Part 41

"I hear the tidings of my brother affording me great delight who hath been living in the huge forest for many a year. The saying of the people appeareth to me as instinct with well meaning that a man, if alive, may attain to joy even after a century. Do thou relate truly unto me, how and in what country the union between Raghava and the monkeys was brought about". Being thus accosted by the prince and seated on Kuca, he, thereupon, began to describe Rama's life in the forest. "How Rama was exiled, the two boons conferred upon thy mother, how king Dacaratha died in consequence of (his) son's grief, how by emissaries, O lord, thou wert brought up from the house of thy maternal uncle, how thou didst not wish for the kingdom having entered Ayodhya, how thy brother, the repressor of enemies, was solicited by thee for accepting the kingdom, reparing to the mount Chitrakuta, who hast ever wended the track of the pious, the renouncement of kingdom (by him) abiding by the words of the king, thy return after taking the sandals of thy revered (brother)--all these, O thou of long-arms, are known to thee. I shall relate unto thee all that happened after thy return. Thyself having returned thence, all the birds and animals were overwhelmed with terror and that forest appeared as if distressed. Thereupon he entered the solitary and huge and dreadful forest Dandaka distressed by the elephants and abounding in lions, tigers and deer. And they entering the dense forest there appeared before them the powerful Biradha[494] emitting a dreadful sound. And taking him up roaring aloud like an elephant Rama threw him with his arms upwards and face downwards into a pit. Having accomplished that difficult work the two brothers Rama and Lakshmana, arrived in the evening at the pleasant hermitage of _Sarabhanga_. And _Sarabhanga_ having attained to heaven, Rama, having truth for his prowess, saluting all the ascetics, repaired to Janasthana. And by the high-souled Raghava, living there, fourteen thousand inhabitants of Janasthana were slain. In the company of one person only and at the commencement of the fight, by Rama, within the one fourth part of a day, were exterminated all the highly powerful and valiant inhabitants of the forest of Dandaka always putting obstructions in the way of the ascetics. All the Rakshasas were grinded (to death) by Raghava. Khara was slain in the conflict; Dushana being slain first Trishira was slain thereafter by him. Thereafter (a she-demon) named Surpanakha, came to the side of Rama. Thereupon being commanded by Rama, the highly powerful Lakshmana rose up all on a sudden and taking a dagger chopped off her ears and nose. Being thus insulted by him that she-demon came to Ravana. Thereupon a dreadful Rakshasa named Maricha--an attendant of Ravana, assuming the shape of a jewelled deer, allured Vaidehi. And beholding it, Vaidehi spake unto Rama, saying,--'Do thou catch it; with it when caught our hermitage shall be more charming.' Thereupon Rama, with bow in his hand, pursued that deer and with one shaft destroyed it. O gentle one, Raghava going out on hunting, and Lakshmana having issued out of the hermitage, the Ten-necked (demon) entered therein. And he speedily got hold of Sita, like unto Rohini possessed by the planet in the sky. Thereupon slaying the vulture Yatayu in the conflict desirous of rescuing her and getting hold of Sita that Rakshasa speedily repaired (to his capital). Thereupon some monkeys resembling mountains, stationed on the summit of a mountain, stricken with wondrous fear and astonishment, beheld Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas proceed with Sita. Ascending the car _Puskpaka_, going at will, with Vaidehi and hastening his course that highly powerful Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas entered Lanka. And entering the huge and excellent golden palace Ravana consoled Maithili with (diverse) words. But she regarded that foremost of Rakshasas and his words as straw. And Vaidehi was placed in the forest of Asoka. Thereupon returned Rama after having slain the deer in the forest. Having returned and seen the vulture, dearer than his father, slain, Rama, the descendant of Kakutstha was pained. And searching Vaidehi and ranging at the banks of Godaveri and forest-lands covered with flowers, Rama with Lakshmana, met in that huge forest a Rakshasa named Kavandha. Thereupon at the words of Kavandha, Rama, having truth for his prowess, repairing to the mount Rishyamuka, was united with Sugriva. There had grown mutual love in them before they were known to each other. Sugriva was driven away by his angry brother Vali. And informed of each other's affairs their friendship grew closer. There-upon slaying the huge-bodied and highly powerful Vali in the conflict by virtue of the strength of his own arms Rama obtained (for Sugriva) his own kingdom. And being placed on the throne with all the monkeys, Sugriva promised unto Rama the enquiry of the Princess (Sita). Being commanded by the high-souled Sugriva, the lord of monkeys, ten _kotis_ of monkeys repaired to (various) quarters. Among them some of us lost our way in a cavity of the Vindhya mountain, and were striken with great terror--and accordingly much time was lost. The powerful brother of the king of vultures named Sampati communicated unto us the residence of Sita in the palace of Ravana. Thereupon removing the grief of my relatives stricken with sorrow and resorting to my own prowess, I jumped over a hundred _yojanas_ and beheld her placed in the forest of Asoka, wearing a red cloth, pale, deprived of all joy and observing strict penances. And then nearing her and beholding her of a perfectly blameless person I bestowed upon her an ensign a ring with Rama's name engraven on it. And obtaining a jewel as an ensign, I, with my object accomplished, returned. And having returned I presented Rama of unwearied actions with that ensign of a brilliant gem. And hearing (of the news of Vaidehi) Rama regained his life like one on the verge of death regaining his being after drinking nectar. And exciting (his soldiers) for making preparations like unto Fire about to destroy all people he made up his mind for the devastation of Lanka. Thereupon arriving at the banks of the ocean he had a bridge constructed by Nala by which the army of monkey-heroes crossed (the deep). Nala destroyed Prahasta, Raghava slew Kumbhakarna, Lakshmana killed the son of Ravana and Rama himself slew Ravana. He was then met by Sakra, Yama, Varuna, Siva, Brahma and Dacaratha. And that graceful descendant of Kakutstha, the slayer of foes, obtained the boon from them as well as from the saints assembled there--(celestial and otherwise). Having obtained the boon he, delighted, met the monkeys and in the car _Pushpaka_ reached Kishkindha. Again reaching the Ganges he is living with the ascetic; it becometh thee to behold him to-morrow under the auspices of of Pushya,[495] without any hindrance". Thereupon being delighted with the sweet accents of Hanuman, Bharata addressed him, with folded hands, with words affording delight, saying,--"After a long time my desire hath been fulfilled".

[494] A demon of that name.

[495] The lunar asterism comprising three stars of which one is the Cancer.

SECTION CXXIX.

Hearing those words affording great delight, Bharata, the slayer of enemies, having truth for his prowess, delighted, ordered Satrughna, (saying),--"Let all people being purified worship all the deities and altars of the city with fragrant garlands and diverse music. Let all the bards conversant with the chanting of the pedigree, the flatterers, all those conversant with music, the dancing girls, the queens, the courtiers, the soldiers with their wives, Brahmanas, Kshatryas, and people of all other castes, issue out to behold the moon-like countenance of Rama". Hearing the words of Bharata, Satrughna, the slayer of enemies, divided the work amongst the servants, (saying),--"Do ye level the high and low ground from Nandigram to (Ayodhya). Do ye perfectly water the ground with cold water. Thereafter sprinkle all the places with flowers and dried paddy; hoist up flags all over the city; decorate all the houses, before the rising of the moon with garlands, jewels, flowers of gold and things of five other colours. Let hundreds of men watch the thorough-fares". Hearing the command of Satrughna, issued out with delight Dhristi, Jayanta, Vijaya, Siddartha, Arthasadhaka, Asoka, Mantrapala and Sumantra. Thereupon issued out men on horse back and in cars with thousands of mad elephants well-decked with pennons and she-elephants with golden seats (on their backs). And some heroes proceeded encircled by a thousand excellent steeds and persons carrying _Sakti_, _Risthi_, maces and pennons and thousands of infantry. Thereupon proceeded Sumitra and all other wives of Dacaratha placing Kaucalya before them and seated in excellent conveyances. And hearing of the return of his brother and attaining to delight, the high-souled and pious Bharata, reduced with fasting, poorly, wearing bark and skin of an antelope and conversant with religion, issued out to receive back Rama in the company of his counsellors and encircled by the twice-born ones, the people of diverse castes, his own relations and kinsmen and ministers with garlands and _Modaka_[496] in their hands, eulogized by the bards, having his arrival announced with the sound of conchs and bugles and placing the sandals of his worshipful brother on his head and taking white umbrella adorned with white garlands and white _Chowries_ decked with gold and worthy of being used by the kings. Thereupon with the sound of the horses' hoofs and cars, conchs and bugles the earth shook. And the whole city went to Nandigram. And beholding the Wind-god's son, Bharata said,--"Didst thou not resort to the usual fickleness of the monkeys? We do not behold the worshipful Rama, the descendant of Kakutstha--the slayer of foes. Nor do we behold the monkeys assuming shapes at will". Having been addressed with those words, Hanuman replied, communicating unto Bharata, having truth for his prowess, the truth,--"Having reached the trees, covered by the favour of Varadwaja, with fruits and flowers and pouring honey, the monkeys are emitting noise like maddened black bees. O slayer of foes, this boon was granted him (Rama) by Vasava. (Varadwaya) is treating him with his army with all hospitality. Hear the dreadful noise of the delighted monkeys. Methinks the monkey host hath crossed the river Gomati. Behold the huge upheaval of dust towards the _Sala_ forest. Methinks the monkeys are agitating the graceful _Sala_ forest. Behold there at the distance the car resembling the Sun. This celestial car _Pashpaka_, constructed by Brahma's mind, was obtained by the high-souled (Rama) after having slain Ravana with his friends. This celestial car, resembling the newly risen Sun, coursing at will and carrying Rama (was gained) by the favour of the Giver of wealth. (There are) the two heroic brothers--the descendants of Raghu with Yaidehi, the highly effulgent Sugriva and the Rakshasa Bibhishana. Thereupon with the sound of "there is Rama" there arose a joyous noise reaching the abode of the celestials from among women, children, the young and the old. Thereupon descending upon the earth from chariots, elephants and horses all people beheld him (Rama) stationed on the car like unto the moon in the sky. And facing Raghava and with folded hands Bharata delightedly worshipped him with agreeable words, _Arghya_ and water to wash his feet. There appeared in the car constructed by Brahma's mind the elder brother of Bharata having expansive eyes like the immortal wielder of thunder-bolt. Thereupon Bharata humbly saluted his brother Rama seated on the top of the car like unto the Sun on the summit (of the mount Meru). And commanded by Rama that excellent car drawn by ganders got down on the earth with great velocity. And ascending that car, Bharata, having truth for his prowess, reaching Rama, delighted, again bowed unto him. And raising Bharata up who had been seen after a long time and placing him on his lap Kakutstha, delighted, embraced him. There-upon Bharata, the slayer of foes, bowed unto Vaidehi and welcomed Lakshmana. And the son of Kaikeyi (then in turn) embraced Sugriva, Jambavana, Angada, Mainda, Dwivida, Nila and Rishava. And he then embraced Sushena, Nala, Gabaksha, Gandhamadana, Sarabha, and Panasa. And assuming human shapes, those monkeys, assuming shapes at will, delightedly enquired after Bharata's well-being. And embracing Sugriva, the foremost of monkeys, the highly effulgent prince Bharata, the foremost of the pious, said--" O Sugriva, thou art our fifth brother. From brotherliness groweth friendship and doing injury is the sign of an enemy". And Bharata then addressed Bibhishana with soothing words--"It is by fortune that through your help he hath accomplished such a difficult work". Thereupon the heroic Satrughna saluting Rama and Lakshmana, respectfully bowed unto Sita. And having approached his mother, pale and pulled down with grief, Rama humbly touched her feet and enhanced her delight. And thereupon saluting Sumitra, famed Kaikeyi and all his mothers he approached the priests. Thereupon all the citizens with folded hands welcomed him saying--"Welcome art thou, O thou of long arms! O thou the enhancer of Kaucalya's joy!" And the elder brother of Bharata observed the folded hands of the citizens like so many blown lotuses. And himself taking the sandals of Rama, Bharata, conversant with piety, placed them at the feet of that lord of men. Thereupon Bharata with folded hands spoke unto Rama, saying--"This all thy kingdom, which thou didst leave to my care, I return thee. Blessed is my birth to-day and accomplished is my desire, since I behold thee again as king in Ayodhya after thy return. Do thou examine thy wealth, treasury, palace and army. By thy favour I have increased all these ten fold". Hearing Bharata speak in that wise and beholding him devoted to his brother all the monkeys and the Rakshasa Bibhishana shed tears. Thereupon placing Bharata, in delight, on his lap, Raghava, with his army in that car, proceeded towards Bharata's abode. And reaching Bharata's palace Raghava with his army descended upon the earth. Thereupon Rama said to the excellent car--"Do thou (now) go to _Vaisravana_--I do permit thee". Thereupon being thus commanded by Rama, that excellent car, proceeding towards the north, reached the abode of the Giver of wealth. That celestial car _Pushpaka_ had been taken away by the Rakshasa (Ravana); but now at the words of Rama it reached (again) the Giver of wealth. And touching the feet of his priest the powerful Raghava sat on a separate and excellent seat like unto Sakra, the lord of immortals (by the side of) _Vrihashpati_.

[496] A kind of sweet meat.

SECTION CXXX.