The Sanskrit Epics

by Delphi Classics

  And sweet words soothed the mourner’s heart,

  Who brushed off with his mantle’s hem

  Tears from the eyes bedewed with them.

  Sugríva’s words were not in vain,

  And Ráma was himself again,

  Around the king his arms he threw

  And thus began his speech anew:

  “Whate’er a friend most wise and true,

  Who counsels for the best, should do,

  Whate’er his gentle part should be,

  Has been performed, dear friend, by thee.

  Taught by thy counsel, O my lord,

  I feel my native strength restored.

  A friend like thee is hard to gain,

  Most rare in time of grief and pain.

  Now strain thine utmost power to trace

  The Maithil lady’s dwelling place,

  And aid me in my search to find

  Fierce Rávaṇ of the impious mind.

  Trust thou, in turn, thy loyal friend,

  And say what aid this arm can lend

  To speed thy hopes, as fostering rain

  Quickens in earth the scattered grain.

  Deem not those words, that seemed to spring

  From pride, are false, O Vánar King.

  None from these lips has ever heard,

  None e’er shall hear, one lying word.

  Again I promise and declare,

  Yea, by my truth, dear friend, I swear.”

  Then glad was King Sugríva’s breast,

  And all his lords their joy confessed,

  Stirred by sure hope of Ráma’s aid,

  And promise which the prince had made.

  Canto VIII. Ráma’s Promise.

  DOUBT FROM SUGRÍVA’S heart had fled,

  And thus to Raghu’s son he said:

  “No bliss the Gods of heaven deny.

  Each views me with a favouring eye,

  When thou, whom all good gifts attend,

  Hast sought me and become my friend.

  Leagued, friend, with thee in bold emprise

  My arm might win the conquered skies;

  And shall our banded strength be weak

  To gain the realm which now I seek?

  A happy fate was mine above

  My kith and kin and all I love,

  When, near the witness fire, I won

  Thy friendship, Raghu’s glorious son.

  Thou too in ripening time shall see

  Thy friend not all unworthy thee.

  What gifts I have shall thus be shown:

  Not mine the tongue to make them known.

  Strong is the changeless bond that binds

  The friendly faith of noble minds,

  In woe, in danger, firm and sure

  Their constancy and love endure.

  Gold, silver, jewels rich and rare

  They count as wealth for friends to share.

  Yea, be they rich or poor and low,

  Blest with all joys or sunk in woe,

  Stained with each fault or pure of blame,

  Their friends the nearest place may claim;

  For whom they leave, at friendship’s call,

  Their gold, their bliss, their homes and all.”

  He spoke by generous impulse moved,

  And Raghu’s son his speech approved

  Glancing at Lakshmaṇ by his side,

  Like Indra in his beauty’s pride.

  The Vánar monarch saw the pair

  Of mighty brothers standing there,

  And turned his rapid eye to view

  The forest trees that near him grew.

  He saw, not far from where he stood,

  A Sál tree towering o’er the wood.

  Amid the thick leaves many a bee

  Graced the scant blossoms of the tree,

  From whose dark shade a bough, that bore

  A load of leafy twigs, he tore,

  Which on the grassy ground he laid

  And seats for him and Ráma made.

  Hanúmán saw them sit, he sought

  A Sál tree’s leafy bough and brought

  The burthen, and with meek request

  Entreated Lakshmaṇ, too, to rest.

  There on the noble mountain’s brow,

  Strewn with the young leaves of the bough,

  Sat Raghu’s son in placid ease

  Calm as the sea when sleeps the breeze.

  Sugríva’s heart with rapture swelled,

  And thus, by eager love impelled,

  He spoke in gracious tone, that, oft

  Checked by his joy, was low and soft:

  “I, by my brother’s might oppressed,

  By ceaseless woe and fear distressed,

  Mourning my consort far away,

  On Rishyamúka’s mountain stray.

  Expelled by Báli’s cruel hate

  I wander here disconsolate.

  Do thou to whom all sufferers flee,

  From his dread hand deliver me.”

  He spoke, and Ráma, just and brave,

  Whose pious soul to virtue clave,

  Smiled as in conscious might he eyed

  The king of Vánars, and replied:

  “Best fruit of friendship is the deed

  That helps the friend in hour of need;

  And this mine arm in death shall lay

  Thy robber ere the close of day.

  For see, these feathered darts of mine

  Whose points so fiercely flash and shine,

  And shafts with golden emblem, came

  From dark woods known by Skanda’s name,561

  Winged from the pinion of the hern

  Like Indra’s bolts they strike and burn.

  With even knots and piercing head

  Each like a furious snake is sped;

  With these, to-day, before thine eye

  Shall, like a shattered mountain, lie

  Báli, thy dread and wicked foe,

  O’erwhelmed in hideous overthrow.”

  He spoke: Sugríva’s bosom swelled

  With hope and joy unparalleled.

  Then his glad voice the Vánar raised,

  And thus the son of Raghu praised:

  “Long have I pined in depth of grief;

  Thou art the hope of all, O chief.

  Now, Raghu’s son, I hail thee friend,

  And bid thee to my woes attend;

  For, by my truth I swear it, now

  Not life itself is dear as thou,

  Since by the witness fire we met

  And friendly hand in hand was set.

  Friend communes now with friend, and hence

  I tell with surest confidence,

  How woes that on my spirit weigh

  Consume me through the night and day.”

  For sobs and sighs he scarce could speak,

  And his sad voice came low and weak,

  As, while his eyes with tears o’erflowed,

  The burden of his soul he showed.

  Then by strong effort, bravely made,

  The torrent of his tears he stayed,

  Wiped his bright eyes, his grief subdued,

  And thus, more calm, his speech renewed:

  “By Báli’s conquering might oppressed,

  Of power and kingship dispossessed,

  Loaded with taunts of scorn and hate

  I left my realm and royal state.

  He tore away my consort: she

  Was dearer than my life to me,

  And many a friend to me and mine

  In hopeless chains was doomed to pine.

  With wicked thoughts, unsated still,

  Me whom he wrongs he yearns to kill;

  And spies of Vánar race, who tried

  To slay me, by this hand have died.

  Moved by this constant doubt and fear

  I saw thee, Prince, and came not near.

  When woe and peril gather round

  A foe in every form is found.

  Save Hanumán, O Raghu’s son, />
  And these, no friend is left me, none.

  Through their kind aid, a faithful band

  Who guard their lord from hostile hand,

  Rest when their chieftain rests and bend

  Their steps where’er he lists to wend, —

  Through them alone, in toil and pain,

  My wretched life I still sustain.

  Enough, for thou hast heard in brief

  The story of my pain and grief.

  His mighty strength all regions know,

  My brother, but my deadly foe.

  Ah, if the proud oppressor fell,

  His death would all my woe dispel.

  Yea, on my cruel conqueror’s fall

  My joy depends, my life, my all.

  This were the end and sure relief,

  O Ráma, of my tale of grief.

  Fair be his lot or dark with woe,

  No comfort like a friend I know.”

  Then Ráma spoke: “O friend, relate

  Whence sprang fraternal strife and hate,

  That duly taught by thee, I may

  Each foeman’s strength and weakness weigh:

  And skilled in every chance restore

  The blissful state thou hadst before.

  For, when I think of all the scorn

  And bitter woe thou long hast borne,

  My soul indignant swells with pain

  Like waters flushed with furious rain.

  Then, ere I string this bended bow,

  Tell me the tale I long to know,

  Ere from the cord my arrow fly,

  And low in death thy foeman lie.”

  He spoke: Sugríva joyed to hear,

  Nor less his lords were glad of cheer:

  And thus to Ráma mighty-souled

  The cause that moved their strife he told:

  Canto IX. Sugríva’s Story.562

  “MY BROTHER, KNOWN by Báli’s name,

  Had won by might a conqueror’s fame.

  My father’s eldest-born was he,

  Well honoured by his sire and me.

  My father died, and each sage lord

  Named Báli king with one accord;

  And he, by right of birth ordained,

  The sovereign of the Vánars reigned.

  He in his royal place controlled

  The kingdom of our sires of old,

  And I all faithful service lent

  To aid my brother’s government.

  The fiend Máyáví, — him of yore

  To Dundubhi563 his mother bore, —

  For woman’s love in strife engaged,

  A deadly war with Báli waged.

  When sleep had chained each weary frame

  To vast Kishkindhá564 gates he came,

  And, shouting through the shades of night,

  Challenged his foeman to the fight.

  My brother heard the furious shout,

  And wild with rage rushed madly out,

  Though fain would I and each sad wife

  Detain him from the deadly strife.

  He burned his demon foe to slay,

  And rushed impetuous to the fray.

  His weeping wives he thrust aside,

  And forth, impelled by fury, hied;

  While, by my love and duty led,

  I followed where my brother sped.

  Máyáví looked, and at the sight

  Fled from his foes in wild affright.

  The flying fiend we quickly viewed,

  And with swift feet his steps pursued.

  Then rose the moon, whose friendly ray

  Cast light upon our headlong way.

  By the soft beams was dimly shown

  A mighty cave with grass o’ergrown.

  Within its depths he sprang, and we

  The demon’s form no more might see.

  My brother’s breast was all aglow

  With fury when he missed the foe,

  And, turning, thus to me he said

  With senses all disquieted:

  “Here by the cavern’s mouth remain;

  Keep ear and eye upon the strain,

  While I the dark recess explore

  And dip my brand in foeman’s gore.”

  I heard his angry speech, and tried

  To turn him from his plan aside.

  He made me swear by both his feet,

  And sped within the dark retreat.

  While in the cave he stayed, and I

  Watched at the mouth, a year went by.

  For his return I looked in vain,

  And, moved by love, believed him slain.

  I mourned, by doubt and fear distressed,

  And greater horror seized my breast

  When from the cavern rolled a flood,

  A carnage stream of froth and blood;

  And from the depths a sound of fear,

  The roar of demons, smote mine ear;

  But never rang my brother’s shout

  Triumphant in the battle rout.

  I closed the cavern with a block,

  Huge as a hill, of shattered rock.

  Gave offerings due to Báli’s shade,

  And sought Kishkindhá, sore dismayed.

  Long time with anxious care I tried

  From Báli’s lords his fate to hide,

  But they, when once the tale was known,

  Placed me as king on Báli’s throne.

  There for a while I justly reigned

  And all with equal care ordained,

  When joyous from the demon slain

  My brother Báli came again.

  He found me ruling in his stead,

  And, fired with rage, his eyes grew red.

  He slew the lords who made me king,

  And spoke keen words to taunt and sting.

  The kingly rank and power I held

  My brother’s rage with ease had quelled,

  But still, restrained by old respect

  For claims of birth, the thought I checked.

  Thus having struck the demon down

  Came Báli to his royal town.

  With meek respect, with humble speech,

  His haughty heart I strove to reach.

  But all my arts were tried in vain,

  No gentle word his lips would deign,

  Though to the ground I bent and set

  His feet upon my coronet:

  Still Báli in his rage and pride

  All signs of grace and love denied.”

  Canto X. Sugríva’s Story.

  “I STROVE TO soothe and lull to rest

  The fury of his troubled breast:

  “Well art thou come, dear lord,” I cried.

  “By whose strong arm thy foe has died.

  Forlorn I languished here, but now

  My saviour and defence art thou.

  Once more receive this regal shade565

  Like the full moon in heaven displayed;

  And let the chouries,566 thus restored,

  Wave glorious o’er the rightful lord.

  I kept my watch, thy word obeyed,

  And by the cave a year I stayed.

  But when I saw that stream of blood

  Rush from the cavern in a flood,

  My sad heart broken with dismay,

  And every wandering sense astray,

  I barred the entrance with a stone, —

  A crag from some high mountain thrown —

  Turned from the spot I watched in vain,

  And to Kishkindhá came again.

  My deep distress and downcast mien

  By citizen and lord were seen.

  They made me king against my will:

  Forgive me if the deed was ill.

  True as I ever was I see

  My honoured king once more in thee;

  I only ruled a while the state

  When thou hadst left us desolate.

  This town with people, lords, and lands,

  Lay as a trust in guardian hands:

  And now, my gracious lord
, accept

  The kingdom which thy servant kept.

  Forgive me, victor of the foe,

  Nor let thy wrath against me glow.

  See joining suppliant hands I pray,

  And at thy feet my head I lay.

  Believe my words: against my will

  The royal seat they made me fill.

  Unkinged they saw the city, hence

  They made me lord for her defence.”

  But Báli, though I humbly sued,

  Reviled me in his furious mood:

  “Out on thee, wretch!” in wrath he cried

  With many a bitter taunt beside.

  He summoned every lord, and all

  His subjects gathered at his call.

  Then forth his burning anger broke,

  And thus amid his friends he spoke:

  “I need not tell, for well ye know,

  How fierce Máyáví, fiend and foe,

  Came to Kishkindhá’s gate by night,

  And dared me in his wrath to fight.

  I heard each word the demon said:

  Forth from my royal hall I sped;

  And, foe in brother’s guise concealed,

  Sugríva followed to the field.

  The mighty demon through the shade

  Beheld me come with one to aid:

  Then shrinking from unequal fight,

  He turned his back in swiftest flight.

  From vengeful foes his life to save

  He sought the refuge of a cave.

  Then when I saw the fiend had fled

  Within that cavern dark and dread,

  Thus to my brother cruel-eyed,

  Impatient in my wrath, I cried:

  “I seek no more my royal town

  Till I have struck the demon down.

  Here by the cavern’s mouth remain

  Until my hand the foe have slain.”

  Upon his faith my heart relied,

  And swift within the depths I hied.

  A year went by: in every spot

  I sought the fiend, but found him not.

  At length my foe I saw and slew,

  Whom long I feared when lost to view;

  And all his kinsmen by his side

  Beneath my vengeful fury died.

  The monster, as he reeled and fell,

  Poured forth his blood with roar and yell;

  And, filling all the cavern, dyed

  The portal with the crimson tide.

  Upon my foeman slain at last

  One look, one pitying look, I cast.

  I sought again the light of day:

  The cave was closed and left no way.

  To the barred mouth I sadly came,

  And called aloud Sugríva’s name.

  But all was still: no voice replied,

  And hope within my bosom died.

  With furious efforts, vain at first,

  Through bars of rock my way I burst.