid loud acclaim of pursuivants, who bore

The Royal

Upon

Glorious then he sat

standards.

his Father's throne, well-canopied,

Before whose footstool Kings were wont to lay

Their jewelled crowns.

New

lustre

shed the King

when he came.

Through

all

As when

the famous jewel Kaustubha

Gleams on

By

great Vishnu's breast, not

Thus, his nonage

rich ^rivatsa.

To Royal

He

the festal palace

state

And
That

when

brighter lustre

Has grown

to fulness.

spoke to

unadorned
past.

advanced, more splendid

shone than e'en before

With

90

all his

in their eyes

still

as shines the

its

Moon

crescent shape

Cheerful looks he wore,

servants smiling, so

he seemed Persuasion's

self.

In glory matching Indra rode the King,

High on an elephant whose might could

E'en with Airavata's

To

and made his town

rival Svarga, while his

Like Wishing-trees.

vie

Now

standards waved
o'er his

head alone

100

RAGHUVANCA

178

The

[canto

parasol of Royal state was raised,

Which, white, unspotted, purged from

all

men's hearts

Their poignant sorrow for his Father's death.

In nature smoke comes

Mist

But

To

veils the

Sun's rays

first

till

ere fire appears,

he gather strength

by no such law restrained

Atithi,

weakness, shone at once with

Of gathered

all

no

the might

City-matrons gazed

virtues.

Where'er he passed, with eyes of loyal love.

As

in clear

Autumn

unwinking eyes

night's

Attend the Polar Star in steadfast groups.

Revered

in stately shrines,

Ayodhya's Gods

In chiselled shapes stood round about the King,

And richly blessed him.

Wet with the Anointing

Ere the

waters, dried again,

His burning fame had reached

Keen
Lent aid

shafts

far

Ocean's shore.

he wielded, sage Vagishtha's

resistless

what could

Their power united

Himself

altar stones,

e'er

spells

withstand

Daily in his court

sat with his judges, patient

heard

The cause of each contestant, straitly sought

Where truth might lurk, maturely weighed the
Then gave his sentence, cleaving fast to right.
The people who, in his great Father's time,

Had grown

as rivers

New-ruled by him

proof,

do with vernal showers,

as these with Autumn rains

Reached Fortune's flood-mark.

E'er passed his

120

lips,

no

gift

was

Not a word untrue

e'er

sought back,

130

xvii]

ATITHTS WISE RULE

Nor

word

He

e'er his

recalled,

save only when

pardoned and restored a humbled

Youth, power, and beauty,

And

all in

him were met,

foe.

each alone breeds pride

yet his great heart

Day by day

Swelled not with pride unduly.

Devotion

179

in his subjects stronger grew,

Till, like a tree

whose roots are firmly

fixed.

In vigorous youth no force could shake his throne.

But foreign foes are

Perpetual trouble
'Gainst

He

banded

will give

140

foes within, the passions six.

smiling aspect

Fair Fortune too,

war.

him unchanging wore

else, for

so a streak of gold

Harsh and mild by

Cleaves to the touchstone.

The Monarch sought

Soon warps

nor

with unwearied care

waged unceasing

Inconstant

distant,

his

ends

for grace

turns,

unmixed

to weakness, harshness unrestrained

Is in its issue savage cruelty.

Whate'er was done on Earth straightway he knew,

For

he scattered round him, as the Sun

spies

Unclouded

darts his rays

on every

side.

All duties which by night or day the

Prescribes for Kings, unswerving

The King

He

150

Law

and untired

For daily with the pure

fulfilled.

held his council,

yet

his

purposes

(Debated with closed doors) were ne'er betrayed.

For needful

Through

rest

he

slept, yet ever

watched

spies spread all abroad 'mongst friends

and

foes,

RAGHUVANCA

180

Yet each from other

Though

his

own

When

hid.

he made war,

[canto
i6o

fortresses defied attack,

He ever sought the foe the king of beasts,

Who tears down elephants, skulks not in caves.
:

His plan he thought out

Success securing

Mature

rice-grains in the blade

High

in secret.

prepared his paths,

well,

his fortunes rose,

Yet turned he not aside to crooked ways.

Like Ocean which in highest floodtide shapes
Its

course up river-mouths.

If discontent

Strong to repress.

had ever reared

its

So wisely ruled he that among

No

stern reproof

Of equal might

head,

170

his folk

Only

was needed.

that valiant, powerful

foes

King

Made war upon so forest-fires, though urged,

By rushing winds, attack not running streams.
:

'Mid Justice, Pleasure,

He

held the balance even, nor allowed

That any should

Nor crush

prevail

another.

beyond

Knowing

Avail not in misfortune, but

With too

He

undismayed

Profit,

great

power

Or weakness

Assailing boldly,

if

well that friends

hand

that raised,

His foemen's strength

well he pondered,

For strength or wealth

due,

when swoln

resist the

kept them in the mean.

its

and

his

own

his the better part.

else he abode attack.

Well knowing " power to help from riches comes,"

He

stored up treasure

so the cloud, well-stored

180

ATITHrS WISE

XVII.]

With watery wealth,

is

still

nought

each weak spot

190

but smote where they were weak,

fortified,

warlike King, the army, which his Sire

Had
And

apt to fight, was ever at his

The

triple

wisely fostered, exercised in arms

Fixed

No

to

brought his foemen's counsels

181

thanked by Chatakas.

His own designs promoting,

He
He

H F L F.

call.

Kingly power he firmly held,

like the jewelled crest a serpent

foe could

win

it

wears

from him, while he drew

Their power from them, as magnet's hidden force

Through

Attracts the iron.

Merchants unhindered plied

On

his peaceful realm

their trade in boats

200

mighty streams as on calm lakes, through woods

Safe as in royal parks, on mountain roads

Secure as in their homes.

Protecting well

Ascetic works from hindrance, wealth from thieves,

He

took the royal sixth throughout his realm,

From

every

man

as each with ease could pay.

In valour he was Kartikeya's peer,

Well-versed in policy, used force or craft

As

either best might serve.

The Kingly power

In phases four by just proportion used,

Of

all

he took the

Absorbed the

fruit

gains.

no favourite

All crafty ways of war.

All treacherous wiles he knew, but never used

But fought uprightly, so that Victory

Fair Goddess

210

who on Hero-souls attends,

RAGHUVANgA

182

Loved and clave

By

all his

foes

might he quickly smote, as smites

his great

An elephant
And seldom

in pride the rival bulls,

was provoked to take the

Now when
And Ocean

Wherefore

to him.

[canto

the

Moon

is full it

field.

quickly wanes,

after floodtide quickly falls,

Like both the Monarch waxed, but waned not

To

220

so.

him, the mighty, generous King, repaired,

As clouds

And
And

got such guerdon that themselves grew rich,

Hating words of

gave to others.

His actions

No

beggars destitute,

to Ocean^

all

flattering

yet

won

their glorious

Alone the moonbeams

lotus only hails

His foes not

'

meed

tongue he favoured, yet his fame

Now

Spread through the world.

The

praise,

less

fall,

on the

lily

pale

the Sun's hot rays

230

his virtues' light

illumined than his friends.

His very aspect scared away the wrong.

By

truth's bright essence

And

all

men

darkness he dispelled.

held beneath his sovran sway,

Sun

As

rules the

To

crush his foes he put forth

Yet was

in strength this nether

his purpose worthy,

all his

World.

might,

since he sought

This only, to complete the great Horse-sacrifice.

Thus

in his valour struggling

Prescribed by Holy Writ,

To

on the road

as Indra rose

Heaven's high throne, so he on Earth became

King

o'er all

Kings

and, for his excellence,

240

ATITHIS WISE RULE

XVII.]

183

Fifth Guardian of the World, Sixth Element,

Eighth mountain with the Seven,

he was named.

In reverence Kings received his high commands,

And

placed the scrolls above their diadems,

As though

to shade them,

Were

away

torn

now

their parasols

so Indra rules the Gods.

Now with such

He guerdoned all

wealth at his Horse-sacrifice

250

the sacrificing priests.

name extolled as equalling

From Indra plenteous rains
Kuvera's own.

That they

his

Were showered, and Yama kept back deadly plagues

The Lord

To

of

Ocean and

its

monsters gave

merchants prosperous voyage, who crossed

His mighty waters

And

Raghu's

mindful of the past,

threats,

The Monarch's

Who

in ships

Kuvera

treasure

still

increased

while the mighty Four

guard the Worlds so highly honoured him,

As though themselves were suppliants

for his aid.

260

RAGHUVANgA

184

CANTO
The

King

On

Atithi,

his fair

later

[canto

XVIII

Kings of Raghu's Race.

triumphant o'er his

foes,

Queen, Princess of Nishadha,

son begat that matched the Serpent-King,

As Nishadha thence known

Great was his

to all mankind.

Sire's delight to see the

youth

High-souled, and destined to his folk to bring

Rich

blessing, as the eye delights to view

waving cornfield, whence with fostering rains

Rich harvest

shall

His mighty

be won.

Kumudvati's great son, who

Had

all

in their fulness drained,

Sire,

Earth's joys

content resigned

The Royal State, and mounted up to Heaven,

Well won by stainless deeds on Earth below.
Then Kuga's grandson ruled, whose eyes were

And

languished like the lotus, hiding deep

His purposes, unmatched

in might,

Stretched wide, as stretch a

And

No

whose arm

city's girdling walls

while he ruled the sea-girt Earth, save his

Royal fans were waved

lo

o'er

Kingly head.

bright

RAGHUVANgA

xviiT.]

He

died

and Nala came, and ruled mankind.

Fierce as red

Who

fire,

shone

like lotus

To him

a son was born,

Renowned
As clouds

as

of

in

He made

Autumn.

age

his

that

meet

home, escaping once

Devolving from his

Lakshnii,

Sire,

His shafts unerring

who

likeness

Heaven

strong

o'er the

his bow,

realm

and himself

his strength to rites austere.

a godlike son,

Lord of war, Devanika,

Their mutual love

beamed, the Father loved

So

brightly

As

Sire ne'er loved before,

In

full

requited.

dear for patient love,

Extolled in highest Heaven.

his son

which love that son

That most virtuous Sire

to his son the

And by

to

lotus-face.

Of Kshemadhanvan sprang

Gave

received the realm

who passed

Well-skilled to rule the people,

As Hermit gave

30

in the worlds,

He gave

To Kshemadhanvan,

for all

Nabhas King begat

Lady of the

Embraced him, Vishnu's

o'er,

with savage beasts

'Midst Kings most kingly,

skilful

mighty son

realm he glad gave

fair
'tis

To

Great Pundarika, famous

Heaven

as the sky,

fair

earthly shackles.

When

in

as Nabhas, pleasant to his folk

North Kogala's

From

sung

his glory that 'twas

90

his face,

crushed his foes as elephants crush reeds

So great

And

185

yoke of Royal

the merit of pure Sacrifice

rule.

40

RAGHUVANCA

186
Passed to the

home on

Sacrificer's

Then Devanika

[canto

high.

reigning next begat

Ahinagas, Lord of himself and Lord

sweet, persuasive words, by friends

Of

Beloved alike

for tender

He

That strong-armed Hero, when

ruled the Earth,

his Sire

all

surely knew,

wasteful vice

and wisely ruled the Worlds,

With fourfold Royal powers

triumphed

That leads
Fair

men's secret thoughts

Scarce less in might than Vishnu

He

went home

turned in early youth from vile men's paths.

And shunned

He

foes

words of love

Enthral e'en timorous deer.

Who

and

o'er his foes

to Final Bliss,

Lakshmi

come

to earth.

in equipoise.

then took the road

and

60

in his stead

Pariyatra, his great son.

Took to her arms, who held his haughty head

Above the mountains, ^ila followed him,

noble nature, strong and broad of chest,

Who

with flint-headed arrows smote his foes,

Yet modest blushed

to hear his actions praised.

That King of blameless soul devolved the realm,

While yet a youth, on Ku^a, prudent Prince,

And

turned to pleasure ;

for a King's high place,

Beset with cares, keeps pleasure

far

away.

Yet him, with beauty dowered nor sated yet

With

love, did envious

No more

delight,

Unnabha

Age,

that takes

first seize,

in love

and then cut

followed Kuga, mighty-framed,

off.

70

RAGHUVANCA

xviii]

whom

very Vishnu, round

The

187

pivoted

Came

circle of Earth's kings.

after

him

His son, high Vajranabha, Indra's peer,

Who

thundered

in the war,

and wedded Earth,

With diamond mines resplendent.

By mighty

To

all his

Uprooted, offering gems from

all

foes

her mines.

he was gone, there mounted Raghu's throne

King renowned, far-famed

Lord of bay-steeds,

fair

As Dhushitagva, sending

as

is

the Sun,

as the Agvins,

known

far his steeds

To Ocean's margin. Civa's grace he won

And of his loins sprang Vigvasaha, loved
By

all

80

deeds, and Earth sea-girdled clave

(^ankhana his son, who

When

Heaven he won

men, son indeed, yet strong to shield

The whole broad Earth

who, holding

fast

90

the right,

Begat Hiranyanabha bearing part

Of Vishnu's essence, scorching thus his foes

More fiercely as a forest-fire gains strength

When

winds attend

The debt he owed

And

it.

his

Dhushitacva then,
Ancestors discharged,

longing for Eternal pleasures, crowned

His son, long-armed and mighty, and himself

In virtue perfect

His

donned the dress of bark.

heir, pride of the Sun-race, Priestly

Of Northern Ko^ala,

begat a son,

Kaucalya named, a second

Delighting

all

King

men's eyes

Moon

for grace.

who reigned, when passed

100

RAGHUVANgA

188
His

He, whose fame had spread

Sire to Glory.

To Brahma's

[canto

council,

crowned

King

as

his son,

Brahmishtha, yearning for the Bliss Supreme

Of union
Crown

of his race,

who

reigned in perfect peace,

His subjects long rejoiced,

Fair sons

In form

In his son,

with the Highest.

made

like

nay, wept for

but Putra

glad his heart,

joy.
chief,

no

Vishnu, served by Garuda,

made great.
lotus, made him head

By duteous service of his

Whose eyes were like the

Sire

Of happy fathers. To maintain the line

He left him firmly stablished, then forsook
All earthly objects, bathed in Ganga's streams.

And

To

passed to Heaven.

Bore Paushya,

Putra his

at the full of Pusha's

More splendid than

As 'neath new stars

the topaz

The noble King gave

Himself he gave to

Queen

moon,

under him.

auspicious,

men

When

In boundless happiness.

fair

rejoiced

120

age crept on.

to his son the realm,

saintly Jaimini,

And, shrinking from

by works austere

re-birth,

Attained absorption in the Soul Supreme.

Then Dhruvasandhi,
Ruled

all

wide Earth, a

With whom consenting

Him

lion-like,

While yet

Charmed

steadfast as the Pole,

loyal, upright Prince,
all

his foes

wide-eyed as

is

his son Sudargana,

all

made

peace.

a fawn.

whose grace

men's sight as doth the waxing

130

Moon,

RAGHUVANgA

XVIII.]

Was

189

but a child, too eager in the chase,

mighty

When

lion slew.

Heaven

so to

That King had passed, the council with one voice

With solemn

enthroned

rites

Lord of Ayodhya,

to

For

mourned

the people

all

Thus Raghu's

Showed

Or

uphold the race

line,

He

its lilies

sat,

whose chief was now a

still

Moon

the

child.

is

young,

where one Lion-cub

Alone doth range, or

Before

their Kingless state.

like the night while

like a forest

son

his only

as a silent lake

bloom.

the people

Would prove him

140

When on

deemed

the Throne

his riper age

equal to his mighty Sire

Full oft they'd seen a cloud that seemed no

more

Than handbreadth wide, by East wind driven, veil

The whole broad sky. So stately was his mien,
The people gazed on him with not less awe

Than on

his Father,

when

scarce

six years old

In Royal robes he passed along the ways

On

noble elephant, yet childlike clung

Fast to the driver.

To

fill

Though

as yet too small

his Father's throne, his glory

So wide about him

As clothed
Kings

seemed

that he

in lustrous gold

laid their

crowns

and

in

shone

to swell

filled

homage

the seat.

at his foot,

Which, tinged with red and hanging from the Throne

httle way, scarce

touched the golden

stool.

150

RAGHUVANgA

190
Well

named

the sapphire

is

Most precious though

That Royal child the

'tis

title

the "great blue stone,"

small

beseemed

so, well

i6o

" Mighty King !"

Such potent words came from

On

[canto

his infant Ups,

either side fan-guarded, boyish curls

Still

hanging down his cheeks,

their

sound went

forth

Far to great Ocean's shores, nor died e'en there.

Silk gold-embroidered twined

Whereon impressed he bore

With which

The

though

still

around

the Royal Mark,

he smiled

Of

tired his limbs

dignity,

all

His

yet in

to tears

had Lakshmi

longing for

his

Embraced him only

Though

still

him dwelt such

force

Ere yet he learned

with the wise he fully grasped

All lessons of right rule

yet

170

on a writing-board.

letters all, traced

Not

gems

he bore the unmeasured weight

the careful World.

By converse

But

he turned

smiling faces of his foemen's wives.

Soft as (^irhha buds, too heavy

Had
And

his brow,

and

policy.

won

in his heart

manhood

place,

bashfully

'neath the umbrella's shade.

unpractised in the archer's

craft,

Nor marked as yet with scars from bowstring wound,

Nor yet he grasped the sword-hilt, Earth dwelt safe,

Protected by his arm.

As time

rolled on,

His limbs gained strength and bulk

That win a people's

At

first

the Virtues too

love, blest heritage.

but seedlings, grew to stately

trees.

180

RAGHUVANQA

xviii.]

No

toil

The

it

was to teach him

What

in

in learning

a former

he well had known,

life

190

won his people's hearts.

length made perfect, he shone

forth

glorious Archer; swelling out the chest,

Poised lightly on the

He

charm

for

Spread over

first

To

fill

With

Full soon he reached

of youth, sweet season of delight,

women's

Luxuriant shoot,

At

love, the perfect

fair tree,

bloom

from passion's plant

or charm of loveliness

all his

limbs,

boon

nature's

200

gift.

the Kingly State and Earth herself,

his only brides,

his heart

no more

now paled

far excelled,

suffice

their charms,

royal maidens' portraits,

In beauty

and drew

string,

right to his ear.

That crowns Desire's

Then did

foot, with crest erect,

arrow to the

laid his

The notch
The flower

merely to recall

therewithal he

In arms at

he learnt

threefold Science, root of three-branched Lore,

And seemed
And

for

191

compared

which those maids

by envoys brought.

And shown by faithful councillors, who

To see pure offspring more confirm the

longed
throne.

192

RAGHUVANgA

[canto

CANTO XIX
Agnivarma^s voluptuous Reign and Death.

Now

and

after years of wise

The Son

glorious rule,

Raghu placed upon

of

his throne

His son, great Agnivarma, bright as

And,
In

first

Fire,

'mid pious students, self-restrained,

life's last

stage passed to Naimisha's grove.

There washed he from

his soul all earthly thoughts

Instead of pleasure-halls sought Holy ponds,

Strewed on the ground a couch of sacred grass

Instead of silken cushions, dwelt apart

In lowly hut instead of Palace-home,

And

careless of reward stored merit up.

No toil he left his

To whom he gave
Beneath

his

Not labour

Was

lo

son to guard his realm,

Earth, where

mighty arm,

Himself dealt justice

foes were crushed

to eat the

fruit,

This Prince's mind

to produce.

turned to pleasure

all

wherefore for some years

to the subject

World,

Then to his Elders turned the charge of

And gave his own fresh youth to Love's

rule.

delights.

AGNIVARMA^S SHAME

XIX.]

Then through the Palace of the amorous King

Fair women thronged, the lute's soft music rolled,

And
By

each day's splendid

feast

Day and

night he spent

In love's soft raptures, careless of his folk

And

He

when,

much urged by

faithful Councillors,

yielded to his loyal people's wish

To show himself, 'twas but one

Hung from the palace-window

foot

Resplendent with the beauty of

its nails,

he showed,

to that foot,

20

was chased

festival

more splendid.

193

lotus touched with rays of morning-sun,

They did

obeisance,

30

then went home content.

So, plunged in sensual pleasure, recking not

Of

royal duty,

goaded on by Love,

The King passed through

Diversified, but

still

the

the seasons of each year

same

Yet was his valour dreaded

to him.

rival

Kings

Durst not attack him, maddened though he seemed

But, as the curse of

Daksha wastes the Moon,

Disease, by passion bred,

Still

he pursued

Nor hearkened

all

consumed

his

life.

pleasure-seeking ways,

to wise counsel,

though he saw

The fatal consequence

no easy task
Have they who would a man from Pleasure
:

40

turn.

When once it has seduced him. Pale he grew,

And fell consumption ravaged all his limbs
He left his ornaments, and walking, leaned
His weight upon

his servants,

while
N

his speech,

RAGHUVANgA

194

[caxto

Weak, hollow, marked the ruin wrought by Love,

And

as

he slowly wasted

His race was

Or

as a lake

in disease.

like the sky

when wanes

when only mud

And

fatal truth.

told the people, struck with heavy fears

The King makes

50

is left

His Ministers long hid the

"

Moon,

dying lamp.

Its waters dried, or as a

And

the

Sacrifice to

therefore lives retired

win a son.

Untrue

"

their

words

For He, though Lord of many wives, unblest.

Died miserably ere he paid the debt

Due

to his

mighty Sires

and

disease.

fell

Defying treatment, snapped his thread of

Ere yet he saw

his

Before the chilling

Hard by

And

son

In darkling grove

blast.

the palace met the Senators,

with a Priest well-skilled in funeral-rites

:

told the people what was done, but feigned

Some hope of healing. Next in haste they called

The Chiefs to council, seated on the Throne
The rightful Queen, in whose bright body shone
The hope of Royal seed. That unborn Child,

Whom

with hot tears of sorrow for her Spouse,

Untimely dead, she scalded

Was soon

in her

womb,

revived by healing waters poured

(Such was the

To

60

lamp

so dies a

In secret laid the body on a pyre

Nor

life,

tribal rite

consecrate the Babe.

!)

from golden

jars.

The widowed Queen,

70

AGNIVARMA^S SHAME

XIX.]

Who

195

carried 'neath her breast the Royal seed,

Which ripened
As Earth
Longed

for the universal weal,

hides in her

for her

womb

time to

High on her golden

the late-sown grain,

come

throne,

meanwhile she sat

and sagely ruled

80

(Advised by loyal Senators) the State,

\\Tiere all the people

honoured her commands

INDEX
(

Of Names and Words

not already explained, which

explanation: the numerals refer

to

may want

pages),

Afoka, 60, a flowering tree, bearing orange and scarlet blossoms.

Afvins, 187, Vedic sun-gods, "twin-sons of the dawn."

Agastya, 54, one of the great Rishis (see Introduction).

AkshastQdiS, 107, berries used as necklace-beads.
Akshota, 34, the walnut-tree.
Alakd, 79, the city of Kuvera, god of riches.
Aftas?1y(7, 115,

the wife of Atri, mother of Durvasa,

who gave

Sita an

unfailing cosmetic.

Arjun-tree, 167, a stately forest tree.

Arimdhati,

6,

the wife of Vagishtha,

"the morning-star," a model of

wifely virtues.

Atharva, 66, the fourth Veda, chiefly regarded as a storehouse of magical

incantations.

Atri, 18, one of the Seven Rishis.

Ayodhyd, 79, " Impregnable," the capital of North Kogala, Raghu's

Bali, 61, the

Demon

tyrant,

city.

overthrown by Vishnu as the Dwarf.

Bandhtijiva, 102, a tree bearing beautiful red blossoms, which open at

noon and fall off the following morning {Pentapetes phcenicea).

Bathing is a daily religious duty of high importance.

Bay

horses are special steeds of the Sun.

Bhrigu, 90, a great Rishi, son of Manu, to

whom was committed

the

sacred Law-book.

BhrigiCs

son,

105,

patronymic of Para9u-Rama,

grandson.
BhitrJa-txeQ, 35, a birch.

Brinddban, 53, the scene of Krishna's early

196

life.

who was

Bhrigu's

'

INDEX
(7(f/-tree, 2,

a lofty and stately forest tree

qarabhanga,\
Qltakarni,

^^^

^^j^^, '

197

Vatica robusta).

^^^^^^

(^atrughna, 96, " queller of foes," a younger brother of

Rama.

Qesha, 89, the mythical Serpent on which Vishnu sleeps.

ChakravAka, 128, the ruddy-goose, emblem of conjugal love: the birds
are fabled to be

condemned

to constant separation at night.

Chaitraratha, 44, Kuvera's pleasure-garden.

ChAtaka, a kind of cuckoo, fabled to live only on rain-drops.
Chitrd,

5,

the star Spica Virginis.

Chitraktita, 114, the mountain, scene of

(^irtsha, 169,

Rama's

exile.

a graceful variety of flowering Acacia.

Daksha, 193, a Saint, whose twenty-seven daughters were wedded to

Chandra, the Moon and whose curse, the punishment of partiality
to one of his wives, is the fabled cause of the Moon's periodic
waning.
Darbha grass, 129, sacrificial grass, of which Ktica is a variety.
Durjaya, 174, a Demon, "hard to conquer."
D{irva grass, 50, a kind of millet (Panicum dactylon).
Durviisa, 159, son of Atri, and a specially choleric Saint.
Dilshana, 117, a Demon, slain by Rama.
;

Elephants

(Celestial),

161, are fabled to uphold the extremities of the

world.

Fig-tree, the Indian fig, Ficus religiosa

the Peepal.

Gandkarvas, Minstrels of heaven, inhabiting Indra's heaven Southey's

"Glendoveer."
Ganeca, 14, the elephant-headed God of wisdom, son of (^^iva and
:

Parvatl.
13, the "white" Goddess, a name of Parvatt.
Gokarna, 70, a favourite shrine of ^iva.
Govardhan, 53, a mountain in Brindaban.

Gauri,

Hanttmdn, 121, son of the Wind, general of Rama's monkey-allies.

Indra's beetle, 104, the cochineal-insect.

RAGHUVANgA

198
hidrajit, 134,
warrior,

surname of Meghanada, son of Ravana, a valiant Rakshas

who once overcame and bound

Indra himself.

Jaimini, 188, a famous Saint, founder of a school of philosophy (the

Purva-Mimdmsd).
Janaka, 103, -the reputed father of

Sita,

whom

he found in a plough-

furrow.

Janasthdna, 54, RS.vana's

capital.

Jatdyil, 118, the Vulture-ally of

Rama,

slain in defence of Sita.

Kadaviha, 160, a flowering tree, bearing orange-coloured blossoms.

Kdlanemi, 153, a Demon slain by Vishnu.
Kapila, 25, a Sage who, being falsely accused by Sagara's sons of stealing their father's horse for the Sacrifice, burnt them up by some
:

identified with (^iva.

Kdrtavtrya, 51, a famous warrior-king of the Haihayas,

Ravana himself in chains.

who once held

Kdrtikeya, 47, the leader of Heaven's armies, son of Civa and Parvatt,
the "nursling of the Pleiades {Krittikds) " also called Skanda, etc.
:

Ketaka, 13, a sweet-scented blossoming tree.

Kutfuka, 81, a flowering tree, bearing scentless red blossoms.

Kinnaras, 35, attendants on Kuvera.

Krishna, the " dark " God in our poem a surname of (^iva.
Kos, 135, a measure of distance, about a mile and a half.
Kumbhakania, 121, Ravana's brother, doomed lest he should devour
to sleep six consecutive months in each year.
the world
:

Lakshmi,

26,

the wife

of Vishnu

also,

Fortune,

esp.

the Glory of

Kingship.

Lauhitya, 35, the Brahmaputra river.

Lodhra-\.xtQ, 13, a forest tree bearing a yellow flower.

Mdnasa

lake, 131, a fabled source of Ganga.

Mdrlcha, 102, a Demon emissary of Ravana he tricked Rama, and was
by him slain.
Meru, Mt. 60, the Hindu Olympus. The Sun, circling round Meru, so
causes alternate day and night.
Mithild, 103, the capital of Vidarbha.
Muni, 147, a saintly recluse, especially one vowed to silence.
:

INDEX

199

Nabhanga, 84, Indra's armour-bearer.

Ndgas, 171, semi-divine Snakes, dwelling in Patala, beneath the earth.
Nuhusha, 129, a Demon who had supplanted Indra, and was dashed down
to earth by Agastya, whom he had insulted.
Naimisha, 192, a sacred grove.

Nandana,

Tj, the pleasure-garden of Indra.

Ndrada, 70, the Divine Minstrel, friend and counsellor of men.

Nimi, 105, founder of the dynasty of Milhila, a son of Ikshvaka.
[Om),

2,

the "mystic word," beginning the Veda, etc., symbolical of the

Hindu Triad

it is

equally sacred for Buddhists.

Omens, 55, 143, throbbing of the right side

is auspicious ; and vice versd.
Pdtdla,

8,

in

men, of the

left in

women,

the abode of the Nagas.

Pdtdla, 168, a flower.

Faulastya, 35, patronymic of Ravana, descended from Pulastya.

Peepal, 134, the sacred fig-tree {Ficus religiosa), distinguished by

its

twisted roots.
Prachetas, 8, one of the Prajapatis, q.v.

Prahldda, 61, the pious son of Hiranyakacipu, a Daitya tyrant of the

world.
Prajdpati, 95, a son of Brahma, progenitor of

mankind

they were ten

in number.
fifth and seventh lunar mansion.
Pushpaka, 94, Indra's Magic Car, wrested from him by Ravana, and won
back by Rama.

Punarvdsjc, 104, the

Rdku,

115, the

Dragon who devours the Moon, so causing

eclipses.

Rain-birds, 39, the Chatakas, q.v.

Rdkshasas, 115, the Demon-foes of the Gods.
Rati, 47, " Delight," the wife of
Reed-born God, 22, Kartikeya.

" Regents of the World,"

Kama, Love.

18, the eight

secondary Gods, Indra, Agni,

etc.

Sacred Cord, 22, the symbol of investiture for the three "twice-born"
classes,

Sdma

marking entrance into the "second

Veda, 161, the

Veda

life."

specially of ritual, arranged for chanting.

Sampdti, 118, the Vulture-King, brother of Jataya.

RAGHUVANgA

200
(Sdvitri), 157, the

Hymn to the Sun,

which must be recited every morning.

Seven, 91, a sacred number.

Siddhas, a class of specially pure celestial beings.

Skanda, 38, the God of War, Kartikeya.

Soma, 49, the Moon.
'^
Sound-pervaded lesXxa" 125, the atmosphere.
Sugriva, 118, King of Rama's monkey-allies.
Svdhd, 6, the prayer of the oblation (?=faustum
Tila, 83, the

sit !).

sesamum.

Trinabindu, 75, a famous

ascetic.

Vakula, 82, a fragrant flowering

tree,

fabled to be fertilised by wine

women.
three Vedas

sprinkled by

Vedas, 37, the

are the foundation of
ledge, and are held to be eternal.

all

wisdom and know-

Hindu Vulcan, fabled to have pared down on

when his heat became intolerable.

Vifvakartna, 50, the

lathe the Sun,

Yakshas are attendants on Kuvera.

OF TH

VNWERSITV

Of

Edinburgh

Printed by T. and A.

Constable

his


THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE

STAMPED BELOW

AN INITIAL FINE OF

CENTS

25

WILU BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN

THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY
WILL INCREASE TO SO CENTS ON THE FOURTH
DAY AND TO $1.00 ON THE SEVENTH DAY
OVgRDUE.
3

DEC

m ^^ K

19: H^..

Titn^^VEXi

REC D LD
'64-8

JAN 2

-3ri^
V
'

/./

/^

-^

AM

^gC-Q Lo

f)Eo

13^65

-12

lii/j
:iv-

ft-a

F^'j

b 1

VAY 1 1 '/e

^w
1IIM&

[GTcff*^

PrOicTj

1
LD 21-100m-7,'33

^tL^t
r

XNIA

UBRARY

J-