Ramayan, Book 3, The

<SPAN name="toc481" id="toc481"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf482" id="pdf482"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XLIII" id="CantoIII-XLIII" 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 XLIII. The Wondrous Deer.</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">She stooped, her hands with flowers to fill,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But gazed upon the marvel still:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gazed on its back and sparkling side</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where silver hues with golden vied.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Joyous was she of faultless mould,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With glossy skin like polished gold.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And loudly to her husband cried</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bow-armed Lakshmaṇ by his side:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Again, again she called in glee:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O come this glorious creature see;</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Quick, quick, my lord, this deer to view.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And bring thy brother Lakshmaṇ too.”</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As through the wood her clear tones rang,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Swift to her side the brothers sprang.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With eager eyes the grove they scanned,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And saw the deer before them stand.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But doubt was strong in Lakshmaṇ's breast,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who thus his thought and fear expressed:</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">“Stay, for the wondrous deer we see</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fiend Márícha's self may be.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ere now have kings who sought this place</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To take their pastime in the chase,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Met from his wicked art defeat,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And fallen slain by like deceit.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He wears, well trained in magic guile,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The figure of a deer a while,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright as the very sun, or place</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where dwell the gay Gandharva race.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No deer, O Ráma, e'er was seen</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus decked with gold and jewels' sheen.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Tis magic, for the world has ne'er,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Lord of the world, shown aught so fair.”</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">But Sítá of the lovely smile,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A captive to the giant's wile,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Turned Lakshmaṇ's prudent speech aside</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thus with eager words replied:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“My honoured lord, this deer I see</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With beauty rare enraptures me.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go, chief of mighty arm, and bring</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For my delight this precious thing.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fair creatures of the woodland roam</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Untroubled near our hermit home.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The forest cow and stag are there,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The fawn, the monkey, and the bear,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where spotted deer delight to play,</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page279"></span><SPAN name="Pg279" id="Pg279" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And strong and beauteous Kinnars<SPAN id="noteref_494" name="noteref_494" href="#note_494"><span class="tei tei-noteref" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">494</span></span></SPAN> stray.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But never, as they wandered by,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has such a beauty charmed mine eye</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As this with limbs so fair and slight,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So gentle, beautiful and bright.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O see, how fair it is to view</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With jewels of each varied hue:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright as the rising moon it glows,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lighting the wood where'er it goes.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah me, what form and grace are there!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Its limbs how fine, its hues how fair!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Transcending all that words express,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">It takes my soul with loveliness.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O, if thou would, to please me, strive</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To take the beauteous thing alive,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How thou wouldst gaze with wondering eyes</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Delighted on the lovely prize!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And when our woodland life is o'er,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And we enjoy our realm once more,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The wondrous animal will grace</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The chambers of my dwelling-place,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And a dear treasure will it be</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Bharat and the queens and me,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And all with rapture and amaze</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon its heavenly form will gaze.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But if the beauteous deer, pursued,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thine arts to take it still elude,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Strike it, O chieftain, and the skin</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Will be a treasure, laid within.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O, how I long my time to pass</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sitting upon the tender grass,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With that soft fell beneath me spread</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Bright with its hair of golden thread!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This strong desire, this eager will,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Befits a gentle lady ill:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But when I first beheld, its look</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My breast with fascination took.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">See, golden hair its flank adorns,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And sapphires tip its branching horns.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Resplendent as the lunar way,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or the first blush of opening day,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With graceful form and radiant hue</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">It charmed thy heart, O chieftain, too.”</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 heard her speech with willing ear,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He looked again upon the deer.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Its lovely shape his breast beguiled</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Moved by the prayer of Janak's child,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And yielding for her pleasure's sake,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Lakshmaṇ Ráma turned and 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">“Mark, Lakshmaṇ, mark how Sítá's breast</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With eager longing is possessed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To-day this deer of wondrous breed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Must for his passing beauty bleed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Brighter than e'er in Nandan strayed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or Chaitraratha's heavenly shade.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How should the groves of earth possess</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such all-surpassing loveliness!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hair lies smooth and bright and fine,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or waves upon each curving line,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And drops of living gold bedeck</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The beauty of his side and neck.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O look, his crimson tongue between</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His teeth like flaming fire is seen,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Flashing, whene'er his lips he parts,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As from a cloud the lightning darts.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">O see his sunlike forehead shine</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With emerald tints and almandine,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While pearly light and roseate glow</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of shells adorn his neck below.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No eye on such a deer can rest</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But soft enchantment takes the breast:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No man so fair a thing behold</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ablaze with light of radiant gold,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Celestial, bright with jewels' sheen,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor marvel when his eyes have seen.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A king equipped with bow and shaft</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Delights in gentle forest craft,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And as in boundless woods he strays</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The quarry for the venison slays.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There as he wanders with his train</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A store of wealth he oft may gain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He claims by right the precious ore,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He claims the jewels' sparkling store.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such gains are dearer in his eyes</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Than wealth that in his chamber lies,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The dearest things his spirit knows,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dear as the bliss which Śukra chose.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But oft the rich expected gain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Which heedless men pursue in vain,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The sage, who prudent counsels know,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Explain and in a moment show.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This best of deer, this gem of all,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To yield his precious spoils must fall,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And tender Sítá by my side</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Shall sit upon the golden hide.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ne'er could I find so rich a coat</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On spotted deer or sheep or goat.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No buck or antelope has such,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">So bright to view, so soft to touch.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This radiant deer and one on high</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That moves in glory through the sky,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Alike in heavenly beauty are,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">One on the earth and one a star.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But, brother, if thy fears be true,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And this bright creature that we view</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Be fierce Márícha in disguise,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then by this hand he surely dies.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For that dire fiend who spurns control</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With bloody hand and cruel soul,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has roamed this forest and dismayed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The holiest saints who haunt the shade.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Great archers, sprung of royal race,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Pursuing in the wood the chase,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Have fallen by his wicked art,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And now my shaft shall strike his heart.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Vatápi, by his magic power</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page280"></span><SPAN name="Pg280" id="Pg280" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Made heedless saints his flesh devour,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then, from within their frames he rent</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Forth bursting from imprisonment.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But once his art in senseless pride</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon the mightiest saint he tried,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Agastya's self, and caused him taste</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The baited meal before him placed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Vátápi, when the rite was o'er,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Would take the giant form he wore,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But Saint Agastya knew his wile</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And checked the giant with smile.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Vátápi, thou with cruel spite</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hast conquered many an anchorite</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The noblest of the Bráhman caste,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">And now thy ruin comes at last.”</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now if my power he thus defies,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This giant, like Vátápi dies,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Daring to scorn a man like me,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A self subduing devotee.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yea, as Agastya slew the foe,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My hand shall lay Márícha low</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Clad in thine arms thy bow in hand,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To guard the Maithil lady stand,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With watchful eye and thoughtful breast</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Keeping each word of my behest</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I go, and hunting through the brake</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This wondrous deer will bring or take.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yea surely I will bring the spoil</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Returning from my hunter's toil</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">See, Lakshmaṇ how my consort's eyes</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Are longing for the lovely prize.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This day it falls, that I may win</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The treasure of so fair a skin.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Do thou and Sítá watch with care</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Lest danger seize you unaware.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Swift from my bow one shaft will fly;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The stricken deer will fall and die</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then quickly will I strip the game</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bring the trophy to my dame.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Jaṭáyus, guardian good and wise,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Our old and faithful friend,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The best and strongest bird that flies,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">His willing aid will lend</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">The Maithil lady well protect,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">For every chance provide,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">And in thy tender care suspect</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">A foe on every side.”</span></div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <SPAN name="toc483" id="toc483"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf484" id="pdf484"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XLIV" id="CantoIII-XLIV" 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 XLIV. Márícha'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">Thus having warned his brother bold</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He grasped his sword with haft of gold,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bow with triple flexure bent,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His own delight and ornament;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then bound two quivers to his side,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hurried forth with eager stride.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Soon as the antlered monarch saw</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The lord of monarchs near him draw,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A while with trembling heart he fled,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then turned and showed his stately head.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With sword and bow the chief pursued</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where'er the fleeing deer he viewed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sending from dell and lone recess</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The splendour of his loveliness.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now full in view the creature stood</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now vanished in the depth of wood;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now running with a languid flight,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Now like a meteor lost to sight.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With trembling limbs away he sped;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then like the moon with clouds o'erspread</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gleamed for a moment bright between</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The trees, and was again unseen.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thus in the magic deer's disguise</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Márícha lured him to the prize,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And seen a while, then lost to view,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Far from his cot the hero drew.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still by the flying game deceived</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hunter's heart was wroth and grieved,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And wearied with the fruitless chase</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He stayed him in a shady place.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Again the rover of the night</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Enraged the chieftain, full in sight,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Slow moving in the coppice near,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Surrounded by the woodland deer.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Again the hunter sought the game</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That seemed a while to court his aim:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But seized again with sudden dread,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Beyond his sight the creature fled.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Again the hero left the shade,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Again the deer before him strayed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With surer hope and stronger will</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The hunter longed his prey to kill.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then as his soul impatient grew,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">An arrow from his side he drew,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Resplendent at the sunbeam's glow,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The crusher of the smitten foe.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With skillful heed the mighty lord</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Fixed well shaft and strained the cord.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon the deer his eyes he bent,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And like a fiery serpent went</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The arrow Brahma's self had framed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Alive with sparks that hissed and flamed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like Indra's flashing levin, true</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To the false deer the missile flew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Cleaving his flesh that wonderous dart</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Stood quivering in Márícha's heart.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Scarce from the ground one foot he sprang,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then stricken fell with deadly pang.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Half lifeless, as he pressed the ground,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He gave a roar of awful sound</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And ere the wounded giant died</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He threw his borrowed form aside</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Remembering still his lord's behest</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He pondered in his heart how best</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Sítá might send her guard away,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Rávaṇ seize the helpless prey.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The monster knew the time was nigh,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And called aloud with eager cry,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Ho, Sítá, Lakshmaṇ”</span> and the tone</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page281"></span><SPAN name="Pg281" id="Pg281" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He borrowed was like Ráma's own.</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">So by that matchless arrow cleft,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The deer's bright form Márícha left,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Resumed his giant shape and size</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And closed in death his languid eyes.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">When Ráma saw his awful foe</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gasp, smeared with blood, in deadly throe,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His anxious thoughts to Sítá sped,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the wise words that Lakshmaṇ said,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That this was false Márícha's art,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Returned again upon his heart.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He knew the foe he triumphed o'er</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The name of great Márícha bore.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“The fiend,”</span> he pondered, 'ere he died,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Ho, Lakshmaṇ! ho, my Sítá!”</span> cried</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah, if that cry has reached her ear,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">How dire must be my darling's fear!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ of the mighty arm,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">What thinks he in his wild alarm?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thus he thought in sad surmise,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each startled hair began to rise,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And when he saw the giant slain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And thought upon that cry again,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His spirit sank and terror pressed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Full sorely on the hero's breast.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Another deer he chased and struck,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He bore away the the fallen buck,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To Janasthán then turned his face</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And hastened to his dwelling place.</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <SPAN name="toc485" id="toc485"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf486" id="pdf486"></SPAN> <SPAN name="CantoIII-XLV" id="CantoIII-XLV" 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 XLV. Lakshman's Departure.</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 hearing as she thought,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Her husband's cry with anguish fraught,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Called to her guardian, <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Lakshmaṇ, run</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And in the wood seek Raghu's son.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Scarce can my heart retain its throne,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Scarce can my life be called mine own,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As all my powers and senses fail</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">At that long, loud and bitter wail.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Haste to the wood with all thy speed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And save thy brother in his need.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Go, save him in the distant glade</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Where loud he calls, for timely aid.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">He falls beneath some giant foe—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">A bull whom lions overthrow.”</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">Deaf to her prayer, no step he stirred</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Obedient to his mother's word,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Then Janak's child, with ire inflamed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In words of bitter scorn exclaimed exclaimed</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">“Sumitrá's son, a friend in show,</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou art in truth thy brother's foe,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who canst at such any hour deny</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy succour and neglect his cry.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Yes, Lakshmaṇ, smit with love of me</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy brother's death thou fain wouldst see.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This guilty love thy heart has swayed</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And makes thy feet so loth to aid.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou hast no love for Ráma, no:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy joy is vice, thy thoughts are low</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Hence thus unmoved thou yet canst stay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">While my dear lord is far away.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">If aught of ill my lord betide</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Who led thee here, thy chief and guide,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah, what will be my hapless fate</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Left in the wild wood desolate!”</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 spoke the lady sad with fear,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With many a sigh and many a tear,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Still trembling like a captured doe:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And Lakshmaṇ spoke to calm her woe:</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">“Videhan Queen, be sure of this,—</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And at the thought thy fear dismiss,—</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy husband's mightier power defies</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">All Gods and angels of the skies,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Gandharvas, and the sons of light,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Serpents, and rovers of the night.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I tell thee, of the sons of earth,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Gods who boast celestial birth,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of beasts and birds and giant hosts,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of demigods, Gandharvas, ghosts,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of awful fiends, O thou most fair,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">There lives not one whose heart would dare</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To meet thy Ráma in the fight,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Like Indra's self unmatched in might.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such idle words thou must not say</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy Ráma lives whom none may slay.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I will not, cannot leave thee here</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In the wild wood till he be near.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The mightiest strength can ne'er withstand</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His eager force, his vigorous hand.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No, not the triple world allied</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With all the immortal Gods beside.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Dismiss thy fear, again take heart,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Let all thy doubt and woe depart.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy lord, be sure, will soon be here</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And bring thee back that best of deer.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Not his, not his that mournful cry,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor haply came it from the sky.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Some giant's art was busy there</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And framed a castle based on air.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">A precious pledge art thou, consigned</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To me by him of noblest mind,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Nor can I fairest dame, forsake</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The pledge which Ráma bade me take.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon our heads, O Queen, we drew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The giants' hate when Ráma slew</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Their chieftain Khara, and the shade</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of Janasthán in ruin laid.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Through all this mighty wood they rove</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With varied cries from grove to grove</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">On rapine bent they wander here:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">But O, dismiss thy causeless fear.”</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">Bright flashed her eye as Lakshmaṇ spoke</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And forth her words of fury broke</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Upon her truthful guardian, flung</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With bitter taunts that pierced and stung:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“Shame on such false compassion, base</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Defiler of thy glorious race!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">'Twere joyous sight I ween to thee</div> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page282"></span><SPAN name="Pg282" id="Pg282" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My lord in direst strait to see.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou knowest Ráma sore bested,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or word like this thou ne'er hadst said.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">No marvel if we find such sin</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In rivals false to kith and kin.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Wretches like thee of evil kind,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Concealing crime with crafty mind.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thou, wretch, thine aid wilt still deny,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And leave my lord alone to die.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Has love of me unnerved thy hand,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or Bharat's art this ruin planned?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But be the treachery his or thine,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">In vain, in vain the base design.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">For how shall I, the chosen bride</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Of dark-hued Ráma, lotus-eyed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The queen who once called Ráma mine,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">To love of other men decline?</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Believe me, Lakshmaṇ, Ráma's wife</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Before thine eyes will quit this life,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And not a moment will she stay</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">If her dear lord have passed away.”</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 lady's bitter speech, that stirred</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Each hair upon his frame, he heard.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">With lifted hands together laid,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">His calm reply he gently made:</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">“No words have I to answer now:</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">My deity, O Queen, art thou.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But 'tis no marvel, dame, to find</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Such lack of sense in womankind.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Throughout this world, O Maithil dame,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Weak women's hearts are still the same.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Inconstant, urged by envious spite,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">They sever friends and hate the right.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I cannot brook, Videhan Queen,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy words intolerably keen.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mine ears thy fierce reproaches pain</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As boiling water seethes the brain.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And now to bear me witness all</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The dwellers in the wood I call,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">That, when with words of truth I plead,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">This harsh reply is all my meed.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Ah, woe is thee! Ah, grief, that still</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Eager to do my brother's will,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Mourning thy woman's nature, I</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Must see thee doubt my truth and die.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">I fly to Ráma's side, and Oh,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">May bliss attend thee while I go!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">May all attendant wood-gods screen</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Thy head from harm, O large-eyed Queen!</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And though dire omens meet my sight</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And fill my soul with wild affright,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">May I return in peace and see</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">The son of Raghu safe with thee!”</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 child of Janak heard him speak,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And the hot tear-drops down her cheek,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Increasing to a torrent, ran,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">As thus once more the dame began:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">“O Lakshmaṇ, if I widowed be</span></div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Godávarí's flood shall cover me,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or I will die by cord, or leap,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Life weary, from yon rocky steep;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or deadly poison will I drink,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">Or 'neath the kindled flames will sink,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">But never, reft of Ráma, can</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left">Consent to touch a meaner man.”</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 Maithil dame with many sighs,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And torrents pouring from her eyes,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">The faithful Lakshmaṇ thus addressed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left">And smote her hands upon her breast.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">&gt;Sumitrá's son, o'erwhelmed by fears,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">Looked on the large-eyed queen:</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He saw that flood of burning tears,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">He saw that piteous mien.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">He yearned sweet comfort to afford,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">He strove to soothe her pain;</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">But to the brother of her lord</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">She spoke no word again.</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">His reverent hands once more he raised,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">His head he slightly bent,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 2.00em">Upon her face he sadly gazed,</div> <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 4.00em">And then toward Ráma went.</div> </div></div> <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />