Ramayana, Book 2, The

<SPAN name="toc373" id="toc373"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf374" id="pdf374"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-CIX" id="CantoII-CIX" 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 CIX. The Praises Of Truth.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>By sage Jáváli thus addressed,</div> <div>Ráma of truthful hearts the best,</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page218"></span><SPAN name="Pg218" id="Pg218" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>With perfect skill and wisdom high</div> <div>Thus to his speech made fit reply:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Thy words that tempt to bliss are fair,</span></div> <div>But virtue's garb they falsely wear.</div> <div>For he from duty's path who strays</div> <div>To wander in forbidden ways,</div> <div>Allured by doctrine false and vain,</div> <div>Praise from the good can never gain.</div> <div>Their lives the true and boaster show,</div> <div>Pure and impure, and high and low,</div> <div>Else were no mark to judge between</div> <div>Stainless and stained and high and mean;</div> <div>They to whose lot fair signs may fall</div> <div>Were but as they who lack them all,</div> <div>And those to virtuous thoughts inclined</div> <div>Were but as men of evil mind.</div> <div>If in the sacred name of right</div> <div>I do this wrong in duty's spite;</div> <div>The path of virtue meanly quit,</div> <div>And this polluting sin commit,</div> <div>What man who marks the bounds between</div> <div>Virtue and vice with insight keen,</div> <div>Would rank me high in after time</div> <div>Stained with this soul destroying crime?</div> <div>Whither could I, the sinner, turn,</div> <div>How hope a seat in heaven to earn,</div> <div>If I my plighted promise break,</div> <div>And thus the righteous path forsake?</div> <div>This world of ours is ever led</div> <div>To walk the ways which others tread,</div> <div>And as their princes they behold,</div> <div>The subjects too their lives will mould.</div> <div>That truth and mercy still must be</div> <div>Beloved of kings, is Heaven's decree.</div> <div>Upheld by truth the monarch reigns,</div> <div>And truth the very world sustains.</div> <div>Truth evermore has been the love</div> <div>Of holy saints and Gods above,</div> <div>And he whose lips are truthful here</div> <div>Wins after death the highest sphere.</div> <div>As from a serpent's deadly tooth,</div> <div>We shrink from him who scorns the truth.</div> <div>For holy truth is root and spring</div> <div>Of justice and each holy thing,</div> <div>A might that every power transcends,</div> <div>Linked to high bliss that never ends.</div> <div>Truth is all virtue's surest base,</div> <div>Supreme in worth and first in place.</div> <div>Oblations, gifts men offer here,</div> <div>Vows, sacrifice, and rites austere,</div> <div>And Holy Writ, on truth depend:</div> <div>So men must still that truth defend.</div> <div>Truth, only truth protects the land,</div> <div>By truth unharmed our houses stand;</div> <div>Neglect of truth makes men distressed,</div> <div>And truth in highest heaven is blessed.</div> <div>Then how can I, rebellious, break</div> <div>Commandments which my father spake—</div> <div>I ever true and faithful found,</div> <div>And by my word of honour bound?</div> <div>My father's bridge of truth shall stand</div> <div>Unharmed by my destructive hand:</div> <div>Not folly, ignorance, or greed</div> <div>My darkened soul shall thus mislead.</div> <div>Have we not heard that God and shade</div> <div>Turn from the hated offerings paid</div> <div>By him whose false and fickle mind</div> <div>No pledge can hold, no promise bind?</div> <div>Truth is all duty: as the soul,</div> <div>It quickens and supports the whole.</div> <div>The good respect this duty: hence</div> <div>Its sacred claims I reverence.</div> <div>The Warrior's duty I despise</div> <div>That seeks the wrong in virtue's guise:</div> <div>Those claims I shrink from, which the base,</div> <div>Cruel, and covetous embrace.</div> <div>The heart conceives the guilty thought,</div> <div>Then by the hand the sin is wrought,</div> <div>And with the pair is leagued a third,</div> <div>The tongue that speaks the lying word.</div> <div>Fortune and land and name and fame</div> <div>To man's best care have right and claim;</div> <div>The good will aye to truth adhere,</div> <div>And its high laws must men revere.</div> <div>Base were the deed thy lips would teach,</div> <div>Approved as best by subtle speech.</div> <div>Shall I my plighted promise break,</div> <div>That I these woods my home would make?</div> <div>Shall I, as Bharat's words advise,</div> <div>My father's solemn charge despise?</div> <div>Firm stands the oath which then before</div> <div>My father's face I soothly swore,</div> <div>Which Queen Kaikeyí's anxious ear</div> <div>Rejoiced with highest joy to hear.</div> <div>Still in the wood will I remain,</div> <div>With food prescribed my life sustain,</div> <div>And please with fruit and roots and flowers</div> <div>Ancestral shades and heavenly powers.</div> <div>Here every sense contented, still</div> <div>Heeding the bounds of good and ill,</div> <div>My settled course will I pursue,</div> <div>Firm in my faith and ever true.</div> <div>Here in this wild and far retreat</div> <div>Will I my noble task complete;</div> <div>And Fire and Wind and Moon shall be</div> <div>Partakers of its fruit with me.</div> <div>A hundred offerings duly wrought</div> <div>His rank o'er Gods for Indra bought,</div> <div>And mighty saints their heaven secured</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >By torturing years on earth endured.”</span></div> <div>That scoffing plea the hero spurned,</div> <div>And thus he spake once more,</div> <div>Chiding, the while his bosom burned,</div> <div>Jáváli's impious lore:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Justice, and courage ne'er dismayed,</span></div> <div>Pity for all distressed,</div> <div>Truth, loving honour duly paid</div> <div>To Bráhman, God, and guest—</div> <div>In these, the true and virtuous say,</div> <div>Should lives of men be passed:</div> <div>They form the right and happy way</div> <div>That leads to heaven at last.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page219"></span><SPAN name="Pg219" id="Pg219" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>My father's thoughtless act I chide</div> <div>That gave thee honoured place,</div> <div>Whose soul, from virtue turned aside,</div> <div>Is faithless, dark, and base.</div> <div>We rank the Buddhist with the thief,<SPAN id="noteref_388" name="noteref_388" href="#note_388"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">388</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>And all the impious crew</div> <div>Who share his sinful disbelief,</div> <div>And hate the right and true.</div> <div>Hence never should wise kings who seek</div> <div>To rule their people well,</div> <div>Admit, before their face to speak,</div> <div>The cursed infidel.</div> <div>But twice-born men in days gone by,</div> <div>Of other sort than thou,</div> <div>Have wrought good deeds, whose glories high</div> <div>Are fresh among us now:</div> <div>This world they conquered, nor in vain</div> <div>They strove to win the skies:</div> <div>The twice-born hence pure lives maintain,</div> <div>And fires of worship rise.</div> <div>Those who in virtue's path delight,</div> <div>And with the virtuous live,—</div> <div>Whose flames of holy zeal are bright,</div> <div>Whose hands are swift to give,</div> <div>Who injure none, and good and mild</div> <div>In every grace excel,</div> <div>Whose lives by sin are undefiled,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >We love and honour well.”</span></div> <div>Thus Ráma spoke in righteous rage</div> <div>Jáváli's speech to chide,</div> <div>When thus again the virtuous sage</div> <div>In truthful words replied:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“The atheist's lore I use no more,</span></div> <div>Not mine his impious creed:</div> <div>His words and doctrine I abhor,</div> <div>Assumed at time of need.</div> <div>E'en as I rose to speak with thee,</div> <div>The fit occasion came</div> <div>That bade me use the atheist's plea</div> <div>To turn thee from thine aim.</div> <div>The atheist creed I disavow,</div> <div>Unsay the words of sin,</div> <div>And use the faithful's language now</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Thy favour, Prince, to win.”</span></div> </div> <SPAN name="toc375" id="toc375"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf376" id="pdf376"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-CX" id="CantoII-CX" 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 CX. The Sons Of Ikshváku.</span><SPAN id="noteref_389" name="noteref_389" href="#note_389"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">389</span></span></SPAN></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then spake Vaśishṭha who perceived</div> <div>That Ráma's soul was wroth and grieved:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Well knows the sage Jáváli all</span></div> <div>The changes that the world befall;</div> <div>And but to lead thee to revoke</div> <div>Thy purpose were the words he spoke.</div> <div>Lord of the world, now hear from me</div> <div>How first this world began to be.</div> <div>First water was, and naught beside;</div> <div>There earth was formed that stretches wide.</div> <div>Then with the Gods from out the same</div> <div>The Self-existent Brahmá came.</div> <div>Then Brahmá<SPAN id="noteref_390" name="noteref_390" href="#note_390"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">390</span></span></SPAN> in a boar's disguise</div> <div>Bade from the deep this earth arise;</div> <div>Then, with his sons of tranquil soul,</div> <div>He made the world and framed the whole.</div> <div>From subtlest ether Brahmá rose:</div> <div>No end, no loss, no change he knows.</div> <div>A son had he, Maríchi styled,</div> <div>And Kaśyap was Maríchi's child.</div> <div>From him Vivasvat sprang: from him</div> <div>Manu, whose fame shall ne'er be dim.</div> <div>Manu, who life to mortals gave,</div> <div>Begot Ikshváku good and brave:</div> <div>First of Ayodhyá's kings was he,</div> <div>Pride of her famous dynasty.</div> <div>From him the glorious Kukshi sprang,</div> <div>Whose fame through all the regions rang.</div> <div>Rival of Kukshi's ancient fame,</div> <div>His heir the great Vikukshi came.</div> <div>His son was Váṇa, lord of might,</div> <div>His Anaraṇya, strong in fight.</div> <div>No famine marred his blissful reign,</div> <div>No drought destroyed the kindly grain;</div> <div>Amid the sons of virtue chief,</div> <div>His happy realm ne'er held a thief,</div> <div>His son was Prithu, glorious name,</div> <div>From him the wise Triśanku came:</div> <div>Embodied to the skies he went</div> <div>For love of truth preëminent.</div> <div>He left a son renowned afar,</div> <div>Known by the name of Dhundhumár.</div> <div>His son succeeding bore the name</div> <div>Of Yuvanáśva dear to fame.</div> <div>He passed away. Him followed then</div> <div>His son Mándhátá, king of men.</div> <div>His son was blest in high emprise,</div> <div>Susandhi, fortunate and wise.</div> <div>Two noble sons had he, to wit</div> <div>Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit.</div> <div>Bharat was Dhruvasandhi's son:</div> <div>His glorious arm the conquest won,</div> <div>Against his son King Asit, rose</div> <div>In fierce array his royal foes,</div> <div>Haihayas, Tálajanghas styled,</div> <div>And Śaśivindhus fierce and wild.</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page220"></span><SPAN name="Pg220" id="Pg220" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>Long time he strove, but forced to yield</div> <div>Fled from his kingdom and the field.</div> <div>The wives he left had both conceived—</div> <div>So is the ancient tale believed:—</div> <div>One, of her rival's hopes afraid,</div> <div>Fell poison in the viands laid.</div> <div>It chanced that Chyavan, Bhrigu's child,</div> <div>Had wandered to the pathless wild</div> <div>Where proud Himálaya's lovely height</div> <div>Detained him with a strange delight.</div> <div>Then came the other widowed queen</div> <div>With lotus eyes and beauteous mien,</div> <div>Longing a noble son to bear,</div> <div>And wooed the saint with earnest prayer.</div> <div>When thus Kálindí, fairest dame</div> <div>With reverent supplication came,</div> <div>To her the holy sage replied:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“O royal lady, from thy side</span></div> <div>A glorious son shall spring ere long,</div> <div>Righteous and true and brave and strong;</div> <div>He, scourge of foes and lofty-souled,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >His ancient race shall still uphold.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then round the sage the lady went,</div> <div>And bade farewell, most reverent.</div> <div>Back to her home she turned once more,</div> <div>And there her promised son she bore.</div> <div>Because her rival mixed the bane</div> <div>To render her conception vain,</div> <div>And her unripened fruit destroy,</div> <div>Sagar she called her rescued boy.<SPAN id="noteref_391" name="noteref_391" href="#note_391"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">391</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>He, when he paid that solemn rite,<SPAN id="noteref_392" name="noteref_392" href="#note_392"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">392</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>Filled living creatures with affright:</div> <div>Obedient to his high decree</div> <div>His countless sons dug out the sea.</div> <div>Prince Asamanj was Sagar's child:</div> <div>But him with cruel sin defiled</div> <div>And loaded with the people's hate</div> <div>His father banished from the state.</div> <div>To Asamanj his consort bare</div> <div>Bright Anśumán his valiant heir.</div> <div>Anśumán's son, Dilípa famed,</div> <div>Begot a son Bhagírath named.</div> <div>From him renowned Kakutstha came:</div> <div>Thou bearest still the lineal name.</div> <div>Kakutstha's son was Raghu: thou</div> <div>Art styled the son of Raghu now.</div> <div>From him came Purushádak bold,</div> <div>Fierce hero of gigantic mould:</div> <div>Kalmáshapáda's name he bore,</div> <div>Because his feet were spotted o'er.</div> <div>Śankhan his son, to manhood grown,</div> <div>Died sadly with his host o'erthrown,</div> <div>But ere he perished sprang from him</div> <div>Sudarśan fair in face and limb.</div> <div>From beautiful Sudarśan came</div> <div>Prince Agnivarṇa, bright as flame.</div> <div>His son was Śíghraga, for speed</div> <div>Unmatched; and Maru was his seed.</div> <div>Prasusruka was Maru's child:</div> <div>His son was Ambarísha styled.</div> <div>Nahush was Ambarísha's heir</div> <div>With hand to strike and heart to dare.</div> <div>His son was good Nábhág, from youth</div> <div>Renowned for piety and truth.</div> <div>From great Nábhág sprang children two</div> <div>Aja and Suvrat pure and true.</div> <div>From Aja Daśaratha came,</div> <div>Whose virtuous life was free from blame.</div> <div>His eldest son art thou: his throne,</div> <div>O famous Ráma, is thine own.</div> <div>Accept the sway so justly thine,</div> <div>And view the world with eyes benign.</div> <div>For ever in Ikshváku's race</div> <div>The eldest takes his father's place,</div> <div>And while he lives no son beside</div> <div>As lord and king is sanctified.</div> <div>The rule by Raghu's children kept</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Thou must not spurn to-day.</div> <div>This realm of peerless wealth accept,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" >And like thy father sway.”</span></div> </div> <SPAN name="toc377" id="toc377"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf378" id="pdf378"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoII-CXI" id="CantoII-CXI" 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 CXI. Counsel To Bharat.</span></h2> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Thus said Vaśishṭha, and again</div> <div>To Ráma spake in duteous strain:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“All men the light of life who see</span></div> <div>With high respect should look on three:</div> <div>High honour ne'er must be denied</div> <div>To father, mother, holy guide.</div> <div>First to their sires their birth they owe,</div> <div>Nursed with maternal love they grow:</div> <div>Their holy guides fair knowledge teach:</div> <div>So men should love and honour each.</div> <div>Thy sire and thou have learned of me,</div> <div>The sacred guide of him and thee,</div> <div>And if my word thou wilt obey</div> <div>Thou still wilt keep the virtuous way.</div> <div>See, with the chiefs of every guild</div> <div>And all thy friends, this place is filled:</div> <div>All these, as duty bids, protect;</div> <div>So still the righteous path respect.</div> <div>O, for thine aged mother feel,</div> <div>Nor spurn the virtuous dame's appeal:</div> <div>Obey, O Prince, thy mother dear,</div> <div>And still to virtue's path adhere.</div> <div>Yield thou to Bharat's fond request,</div> <div>With earnest supplication pressed,</div> <div>So wilt thou to thyself be true,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >And faith and duty still pursue.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Thus by his saintly guide addressed</div> <div>With pleas in sweetest tones expressed,</div> <div>The lord of men in turn replied</div> <div>To wise Vaśishṭha by his side:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“The fondest son's observance ne'er</span></div> <div>Repays the sire and mother's care:</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page221"></span><SPAN name="Pg221" id="Pg221" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div>The constant love that food provides,</div> <div>And dress, and every need besides:</div> <div>Their pleasant words still soft and mild,</div> <div>Their nurture of the helpless child:</div> <div>The words which Daśaratha spake,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >My king and sire, I ne'er will break.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then Bharat of the ample chest</div> <div>The wise Sumantra thus addressed;</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Bring sacred grass, O charioteer,</span></div> <div>And strew it on the level here.</div> <div>For I will sit and watch his face</div> <div>Until I win my brother's grace.</div> <div>Like a robbed Bráhman will I lie,<SPAN id="noteref_393" name="noteref_393" href="#note_393"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">393</span></span></SPAN></div> <div>Nor taste of food nor turn my eye,</div> <div>In front of Ráma's leafy cot,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >And till he yield will leave him not.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>When Bharat saw Sumantra's eye</div> <div>Looked up to Ráma for reply,</div> <div>The Prince himself in eager haste</div> <div>The sacred grass in order placed.</div> <div>Him great and mighty Ráma, best</div> <div>Of royal saints, in turn addressed:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“What, Bharat, have I done, that thou</span></div> <div>Besiegest me,<SPAN id="noteref_394" name="noteref_394" href="#note_394"><span class="tei tei-noteref" ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">394</span></span></SPAN> a suppliant now?</div> <div>Thus streched, to force redress for wrongs</div> <div>To men of Bráhman birth belongs,</div> <div>Not those upon whose kingly head</div> <div>The consecrating drops are shed.</div> <div>Up, lord of men! arise, and quit</div> <div>This fearful vow for thee unfit.</div> <div>Go, brother, seek Ayodhyá's town,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Fair city of supreme renown.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>But Bharat, as his seat he took,</div> <div>Cast all around an eager look:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“O people, join your prayers with mine,</span></div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >And so his stubborn heart incline.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>And all the people answered thus:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Full well is Ráma known to us.</span></div> <div>Right is the word he speaks and he</div> <div>Is faithful to his sire's decree:</div> <div>Nor can we rashly venture now</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >To turn him from his purposed vow.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then Ráma spoke: <span class="tei tei-q" >“O Bharat, heed</span></div> <div>Thy virtuous friends, and mark their rede.</div> <div>Mark well what I and these advise,</div> <div>And duty view with clearer eyes.</div> <div>Thy hand on mine, O hero, place,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Touch water, and thy sin efface.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>Then Bharat rose: his hand he dipped,</div> <div>And purifying water sipped:</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Each citizen,”</span> he cried, <span class="tei tei-q" >“give ear,</span></div> <div>Attend, each counsellor and peer.</div> <div>My mother planned, by me untaught,</div> <div>To win the sway I never sought:</div> <div>Ne'er Raghu's son could I despise,</div> <div>In duty's lore supremely wise.</div> <div>Now if obedience to our sire</div> <div>This dwelling in the woods require,</div> <div>I, till the destined years be spent,</div> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >Will dwell alone in banishment.”</span></div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div>The virtuous Ráma, wonder-stirred,</div> <div>The faithful speech of Bharat heard,</div> <div>And thus the hero's feelings found</div> <div>Due utterance, as he gazed around:</div> </div> <div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> <div><span class="tei tei-q" >“Still to my father's word I hold,</span></div> <div>Whate'er he bought, or pledged, or sold:</div> <div>Ne'er shall his living promise be</div> <div>Annulled by Bharat or by me.</div> <div>Not thus my task will I evade,</div> <div>My exile on another laid:</div> <div>Most wise was Queen Kaikeyí's rede,</div> <div>And just and good my father's deed.</div> <div>Dear Bharat's patient soul I know,</div> <div>How reverence due he loves to show;</div> <div>In him, high-souled and faithful found,</div> <div>Must each auspicious grace abound.</div> <div>When from the woods I turn again</div> <div>I with his aid shall nobly reign,</div> <div>With one so good, of peerless worth,</div> <div>A glorious lord of happy earth.</div> <div>Her boon Kaikeyí sought and won.</div> <div>I, as my father swore, have done:</div> <div>And O, do thou, my brother dear,</div> <div>The monarch's name from falsehood clear.</div> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />