The Ramayana Part 168

See, glorious, golden-coated, one Who glisters like the morning sun, Whom thousands of his race surround, 'Tis Hara for his strength renowned.

Next comes a mighty chieftain, he Whose legions, armed with rock and tree, Press on, in numbers pa.s.sing tale, The ramparts of our town to scale.

O Rava?, see the king advance Terrific with his fiery glance, Girt by the bravest of his train, Majestic as the G.o.d of Rain, Parjanya, when his host of clouds About the king, embattled, crowds: On Rikshavan's high mountain nursed, In Narmada(940) he slakes his thirst, Dhumra, proud ursine chief, who leads Wild warriors whom the forest breeds.

His brother, next in strength and age, In Jambavan the famous sage.

Of yore his might and skill he lent To him who rules the firmament, And Indra's liberal boons repaid The chieftain for the timely aid.

There like a gloomy cloud that flies Borne by the tempest through the skies, Pramathi stands: he roamed of yore The forest wilds on Ganga's sh.o.r.e, Where elephants were struck with dread And trembling at his coming fled.

There on his foes he loved to sate The old hereditary hate.(941) Look, Gaja and Gavaksha show Their l.u.s.t of battle with the foe.

See Nala burning for the fray, And Nila chafing at delay.

Behind the eager captains press Wild hosts in numbers numberless, And each for Rama's sake would fall Or force his way through Lanka's wall."

Canto XXVIII. The Chieftains.

There Sara? ceased: then Suka broke The silence and to Rava? spoke: "O Monarch, yonder chiefs survey: Like elephants in size are they, And tower like stately trees that grow Where Ganga's nursing waters flow; Yea, tall as mountain pines that fling Long shadows o'er the snow-crowned king.

They all in wild Kishkindha dwell And serve their lord Sugriva well.

The G.o.ds' and bright Gandharvas' seed, They take each form that suits their need.

Now farther look, O Monarch, where Those chieftains stand, a glorious pair, Conspicuous for their G.o.dlike frames; Dwivid and Mainda are their names.

Their lips the drink of heaven have known, And Brahma claims them for his own.

That chieftain whom thine eyes behold Refulgent like a hill of gold, Before whose wrathful might the sea Roused from his rest would turn and flee, The peerless Vanar, he who came To Lanka for the Maithil dame, The Wind-G.o.d's son Hanuman; thou Hast seen him once, behold him now.

Still nearer let thy glance be bent, And mark that prince preeminent Mid chieftains for his strength and size And splendour of his lotus eyes.

Far through the worlds his virtues s.h.i.+ne, The glory of Ikshvaku's line.

The path of truth he never leaves, And still through all to duty cleaves.

Deep in the Vedas, skilled to wield The mystic shafts to him revealed: Whose flaming darts to heaven ascend, And through the earth a pa.s.sage rend: In might like him who rules the sky; Like Yama, when his wrath grows high: Whose queen, the darling of his soul, Thy magic art deceived and stole: There royal Rama stands and longs For battle to avenge his wrongs.

Near on his right a prince, in hue Like pure gold freshly burnished, view: Broad is his chest, his eye is red, His black hair curls about his head: 'Tis Lakshma?, faithful friend, who shares His brother's joys, his brother's cares.

By Rama's side he loves to stand And serve him as his better hand, For whose dear sake without a sigh The warrior youth would gladly die.

On Rama's left Vibhisha? view, With giants for his retinue: King-making drops have dewed his head, Appointed monarch in thy stead.

Behold that chieftain sternly still, High towering like a rooted hill, Supreme in power and pride of place, The monarch of the Vanar race.

Raised high above his woodland kind, In might and glory, frame and mind, His head above his host he shows Conspicuous as the Lord of Snows.

His home is far from hostile eyes Where deep in woods Kishkindha lies.

A glistering chain which flowers bedeck With burnished gold adorns his neck.

Queen Fortune, loved by G.o.ds and kings, To him her chosen favourite clings.

That chain he owes to Rama's grace, And Tara and his kingly place.

In him the great Sugriva know, Whom Rama rescued from his foe."(942)

Canto XXIX. Sardula Captured.

The giant viewed with earnest ken The Vanars and the lords of men; Then thus, with grief and anger moved, In bitter tone the spies reproved: "Can faithful servants hope to please Their master with such fates as these?

Or hope ye with wild words to wring The bosom of your lord and king?

Such words were better said by those Who come arrayed our mortal foes.

In vain your ears have heard the sage, And listened to the lore of age, Untaught, though lectured many a day, The first great lesson, to obey, 'Tis marvel Rava? reigns and rules Whose counsellors are blind and fools.

Has death no terrors that ye dare To tempt your monarch to despair, From whose imperial mandate flow Disgrace and honour, weal and woe?

Yea, forest trees, when flames are fanned About their scorching trunks, may stand; But naught can set the sinner free When kings the punishment decree.

I would not in mine anger spare The traitorous foe-praising pair, But years of faithful service plead For pardon, and they shall not bleed.

Henceforth to me be dead: depart, Far from my presence and my heart."

Thus spoke the angry king: the two Cried, Long live Rava?, and withdrew, The giant monarch turned and cried To strong Mahodar at his side: "Go thou, and spies more faithful bring.

More duteous to their lord the king."

Swift at his word Mahodar shed, And came returning at the head Of long tried messengers, who bent Before their monarch reverent.

"Go quickly hence," said Rava? "scan With keenest eyes the foeman's plan.

Learn who, as nearest friends, advise And mould each secret enterprise.

Learn when he wakes and goes to rest, Sound every purpose of his breast.

Learn what the prince intends to-day: Watch keenly all, and come away."

With joy they heard the words he said: Then with Sardula at their head About the giant king they went With circling paces reverent.

By fair Suvela's gra.s.sy side The chiefs of Raghu's race they spied, Where, shaded by the waving wood, Vibhisha? and Sugriva stood.

A while they rested there and viewed The Vanars' countless mult.i.tude.

Vibhisha? with observant eyes Knew at a glance the giant spies, And bade the warriors of his train Bind the rash foes with cord and chain: "Sardula's is the sin," he cried.

He neath the Vanars' hands had died, But Rama from their fury freed The captive in his utmost need, And, merciful at sight of woe, Loosed all the spies and bade them go.

Then home to Lanka's monarch fled The giant chiefs discomfited.

Canto x.x.x. Sardula's Speech.

They told their lord that Rama still Lay waiting by Suvela's hill.

The tyrant, flushed with angry glow, Heard of the coming of the foe, And thus with close inquiry pressed Sardula spokesman for the rest: "Why art thou sad, night-rover? speak: Has grief or terror changed thy cheek?

Have the wild Vanars' hostile bands a.s.sailed thee with their mighty hands?"

Sardula heard, but scarce might speak; His trembling tones were faint and weak: "O Giant King, in vain we try The purpose of the foe to spy.

Their strength and number none may tell, And Rama guards his legions well.

He leaves no hope to prying eyes, And parley with the chiefs denies: Each road and path a Vanar guard, Of mountain size, has closed and barred.

Soon as my feet an entrance found By giants was I seized and bound, And wounded sore I fell beneath Their fists and knees and hands and teeth.

Then trembling, bleeding, wellnigh dead To Rama's presence was I led.

He in his mercy stooped to save, And freedom to the captive gave.

With rocks and shattered mountains he Has bridged his way athwart the sea, And he and all his legions wait Embattled close to Lanka's gate.

Soon will the host thy wall a.s.sail, And, swarming on, the rampart scale.

Now, O my King, his consort yield, Or arm thee with the sword and s.h.i.+eld.

This choice is left thee: choose between Thy safety and the Maithil queen."(943)

Canto x.x.xI. The Magic Head.

The tyrant's troubled eye confessed The secret fear that filled his breast.

With dread of coming woe dismayed He called his counsellors to aid; Then sternly silent, deep in thought, His chamber in the palace sought.

Then, as the surest hope of all, The monarch bade his servants call Vidyujjihva, whom magic skill Made master of the means of ill.

Then spake the lord of Lanka's isle: "Come, Sita with thine arts beguile.

With magic skill and deftest care A head like Rama's own prepare.