Part 6

And after the expiry of full one year, when the sacrifcial horse had returned, the sacrifice of the king commenced on the north bank of the Sarayu. And with Rhishyasringa at their head, the principal twice born ones began the proceedings in that mighty horse-sacrifice of that high-souled monarch. And the priests, each duly and according to the ordinance performing his proper part, engaged in the ceremony in consonance with the scriptures. And the regenerate ones, having performed the _pravargya_ as well as the _upasada_ according to the ordinance, duly completed the additional ceremonies. Then, worshipping the deities with glad hearts, those foremost of ascetics duly performed the morning ablutions and the other prescribed rites. The oblations of clarified butter first having been offered unto Indra, according to the ritual, the king with a purified heart performed his ablutions. And then the mid-day ablutions took place in proper sequence. And those foremost of Brahmanas, in due form, and according to the ordinance, officiated at the third bath of that high-souled monarch. And the priests presided over by Rhishyasringa, invoked Sakra and the other deities, reciting measured _mantras_. And the sacrificial priests, chaunting sweet _Samas_ and soft mantras, duly invoking the dwellers of the celestial regions, offered each his share of the oblations. And no part of the ceremony was performed improperly, or left out,-- and every thing was satisfactorily celebrated with _mantras_. And on that day no Brahmana ever felt tired, or hungry; and there was none that was not learned, or that was not followed by an hundred persons. And Brahmanas, and Sudras having among them ascetics, and Sramanas, and the aged, and the infirm, and women, and children, were continually fed. And although they ate their fill, yet they knew no repletion. And "Give food, and clothes of various kind"--(was heard all around). And those employed in the task gave away profusely. And every day food dressed properly in due form was to be seen in countless heaps resembling hills. And men and women coming from various countries to the sacrifice of that high-souled one were excellently entertained with meats and drinks. And the foremost regenerate ones said,--"The viands have been prepared in the prescribed form, and they taste excellent. We have been gratified. Good betide thee!" All this was heard by that descendant of Raghu. And persons adorned with ornaments distributed the victuals among the Brahmanas, and they were assisted by others beaming jewelled pendants. And in the interval between the completion of one bath and the beginning of the next, mild and eloquent Vipras, desirous of victory, engaged in various disputations. And every day in that sacrifice, skilful Brahmanas, engaged in the ceremony, did every thing, according to the ritual. And there was no twice-born one that was not versed in the Vedas and the Vedangas, or that did not observe vows, or that was not profoundly learned,--nor did any assist at the sacrifice that could not argue ably. And when the time came for planting the _Yupas_, persons cognizant of arts and sacrificial rites, prepared six _Yupas_ of _Vilwa_, as many of catechu, and as many of _Palasa_, and one of _Sleshmataka_, and two of _Devadaru_ well-made and measuring two outstretched arms. Persons versed in the arts and science of sacrifice constructed these _Yupas_. And at the time of throwing up the _Yupas_, for embellishing the sacrifice, these one and twenty _Yupas_, each measuring one and twenty _Aratnis_, having eight angles, and smooth-faced were decked out in one and twenty pieces of cloth, and were firmly planted with due ceremonies by artizans. And being wrapped up in cloths, and worshipped with flowers, they looked like the seven Rishis appearing in the welkin. And an adequate number of bricks was also duly made (for the ceremony.) And Brahmanas accomplished in the arts constructed the sacrificial fire-place with those bricks. And that fire-place of that lion among kings, set by skilful Brahmanas, consisting on three sides of eighteen bricks, looked like the golden-winged Garura. And for the purpose of sacrificing them unto the respective deities were collected beasts and reptiles, and birds, and horses, and aquatic animals. And the priests sacrificed all these in proper form. And to these _Yupas_ were bound three hundred beasts, as well as the foremost of the best horses belonging to king Dacaratha. Then Kaucalya, having performed the preliminary rites, with three strokes slew that horse, experiencing great glee. And with the view of reaping merit Kaucalya, with an undisturbed heart passed one night with that horse furnished with wings. And the _Hotas_ and _Adhwaryus_, and the _Uagatas_ joined the king's _Vavata_ along with his _Mahishi_ and _Parivriti_[15] And priests of subdued senses, well-up in sacrificial rites, began to offer oblations with the fat of the winged-horse, according to the ordinance. And that lord of men, desirous of removing his sins, at the proper time smelt the odour of the smoke arising from the fat, agreeably to the scriptures. And then sixteen sacrificial priests in the prescribed form offered the various parts of the horse unto the fire. It is customary in other sacrifices to offer the oblations by means of a _Plaksha_ bough; but in the horse-sacrifice a cane is used instead. The horse-sacrifice, according to the Kalpa Sutras and the Brahmanas, extend over three days. There after, on the first day was the _Chatushtoma_ celebrated; and on the second the _Uktha_,-- and on the third the _Atiratra_. And then the _Jyotishtoma_, and then _Ayushtoma_, and the _Atiratra_ and the _Abhijit_, and the _Viswajit_, and the _Aptoryama_--all these various great sacrifices were celebrated with due rites. And in this mighty horse-sacrifice founded of yore by Sayambhu, that perpetuator of his line, the king, bestowed the Eastern quarter on his chief sacrificial priest, the Western on his _Adhwaryu_, the Southern on Brahma, and the Northern on the _Udgath_, as _Dakshinas_. And having completed that sacrifice, that perpetuator of his race, and foremost of men, the king, conferred on the priests the earth; and having conferred it, that auspicious descendant of Iskhaku experienced high delight. And then the priests spoke unto that monarch, who had all his sins purged off, saying,--"Thou alone art worthy to protect the entire world. We do not want the earth; nor can we rule it, being, O lord of Earth, constantly engaged in Vaidika studies. Do thou, therefore, confer upon us something instead, as the price thereof. Do thou confer upon us gems, or gold, or kine, or anything else, for, O foremost of monarchs, we do not want Earth." Thus addressed by the Brahmanas versed in the Veda, that best of kings bestowed upon them ten lacs of kine, and ten _Kotis_ of gold, and forty of silver. Then those priests in a body, accepting the wealth, brought it unto the ascetic Rhishyasringa and the intelligent Vasishtha. Then having receieived each his share, those foremost of regenerate ones were exceedingly pleased, and said,--"We have been highly gratified." Then unto those Brahmanas that had come there, the king with due regard gave _Kotis_ of gold. And unto a certain poor twice-born one that asked for gifts, the descendant of Raghu gave an excellent ornament from his own arm. And, when the regenerate ones were thus properly gratified, that one cherishing the Brahmanas, with senses intoxicated by excess of joy, reverentially bowed unto them. And thereupon the Brahmanas uttered various blessings upon that generous king, bending low to the earth. Then having celebrated that excellent and sin-destroying sacrifice, bringing heaven, and incapable of being celebrated by foremost monarchs, king Dacaratha, well pleased, spoke unto Rhisyasinga, saying,--"0 thou of excellent vows, it behoveth thee to do that whereby my line may increase." Thereupon the best of Brahmanas said,--"Be it so! Unto thee, O king, will be born four sons,--perpetuators of their race." Hearing these sweet words of his, that foremost of monarchs bended low unto him with controlled faculties, and experienced the excess of joy. And then that high-souled one again spoke unto Rhishyasringa.

[15] The Kshetriya kings could marry wives from among Kshetriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras. The Kshetriya wife is called _Mahishee_, the Vaishya wife _Vavata_ and the Sudra wife _Parivriti_.--T.

SECTION XV.

Then that one of capacious intelligence, versed in the Vedas, having pondered for a time, and regained his senses, returned unto the king this excellent answer,--"On thy behalf, and with the view of obtaining sons for thee, I will by help of _mantras_ laid down in the Atharva Veda, duly celebrate the famous ceremony, capable of crowning thee with offspring." And then with the view of obtaining sons (for the king), that effulgent one set about the son-conferring ceremony; and in accordance with the ordinance, and with _mantras_, offered oblations unto the sacrificial fire. And the deities, with the _Gandharbas_, and the _Siddhas_, and the principal saints, assembled there duly, with the object of each obtaining his share of the offerings. And having duly assembled there, the deities addressed these words unto Brahma, the lord of creatures,--"O thou possessed of the six attributes, through thy grace, a Rakshasa named Ravana oppresses us all by his prowess,--nor can we baffle him. And, O lord, as thou hast well-pleased conferred on him a boon, we always suffer him in deference to it. And the wicked-minded one harasseth the three worlds furnished with prosperity, and beareth ill-will unto them. And blinded by the boon he hath received, that irrepressible one intends to bring down the lord himself of the celestials, and the Yakshas, and the Gandharbas, and the Brahmanas, and the Asuras. And the Sun doth not burn him, or the Wind blow about him; and at sight of him, that one engarlanded with billows, the Ocean, dares not stir. Therefore, great is the fear that afflicteth us, coming from that Rakshasa of dreadful appearance. And O lord, it behoves thee to devise some means for destroying him." Thus addressed by the deities in a body, he said,--"Alas! I have, however, decided on the means of destroying that wicked-souled one. He had asked,--'May I be incapable of being slain by _Gandharbas_, and _Yakshas_, and gods, and _Rakshasas_!'--whereat I said,-- 'Be it so!' Through disdain, the Rakshasa did not at that time mention men. Therefore, by men alone he is capable of being slain; nor can his end be compassed by any other means." Hearing this welcome speech uttered by Brahma, the deities and the Maharshis became exceedingly delighted. At this juncture, that lord of the universe, the highly- effulgent Vishnu, clad in yellow apparel, and bearing in his hands the conch, the discus, and the mace, and adorned with burnished _Keyuras_[16] arrived there, riding Vinata's son; like the Sun riding the clouds. And worshipped by the foremost of the celestials, he drew near Brahma, and sat down a collected mind. And bending low before him, the deities spake unto him, saying,--"O Vishnu, for the benefit of the worlds, we shall appoint thee to some work. Do thou, O lord, dividing thyself into four, O Vishnu, become born as sons in the three wives, resembling Modesty, Auspiciousness, and Fame,--of Ayodhya's lord, king Dacaratha, cognisant of Duty, and munificent, and possessing energy, and like unto a Maharshi. Do thou, O Vishnu, becoming man, slay in battle this thorn of the worlds; the pampered Ravana, incapable of being slain by the gods; for the foolish Rakshasha, by virtue of sublimated prowess, baffles the deities, and the _Gandharbas_, and the _Siddhas_, and the foremost of saints. And by him bereft of the sense of right and wrong, have saints and _Gandharbas_ and _Apsaras_ sporting in the groves of Nandana, been wantonly slain. It is to compass his death that accompanied by the ascetics, we have come hither: it is for this that the _Siddhas_ and the _Gandharbas_ and the _Yakshas_ have taken refuge in Thee! Thou O God, art the prime way of us all, O repressor of foes! Do thou, for bringing destruction unto the enemies of the gods, turn thy thoughts to being born as man." Thus besought that foremost of gods and chief of celestials, Vishnu, worshipped of all creatures, addressed the assembled deities, following Duty, with the Grand-sire at their head, saying,-- "Do ye renounce fear! For your behoof, slaying in battle the wily and irrepressible Ravana, dreadful unto the saints and the celestials, together with his sons, and grandsons, and friends, and counsellors, and relatives, and acquaintances, I will abide among mortals, ruling this earth for ten thousand and as many hundred years." Having thus conferred a boon upon the gods, the god Vishnu of subdued soul fell to thinking as to the place where he would be born among men. Then that one of eyes resembling lotus-petals, dividing self into four parts, chose even king Dacaratha for his father. Thereat the celestials and the saints and the _Gandharbas_ and the _Rudras_ and the _Apsaras_ hymned the Slayer of Madhu in excellent hymns:

"Do thou utterly uproot the haughty Ravana of fierce prowess and enhanced insolence--that foe of the lord of celestials, who is the occasion of the tears of the three worlds,[17] and dreadful unto ascetics; Slaying that one of terrible prowess, who distresses the three worlds, with his forces and friends, do thou, O foremost of gods, thy fever of heart removed, repair unto the celestial regions protected by thee and purged of all its faults and sins."

[16] A bracelet worn on the upper arm.--T.

[17] Lit. the thorns of pious ascetics.--T.

SECTION XVI.

Thus besought by the foremost of the celestials, that[18] searcher of hearts, Vishnu, although cognizant of the means whereby Ravana was to be destroyed, spake unto the gods these amiable words,--"What, ye gods, is the means of compassing the destruction of that lord of the Rakshasas, by adopting which I could slay that thorn of the ascetics?" Thus addressed, the deities answered Vishnu, incapable of deterioration, saying,--"Assuming the form of a human being, do thou in battle slay Ravana! He, O repressor of foes, had for a long course of time performed rigid austerities; and thereat, that creator of all, the first-create Brahma was well pleased. And propitiated by his penances, the Master conferred a boon on the Rakshasa to the effect that, save man, no fear should come to him from the various beings. And in the matter of that boon-bestowing, man had formerly been disregarded by (Ravana). And puffed up with pride in consequence of the boon he received from the Grand-sire, he commits ravages upon the three worlds and carries away the fair sex by violence. Therefore, O subduer of enemies, we have even fixed upon man for bringing about his death." Hearing this speech of the celestials, Vishnu of subdued soul chose even king Dacaratha for his father. And at that time, eagerly wishing to have sons, that destroyer of enemies, the effulgent king Dacaratha, who was sonless, was celebrating the sacrifice that conferreth male offspring. Then, having ascertained the course to follow, Vishnu, having greeted the Grand-sire, vanished there, worshipped by the deities and the Maharshis.

And then himself bearing in his hands a capacious vessel made of burnished gold, with a silver cover,--dear like unto a spouse, and resembling the divine Creative energy, filled with celestial _Payasa_,[19], from out the sacrificial fire of Dacaratha initiated into the ceremony, there arose a mighty being, of unparalleled prowess, high energy, and huge strength, black, and wearing a crimson apparel, with a red face, uttering the blares of a trumpet, and having a body covered with leonine hair, having whiskers and an excellent head of hair, furnished with auspicious marks, and adorned with celestial ornaments, and resembling a mountain-peak, and bearing the prowess of a flaming tiger, and like unto the Sun or tongues of flaming fire. And with his eyes fixed upon Dacaratha, he addressed the king, saying,--"O monarch, take thou me as a person commisioned by _Prajapati_." Hearing him speak thus, Dacaratha, with joined hands, said,--'Lord, art thou welcome? What can I do for thee?" Thereupon, that person despatched by _Prajapati_ again spake thus,--"O king, having adored the deities, thou hast to-day obtained this. Do thou foremost of kings, accept this excellent and divinly-prepared Payasa, conferring sons, health, and affluence,--which thou art to give unto thy worthy consorts, saying,--_Partake it_. Through them thou wilt, O monarch, obtain sons,--for obtaining whom thou hast performed this sacrifice." Thereupon, saying,--"So be it," the lord of men delightedly placed that divinely-bestowed golden vessel filled with the celestial _Payasa_ upon his head. And having saluted that wonderful being of gracious presence, he in excess of joy began to go round him again and again. Then Dacaratha, having received that divinely-prepared _Payasa_, waxed exceeding glad; like unto a pauper attaining plenty. Then that highly effulgent being of a wonderful form, having performed that mission of his, vanished even there. And Dacaratha's inner apartment, being graced with the rays of joy, looked like unto the welkin flooded with the lovely beams of the autumnal moon. Then entering the inner apaitment, he spake unto Kausalya, saying,--"Take thou this _Payasa_; for this will make thee bear a son." Having said this,the king offered unto her a portion of this _Payasa_. Then he conferred upon Sumitra a fourth of it. Then in order that she might have a son, king Dacaratha made over unto Kaikeyi an equal portion of what remained. And then having reflected, the mighty-minded one gave unto Sumitra the remaining portion of the _Payasa_ resembling ambrosia. Thus the king dispensed the _Payasa_ unto each and all of his wives. And those foremost wives of the king, having received that _Payasa_, became exceedingly delighted, and considered themselves as highly honored. Then those excellent consorts of the lord of earth, having separately partaken of that choice _Payasa_, shortly bore offspring, resmbling fire or the Sun. And the king, beholding those wives of his bearing children, obtained his desire and became delighted; even as that foremost of the celestials, Indra, while being worshipped by the _Siddhas_ and the ascetics.

[18] Nara means a multitude, and Ayana, dwelling-place. He whose dwelling-place is a multitude, is Narayana. Metaphorically, the word means evidently, the _Searcher of hearts_.--T.

[19] A preparation of milk, and sugar.--T.

SECTION XVII.

When Vishnu had accepted the sonship of that high- souled king, the self-create Lord addressed the celestials, saying,--"For assisting the heroic Vishnu firm in promise, always seeking the welfare of us all, do ye create powerful beings, assuming shapes at will, cognizant of illusions, heroic, furnished with the celerity of the wind, versed in morality, possessing intelligence, like unto Vishnu in prowess, unslayable, knowing the ways and means (of war and peace) gifted with excellent bodies, capable of resisting all weapons, and resembling immortals. And from forth the bodies of the foremost _Apsaris_, and _Gandharbis_, and _Yakskis_, and _Panagis_, and _Rikshis_[20] and _Vidhyddharis_, and _Kinnaris_, and _Vanaris_[21] do ye produce sons wearing the shapes of monkeys. Formerly I had created that foremost of bears, Jambuvana, who suddenly came out of my mouth as I was yawning." Hearing this mandate of Him possessed of the six attributes, they began to produce sons endowed with monkey- forms. And high-souled ascetics, and _Siddhas_, and _Vidhadharas_, and _Uragas_, and _Charanas_, generated heroic sons,-- rangers of woods. And Indra begat as his son that foremost of monkeys, Vali, resembling the Mahendra hill, and that best of those imparting heat, the Sun, Sugriva. And Vrihaspati begat the mighty ape named Tara, the most excellent and intelligent of the prime monkeys. And the Bestower of riches begat as his son the graceful ape Gandhamadana. And Vicwakarma begat that mighty monkey named Nala; and Agni begat as his son the powerful and graceful Nila in effulgence like unto the fire, who surpassed even his sire in energy, prowess, and renown. And the beautiful Acwins, endowed with the wealth of loveliness, begat Maindra and Dwivida. And Varuna begat the monkey named Sushena; and Paryyanya begat Sarava, possessed of great strength. And the Wind god begat the graceful monkey named Hanuman, endeued with a frame hard as adamant; in fleetness like unto Vinata's offspring; and the most intelligent as well as the most powerful amongst all the principal monkeys. Thus produced, there suddenly came into being by thousands, mighty bears, and monkeys, and _Gopuchchhas_,[22] of immeasurable strength, and heroic, and powerful, assuming shapes at will, endowed with bodies resembling elephants of hills,--even those who would engage in compassing the destruction of the Ten-headed one. And the sons of the deities retained distinctly the respective hues, forms, and prowess, that characterized their several sires. And those that sprang from the Golangulas,[23] possessed even more than the might of the gods. Likewise, on _Rikshis_ and _Kinnaris_ were gladly begot thousands upon thousands of monkeys, by gods, and _Maharshis_, and _Gandarbas_, and _Tarkshyas_, and famous _Yakshas_, and _Nagas_, and _Kimpurushas_,[24] and _Siddhas_ and _Vidyadharas_, and _Uragas_. And upon the principal _Apsaris_, and the _Vidyadharis_, and the daughters of the _Nagas_, and the _Gandarbis_ were begot by the _Charanas_ as sons, heroic monkeys of gigantic bodies, ranging the forests and living on fruits and roots. And all these monkeys were endowed with strength; and could assume shapes and repair everywhere, at will. And they were like unto lions and tigers, both in pride and in prowess. And they faught with crags and hurled hills. And they faught with nails and teeth,--and were accomplished in all weapons. And they could move the largest hills; and crush the fixed trees; and with their impetus, vex that lord of rivers--the Ocean. And they could with their kicks rend the Earth, and swim over the mighty main. And they could penetrate into the welkin,--and capture the clouds. And they could subdue mad elephants ranging the forest. And with their roars, they could bring down birds singing. Thus came into being _Kotis_ of high-souled leaders of monkey-herds, assuming forms at will. And these became the leaders of the principal monkey-herds; and they, in their turn, generated heroic monkeys, the foremost of the leaders of herds.

Some of these monkeys began to dwell on the top of the Rikshavana mountain; while others inhabited various other mountains and forests. And all the leaders of monkey- herds stayed with those brothers,--Sugriva, the son of the Sun-god and Vali, that of Sakra,--and also with Nala, and Nila, and Hanuman, and other leaders of monkey-herds. And endowed with the might of Garura, and accomplished in fight, they ranged around, pounding lions, and tigers, and mighty _Uragas_. And the mighty-armed Vali of great prowess and redoubtable strength protected by virtue of the energy of his arms _Rikshas_, and _Gopuchchhas_, and monkeys. And this earth, furnished with mountains, and forests, and oceans, began to teem with those heroic lords of leaders of monkey- herds, inhabiting different places, bearing characteristic marks, resembling masses of clouds, or mountain-peaks, possessed of mighty strength, and of terrible bodies and visages,--in order that they might assist Rama.

[20] She-bears.--T.

[21] She-monkeys.--T.

[22] Cow-tailed monkeys--T.

[23] Cow-tailed monkeys.--T.