The Ramayana Part 138

He who beyond tho month shall stay Will with his life the forfeit pay."

Canto XLI. The Army Of The South.

He gathered next a chosen band For service in the southern land.

He summoned Nila son of Fire, And, offspring of the eternal Sire, Jambavan bold and strong and tall, And Hanuman, the best of all, And many a valiant lord beside,(689) With Angad for their chief and guide.

"Go forth," he cried, "with all this host Exploring to the southern coast: The thousand peaks that Vindhya shows Where every tree and creeper grows: Where Narmada's(690) sweet waters run, And serpents bask them in the sun: Where Krish?ave?i's(691) currents flee, And sparkles fair G.o.davari.(692) Through Mekhal(693) pa.s.s and Utkal's(694) land: Go where Dasar?a's(695) cities stand.

Avanti(696) seek, of high renown, And Abravanti's(697) glorious town.

Search every hill and brook and cave Where Da??ak's woods their branches wave Ayomukh's(698) woody hill explore Whose sides are bright with richest ore, Lifting his glorious head on high From bloomy groves that round him lie.

Search well his forests where the breeze Blows fragrant from the sandal trees.

Then will you see Kaveri's(699) stream Whose pleasant waters glance and gleam, And to the lovely banks entice The sportive maids of Paradise.

High on the top of Malaya's(700) hill, In holy musing, calm and still, Sits, radiant as the Lord of Light, Agastya,(701) n.o.blest anchorite.

Soon as that lofty-thoughted lord His high permission shall accord, Pa.s.s Tamrapar?i's(702) flood whose isles Are loved by basking crocodiles.

The sandal woods that fringe her side Those islets and her waters hide; While, like an amorous matron, she Speeds to her own dear lord the sea.

Thence hasting on your way behold The Pa??yas'(703) gates of pearl and gold.

Then, with your task maturely planned, On ocean's sh.o.r.e your feet will stand.

Where, by Agastya's high decree, Mahendra,(704) planted in the sea, With tinted peaks against the tide Rises in solitary pride, And glorious in his golden glow Spurns back the waves that beat below.

Fair mountain, bright with creepers' bloom And every tint that trees a.s.sume, Where Yaksha, G.o.d, and heavenly maid Meet wandering in the lovely shade, At changing moon and solemn tide By Indra's presence glorified.

One hundred leagues in fair extent An island(705) fronts the continent: No man may tread its glittering sh.o.r.e, With utmost heed that isle explore, For the fair country owns the sway Of Rava? whom we burn to slay.

A mighty monster stands to keep The pa.s.sage of the southern deep.

Lifting her awful arms on high She grasps e'en shadows as they fly.

Speed through that isle, and onward still Where in mid sea the Flowery Hill(706) Raises on high his bloomy head By saints and angels visited.

There, with a hundred gleaming peaks Bright as the sun, the sky he seeks, One glorious peak the Lord of Day Gilds ever with his loving ray; Thereon ne'er yet the glances fell Of thankless wretch or infidel.

Bow to that hill in reverence due, And then once more your search pursue.

Beyond that glorious mountain hie, And Suryavan,(707) proud hill is nigh.

Your rapid course yet farther bend Where Vaidyut's(708) airy peaks ascend.

There trees of n.o.blest sort, profuse Of wealth, their kindly gifts produce.

Their precious fruits, O Vanars, taste, The honey sip, and onward haste.

Next will ye see Mount Kunjar rise, Who cheers with beauty hearts and eyes.

There is Agastya's(709) mansion, decked By heaven's all moulding architect.

Near Bhogavati(710) stands, the place Where dwell the hosts of serpent race: A broad-wayed city, walled and barred, Which watchful legions keep and guard, The fiercest of the serpent youth, Each awful for his venomed tooth: And throned in his imperial hall Is Vasuki(711) who rules them all.

Explore the serpent city well, Search town and tower and citadel, And scan each field and wood that lies Around it, with your watchful eyes.

Beyond that spot your way pursue: A n.o.ble mountain shall ye view, Named Rishabh, like a mighty bull, With gems made bright and beautiful.

All trees of sandal flourish there Of heavenly fragrance, rich and rare.

But, though they tempt your longing eyes, Avoid to touch them, and be wise.

For Rohitas, a guardian band Of fierce Gandharvas, round them stand, Who five bright sovereign lords(712) obey, In glory like the G.o.d of Day.

Here by good deeds a home is won With shapes like fire, the moon, the sun.

Here they who merit heaven by worth Dwell on the confines of the earth.

There stay: beyond it, dark and drear, Lies the departed spirits' sphere, And, girt with darkness, far from bliss, Is Yama's sad metropolis.(713) So far, my lords, o'er land and sea Your destined course is plain and free.

Beyond your steps you may not set, Where living thing ne'er journeyed yet.

With utmost care these realms survey, And all you meet upon the way.

And, when the lady's course is traced, Back to your king, O Vanars, haste.

And he who tells me he has seen.

After long search, the Maithil queen, Shall gain a n.o.ble guerdon: he In power and bliss shall equal me.

Dear as my very life, above His fellows in his master's love; I call him, yea though stained with crime.

My kinsman from that happy time."

Canto XLII. The Army Of The West.

Then to Sushe? Sugriva bent, And thus addressed him reverent: "Two hundred thousand of our best With thee, my lord, shall seek the west.

Explore Surash?ra's(714)] distant plain, Explore Vahlika's(715) wild domain, And all the pleasant brooks that flee Through mountains to the western sea.

Search cl.u.s.tering groves on mountain heights, And woods the home of anchorites.

Search where the breezy hills are high, Search where the desert regions lie.

Search all the western land beset With woody mountains like a net.

The country's farthest limit reach, And stand upon the ocean beach.

There wander through the groves of palm Where the soft air is full of balm.

Through gra.s.sy dell and dark ravine Seek Rava? and the Maithil queen.

Go visit Somagiri's(716) steep Where Sindhu(717) mingles with the deep.

There lions, borne on swift wings, roam The levels of their mountain home, And elephants and monsters bear, Caught from the ocean, to their lair.

You Vanars, changing forms at will, With rapid search must scour the hill, And his sky-kissing peak of gold Where loveliest trees their blooms unfold.

There golden-peaked, ablaze with light, Uprises Pariyatra's(718) height Where wild Gandharvas, fierce and fell, In bands of countless myriads dwell.

Pluck ye no fruit within the wood; Beware the impious neighbourhood, Where, very mighty, strong, and hard To overcome, the fruit they guard.

Yet search for Janak's daughter still, For Vanars there need fear no ill.

Near, bright as turkis, Vajra(719) named, There stands a hill of diamond framed.

Soaring a hundred leagues in pride, With trees and creepers glorified.

Search there each cave and dark abyss By waterfall and precipice.

Far in that sea the wild waves beat On Chakravan's(720) firm-rooted feet.

Where the great discus,(721) thousand rayed, By Visvakarma's(722) art was made.

When Panchajan(723) the fiend was slain.

And Hayagriva,(724) fierce in vain, Thence taking sh.e.l.l and discus went Lord Vish?u, G.o.d preeminent.

On! sixty thousand hills of gold With wondering eyes shall ye behold, Where in his glory every one Is brilliant as the morning sun.

Full in the midst King Meru,(725) best Of mountains, lifts his lofty crest, On whom of yore, as all have heard, The sun well-pleased this boon conferred: "On thee, O King, on thee and thine Light, day and night, shall ever s.h.i.+ne.

Gandharvas, G.o.ds who love thee well And on thy sacred summits dwell, Undimmed in l.u.s.tre, bright and fair, The golden sheen shall ever share."

The Visvas,(726) Vasus,(727) they who ride The tempest,(728) every G.o.d beside, Draw nigh to Meru's lofty crest When evening darkens in the west, And to the parting Lord of Day The homage of their wors.h.i.+p pay, Ere yet a while, unseen of all, Behind Mount Asta's(729) peaks he fall.

Wrought by the heavenly artist's care A glorious palace glitters there, And round about it sweet birds sing Where the gay trees are blossoming: The home of Varu?(730) high-souled lord, Wrist-girded with his deadly cord.(731) With ten tall stems, a palm between Meru and Asta's hill is seen: Pure silver from the base it springs, And far and wide its l.u.s.tre flings.

Seek Rava? and the dame by brook, In pathless glen, in leafy nook On Meru's crest a hermit lives Bright with the light that penance gives: Savar?i(732) is he named, renowned As Brahma's peer, with glory crowned.

There bowing down in reverence speak And ask him of the dame you seek.

Thus far the splendid Lord of Day Pursues through heaven his ceaseless way, Shedding on every spot his light; Then sinks behind Mount Asta's height, Thus far advance: the sunless sea Beyond is all unknown to me.

Sushe? of mighty arm, long tried In peril, shall your legions guide.

Receive his words with high respect, And ne'er his lightest wish neglect.

He is my consort's sire, and hence Deserves the utmost reverence."

Canto XLIII. The Army Of The North.

Forth went the legions of the west: And wise Sugriva addressed Satabal, summoned from the crowd.

To whom the sovereign cried aloud: "Go forth, O Vanar chief, go forth, Explore the regions of the north.

Thy host a hundred thousand be, And Yama's sons(733) attend on thee.

With dauntless courage, strength, and skill Search every river, wood, and hill.