The Ramayana and Mahabharata (Abridged) E-Book

Maharishi Valmiki

• Herausgeber: Interactive Media
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

The Ramayana and Mahabharata (Abridged)

Leseprobe

Maharishi Valmiki

Veda Vyasa

The Ramayana and Mahabharata (Abridged)

New Edition

New Edition

Published by The Big Nest

This Edition

First published in 2020

Copyright © 2020 The Big Nest

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 9781787363304

Contents

RAMAYANA BOOK I

RAMAYANA BOOK II

RAMAYANA BOOK III

RAMAYANA BOOK IV

RAMAYANA BOOK V

RAMAYANA BOOK VI

RAMAYANA BOOK VII

RAMAYANA BOOK VIII

RAMAYANA BOOK IX

RAMAYANA BOOK X

RAMAYANA BOOK XI

RAMAYANA BOOK XII

RAMAYANA - CONCLUSION

RAMAYANA - EPILOGUE

MAHABHARATA BOOK I

MAHABHARATA BOOK II

MAHABHARATA BOOK III

MAHABHARATA BOOK IV

MAHABHARATA BOOK V

MAHABHARATA BOOK VI

MAHABHARATA BOOK VII

MAHABHARATA BOOK VIII

MAHABHARATA BOOK IX

MAHABHARATA BOOK X

MAHABHARATA BOOK XI

MAHABHARATA BOOK XII

MAHABHARATA - CONCLUSION

MAHABHARATA - EPILOGUE

GLOSSARY

RAMAYANA BOOK I

EPIC OF RAMA, PRINCE OF INDIA

SITA-SWAYAWARA

(THE BRIDAL OF SITA)

THE Epic relates to the ancient traditions of two powerful races, the Kosalas and the Videhas, who lived in Northern India between the twelfth and tenth centuries before Christ. The names Kosala and Videha in the singular number indicate the kingdoms,—Oudh and North Behar,—and in the plural number they mean the ancient races which inhabited those two countries.

According to the Epic, Dasa-ratha king of the Kosalas had four sons, the eldest of whom was Rama the hero of the poem. And Janak king of the Videhas had a daughter named Sita, who was miraculously born of a field furrow, and who is the heroine of the Epic.

Janak ordained a severe test for the hand of his daughter, and many a prince and warrior came and went away disappointed. Rama succeeded, and won Sita. The story of Rama’s winning his bride, and of the marriage of his three brothers with the sister and cousins of Sita, forms the subject of this Book.

The portions translated in this Book form Section vi., Sections

1xvii. to Ixix., Section lxxiii., and Section lxxvii. of Book i. of

the original text.

I

AYODRYA, THE RIGHTEOUS CITY

Rich in royal worth and valour, rich in holy Vedic lore,

Dasa-ratha ruled his empire in the happy days of yore,

Loved of men in fair Ayodhya, sprung of ancient Solar Race,

Royal rishi in his duty, saintly rishi in his grace,

Great as INDRA in his prowess, bounteous as KUVERA kind,

Dauntless deeds subdued his foemen, lofty faith subdued his mind!

Like the ancient monarch Manu, father of the human race,

Dasa-ratha ruled his people with a father’s loving grace,

Truth and Justice swayed each action and each baser motive quelled

People’s Love and Monarch’s Duty every thought and deed impelled,

And his town like INDRA’S city,—tower and dome and turret brave—

Rose in proud and peerless beauty on Sarayu’s limpid wave!

Peaceful lived the righteous people, rich in wealth in merit high,

Envy dwelt not in their bosoms and their accents shaped no lie,

Fathers with their happy households owned their cattle, corn, and gold,

Galling penury and famine in Ayodhya had no hold,

Neighbours lived in mutual kindness helpful with their ample wealth,

None who begged the wasted refuse, none who lived by fraud and stealth!

And they wore the gem and earring, wreath and fragrant sandal paste,

And their arms were decked with bracelets, and their necks with nishkas graced,

Cheat and braggart and deceiver lived not in the ancient town,

Proud despiser of the lowly wore not insults in their frown,

Poorer fed not on the richer, hireling friend upon the great,

None with low and lying accents did upon the proud man wait

Men to plighted vows were faithful, faithful was each loving wife,

Impure thought and wandering fancy stained not holy wedded life,

Robed in gold and graceful garments, fair in form and fair in face,

Winsome were Ayodhya’s daughters, rich in wit and woman’s grace

Twice-born men were free from passion, lust of gold and impure greed,

Faithful to their Rites and Scriptures, truthful in their word and deed,

Altar blazed in every mansion, from each home was bounty given,

‘Stooped no man to fulsome falsehood, questioned none the will of Heaven.

Kshatras bowed to holy Brahmans, Vaisyas to the Kshatras bowed

Toiling Sudras lived by labour, of their honest duty proud,

To the Gods and to the Fathers, to each guest in virtue trained,

Rites were done with true devotion as by holy writ ordained,

Pure each caste in due observance, stainless was each ancient rite,

And the nation thrived and prospered by its old and matchless might,

And each man in truth abiding lived a long and peaceful life,

With his sons and with his grandsons, with his loved and honoured wife.

Thus was ruled the ancient city by her monarch true and bold,

As the earth was ruled by Mann in the misty days of old,

Troops who never turned in battle, fierce as fire and strong and brave,

Guarded well her lofty ramparts as the lions guard the cave.

Steeds like INDRA’S in their swiftness came from far Kamboja’s land,

From Vanaya and Vahlika and from Sindhu’s rock-bound strand,

Elephants of mighty stature from the Vindhya mountains came,

Or from deep and darksome forests round Himalay’s peaks of fame,

Matchless in their mighty prowess, peerless in their wondrous speed,

Nobler than the noble tuskers sprung from high celestial breed.

Thus Ayodhya, “virgin city,”—faithful to her haughty name,—

Ruled by righteous Dasa-ratha won a world-embracing fame,

Strong-barred gates and lofty arches, tower and dome and turret high

Decked the vast and peopled city fair as mansions of the sky.

Queens of proud and peerless beauty born of houses rich in fame,

Loved of royal Dasa-ratha to his happy mansion came,

Queen Kausalya blessed with virtue true and righteous Rama bore,

Queen Kaikeyi young and beauteous bore him Bharat rich in lore,

Queen Simitra bore the bright twins, Lakshman and Satruglina bold,

Four brave princes served their father in the happy days of old!

II

MITHILA, AND THE BREAKING OF THE BOW

Janak monarch of Videha spake his memage near and far,

He shall win my peerless Sita who shall bend my bow of war,

Suitors came from farthest regions, warlike princes known to fame,

Vainly strove to wield the weapon, left Videha in their shame.

Viswa-mitra royal rishi, Rama true and Lakshman bold,

Came to fair Mithila’s city from Ayodhya famed of old,

Spake in pride the royal rishi: “Monarch of Videha’s throne,

Grant, the wondrous bow of RUDRA be to princely Rama shown.”

Janak spake his royal mandate to his lords and warriors bold:

“Bring ye forth the bow of RUDRA decked in garlands and in gold,”

And his peers and proud retainers waiting on the monarch’s call,

Brought the great and goodly weapon from the city’s inner hall.

Stalwart men of ample stature pulled the mighty iron car

In which rested all-inviolate Janak’s dreaded bow of war,

And where midst assembled monarchs sat Videha’s godlike king,

With a mighty toil and effort did the eight-wheeled chariot bring.

“This the weapon of Videha,” proudly thus the peers begun,

“Be it shewn to royal Rama, Dasa-ratha’s righteous son,”

“This the bow,” then spake the monarch to the risha famed of old,

To the true and righteous Rama and to Lakshman young and bold,

“This the weapon of my fathers prized by kings from age to age,

Mighty chiefs and sturdy warriors could not bend it, noble sage

Gods before the bow of RUDRA have in righteous terror quailed,

Rakshas fierce and stout Asuras have in futile effort failed,

Mortal man will struggle vainly RUDRA’S wondrous bow to bend,

Vainly strive to string the weapon and the shining dart to send,

Holy saint and royal rishi, here is Janak’s ancient bow,

Shew it to Ayodhya’s princes, speak to them my kingly vow!

Viswa-mitra humbly listened to the words the monarch said,

To the brave and righteous Rama, Janak’s mighty bow displayed,

Rama lifted high the cover of the pond’rous iron car,

Gazed with conscious pride and prowess on the mighty bow of war.

“Let me,” humbly spake the hero, “on this bow my fingers place,

Let me lift and bend the weapon, help me with your loving grace.”

“Be it so,” the rishi answered, “be it so,” the monarch said,

Rama lifted high the weapon on his stalwart arms displayed,

Wond’ring gazed the kings assembled as the son of Raghu’s race

Proudly raised the bow of RUDRA with a warrior’s stately grace,

Proudly strung the bow Of RUDRA which the kings had tried in vain

Drew the cord with force resistless till the weapon snapped in twain!

Like the thunder’s pealing accent rose the loud terrific clang,

And the firm earth shook and trembled and the hills in echoes rang,

And the chiefs and gathered monarchs fell and fainted in their fear,

And the men of many nations shook the dreadful sound to hear!

Pale and white the startled monarchs slowly from their terror woke,

And with royal grace and greetings Janak to the rishi spoke:

Now my ancient eyes have witnessed wond’rous deed by Rama done,

Deed surpassing thought or fancy wrought by Dasa-ratha’s son,

And the proud and peerless princess, Sita glory of my house,

Sheds on me an added lustre as she weds a godlike spouse,

True shall be my plighted promise, Sita dearer than my life,

Won by worth and wond’rous valour shall be Rama’s faithful wife

Grant us leave, O royal rishi, grant us blessings kind and fair,

Envoys mounted on my chariot to Ayodhya shall repair,

They shall speak to Rama’s father glorious feat by Rama done,

They shall speak to Dasa-ratha, Sita is by valour won,

They shall say the noble princes safely live within our walls,

They shall ask him by his presence to adorn our palace balls

Pleased at heart the sage assented, envoys by the monarch sent,

To Ayodhya’s distant city with the royal message went.

III

THE EMBASSY TO AYODHYA

Three nights halting in their journey with their steeds fatigued and spent,

Envoys from Mithila’s monarch to Ayodhya’s city went,

And by royal mandate bidden stepped within the palace hall.

Where the ancient Dasa-ratha sat with peers and courtiers all,

And with greetings and obeisance spake their message calm and bold,

Softly fell their gentle accents as their happy tale they told.

Greetings to thee, mighty monarch, greetings to each priest and peer,

Wishes for thy health and safety from Videha’s king we bear,

Janak monarch of Videha for thy happy life hath prayed,

And by Viswa-mitra’s bidding words of gladsome message said:

‘Known on earth my plighted promise, spoke by heralds near and far,

He shall win my peerless Sita who shall bend my bow of war,—

Monarchs came and princely suitors, chiefs and warriors known to fame,

Baffled in their fruitless effort left Mithila in their shame,

Rama came with gallant Lakshman by their proud preceptor led,

Bent and broke the mighty weapon, he the beauteous bride shall wed!

Rama strained the weapon stoutly till it snapped and broke in twain,

In the concourse of the monarchs, in the throng of arméd men,

Rama wins the peerless princess by the righteous will of Heaven,

I redeem my plighted promise-be thy kind permission given!

Monarch of Kosala’s country! with each lord and peer and priest,

Welcome to Mithila’s city, welcome to Videha’s feast,

Joy thee in thy Rama’s triumph, joy thee with a father’s pride,

Let each prince of proud Kosala win a fair Videha-bride!’

These by Viswa-mitra’s bidding are the words our monarch said

This by Sata-nanda’s counsel is the quest that he hath made.”

Joyful was Kosala’s monarch, spake to chieftains in the hall,

Vama-deva and Vasishtha and to priests and Brahmans all:

“Priests and peers! in far Mithila, so these friendly envoys tell,

Righteous Rama, gallant Lakshman, in the royal palace dwell,

And our brother of Videha prizes Rama’s warlike pride,

To each prince of proud Kosala yields a fair Videha-bride,

If it please ye, priests and chieftains, speed we to Mithila fair,

World-renowned is Janak’s virtue, Heaven-inspired his learning rare!”

Spake each peer and holy Brahman: “Dasa-ratha’s will be done!”

Spake the king unto the envoys: “Part we with the rising sun!”

Honoured with a regal honour, welcomed to a rich repast,

Gifted envoys from Mithila day and night in gladness passed!

IV

MEETING OF JANAK AND DASA-RATHA

On Ayodhya’s tower and turret now the golden morning woke,

Dasa-ratha girt by courtiers thus to wise Sumantra spoke:

Bid the keepers of my treasure with their waggons lead the way,

Ride in front with royal riches, gold and gems in bright array,

Bid my warriors skilled in duty lead the four-fold ranks of war,

Elephants and noble chargers, serried foot and battle-car,

Bid my faithful chariot-driver harness quick each car of state,

With the fleetest of my coursers, and upon my orders wait.

Vama-deva and Vasishtha versed in Veda’s ancient lore,

Kasyapa and good Jabali sprung from holy saints of yore,

Markandeya in his glory, Katyayana in his pride,

Let each priest and proud preceptor with Kosala’s monarch ride,

Harness to my royal chariot strong and stately steeds of war,

For the envoys speed my journey and the way is long and far.”

With each priest and proud retainer Dasa-ratha led the way,

Glittering ranks of forces followed in their four-fold dread array,

Four days on the way they journeyed till they reached Videha’s land,

Janak with a courteous welcome came to greet the royal band,

Joyously Videha’s monarch greeted every priest and peer,

Greeted ancient Dasa-ratha in his accents soft and clear:

“Hast thou come, my royal brother, on my house to yield thy grace,

Hast thou made a peaceful journey, pride of Raghu’s royal race?

Welcome! for Mithila’s people seek my royal guest to greet,

Welcome! for thy sons of valour long their loving sire to meet,

Welcome to the priest Vasishtha versed in Veda’s ancient lore,

Welcome every righteous rishi sprung from holy saints of yore!

And my evil fates are vanquished and my race is sanctified,

With the warlike race of Raghu thus in loving bonds allied,

Sacrifice and rites auspicious we ordain with rising sun,

Ere the evening’s darkness closes, happy nuptials shall be done!”

Thus in kind and courteous accents Janak spake his purpose high,

And his royal love responding, Dasa-ratha made reply:

“Gift betokens giver’s bounty, so our ancient sages sing,

And thy righteous fame and virtue grace thy gift, Videha’s king!

World-renowmed is Janak’s bounty, Heaven-inspired his holy grace,

And we take his boon and blessina as an honour to our race!”

Royal grace and kingly greeting, marked the ancient monarch’s word,

Janak with a grateful pleasure Dasa-ratha’s answer heard,

And the Brahmans and preceptors joyously the midnight spent,

And in converse pure and pleasant and in sacred sweet content.

Rigliteous Rama, gallant Lakshman piously their father greet,

Duly make their deep obeisance, humbly touch his royal feet,

And the night is filled with gladness for the king revered and old,

Honoured by the saintly Janak, greeted by his children bold,

On Mithila’s tower and turret stars their silent vigils keep,

When each sacred rite completed, Janak seeks his nightly sleep.

V

THE PREPARATION

All his four heroic princes now with Dasa-ratha stayed

In Mithila’s ancient city, and their father’s will obeyed,

Thither came the bold Yudhajit prince of proud Kaikeya’s line,

On the day that Dasa-ratha made his gifts of gold and kine,

And he met the ancient monarch, for his health and safety prayed,

Made his bow and due obeisance and in gentle accents said:

“List, O king! my royal father, monarch of Kaikeya’s race,

Sends his kindly love and greetings with his blessings and his grace,

And he asks if Dasa-ratha prospers in his wonted health,

If his friends and fond relations live in happiness and wealth.

Queen Kaikeyi is my sister, and to see her son I came,

Bharat prince of peerless virtue, worthy of his father’s fame,

Aye, to see that youth of valour, by my royal father sent,

To Ayodhya’s ancient city with an anxious heart I went,

In the city of Mithila,—thus did all thy subjects say,

With his sons and with his kinsmen Dasa-ratha makes his stay,

Hence in haste I journeyed hither, travelling late and early dawn,

For to do thee due obeisance and to greet my sister’s son!”

Spake the young and proud Kaikeya, dear and duly-greeted guest,

Dasa-ratha on his brother choicest gifts and honours pressed.

Brightly dawned the happy morning, and Kosala’s king of fame

With his sons and wise Vasishtha to the sacred yajna came,

Rama and his gallant brothers decked in gem and jewel bright,

In th’ auspicious hour of morning did the blest Kautuka rite,

And beside their royal father piously the princes stood,

And to fair Videlia’s monarch spake Vasishtha wise and good:

“Dasa-ratha waits expectant with each proud and princely son,

Waits upon the bounteous giver, for each holy rite is done,

‘Twixt the giver and the taker sacred word is sacred deed,

Seal with gift thy plighted promise, let the nuptial rites proceed

Thus the righteous-souled Vasishtha to Videha’s monarch prayed,

Janak versed in holy Vedas thus in courteous accents said:

“Wherefore waits the king expectant? Free to him this royal dome,

Since my kingdom is his empire and my palace is his home,

And the maidens, flame-resplendent, done each fond Kautuka rite,

Beaming in their bridal beauty tread the sacrificial site

I beside the lighted altar wait upon thy sacred hest,

And auspicious is the moment, sage Vasishtha knows the rest

Let the peerless Dasa-ratha, proud Kosala’s king of might,

With his sons and honoured sages enter on the holy site,

Let the righteous sage Vasishtha, sprung from Vedic saints of old,

Celebrate the happy wedding; be the sacred mantras told!”

VI

THE WEDDING

Sage Vasishtha skilled in duty placed Videha’s honoured king,

Viswa-mitra, Sata-nanda, all within the sacred ring,

And he raised the holy altar as the ancient writs ordain,

Decked and graced with scented garlands grateful unto gods and men,

And he set the golden ladles, vases pierced by artists skilled,

Holy censers fresh and fragrant, cups with sacred honey filled,

Sanka bowls and shining salvers, arghya plates for honoured guest,

Parchéd rice arranged in dishes, corn unhusked that filled the rest,

And with careful hand Vasishtha grass around the altar flung,

Offered gift to lighted AGNI and the sacred mantra sung!

Softly came the sweet-eyed Sita,—bridal blush upon her brow,

Rama in his manly beauty came to take the sacred vow,

Janak placed his beauteous daughter facing Dasa-ratha’s soil,

Spake with father’s fond emotion and the holy rite was done:

“This is Sita child of Janak, dearer unto him than life,

Henceforth sharer of thy virtue, be. she, prince, thy faithful wife,

Of thy weal and woe partaker, be she thine in every land,

Cherish her in joy and sorrow, clasp her hand within thy hand,

As the shadow to the substance, to her lord is faithful wife,

And my Sita best of women follows thee in death or life!”

Tears bedew his ancient bosom, gods and men his wishes share,

And he sprinkles holy water on the blest and wedded pair.

Next he turned to Sita’s sister, Urmila of beauty rare,

And to Lakshman young and valiant spake in accents soft and fair:

Lakshman, dauntless in thy duty, loved of men and Gods above,

Take my dear devoted daughter, Urmila of stainless love,

Lakshman, fearless in thy virtue, take thy true and faithful wife,

Clasp her hand within thy fingers, be she thine in death or life!”

To his brother’s child Mandavi, Janak turned with father’s love,

Yielded her to righteous Bharat, prayed for blessings from above:

“Bharat, take the fair Mandavi, be she thine in death or life,

Clasp her hand within thy fingers as thy true and faithful wife!”

Last of all was Sruta-kriti, fair in form and fair in face,

And her gentle name was honoured for her acts of righteous grace,

“Take her by the hand, Satrughna, be she thine in death or life,

As the shadow to the suistance, to her lord is faithful wife!”

Then the princes held the maidens, hand embraced in loving hand,

And Vasishtha spake the mantra, holiest priest in all the land,

And as ancient rite ordaineth, and as sacred laws require,

Stepped each bride and princely bridegroom round the altar’s lighted fire,

Round Videha’s ancient monarch, round the holy rishis all,

Ughtly stepped the gentle maidens, proudly stepped the princes tall!

And a rain of flowers descended from the sky serene and fair,

And a soft celestial music filled the fresh and fragrant air,

Bright Gandkarvas skilled in music waked the sweet celestial song

Fair Apsaras in their beauty on the greensward tripped along!

As the flowery rain descended and the music rose in pride,

Thrice around the lighted altar every bridegroom led his bride,

And the nuptial rites were ended, princes took their brides away,

Janak followed with his courtiers, and the town was proud and gay!

VII

RETURN TO AYODRYA

With his wedded sons and daughters and his guard in bright array,

To the famed and fair Ayodhya, Dasa-ratha held his way,

And they reached the ancient city decked with banners bright and brave,

And the voice of drum and trumpet hailed the home-returning brave.

Fragrant blossoms strewed the pathway, song of welcome filled the air,

Joyous men and merry women issued forth in garments fair,

And they lifted up their faces and they waved their hands on high,

And they raised the voice of welcome as their righteous king drew nigh.

Greeted by his loving subjects, welcomed by his priests of fame,

Dasa-ratha, with the princes to his happy city came,

With the brides and stately princes in the town he held his way,

Entered slow his lofty palace bright as peak of Himalay.

Queen Kausalya blessed with virtue, Queen Kaikeyi in her pride,

Queen Sumitra sweetly loving, greeted every happy bride,

Soft-eyed Sita noble-destined, Urmila of spotless fame,

Mandavi and Sruta-kirti to their loving mothers came.

Decked in silk and queenly garments they performed each pious rite,

Brought their blessings on the household, bowed to Gods of holy might,

Bowed to all the honoured elders, blest the children with their love,

And with soft and sweet endearment by their loving consorts moved.

Happy were the wedded princes peerless in their warlike might,

And they dwelt in stately mansions like KUVERA’S mansions bright.

Loving wife and troops of kinsmen, wealth and glory on them wait,

Filial love and fond affection sanctify their happy fate.

Once when on the palace chambers bright the golden morning woke,

To his son the gentle Bharat, thus the ancient monarch spoke:

“Know, my son, the prince Kaikeya, Yudajit of warlike fame,

Queen Kaikeyi’s honoured brother, from his distant regions came,

He hath come to take thee, Bharat, to Kaikeya’s monarch bold,

Go and stay with them a season, greet thy grandsire loved of old.”

Bharat heard with filial duty and he hastened to obey,

Took with him the young Satrughna in his grandsire’s home to stay,

And from Rama and from Lakshman parted they with many a tear,

From their young and gentle consorts, from their parents ever dear,

And Kaikeya with the princes, with his guards and troopers gay,

To his father’s western regions gladsome held his onward way.

Rama with a pious duty,—favoured by the Gods above,—

Tended still his ancient father with a never-faltering love,

In his father’s sacred mandate still his noblest Duty saw,

In the weal of subject nations recognised his foremost Law!

And he pleased his happy mother with a fond and filial care,

And his elders and his kinsmen with devotion soft and fair,

Brahmans blessed the righteous Rama for his faith in gods above,

People in the town and hamlet blessed him with their loyal love!

With a woman’s whole affection fond and trusting Sita loved,

And within her faithful bosom loving Rama lived and moved,

And he loved her, for their parents chose her as his faithful wife,

Loved her for her peerless beauty, for her true and trustful life,

Loved and dwelt within her bosom though he wore a form apart,

Rama in a sweet communion lived in Sita’s loving heart!

Days of joy and months of gladness o’er the gentle Sita flew,

As she like the QUEEN OF BEAUTY brighter in her graces grew,

And as VISHNU with his consort dwells in skies, alone, apart,

Rama in a sweet communion lived in Sita’s loving heart!

RAMAYANA BOOK II

VANA-GAMANA-ADESA

(THE BANISHMENT)

THP events narrated in this Book occupy scarcely two days. The description of Rama’s princely virtues and the rejoicings at his proposed coronation, with which the Book begins, contrast with much dramatic force and effect with the dark intrigues which follow, and which end in his cruel banishment for fourteen years.

The portions translated in this Book form Sections i., ii., vi., and vii., portions of Sections x. to xiii., and the whole of Section xviii. of Book ii of the original text.

I

THE COUNCIL CONVENED

Thus the young and brave Satrughna, Bharat ever true and bold,

Went to warlike western regions where Kaikeyas lived of old,

Where the ancient Aswa-pati ruled his kingdom broad and fair,

Hailed the sons of Dasa-ratha with a grandsire’s loving care.

Tended with a fond affection, guarded with a gentle sway,

Stillthe princes of their father dreamt and thought by night and day,

And their father in Ayodhya, great of heart and stout of hand,

Thought of Bharat and Satrughna living in Kaikeya’s land.

For his great and gallant princes were to him his life and light,

Were a part of Dasa-ratha like his hands and arms of might,

But of all his righteous children righteous Rama won his heart,

As SWAYABIBHU of all creatures, was his dearest, holiest part,

For his Rama strong and stately was his eldest and his best,

Void of every baser passion and with every virtue blest!

Soft in speech, sedate and peaceful, seeking still the holy path,

Calm in conscious worth and valour, taunt nor cavil waked his wrath,

In the field of war excelling, boldest warrior midst the bold,

In the palace chambers musing on the tales by elders told,

Faithful to the wise and learned, truthful in his deed and word,

Rama dearly loved his people and his people loved their lord!

To the Brahmans pure and holy Rama due obeisance made,

To the poor and to the helpless deeper love and honour paid,

Spirit of his race and nation was to high-souled Rama given,

Thoughtsthat widen human glory, deeds that ope the gates of heaven

Not intent on idle cavil Rama spake with purpose high,

And the God of speech might envy when he spake or made reply,

In the learning of the Vedas highest meed and glory won,

In the skill of arms the father scarcely matched the gallant son!

Taught by sages and by elders in the manners of his race,

Rama, grew in social virtues and each soft endearing grace,

Taught by inborn pride and wisdom patient purpose to conceal,

Deep determined was his effort, dauntless was his silent will!

Peerless in his skill and valour steed and elephant to tame,

Dauntless leader of his forces, matchless in his warlike fame,

Higher thought and nobler duty did the righteous Rama move,

By his toil and by his virtues still he sought his people’s love

Dasa-ratha marked his Rama with each kingly virtue blest,

And from lifelong royal duties now he sought repose and rest:

“Shall I see my son anointed, seated on Kosala’s throne,

In the evening of my lifetime ere my days on earth be done,

Shall I place my ancient empire in the youthful Rama’s care,

Seek for me a higher duty and prepare for life more fair?”

Pondering thus within his bosom counsel from his courtiers sought,

And to crown his Rama, Regent, was his purpose and his thought,

For strange signs and diverse tokens now appeared on earth and sky,

And his failing strength and vigour spoke his end approaching nigh,

And he witnessed Rama’s virtues filling all the world with love,

As the full-moon’s radiant lustre fills the earth from skies above!

Dear to him appeared his purpose, Rama to his people dear,

Private wish and public duty made his path serene and clear,

Dasa-ratha called his Council, summoned chiefs from town and plain.

Welcomed too from distant regions monarchs and the kings of men,

Mansions meet for prince andchieftain to his guests the monarch gave,

Gracious as the Lord of Creatures held the gathering rich and brave!

Nathless to Kosala’s Council nor Videha’s monarch came,

Nor the warlike chief Kaikeya, Aswa-pati king of fame,

To those kings and near relations, ancient Dasa-ratha meant,

Message of the proud anointment with his greetings would be sent.

Brightly dawned the day of gathering; in the lofty Council Hall

Stately chiefs and ancient burghers came and mustered one and all,

And each prince and peer was seated on his cushion rich and high,

And on monarch Dasa-ratha eager turned his anxious eye,

Girt by crownéd kings and chieftains, burghers from the town and plain,

Dasa-ratha shone like INDRA girt by heaven’s immortal train!

II

THE PEOPLE CONSULTED

With the voice of pealing thunder Dasa-ratha spake to all,

To the princes and the burghers gathered in Ayodhya’s hall:

“Known to all, the race of Raghu rules this empire broad and fair,

And hath ever loved and cherished subjects with a father’s care,

Tn my fathers’ footsteps treading I have sought the ancient path,

Nursed my people as my children, free from passion, pride and wrath,

Underneath this white umbrella, seated on this royal throne,

I have toiled to win their welfare and my task is almost done!

Years have passed of fruitful labour, years of work by fortune blest,

And the evening of my lifetime needs, my friends, the evening’s rest,

Years have passed in watchful effort, Law and Duty to uphold,

Effort needing strength and prowess-and my feeble limbs are old!

Peers and burghers, let your monarch, now his lifelong labour done,

For the weal of lovinor subjects on his empire seat his son,

INDRA-like in peerless valour, rishi-like in holy lore,

Rama follows Dasa-ratha, but in virtues stands before!

Throned in Pushya’s constellation shines the moon with fuller light

Throned to rule his father’s empire Rama wins a loftier might,

He will be your gracious monarch favoured well by FORTUNE’S QUEEN,

By his virtue and his valour lord of earth he might have been!

Speak your thoughts and from this bosom lift a load of toil and care,

On the proud throne of my fathers let me place a peerless heir,

Speak your thought, my chiefs and people, if this purpose please you well,

Or if wiser, better counsel in your wisdom ye can tell,

Speak your thoughts without compulsion, though this plan to me be dear,

If some middle course were wiser, if some other way were clear!

Gathered chieftains hailed the mandate with applauses long and loud,

As the peafowls hail the thunder of the dark and laden cloud,

And the gathered subjects echoed loud and long the welcome sound,

Till the voices of the people shook the sky and solid ground!

Brahmans versed in laws of duty, chieftains in their warlike pride,

Countless men from town and hamlet heard the mandate far and wide,

And they met in consultation, joyously with one accord,

Freely and in measured accents, gave their answer to their lord:

“Years of toil and watchful labour weigh upon thee, king of men,

Young in years is righteous Rama, Heir and Regent let him reign,

We would see the princely Rama, Heir and Regent duly made,

Riding on the royal tusker in the white umbrella’s shade!”

Searching still their secret purpose, seeking still their thought to know,

Spake again the ancient monarch in his measured words and slow:

“I would know your inner feelings, loyal thoughts and whispers kind,

For a doubt within me lingers and a shadow clouds my mind,

True to Law and true to Duty while I rule this kingdom fair,

Wherefore would you see my Rama seated as the Regent Heir?”

“We would see him Heir and Regent, Dasa-ratha, ancient lord,

For his heart is blessed with valour, virtue marks his deed and word,

Lives not man in all the wide earth who excels the stainless youth,

In his loyalty to Duty, in his love of righteous Truth,

Truth impels his thought and action, Truth inspires his soul with grace,

And his virtue fills the wide earth and exalts his ancient race!

Bright Immortals know his valour; with his brother Lakshman hold

He hath never failed to conquer hostile town or castled hold,

And returning from his battles, from the duties of the war,

Riding on his royal tusker or his all-resistless car,

As a father to his children to his loving men he came,

Blessed our homes and maids and matrons till our infants lisped his name,

For our humble woes and troubles Rama hath the ready tear,

To our humble tales of suffering Rama lends his willing ear!

Happy is the royal father who hath such a righteous son,

For in town and mart and hamlet every heart hath Rama won,

Burghers and the toiling tillers tales of Rama’s kindness say,

Man and infant, maid and matron, morn and eve for Rama pray,

To the Gods and bright Immortals we our inmost wishes send,

May the good and godlike Rama on his father’s throne ascend,

Great in gifts and great in glory, Rama doth our homage own,

We would see the princely Rama seated on his father’s throne!”

III

THE CITY DECORATED

With his consort pious Rama, pure in deed and pure in thought,

After evening’s due ablutions NARAYANA’S chamber sought,

Prayed unto the Lord of Creatures, NARAYANA Ancient Sire,

Placed his offering on his forehead, poured it on the lighted fire,

Piously partook the remnant, sought for NARAYANA’S aid,

As he kept his fast and vigils on the grass of kusa spread.

With her lord the saintly Sita silent passed the sacred night,

Contemplating World’s Preserver, Lord of Heaven’s ethereal height,

And within the sacred chamber on the grass of kusa lay,

Till the crimson streaks of morning, ushered in the festive day,

Till the royal bards and minstrels chanted forth the morning call,

Healing through the holy chamber, echoing through the roval hall.

Past the night of sacred vigils, in his silken robes arrayed,

Message of the proud anointment Rama to the Brahmans said,

And the Brahmans spake to burghers that the festive day was come,

Till the mart and crowded pathway rang with note of pipe and drum,

And the townsmen heard rejoicing of the vigils of the night,

Kept by Rama and by Sita, for the day’s auspicious rite.

Rama shall be Heir and Regent, Rama shall be crowned to-day,

Rapid flew the gladdening message with the morning’s gladsome ray,

And the people of the city, maid and matron, man and boy,

Decorated fair Ayodhya in their wild tumultuous joy!

On the temple’s lofty steeple high as cloud above the air,

On the crossing of the pathways, in the garden green and fair,

On the merchant’s ample warehouse, on the shop with stores displayed,

On the mansion of the noble by the cunning artist made,

On the gay and bright pavilion, on the high and shady trees.

Banners rose and glittering streamers, flags that fluttered in the breeze!

Actors gay and nimble dancers, singers skilled in lightsome song,

With their antics and their music pleased the gay and gathered throng,

And the people met in conclaves, spake of Rama, Regent Heir,

And the children by the roadside lisped of Rama brave and fair!

Women wove the scented garland, merry maids the censer lit,

Men with broom and sprinkled water swept the spacious mart and street,

Rows of trees and posts they planted hung with lamps for coming night,

That the midnight dark might rival splendour of the noonday light

Troops of men and merry children laboured with a loving care,

Woman’s skill and woman’s fancy made the city passing fair,

So that good and kindly Rama might his people’s toil approve,

So that sweet and soft-eyed Sita might accept her people’s love!

Groups of joyous townsmen gathered in the square or lofty hall,

Praised the monarch Dasa-ratha, regent Rama young and tall:

“Great and good is Dasa-ratha born of Raghu’s royal race,

In the fulness of his lifetime on his son he grants his grace,

And we hail the rite auspicious for our prince of peerless might,

He will guard us by his valotir, he will save our cherished right,

Dear unto his loving brothers in his father’s palace hall,

As is Rama to his brothers dear is Rama to us all,

Long live ancient Dasa-ratha king of Raghu’s royal race,

We shall see his son anointed by his father’s righteous grace!

Thus of Rama’s consecration spake the burghers one and all,

And the men from distant hamlets poured within the city wall,

From the confines of the empire, north and south and west and east,

Came to see the consecration and to share the royal feast!

And the rolling tide of nations raised their voices loud and high,

Like the tide of sounding ocean when the full moon lights the sky,

And Ayodhya thronged by people from the hamlet , mart and lea,

Was tumultuous like the ocean thronged by creatures of the sea!

IV

INTRIGUE

In the inner palace chamber stood the proud and peerless queen,

With a mother’s joy Kaikeyi gaily watched the festive scene,

But with deep and deadly hatred Manthara, her nurse and maid,

Marked the city bright with banners, and in scornful accents said:

“Take thy presents back, Kaikeyi, for they ill befit the clay,

And when clouds of sorrow darken, ill beseems thee to be gay,

And thy folly moves my laughter though an anguish wakes my sigh,

For a gladness stirs thy bosom when thy greatest woo is nigh!

Who that hath a woman’s wisdom, who that is a prudent wife.

Smiles in joy when prouder rival triumphs in the race of life,

How can hapless Queen Kaikeyi greet this deed of darkness done,

When the favoured Queen Kausalya wins the empire for her son?

Know the truth, O witless woman! Bharat is unmatched in fame,

Rama, deep and darkly jealous, dreads thy Bharat’s rival claim,

Younger Lakshman with devotion doth on eldest Rama wait,

Young Satrughna with affection follows Bharat’s lofty fate,

Rama dreads no rising danger from the twins, the youngest-born,

But thy Bharat’s claims and virtues fill his jealous heart with scorn!

Trust me, queen, thy Bharat’s merits are too well and widely known,

And he stands too near and closely by a rival brother’s throne,

Rama hath a wolf-like wisdom and a fang to reach the foe,

And I tremble for thy Bharat, Heaven avert untimely woe!

Happy is the Queen Kausalya, they will soon anoint her son,

When on Pushya’s constellation gaily rides to-morrow’s moon,

Happy is the Queen Kausalya in her regal pomp and state,

And Kaikeyi like a bond-slave must upon her rival wait!

Wilt thou do her due obeisance as we humble women do,

Will thy proud and princely Bharat as his brother’s henchman go,

Will thy Bharat’s gentle consort, fairest princess in this land,

In her tears and in her anguish wait on Sita’s proud command?

With a woman’s scornful anger Manthara proclaimed her grief,

With a mother’s love for Rama thus Kaikeyi answered brief:

“What inspires thee, wicked woman, thus to rail in bitter tone,

Shall not Rama, best and eldest, fill his father’s royal throne,

What alarms thee, crooked woman, in the happy rites begun,

Shall not Rama guard his brothers as a father guards his son?

And when Rama’s reign is over, shall not Gods my Bharat speed,

And by law and ancient custom shall not younger son succeed,

In the present bliss of Rama and in Bharat’s future hope,

What offends thee, senseless woman, wherefore dost thou idly mope?

Dear is Rama as my Bharat, ever duteous in his ways,

Rama honours Queen Kausalya, loftier honour to me pays,

Rama’s realm is Bharat’s kingdom, ruling partners they shall prove,

For himself than for his brothers Rama owns no deeper love!”

Scorn and anger shook her person and her bosom heaved a sigh,

As in wilder, fiercer accents Manthara thus made reply:

What insensate rage or madness clouds thy heart and blinds thine eye,

Courting thus thy own disaster, courting danger dread and high,

What dark folly clouds thy vision to the workings of thy foe,

Heedless thus to seek destruction and to sink in gulf of woe?

Know, fair queen, by law and custom, son ascends the throne of pride,

Rama’s son succeedeth Rama, luckless Bharat steps aside,

Brothers do not share a kingdom, nor can one by one succeed,

Mighty were the civil discord if such custom were decreed!

For to stop all war and tumult, thus the ancient laws ordain,

Eldest son succeeds his father, younger children may not reign,

Bharat barred from Rama’s empire, vainly decked with royal grace,

Friendless, joyless, long shall wander, alien from his land and race!

Thou hast home the princely Bharat, nursed him from thy gentle breast,

To a queen and to a mother need a prince’s claims be pressed,

To a thoughtless heedless mother must I Bharat’s virtues plead,

Must the Queen Kaikeyi witness Queen Kausalya’s son succeed?

Trust thy old and faithful woman who bath nursed thee, youthful queen,

And in great and princely houses many darksome deeds hath seen,

Trust my word, the wily Rama for his spacious empire’s good,

Soon will banish friendless Bharat and secure his peace with blood!

Thou hast sent the righteous Bharat to thy ancient father’s land,

And Satrughna young an valiant doth beside his brother stand,

Young in years and generous-hearted, they will grow in mutual love,

As the love of elder Rama doth in Lakshman’s bosom move,

Young companions grow in friendship, and our ancient legends tell,

Weeds protect a forest monarch which the woodman’s axe would fell,

Crownéd Rama unto Lakshman will a loving brother prove,

But for Bharat and Satrughna, Rama’s bosom owns no love,

And a danger thus ariseth if the elder wins the throne,

Haste thee, heedless Queen Kaikeyi, save the younger and thy son!

Speak thy mandate to thy husband, let thy Bharat rule at home,

In the deep and pathless jungle let the banished Rama roam,

This will please thy ancient father and thy father’s kith and kin,

This will please the righteous people, Bharat knows no guile or sin!

Speak thy mandate to thy husband, win thy son a happy fate,

Doom him not to Rama’s service or his unrelenting hate,

Let not Rama in his rancour shed a younger brother’s blood,

As the lion slays the tiger in the deep and echoing wood!

With the magic of thy beauty thou hast won thy monarch’s heart,

Queen Kausalya’s bosom rankles with a woman’s secret smart,

Let her not with woman’s vengeance turn upon her prouder foe,

And as crownéd Rama’s mother venge her in Kaikeyi’s woe,

Mark my word, my child Kaikeyi, much these ancient eyes have seen,

Rama’s rule is death to Bharat, insult to my honoured queen!”

Like a slow but deadly poison worked the ancient nurse’s tears,

And a wife’s undying impulse mingled with a mother’s fears,

Deep within Kaikeyi’s bosom worked a woman’s jealous thought,

Speechless in her scorn and anger mourner’s dark retreat she sought.

V

THE QUEEN’S DEMAND

Rama shall be crowned at sunrise, so did royal bards proclaim,

Every rite arranged and ordered, Dasa-ratha homeward came,

To the fairest of his consorts, dearest to his ancient heart,

Came the king with eager gladness joyful message to impart,

Radiant as the Lord of Midnight, ere the eclipse casts its gloom,

Carne the old and ardent monarch heedless of his darksome doom!

Through the shady palace garden where the peacock wandered free.

Lute and lyre poured forth their music, parrot flew from tree to tree,

Through the corridor of creepers, painted rooms by artists done,

And the halls where scented Champak and the flaming Asok shone,

Through the portico of splendour graced by silver, tusk and gold.

Radiant with his thought of gladness walked the monarch proud and bold.

Through the lines of scented blossoms which by limpid waters shone,

And the rooms with seats of silver, ivory bench and golden throne.

Through the chamber of confection, where each viand wooed the taste,

Every object in profusion as in regions of the blest,

Through Kaikeyi’s inner closet lighted with a softened sheen,

Walked the king with eager longing,—but Kaikeyi was not seen!

Thoughts of love and gentle dalliance woke-within his ancient heart,

And the magic of her beauty and the glamour of her art,

With a soft desire the monarch vainly searched the vanished fair,

Found her not in royal chamber, found her not in gay parterre!

Filled with love and longing languor loitered not the radiant queen,

In her soft voluptuous chamber, in the garden, grove or green,

And he asked the faithful warder of Kaikeyi loved and lost,

She who served him with devotion and his wishes never crost,

Spake the warder in his terror that the queen with rage distraught.

Weeping silent tears of anguish had the mourner’s chamber sought!

Thither flew the stricken monarch; on the bare and unswept ground,

Trembling with tumultuous passion was the Queen Kaikeyi found,

On the cold uncovered pavement sorrowing lay the weeping wife,

Young wife of an ancient husband, dearer than his heart and life!

Like a bright and blossoming creeper rudely severed from the earth,

Like a fallen fair Apsara, beauteous nymph of heavenly birth,

Like a female forest-ranger bleeding from the hunter’s dart,

Whom her mate the forest-monarch soothes with soft endearing art,

Lay the queen in tears of anguish! And with sweet and gentle word

To the lotus-eyéd lady softly spake her loving lord:

Wherefore thus, my Queen and Empress, sorrow-laden is thy heart,

Who with daring slight or insult seeks to cause thy bosom smart?

If some unknown ailment pains thee, evil spirit of the air,

Skilled physicians wait upon thee, priests with incantations fair,

If from human foe some insult, wipe thy tears and doom his fate,

Rich reward or royal vengeance shall upon thy mandate wait!

Wilt thou doom to death the guiltless, free whom direst sins debase,

Wilt thou lift the poor and lowly or the proud and great disgrace,

Speak, and I and all my courtiers Queen Kaikeyi’s hest obey,

For thy might is boundless, Empress, limitless thy regal sway!

Rolls my chariot-wheel revolving from the sea to farthest sea,

And the wide earth is my empire, monarchs list my proud decree,

Nations of the eastern regions and of Sindhu’s western wave,

Brave Saurashtras and the races who the ocean’s dangers brave,

Vangas, Angas and Magadhas, warlike Matsyas of the west,

Kasis and the southern races, brave Kosalas first and best,

Nations of my world-wide empire, rich in corn and sheep and kine,

All shall serve my Queen Kaikeyi and their treasures all are thine,

Speak, command thy king a obedience, and thy wrath will melt away,

Like the melting snow of winter ‘neath the sun’s reviving ray!”

Blinded was the ancient husband as he lifted up her head,

Heedless oath and word he plighted that her wish should be obeyed,

Scheming for a fatal purpose, inly then Kaikeyi smiled,

And by sacred oath and promise bound the monarch love-beguiled:

“Thou hast given, Dasa-ratha, troth and word and royal oath,

Three and thirty Gods be witness, watchers of the righteous truth,

Sun and Moon and Stars be witness, Sky and Day and sable Night,

Rolling Worlds and this our wide Earth, and each dark and unseen wight,

Witness Rangers of the forest, Household Gods that guard us both,

Mortal beings and Immortal,—witness ye the monarch’s oath,

Ever faithful to his promise, ever truthful in his word,

Dasa-ratha grants my prayer, Spirits and the Gods have heard!

Call to mind, O righteous monarch, days when in a bygone strife,

Warring with thy foes immortal thou hadst almost lost thy life,

With a woman’s loving tendance poor Kaikeyi cured thy wound,

Till from death and danger rescued, thou wert by a promise bound,

Two rewards my husband offered, what my loving heart might seek,

Long delayed their wished fulfilment,-now let poor Kaikeyi speak,

And if royal deeds redeem not what thy royal lips did say,

Victim to thy broken promise Queen Kaikeyi dies to-day!

By these rites ordained for Rama,-such the news my menials bring,—

Let my Bharat, and not Rama, be anointed Regent King,

Wearing skins and matted tresses, in the cave or hermit’s cell,

Fourteen years in Dandak’s forests let the elder Rama dwell,

These are Queen Kaikeyi’s wishes, these are boons for which I pray,

I would see my son anointed, Rama banished on this day!”

VI

THE KING’S LAMENT

Is this torturing dream or madness, do my feeble senses fail,

O’er my darkened mind and bosom doth a fainting fit prevail?

So the stricken monarch pondered and in hushed and silent fear,

Looked on her as on a tigress looks the dazed and stricken deer,

Lying on the unswept pavement still he heaved the choking sigh,

Like a wild and hissing serpent quelled by incantations high!

Sobs convulsive shook his bosom and his speech and accent failed,

And a dark and deathlike faintness o’er his feeble soul prevailed,

Stunned awhile remained the monarch, then in furious passion woke.

And his eyeballs flamed with redfire, to the queen as thus he spoke:

“Traitress to thy king and husband, fell destroyer of thy race,

Wherefore seeks thy ruthless rancour Rama rich in righteous grace,

Traitress to thy kith and kindred, Rama loves thee as thy own,

Wherefore then with causeless vengeance as a mother hate thy son!

Have I courted thee, Kaikeyi, throned thee in my heart of truth,

Nursed thee in my home and bosom like a snake of poisoned tooth,

Have I courted thee, Kaikeyi, placed thee on Ayodhya’s throne,

That my Rama, loved of people, thou shouldst banish from his own?

Banish far my Queen Kausalya, Queen Sumitra saintly wife,

Wrench from me my ancient empire, from my bosom wrench my life,

But with brave and princely Rama never can his father part,

Till his ancient life is ended, cold and still his beating heart!

Sunless roll the world in darkness, rainless may the harvests thrive,

But from ri~hteous Rama severed, never can his sire survive,

Feeble is thy aged husband, few and brief on earth his day,

Lend me, wife, a woman’s kindness, as a consort be my stay!

Ask for other boon, Kaikeyi, aught my sea-girt empire yields,

Wealth or treasure, gem or jewel, castled town or smiling fields,

Ask for other gift, Kaikeyi, and thy wishes shall be given,

Stain me not with crime unholy in the eye of righteous Heaven!”

Coldly spake the Queen Kaikeyi: “If thy royal heart repent,

Break thy word and plighted promise, let thy royal faith be rent,

Ever known for truth and virtue, speak to peers and monarchs all,

When from near and distant regions they shall gather in thy hall,

Speak if so it please thee, monarch, of thy evil-destined wife,

How she loved with wife’s devotion, how she served and saved thy life,

How on plighted promise trusting for a humble boon she sighed,

How a monarch broke his promise, how a cheated woman died!”

“Fair thy form,” resumed the monarch, “beauty dwells upon thy face,

Woman’s winsome charms bedeck thee, and a woman’s peerless grace,

Wherefore then within thy bosom wakes this thought of cruel wile,

And what dark and loathsome spirit stains thy heart with blackest guile?

Ever since the day, Kaikeyi, when a gentle bride you came,

By a wife’s unfailing duty you have won a woman’s fame,

Wherefore now this cruel purpose hath a stainless heart defiled,

Ruthless wish to send my Rama to the dark and pathless wild?

Wherefore, darkly-scheming woman, on unrighteous purpose bent,

Doth thy cruel causeless vengeance on my Rama seek a vent,

Wherefore seek by deeds unholy for thy son the throne to win,

Throne which Bharat doth not covet,-blackened byhis mother’s sin?

Shall I see my banished Rama mantled in the garb of woe,

Reft of home and kin and empire to the pathless jungle go,

Shall I see disasters sweeping o’er my empire dark and deep,

As the forces of a foeman o’er a scattered army sweep?

Shall I hear assembled monarchs in their whispered voices say,

Weak and foolish in his dotapre, Dasa-ratha holds his sway,

Shall I say to righteous elders when they blame my action done,

That by woman’s mandate driven I have banished thus my son?

Queen Kansalya, dear-loved woman! she who serves me as a slave,

Soothes me like a tender sister, helps me like a consort brave,

As a fond and loving mother tends me with a watchful care,

As a daughter ever duteous doth obeisance sweet and fair,

When my fond and fair Kausalya asks me of her banished son,

How shall Dasa-ratha answer for the impious action done,

How can husband, cold and cruel, break a wife’s confiding heart,

How can father, false and faithless, from his best and eldest part?”

Coldly spake the Queen Kaikeyi: “If thy royal heart repent,

Break thy word and plighted promise, let thy royal faith be rent,

Truth-abiding is our monarch, so I heard the people say,

And his word is all inviolate, stainless virtue marks his sway,

Let it now be known to nations,—righteous Dasa-ratha lied,

And a trusting, cheated woman broke her loving heart and died!”

Darker grew the shades of midnight, coldly shone each distant star,

Wilder in the monarch’s bosom raged the struggle and the war:

“Starry midnight, robed in shadows! give my wearied heart relief,