  The prudent prince the assembly viewed Thronged with its noble multitude, Resplendent as a cloudless night When the full moon is in his height; While robes of every varied hue A glory o'er the synod threw. The priest in lore of duty skilled Looked on the crowd the hall that filled, And then in accents soft and grave To Bharat thus his counsel gave: “The king, dear son, so good and wise, Has gone from earth and gained the skies, Leaving to thee, her rightful lord, This rich wide land with foison stored. And still has faithful RÁma stood Firm to the duty of the good, And kept his father's hest aright, As the moon keeps its own dear light. Thus sire and brother yield to thee This realm from all annoyance free: Rejoice thy lords: enjoy thine own: Anointed king, ascend the throne. Let vassal Princes hasten forth From distant lands, west, south, and north, From Kerala,360 from every sea, And bring ten million gems to thee.” As thus the sage Va?ish?ha spoke, A storm of grief o'er Bharat broke. And longing to be just and true, His thoughts to duteous RÁma flew. With sobs and sighs and broken tones, E'en as a wounded mallard moans, He mourned with deepest sorrow moved, And thus the holy priest reproved: “O, how can such as Bharat dare The power and sway from him to tear, Wise, and devout, and true, and chaste, With Scripture lore and virtue graced? Can one of Da?aratha's seed Be guilty of so vile a deed? The realm and I are RÁma's: thou, Shouldst speak the words of justice now. For he, to claims of virtue true, Is eldest born and noblest too: Nahush, DilÍpa could not be More famous in their lives than he. As Da?aratha ruled of right, So RÁma's is the power and right. If I should do this sinful deed And forfeit hope of heavenly meed, My guilty act would dim the shine Of old IkshvÁku's glorious line. Nay, as the sin my mother wrought Is grievous to my inmost thought, I here, my hands together laid, Will greet him in the pathless shade. To RÁma shall my steps be bent, My King, of men most excellent, Raghu's illustrious son, whose sway Might hell, and earth, and heaven obey.” That righteous speech, whose every word Bore virtue's stamp, the audience heard; On RÁma every thought was set, And with glad tears each eye was wet. “Then, if the power I still should lack To bring my noble brother back, I in the wood will dwell, and share His banishment with Lakshma? there. By every art persuasive I To bring him from the wood will try, And show him to your loving eyes, O BrÁhmans noble, good, and wise. E'en now, the road to make and clear, Each labourer pressed, and pioneer Have I sent forward to precede The army I resolve to lead.” Thus, by fraternal love possessed, His firm resolve the prince expressed, Then to Sumantra, deeply read In holy texts, he turned and said: “Sumantra, rise without delay, And as I bid my words obey. Give orders for the march with speed, And all the army hither lead.” The wise Sumantra, thus addressed, Obeyed the high-souled chief's behest. He hurried forth with joy inspired And gave the orders he desired. |
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