The Ramayana Part 126

Sore weight of sin on him must lie By whom a friend is made to die; And Lakshma?, I, and Sita, best Of dames, on thy protection rest.

On, warrior! for the fight prepare; Nor fear again thy foe to dare.

Within one hour thine eye shall view My arrow strike thy foeman through; Shall see the stricken Bali lie Low on the earth, and gasp and die.

But come, a badge about thee bind, O monarch of the Vanar kind, That in the battle shock mine eyes The friend and foe may recognize.

Come, Lakshma?, let that creeper deck With brightest bloom Sugriva's neck, And be a happy token, twined Around the chief of lofty mind."

Upon the mountain slope there grew A threading creeper fair to view, And Lakshma? plucked the bloom and round Sugriva's neck a garland wound.

Graced with the flowery wreath he wore, The Vanar chief the semblance bore Of a dark cloud at close of day Engarlanded with cranes at play, In glorious light the Vanar glowed As by his comrade's side he strode, And, still on Rama's word intent, His steps to great Kishkindha bent.

Canto XIII. The Return To Kishkindha.

Thus with Sugriva, from the side Of Rishyamuka, Rama hied, And stood before Kishkindha's gate Where Bali kept his regal state.

The hero in his warrior hold Raised his great bow adorned with gold, And drew his pointed arrow bright As sunbeams, finisher of fight.

Strong-necked Sugriva led the way With Lakshma? mighty in the fray.

Nala and Nila came behind With Hanuman of lofty mind, And valiant Tara, last in place, A leader of the Vanar race.

They gazed on many a tree that showed The glory of its pendent load, And brook and limpid rill that made Sweet murmurs as they seaward strayed.

They looked on caverns dark and deep, On bower and glen and mountain steep, And saw the opening lotus stud With roseate cup the crystal flood, While crane and swan and coot and drake Made pleasant music on the lake, And from the reedy bank was heard The note of many a happy bird.

In open lawns, in tangled ways, They saw the tall deer stand at gaze, Or marked them free and fearless roam, Fed with sweet gra.s.s, their woodland home.

At times two flas.h.i.+ng tusks between The wavings of the wood were seen, And some mad elephant, alone, Like a huge moving hill, was shown.

And scarcely less in size appeared Great monkeys all with dust besmeared.

And various birds that roam the skies, And silvan creatures, met their eyes, As through the wood the chieftains sped, And followed where Sugriva led.

Then Rama, as their way they made, Saw near at hand a lovely shade, And, as he gazed upon the trees, Spake to Sugriva words like these; "Those stately trees in beauty rise, Fair as a cloud in autumn skies.

I fain, my friend, would learn from thee What pleasant grove is that I see."

Thus Rama spake, the mighty souled; And thus his tale Sugriva told:

"That, Rama, is a wide retreat That brings repose to weary feet.

Bright streams and fruit and roots are there, And shady gardens pa.s.sing fair.

There, neath the roof of hanging boughs, The sacred Seven maintained their vows.

Their heads in dust were lowly laid, In streams their nightly beds were made.

Each seventh night they broke their fast, But air was still their sole repast, And when seven hundred years were spent To homes in heaven the hermits went.

Their glory keeps the garden yet, With walls of stately trees beset.

Scarce would the G.o.ds and demons dare, By Indra led, to enter there.

No beast that roams the wood is found, No bird of air, within the bound; Or, thither if they idly stray, They find no more their homeward way.

You hear at times mid dulcet tones The chime of anklets, rings, and zones.

You hear the song and music sound, And heavenly fragrance breathes around, There duly burn the triple fires(577) Where mounts the smoke in curling spires, And, in a dun wreath, hangs above The tall trees, like a brooding dove.

Round branch and crest the vapours close Till every tree enveloped shows A hill of lazulite when clouds Hang round it with their misty shrouds.

With Lakshma?, lord of Raghu's line, In reverent guise thine head incline, And with fixt heart and suppliant hand Give honour to the sainted band.

They who with faithful hearts revere The holy Seven who harboured here, Shall never, son of Raghu, know In all their lives an hour of woe."

Then Rama and his brother bent, And did obeisance reverent With suppliant hand and lowly head, Then with Sugriva onward sped.

Beyond the sainted Seven's abode Far on their way the chieftains strode, And great Kishkindha's portal gained, The royal town where Bali reigned.

Then by the gate they took their stand All ready armed a n.o.ble band, And burning every one To slay in battle, hand to hand, Their foeman, Indra's son.

Canto XIV. The Challenge.

They stood where trees of densest green Wove round their forms a veiling screen.

O'er all the garden's pleasant shade The eyes of King Sugriva strayed, And, as on gra.s.s and tree he gazed, The fires of wrath within him blazed.

Then like a mighty cloud on high, When roars the tempest through the sky, Girt by his friends he thundered out His dread sky-rending battle-shout Like some proud lion in his gait, Or as the sun begins his state, Sugriva let his quick glance rest On Rama whom he thus addressed: "There is the seat of Bali's sway, Where flags on wall and turret play, Which mighty bands of Vanars hold, Rich in all arms and store of gold.

Thy promise to thy mind recall That Bali by thy hand shall fall.

As kindly fruits adorn the bough.

So give my hopes their harvest now."

In suppliant tone the Vanar prayed, And Raghu's son his answer made: "By Lakshma?'s hand this flowery twine Was wound about thee for a sign.

The wreath of giant creeper throws About thy form its brillant glows, As though about the sun were set The bright stars for a coronet.

One shaft of mine this day, dear friend, Thy sorrow and thy fear shall end.

And, from the bowstring freed, shall be Giver of freedom, King, to thee.

Then come, Sugriva, quickly show, Where'er he lie, thy bitter foe; And let my glance the wretch descry Whose deeds, a brother's name belie.

Yea, soon in dust and blood o'erthrown Shall Bali fall and gasp and groan.

Once let this eye the foeman see, Then, if he live to turn and flee, Despise my puny strength, and shame With foul opprobrium Rama's name.

Hast thou not seen his hand, O King, Through seven tall trees one arrow wing?

Still in that strength securely trust, And deem thy foeman in the dust.

In all my days, though surely tried By grief and woe, I ne'er have lied; And still by duty's law restrained Will ne'er with falsehood's charge be stained.

Cast doubt away: the oath I sware Its kindly fruit shall quickly bear, As smiles the land with golden grain By mercy of the Lord of rain.

Oh, warrior to the gate I defy Thy foe with shout and battle-cry, Till Bali with his chain of gold Come speeding from his royal hold.

Proud hearts, with warlike fire aglow, Brook not the challenge of a foe: Each on his power and might relies, And most before his ladies eyes.

King Bali loves the fray too well To linger in his citadel, And, when he hears thy battle-shout, All wild for war will hasten out."

He spoke. Sugriva raised a cry That shook and rent the echoing sky, A shout so fierce and loud and dread That stately bulls in terror fled, Like dames who fly from threatened stain In some ign.o.ble monarch's reign.

The deer in wild confusion ran Like horses turned in battle's van.

Down fell the birds, like G.o.ds who fall When merits fail,(578) at that dread call.

So fiercely, boldened for the fray, The offspring of the Lord of Day Sent forth his furious shout as loud As thunder from a labouring cloud, Or, where the gale blows fresh and free, The roaring of the troubled sea.

Canto XV. Tara.

That shout, which shook the land with fear, In thunder smote on Bali's ear, Where in the chamber barred and closed The sovereign with his dame reposed.

Each amorous thought was rudely stilled, And pride and rage his bosom filled.

His angry eyes flashed darkly red, And all his native brightness fled, As when, by swift eclipse a.s.sailed, The glory of the sun has failed.

While in his fury uncontrolled He ground his teeth, his eyeb.a.l.l.s rolled, He seemed a lake wherein no gem Of blossom decks the lotus stem.

He heard, and with indignant pride Forth from the bower the Vanar hied.

And the earth trembled at the beat And fury of his hastening feet.

But Tara to her consort flew, Her loving arms around him threw, And trembling and bewildered, gave Wise counsel that might heal and save: "O dear my lord, this rage control That like a torrent floods thy soul, And cast these idle thoughts away Like faded wreath of yesterday, O tarry till the morning light, Then, if thou wilt, go forth and fight.

Think not I doubt thy valour, no; Or deem thee weaker than thy foe, Yet for a while would have thee stay Nor see thee tempt the fight to-day.

Now list, my loving lord, and learn The reason why I bid thee turn.

Thy foeman came in wrath and pride, And thee to deadly fight defied.

Thou wentest out: he fought, and fled Sore wounded and discomfited.

But yet, untaught by late defeat, He comes his conquering foe to meet, And calls thee forth with cry and shout: Hence spring, my lord, this fear and doubt.