The Ramayana Part 30

Then G.o.ds, and saints and heavenly choir Preceded by the General Sire, Met in the air and gazed below On Rama with that wondrous bow.

Nymph, minstrel, angel, all were there, Snake-G.o.d, and spirit of the air, Giant, and bard, and gryphon, met, Their eyes upon the marvel set.

In senseless hush the world was chained While Rama's hand the bow retained, And Jamadagni's son amazed And powerless on the hero gazed.

Then when his swelling heart had shrunk, And his proud strength in torpor sunk, Scarce his voice ventured, low and weak, To Rama lotus-eyed, to speak: "When long ago I gave away The whole broad land to Kasyap's sway He charged me never to remain Within the limits of his reign.

Obedient to my guide's behest On earth by night I never rest.

My choice is made, I will not dim Mine honour and be false to him.

So, son of Raghu, leave me still The power to wander where I will, And swifter than the thought my flight Shall place me on Mahendra's height.

My mansions of eternal joy, By penance won, thou mayst destroy, My path to these thy shaft may stay.

Now to the work! No more delay!

I know thee Lord of G.o.ds; I know Thy changeless might laid Madhu low.

All other hands would surely fail To bend this bow. All hail! all hail!

See! all the G.o.ds have left the skies To bend on thee their eager eyes, With whose achievements none compete, Whose arm in war no G.o.d can meet.

No shame is mine, I ween, for thou, Lord of the Worlds, hast dimmed my brow.

Now, pious Rama, 'tis thy part To shoot afar that glorious dart: I, when the fatal shaft is shot, Will seek that hill and tarry not."

He ceased. The wondrous arrow flew, And Jamadagni's offspring knew Those glorious worlds to him were barred, Once gained by penance long and hard.

Then straight the airy quarters cleared, And the mid regions bright appeared, While G.o.ds and saints unnumbered praised Rama, the mighty bow who raised.

And Jamadagni's son, o'erawed.

Extolled his name with highest laud, With reverent steps around him strode, Then hastened on his airy road.

Far from the sight of all he fled, And rested on Mahendra's head.

Canto LXXVII. Bharat's Departure.

Then Rama with a cheerful mind The bow to Varu?'s hand resigned.

Due reverence to the saints he paid, And thus addressed his sire dismayed: "As Bhrigu's son is far from view, Now let the host its march pursue, And to Ayodhya's town proceed In four-fold bands, with thee to lead."

King Dasaratha thus addressed His lips to Rama's forehead pressed, And held him to his aged breast.

Rejoiced in sooth was he to know That Bhrigu's son had parted so, And hailed a second life begun For him and his victorious son.

He urged the host to speed renewed, And soon Ayodhya's gates he viewed.

High o'er the roofs gay pennons played; Tabour and drum loud music made; Fresh water cooled the royal road, And flowers in bright profusion glowed.

Glad crowds with garlands thronged the ways Rejoicing on their king to gaze And all the town was bright and gay Exalting in the festive day.

People and Brahmans flocked to meet Their monarch ere he gained the street.

The glorious king amid the throng Rode with his glorious sons along, And pa.s.sed within his dear abode That like Himalaya's mountain showed.

And there Kausalya, n.o.ble queen, Sumitra with her lovely mien, Kaikeyi of the dainty waist, And other dames his bowers who graced, Stood in the palace side by side And welcomed home each youthful bride: Fair Sita, lofty-fated dame, Urmila of the glorious fame, And Kusadhwaj's children fair, With joyous greeting and with prayer, As all in linen robes arrayed With offerings at the altars prayed.

Due reverence paid to G.o.d above, Each princess gave her soul to love, And hidden in her inmost bower Pa.s.sed with her lord each blissful hour.

The royal youths, of spirit high, With whom in valor none could vie, Lived each within his palace bounds Bright as Kuvera's pleasure-grounds, With riches, troops of faithful friends, And bliss that wedded life attends: Brave princes trained in warlike skill, And duteous to their father's will.

At length the monarch called one morn Prince Bharat, of Kaikeyi born, And cried: "My son, within our gates Lord Yudhajit thine uncle waits.

The son of Kekaya's king is he, And came, my child, to summon thee."

Then Bharat for the road prepared, And with Satrughna forth he fared.

First to his sire he bade adieu, Brave Rama, and his mothers too.

Lord Yudhajit with joyful pride Went forth, the brothers by his side, And reached the city where he dwelt: And mighty joy his father felt.

Rama and Lakshma? honoured still Their G.o.dlike sire with duteous will.

Two constant guides for Rama stood, His father's wish, the people's good.

Attentive to the general weal He thought and wrought to please and heal.

His mothers too he strove to please With love and sonly courtesies.

At every time, in every spot, His holy guides he ne'er forgot.

So for his virtues kind and true Dearer and dearer Rama grew To Dasaratha, Brahmans, all In town and country, great and small.

And Rama by his darling's side Saw many a blissful season glide, Lodged in her soul, each thought on her, Lover, and friend, and wors.h.i.+pper.

He loved her for his father's voice Had given her and approved the choice: He loved her for each charm she wore And her sweet virtues more and more.

So he her lord and second life Dwelt in the bosom of his wife, In double form, that, e'en apart, Each heart could commune free with heart.

Still grew that child of Janak's race, More G.o.ddess-fair in form and face, The loveliest wife that e'er was seen, In mortal mould sweet Beauty's Queen.

Then shone the son Kausalya bore, With this bright dame allied, Like Vish?u whom the G.o.ds adore, With Lakshmi by his side.

BOOK II.

Canto I. The Heir Apparent.

So Bharat to his grandsire went Obedient to the message sent, And for his fond companion chose Satrughna slayer of his foes.(258) There Bharat for a time remained With love and honour entertained, King Asvapati's constant care, Beloved as a son and heir.

Yet ever, as they lived at ease, While all around combined to please, The aged sire they left behind Was present to each hero's mind.

Nor could the king's fond memory stray From his brave children far away, Dear Bharat and Satrughna dear, Each Varu?'s match or Indra's peer.

To all the princes, young and brave, His soul with fond affection clave; Around his loving heart they clung Like arms from his own body sprung.(259) But best and n.o.blest of the four, Good as the G.o.d whom all adore, Lord of all virtues, undefiled, His darling was his eldest child.

For he was beautiful and strong, From envy free, the foe of wrong, With all his father's virtues blest, And peerless in the world confessed.

With placid soul he softly spoke: No harsh reply could taunts provoke.

He ever loved the good and sage Revered for virtue and for age, And when his martial tasks were o'er Sate listening to their peaceful lore.

Wise, modest, pure, he honoured eld, His lips from lying tales withheld; Due reverence to the Brahmans gave, And ruled each pa.s.sion like a slave.

Most tender, prompt at duty's call, Loved by all men he loved them all.

Proud of the duties of his race, With spirit meet for Warrior's place.

He strove to win by glorious deed, Throned with the G.o.ds, a priceless meed.

With him in speech and quick reply Vrihaspati might hardly vie, But never would his accents flow For evil or for empty show.

In art and science duly trained, His student vow he well maintained; He learnt the lore for princes fit, The Vedas and their Holy Writ, And with his well-drawn bow at last His mighty father's fame surpa.s.sed.

Of birth exalted, truthful, just, With vigorous hand, with n.o.ble trust, Well taught by aged twice-born men Who gain and right could clearly ken, Full well the claims and bounds he knew Of duty, gain, and pleasure too: Of memory keen, of ready tact, In civil business prompt to act.

Reserved, his features ne'er disclosed What counsel in his heart reposed.

All idle rage and mirth controlled, He knew the times to give and hold, Firm in his faith, of steadfast will, He sought no wrong, he spoke no ill: Not rashly swift, not idly slow, His faults and others' keen to know.

Each merit, by his subtle sense; He matched with proper recompense.

He knew the means that wealth provide, And with keen eye expense could guide.

Wild elephants could he reclaim, And mettled steeds could mount and tame.

No arm like his the bow could wield, Or drive the chariot to the field.

Skilled to attack, to deal the blow, Or lead a host against the foe: Yea, e'en infuriate G.o.ds would fear To meet his arm in full career.

As the great sun in noontide blaze Is glorious with his world of rays, So Rama with these virtues shone Which all men loved to gaze upon.

The aged monarch fain would rest, And said within his weary breast, "Oh that I might, while living yet, My Rama o'er the kingdom set.

And see, before my course be run, The hallowed drops anoint my son; See all this s.p.a.cious land obey, From side to side, my first-born's sway, And then, my life and joy complete, Obtain in heaven a blissful seat!"

In him the monarch saw combined The fairest form, the n.o.blest mind, And counselled how his son might share, The throne with him as Regent Heir.