Hindu literature Part 35

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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.ds, the gem they honor most, Was duly sprinkled. Then the Queen Kausalya, 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 Kausalya to attend, Their company and aid to lend.

As by the horse she still reclined, With happy mien and cheerful mind, With Rishyasring 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 Atiratra's holy flame.

These were the rites, and many more, Arranged by light of holy lore, The Aptoryam of mighty power, And, each performed in proper hour, The Abhijit and Visvajit With every form and service fit; And with the sacrifice at night The Jyotishtom and ayus 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.

Ikshvaku's son, with joyful mind, This n.o.ble fee to each a.s.signed-- 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 Ikshvaku'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 Vasishtha, high of soul, And Rishyasring they gave the whole.

That largess pleased those Brahmans well, Who bade the prince his wishes tell.

Then Dasaratha, mighty King, Made answer thus to Rishyasring:-- "O holy Hermit, of thy grace, Vouchsafe the increase of my race."

He spoke; nor was his prayer denied-- The best of Brahmans thus replied:-- "Four sons, O Monarch, shall be thine, Upholders of thy royal line."

CANTO XIV

RaVAN 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 Vibhandak's gentle son Was that high sacrifice begun, The King's advantage seeking still And zealous to perform his will.

Now all the G.o.ds had gathered there, Each one for his allotted share-- Brahma, the ruler of the sky, Sthanu, Narayan, 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 G.o.ds who came to take Their proper share, the hermit spake:-- "For you has Dasaratha 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 G.o.ds, 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, Brahman, in most high degree We love the King and honor thee."

These words the G.o.ds in answer said, And vanished thence, by Indra led.

Thus to the Lord, the worlds who made, The Immortals all a.s.sembled prayed:-- "O Brahma, mighty by thy grace, Ravan, 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 G.o.d 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 h.e.l.l.

Mad with thy boon, his impious rage Smites saint and bard and G.o.d 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 Ravan'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 G.o.ds 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, G.o.d, 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 G.o.ds, 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 sh.e.l.l, 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 G.o.ds' 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 G.o.ds, declare, What may I do to grant your prayer?"

"King Dasaratha," 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 n.o.ble three.

Man's nature take, and slay in fight Ravan who laughs at heavenly might-- This common scourge, this rankling thorn Whom the three worlds too long have borne.

For Ravan, in the senseless pride Of might unequalled, has defied The host of heaven, and plagues with woe Angel and bard and saint below, Crus.h.i.+ng 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 G.o.d's tremendous foe."

When thus the suppliant G.o.ds had prayed, His wise reply Narayan made:-- "What task demands my presence there, And when this dread, ye G.o.ds declare."

The G.o.ds replied: "We fear, O Lord, Fierce Ravan, 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.

a.s.sume, O King, a mortal birth, And strike the demon to the earth."

Then Vishnu, G.o.d of G.o.ds, the Lord Supreme by all the worlds adored, To Brahma 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."

G.o.d, saint, and nymph, and minstrel throng With heavenly voices raised their song In hymns of triumph to the G.o.d Whose conquering feet on Madhu trod:---

"Champion of G.o.ds, as man appear, This cruel Ravan 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 G.o.ds to hold Among his deadly foes."

CANTO XV