The Ramayana Part 156

Thou art my best and bravest: go, Unmatched in power, and slay the foe."

He heard the hest: he bent his head; Athirst for battle forth he sped.

Four tigers fierce, of tawny hue, With fearful teeth, his chariot drew.

Hanuman heard his strong bow clang, And swiftly from the earth he sprang, While weak and ineffective fell The archer's shafts though pointed well.

The Rakshas saw that naught might kill The wondrous foe who mocked his skill, And launched a magic shaft to throw A binding spell about his foe.

Forth flew the shaft: the mystic charm Stayed his swift feet and numbed his arm, Through all his frame he felt the spell, And motionless to earth he fell.

Nor would the reverent Vanar loose The bonds that bound him as a noose.

He knew that Brahma's self had charmed The weapon that his might disarmed.

They saw him helpless on the ground, And all the giants pressed around, And bonds of hemp and bark were cast About his limbs to hold him fast.

They drew the ropes round feet and wrists; They beat him with their hands and fists, And dragged him as they strained the cord With shouts of triumph to their lord.(879)

Canto XLIX. Ravan.

On the fierce king Hanuman turned His angry eyes that glowed and burned.

He saw him decked with wealth untold Of diamond and pearl and gold, And priceless was each wondrous gem That sparkled in his diadem.

About his neck rich chains were twined, The best that fancy e'er designed, And a fair robe with pearls bestrung Down from his mighty shoulders hung.

Ten heads he reared,(880) as Mandar's hill Lifts woody peaks which tigers fill, Bright were his eyes, and bright, beneath, The flashes of his awful teeth.

His brawny arms of wondrous size Were decked with rings and scented dyes.

His hands like snakes with five long heads Descending from their mountain beds.

He sat upon a crystal throne Inlaid with wealth of precious stone, Whereon, of n.o.blest work, was set A gold-embroidered coverlet.

Behind the monarch stood the best Of beauteous women gaily dressed, And each her giant master fanned, Or waved a chourie in her hand.

Four n.o.ble courtiers(881) wise and good In counsel, near the monarch stood, As the four oceans ever stand About the sea-encompa.s.sed land.

Still, though his heart with rage was fired, The Vanar marvelled and admired: "O what a rare and wondrous sight!

What beauty, majesty, and might!

All regal pomp combines to grace This ruler of the Rakshas race.

He, if he scorned not right and law, Might guide the world with tempered awe: Yea, Indra and the G.o.ds on high Might on his saving power rely."

Canto L. Prahasta's Questions.

Then fierce the giant's fury blazed As on Hanuman's form he gazed, And shaken by each wild surmise He spake aloud with flas.h.i.+ng eyes: "Can this be Nandi(882) standing here, The mighty one whom all revere?

Who once on high Kailasa's hill p.r.o.nounced the curse that haunts me still?

Or is the woodland creature one Of Asur race, or Bali's(883) son?

The wretch with searching question try: Learn who he is, and whence; and why He marred the glory of the grove, And with my captains fiercely strove."

Prahasta heard his lord's behest, And thus the Vanar chief addressed: "O monkey stranger be consoled: Fear not, and let thy heart be bold.

If thou by Indra's mandate sent Thy steps to Lanka's isle hast bent, With fearless words the cause explain, And freedom thou shalt soon regain.

Or if thou comest as a spy Despatched by Vish?u in the sky, Or sent by Yama, or the Lord Of Riches, hast our town explored; Proved by the prowess thou hast shown No monkey save in form alone; Speak boldly all the truth, and be Released from bonds, unharmed and free.

But falsehood spoken to our king Swift punishment of death will bring."

He ceased: the Vanar made reply; "Not Indra's messenger am I, Nor came I hither to fulfil Kuvera's hest or Vish?u's will.

I stand before the giants here A Vanar e'en as I appear.

I longed to see the king: 'twas hard To win my way through gate and guard.

And so to gain my wish I laid In ruin that delightful shade.

No fiend, no G.o.d of heavenly kind With bond or chain these limbs may bind.

The Eternal Sire himself of old Vouchsafed the boon that makes me bold, From Brahma's magic shaft released(884) I knew the captor's power had ceased, The fancied bonds I freely brooked, And thus upon the king have looked.

My way to Lanka have I won, A messenger from Raghu's son."

Canto LI. Hanuman's Reply.

"My king Sugriva greets thee fair, And bids me thus his rede declare.

Son of the G.o.d of Wind, by name Hanuman, to this isle I came.

To set the Maithil lady free I crossed the barrier of the sea.

I roamed in search of her and found Her weeping in that lovely ground.

Thou in the lore of duty trained, Who hast by stern devotion gained This wondrous wealth and power and fame Shouldst fear to wrong another's dame.

Hear thou my counsel, and be wise: No fiend, no dweller in the skies Can bear the shafts by Lakshma? shot, Or Rama when his wrath is hot.

O Giant King, repent the crime And soothe him while there yet is time.

Now be the Maithil queen restored Uninjured to her sorrowing lord.

Soon wilt thou rue thy dire mistake: She is no woman but a snake, Whose very deadly bite will be The ruin of thy house and thee.

Thy pride has led thy thoughts astray, That fancy not a hand may slay The monarch of the giants, screened From mortal blow of G.o.d and fiend.

Sugriva still thy death may be: No Yaksha, fiend, or G.o.d is he, And Rama from a woman springs, The mortal seed of mortal kings.

O think how Bali fell subdued; Think on thy slaughtered mult.i.tude.

Respect those brave and strong allies; Consult thy safety, and be wise.

I, even I, no helper need To overthrow, with car and steed, Thy city Lanka half divine: The power but not the will is mine.

For Raghu's son, before his friend The Vanar monarch, swore to end With his own conquering arm the life Of him who stole his darling wife.

Turn, and be wise, O Rava? turn; Or thou wilt see thy Lanka burn, And with thy wives, friends, kith and kin Be ruined for thy senseless sin."

Canto LII. Vibhishan's Speech.

Then Rava? spake with flas.h.i.+ng eye: "Hence with the Vanar: let him die."

Vibhisha? heard the stern behest, And pondered in his troubled breast; Then, trained in arts that soothe and please Addressed the king in words like these:

"Revoke, my lord, thy fierce decree, And hear the words I speak to thee.

Kings wise and n.o.ble ne'er condemn To death the envoys sent to them.

Such deed the world's contempt would draw On him who breaks the ancient law.(885) Observe the mean where justice lies, And spare his life but still chastise."

Then forth the tyrant's fury broke, And thus in angry words he spoke: "O hero, when the wicked bleed No sin or shame attends the deed.

The Vanar's blood must needs be spilt, The penalty of heinous guilt."

Again Vibhisha? made reply: "Nay, hear me, for he must not die.

Hear the great law the wise declare: "Thy foeman's envoy thou shalt spare."

'Tis true he comes an open foe: 'Tis true his hands have wrought us woe, But law allows thee, if thou wilt, A punishment to suit the guilt.

The mark of shame, the scourge, the brand, The shaven head, the wounded hand.

Yea, were the Vanar envoy slain, Where, King of giants, were the gain?

On them alone, on them who sent The message, be the punishment.