Va?ish?ha thus was speaking still:

The monarch, of his own free will,

Bade with quick zeal and joyful cheer

RÁma and Lakshma? hasten near.

Mother and sire in loving care

Sped their dear son with rite and prayer:

Va?ish?ha blessed him ere he went;

O'er his loved head the father bent,

And then to Ku?ik's son resigned

RÁma with Lakshma? close behind.

Standing by Vi?vÁmitra's side,

The youthful hero, lotus-eyed,

The Wind-God saw, and sent a breeze

Whose sweet pure touch just waved the trees.

There fell from heaven a flowery rain,

And with the song and dance the strain

Of shell and tambour sweetly blent

As forth the son of Raghu went.

The hermit led: behind him came

The bow-armed RÁma, dear to fame,

Whose locks were like the raven's wing:147

Then Lakshma?, closely following.

The Gods and Indra, filled with joy,

Looked down upon the royal boy,

And much they longed the death to see

Of their ten-headed enemy.148

RÁma and Lakshma? paced behind

That hermit of the lofty mind,

As the young A?vins,149 heavenly pair,

Follow Lord Indra through the air.

On arm and hand the guard they wore,

Quiver and bow and sword they bore;

Two fire-born Gods of War seemed they.150

He, ?iva's self who led the way.

Upon fair SarjÚ's southern shore

They now had walked a league and more,

When thus the sage in accents mild

To RÁma said: “Beloved child,

This lustral water duly touch:

My counsel will avail thee much.

Forget not all the words I say,

Nor let the occasion slip away.

Lo, with two spells I thee invest,

The mighty and the mightiest.

O'er thee fatigue shall ne'er prevail,

Nor age or change thy limbs assail.

Thee powers of darkness ne'er shall smite

In tranquil sleep or wild delight.

No one is there in all the land

Thine equal for the vigorous hand.