  Wise Vi?vÁmitra's tale was done: Then sainted Gautam's eldest son, Great ?atÁnanda, far-renowned, Whom long austerities had crowned With glory—as the news he heard The down upon his body stirred,— Filled full of wonder at the sight Of RÁma, felt supreme delight. When ?atÁnanda saw the pair Of youthful princes seated there, He turned him to the holy man Who sate at ease, and thus began: “And didst thou, mighty Sage, in truth Show clearly to this royal youth My mother, glorious far and wide, Whom penance-rites have sanctified? And did my glorious mother—she, Heiress of noble destiny— Serve her great guest with woodland store, Whom all should honour evermore? Didst thou the tale to RÁma tell Of what in ancient days befell, The sin, the misery, and the shame Of guilty God and faithless dame? And, O thou best of hermits, say, Did RÁma's healing presence stay Her trial? was the wife restored Again to him, my sire and lord? Say, Hermit, did that sire of mine Receive her with a soul benign, When long austerities in time Had cleansed her from the taint of crime? [pg 063]And, son of Ku?ik, let me know, Did my great-minded father show Honour to RÁma, and regard, Before he journeyed hitherward?” The hermit with attentive ear Marked all the questions of the seer: To him for eloquence far-famed, His eloquent reply he framed: “Yea, 'twas my care no task to shun, And all I had to do was done; As Re?ukÁ and Bhrigu's child, The saint and dame were reconciled.” When the great sage had thus replied, To RÁma ?atÁnanda cried: “A welcome visit, Prince, is thine, Thou scion of King Raghu's line. With him to guide thy way aright, This sage invincible in might, This BrÁhman sage, most glorious-bright, By long austerities has wrought A wondrous deed, exceeding thought: Thou knowest well, O strong of arm, This sure defence from scathe and harm. None, RÁma, none is living now In all the earth more blest than thou, That thou hast won a saint so tried In fervid rites thy life to guide. Now listen, Prince, while I relate His lofty deeds and wondrous fate. He was a monarch pious-souled. His foemen in the dust he rolled; Most learned, prompt at duty's claim, His people's good his joy and aim. Of old the Lord of Life gave birth To mighty Ku?a, king of earth. His son was Ku?anÁbha, strong, Friend of the right, the foe of wrong. GÁdhi, whose fame no time shall dim, Heir of his throne was born to him, And Vi?vÁmitra, GÁdhi's heir, Governed the land with kingly care. While years unnumbered rolled away The monarch reigned with equal sway. At length, assembling many a band, He led his warriors round the land— Complete in tale, a mighty force, Cars, elephants, and foot, and horse. Through cities, groves, and floods he passed, O'er lofty hills, through regions vast. He reached Va?ish?ha's pure abode, Where trees, and flowers, and creepers glowed, Where troops of sylvan creatures fed; Which saints and angels visited. Gods, fauns, and bards of heavenly race, And spirits, glorified the place; The deer their timid ways forgot, And holy BrÁhmans thronged the spot. Bright in their souls, like fire, were these, Made pure by long austerities, Bound by the rule of vows severe, And each in glory Br
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