The Ramayana Part 146

Such boon from ages long ago To Brahma's favouring will I owe."

She ceased, and Hanuman replied, By shape and threat unterrified: "Brave Rama with his Maithil spouse Lodged in the shade of Da??ak's boughs, Thence Ravan king of giants stole Sita the joy of Rama's soul.

By Rama's high behest to her I go a willing messenger; And never shouldst them hinder one Who toils for Dasaratha's son.

First captive Sita will I see, And him who sent and waits for me, Then come and to thy will submit, Yea, by my truth I promise it."

"Nay, hope not thus thy life to save; Not such the boon that Brahma gave.

Enter my mouth," was her reply, "Then forward on thy journey hie!"(796)

"Stretch, wider stretch thy jaws," exclaimed The Vanar chief, to ire inflamed; And, as the Rakshas near him drew, Ten leagues in height his stature grew.

Then straight, her threatening jaws between, A gulf of twenty leagues was seen.

To fifty leagues he waxed, and still Her mouth grew wider at her will.

Then smaller than a thumb became, Shrunk by his power, the Vanar's frame.(797) He leaped within, and turning round Sprang through the portal at a bound.

Then hung in air a moment, while He thus addressed her with a smile: "O Daksha's child,(798) farewell at last!

For I within thy mouth have pa.s.sed.

Thou hast the gift of Brahma's grace: I go, the Maithil queen to trace."

Then, to her former shape restored, She thus addressed the Vanar lord: "Then forward to the task, and may Success and joy attend thy way!

Go, and the rescued lady bring In triumph to her lord and king."

Then hosts of spirits as they gazed The daring of the Vanar praised.

Through the broad fields of ether, fast Garu?'s royal self, he pa.s.sed, The region of the cloud and rain, Loved by the gay Gandharva train, Where mid the birds that came and went Shone Indra's glorious bow unbent, And like a host of wandering stars Flashed the high G.o.ds' celestial cars.

Fierce Sinhika(799) who joyed in ill And changed her form to work her will, Descried him on his airy way And marked the Vanar for her prey.

"This day at length," the demon cried, "My hunger shall be satisfied,"

And at his pa.s.sing shadow caught Delighted with the cheering thought.

The Vanar felt the power that stayed And held him as she grasped his shade, Like some tall s.h.i.+p upon the main That struggles with the wind in vain.

Below, above, his eye he bent And scanned the sea and firmament.

High from the briny deep upreared The monster's hideous form appeared, "Sugriva's tale," he cried, "is true: This is the demon dire to view Of whom the Vanar monarch told, Whose grasp a pa.s.sing shade can hold."

Then, as a cloud in rain-time grows His form, dilating, swelled and rose.

Wide as the s.p.a.ce from heaven to h.e.l.l Her jaws she opened with a yell, And rushed upon her fancied prey With cloud-like roar to seize and slay.

The Vanar swift as thought compressed His borrowed bulk of limb and chest, And stood with one quick bound inside The monstrous mouth she opened wide.

Hid like the moon when Rahu draws The orb within his ravening jaws.

Within that ample cavern pent The demon's form he tore and rent, And, from the mangled carca.s.s freed, Came forth again with thought-like speed.(800) Thus with his skill the fiend he slew, Then to his wonted stature grew.

The spirits saw the demon die And hailed the Vanar from the sky: "Well hast thou fought a wondrous fight Nor spared the fiend's terrific might, On, on! perform the blameless deed, And in thine every wish succeed.

Ne'er can they fail in whom combine Such valour, thought, and skill as thine."

Pleased with their praises as they sang, Again through fields of air he sprang, And now, his travail wellnigh done, The distant sh.o.r.e was almost won.

Before him on the margent stood In long dark line a waving wood, And the fair island, bright and green With flowers and trees, was clearly seen, And every babbling brook that gave Her lord the sea a tribute wave.

He lighted down on Lamba's peak Which tinted metals stain and streak, And looked where Lanka's splendid town Shone on the mountain like a crown.

Canto II. Lanka.

The glorious sight a while he viewed, Then to the town his way pursued.

Around the Vanar as he went Breathed from the wood delicious scent, And the soft gra.s.s beneath his feet With gem-like flowers was bright and sweet.

Still as the Vanar nearer drew More clearly rose the town to view.

The palm her fan-like leaves displayed, Priyalas(801) lent their pleasant shade, And mid the lower greenery far Conspicuous rose the Kovidar.(802) A thousand trees mid flowers that glowed Hung down their fruit's delicious load,(803) And in their crests that rocked and swayed Sweet birds delightful music made.

And there were pleasant pools whereon The glories of the lotus shone; And gleams of sparkling fountains, stirred By many a joyous water-bird.

Around, in lovely gardens grew Blooms sweet of scent and bright of hue, And Lanka, seat of Rava?'s sway, Before the wondering Vanar lay: With stately domes and turrets tall, Encircled by a golden wall, And moats whose waters were aglow With lily blossoms bright below: For Sita's sake defended well With bolt and bar and sentinel, And Rakshases who roamed in bands With ready bows in eager hands.

He saw the stately mansions rise Like pale-hued clouds in autumn skies; Where n.o.ble streets were broad and bright, And banners waved on every height.

Her gates were glorious to behold Rich with the s.h.i.+ne of burnished gold: A lovely city planned and decked By heaven's creative architect,(804) Fairest of earthly cities meet To be the G.o.ds' celestial seat.

The Vanar by the northern gate Thus in his heart began debate "Our mightiest host would strive in vain To take this city on the main: A city that may well defy The chosen warriors of the sky; A city never to be won E'en by the arm of Raghu's son.

Here is no hope by guile to win The hostile hearts of those within.

'Twere vain to war, or bribe, or sow Dissension mid the Vanar foe.

But now my search must I pursue Until the Maithil queen I view: And, when I find the captive dame, Make victory mine only aim.

But, if I wear my present shape, How shall I enter and escape The Rakshas troops, their guards and spies, And sleepless watch of cruel eyes?

The fiends of giant race who hold This mighty town are strong and bold; And I must labour to elude The fiercely watchful mult.i.tude.

I in a shape to mock their sight Must steal within the town by night, Blind with my art the demons' eyes, And thus achieve my enterprise.

How may I see, myself unseen Of the fierce king, the captive queen, And meet her in some lonely place, With none beside her, face to face?"

When the bright sun had left the skies The Vanar dwarfed his mighty size, And, in the straitest bounds restrained, The bigness of a cat retained.(805) Then, when the moon's soft light was spread, Within the city's walls he sped.

Canto III. The Guardian G.o.ddess.

There from the circling rampart's height He gazed upon the wondrous sight; Broad gates with burnished gold displayed, And courts with turkises inlaid; With gleaming silver, gems, and rows Of crystal stairs and porticoes.

In semblance of a Rakshas dame The city's guardian G.o.ddess came,- For she with glances sure and keen The entrance of a foe had seen,- And thus with fury in her eye Addressed him with an angry cry: "Who art thou? what has led thee, say, Within these walls to find thy way?

Thou mayst not enter here in spite Of Rava? and his warriors' might."

"And who art thou?" the Vanar cried, By form and frown unterrified, "Why hast thou met me by the gate, And chid me thus infuriate?"

He ceased: and Lanka made reply: "The guardian of the town am I, Who watch for ever to fulfil My lord the Rakshas monarch's will.

But thou shalt fall this hour, and deep Shall be thy never-ending sleep."

Again he spake: "In spite of thee This golden city will I see.

Her gates and towers, and all the pride Of street and square from side to side, And freely wander where I please Amid her groves of flowering trees; On all her beauties sate mine eye.

Then, as I came, will homeward hie."

Swift with an angry roar she smote With her huge hand the Vanar's throat.

The smitten Vanar, rage-impelled, With fist upraised the monster felled: But quick repented, stirred with shame And pity for a vanquished dame, When with her senses troubled, weak With terror, thus she strove to speak: "O spare me thou whose arm is strong: O spare me, and forgive the wrong.

The brave that law will ne'er transgress That spares a woman's helplessness.

Hear, best of Vanars, brave and bold, What Brahma's self of yore foretold; "Beware," he said, "the fatal hour When thou shalt own a Vanar's power.

Then is the giants' day of fear, For terror and defeat are near."

Now, Vanar chief, o'ercome by thee, I own the truth of heaven's decree.

For Sita's sake will ruin fall On Rava?, and his town, and all."

Canto IV. Within The City.

The guardian G.o.ddess thus subdued, The Vanar chief his way pursued, And reached the broad imperial street Where fresh-blown flowers were bright and sweet.

The city seemed a fairer sky Where cloud-like houses rose on high, Whence the soft sound of tabors came Through many a latticed window frame, And ever and anon rang out The merry laugh and joyous shout.

From house to house the Vanar went And marked each varied ornament, Where leaves and blossoms deftly strung About the crystal columns hung.

Then soft and full and sweet and clear The song of women charmed his ear, And, blending with their dulcet tones, Their anklets' chime and tinkling zones.

He heard the Rakshas minstrel sing The praises of their matchless king; And softly through the evening air Came murmurings of text and prayer.