The Ramayana Part 46

If glad obedience be denied To father, mother, holy guide, What rites, what service can be done That stern Fate's favour may be won?

These three the triple world comprise, O darling of the lovely eyes.

Earth has no holy thing like these Whom with all love men seek to please.

Not truth, or gift, or bended knee, Not honour, wors.h.i.+p, lordly fee, Storms heaven and wins a blessing thence Like sonly love and reverence.

Heaven, riches, grain, and varied lore, With sons and many a blessing more, All these are made their own with ease By those their elders' souls who please.

The mighty-souled, who ne'er forget, Devoted sons, their filial debt, Win worlds where G.o.ds and minstrels are, And Brahma's sphere more glorious far.

Now as the orders of my sire, Who keeps the way of truth, require, So will I do, for such the way Of duty that endures for aye: To take thee, love, to Da??ak's wild My heart at length is reconciled, For thee such earnest thoughts impel To follow, and with me to dwell.

O faultless form from feet to brows, Come with me, as my will allows, And duty there with me pursue, Trembler, whose bright eyes thrill me through.

In all thy days, come good come ill, Preserve unchanged such n.o.ble will, And thou, dear love, wilt ever be The glory of thy house and me.

Now, beauteous-armed, begin the tasks The woodland life of hermits asks.

For me the joys of heaven above Have charms no more without thee, love.

And now, dear Sita, be not slow: Food on good mendicants bestow, And for the holy Brahmans bring Thy treasures and each precious thing.

Thy best attire and gems collect, The jewels which thy beauty decked, And every ornament and toy Prepared for hours of sport and joy: The beds, the cars wherein I ride, Among our followers, next, divide."

She conscious that her lord approved Her going, with great rapture moved, Hastened within, without delay, Prepared to give their wealth away.

Canto x.x.xI. Lakshman's Prayer.

When Lakshma?, who had joined them there, Had heard the converse of the pair, His mien was changed, his eyes o'erflowed, His breast no more could bear its load.

The son of Raghu, sore distressed, His brother's feet with fervour pressed, While thus to Sita he complained, And him by lofty vows enchained: "If thou wilt make the woods thy home, Where elephant and roebuck roam, I too this day will take my bow And in the path before thee go.

Our way will lie through forest ground Where countless birds and beasts are found, I heed not homes of G.o.ds on high, I heed not life that cannot die, Nor would I wish, with thee away, O'er the three worlds to stretch my sway."

Thus Lakshma? spake, with earnest prayer His brother's woodland life to share.

As Rama still his prayer denied With soothing words, again he cried: "When leave at first thou didst accord, Why dost thou stay me now, my lord?

Thou art my refuge: O, be kind, Leave me not, dear my lord, behind.

Thou canst not, brother, if thou choose That I still live, my wish refuse."

The glorious chief his speech renewed To faithful Lakshma? as he sued, And on the eyes of Rama gazed Longing to lead, with hands upraised: "Thou art a hero just and dear, Whose steps to virtue's path adhere, Loved as my life till life shall end, My faithful brother and my friend.

If to the woods thou take thy way With Sita and with me to-day, Who for Kausalya will provide, And guard the good Sumitra's side?

The lord of earth, of mighty power, Who sends good things in plenteous shower, As Indra pours the grateful rain, A captive lies in pa.s.sion's chain.

The power imperial for her son Has Asvapati's daughter(306) won, And she, proud queen, will little heed Her miserable rivals' need.

So Bharat, ruler of the land, By Queen Kaikeyi's side will stand, Nor of those two will ever think, While grieving in despair they sink.

Now, Lakshma?, as thy love decrees, Or else the monarch's heart to please, Follow this counsel and protect My honoured mother from neglect.

So thou, while not to me alone Thy great affection will be shown, To highest duty wilt adhere By serving those thou shouldst revere.

Now, son of Raghu, for my sake Obey this one request I make, Or, of her darling son bereft, Kausalya has no comfort left."

The faithful Lakshma?, thus addressed In gentle words which love expressed, To him in lore of language learned, His answer, eloquent, returned:

"Nay, through thy might each queen will share Attentive Bharat's love and care, Should Bharat, raised as king to sway This n.o.blest realm, his trust betray, Nor for their safety well provide, Seduced by ill-suggesting pride, Doubt not my vengeful hand shall kill The cruel wretch who counsels ill- Kill him and all who lend him aid, And the three worlds in league arrayed.

And good Kausalya well can fee A thousand champions like to me.

A thousand hamlets rich in grain The station of that queen maintain.

She may, and my dear mother too, Live on the ample revenue.

Then let me follow thee: herein: Is naught that may resemble sin.

So shall I in my wish succeed, And aid, perhaps, my brother's need.

My bow and quiver well supplied With arrows hanging at my side, My hands shall spade and basket bear, And for thy feet the way prepare.

I'll bring thee roots and berries sweet.

And woodland fare which hermits eat.

Thou shall with thy Videhan spouse Recline upon the mountain's brows; Be mine the toil, be mine to keep Watch o'er thee waking or asleep."

Filled by his speech with joy and pride, Rama to Lakshma? thus replied: "Go then, my brother, bid adieu To all thy friends and retinue.

And those two bows of fearful might, Celestial, which, at that famed rite, Lord Varu? gave to Janak, king Of fair Vedeha with thee bring, With heavenly coats of sword-proof mail, Quivers, whose arrows never fail, And golden-hilted swords so keen, The rivals of the sun in sheen.

Tended with care these arms are all Preserved in my preceptor's hall.

With speed, O Lakshma?, go, produce, And bring them hither for our use."

So on a woodland life intent, To see his faithful friends he went, And brought the heavenly arms which lay By Rama's teacher stored away.

And Raghu's son to Rama showed Those wondrous arms which gleamed and glowed, Well kept, adorned with many a wreath Of flowers on case, and hilt, and sheath.

The prudent Rama at the sight Addressed his brother with delight: "Well art thou come, my brother dear, For much I longed to see thee here.

For with thine aid, before I go, I would my gold and wealth bestow Upon the Brahmans sage, who school Their lives by stern devotion's rule.

And for all those who ever dwell Within my house and serve me well, Devoted servants, true and good, Will I provide a livelihood.

Quick, go and summon to this place The good Vasish?ha's son, Suyaj?a, of the Brahman race The first and holiest one.

To all the Brahmans wise and good Will I due reverence pay, Then to the solitary wood With thee will take my way."

Canto x.x.xII. The Gift Of The Treasures.

That speech so n.o.ble which conveyed His friendly wish, the chief obeyed, With steps made swift by anxious thought The wise Suyaj?a's home he sought.

Him in the hall of Fire(307) he found, And bent before him to the ground: "O friend, to Rama's house return, Who now performs a task most stern."

He, when his noonday rites were done, Went forth with fair Sumitra's son, And came to Rama's bright abode Rich in the love which Lakshmi showed.

The son of Raghu, with his dame, With joined hands met him as he came, Showing to him who Scripture knew The wors.h.i.+p that is Agni's due.

With armlets, bracelets, collars, rings, With costly pearls on golden strings, With many a gem for neck and limb The son of Raghu honoured him.

Then Rama, at his wife's request, The wise Suyaj?a thus addressed: "Accept a necklace too to deck With golden strings thy spouse's neck.

And Sita here, my friend, were glad A girdle to her gift to add.

And many a bracelet wrought with care, And many an armlet rich and rare, My wife to thine is fain to give, Departing in the wood to live.

A bed by skilful workmen made, With gold and various gems inlaid- This too, before she goes, would she Present, O saintly friend, to thee.

Thine be my elephant, so famed, My uncle's present, Victor named; And let a thousand coins of gold, Great Brahman, with the gift be told."

Thus Rama spoke: nor he declined The n.o.ble gifts for him designed.

On Rama, Lakshma?, Sita he Invoked all high felicity.

In pleasant words then Rama gave His best to Lakshma? prompt and brave, As Brahma speaks for Him to hear Who rules the G.o.ds' celestial sphere: "To the two best of Brahmans run; Agastya bring, and Kusik's son, And precious gifts upon them rain, Like fostering floods upon the grain.

O long-armed Prince of Raghu's line, Delight them with a thousand kine, And many a fair and costly gem, With gold and silver, give to them.

To him, so deep in Scripture, who, To Queen Kausalya, ever true, Serves her with blessing and respect, Chief of the Taittiriya sect(308)- To him, with women-slaves, present A chariot rich with ornament, And costly robes of silk beside, Until the sage be satisfied.

On Chitraratha, true and dear, My tuneful bard and charioteer, Gems, robes, and plenteous wealth confer- Mine ancient friend and minister.

And these who go with staff in hand, Grammarians trained, a numerous band, Who their deep study only prize, Nor think of other exercise, Who toil not, loving dainty fare, Whose praises e'en the good declare- On these be eighty cars bestowed, And each with precious treasures load.

A thousand bulls for them suffice, Two hundred elephants of price, And let a thousand kine beside The dainties of each meal provide.

The throng who sacred girdles wear, And on Kausalya wait with care- A thousand golden coins shall please, Son of Sumitra, each of these.

Let all, dear Lakshma? of the train These special gifts of honour gain: My mother will rejoice to know Her Brahmans have been cherished so."

Then Raghu's son addressed the crowd Who round him stood and wept aloud, When he to all who thronged the court Had dealt his wealth for their support: "In Lakshma?'s house and mine remain, And guard them till I come again."

To all his people sad with grief, In loving words thus spoke their chief, Then bade his treasure-keeper bring Gold, silver, and each precious thing.

Then straight the servants went and bore Back to their chief the wealth in store.

Before the people's eyes it shone, A glorious pile to look upon.

The prince of men with Lakshma?'s aid Parted the treasures there displayed, Gave to the poor, the young, the old, And twice-born men, the gems and gold.

A Brahman, long in evil case, Named Trija?, born of Garga's race, Earned ever toiling in a wood With spade and plough his livelihood.