Valmiki

Godavari’s limpid waters in her gloomy gorges strayed,

‘Mark the woodlands,’ uttered Rama, ‘by the Saint Agastya told,Panchavati’s lonesome forest with its blossoms red and gold,Skilled to scan the wood and jungle, Lakshman, cast thy eye around,For our humble home and dwelling seek a low and level ground,Where the river laves its margin with a soft and gentle kiss,Where my sweet and soft-eyed…

Twenty warriors armed and girded in the Council Hall arose,

But Bibhishan deep in wisdom-Ravan’s youngest brother he,-Spake the word of solemn warning, for his eye could farthest see:‘Pardon, king and honoured elder, if Bibhishan lifts his voice‘Gainst the wishes of the warriors and the monarch’s fatal choice,Firm in faith and strong in forces Rama comes with conqu’ring might,Vain against a righteous warrior would unrighteous…

Voice of woe and lamentation and the cry of woman’s wail,

And a mighty thought of vengeance waked within the monarch’s heart,And he heaved a sigh of anguish as he grasped his bow and dart:‘Arm each chief and gallant Raksha! be our sacred duty done,Ravan seeks a fitting vengeance for his brave and noble son,Mahodar and Virupaksha, Mahaparshwa warrior tall,Arm! this fated day will witness Lakshman’s…

Is this torturing dream or madness, do my feeble senses fail,

So the stricken monarch pondered and in hushed and silent fear,Looked on her as on a tigress looks the dazed and stricken deer,Lying on the unswept pavement still he heaved the choking sigh,Like a wild and hissing serpent quelled by incantations high!Sobs convulsive shook his bosom and his speech and accent failed,And a dark and…

Tears of sorrow and of suffering flowed from Queen Kausalya’s eye,

And she clasped the gentle Sits, and she kissed her moistened head,And her tears like summer tempest choked the loving words she said:‘Part we, dear devoted daughter, to thy husband ever true,With a woman’s whole affection render love to husband’s due!False are women loved and cherished, gentle in their speech and word,When misfortune’s shadows gather,…

The Embassy To Ayodhya

Three nights halting in their journey with their steeds fatigued and spent,Envoys from Mithila’s monarch to Ayodhya’s city went,And by royal mandate bidden stepped within the palace hall.Where the ancient Dasa-ratha sat with peers and courtiers all,And with greetings and obeisance spake their message calm and bold,Softly fell their gentle accents as their happy tale…

Came and passed the golden autumn in the forest’s gloomy shade,

When the chilly night was over, once at morn the prince of fame,For his morning’s pure ablutions to the Godavari came.Meek-eyed Sita softly followed with the pitcher in her arms,Gallant Lakshman spake to Rama of the Indian winter’s charms:‘Comes the bright and bracing winter to the royal Rama dear,Like a bride the beauteous season doth…

Ravan’s brother Kumbha-karna, from his wonted slumber woke,

Truly speaks the wise Bibhishan; ere he stole a hermit’s wife,Ravan should have thought and pondered, courted not a causeless strife,Ere he did this deed of folly, Ravan should have counsel sought,Tardy is the vain repentance when the work of shame is wrought!Word of wisdom timely spoken saves from death and dangers dire,Vain is grief…

For she dwelt in Ravan’s dwelling-rumour clouds a woman’s fame-

‘Wherefore spake ye not, my Rama, if your bosom doubts my faith,Dearer than a dark suspicion to a woman were her death!Wherefore, Rama, with your token came your vassal o’er the wave,To assist a fallen woman and a tainted wife to save,Wherefore with vour mighty forces crossed the ocean in your pride,Risked your fife in…

With the sandals of his elder Bharat to Ayodhya went,

Wandering with his wife and Lakshman slowly sought the hermitage,Where resided saintly Atri, Vedic Bard and ancient sage.Auasuya, wife of Atri, votaress of Gods above,Welcomed Sita in her cottage, tended her with mother’s love,Gave her robe and holy garland, jewelled ring and chain of gold,Heard the tale of love and sadness which the soft-eyed Sita…