The Ramayana Part 187

Canto CXIII. Mandodari's Lament.

While thus they wept, supreme in place, The loveliest for form and face, Mandodari drew near alone, Looked on her lord and made her moan: "Ah Monarch, Indra feared to stand In fight before thy conquering hand.

From thy dread spear the Immortals ran; And art thou murdered by a man?

Ah, 'twas no child of earth, I know, That smote thee with that mortal blow.

'Twas Death himself in Rama's shape, That slew thee: Death whom none escape.

Or was it he who rules the skies Who met thee, clothed in man's disguise?

Ah no, my lord, not Indra: he In battle ne'er could look on thee.

One only G.o.d thy match I deem: 'Twas Vish?u's self, the Lord Supreme, Whose days through ceaseless time extend And ne'er began and ne'er shall end: He with the discus, sh.e.l.l, and mace, Brought ruin on the giant race.

Girt by the G.o.ds of heaven arrayed Like Vanar hosts his strength to aid, He Rama's shape and arms a.s.sumed And slew the king whom Fate had doomed.

In Janasthan when Khara died With giant legions by his side, No mortal was the unconquered foe In Rama's form who struck the blow.

When Hanuman the Vanar came And burnt thy town with hostile flame, I counselled peace in anxious fear: I counselled, but thou wouldst not hear.

Thy fancy for the foreign dame Has brought thee death and endless shame.

Why should thy foolish fancy roam?

Hadst thou not wives as fair at home?

In beauty, form and grace could she, Dear lord, surpa.s.s or rival me?

Now will the days of Sita glide In tranquil joy by Rama's side: And I-ah me, around me raves A sea of woe with whelming waves.

With thee in days of old I trod Each spot beloved by nymph and G.o.d; I stood with thee in proud delight On Mandar's side and Meru's height; With thee, my lord, enchanted strayed In Chaitraratha's(1013) lovely shade, And viewed each fairest scene afar Transported in thy radiant car.

But source of every joy wast thou, And all my bliss is ended now."

Then Rama to Vibhisha? cried: "Whate'er the ritual bids, provide.

Obsequial honours duly pay, And these sad mourners' grief allay."

Vibhisha? answered, wise and true, For duty's changeless law he knew: "Nay one who scorned all sacred vows And dared to touch another's spouse, Fell tyrant of the human race, With funeral rites I may not grace."

Him Raghu's royal son, the best Of those who love the law, addressed: "False was the rover of the night, He loved the wrong and scorned the right.

Yet for the fallen warrior plead The dauntless heart, the valorous deed.

Let him who ne'er had brooked defeat, The chief whom Indra feared to meet, The ever-conquering lord, obtain The honours that should grace the slain."

Vibhisha? bade his friends prepare The funeral rites with thoughtful care.

Himself the royal palace sought Whence sacred fire was quickly brought, With sandal wood and precious scents And pearl and coral ornaments.

Wise Brahmans, while the tears that flowed Down their wan cheeks their sorrow sowed, Upon a golden litter laid The corpse in finest ropes arrayed.

Thereon were flowers and pennons hung, And loud the monarch's praise was sung.

Then was the golden litter raised, While holy fire in order blazed.

And first in place Vibhisha? led The slow procession of the dead, Behind, their cheeks with tears bedewed, Came sad the widowed mult.i.tude.

Where, raised as Brahmans ordered, stood Piled sandal logs, and scented wood, The body of the king was set High on a deerskin coverlet.

Then duly to the monarch's shade The offerings for the dead they paid, And southward on the eastern side An altar formed and fire supplied.

Then on the shoulder of the dead The oil and clotted milk were shed.

All rites were done as rules ordain: The sacrificial goat was slain.

Next on the corpse were perfumes thrown And many a flowery wreath was strown; And with Vibhisha?'s ready aid Rich vesture o'er the king was laid.

Then while the tears their cheeks bedewed Parched grain upon the dead they strewed; Last, to the wood, as rules require, Vibhisha? set the kindling fire.

Then having bathed, as texts ordain, To Lanka went the mourning train.

Vibhisha?, when his task was done, Stood by the side of Raghu's son.

And Rama, freed from every foe, Unstrung at last his deadly bow, And laid the glittering shafts aside, And mail by Indra's love supplied.

Canto CXIV. Vibhishan Consecrated.

Joy reigned in heaven where every eye Had seen the Lord of Lanka die.

In cars whose sheen surpa.s.sed the sun's Triumphant rode the radiant ones: And Rava?'s death, by every tongue, And Rama's glorious deeds were sung.

They praised the Vanars true and brave, The counsel wise Sugriva gave.

The deeds of Hanuman they told, The valiant chief supremely bold, The strong ally, the faithful friend, And Sita's truth which naught could bend.

To Matali, whom Indra sent, His head the son of Raghu bent: And he with fiery steeds who clove The clouds again to Swarga drove.

Round King Sugriva brave and true His arms in rapture Rama threw, Looked on the host with joy and pride, And thus to n.o.ble Lakshma? cried:

"Now let king-making drops be shed, Dear brother, on Vibhisha?'s head For truth and friendship n.o.bly shown, And make him lord of Rava?'s throne."

This longing of his heart he told: And Lakshma? took an urn of gold And bade the wind-fleet Vanars bring Sea water for the giants' king.

The br.i.m.m.i.n.g urn was swiftly brought: Then on a throne superbly wrought Vibhisha? sat, the giants' lord, And o'er his brows the drops were poured.

As Raghu's son the rite beheld His loving heart with rapture swelled: But tenderer thoughts within him woke, And thus to Hanuman he spoke:

"Go to my queen: this message give: Say Lakshma? and Sugriva live.

The death of Lanka's monarch tell, And bid her joy, for all is well."

Canto CXV. Sita's Joy.

The Vanar chieftain bowed his head, Within the walls of Lanka sped, Leave from the new-made king obtained, And Sita's lovely garden gained.

Beneath a tree the queen he found, Where Rakshas warders watched around.

Her pallid cheek, her tangled hair, Her raiment showed her deep despair, Near and more near the envoy came And gently hailed the weeping dame.

She started up in sweet surprise, And sudden joy illumed her eyes.

For well the Vanar's voice she knew, And hope reviving sprang and grew.

"Fair Queen," he said, "our task is done: The foe is slain and Lanka won.

Triumphant mid triumphant friends Kind words of greeting Rama sends.

"Blest for thy sake, O spouse most true, My deadly foe I met and slew.

Mine eyes are strangers yet to sleep: I built a bridge athwart the deep And crossed the sea to Lanka's sh.o.r.e To keep the mighty oath I swore.

Now, gentle love, thy cares dispel, And weep no more, for all is well.

Fear not in Rava?'s house to stay For good Vibhisha? now bears sway, For constant truth and friendship known Regard his palace as thine own."

He greets thee thus thy heart to cheer, And urged by love will soon be here."

Then flushed with joy the lady's cheek.

Her eyes o'erflowed, her voice was weak; But struggling with her sobs she broke Her silence thus, and faintly spoke: "So fast the flood of rapture came, My trembling tongue no words could frame.

Ne'er have I heard in days of bliss A tale that gave such joy as this.

More precious far than gems and gold The message which thy lips have told."

His reverent hands the Vanar raised And thus the lady's answer praised: "Sweet are the words, O Queen, which thou True to thy lord, hast spoken now, Better than gems and pearls of price, Yea, or the throne of Paradise.

But, lady, ere I leave this place, Grant me, I pray, a single grace.

Permit me, and this vengeful hand Shall slay thy guards, this Rakshas band, Whose cruel insult threat and scorn Thy gentle soul too long has borne."

Thus, stern of mood, Hanuman cried: The Maithil lady thus replied: "Nay, be not wroth with servants: they, When monarchs bid must needs obey.

And, va.s.sals of their lords, fulfil Each fancy of their sovereign will.