Reading section 27

With loud applause each holy man Received his speech, approved the plan, And, by the wise Vaśishtha led, Gave praises to the King, and said:-- "The sons thou cravest shalt thou see, Of fairest glory, born to thee, Whose holy feelings bid thee take This righteous course for offspring's sake." Cheered by the ready praise of those Whose aid he sought, his spirits rose-- And thus the King his speech renewed With looks of joy and gratitude:-- "Let what the coming rites require Be ready, as the priests desire, And let the horse, ordained to bleed, With fitting guard and priest, be freed. Yonder on Sarjú's northern side The sacrificial ground provide; And let the saving rites, that nought Ill-omened may occur, be wrought. The offering I announce to-day Each lord of earth may claim to pay, Provided that his care can guard The holy rite by flaws unmarred. For wandering fiends, whose watchful spite Waits eagerly to spoil each rite-- Hunting with keenest eye detect The slightest slip, the least neglect; And when the sacred work is crossed The workman is that moment lost. Let preparation due be made, Your powers the charge can meet, That so the noble rite be paid In every point complete." And all the Bráhmans answered, "Yea," His mandate honoring, And gladly promised to obey The order of the King. They cried with voices raised aloud:-- "Success attend thine aim!" Then bade farewell, and lowly bowed, And hastened whence they came. King Daśaratha went within, His well-loved wives to see-- And said: "Your lustral rites begin, For these shall prosper me. A glorious offering I prepare That precious fruit of sons may bear." Their lily faces brightened fast Those pleasant words to hear, As lilies, when the winter's past, In lovelier hues appear.

CANTO XII

THE SACRIFICE BEGUN

Again the spring with genial heat Returning made the year complete. To win him sons, without delay His vow the King resolved to pay-- And to Vaśishtha, saintly man, In modest words this speech began:-- "Prepare the rite with all things fit As is ordained in Holy Writ, And keep with utmost care afar Whate'er its sacred forms might mar. Thou art, my lord, my trustiest guide, Kind-hearted, and my friend beside; So is it meet thou undertake This heavy task for duty's sake."

Then he, of twice-born men the best, His glad assent at once expressed:-- "Fain will I do whatever may be Desired, O honored King, by thee." To ancient priests he spoke, who, trained In holy rites, deep skill had gained:-- "Here guards be stationed, good and sage, Religious men of trusted age. And various workmen send and call, Who frame the door and build the wall-- With men of every art and trade, Who read the stars and ply the spade, And mimes and minstrels hither bring, And damsels trained to dance and sing." Then to the learned men he said, In many a page of Scripture read:-- "Be yours each rite performed to see According to the King's decree. And stranger Bráhmans quickly call To this great rite that welcomes all. Pavilions for the princes, decked With art and ornament, erect, And handsome booths by thousands made The Bráhman visitors to shade-- Arranged in order side by side, With meat and drink and all supplied. And ample stables we shall need For many an elephant and steed-- And chambers where the men may lie, And vast apartments, broad and high, Fit to receive the countless bands Of warriors come from distant lands. For our own people too provide Sufficient tents, extended wide, And stores of meat and drink prepare, And all that can be needed there. And food in plenty must be found For guests from all the country round. Of various viands presents make, For honor, not for pity's sake, That fit regard and worship be Paid to each caste in due degree. And let not wish or wrath excite Your hearts the meanest guest to slight; But still observe with special grace Those who obtain the foremost place, Whether for happier skill in art Or bearing in the rite their part Do you, I pray, with friendly mind Perform the task to you assigned, And work the rite, as bids the law, Without omission, slip, or flaw."

They answered: "As thou seest fit So will we do and nought omit." The sage Vaśishtha then addressed Sumantra, called at his behest:-- "The princes of the earth invite, And famous lords who guard the rite, Priest, Warrior, Merchant, lowly thrall, In countless thousands summon all. Where'er their home be, far or near, Gather the good with honor here. And Janak, whose imperial sway The men of Mithilá obey, The firm of vow, the dread of foes, Who all the lore of Scripture knows, Invite him here with honor high, King Daśaratha's old ally. And Káśi's lord of gentle speech, Who finds a pleasant word for each-- In length of days our monarch's peer, Illustrious King, invite him here. The father of our ruler's bride, Known for his virtues far and wide, The King whom Kekaya's realms obey, Him with his son invite, I pray. And Lomapád, the Angas King, True to his vows and godlike, bring. Far be thine invitations sent To west and south and orient. Call those who rule Suráshtra's land, Suvíra's realm and Sindhu's strand, And all the kings of earth beside In friendship's bonds with us allied:-- Invite them all to hasten in With retinue and kith and kin." Vaśishtha's speech without delay Sumantra bent him to obey, And sent his trusty envoys forth Eastward and westward, south and north. Obedient to the saint's request Himself he hurried forth, and pressed Each nobler chief and lord and king To hasten to the gathering. Before the saint Vaśishtha stood All those who wrought with stone and wood, And showed the work which every one In furtherance of the rite had done. Rejoiced their ready zeal to see, Thus to the craftsmen all said he:-- "I charge ye, masters, see to this, That there be nothing done amiss. And this, I pray, in mind be borne, That not one gift ye give in scorn; Whenever scorn a gift attends Great sin is his who thus offends."

And now some days and nights had passed, And Kings began to gather fast, And precious gems in liberal store As gifts to Daśaratha bore. Then joy thrilled through Vaśishtha's breast As thus the monarch he addressed:-- "Obedient to thy high decree The Kings, my lord, are come to thee. And it has been my care to greet And honor all with reverence meet. Thy servants' task is ended quite, And all is ready for the rite. Come forth then to the sacred ground Where all in order will be found." Then Rishyaśring confirmed the tale:-- Nor did their words to move him fail. The stars propitious influence lent When forth the world's great ruler went. Then by the sage Vaśishtha led, The priest began to speed Those glorious rites wherein is shed The lifeblood of the steed.

CANTO XIII

THE SACRIFICE FINISHED

The circling year had filled its course, And back was brought the wandering horse:-- Then upon Sarjú's northern strand Began the rite the King had planned. With Rishyaśring the forms to guide, The Bráhmans to their task applied, At that great offering of the steed Their lofty-minded King decreed. The priests, who all the Scripture knew, Performed their part in order due, And circled round in solemn train As precepts of the law ordain. Pravargya rites were duly sped:-- For Upasads the flames were fed. Then from the plant the juice was squeezed, And those high saints, with minds well pleased, Performed the mystic rites begun With bathing ere the rise of sun. They gave the portion, Indra's claim, And hymned the King whom none can blame. The mid-day bathing followed next, Observed as bids the holy text. Then the good priests with utmost care, In form that Scripture's rules declare, For the third time pure water shed On high-souled Daśaratha's head. Then Rishyaśring and all the rest To Indra and the Gods addressed Their sweet-toned hymn of praise and prayer, And called them in the rite to share. With sweetest song and hymn intoned They gave the Gods in heaven enthroned, As duty bids, the gifts they claim, The holy oil that feeds the flame. And many an offering there was paid, And not one slip in all was made. For with most careful heed they saw That all was done by Veda law. None, all those days, was seen oppressed By hunger or by toil distressed. Why speak of human kind? No beast Was there that lacked an ample feast. For there was store for all who came, For orphan child and lonely dame; The old and young were well supplied, The poor and hungry satisfied. Throughout the day ascetics fed, And those who roam to beg their bread:-- While all around the cry was still, "Give forth, give forth," and "Eat your fill." "Give forth with liberal hand the meal, And various robes in largess deal."

Urged by these cries on every side Unweariedly their task they plied, And heaps of food like hills in size In boundless plenty met the eyes:-- And lakes of sauce, each day renewed, Refreshed the weary multitude. And strangers there from distant lands, And women folk in crowded bands The best of food and drink obtained At the great rite the King ordained. Apart from all, the Bráhmans there, Thousands on thousands, took their share Of various dainties sweet to taste, On plates of gold and silver placed-- All ready set, as, when they willed, The twice-born men their places filled. And servants in fair garments dressed Waited upon each Bráhman guest.

Of cheerful mind and mien were they, With gold and jewelled ear-rings gay. The best of Bráhmans praised the fare Of countless sorts, of flavor rare-- And thus to Raghu's son they cried:-- "We bless thee, and are satisfied." Between the rites some Bráhmans spent The time in learned argument, With ready flow of speech, sedate, And keen to vanquish in debate. There day by day the holy train Performed all rites as rules ordain. No priest in all that host was found But kept the vows that held him bound; None, but the holy Vedas knew, And all their sixfold science too. No Bráhman there was found unfit To speak with eloquence and wit.

And now the appointed time came near The sacrificial posts to rear. They brought them, and prepared to fix Of Bel and Khádir six and six; Six, made of the Paláśa-tree, Of Fig-wood one, apart to be-- Of Sleshmát and of Devadár One column each, the mightiest far:-- So thick the two the arms of man Their ample girth would fail to span. All these with utmost care were wrought By hand of priests in Scripture taught, And all with gold were gilded bright To add new splendor to the rite; Twenty-and-one those stakes in all, Each one-and-twenty cubits tall:-- And one-and-twenty ribbons there Hung on the pillars bright and fair. Firm in the earth they stood at last, Where cunning craftsmen fixed them fast; And there unshaken each remained, Octagonal and smoothly planed.

Then ribbons over all were hung, And flowers and scent around them flung. Thus decked they cast a glory forth Like the great saints who star the north. The sacrificial altar then Was raised by skilful twice-born men-- In shape and figure to behold An eagle with his wings of gold, With twice nine pits and formed threefold. Each for some special God, beside The pillars were the victims tied; The birds that roam the wood, the air, The water, and the land were there, And snakes and things of reptile birth, And healing herbs that spring from earth:-- As texts prescribe, in Scripture found, Three hundred victims there were bound. The steed devoted to the host Of Gods, the gem they honor most, Was duly sprinkled. Then the Queen Kauśalyá, with delighted mien, With reverent steps around him paced, And with sweet wreaths the victim graced; Then with three swords in order due She smote the steed with joy, and slew. That night the queen, a son to gain, With calm and steady heart was fain By the dead charger's side to stay From evening till the break of day. Then came three priests, their care to lead The other queens to touch the steed-- Upon Kauśalyá to attend, Their company and aid to lend. As by the horse she still reclined, With happy mien and cheerful mind, With Rishyaśring the twice-born came And praised and blessed the royal dame. The priest who well his duty knew, And every sense could well subdue, From out the bony chambers freed And boiled the marrow of the steed. Above the steam the monarch bent, And, as he smelt the fragrant scent, In time and order drove afar All error, that his hopes could mar. Then sixteen priests together came, And cast into the sacred flame The severed members of the horse, Made ready all in ordered course. On piles of holy Fig-tree raised The meaner victims' bodies blazed:-- The steed, of all the creatures slain, Alone required a pile of cane. Three days, as is by law decreed, Lasted that Offering of the Steed. The Chatushtom began the rite, And when the sun renewed his light, The Ukthya followed--after came The Atirátra's holy flame. These were the rites, and many more, Arranged by light of holy lore, The Aptoryám of mighty power, And, each performed in proper hour, The Abhijit and Viśvajit With every form and service fit; And with the sacrifice at night The Jyotishtom and Áyus rite.

The task was done, as laws prescribe:-- The monarch, glory of his tribe, Bestowed the land in liberal grants Upon the sacred ministrants. He gave the region of the east, His conquest, to the Hotri priest. The west the celebrant obtained, The south the priest presiding gained-- The northern region was the share Of him who chanted forth the prayer. Thus did each priest obtain his meed At the great Slaughter of the Steed, Ordained, the best of all to be, By self-existent deity.

Ikshváku's son, with joyful mind, This noble fee to each assigned-- But all the priests with one accord Addressed that unpolluted lord:-- "'Tis thine alone to keep the whole Of this broad earth in firm control. No gift of lands from thee we seek, To guard these realms our hands were weak. On sacred lore our days are spent, Let other gifts our wants content."

The chief of old Ikshváku's line Gave them ten hundred thousand kine, A hundred millions of fine gold, The same in silver four times told. But every priest in presence there With one accord resigned his share. To Saint Vaśishtha, high of soul, And Rishyaśring they gave the whole. That largess pleased those Bráhmans well, Who bade the prince his wishes tell. Then Daśaratha, mighty King, Made answer thus to Rishyaśring:-- "O holy Hermit, of thy grace, Vouchsafe the increase of my race." He spoke; nor was his prayer denied-- The best of Bráhmans thus replied:-- "Four sons, O Monarch, shall be thine, Upholders of thy royal line."

CANTO XIV

RÁVAN DOOMED

The saint, well-read in holy lore, Pondered awhile his answer o'er, And thus again addressed the King, His wandering thoughts regathering:-- "Another rite will I begin Which shall the sons thou cravest win, Where all things shall be duly sped And first Atharva texts be read."

Then by Vibhándak's gentle son Was that high sacrifice begun, The King's advantage seeking still And zealous to perform his will. Now all the Gods had gathered there, Each one for his allotted share-- Brahmá, the ruler of the sky, Sthánu, Náráyan, Lord most high, And holy Indra men might view With Maruts for his retinue; The heavenly chorister, and saint, And spirit pure from earthly taint, With one accord had sought the place The high-souled monarch's rite to grace, Then to the Gods who came to take Their proper share, the hermit spake:-- "For you has Daśaratha slain The votive steed, a son to gain; Stern penance-rites the King has tried, And in firm faith on you relied, And now with undiminished care A second rite would fain prepare. But, O ye Gods, consent to grant The longing of your supplicant. For him beseeching hands I lift, And pray you all to grant the gift, That four fair sons of high renown The offerings of the King may crown." They to the hermit's son replied:-- "His longing shall be gratified. For, Bráhman, in most high degree We love the King and honor thee."

These words the Gods in answer said, And vanished thence, by Indra led. Thus to the Lord, the worlds who made, The Immortals all assembled prayed:-- "O Brahmá, mighty by thy grace, Rávan, who rules the giant race, Torments us in his senseless pride, And penance-loving saints beside. For thou well pleased in days of old Gavest the boon that makes him bold, That God nor demon e'er should kill His charmed life, for so thy will. We, honoring that high behest, Bear all his rage though sore distressed. That lord of giants fierce and fell Scourges the earth and heaven and hell. Mad with thy boon, his impious rage Smites saint and bard and God and sage. The sun himself withholds his glow, The wind in fear forbears to blow; The fire restrains his wonted heat Where stand the dreaded Rávan's feet, And, necklaced with the wandering wave, The sea before him fears to rave. Kuvera's self in sad defeat Is driven from his blissful seat. We see, we feel the giant's might, And woe comes o'er us and affright. To thee, O Lord, thy suppliants pray To find some cure this plague to stay."

Thus by the gathered Gods addressed He pondered in his secret breast, And said: "One only way I find To slay this fiend of evil mind. He prayed me once his life to guard From demon, God, and heavenly bard, And spirits of the earth and air, And I consenting heard his prayer. But the proud giant in his scorn Recked not of man of woman born. None else may take his life away, But only man the fiend may slay."

The Gods, with Indra at their head, Rejoiced to hear the words he said. Then, crowned with glory like a flame, Lord Vishnu to the council came; His hands shell, mace, and discus bore, And saffron were the robes he wore. Riding his eagle through the crowd, As the sun rides upon a cloud, With bracelets of fine gold, he came, Loud welcomed by the Gods' acclaim. His praise they sang with one consent, And cried, in lowly reverence bent:-- "O Lord whose hand fierce Madhu slew, Be thou our refuge, firm and true; Friend of the suffering worlds art thou, We pray thee help thy suppliants now." Then Vishnu spake: "Ye Gods, declare, What may I do to grant your prayer?"

"King Daśaratha," thus cried they, "Fervent in penance many a day, The sacrificial steed has slain, Longing for sons, but all in vain. Now, at the cry of us forlorn, Incarnate as his seed be born. Three queens has he--each lovely dame Like Beauty, Modesty, or Fame. Divide thyself in four, and be His offspring by these noble three. Man's nature take, and slay in fight Rávan who laughs at heavenly might-- This common scourge, this rankling thorn Whom the three worlds too long have borne. For Rávan, in the senseless pride Of might unequalled, has defied The host of heaven, and plagues with woe Angel and bard and saint below, Crushing each spirit and each maid Who plays in Nandan's heavenly shade. O conquering Lord, to thee we bow; Our surest hope and trust art thou. Regard the world of men below, And slay the God's tremendous foe."

When thus the suppliant Gods had prayed, His wise reply Náráyan made:-- "What task demands my presence there, And when this dread, ye Gods declare." The Gods replied: "We fear, O Lord, Fierce Rávan, ravener abhorred. Be thine the glorious task, we pray, In human form this fiend to slay. By thee of all the Blest alone This sinner may be overthrown. He gained by penance long and dire The favor of the mighty Sire. Then He who every gift bestows Guarded the fiend from heavenly foes, And gave a pledge his life that kept From all things living, man except. On him thus armed no other foe Than man may deal the deadly blow. Assume, O King, a mortal birth, And strike the demon to the earth."

Then Vishnu, God of Gods, the Lord Supreme by all the worlds adored, To Brahmá and the suppliants spake:-- "Dismiss your fear: for your dear sake In battle will I smite him dead, The cruel fiend, the Immortal's dread. And lords and ministers and all His kith and kin with him shall fall. Then, in the world of mortal men, Ten thousand years and hundreds ten I as a human King will reign, And guard the earth as my domain." God, saint, and nymph, and minstrel throng With heavenly voices raised their song In hymns of triumph to the God Whose conquering feet on Madhu trod:---

"Champion of Gods, as man appear, This cruel Rávan slay, The thorn that saints and hermits fear, The plague that none can stay. In savage fury uncontrolled His pride forever grows-- He dares the Lord of Gods to hold Among his deadly foes."

CANTO XV

THE NECTAR

When wisest Vishnu thus had given His promise to the Gods of heaven, He pondered in his secret mind A suited place of birth to find. Then he decreed, the lotus-eyed, In four his being to divide, And Daśaratha, gracious King, He chose as sire from whom to spring. That childless prince, of high renown, Who smote in war his foemen down, At that same time with utmost care Prepared the rite that wins an heir. Then Vishnu, fain on earth to dwell, Bade the Almighty Sire farewell, And vanished while a reverent crowd Of Gods and saints in worship bowed.

The monarch watched the sacred rite, When a vast form of awful might, Of matchless splendor, strength and size Was manifest before his eyes. From forth the sacrificial flame, Dark, robed in red, the being came. His voice was drumlike, loud and low, His face suffused with rosy glow. Like a huge lion's mane appeared The long locks of his hair and beard. He shone with many a lucky sign, And many an ornament divine; A towering mountain in his height, A tiger in his gait and might.

No precious mine more rich could be, No burning flame more bright than he. His arms embraced in loving hold, Like a dear wife, a vase of gold Whose silver lining held a draught Of nectar as in heaven is quaffed-- A vase so vast, so bright to view, They scarce could count the vision true. Upon the King his eyes he bent, And said: "The Lord of life has sent His servant down, O Prince, to be A messenger from heaven to thee." The King with all his nobles by Raised reverent hands and made reply:-- "Welcome, O glorious being! Say How can my care thy grace repay," Envoy of Him whom all adore, Thus to the King he spake once more:-- "The Gods accept thy worship--they Give thee the blessed fruit to-day. Approach and take, O glorious King, This heavenly nectar which I bring, For it shall give thee sons and wealth, And bless thee with a store of health. Give it to those fair queens of thine, And bid them quaff the drink divine-- And they the princely sons shall bear Long sought by sacrifice and prayer."