उत्तररामचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी व्याख्या)

--VI. 12] UTTARARÂMACHARITA. 251
Chandraketu—Surely know this is the eldest of them
Lava—(joyfully) What! Is this the lord of the race of
Raghu? Auspiciously has this happy day dawned upon me in
that I have seen this king. (Looking at him modestly but with
eager curiosity) Father Lava, the pupil of Vālmīki, respect-
fully salutes thee.
Rāma—(affectionately) Long mayest thou live! come
hither. (embracing him affectionately) My child! away with
this excessive modesty. Again and again fold me in a close
embrace. (Verse 13) Thy touch, thick, smooth, and soft
like the developed middle leaf of a lotus which is full blown,
delights me, being cool like the nectar of the moon and the
juice of sandal wood.
Lava—(To himself) Such disinterested affection he has
for me, while I, an ignorant fellow, have taken up arms to
commit hostility against this very person. (Loudly) Let my
father forgive the childish folly of Lava.
Rāma—What fault did my child commit?
Chandraketu—Having heard the proclamation of my
father's exploits from the escort of the horse he played the hero.
Rāma—Surely this is creditable to a Kshatriya. (Verse
.14) A man of valour cannot endure that the (fame of) the
valour of others should be spread abroad, such is his real
character, which is not assumed because it has been so fixed
by nature, if the god, the author of day, burns unceasingly
with his rays, why does the fire-stone vomit flames as if
insulted!
Chandraketu—Intolerance also appears graceful in this
great warrior alone. For let my father observe, by means of
the weapon of stupefaction employed by my dear friend, our
armies are fixed motionless on every side.
Rāma—My dear Lava, let the weapon be withdrawn, and
you too Chandraketu comfort the forces bewildered on ac-
count of having been paralysed.
Lava—As my father bids. (He remains in meditation)
Chandraketu—As you order. (Exit)
Lava—Father, the missile has ceased to work.
Rāma—My child these weapons which can only be em-
ployed and and withdrawn by means of secret charms are
handed down by tradition. (Verse 15)—[Repeated vide p.
193 ] Then the revered Kris'āśva told the secret knowledge of