Ramayana, Book 2, The

<SPAN name="toc253" id="toc253"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf254" id="pdf254"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-XLIX" id="CantoII-XLIX" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto XLIX. The Crossing Of The Rivers.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Now Ráma, ere the night was fled,</div> <div>O'er many a league of road had sped,</div> <div>Till, as his course he onward held,</div> <div>The morn the shades of night dispelled.</div> <div>The rites of holy dawn he paid,</div> <div>And all the country round surveyed.</div> <div>He saw, as still he hurried through</div> <div>With steeds which swift as arrows flew,</div> <div>Hamlets and groves with blossoms fair,</div> <div>And fields which showed the tillers' care,</div> <div>While from the clustered dwellings near</div> <div>The words of peasants reached his ear:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Fie on our lord the king, whose soul</span></div> <div>Is yielded up to love's control!</div> <div>Fie on the vile Kaikeyí! Shame</div> <div>On that malicious sinful dame,</div> <div>Who, keenly bent on cruel deeds,</div> <div>No bounds of right and virtue heeds,</div> <div>But with her wicked art has sent</div> <div>So good a prince to banishment,</div> <div>Wise, tender-hearted, ruling well</div> <div>His senses, in the woods to dwell.</div> <div>Ah cruel king! his heart of steel</div> <div>For his own son no love could feel,</div> <div>Who with the sinless Ráma parts,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >The darling of the people's hearts.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>These words he heard the peasants say,</div> <div>Who dwelt in hamlets by the way,</div> <div>And, lord of all the realm by right,</div> <div>Through Kośala pursued his flight.</div> <div>Through the auspicious flood, at last,</div> <div>Of Vedaśrutí's stream he passed,</div> <div>And onward to the place he sped</div> <div>By Saint Agastya tenanted.</div> <div>Still on for many an hour he hied,</div> <div>And crossed the stream whose cooling tide</div> <div>Rolls onward till she meets the sea,</div> <div>The herd-frequented Gomatí.<SPAN id="noteref_321" name="noteref_321" href="#note_321"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">321</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>Borne by his rapid horses o'er,</div> <div>He reached that river's further shore.</div> <div>And Syandiká's, whose swan-loved stream</div> <div>Resounded with the peacock's scream.</div> <div>Then as he journeyed on his road</div> <div>To his Videhan bride he showed</div> <div>The populous land which Manu old</div> <div>To King Ikshváku gave to hold.</div> <div>The glorious prince, the lord of men</div> <div>Looked on the charioteer, and then</div> <div>Voiced like a wild swan, loud and clear,</div> <div>He spake these words and bade him hear:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“When shall I, with returning feet</span></div> <div>My father and my mother meet?</div> <div>When shall I lead the hunt once more</div> <div>In bloomy woods on Sarjú's shore?</div> <div>Most eagerly I long to ride</div> <div>Urging the chase on Sarjú's side.</div> <div>For royal saints have seen no blame</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >In this, the monarch's matchless game.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Thus speeding on,—no rest or stay,—</div> <div>Ikshváku's son pursued his way.</div> <div>Oft his sweet voice the silence broke,</div> <div>And thus on varied themes he spoke.</div> </div> <SPAN name="toc255" id="toc255"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf256" id="pdf256"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-L" id="CantoII-L" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto L. The Halt Under The Ingudí.</span><SPAN id="noteref_322" name="noteref_322" href="#note_322"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">322</span></span></SPAN></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>So through the wide and fair extent</div> <div>Of Kośala the hero went.</div> <div>Then toward Ayodhyá back he gazed,</div> <div>And cried, with suppliant hands upraised:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Farewell, dear city, first in place,</span></div> <div>Protected by Kakutstha's race!</div> <div>And Gods, who in thy temples dwell,</div> <div>And keep thine ancient citadel!</div> <div>I from his debt my sire will free,</div> <div>Thy well-loved towers again will see,</div> <div>And, coming from my wild retreat,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >My mother and my father meet.”</span></div> </div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page152"></span><SPAN name="Pg152" id="Pg152" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then burning grief inflamed his eye,</div> <div>As his right arm he raised on high,</div> <div>And, while hot tears his cheek bedewed,</div> <div>Addressed the mournful multitude:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“By love and tender pity moved,</span></div> <div>Your love for me you well have proved;</div> <div>Now turn again with joy, and win</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Success in all your hands begin.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Before the high souled chief they bent,</div> <div>With circling steps around him went,</div> <div>And then with bitter wailing, they</div> <div>Departed each his several way.</div> <div>Like the great sun engulfed by night,</div> <div>The hero sped beyond their sight,</div> <div>While still the people mourned his fate</div> <div>And wept aloud disconsolate.</div> <div>The car-borne chieftain passed the bound</div> <div>Of Kośala's delightful ground,</div> <div>Where grain and riches bless the land,</div> <div>And people give with liberal hand:</div> <div>A lovely realm unvexed by fear,</div> <div>Where countless shrines and stakes<SPAN id="noteref_323" name="noteref_323" href="#note_323"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">323</span></span></SPAN> appear:</div> <div>Where mango-groves and gardens grow,</div> <div>And streams of pleasant water flow:</div> <div>Where dwells content a well-fed race,</div> <div>And countless kine the meadows grace:</div> <div>Filled with the voice of praise and prayer:</div> <div>Each hamlet worth a monarch's care.</div> <div>Before him three-pathed Gangá rolled</div> <div>Her heavenly waters bright and cold;</div> <div>O'er her pure breast no weeds were spread,</div> <div>Her banks were hermit-visited.</div> <div>The car-borne hero saw the tide</div> <div>That ran with eddies multiplied,</div> <div>And thus the charioteer addressed:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Here on the bank to-day we rest.</span></div> <div>Not distant from the river, see!</div> <div>There grows a lofty Ingudí</div> <div>With blossoms thick on every spray:</div> <div>There rest we, charioteer, to-day.</div> <div>I on the queen of floods will gaze,</div> <div>Whose holy stream has highest praise,</div> <div>Where deer, and bird, and glittering snake,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >God, Daitya, bard their pastime take.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Sumantra, Lakshmaṇ gave assent,</div> <div>And with the steeds they thither went.</div> <div>When Ráma reached the lovely tree,</div> <div>With Sítá and with Lakshmaṇ, he</div> <div>Alighted from the car: with speed</div> <div>Sumantra loosed each weary steed.</div> <div>And, hand to hand in reverence laid,</div> <div>Stood near to Ráma in the shade.</div> <div>Ráma's dear friend, renowned by fame,</div> <div>Who of Nisháda lineage came,</div> <div>Guha, the mighty chief, adored</div> <div>Through all the land as sovereign lord,</div> <div>Soon as he heard that prince renowned</div> <div>Was resting on Nisháda ground,</div> <div>Begirt by counsellor and peer</div> <div>And many an honoured friend drew near.</div> <div>Soon as the monarch came in view,</div> <div>Ráma and Lakshmaṇ toward him flew.</div> <div>Then Guha, at the sight distressed,</div> <div>His arms around the hero pressed,</div> <div>Laid both his hands upon his head</div> <div>Bowed to those lotus feet, and said:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“O Ráma, make thy wishes known,</span></div> <div>And be this kingdom as thine own.</div> <div>Who, mighty-armed, will ever see</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >A guest so dear as thou to me?”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>He placed before him dainty fare</div> <div>Of every flavour, rich and rare,</div> <div>Brought forth the gift for honoured guest,</div> <div>And thus again the chief addressed:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Welcome, dear Prince, whose arms are strong;</span></div> <div>These lands and all to thee belong.</div> <div>Thy servants we, our lord art thou;</div> <div>Begin, good king, thine empire now.</div> <div>See, various food before thee placed,</div> <div>And cups to drink and sweets to taste</div> <div>For thee soft beds are hither borne,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >And for thy horses grass and corn.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>To Guha as he pressed and prayed,</div> <div>Thus Raghu's son his answer made:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“'Twas aye thy care my heart to please</span></div> <div>With honour, love, and courtesies,</div> <div>And friendship brings thee now to greet</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Thy guest thus humbly on thy feet.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Again the hero spake, as round</div> <div>The king his shapely arms he wound:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Guha, I see that all is well</span></div> <div>With thee and those who with thee dwell;</div> <div>That health and bliss and wealth attend</div> <div>Thy realm, thyself, and every friend.</div> <div>But all these friendly gifts of thine,</div> <div>Bound to refuse, I must decline.</div> <div>Grass, bark, and hide my only wear,</div> <div>And woodland roots and fruit my fare,</div> <div>On duty all my heart is set;</div> <div>I seek the woods, an anchoret.</div> <div>A little grass and corn to feed</div> <div>The horses—this is all I need.</div> <div>So by this favour, King, alone</div> <div>Shall honour due to me be shown.</div> <div>For these good steeds who brought me here</div> <div>Are to my sire supremely dear;</div> <div>And kind attention paid to these</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Will honour me and highly please.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then Guha quickly bade his train</div> <div>Give water to the steeds, and grain.</div> <div>And Ráma, ere the night grew dark,</div> <div>Paid evening rites in dress of bark,</div> <div>And tasted water, on the strand,</div> <div>Drawn from the stream by Lakshmaṇ's hand.</div> <div>And Lakshmaṇ with observance meet</div> <div>Bathed his beloved brother's feet,</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page153"></span><SPAN name="Pg153" id="Pg153" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>Who rested with his Maithil spouse:</div> <div>Then sat him down 'neath distant boughs.</div> <div>And Guha with his bow sat near</div> <div>To Lakshmaṇ and the charioteer,</div> <div>And with the prince conversing kept</div> <div>His faithful watch while Ráma slept.</div> <div>As Daśaratha's glorious heir,</div> <div>Of lofty soul and wisdom rare,</div> <div>Reclining with his Sítá there</div> <div>Beside the river lay—</div> <div>He who no troubles e'er had seen,</div> <div>Whose life a life of bliss had been—</div> <div>That night beneath the branches green</div> <div>Passed pleasantly away.</div> </div> <SPAN name="toc257" id="toc257"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf258" id="pdf258"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-LI" id="CantoII-LI" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto LI. Lakshman's Lament.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>As Lakshmaṇ still his vigil held</div> <div>By unaffected love impelled,</div> <div>Guha, whose heart the sight distressed,</div> <div>With words like these the prince addressed:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Beloved youth, this pleasant bed</span></div> <div>Was brought for thee, for thee is spread;</div> <div>On this, my Prince, thine eyelids close,</div> <div>And heal fatigue with sweet repose.</div> <div>My men are all to labour trained,</div> <div>But hardship thou hast ne'er sustained.</div> <div>All we this night our watch will keep</div> <div>And guard Kakutstha's son asleep.</div> <div>In all the world there breathes not one</div> <div>More dear to me than Raghu's son.</div> <div>The words I speak, heroic youth,</div> <div>Are true: I swear it by my truth.</div> <div>Through his dear grace supreme renown</div> <div>Will, so I trust, my wishes crown.</div> <div>So shall my life rich store obtain</div> <div>Of merit, blest with joy and gain.</div> <div>While Raghu's son and Sítá lie</div> <div>Entranced in happy slumber, I</div> <div>Will, with my trusty bow in hand,</div> <div>Guard my dear friend with all my band.</div> <div>To me, who oft these forests range,</div> <div>Is naught therein or new or strange.</div> <div>We could with equal might oppose</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >A four-fold army led by foes.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then royal Lakshmaṇ made reply:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“With thee to stand as guardian nigh,</span></div> <div>Whose faithful soul regards the right,</div> <div>Fearless we well might rest to-night.</div> <div>But how, when Ráma lays his head</div> <div>With Sítá on his lowly bed,—</div> <div>How can I sleep? how can I care</div> <div>For life, or aught that's bright and fair?</div> <div>Behold the conquering chief, whose might</div> <div>Is match for Gods and fiends in fight;</div> <div>With Sítá now he rests his head</div> <div>Asleep on grass beneath him spread.</div> <div>Won by devotion, text, and prayer,</div> <div>And many a rite performed with care,</div> <div>Chief of our father's sons he shines</div> <div>Well marked, like him, with favouring signs.</div> <div>Brief, brief the monarch's life will be</div> <div>Now his dear son is forced to flee;</div> <div>And quickly will the widowed state</div> <div>Mourn for her lord disconsolate.</div> <div>Each mourner there has wept her fill;</div> <div>The cries of anguish now are still:</div> <div>In the king's hall each dame, o'ercome</div> <div>With weariness of woe is dumb.</div> <div>This first sad night of grief, I ween,</div> <div>Will do to death each sorrowing queen:</div> <div>Scarce is Kauśalyá left alive;</div> <div>My mother, too, can scarce survive.</div> <div>If when her heart is fain to break,</div> <div>She lingers for Śatrughna's sake,</div> <div>Kauśalyá, mother of the chief,</div> <div>Must sink beneath the chilling grief.</div> <div>That town which countless thousands fill,</div> <div>Whose hearts with love of Ráma thrill,—</div> <div>The world's delight, so rich and fair,—</div> <div>Grieved for the king, his death will share.</div> <div>The hopes he fondly cherished, crossed</div> <div>Ayodhyá's throne to Ráma lost,—</div> <div>With mournful cries, Too late, too late!</div> <div>The king my sire will meet his fate.</div> <div>And when my sire has passed away,</div> <div>Most happy in their lot are they,</div> <div>Allowed, with every pious care,</div> <div>Part in his funeral rites to bear.</div> <div>And O, may we with joy at last,—</div> <div>These years of forest exile past,—</div> <div>Turn to Ayodhyá's town to dwell</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >With him who keeps his promise well!”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>While thus the hero mighty-souled,</div> <div>In wild lament his sorrow told,</div> <div>Faint with the load that on him lay,</div> <div>The hours of darkness passed away.</div> <div>As thus the prince, impelled by zeal</div> <div>For his loved brother, prompt to feel</div> <div>Strong yearnings for the people's weal,</div> <div>His words of truth outspake,</div> <div>King Guha grieved to see his woe,</div> <div>Heart-stricken, gave his tears to flow,</div> <div>Tormented by the common blow,</div> <div>Sad, as a wounded snake.</div> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />