The Ramayana Part 189

Canto CXIX. Glory To Vishnu.

The shrill cry pierced through Rama's ears And his sad eyes o'erflowed with tears, When lo, transported through the sky A glorious band of G.o.ds was nigh.

Ancestral shades,(1016) by men revered, In venerable state appeared, And he from whom all riches flow,(1017) And Yama Lord who reigns below: King Indra, thousand-eyed, and he Who wields the sceptre of the sea.(1018) The G.o.d who shows the blazoned bull,(1019) And Brahma Lord most bountiful By whose command the worlds were made All these on radiant cars conveyed, Brighter than sun-beams, sought the place Where stood the prince of Raghu's race, And from their glittering seats the best Of blessed G.o.ds the chief addressed:

"Couldst thou, the Lord of all, couldst thou, Creator of the worlds, allow Thy queen, thy spouse to brave the fire And give her body to the pyre?

Dost thou not yet, supremely wise, Thy heavenly nature recognize?"

They ceased: and Rama thus began: "I deem myself a mortal man.

Of old Ikshvaku's line, I spring From Dasaratha Kosal's king."

He ceased: and Brahma's self replied: "O cast the idle thought aside.

Thou art the Lord Naraya?, thou The G.o.d to whom all creatures bow.

Thou art the saviour G.o.d who wore Of old the semblance of a boar; Thou he whose discus overthrows All present, past and future foes; Thou Brahma, That whose days extend Without beginning, growth or end; The G.o.d, who, bears the bow of horn, Whom four majestic arms adorn; Thou art the G.o.d who rules the sense And sways with gentle influence; Thou all-pervading Vish?u Lord Who wears the ever-conquering sword; Thou art the Guide who leads aright, Thou Krish?a of unequalled might.

Thy hand, O Lord, the hills and plains, And earth with all her life sustains; Thou wilt appear in serpent form When sinks the earth in fire and storm.

Queen Sita of the lovely brows Is Lakshmi thy celestial spouse.

To free the worlds from Rava? thou Wouldst take the form thou wearest now.

Rejoice: the mighty task is done: Rejoice, thou great and glorious one.

The tyrant, slain, thy labours end: Triumphant now to heaven ascend.

High bliss awaits the devotee Who clings in loving faith to thee, Who celebrates with solemn praise The Lord of ne'er beginning days.

On earth below, in heaven above Great joy shall crown his faith and love.

And he who loves the tale divine Which tells each glorious deed of thine Through life's fair course shall never know The fierce a.s.sault of pain and woe."(1020)

Canto CXX. Sita Restored.

Thus spoke the Self-existent Sire: Then swiftly from the blazing pyre The circling flames were backward rolled, And, raising in his gentle hold Alive unharmed the Maithil dame, The Lord of Fire embodied came.

Fair as the morning was her sheen, And gold and gems adorned the queen.

Her form in crimson robes arrayed, Her hair was bound in glossy braid.

Her wreath was fresh and sweet of scent, Undimmed was every ornament.

Then, standing close to Rama'a side, The universal witness cried: "From every blot and blemish free Thy faithful queen returns to thee.

In word or deed, in look or mind Her heart from thee has ne'er declined.

By force the giant bore away From thy lone cot his helpless prey; And in his bowers securely kept She still has longed for thee and wept.

With soft temptation, bribe and threat, He bade the dame her love forget: But, n.o.bly faithful to her lord, Her soul the giant's suit abhorred.

Receive, O King, thy queen again, Pure, ever pure from spot and stain."

Still stood the king in thoughtful mood And tears of joy his eyes bedewed.

Then to the best of G.o.ds the best Of warrior chiefs his mind expressed:

"'Twas meet that mid the thousands here The searching fire my queen should clear; For long within the giant's bower She dwelt the va.s.sal of his power.

For else had many a slanderous tongue Reproaches on mine honour flung, And scorned the king who, love-impelled, His consort from the proof withheld.

No doubt had I, but surely knew That Janak's child was pure and true, That, come what might, in good and ill Her faithful heart was with me still.

I knew that Rava? could not wrong My queen whom virtue made so strong.

I knew his heart would sink and fail, Nor dare her honour to a.s.sail, As Ocean, when he raves and roars, Fears to o'erleap his bounding sh.o.r.es.

Now to the worlds her truth is shown, And Sita is again mine own.

Thus proved before unnumbered eyes, On her pure fame no shadow lies.

As heroes to their glory cleave, Mine own dear spouse I ne'er will leave."

He ceased: and clasped in fond embrace On his dear breast she hid her face.

Canto CXXI. Dasaratha.

To him Mahesvar thus replied: "O strong-armed hero, lotus-eyed, Thou, best of those who love the right, Hast n.o.bly fought the wondrous fight.

Dispelled by thee the doom that spread Through trembling earth and heaven is fled.

The worlds exult in light and bliss, And praise thy name, O chief, for this.

Now peace to Bharat's heart restore, And bid Kausalya weep no more.

Thy face let Queen Kaikeyi see, Let fond Sumitra gaze on thee.

The longing of thy friends relieve, The kingdom of thy sires receive.

Let sons of gentle Sita born Ikshvaku's ancient line adorn.

Then from all care and foemen freed Perform the offering of the steed.

In pious gifts thy wealth expend, Then to the home of G.o.ds ascend, Thy sire, this glorious king, behold, Among the blest in heaven enrolled.

He comes from where the Immortals dwell: Salute him, for he loves thee well."

His mandate Raghu's sons obeyed, And to their sire obeisance made, Where high he stood above the car In wondrous light that shone afar, His limbs in radiant garments dressed Whereon no spot of dust might rest.

When on the son he loved so well The eyes of Dasaratha fell, He strained the hero to his breast And thus with gentle words addressed: "No joy to me is heavenly bliss, For there these eyes my Rama miss.

Enrolled on high with saint and sage, Thy woes, dear son, my thoughts engage.

Kaikeyi's guile I ne'er forget: Her cruel words will haunt me yet, Which sent thee forth, my son, to roam The forest far from me and home.

Now when I look on each dear face, And hold you both in fond embrace, My heart is full of joy to see The sons I love from danger free.

Now know I what the G.o.ds designed, And how in Rama's form enshrined The might of Purushottam lay, The tyrant of the worlds to slay.

Ah, how Kausalya will rejoice To hear again her darling's voice, And, all thy weary wanderings o'er, To gaze upon thy face once more.

Ah blest, for ever blest are they Whose eyes shall see the glorious day Of thy return in joy at last, Thy term of toil and exile past.

Ayodhya's lord, begin thy reign, And day by day new glory gain."

He ceased: and Rama thus replied: "Be not this grace, O sire, denied.

Those hasty words, that curse revoke Which from thy lips in anger broke: "Kaikeyi, be no longer mine: I cast thee off, both thee and thine."

O father, let no sorrow fall On her or hers: thy curse recall."

"Yea, she shall live, if so thou wilt,"

The sire replied, "absolved from guilt."

Round Lakshma? then his arms he threw, And moved by love began anew: "Great store of merit shall be thine, And brightly shall thy glory shine; Secure on earth thy brother's grace.

And high in heaven shall be thy place.

Thy glorious king obey and fear: To him the triple world is dear.

G.o.d, saint, and sage, by Indra led, To Rama bow the reverent head, Nor from the Lord, the lofty-souled, Their worship or their praise withhold.

Heart of the G.o.ds, supreme is he, The One who ne'er shall cease to be."

On Sita then he looked and smiled; "List to my words" he said, "dear child, Let not thy gentle breast retain One lingering trace of wrath or pain.

When by the fire thy truth be proved, By love for thee his will was moved.

The furious flame thy faith confessed Which shrank not from the awful test: And thou, in every heart enshrined, Shalt live the best of womankind."

He ceased: he bade the three adieu, And home to heaven exulting flew.

Canto CXXII. Indra's Boon.