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<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto IV. Virádha's Death.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But Sítá viewed with wild affright</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The heroes hurried from her sight.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">She tossed her shapely arms on high,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And shrieked aloud her bitter cry:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Ah, the dread giant bears away</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The princely Ráma as his prey,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Truthful and pure, and good and great,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ shares his brother's fate.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The brindled tiger and the bear</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My mangled limbs for food will tear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Take me, O best of giants, me,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And leave the sons of Raghu free.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then, by avenging fury spurred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her mournful cry the heroes heard,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hastened, for the lady's sake,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wicked monster's life to take.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Lakshmaṇ with resistless stroke</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The foe's left arm that held him broke,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Ráma too, as swift to smite,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Smashed with his heavy hand the right.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With broken arms and tortured frame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To earth the fainting giant came,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like a huge cloud, or mighty rock</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Rent, sundered by the levin's shock.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then rushed they on, and crushed and beat</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their foe with arms and fists and feet,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And nerved each mighty limb to pound</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bray him on the level ground.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Keen arrows and each biting blade</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wide rents in breast and side had made;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But crushed and torn and mangled, still</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monster lived they could not kill.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When Ráma saw no arms might slay</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fiend who like a mountain lay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glorious hero, swift to save</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In danger, thus his counsel gave:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O Prince of men, his charmed life</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No arms may take in battle strife:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now dig we in this grove a pit</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His elephantine bulk to fit,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And let the hollowed earth enfold</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The monster of gigantic mould.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">This said, the son of Raghu pressed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His foot upon the giant's breast.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With joy the prostrate monster heard</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Victorious Ráma's welcome word,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And straight Kakutstha's son, the best</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of men, in words like these addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“I yield, O chieftain, overthrown</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By might that vies with Indra's own.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Till now my folly-blinded eyes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thee, hero, failed to recognize.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Happy Kauśalyá! blest to be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The mother of a son like thee!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I know thee well, O chieftain, now:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ráma, the prince of men, art thou.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There stands the high-born Maithil dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There Lakshmaṇ, lord of mighty fame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My name was Tumburu,<SPAN id="noteref_408" name="noteref_408" href="#note_408"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">408</span></span></SPAN> for song</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Renowned among the minstrel throng:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cursed by Kuvera's stern decree</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I wear the hideous shape you see.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But when I sued, his grace to crave,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The glorious God this answer gave:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“When Ráma, Daśaratha's son,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Destroys thee and the fight is won,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy proper shape once more assume,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And heaven again shall give thee room.”</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When thus the angry God replied,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No prayers could turn his wrath aside,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus on me his fury fell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For loving Rambhá's<SPAN id="noteref_409" name="noteref_409" href="#note_409"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">409</span></span></SPAN> charms too well.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now through thy favour am I freed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From the stern fate the God decreed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And saved, O tamer of the foe,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page233"></span><SPAN name="Pg233" id="Pg233" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By thee, to heaven again shall go.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A league, O Prince, beyond this spot</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stands holy Śarabhanga's cot:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The very sun is not more bright</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Than that most glorious anchorite:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To him, O Ráma, quickly turn,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And blessings from the hermit earn.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">First under earth my body throw,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then on thy way rejoicing go.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such is the law ordained of old</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For giants when their days are told:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their bodies laid in earth, they rise</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">To homes eternal in the skies.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus, by the rankling dart oppressed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Kakutstha's offspring he addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In earth his mighty body lay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His spirit fled to heaven away.</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus spake Virádha ere he died;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Ráma to his brother cried:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Now dig we in this grove a pit</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His elephantine bulk to fit.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And let the hollowed earth enfold</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">This mighty giant fierce and bold.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">This said, the valiant hero put</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon the giant's neck his foot.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His spade obedient Lakshmaṇ plied,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And dug a pit both deep and wide</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">By lofty souled Virádha's side.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Raghu's son his foot withdrew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And down the mighty form they threw;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One awful shout of joy he gave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sank into the open grave.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The heroes, to their purpose true,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In fight the cruel demon slew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And radiant with delight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deep in the hollowed earth they cast</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monster roaring to the last,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">In their resistless might.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus when they saw the warrior's steel</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No life-destroying blow might deal,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The pair, for lore renowned,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Deep in the pit their hands had made</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The unresisting giant laid,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And killed him neath the ground.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon himself the monster brought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From Ráma's hand the death he sought</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With strong desire to gain:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus the rover of the night</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Told Ráma, as they strove in fight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That swords might rend and arrows smite</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Upon his breast in vain.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus Ráma, when his speech he heard,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giant's mighty form interred,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Which mortal arms defied.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With thundering crash the giant fell,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And rock and cave and forest dell</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With echoing roar replied.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The princes, when their task was done</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And freedom from the peril won,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Rejoiced to see him die.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then in the boundless wood they strayed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like the great sun and moon displayed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Triumphant in the sky.<SPAN id="noteref_410" name="noteref_410" href="#note_410"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">410</span></span></SPAN></div>
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<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">Canto V. Sarabhanga.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma, having slain in fight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Virádha of terrific might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With gentle words his spouse consoled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And clasped her in his loving hold.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then to his brother nobly brave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The valiant prince his counsel gave:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Wild are these woods around us spread;</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hard and rough the ground to tread:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">We, O my brother, ne'er have viewed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So dark and drear a solitude:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Śarabhanga let us haste,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Whom wealth of holy works has graced.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus Ráma spoke, and took the road</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Śarabhanga's pure abode.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But near that saint whose lustre vied</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With Gods, by penance purified,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With startled eyes the prince beheld</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A wondrous sight unparalleled.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In splendour like the fire and sun</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He saw a great and glorious one.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon a noble car he rode,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And many a God behind him glowed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And earth beneath his feet unpressed<SPAN id="noteref_411" name="noteref_411" href="#note_411"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">411</span></span></SPAN></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monarch of the skies confessed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ablaze with gems, no dust might dim</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The bright attire that covered him.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Arrayed like him, on every side</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High saints their master glorified.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Near, borne in air, appeared in view</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His car which tawny coursers drew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like silver cloud, the moon, or sun</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ere yet the day is well begun.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wreathed with gay garlands, o'er his head</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A pure white canopy was spread,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And lovely nymphs stood nigh to hold</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair chouris with their sticks of gold,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which, waving in each gentle hand,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The forehead of their monarch fanned.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">God, saint, and bard, a radiant ring,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sang glory to their heavenly King:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forth into joyful lauds they burst</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As Indra with the sage conversed.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma, when his wondering eyes</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beheld the monarch of the skies,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page234"></span><SPAN name="Pg234" id="Pg234" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Lakshmaṇ quickly called, and showed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The car wherein Lord Indra rode:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“See, brother, see that air-borne car,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose wondrous glory shines afar:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wherefrom so bright a lustre streams</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That like a falling sun it seems:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These are the steeds whose fame we know,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of heavenly race through heaven they go:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These are the steeds who bear the yoke</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Śakra,<SPAN id="noteref_412" name="noteref_412" href="#note_412"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">412</span></span></SPAN> Him whom all invoke.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Behold these youths, a glorious band,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Toward every wind a hundred stand:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A sword in each right hand is borne,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And rings of gold their arms adorn.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What might in every broad deep chest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And club-like arm is manifest!</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Clothed in attire of crimson hue</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They show like tigers fierce to view.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Great chains of gold each warder deck,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gleaming like fire beneath his neck.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The age of each fair youth appears</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Some score and five of human years:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The ever-blooming prime which they</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who live in heaven retain for aye:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such mien these lordly beings wear,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Heroic youths, most bright and fair.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now, brother, in this spot, I pray,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With the Videhan lady stay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Till I have certain knowledge who</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">This being is, so bright to view.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He spoke, and turning from the spot</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sought Śarabhanga's hermit cot.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But when the lord of Śachí<SPAN id="noteref_413" name="noteref_413" href="#note_413"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">413</span></span></SPAN>
saw</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The son of Raghu near him draw,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He hastened of the sage to take</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His leave, and to his followers spake:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“See, Ráma bends his steps this way,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But ere he yet a word can say,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Come, fly to our celestial sphere;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">It is not meet he see me here.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon victor and triumphant he</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In fitter time shall look on me.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before him still a great emprise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">A task too hard for others, lies.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then with all marks of honour high</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Thunderer bade the saint good-bye,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And in his car which coursers drew</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Away to heaven the conqueror flew.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and the dame,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Śarabhanga nearer came,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who sat beside the holy flame.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before the ancient sage they bent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And clasped his feet most reverent;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then at his invitation found</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A seat beside him on the ground.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Ráma prayed the sage would deign</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lord Indra's visit to explain;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus at length the holy man</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In answer to his prayer began:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“This Lord of boons has sought me here</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To waft me hence to Brahmá's sphere,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Won by my penance long and stern,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A home the lawless ne'er can earn.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But when I knew that thou wast nigh,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Brahmá's world I could not fly</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Until these longing eyes were blest</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With seeing thee, mine honoured guest.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Since thou, O Prince, hast cheered my sight,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Great-hearted lover of the right,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To heavenly spheres will I repair</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bliss supreme that waits me there.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For I have won, dear Prince, my way</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To those fair worlds which ne'er decay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Celestial seat of Brahmá's reign:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Be thine, with me, those worlds to gain.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Then master of all sacred lore,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Spake Ráma to the saint once more:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“I, even I, illustrious sage,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will make those worlds mine heritage:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But now, I pray, some home assign</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Within this holy grove of thine.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus Ráma, Indra's peer in might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Addressed the aged anchorite:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And he, with wisdom well endued,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Raghu's son his speech renewed:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Sutíkshṇa's woodland home is near,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A glorious saint of life austere,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">True to the path of duty; he</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With highest bliss will prosper thee.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Against the stream thy course must be</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of this fair brook Mandákiní,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whereon light rafts like blossoms glide;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then to his cottage turn aside.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There lies thy path: but ere thou go,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Look on me, dear one, till I throw</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Aside this mould that girds me in,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">As casts the snake his withered skin.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He spoke, the fire in order laid</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With holy oil due offerings made,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Śarabhanga, glorious sire,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Laid down his body in the fire.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then rose the flame above his head,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On skin, blood, flesh, and bones it fed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Till forth, transformed, with radiant hue</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of tender youth, he rose anew,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Far-shining in his bright attire</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Came Śarabhanga from the pyre:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Above the home of saints, and those</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who feed the quenchless flame,<SPAN id="noteref_414" name="noteref_414" href="#note_414"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">414</span></span></SPAN> he rose:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beyond the seat of Gods he passed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Brahmá's sphere was gained at last.</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page235"></span><SPAN name="Pg235" id="Pg235" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The noblest of the twice-born race,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For holy works supreme in place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The Mighty Father there beheld</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Girt round by hosts unparalleled;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Brahmá joying at the sight</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Welcomed the glorious anchorite.</div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
<SPAN name="toc407" id="toc407"></SPAN>
<SPAN name="pdf408" id="pdf408"></SPAN>
<SPAN name="CantoIII-VI" id="CantoIII-VI" 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 VI. Ráma's Promise.</span></h2>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When he his heavenly home had found,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The holy men who dwelt around</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Ráma flocked, whose martial fame</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shone glorious as the kindled flame:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Vaikhánasas<SPAN id="noteref_415" name="noteref_415" href="#note_415"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">415</span></span></SPAN>
who love the wild,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pure hermits Bálakhilyas<SPAN id="noteref_416" name="noteref_416" href="#note_416"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">416</span></span></SPAN> styled,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Good Samprakshálas,<SPAN id="noteref_417" name="noteref_417" href="#note_417"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">417</span></span></SPAN> saints who live</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On rays which moon and daystar give:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those who with leaves their lives sustain</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And those who pound with stones their grain:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And they who lie in pools, and those</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose corn, save teeth, no winnow knows:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those who for beds the cold earth use,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And those who every couch refuse:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And those condemned to ceaseless pains,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose single foot their weight sustains:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And those who sleep neath open skies,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whose food the wave or air supplies,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hermits pure who spend their nights</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On ground prepared for sacred rites;</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Those who on hills their vigil hold,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or dripping clothes around them fold:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The devotees who live for prayer,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or the five fires<SPAN id="noteref_418" name="noteref_418" href="#note_418"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">418</span></span></SPAN> unflinching bear.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On contemplation all intent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With light that heavenly knowledge lent,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They came to Ráma, saint and sage,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In Śarabhanga's hermitage.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hermit crowd around him pressed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus the virtuous chief addressed:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The lordship of the earth is thine,</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Prince of old Ikshváku's line.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lord of the Gods is Indra, so</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou art our lord and guide below.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy name, the glory of thy might,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Throughout the triple world are bright:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy filial love so nobly shown,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy truth and virtue well are known.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To thee, O lord, for help we fly,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And on thy love of right rely:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With kindly patience hear us speak,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And grant the boon we humbly seek.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That lord of earth were most unjust,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Foul traitor to his solemn trust,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who should a sixth of all<SPAN id="noteref_419" name="noteref_419" href="#note_419"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">419</span></span></SPAN> require,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor guard his people like a sire.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But he who ever watchful strives</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To guard his subjects' wealth and lives,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dear as himself or, dearer still,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His sons, with earnest heart and will,—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That king, O Raghu's son, secures</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">High fame that endless years endures,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And he to Brahmá's world shall rise,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Made glorious in the eternal skies.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whate'er, by duty won, the meed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of saints whom roots and berries feed,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One fourth thereof, for tender care</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of subjects, is the monarch's share.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These, mostly of the Bráhman race,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who make the wood their dwelling-place,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Although a friend in thee they view,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fall friendless neath the giant crew.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Come, Ráma, come, and see hard by</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The holy hermits' corpses lie,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where many a tangled pathway shows</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The murderous work of cruel foes.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These wicked fiends the hermits kill—</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who live on Chitrakúṭa's hill,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And blood of slaughtered saints has dyed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mandákiní and Pampá's side.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No longer can we bear to see</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The death of saint and devotee</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Whom through the forest day by day</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">These Rákshasas unpitying slay.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To thee, O Prince, we flee, and crave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy guardian help our lives to save.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">From these fierce rovers of the night</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Defend each stricken anchorite.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Throughout the world 'twere vain to seek</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">An arm like thine to aid the weak.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O Prince, we pray thee hear our call,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And from these fiends preserve us all.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The son of Raghu heard the plaint</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of penance-loving sage and saint,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the good prince his speech renewed</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To all the hermit multitude:</div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“To me, O saints, ye need not sue:</span></div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I wait the hests of all of you.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I by mine own occasion led</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This mighty forest needs must tread,</div>
<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page236"></span><SPAN name="Pg236" id="Pg236" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And while I keep my sire's decree</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Your lives from threatening foes will free.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I hither came of free accord</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To lend the aid by you implored,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And richest meed my toil shall pay,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While here in forest shades I stay.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I long in battle strife to close.</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And slay these fiends, the hermits' foes,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That saint and sage may learn aright</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">My prowess and my brother's might.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Thus to the saints his promise gave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That prince who still to virtue clave</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">With never-wandering thought:</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And then with Lakshmaṇ by his side,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With penance-wealthy men to guide,</div>
<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Sutíkshṇa's home he sought.</div>
</div></div>
<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
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