Ramayana, Book 2, The

<SPAN name="toc337" id="toc337"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf338" id="pdf338"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-XCI" id="CantoII-XCI" 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 XCI. Bharadvája's Feast.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Soon as he saw the prince's mind</div> <div>To rest that day was well inclined,</div> <div>He sought Kaikeyí's son to please</div> <div>With hospitable courtesies.</div> <div>Then Bharat to the saint replied:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Our wants are more than satisfied.</span></div> <div>The gifts which honoured strangers greet,</div> <div>And water for our weary feet</div> <div>Hast thou bestowed with friendly care,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >And every choice of woodland fare.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then Bharadvája spoke, a smile</div> <div>Playing upon his lips the while:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“I know, dear Prince, thy friendly mind</span></div> <div>Will any fare sufficient find,</div> <div>But gladly would I entertain</div> <div>And banquet all thine armed train:</div> <div>Such is my earnest wish: do thou</div> <div>This longing of my heart allow,</div> <div>Why hast thou hither bent thy way,</div> <div>And made thy troops behind thee stay?</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page198"></span><SPAN name="Pg198" id="Pg198" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>Why unattended? couldst thou not</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >With friends and army seek this spot?”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Bharat, with reverent hands raised high,</div> <div>To that great hermit made reply:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“My troops, for awe of thee, O Sage,</span></div> <div>I brought not to thy hermitage:</div> <div>Troops of a king or monarch's son</div> <div>A hermit's home should ever shun.</div> <div>Behind me comes a mighty train</div> <div>Wide spreading o'er the ample plain,</div> <div>Where every chief and captain leads</div> <div>Men, elephants, and mettled steeds.</div> <div>I feared, O reverend Sage, lest these</div> <div>Might harm the holy ground and trees,</div> <div>Springs might be marred and cots o'erthrown,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >So with the priests I came alone.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Bring all thy host,”</span> the hermit cried,</div> <div>And Bharat, to his joy, complied.</div> <div>Then to the chapel went the sire,</div> <div>Where ever burnt the sacred fire,</div> <div>And first, in order due, with sips</div> <div>Of water purified his lips:</div> <div>To Viśvakarmá, then he prayed,</div> <div>His hospitable feast to aid:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Let Viśvakarmá hear my call,</span></div> <div>The God who forms and fashions all:</div> <div>A mighty banquet I provide,</div> <div>Be all my wants this day supplied.</div> <div>Lord Indra at their head, the three<SPAN id="noteref_365" name="noteref_365" href="#note_365"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">365</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>Who guard the worlds I call to me:</div> <div>A mighty host this day I feed,</div> <div>Be now supplied my every need.</div> <div>Let all the streams that eastward go,</div> <div>And those whose waters westering flow,</div> <div>Both on the earth and in the sky,</div> <div>Flow hither and my wants supply.</div> <div>Be some with ardent liquor filled,</div> <div>And some with wine from flowers distilled,</div> <div>While some their fresh cool streams retain</div> <div>Sweet as the juice of sugar-cane.</div> <div>I call the Gods, I call the band</div> <div>Of minstrels that around them stand:</div> <div>I call the Háhá and Huhú,</div> <div>I call the sweet Viśvávasu,</div> <div>I call the heavenly wives of these</div> <div>With all the bright Apsarases,</div> <div>Alambúshá of beauty rare,</div> <div>The charmer of the tangled hair,</div> <div>Ghritáchí and Viśváchi fair,</div> <div>Hemá and Bhímá sweet to view,</div> <div>And lovely Nágadantá too,</div> <div>And all the sweetest nymphs who stand</div> <div>By Indra or by Brahmá's hand—</div> <div>I summon these with all their train</div> <div>And Tumburu to lead the strain.</div> <div>Here let Kuvera's garden rise</div> <div>Which far in Northern Kuru<SPAN id="noteref_366" name="noteref_366" href="#note_366"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">366</span></span></SPAN> lies:</div> <div>For leaves let cloth and gems entwine,</div> <div>And let its fruit be nymphs divine.</div> <div>Let Soma<SPAN id="noteref_367" name="noteref_367" href="#note_367"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">367</span></span></SPAN> give the noblest food</div> <div>To feed the mighty multitude,</div> <div>Of every kind, for tooth and lip,</div> <div>To chew, to lick, to suck, and sip.</div> <div>Let wreaths, where fairest flowers abound,</div> <div>Spring from the trees that bloom around.</div> <div>Each sort of wine to woo the taste,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >And meats of every kind be placed.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Thus spake the hermit self-restrained,</div> <div>With proper tone by rules ordained,</div> <div>On deepest meditation bent,</div> <div>In holy might preëminent.</div> <div>Then as with hands in reverence raised</div> <div>Absorbed in thought he eastward gazed,</div> <div>The deities he thus addressed</div> <div>Came each in semblance manifest.</div> <div>Delicious gales that cooled the frame</div> <div>From Malaya and Dardar came,</div> <div>That kissed those scented hills and threw</div> <div>Auspicious fragrance where they blew.</div> <div>Then falling fast in sweetest showers</div> <div>Came from the sky immortal flowers,</div> <div>And all the airy region round</div> <div>With heavenly drums was made to sound.</div> <div>Then breathed a soft celestial breeze,</div> <div>Then danced the bright Apsarases,</div> <div>The minstrels and the Gods advanced,</div> <div>And warbling lutes the soul entranced.</div> <div>The earth and sky that music filled,</div> <div>And through each ear it softly thrilled,</div> <div>As from the heavenly quills it fell</div> <div>With time and tune attempered well.</div> <div>Soon as the minstrels ceased to play</div> <div>And airs celestial died away,</div> <div>The troops of Bharat saw amazed</div> <div>What Viśvakarmá's art had raised.</div> <div>On every side, five leagues around,</div> <div>All smooth and level lay the ground,</div> <div>With fresh green grass that charmed the sight</div> <div>Like sapphires blent with lazulite.</div> <div>There the Wood-apple hung its load,</div> <div>The Mango and the Citron glowed,</div> <div>The Bel and scented Jak were there,</div> <div>And Apelá with fruitage fair.</div> <div>There, brought from Northern Kuru, stood</div> <div>Rich in delights, the glorious wood,</div> <div>And many a stream was seen to glide</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page199"></span><SPAN name="Pg199" id="Pg199" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>With flowering trees along its side.</div> <div>There mansions rose with four wide halls,</div> <div>And elephants and chargers' stalls,</div> <div>And many a house of royal state,</div> <div>Triumphal arc and bannered gate.</div> <div>With noble doorways, sought the sky,</div> <div>Like a pale cloud, a palace high,</div> <div>Which far and wide rare fragrance shed,</div> <div>With wreaths of white engarlanded.</div> <div>Square was its shape, its halls were wide,</div> <div>With many a seat and couch supplied,</div> <div>Drink of all kinds, and every meat</div> <div>Such as celestial Gods might eat.</div> <div>Then at the bidding of the seer</div> <div>Kaikeyí's strong-armed son drew near,</div> <div>And passed within that fair abode</div> <div>Which with the noblest jewels glowed.</div> <div>Then, as Vaśishṭha led the way,</div> <div>The councillors, in due array,</div> <div>Followed delighted and amazed</div> <div>And on the glorious structure gazed.</div> <div>Then Bharat, Raghu's son, drew near</div> <div>The kingly throne, with prince and peer,</div> <div>Whereby the chouri in the shade</div> <div>Of the white canopy was laid.</div> <div>Before the throne he humbly bent</div> <div>And honoured Ráma, reverent,</div> <div>Then in his hand the chouri bore,</div> <div>And sat where sits a councillor.</div> <div>His ministers and household priest</div> <div>Sat by degrees from chief to least,</div> <div>Then sat the captain of the host</div> <div>And all the men he honoured most.</div> <div>Then when the saint his order gave,</div> <div>Each river with enchanted wave</div> <div>Rolled milk and curds divinely sweet</div> <div>Before the princely Bharat's feet;</div> <div>And dwellings fair on either side,</div> <div>With gay white plaster beautified,</div> <div>Their heavenly roofs were seen to lift,</div> <div>The Bráhman Bharadvája's gift.</div> <div>Then straight by Lord Kuvera sent,</div> <div>Gay with celestial ornament</div> <div>Of bright attire and jewels' shine,</div> <div>Came twenty thousand nymphs divine:</div> <div>The man on whom those beauties glanced</div> <div>That moment felt his soul entranced.</div> <div>With them from Nandan's blissful shades</div> <div>Came twenty thousand heavenly maids.</div> <div>Tumburu, Nárad, Gopa came,</div> <div>And Sutanu, like radiant flame,</div> <div>The kings of the Gandharva throng,</div> <div>And ravished Bharat with their song.</div> <div>Then spoke the saint, and swift obeyed</div> <div>Alambúshá, the fairest maid,</div> <div>And Miśrakeśí bright to view,</div> <div>Ramaṇá, Puṇḍríká too,</div> <div>And danced to him with graceful ease</div> <div>The dances of Apsarases.</div> <div>All chaplets that by Gods are worn,</div> <div>Or Chaitraratha's graves adorn,</div> <div>Bloomed by the saint's command arrayed</div> <div>On branches in Prayága's shade.</div> <div>When at the saint's command the breeze</div> <div>Made music with the Vilva trees,</div> <div>To wave in rhythmic beat began</div> <div>The boughs of each Myrobolan,</div> <div>And holy fig-trees wore the look</div> <div>Of dancers, as their leaflets shook.</div> <div>The fair Tamála, palm, and pine,</div> <div>With trees that tower and plants that twine,</div> <div>The sweetly varying forms displayed</div> <div>Of stately dame or bending maid.</div> <div>Here men the foaming winecup quaffed,</div> <div>Here drank of milk full many a draught,</div> <div>And tasted meats of every kind,</div> <div>Well dressed, whatever pleased their mind.</div> <div>Then beauteous women, seven or eight,</div> <div>Stood ready by each man to wait:</div> <div>Beside the stream his limbs they stripped</div> <div>And in the cooling water dipped.</div> <div>And then the fair ones, sparkling eyed,</div> <div>With soft hands rubbed his limbs and dried,</div> <div>And sitting on the lovely bank</div> <div>Held up the winecup as he drank.</div> <div>Nor did the grooms forget to feed</div> <div>Camel and mule and ox and steed,</div> <div>For there were stores of roasted grain,</div> <div>Of honey and of sugar-cane.</div> <div>So fast the wild excitement spread</div> <div>Among the warriors Bharat led,</div> <div>That all the mighty army through</div> <div>The groom no more his charger knew,</div> <div>And he who drove might seek in vain</div> <div>To tell his elephant again.</div> <div>With every joy and rapture fired,</div> <div>Entranced with all the heart desired,</div> <div>The myriads of the host that night</div> <div>Revelled delirious with delight.</div> <div>Urged by the damsels at their side</div> <div>In wild delight the warriors cried:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Ne'er will we seek Ayodhyá, no,</span></div> <div>Nor yet to Daṇḍak forest go:</div> <div>Here will we stay: may happy fate</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >On Bharat and on Ráma wait.”</span></div> <div>Thus cried the army gay and free</div> <div>Exulting in their lawless glee,</div> <div>Both infantry and those who rode</div> <div>On elephants, or steeds bestrode,</div> <div>Ten thousand voices shouting, <span class="tei tei-q" >“This</span></div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Is heaven indeed for perfect bliss.”</span></div> <div>With garlands decked they idly strayed,</div> <div>And danced and laughed and sang and played.</div> <div>At length as every soldier eyed,</div> <div>With food like Amrit satisfied,</div> <div>Each dainty cate and tempting meat,</div> <div>No longer had he care to eat.</div> <div>Thus soldier, servant, dame, and slave</div> <div>Received whate'er the wish might crave.</div> <div>As each in new-wrought clothes arrayed</div> <div>Enjoyed the feast before him laid.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page200"></span><SPAN name="Pg200" id="Pg200" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>Each man was seen in white attire</div> <div>Unstained by spot or speck of mire:</div> <div>None was athirst or hungry there,</div> <div>And none had dust upon his hair.</div> <div>On every side in woody dells</div> <div>Was milky food in bubbling wells,</div> <div>And there were all-supplying cows</div> <div>And honey dropping from the boughs.</div> <div>Nor wanted lakes of flower-made drink</div> <div>With piles of meat upon the brink,</div> <div>Boiled, stewed, and roasted, varied cheer,</div> <div>Peachick and jungle-fowl and deer,</div> <div>There was the flesh of kid and boar,</div> <div>And dainty sauce in endless store,</div> <div>With juice of flowers concocted well,</div> <div>And soup that charmed the taste and smell,</div> <div>And pounded fruits of bitter taste,</div> <div>And many a bath was ready placed</div> <div>Down by each river's shelving side</div> <div>There stood great basins well supplied,</div> <div>And laid therein, of dazzling sheen,</div> <div>White brushes for the teeth were seen,</div> <div>And many a covered box wherein</div> <div>Was sandal powdered for the skin.</div> <div>And mirrors bright with constant care,</div> <div>And piles of new attire were there,</div> <div>And store of sandals and of shoes,</div> <div>Thousands of pairs, for all to choose:</div> <div>Eye-unguents, combs for hair and beard,</div> <div>Umbrellas fair and bows appeared.</div> <div>Lakes gleamed, that lent digestive aid,<SPAN id="noteref_368" name="noteref_368" href="#note_368"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">368</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>And some for pleasant bathing made,</div> <div>With waters fair, and smooth incline</div> <div>For camels, horses, mules, and kine.</div> <div>There saw they barley heaped on high</div> <div>The countless cattle to supply:</div> <div>The golden grain shone fair and bright</div> <div>As sapphires or the lazulite.</div> <div>To all the gathered host it seemed</div> <div>As if that magic scene they dreamed,</div> <div>And wonder, as they gazed, increased</div> <div>At Bharadvája's glorious feast.</div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Thus in the hermit's grove they spent</div> <div>That night in joy and merriment,</div> <div>Blest as the Gods who take their ease</div> <div>Under the shade of Nandan's trees.</div> <div>Each minstrel bade the saint adieu,</div> <div>And to his blissful mansion flew,</div> <div>And every stream and heavenly dame</div> <div>Returned as swiftly as she came.</div> </div> <SPAN name="toc339" id="toc339"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf340" id="pdf340"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-XCII" id="CantoII-XCII" 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 XCII. Bharat's Farewell.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>So Bharat with his army spent</div> <div>The watches of the night content,</div> <div>And gladly, with the morning's light</div> <div>Drew near his host the anchorite.</div> <div>When Bharadvája saw him stand</div> <div>With hand in reverence joined to hand,</div> <div>When fires of worship had been fed,</div> <div>He looked upon the prince and said:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“O blameless son, I pray thee tell,</span></div> <div>Did the past night content thee well?</div> <div>Say if the feast my care supplied</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Thy host of followers gratified.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>His hands he joined, his head he bent</div> <div>And spoke in answer reverent</div> <div>To the most high and radiant sage</div> <div>Who issued from his hermitage:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Well have I passed the night: thy feast</span></div> <div>Gave joy to every man and beast;</div> <div>And I, great lord, and every peer</div> <div>Were satisfied with sumptuous cheer,</div> <div>Thy banquet has delighted all</div> <div>From highest chief to meanest thrall,</div> <div>And rich attire and drink and meat</div> <div>Banished the thought of toil and heat.</div> <div>And now, O Hermit good and great,</div> <div>A boon of thee I supplicate.</div> <div>To Ráma's side my steps I bend:</div> <div>Do thou with friendly eye commend.</div> <div>O tell me how to guide my feet</div> <div>To virtuous Ráma's lone retreat:</div> <div>Great Hermit, I entreat thee, say</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >How far from here and which the way.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Thus by fraternal love inspired</div> <div>The chieftain of the saint inquired:</div> <div>Then thus replied the glorious seer</div> <div>Of matchless might, of vows austere:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Ere the fourth league from here be passed,</span></div> <div>Amid a forest wild and vast,</div> <div>Stands Chitrakúṭa's mountain tall,</div> <div>Lovely with wood and waterfall.</div> <div>North of the mountain thou wilt see</div> <div>The beauteous stream Mandákiní,</div> <div>Where swarm the waterfowl below,</div> <div>And gay trees on the margin grow.</div> <div>Then will a leafy cot between</div> <div>The river and the hill be seen:</div> <div>'Tis Ráma's, and the princely pair</div> <div>Of brothers live for certain there.</div> <div>Hence to the south thine army lead,</div> <div>And then more southward still proceed,</div> <div>So shalt thou find his lone retreat,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >And there the son of Raghu meet.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Soon as the ordered march they knew,</div> <div>The widows of the monarch flew,</div> <div>Leaving their cars, most meet to ride,</div> <div>And flocked to Bharadvája's side.</div> <div>There with the good Sumitrá Queen</div> <div>Kauśalyá, sad and worn, was seen,</div> <div>Caressing, still with sorrow faint,</div> <div>The feet of that illustrious saint,</div> <div>Kaikeyí too, her longings crossed,</div> <div>Reproached of all, her object lost,</div> <div>Before the famous hermit came,</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page201"></span><SPAN name="Pg201" id="Pg201" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>And clasped his feet, o'erwhelmed with shame.</div> <div>With circling steps she humbly went</div> <div>Around the saint preëminent,</div> <div>And stood not far from Bharat's side</div> <div>With heart oppressed, and heavy-eyed.</div> <div>Then the great seer, who never broke</div> <div>One holy vow, to Bharat spoke:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Speak, Raghu's son: I fain would learn</span></div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >The story of each queen in turn.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Obedient to the high request</div> <div>By Bharadvája thus addressed,</div> <div>His reverent hands together laid,</div> <div>He, skilled in speech, his answer made:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“She whom, O Saint, thou seest here</span></div> <div>A Goddess in her form appear,</div> <div>Was the chief consort of the king,</div> <div>Now worn with fast and sorrowing.</div> <div>As Aditi in days of yore</div> <div>The all-preserving Vishṇu bore,</div> <div>Kauśalyá bore with happy fate</div> <div>Lord Ráma of the lion's gait.</div> <div>She who, transfixed with torturing pangs,</div> <div>On her left arm so fondly hangs,</div> <div>As when her withering leaves decay</div> <div>Droops by the wood the Cassia spray,</div> <div>Sumitrá, pained with woe, is she,</div> <div>The consort second of the three:</div> <div>Two princely sons the lady bare,</div> <div>Fair as the Gods in heaven are fair.</div> <div>And she, the wicked dame through whom</div> <div>My brothers' lives are wrapped in gloom,</div> <div>And mourning for his offspring dear,</div> <div>The king has sought his heavenly sphere,—</div> <div>Proud, foolish-hearted, swift to ire,</div> <div>Self-fancied darling of my sire,</div> <div>Kaikeyí, most ambitious queen,</div> <div>Unlovely with her lovely mien,</div> <div>My mother she, whose impious will</div> <div>Is ever bent on deeds of ill,</div> <div>In whom the root and spring I see</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Of all this woe which crushes me.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Quick breathing like a furious snake,</div> <div>With tears and sobs the hero spake,</div> <div>With reddened eyes aglow with rage.</div> <div>And Bharadvája, mighty sage,</div> <div>Supreme in wisdom, calm and grave,</div> <div>In words like these good counsel gave:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“O Bharat, hear the words I say;</span></div> <div>On her the fault thou must not lay:</div> <div>For many a blessing yet will spring</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >From banished Ráma's wandering.”</span></div> <div>And Bharat, with that promise cheered,</div> <div>Went circling round that saint revered,</div> <div>He humbly bade farewell, and then</div> <div>Gave orders to collect his men.</div> <div>Prompt at the summons thousands flew</div> <div>To cars which noble coursers drew,</div> <div>Bright-gleaming, glorious to behold,</div> <div>Adorned with wealth of burnished gold.</div> <div>Then female elephants and male,</div> <div>Gold-girthed, with flags that wooed the gale,</div> <div>Marched with their bright bells' tinkling chime</div> <div>Like clouds when ends the summer time:</div> <div>Some cars were huge and some were light,</div> <div>For heavy draught or rapid flight,</div> <div>Of costly price, of every kind,</div> <div>With clouds of infantry behind.</div> <div>The dames, Kauśalyá at their head,</div> <div>Were in the noblest chariots led,</div> <div>And every gentle bosom beat</div> <div>With hope the banished prince to meet.</div> <div>The royal Bharat, glory-crowned,</div> <div>With all his retinue around,</div> <div>Borne in a beauteous litter rode,</div> <div>Like the young moon and sun that glowed.</div> <div>The army as it streamed along,</div> <div>Cars, elephants, in endless throng,</div> <div>Showed, marching on its southward way,</div> <div>Like autumn clouds in long array.</div> </div> <SPAN name="toc341" id="toc341"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf342" id="pdf342"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-XCIII" id="CantoII-XCIII" 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 XCIII. Chitrakúta In Sight.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>As through the woods its way pursued</div> <div>That mighty bannered multitude,</div> <div>Wild elephants in terror fled</div> <div>With all the startled herds they led,</div> <div>And bears and deer were seen on hill,</div> <div>In forest glade, by every rill.</div> <div>Wide as the sea from coast to coast,</div> <div>The high-souled Bharat's mighty host</div> <div>Covered the earth as cloudy trains</div> <div>Obscure the sky when fall the rains.</div> <div>The stately elephants he led,</div> <div>And countless steeds the land o'erspread,</div> <div>So closely crowded that between</div> <div>Their serried ranks no ground was seen.</div> <div>Then when the host had travelled far,</div> <div>And steeds were worn who drew the car,</div> <div>The glorious Bharat thus addressed</div> <div>Vaśishṭha, of his lords the best:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“The spot, methinks, we now behold</span></div> <div>Of which the holy hermit told,</div> <div>For, as his words described, I trace</div> <div>Each several feature of the place:</div> <div>Before us Chitrakúṭa shows,</div> <div>Mandákiní beside us flows:</div> <div>Afar umbrageous woods arise</div> <div>Like darksome clouds that veil the skies.</div> <div>Now tread these mountain-beasts of mine</div> <div>On Chitrakúṭa's fair incline.</div> <div>The trees their rain of blossoms shed</div> <div>On table-lands beneath them spread,</div> <div>As from black clouds the floods descend</div> <div>When the hot days of summer end.</div> <div>Śatrughna, look, the mountain see</div> <div>Where heavenly minstrels wander free,</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page202"></span><SPAN name="Pg202" id="Pg202" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>And horses browse beneath the steep,</div> <div>Countless as monsters in the deep.</div> <div>Scared by my host the mountain deer</div> <div>Starting with tempest speed appear</div> <div>Like the long lines of cloud that fly</div> <div>In autumn through the windy sky.</div> <div>See, every warrior shows his head</div> <div>With fragrant blooms engarlanded;</div> <div>All look like southern soldiers who</div> <div>Lift up their shields of azure hue.</div> <div>This lonely wood beneath the hill,</div> <div>That was so dark and drear and still,</div> <div>Covered with men in endless streams</div> <div>Now like Ayodhyá's city seems.</div> <div>The dust which countless hoofs excite</div> <div>Obscures the sky and veils the light;</div> <div>But see, swift winds those clouds dispel</div> <div>As if they strove to please me well.</div> <div>See, guided in their swift career</div> <div>By many a skilful charioteer,</div> <div>Those cars by fleetest coursers drawn</div> <div>Race onward over glade and lawn.</div> <div>Look, startled as the host comes near</div> <div>The lovely peacocks fly in fear,</div> <div>Gorgeous as if the fairest blooms</div> <div>Of earth had glorified their plumes.</div> <div>Look where the sheltering covert shows</div> <div>The trooping deer, both bucks and does,</div> <div>That occupy in countless herds</div> <div>This mountain populous with birds.</div> <div>Most lovely to my mind appears</div> <div>This place which every charm endears:</div> <div>Fair as the road where tread the Blest;</div> <div>Here holy hermits take their rest.</div> <div>Then let the army onward press</div> <div>And duly search each green recess</div> <div>For the two lion-lords, till we</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Ráma once more and Lakshmaṇ see.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Thus Bharat spoke: and hero bands</div> <div>Of men with weapons in their hands</div> <div>Entered the tangled forest: then</div> <div>A spire of smoke appeared in ken.</div> <div>Soon as they saw the rising smoke</div> <div>To Bharat they returned and spoke:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“No fire where men are not: 'tis clear</span></div> <div>That Raghu's sons are dwelling here.</div> <div>Or if not here those heroes dwell</div> <div>Whose mighty arms their foeman quell,</div> <div>Still other hermits here must be</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Like Ráma, true and good as he.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>His ears attentive Bharat lent</div> <div>To their resistless argument,</div> <div>Then to his troops the chief who broke</div> <div>His foe's embattled armies spoke:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Here let the troops in silence stay;</span></div> <div>One step beyond they must not stray.</div> <div>Come Dhrishṭi and Sumantra, you</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >With me alone the path pursue.”</span></div> <div>Their leader's speech the warriors heard,</div> <div>And from his place no soldier stirred,</div> <div>And Bharat bent his eager eyes</div> <div>Where curling smoke was seen to rise.</div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>The host his order well obeyed,</div> <div>And halting there in silence stayed</div> <div>Watching where from the thicket's shade</div> <div>They saw the smoke appear.</div> <div>And joy through all the army ran,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Soon shall we meet,”</span> thought every man,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“The prince we hold so dear.”</span></div> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />