The Ramayana Part 136

At length, O righteous prince, relent, Nor let my words in vain be spent, This sudden blaze of fury slake, I pray thee for Sugriva's sake.

He would renounce at Rama's call Ruma and Angad, me and all Who call him lord: his gold and grain, The favour of his friend to gain.

His arm shall slay the fiend more base In soul than all his impious race, And happy Rama reunite To Sita, rival in delight Of the triumphant Moon when he Rejoins his darling Rohi?i.(641) Ten million million demons guard The gates of Lanka firmly barred.

All hope until that host be slain, To smite the robber king is vain.

Nor with Sugriva's aid alone May king and host be overthrown.

Thus ere he died-for well he knew- Spake Bali, and his words are true.

I know not what his proofs might be, But speak the words he spake to me.

Hence far and wide our lords are sent To raise the mightiest armament, For their return Sugriva waits Ere he can sally from his gates.

Still is the oath Sugriva swore Kept firmly even as before: And the great host this day will be a.s.sembled by the king's decree, Ten thousand thousand troops, who wear The form of monkey and of bear, Prepared for thee the war to wage: Then let thy wrath no longer rage.

The matrons of the Vanar race See marks of fury in thy face; They see thine eyes like blood are red, And will not yet be comforted."

Canto x.x.xVI. Sugriva's Speech.

She ceased: and Lakshma? gave a.s.sent, Won by her gentle argument.

So Tara's pleading, just and mild, His softening heart had reconciled.

His altered mood Sugriva saw, And cast aside the fear and awe Like raiment heavy with the rain Which on his troubled soul had lain.

Then quickly to the ground he threw His flowery garland, bright of hue, Which round his royal neck he wore, And, sobered, was himself once more.

Then turning to the princely man In soothing words the king began: "My glory, wealth, and royal sway To other hands had pa.s.sed away: But Rama to my rescue came, And gave me back my power and fame.

O Lakshma?, say, whose grateful heart Could nurse the hope to pay in part, By service of a life, the deed Of Rama sprung of heavenly seed?

His foeman Rava? shall be slain, And Sita shall be his again.

The hero's side I will not leave, But he the conquest shall achieve.

What need of help has he who drew His bow, and one great arrow flew Through seven tall trees, a mountain rent, And cleft the earth with force unspent?

What aid needs he who shook his bow, And at the sound the earth below With hill and wood and rooted rock Quaked feverous with the thunder shock?

Yet all my legions will I bring, And follow close the warrior king Marching on his impetuous way Fierce Rava? and his hosts to slay.

If I be guilty of offence, Careless through love or negligence, Let him his loyal slave forgive; For error cleaves to all who live."

Thus king Sugriva, good and brave, In humble words his answer gave, Softened was Lakshma?'s angry mood Who thus his friendly speech renewed: "My brother, Vanar King, will see A champion and a friend in thee.

So strong art thou, so brave and bold, So pure in thought, so humble-souled, That thou deservest well to reign And all a monarch's bliss to gain.

Lend thou my brother aid, and all His foes beneath his arm will fall.

Full well the words thou speakest suit A chieftain wise and resolute.

With grateful heart that loves the right, And foot that never yields in fight.

O come, and my sad brother cheer Who mourns the wife he holds so dear.

O pardon, friend, my harsh address, And Rama's frantic bitterness."

Canto x.x.xVII. The Gathering.

He ceased: and King Sugriva cried To sage Hanuman(642) by his side: "Summon the Vanar legions, those Who dwell about the Lord of Snows: Those who in Vindhyan groves delight, Kailasa's, or Mahendra's height, Dwell on the Five bright Peaks, or where Mandar's white summit cleaves the air: Wherever they are wandring free In highlands by the western sea, On that east hill whence springs the sun, Or where he sinks when day is done.

Call the great chiefs whose legions fill The forests of the Lotus Hill,(643) Where every one in strength and size With the stupendous Anjan(644) vies.

Call those, with tints of burnished gold Whom Mahasaila's caverns hold: Those who on Dhumra roam, or hide In the wild woods on Meru's side.

Call those who, brilliant as the sun, On high Maharu? leap and run, Quaffing sweet juices that distil From odorous trees upon the hill, Call those whom tranquil haunts delight, Where dwell the sage and anchorite In groves that through their wide extent Exhale a thousand blossoms' scent.

Send out, send out: from coast to coast a.s.semble all the Vanar host: With force, with words, with gifts of price Compel, admonish and entice.

Already envoys have been sent To warn them of their lord's intent.

Let others urged by thee repeat My mandate that their steps be fleet.

Those lords who yielding to the sway Of love's delight would fain delay, Urge hither with the utmost speed, Or with thee to my presence lead: And those who linger to the last Until ten days be come and pa.s.sed, And dare their sovereign to defy, For their offence shall surely die.

Thousands, yea millions, shall there be, Obedient to their king's decree, The lions of the Vanar race, a.s.sembled from each distant place, Forth shall they haste like hills in size, Or mighty clouds that veil the skies, And swiftly speeding on their way Bring all our legions in array."

He ceased: the son of Vayu(645) heard, Submissive to his sovereign's word; And sent his rapid envoys forth To east and west and south and north.

They bent their airy course afar Along the paths of bird and star, And sped through ether farther yet Where Vish?u's splendid sphere is set.(646) By sea, on hill, by wood and lake They called to arms for Rama's sake, As each with terror in his breast Obeyed his awful king's behest.

Three million Vanars, fierce and strong As Anjan's self, a wondrous throng Sped from the spot where Rama still Gazed restless from the woody hill.

Ten million others, brave and bold, With coats that shone like burning gold, Came flying from the mountain crest Where sinks the weary sun to rest.

Impetuous from the northern skies, Where Mount Kailasa's summits rise, Ten hundred millions hasted, hued Like manes of lions, ne'er subdued: The dwellers on Himalaya's side, Whose food his roots and fruit supplied, With rangers of the Vindhyan chain And neighbours of the Milky Main.(647) Some from the palm groves where they fed, Some from the woods of betel sped: In countless numbers, fierce and brave, They came from mountain, lake, and cave.

As on their way the Vanars went To rouse each distant armament, They chanced that wondrous tree to view That on Himalaya's summit grew.

Of old upon that sacred height Was wrought Mahesvar's(648) glorious rite, Which every G.o.d in heaven beheld, And his glad heart with triumph swelled.

There from pure seed at random sown Bright plants with luscious fruit had grown, And, sweet as Amrit to the taste, The summit of the mountain graced.

Who once should eat the virtuous fruit That sprang from so divine a root, One whole revolving moon should be From every pang of hunger free.

The Vanars culled the fruit they found Ripe on the sacrificial ground With rare celestial odours sweet, To lay them at Sugriva's feet.

Those n.o.ble envoys scoured the land To summon every Vanar band Then swiftly homeward at the head Of countless armaments they sped.

They gathered by Kishkindha's wall.

They thronged Sugriva's palace hall, And, richly laden, bare within That fruit of heavenly origin.

Their gifts before their king they spread, And thus in tones of triumph said:

"Through every land our way we took To visit hill and wood and brook, And all thy hosts from east to west Flock hither at their lord's behest."

Sugriva with delighted look The present of his envoys took, Then bade them go, with gracious speech Rewarding and dismissing each.

Canto x.x.xVIII. Sugriva's Departure.

Thus all the princely Vanars, true To their appointed tasks, withdrew.

Sugriva deemed already done The work he planned for Raghu's son.

Then Lakshma? gently spoke and cheered Sugriva for his valour feared: "Now, chieftain, if thy will be so, Forth from Kishkindha let us go."

Sugriva's heart swelled high with pride As to the prince he thus replied: "Come, speed we forth without delay: 'Tis mine thy mandate to obey."

Sugriva bade the dames adieu, And Tara and the rest withdrew.

Then at their chieftain's summons came The Vanars first in rank and fame, A trusty brave and reverent band, Meet e'en before a queen to stand.

They at his call made haste to bring The litter of the glorious king.

"Mount, O my friend." Sugriva cried, And straight Sumitra's son complied.

Then took by Lakshma?'s side his place The sovereign of the woodland race, Upraised by Vanars, fleet and strong, Who bore the glittering load along.

On high above his royal head A paly canopy was spread, And chouries white in many a hand The forehead of the monarch fanned, And sh.e.l.l and drum and song and shout Pealed round him as the king pa.s.sed out.

About the monarch went a throng Of Vanar warriors brave and strong, As onward to the mountain shade Where Rama dwelt his way he made.

Soon as the lovely spot he viewed Where Rama lived in solitude, The Vanar monarch, far-renowed, With Lakshma?, lightly stepped to ground, And to the son of Raghu went Joining his raised hands reverent.

As their great leader raised his hands, So suppliant stood the Vanar bands.

Well pleased the son of Raghu saw Those legions, hushed in reverent awe, Stand silent like the tranquil floods That raise their hands of lotus buds.

But Rama, when the king, to greet His friend, had bowed him at his feet, Raised him who ruled the Vanar race, And held him in a close embrace: Then, when his arms he had unknit, Besought him by his side to sit, And thus with gentle words the best Of men the Vanar king addressed:

"The prince who well his days divides, And knows aright the times and tides To follow duty, joy, or gain, He, only he, deserves to reign.

But he who wealth and virtue leaves, And every hour to pleasure cleaves, Falls from his bliss like him who wakes From slumber on a branch that breaks.

True king is he who smites his foes, And favour to his servants shows, And of that fruit makes timely use Which virtue, wealth, and joy produce.

The hour is come that bids thee rise To aid me in my enterprise.

Then call thy n.o.bles to debate, And with their help deliberate."