Part 39

Hearing the lamentations (of the Rakshasas and monkeys) the virtuous-souled Rama, with a poor heart and having his eyes full of tears, engaged in meditation for some time. Thereupon the king Vaisravana, Yama with his progenitors, the thousand-eyed lord of the celestials, Varuna, the lord of water, the three-eyed graceful Mahadeva--the rider of bull, Brahma the creator of the world and the foremost of those conversant with the knowledge of Brahma--all these arriving at the city of Lanka in their cars bright as the rays of the sun, approached Raghava. Thereupon raising up their huge hands, decked with various ornaments and folding them, those foremost of the celestials said unto Raghava--"O lord, thou art the preserver of all the worlds and the foremost of the wise, why dost thou neglect Sita entering into fire? Why dost thou not understand thyself the foremost of the celestials? Thou wert before the Patriarch of all _Vasus_,[476] by the name of Kratadhama. And thou art thyself, O lord, the creator of the three worlds. Thou art the eighth of the _Rudras_[477] and the fifth of the _Sadkyas_;[478] the Acwinis are thy two ears and the sun and the moon are thy eyes. O slayer of enemies, thou appearest at the begining and the end of the creation. Why dost thou neglect Vaidehi like an ordinary man?" Being thus addressed by the deities presiding over quarters, Raghava, the lord of people and the foremost of the pious, spoke unto those leading celestials, saying:--"I know myself to be man--Rama, the son of Dacaratha. Let the great Patriarch tell me, who I am and whence I have come". Thereupon Brahma, the foremost of those conversant with the knowledge of Brahma, spoke unto Kakutstha, who had spoken thus, saying,--"Do thou hear my true words, O thou having truth for thy prowess. O lord, thou art the great and effulgent, Narayana holding discus and mace; thou art the boar having one tusk; thou hast conquered the past, present and future; thou art undecaying and without end, O Raghava; thou art the great virtue of the pious--thou art the propounder of all laws and art four-armed; thou art the holder of bow of time--the subduer of senses--the excellent Purusha (person), unconquerable by sins; thou art Vishnu holding dagger, Krishna and of incomparable strength; thou art the army, the minister--the universe--the understanding, forgiveness and control of passions; thou art the creation and destruction; Upendra and the slayer of (demon) Madhu; thou art the creator of Indra; thou art Mahendra; thou hast a lotus-like navel and thou art the slayer of enemies. The celestials and the great saints style thee as the refuge of those who seek for shelter. Thou art the foremost of _Vedas_ with its thousand branches and hundred regulations. Thou art thyself the creator of the three worlds, O lord. Thou art the refuge of the _Siddhas_[479] and _Sadhyas_, thou art the _Purvaja_,[480] the sacrifice, _Vashatkar_,[481] _Om_[482] and _Paratpara_.[483] No one is conversant with thy birth and destruction--thou art manifest in all creatures--cows and Brahmins--in all quarters, in the sky, in the mountain, and in the river. Thou art gifted with thousand legs, thousand heads and thousand eyes. Thou dost uphold all creatures, the earth and all the mountains. Thou appearest like the great serpent in the water underneath the earth. O Rama, thou dost uphold three creations--the celestials, the Gandharbas and the Danavas. O Rama--I am thy heart, the worshipful Swaraswati (Goddess of learning) is thy tongue and all other celestials, lord, created by Brahma are thy down. The closing of thy eye is the night and the opening is the day. The _Vedas_ are significant of thy desire and the control thereof--none hath got independent existence but thee. The whole universe is thy body, the earth is thy patience, the fire is thy anger--the sun and the moon are thy delight; thou hast got _Sreebatsha_ (a peculiar curl of hair); thou didst before tread the three worlds with thy three foot steps; thou didst get the dreadful Bali bound and make Mahendra king; Sita is Lakshmi and thou art Krishna and Vishnu the Preserver of people. For Ravana's destruction thou hast assumed the human shape. Thou hast accomplished that work of ours, O thou the foremost of the pious. O Rama, Ravana hath been slain. Do thou go up to heaven delighted. Sure is thy godly energy and never goes for nothing thy prowess. O Rama, never is fruitless thy view and the chanting of thy glory. And always successful shall be these persons on earth who shall be devoted unto thee. Those who shall be devoted unto thee at one with _Purana_[484] and the excellent _Purasha_,[485] shall attain all their desires both in this world and the next. Those persons shall never be unsuccessful both in this world and the next who shall chant this theme--excellent, instinct with the knowledge of Brahma and describing the old history.

[476] A kind of demi-god of whom eight are enumerated.

[477] A demi-god--an inferior manifestation of Siva: they are eleven in number.

[478] An inferior deity or demi-god, one of a class of twelve.

[479] Saints of accomplished piety.

[480] Produced or appearing before creation.

[481] Burnt offering, oblation with fire--from the exclamation used on the occasion.

[482] _Om_--the first term of the _Mantra_, _Om_ or _Omkara_ is well-known as a combination of letters invested by Hindu mysticism with peculiar sanctity.

[483] Greatest of the great.

[484] A class of writings considered sacred by the Hindus.

[485] Great or supreme spirit--_Purasha_ meaning that which abides or is quiesent in body.

SECTION CXX.

Hearing those excellent words uttered by the great Patriarch rose up _Bibhabasu_[486] with Vaidehi on his lap shaking the funeral pyre. With the daughter of the king Janaka, the receiver[487] of sacrificial offerings, being incarnate, rose up. And carrying on his lap Vaidehi, wearing a red cloth, resembling the newly risen sun, adorned with ornaments of burning gold--having black curling hairs and decked with fresh garments, _Bibhabasu_ gave her unto Rama. Thereupon the Deity of Fire, the witness of the people, spoke unto Rama, saying--"O Rama, here is thy Vaidehi--no sin hath visited her. Neither by words, mind, understanding nor eyes, she, good-natured and beautiful--hath deviated from thee who hath got a good character and is heroic. She was in the solitary forest separated from thee, poorly and having no control over herself and hence she was carried away by the Rakshasa Ravana having enough prowess in him. Although shut up in the inner appartment--well protected and guarded by the dreadful she-demons she had always her mind in thee and was devoted unto thee. Although tempted in many a way and remonstrated with she did not think of that Rakshasa in her inner mind. Her heart is pure and she is not spoiled with sin--do thou therefore take back Maithili. Do thou not speak other-wise--I do command thee". Thereupon hearing those words--the virtuous-souled Rama, the foremost of those skilled in speech, with his eyes agitated with delight, meditated for sometime. Being thus addressed, the highly effulgent and intelligent Rama, of unmitigated prowess--the foremost of the pious, spoke unto that best of celestials saying--"Beautiful (Sita) lived in the inner appartment of Ravana for a long time so she needs this purification in the presence of all people. If I would take the daughter of Janaka without purifying her, people would say that Rama the son of king Dacaratha is lustful and ignorant of the morality of the people. I know it full well that Maithili, the daughter of king Janaka, hath her mind devoted unto me and hath not given it to anyone (else). As the ocean cannot go beyond its banks so Ravana could not approach her having expansive eyes protected by virtue of her own chastity. The greatly vicious-souled one could not even by his mind get Maithili, who was beyond his reach like unto the burning flame of fire. Her mind could not have been moved although she lived in the inner appartment of Ravana--she belongs to none else; Sita is mine as the rays belong to the Sun. Maithili--the daughter of Janaka hath been purified before the three worlds--So I am incapable of renouncing her as a self-controlled person cannot forsake his (own) reputation. It behoveth me to carry out the well-meaning words of you all--the lords of people who have spoken them out of affection". Saying this, the victorious, highly powerful, well renowned Raghava, worthy of enjoying happiness, and having his praise chanted in consequence of his noble action, regaining his spouse, attained to happiness.

[486] The Deity of Fire.

[487] Fire.

SECTION CXXI.

Hearing those excellent words uttered by Raghava, Maheswara (Siva) spoke far more important words--"O thou having lotus-eyes, O thou having huge arms and a spacious breast, O thou the slayer of enemies, O thou the fore most of the pious--it is a good fortune that this hath been done by thee. It is by good fortune, O Rama, the dreadful and increasing darkness--the fear of all people--Ravana, hath been removed by thee in the encounter. Consoling the poor Bharata and the famed Kaucalya, beholding Kaikeyi and Sumitra the mother of Lakshmana, obtaining the kingdom of Ayodhya, pleasing all thy friends, establishing the prestige of thy family, thou of great strength, performing horse-sacrifices, attaining fair fame and conferring riches upon the Brahmins do thou repair to heaven. This king Dacaratha stationed on the car is thy father. He was thy superior on this earth, O Kakutstha. Obtaining thee as his son, that graceful (king) hath repaired to the region of Indra. Do thou bow unto him with thy brother Lakshmana". Hearing the words of Mahadeva, Raghava, along with Lakshmana, bowed unto their father who was seated on the top of the car. He with Lakshmana beheld their father shining in his own effulgence and wearing an unsullied cloth. Thereupon beholding his son dearer than his life, attaining great delight (in consequence thereof) placing him on his lap and embracing him with his arms, the great king Dacaratha, having long arms and seated on an excellent seat in the car, said--"I am now in heaven and am equal with the celestials, but without thee, O Rama, I do not like it--this is true--I do swear by thee. O thou the foremost of those skilled in speech, I have still in my mind the words which were uttered by Kaikeyi for sending thee away to the woods. Beholding thee all well and embracing thee with Lakshmana I am now shorn of grief like unto the sun, devoid of dues. I have been emancipated, O my son, through thee--a good and high-souled son, as the virtuous-souled Brahmana Kapala was by Asthabakra. O gentle one, I have heard from the celestials, (that thou art) the excellent Purusha in the guise (of a man) for the destruction of Ravana. Blessed is Kaucalya, O Rama, who shall be greatly delighted, on beholding thee, the slayer of enemies, gone home from the forest. Blessed are those men, O Rama, who shall behold thee installed in the city as the king of the world. I wish to behold thee reconciled with Bharata, devoted powerful, pure and performing pious observances. O gentle one, thou hast spent fourteen years in the forest with Sita and Lakshmana. The term of thy exile is over--thy promise hath been fulfilled; and slaying Ravana, in the conflict thou hast pleased the celestials. Thou hast performed a mighty deed and attained to excellent fame, O slayer of enemies; and placed in charge of thy kingdom do thou with thy brothers attain a long life". The king speaking thus Rama spoke unto him with folded hands saying,--"O thou conversant with piety, do thou be propitiated with Bharata and Kaikeyi. Thou didst imprecate Kaikeyi, saying,--"I renounce thee with thy son"--may not that dreadful curse visit her and her son". Saying "so be it" unto Rama with folded hands and embracing Lakshmana the great king said to him:--"O thou conversant with piety and fame on this earth, thou shall attain to heaven and excellent state there. O thou the enhancer of Sumitra's joy--do thou attend upon Rama; may good betide thee; Rama is ever engaged in the welfare of all beings. All these celestials headed by Indra, Siddhas and Great saints, bowing unto this high-souled and excellent Purusha, worship him. Rama, the subduer of foes, is the indescribable and undecaying letter _Brahma_, which has, been described (in the Vedas) as the heart and secret of the celestials. For serving him along with Sita, the daughter of king of Videha, thou hast attained piety and excellent fame". Addressing Lakshmana thus, the king spoke unto his daughter-in-law, who was standing before him with folded hands, saying:--"It doth not behove thee, O Vaidehi, to be enraged (with Rama) for renouncing thee; for purifying thee this was done by him ever wishing thy welfare. What thou hast performed, O daughter, to establish the purity of thy character, is hard to perform. What thou hast done, shall glorify all other females. Though there is no necessity for giving thee any instruction as regards thy duty towards thy husband-still I should say that he is thy great god". Having thus instructed his two sons and Sita, he repaired, in his car, to the region of Indra. Having advised his two sons along with Sita, ascending the car, and shining in his effulgence, that excellent king, greatly delighted, repaired to the region of the king of celestials.

SECTION CXXII.

Dacaratha having repaired, Mahendra greatly delighted spoke unto Raghava, stationed there with folded hands, saying:--"O Rama, O foremost of men, this our presence here, must not be fruitless, we are pleased--do thou ask for what thou wishest". Being thus accosted by the high-souled Mahendra--delighted, Raghava spoke, with a pleased heart--"O lord of the celestials, O thou the foremost of those skilled in speech, if thou art propitiated with me, I shall pray for (my wished-for-object); do thou grant it. Let all these highly powerful monkeys, who have been despatched to the abode of Death, on my account, regaining their life, stand up. O thou the conferror of honour, I wish to see all those delighted monkeys, who were separated from their wives and children on my account. O Purandara, do thou revive all these heroic and powerful (monkeys) who did not care for death, and who worked hard and were distressed (for me). May all those, by thy favour, who were ever devoted unto me and did not care for death (even) regain their life--this is the boon I pray for. O conferror of honour, I wish to see all these monkeys, _Golangulas_ and bears, pale and hurt, unheart and gifted with strength and prowess like before. Let there be flowers, fruits and roots, even out of season wherever these monkeys shall live--and let rivers there be full of clear water". Hearing those words of the high-souled Raghava Mahendra replied with words instinct with delight--"O my boy, O foremost of the Raghus, mighty is the boon thou hast prayed for--my words shall never be falsified, so let them be be fulfilled. Let all those bears and Golangulas rise up who were slain in the conflict by Rakshasas and had their heads and arms severed. Let the monkeys gifted with their pristine strength and prowess rise up unhurt and healthy as if after the end of sleep. And being reconciled with their friends, relatives and kinsmen let them attain to excellent joy. O thou the wielder of a huge bow, all the trees shall be filled with flowers and fruits and all the rivers shall be filled with water even out of season (wherever they shall live)". Thereupon all these leading monkeys who had their persons wounded but now healed up, rose up like those asleep. And all those monkeys were greatly wondered, saying, "What is it?" And beholding Kakutstha of accomplished, end and eulogizing Rama and Lakshmana, all the celestials, greatly delighted, said,--"Do thou, O king, repair to Ayodhya--despatch all the monkeys--console the famed Maithilee, ever devoted unto thee--behold thy brother Bharata observing ascetic vows in consequence of thy grief--and the high-souled Satrughna and all thy mothers, O slayer of foes. And being Installed on the throne do thou conduce to the joy of all citizens". Having thus addressed Rama along with Lakshmana, the thousand-eyed Deity, delighted, went away along with the celestials, in their cars resembling the Sun (in brilliance). And saluting all the celestials, Kakutstha, with his brother Lakshmana, ordered the encampment of the army. Thereupon that famous and well-pleased huge army of the monkeys protected by Rama and Lakshmana, appeared resplendant on all sides like unto a night beautified with the rays of the Moon.

SECTION CXXIII.

Rama having spent that night happily and risen up the next morning, Bibhishana, chanting his victory, spoke unto that slayer of foes, with folded hands, saying:--"Here are various articles for bathing, pastes, clothes, ornaments, sandal and various excellent garlands. And here are present women having eyes like lotuses and conversant with the art of decking. Let them perform their duty, O Raghava". Being thus accosted Kakutstha replied unto Bibhishana, saying:--"Do thou invite all these monkeys beaded by Sugriva to bathe. The virtuous-souled Bharata, having huge arms and ever used to comforts, is greatly distressed on my account. Without Bharata the son of Kaikeyi, ever performing pious rites, I do not value bathing or these clothes and ornaments. Do thou so manage that we may go to the city of Ayodhya speedily. For difficult is the way leading to Ayodhya". Being thus accosted Bibhiskana relied unto Kakutstha,--"O son of the lord of earth, may good betide thee, I shall soon take thee to that city. The car _Puskpaka_ resembling the Sun, belonging to my brother Kuvera, was brought by the powerful Ravana. O thou of unequalled prowess, that celestial and excellent car, going everywhere at will, since the destruction of Ravana in battle, is ready for thee. And that car resembling the cloud is in the city of Lanka, in which thou shalt, relieved of thy anxiety, repair to Ayodhya. If I am worthy of being favoured by thee, if dost thou remember any accomplishment of mine--if thou hast any friendship for me, do thou, O wise one, wait here with thy brother Lakshmana and spouse Vaidehi till I accomplish all my desires by worshipping thee. And then thou shalt go (to Ayodhya) O Rama. I shall worship thee with great delight and do thou, O Rama, with thy friends and army, accept that adoration. O Rama, out of love, honor, and brotherly feeling, I do crave thy permission. I am a servant I cannot command thee". Being thus addressed, Rama replied unto Bibhishaua in the presence of all the Rakshasas and monkeys, saying:--"I have been worshipped by thee, O hero, with thy excellent counsels, with thy earnest endeavours and with thy great friendship. Do not think, O lord of Rakshasas, that I do not comply with thy request--my heart hastens me to behold my brother Bharata, who, to take me back, did come to the mount Chitrakuta, who laid low his crown at my feet and whose words I did not keep. (I am anxious to see) Kaucalya, Sumitra, Kaikeyi, with my friends, citizens and villagers. Do thou regard me, O Bibhishana, O gentle one, as worshipped. O friend do thou be not angry--I request thee. Do thou speedily being the car for me, O lord of Rakshasas--my work is done--how can I wish to live here long". Being thus addressed by Rama, Bibhishana the lord of Rakshasas, speedily brought the car resembling the Sun.

Thereupon arrived there the car adorned all over with gold paintings, altars crested with _Baidurja_ jewels, having upper rooms, silvered all over, adorned with white flags and flagstaffs, beautified with gilt lotuses, adorned with golden houses, covered with a network of girdles, having windows made of pearls and jems, girt on all sides with a net of bells, giving forth melodious sound, resembling the summit of the mount Meru, constructed by _Vicwakarma_ (the architect of the celestials) adorned with huge apartments beautified with silver and pearls--having its base crested with crystal, containing excellent seats made of _Baidurja_, abounding in valuable coverlets and immense wealth, incapable of being broken down and coursing at will. And communicating unto Rama (the arrival of that car) Bibhishana waited there. Beholding that flowery car, coursing at will and resembling a huge mountain, Rama, of a generous spirit, along with Saumitri, attained to an excess of astonishment.

SECTION CXXIV.