उत्तररामचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी व्याख्या)

236 TRANSLATION OF [IV 22-
Arun and Jan. —Ha! ha! That dear Chandraketu is to
be seen to-day coming as he does on the occasion of guarding
the sacrificial horse, is surely a happy day.
Kausalyā — 'The son of dear Lakshmana commands,'
such are the words I hear—charming like drops of nectar
Lava —Noble Sir! who is this man named Chandra-
ketu?
Janaka —Thou knowest Rama and Lakshmana, the sons
of Dasaratha?
Lava —They are the heroes of the poem called Rāmā-
yana.
Janaka —Just so
Lava —How then can I not know them?
Janaka —Chandraketu is the son of that Lakshmana
Lava —Son of Ūrmilā then and the grandson of the
royal sage king of Mithila
Arund. —(Smiling) Oh! the boy has shown a great
knowledge of the poem
Janaka —(Reflecting) If you are so conversant with
that history, then answer me this question. What are the
names of the children of these sons of Dasaratha and from
what wives they were severally born?
Lava —This part of the poem has not been heard before
by me or by any one else
Janaka —What? has it not been composed by the bard?
Lava —It has been composed, but not published. However
a certain portion of it has been arranged in a different form,
full of sentiments and rendered fit for dramatic representa-
tion, and after writing it with his own hand, the revered sage
has sent it to the sage Bharata, the author of the aphoristic
work on dramaturgy
Janaka —With what object?
Lava —That revered sage Bharata will cause it to be
acted by the Apsarases.
Janaka —All this sounds extremely wonderful.
Lava —Moreover the revered Vālmīki has been exceedingly
careful in this matter. That manuscript was sent to the
hermitage of Bharata with some pupils and my brother
was despatched, bow in hand, as their escort to ward off
any possible danger
Kausalyā —My dear child! hast thou a brother too?

—IV. 22] UTTARARÂMACHARITA. 237
Lava—I have, the noble Kusa is his name
Kausalya—By the word 'noble thou meanest to say he
is the elder—
Lava—Even so, he is indeed my elder by order of birth.
Janaka—What, are you twins!
Lava—Quite so
Janaka.—Child, tell me to what point has the compo-
sition of the poem been brought down?
Lava—After the king distracted by the lying calumny
of the people had banished Sita the queen sprung from
sacrificial ground, Lakshmana, having left her alone in the
wood with the pains of child birth approaching, returned—
here the story stops.
Kausalya.—Oh! my dear child with beautiful moon like
face! I wonder what crowning termination of the cruel sport
of fate befell thy flower body when thou wast left alone in
the wood.
Janaka—Alas, my child! (Verse 23) Having ex-
perienced that insult and the dreadful forest, and that pain
produced by the hour of child birth, when the hosts of eaters
of raw flesh were encompassing thee about, thou must surely
have repeatedly thought of me as a protector in this fear.
Lava—(To Arund.) Noble lady! who are these?
Arund—This is Kausalya, this is Janaka. (Lava surveys
with great respect and sorrowful interest)
Janaka.—Oh! the wickedness of the citizens! Oh! the
precipitate action of king Rama! (Verse 24, first half)
While I brood unceasingly over this terrible thunderstroke
of calamity, it seems to me the time has come for my wrath
to blaze forth either with curse or bow
Kausalya.—(With dismay and trembling) Revered lady,
help! help! appease the incensed royal sage
Lava—(Verse 25) Such is mostly the state of mind of
the spirited that have received an insult
Arund—King! Rama is your son, and the poor subjects
are to be protected
Janaka—(Verse 24—the latter half) But in Rama's
case, peace to these both, for he is my treasure in the form of
a son, the citizens are chiefly composed of Brahmanas, children,
old and decrepit persons and women.

238 TRANSLATION OF [ IV. 25—
Boys —(entering in a state of excitement) Friend, we
have heard of a certain creature which they call a horse in
the country and we have seen the beast to-day with our own
eyes
Lava —They speak of the 'horse" in treatises on animals
and warfare, tell me then how it looks.
Boys —Listen. ( Verse 26 ) Behind he carries a flowing
tail, and that he waves continually, he has a long neck, his
hoofs are full four in number, he eats grass, he sheds lumps of
dung of the size of a mango, but what is the use of description ?
He is going far off, come, come, let us go after him (They
drag him by his deer skin and his hands )
Lava —( With a face expressing interest, consciousness
of offending and modesty ) Noble people, look, I am carried off
by these boys ( he runs about quickly )
Arund. and Jana. —Satiate thy curiosity, dear child
Kausalya —I as well you feel gratified by the speech and
form of one who has the forest in him Revered lady, when I
do not behold him, I feel as if I were robbed, therefore let us
advance and follow with our eyes for a time that boy of long
life, as he runs.
Arun. —How canst thou keep in sight that active fellow
who must have gone a great distance by this time ?
Kanchuki —( Entering) The revered Valmiki saith—
"In due time you will know all this."
Janaka —This is of very grave import Revered Arun
dhati, friend Kausalya, worthy Grishti! We will ourselves go
and see the revered Valmiki (exeunt all the old people).
Boys (entering )—Let our friend look at the wonderful
sight.
Lava —I see and understand Surely this is a sacrificial
horse
Boys —How do you know that!
Lava —Surely, you fools you must have read the section
devoted to it Do you not see ? 'For such a horse there are
guards armed with corslet, staves and quivers one hundred of
each sort" This force is evidently composed of soldiers so
armed. If you do not believe all this go and ask
Boys —Ho ! Ho ! For what reason does this horse roam
about guarded!

—IV. 26] UTTARARĀMACHARITA. 239
Lava —(Wistfully to himself) Oh! As'vamedha is indeed
the mighty test of the superiority of world subduing Kshatri-
yas—that casts reproach upon all the rest of the warrior tribe
(Behind the Scenes).
(Verse 27) This horse is the banner or rather the
proclamation of valour of the only hero of the seven worlds,
the foe of the race of the ten headed Ravana.
Lava —(With pride) Ah! how irritating the words are!
Boys —What say ye! The prince is clever indeed!
Lava —Ho ho! Is then the world void of Kshatriyas
that proclamations are made in such a style?
(Behind the Scenes)
Yea, sir! whence can there be Kshatriyas as compared
to the great king?
Lava —Fie upon you impudent babblers! (Verse 28)
If they (Kshatriyas) are, they do exist, but what means this
threatening proclamation to-day? Why utter these words?
Here I carry off that (boasted) banner of yours. Ho! you
boys, surround the horse and drive it with clods of earth.
Let the poor thing graze among the deer
(Enter a man full of indignant pride)
Man —Curse on thy thoughtlessness! what didst thou
say? Surely the lines of very fierce soldiers will not put up
with an insolent speech even from a boy. Prince Chandraketu
is difficult to be subdued, so run quickly along yonder thicket
of trees before the prince who has his mind occupied with the
delight of beholding this wonderful wood advances.
Boys —Prince, enough of this horse! the lines of soldiers
with flashing weapons threaten the prince, and the hermitage
is far hence, therefore let us flee with the leaps of deer.
Lava —(Smiling) What, are the weapons really flashing?
(Twanging his bow) (Verse 29) Let this bow, lapping with
the tongue of its string its broad tooth like points, emitting forth
a terrible hoarse roar, enlarge its maw, imitating the yawning
of the machine-like jaws of death grinning when busy in
swallowing (the world)
(All walk round in proper order and depart).
End of Act IV.

240 TRANSLATION OF [ V. 1—
Act V.
(Behind the Scenes) Ho soldiers! Succour has come to
us! succour has come (Verse 1) Surely here is Chandra-
ketu advancing, having heard the noise of our fight, in a
chariot drawn by swift horses, which are galloping being
furiously urged on by Sumantra, having his bannerpole of
kovidara wood violently shaking on account of the uneven
ground (Enter in a chariot driven by Sumantra, Chandra-
ketu, bow in hand and with a feeling of joy and hurry mingled
with wonder)
Chandra —Worthy Sumantra, see, see (Verse 2) Here
is the hero boy of unknown lineage, having his lovely face
flushed with slight anger, having his five locks dancing up and
down, that showers in the front of battle a rain of arrows
upon my troops with his bow, the tips of which continually
twang with the string. Wonderful! Wonderful! (Verse 3).
The hermit-boy, being single handed, resembling a new and
unknown scion of the house of Raghu, excites my admiration,
whose arrows flame by thousands on all sides among the
dense array of soldiers, arrows—which cleave with a terrible
clash the temple joints of the elephants
Sumantra —Long lived one! (Verse 4) Having be-
held the boy exceeding in might gods and demons and
possessing also a form similar (to Rama), I call to mind Rama
when he had taken in hand his bow to destroy the foes of
Vis'vamitra's sacrifice
Chandraketu —But my heart is ashamed because many
direct their efforts against him alone (Verse 5) For this boy
alone is surrounded by my solders, the broad palms of whose
hands are full of multitudes of weapons fiercely flashing with
excessive pride, whose chariots ring with tinkling golden bells,
who are tumultuous with elephants resembling clouds and
raining down showers of rut.
Sumantra —Dear boy! what could these soldiers do against
him if they were united? Much more (are they helpless) when
scattered.
Chandraketu —Worthy sir, make haste, for this warrior
has begun to make a great havoc among our dependents. For,
(Verse 6) the hero, amplifying the noise of his bow string,
which gives pain to the ears of the herds of elephants that

—V. 6 ] UTTARARĀMACHARITA. 241
rear in the mountain bowers, that (noise) is swollen by the
loud beating of drums, makes, with the heaps of heads and
trunks which are still struggling and terrible, the earth as if
strewn with the remnants of food rejected by the wide mouth
of death sated with slaughter.
Sumantra.—(To himself) How can I allow dear Chan-
draketu to engage in single combat with such a warrior?
(Thinking) But I have grown old in Raghu's line and now
that the fight is impending, what way is there?
Chandraketu.—(with astonishment, shame and excitement)
Alas my troops have retired on every side!
Sumantra.—(Driving forth the chariot) Prince of long
life! that hero is within your call.
Chandraketu.—(Forgetfully) Noble sir, what name did
the heralds proclaim as his?
Sumantra.—Lava.
Chandraketu.—(Verse 7). Ho! great-armed Lava,
what hast thou to do with these soldiers? Here I am, attack
me, let fire be quenched in fire.
Sumantra.—Prince! look, look! (Verse 8) Being
summoned by thee, this youthful hero turns back from the
slaughter of the army, as a haughty lion's whelp on hearing the
roar of clouds from destroying the ranks of elephants.
(Then enters Lava with steady and haughty strides)
Lava.—Bravo, prince, bravo! Truly thou art a descen-
dant of Ikshvāku, therefore I shall just come (to meet you).
(A great noise behind the curtain)
Lava.—(Turning back proudly) What! do these leaders of
the army though defeated return eager for battle, and now
attack me. Curse on the wretches! (Verse 9) Let this
great, confused and wanton roar rising on every side like the
flood of the sea agitated by the wind of the day of doom be
swallowed by the accumulated flame of my fierce anger, which
is like the submarine fire from the mouth of the Vadava stirred
by dashing against mountains. (He walks about quickly).
Chandraketu.—O! youth! (Verse 10) Thou art dear to
me even from thy wonderful eminence of virtue, therefore
thou art my friend, whatever is mine is thine also, then why
dost thou deal carnage among thy own dependants? Surely I
Chandraketu am the only touch-stone of thy pride (of valour).
21

242 TRANSLATION OF [ V 10—
Lava—(Turning round with joyful excitement) '
. * * * to hear a speech of the
hen what have
(A fresh tumult behind the scenes)
Lava—(with anger and disgust) Alas, alas! I am annoy
ed by these men again and again impeding my meeting with
the hero (He advances towards them)
Chandraketu—Worthy sir! behold this sight worthy to
be beheld (Verse 11) This hero, having his eye fixed on
me with pride mingled with curiosity, having his bow raised
aloft, being followed by my army, resembles a cloud that bears
the bow of Indra, driven to and fro by a violent wind in two
(opposite) directions.
Sumantra—The prince only is able to see him, but I am
simply overpowered with amazement
Chandraketu—O princes! (Verse 12) Shame to you and
shame to me, that you have thus engaged in battle treating
him your equal, you innumerable, mounted on elephants,
horses and cars, against this one foot soldier, you sheathed in
mail against one wearing the holy deer skin as a garment, you
mature in age against one whose body is lovely by reason of
youth
Lava—(with pain) What! does he even pity me!
(thinking) Good! in order to prevent waste of time I will
paralyse the hosts with the weapons of stupefaction (Throws
himself into an attitude of contemplation)
Sumantra—Ho! how is this that the uproar of our army
ceases all of a sudden!
Lava—I shall now see that bold one (Chandraketu)
Sumantra—(with excitement) Prince I think that the
boy has invoked the Jṛimbhaka missile.
Chandraketu—What doubt can there be as to that?
(Verse 13) A terrible blending so to speak, of darkness and
lightning afflicts (renders useless) the eye even when concent
rated to behold objects, for it is first swallowed by gloom and
then set free, moreover this army stands motionless as in a
picture, surely it must be the weapon of stupefaction working
with invincible power Wonderful! wonderful! (Verse 14)
The heaven is overspread with stupefying weapons, black like
the darkness accumulated in bowers within the bowels of hell,

[—V 14] UTTARARÂMACHARITA 243
the flames of which gleam with a yellow brightness like that
of brass flashing when heated and which are as if the peaks of
the Vindhya mountain the caverns of which are brownish
with the lightning and clouds closing on them and which
(peaks) are blown off by harsh and fierce winds at the time
of the destruction of the world
Sumantra—But whence can he have derived the know-
ledge of the Jṛimbhaka weapons?
Chandraketu—I suppose from the revered Vālmīki.
Sumantra—It cannot be so dear prince with regard to
missile and particularly with the Jṛimbhaka missiles (Verse 15)
These were the offspring of Kṛis'ās'va from him they passed to
Kaus'ika he handed them over to dear Rāma and with him
they rest now
Chandraketu—Others too, whose minds are filled with the
light of Sattva and who are the seers of holy mantras see
everything themselves (without being taught)
Sumantra—Prince! be on thy guard thy rival hero has
returned
Two princes—(each to the other) Oh, how noble looking
this prince is (They behold each other with love and affection)
(Verse 16) Can it be our chance meeting can it be the
excellence of his qualities, or an ancient acquaintance intimately
formed in some previous life or some relationship between
us two unknown by the power of fate? My heart becomes all
attention on beholding him
Sumantra—Generally this is the way of living beings
that one person feels an ardent affection for some other person,
which worldly people call friendship of the planets and love at
first sight, the wise say that love is indescribable and without
any apparent cause (Verse 17) There is no preventing
that liking which is causeless for that is a thread composed of
affection knitting together beings internally
The two princes—(each to the other) (Verse 18) How
am I to discharge arrows against this body, lovely like a po-
lished fillet, on meeting which my frame through the desire of
embracing it has its hair standing on end? (Verse 19) But
what resource have I in dealing with one who has displayed
his stern valour unless I employ weapons or what is the use of
weapon of which such a man is not made the mark? What

244 TRANSLATION OF [ V. 19—
will he say of me, if I thus turn back from the fight, though
weapons are uplifted? For the warrior's code of honour, be-
ing stern in its spirit, obstructs the course of affection
Sumantra —(Marking Lava, with tears to himself) My
heart, why dost thou become unsteady in a strange way?
(Verse 20) That which was the germ of my hopes was al-
ready taken away by fate, when the creeper has been already
cut down, whence can there be the advent of a flower?
Chandraketu —Venerable Sumantra, I get down from
the chariot
Sumantra —And for what purpose?
Chandraketu —In the first place this hero may be
honoured, secondly, worthy sir, I shall be thus observing
the custom of the warrior caste properly "Men in chariots do
not fight with men on foot," so say those that know the law
Sumantra —(To himself) Alas! I am brought into
a difficult situation (Verse 21) How can one like me forbid
a righteous proceeding or how can I approve an action of
which rashness is the only essence?
Chandraketu —When even the elders of my family
consult your worthy self, the dear friend of their father, on
doubtful questions, pray why does the noble one now
hesitate?
Sumantra —Long lived one, your sentiment is quite con-
sistent with the rules of duty (Verse 22) This is the law
of battle this is the everlasting code (of honour), for this is
the path of heroic action of the lions of the house of Raghu
Chandraketu —The words of the noble one are most
fitting (Verse 23) Thou knowest the chronicles and the
legends and the treatises of law, and the custom of the house
of Raghu
Sumantra —(Embracing him with tears of affection)
(Verse 24) Dear boy! How few indeed are these days
that have passed since thy dear father, the slayer of Indrajit,
was born! His son also follows his heroic conduct. For-
tunately the race of Dasaratha has obtained stability (by
worthy representatives)
Chandraketu —(with pain) (Verse 25) When the
eldest of Raghu's house is without an heir, how can there be
true stability of our race? Reflecting on this, the three other
elders of our family are tormented with grief

—V. 25 ] UTTARARĀMACHARITA. 245
Sumantra —Alas! torturing to my inmost heart are
these words of Chandraketu
Lava —Woe to me! My feelings are of a mixed
kind. (Verse 26) As the night-lotus joys when the moon
rises, so does my sight when he appears, but this arm of mine
longs for battle, (arm) which is fond of my heavy bow
tuneful on account of the string that resounds with a terrible
twanging and that (arm) clearly reveals its awful heroic
ardour
Chandraketu —(Descends from the chariot) Worthy sir,
Chandraketu of the solar race salutes you
Sumantra —May the great primeval Boar grant thee
success over thy enemy. Moreover, (Verse 27) may the
sun who is the father of thy race, befriend thee in fight, may
Vasishtha, who is the spiritual father even of thy fathers, give
thee joy mayest thou have the might of Indra and Vishnu,
of Agni and the Maruts, and of Garuda and may the charm
of the twang of Rama's bow string and of Lakshmana's give
thee victory
Lava —Prince! Thou truly appearest exceedingly
splendid when in thy chariot, enough, enough of this excessive
courtesy
Chandraketu —Then let the high-souled one for his part
adorn another chariot
Lava —Worthy sir, cause the prince to ascend his
chariot
Sumantra —Do thou also comply with the request of dear
Chandraketu
Lava —What hesitation can there be in employing one's
own implements? But we are dwellers in the forest unaccust-
omed to the management of chariots.
Sumantra —Thou knowest, my son, how to behave in
accordance with pride and courtesy, if moreover, Rama-
bhadra, the descendant of Ikshvaku, were to behold thee such
as thou art, then his heart would gush with affection
Lava —Revered sir! That royal sage is said to be a good
man (with an expression of shame) (Verse 28) We indeed
are not so badly disposed as to impede sacrifices, moreover,
who in this world does not greatly respect that king on account

246 TRANSLATION OF [ V. 28-
of his virtues! Nevertheless, that speech of the guardians
of the horse did indeed stir me to wrath because it awfully
insulted the whole warrior tribe
Chandraketu —(Smiling) Dost thou feel impatience
(jealousy) even at the excess of my father's glory?
Lava —Never mind whether I feel impatience or not
But I ask this question Since we hear that the king of the
race of Raghu possesses self restraint—he is not himself insolent,
nor does insolence spring among his subjects, how comes it
that his men utter speech fit only for Rakshasas? (Verse 29)
The sages say, " the speech of the mad and the insolent is de
moniacal, that is the source of all enmities, for that is the bane
of the world " In such words they blame that kind of speech,
but the other kind they praise (Verse 30) And wise men
call that same speech, which is true and agreeable, which
yields the objects of desires (like milk), which banishes
misfortune which produces fame, which destroys sin—the cow,
the mother of prosperity
Sumantra —This boy, the pupil of Valmiki, has a pure
character and speaks what is proper with a purity of speech
that belongs only to sages
Lava —But as to thy question, Oh Chandraketu—dost
thou feel impatience at the excess of my father's glory—I have
this to ask are the virtues of the warrior caste restricted in
their manifestation to one individual?
Sumantra —Thou dost not know the king of the race of
Ikshvaku which makes you say so Therefore cease from
asserting too much (Verse 31) Thou hast certainly dis
played thy courage by the slaughter of the soldiers But
thou oughtest not to persist in the case of the subduer of
Jamadagnya
Lava —(with a laugh) Worthy Sir! what cause for boast
ing is there in this that the king is the subduer of Jamadagnya?
(Verse 32) Since it is a well known fact that in speech
consists the might of Brahmanas, as to the might of the two
arms—that belongs to Kshatriyas, Jamadagnya who took
weapons in hand was a Brahmana, what praise to that king
for subduing him!
Chandraketu —(with an air of agitation) Worthy Sir!
have done with this exchange of words (Verse 33) This

—V. 33 ] UTTARARĀMACHARITA. 247
now is a new and wonderful incarnation of manliness, in
whose eyes even the revered son of Bhṛgu is no hero and
who does not know the holy actions of my father, on account
of which the ample boon of security was obtained by the seven
worlds
Lava —Why who does not know the exploits and the
greatness of the lord of Raghu's race? It indeed something
might be said—but I suppress it (Verse 34) Those old
men are people whose deeds are not to be criticized, let them be
Why describe them! For, they whose glory is undiminished
even by the slaughter of the wife of Sunda are the great ones
in the world. And those three steps which were taken in the
battle with Khara though not quite in retreat and Rāma's skill
in subduing the son of Indra—on that head also people are
well informed.
Chandraketu —Oh thou that hast broken through all
bounds of decorum in reproaching my father in truth thou
boastest over much
Lava —Ha he frowns even at us.
Sumantra —Their anger has blazed forth. For, (Verse
35) tremor produced by intense feeling agitates their knots of
hair fastened up on their head, their eyes which are naturally
a little red like a leaf of the pink lotus, spontaneously assume
a fiery glow, their faces, on account of the knitting of their
eyebrows suddenly dancing, wear the beauty of the moon with
its spots made prominent, or of a lotus over which bees are
hovering
The Princes—Then let us go to a spot suitable for
fighting
[Exeunt all]
──────────
Act VI.
(Enter a pair of resplendent Vidyādharas in an aerial vehicle.)
Vidyā.—Ha! the valorous deeds of these two princes of
the race of the sun who have suddenly engaged in a terrible
combat, having the spirit of their warrior-caste kindled to a
flame—deeds that confound with amazement gods and demons!
For, my beloved, behold! behold! (Verse 1) Of the warriors
stretching the bow on which the bells tinkle, producing

248 TRANSLATION OF [ VI ]—
a gingling sound, loud resounding on account of
the end of the bow, the big string of which is twang-
ing, and so showering arrows unceasingly, the marvellous
combat goes on terrible to the worlds. (Verse 2) And for
the manifold welfare of both the champions is sent forth, loud
like that of a cloud, the booming of the celestial drum. There-
fore let us discharge continually on both these heroes a rain of
flowers the falling of which is charming on account of
numerous and full-blown golden lotuses, which is lovely with
the honey of a multitude of tender jewel-buds from the trees
of the immortals.
Female Vidyā.—But why has the heaven in a moment
become yellow as if by means of streaks of lightning suddenly
flashing forth?
Vidyā.—What! does there indeed to-day (Verse 3) take
place the opening of the lids of the eye of Siva set in his fore-
head, flashing forth with a brightness like that of the sun
whirled round by the whirling of Tvashtri's wheel? Ah! I
perceive Chandraketu, being provoked, has employed the
unrivalled weapon which is presided over by the deity of fire
from which issue forth streaks of fire. For at present (Verse
4) the multitudes of heavenly cars have indeed fled with their
banners and chowries singed and rendered variegated, while
fire bearing the lustre of a new kins'uka flower burns this line
of silken flag-cloths. Here has gone forth the adorable fire
terrible on account of the sparks that are emitted with a sound
sharp like that of the loud splitting of the fragments of the
thunder-bolt, and that (fire) is awful with a host of tower-
ing fierce, greedy and bright flames. And vehement is its
scorching heat on all sides, therefore screening my beloved
with my body I will go to a distance. (Does so.)
Female Vidyā.—Happily is the heat that had only partially
affected me kept off from me, whose rolling eyes are half-closed
from delight, by means of contact whith the body of my lord,
which is cool like a necklace of pure pearls, glossy, smooth and
fleshy.
Vidyā.—Ha! what have I done? or, (Verse 5) a beloved
person without doing any special act drives away sorrow by the
joy (he causes), for whoever has a dear friend has a possession
of inestimable value.

-VI 5] UTTARARĀMACHARITA 249
Vidyādharī—How is this? the face of heaven is overcast
with rain clouds dark like the neck of an intoxicated peacock,
which are adorned with the play of streaks of lightning mov-
ing around with frequent and fitful flashes.
Vidyādhara—Ha ha this indeed is the power of the
water weapon employed by prince Lava. What do I see? The
fire-weapon is quenched by the meeting of thousands of rain
showers continually going
Vidyādharī—It delights me It delights me
Vidyādhara Oh oh Alas alas Everything in excess is
harmful for all creatures tremble, being thickly covered with
darkness rendered dense by clouds hoarsely roaring, with the
tumult caused by a series of violent winds of the time of uni-
versal destruction, as if they were struggling in the terrible
cavernous jaws of Death opened to swallow the world at one
gulp, as if they had entered the maw of Vishnu, all his senses
being torpid in his yogic sleep at the end of the yuga. Bravo!
Chandraketu bravo! opportunely hast thou discharged the
weapon of the wind, since, (Verse 6) the clouds though
numerous have been dispersed somewhere by the wind, as
real knowledge disperses the delusive appearances in Brahma.
Vidyādharī—My lord! who now is this that, whirling
round the lappet of his outer garment with hand uplifted in
an agitated manner, having forbidden from afar with sweet
and affectionate words the martial toil of these two princes,
causes his car to descend between them?
Vidyādhara—(observing) This is the lord of the house of
Raghu having returned from killing Sambuka. (Verse 7)
Having heard the calm words sent forth by the mighty hero
and stopped their combat through respect for him, Lava is
calmed and Chandraketu also is bending humbly. May pro-
sperity befall the king by being united to his sons! Therefore
let us leave this place. (Exeunt)
Here ends the mixed Vishkambhaka.
(Then enter Rama with Lava and Chandraketu in a
suppliant posture.)
Rama—(Descending from the car Pushpaka) (Verse 8)
Oh Chandraketu, moon of the race of the sun, come quickly,
and embrace me closely, let the burning even of my heart

250 TRANSLATION OF [VI 8-
be allayed by means of thy limbs cool like a lump of snow.
(Raising him up and embracing him with tears of affection).
Is it well with you, the wielder of celestial weapons?
Chandraketu—It is well with me now that I have
fortunately come in contact with Lava, of wonderful exploits
and charming presence I, therefore request that my father
should look upon this warrior of straightforward valour with
an equally affectionate eye as on me or even still more
Rama—(Observing Lava) I am glad that this friend of
my child is of very dignified, lovely and auspicious appearance
(Verse 9) He seems to be the science of arms incarnated in
corporeal form to deliver the worlds, he is as if the duty of
Kshatriyas having assumed a body to protect the treasure of
Vedas, he is an assemblage of all the powers, or a collection of
all the virtues he seems to be the aggregate of the merit of the
world standing outwardly manifest before us
Lava—(to himself) Ha! this great man has pure majesty
and appearance (Verse 10) He is the one great abiding place
of security, affection and devotion, and the grace of supreme
Duty, handsome in form. Oh wonder! (Verse 11) My
enmity has ceased, affection blended deep with bliss, springs
up that haughtiness departs, I know not where, modesty
makes me bend low, having seen him why am I in a moment
subdued? Or rather the fact is that great men, like holy pla-
ces possess an inexplicable but priceless overcoming influence.
Rama—Ha! why is it that he on a sudden gives me rest
from my grief and fills my heart with affection from some un-
known cause? Or rather to say 'affection has regard to
obvious causes' is contradictory in itself (Verse 12) Some
mysterious internal cause binds things together, and affections
do not depend upon outward conditions, for the lotus expands
at the rising of the sun, and the moon-gem streams when
the cold-rayed moon rises
Lava—Chandraketu! who is this great personage?
Chandraketu—Dear friend, surely this is my revered
father
Lava—Then in duty he is mine also, for thou didst call
me your dear friend. But there are four heroes of the story
of the Rāmāyaṇa that claim this title from thee, therefore tell
me something particular about him.

--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

252 TRANSLATION OF [ VI. 15-
the whole lore of the mantras about these to Vis'vamitra, who
had been his pupil for more than a thousand years, and that
revered person communicated it to me. This was the previous
order of teachers. And now I ask how didst thou obtain it,
noble youth !
Lava —The weapons revealed themselves to us two spon-
taneously
Rāma —( Reflecting) What cannot be possible ! Wonder-
ful greatness may be caused by the ripening of exalted merit.
But why dost thou use the words 'to us two' !
Lava —We are twin brothers
Rāma —Where is that other brother !
( Behind the scenes )
Dandāyana ! ( Verse 16 ) Is there indeed a fight
taking place between Lava, the long lived one, and the soldiers
of the king as the report goes ! What dost thou say ! "friend, it
is so." Let the title of supreme lord to-day become extinct in
the worlds, and let also the fires arising from the weapons of
the Kshatriyas be extinguished
Rāma —( Verse 17 ) But who is this of a complexion
dark blue like sapphire, that by his very voice covers me with
horripilation, making me thereby resemble a Kadamba tree
that puts forth buds at the moment of the deep roar of a fresh
blue cloud !
Lava —This is that elder brother of mine, noble Kusa,
who has returned from the hermitage of Bharata
Rāma —( with admiration ) My child, call him of long
life also here
Lava —So I will. ( He advances towards Kusa )
( Enter Kusa )
Kusa —( brandishing his bow with emotion, delight and
courage ) ( Verse 18 ) If there should be a fight with the
kings of the solar race, who, from the time of Manu the son of
Vivasvat, have offered to Indra the boon of protection, and
kindled the fire of their martial spirit to burn the haughty,
then fortunate would be this bow, the string of which has
lights waved round it by the terrible points of the flames that
flash forth form the fiery arms. ( He advances with haughty
strides )

—VI. 18 ] UTTARARĀMACHARITA. 253
Rāma —There is a marvellous excess of heroism in this
warrior boy (Verse 19) His look regards as straw the best
prowess of the three worlds, his gait firm and proud seems to
bend down, as it were, the earth even in boy-hood he possess-
es massiveness like that of a mountain can he be the incarna-
tion of the heroic sentiment or of pride hither advancing?
Lava —(Advancing) Victory to my noble brother!
Kuśa —Longlived one, what is this talk about a fight?
Lava —Oh it is a trifling matter My revered brother,
however should give up his haughty bearing and behave
modestly
Kuśa —For what reason
Lava — Here stands the king the lord of Raghu's race
and he shows affection to us two and is longing for thy
approach
Kuśa —(reflecting) That hero of the story of Rāmā-
yaṇa, the protector of the Vedic treasure
Lava.—The same.
Kuśa —That great man is one whose holy sight is to be
desired, but I cannot conceive in what way he is to be app-
roached by me.
Lava —Just as we should approach our elders.
Kuśa —How can this be?
Lava —The high-minded and courteous Chandraketu,
the son of Ūrmilā, out of friendship, addresses me with
the title of a dear companion, therefore on account of those
my relations with him that royal sage becomes our father
in duty (or by courtesy).
Kuśa.—In the present case humility though shown
even to a Kshatriya is not blameable.
(Both walk about)
Lava —Let my noble brother behold this great hero,
the excellence of whose various superhuman actions may be
inferred from his form, majesty and serenity
Kuśa —(Observing) (Verse 20) Oh! how gracious
his form and how sanctifying his majesty! Rightly did the
bard of the Rāmāyaṇa transform the goddess speech (into
the form of that poem) (approaching) Father, Kuśa, the
disciple of Prāchetasa, salutes you.
22

234 TRANSLATION OF [ VI. 21—
Rāma—Come, come, boy, long may you live! (Verse 21)
Through affection I am eagerly longing to embrace your
body, which is smooth and sleek like a cloud filled with
water. (Having embraced him, to himself) Can this boy be
my child? (Verse 22) For when I embrace him, he, as
it were, bedews my body with a stream of nectareous fluid
as if he were the essence of my body produced from my
affection and flowing forth from every limb, as if he were
all my life standing without me revealed in bodily form,
as if he were created by the gushing of my heart agitated
with deep joy.
Lava—Father! The sun is shining right on the fore-
head, therefore take a seat for a moment in the thick shade
of this Sala tree.
Rāma—As my child likes.
(All walk about and sit down according to rank.)
Rāma—(To himself) (Verse 23) Ha! though
lined with modesty the ways of Kusa and Lava, their gait,
their attitude, their manner of sitting, and so on, suggest
(future) imperial rank. (Verse 24) And the charms of their
beauty, which are natural and inseparable from their body,
proclaim a grace attractive in every part, as those charming
rays indicate the flawless moon or the drops of honey an
expanded lotus. And I see in them abundantly manifested
the beauty of the princes of the race of Raghu (Verse 25).
Their body is dark blue like the neck of a full grown pigeon
and has well turned shoulders that resemble the neck of a
bull; their look is steady like that of a pleased lion, and their
voice is deep like that of the drum of rejoicing. (Observing
them carefully) Ha! not only does their form resemble mine,
(Verse 26) but various resemblances to the daughter of
Janaka are noticeable in this pair of boys, for him who has
requisite skill to mark them. Surely that face of my darl-
ing, beautiful like a young lotus, has, as it were, again been
submitted to my eyes. (Verse 27) Here is the same
stamp of the upper lip, beautiful with the gleam of teeth
clean and white and the same fascinating ears, and although
the eyes are red and blue, nevertheless there is in them
the same wave of beauty. (Reflecting) This is that very
forest, inhabited by Prāchetasa, where indeed the queen was
abandoned, and this is their appearance and this their age.

—VI. 27 ] UTTARARÂMACHARITA. 255
and majesty. And the fact that the missiles disclosed them-
selves to them of their own accord makes me thus reflect.
Can it be my permission to the missiles at the time of look-
ing at the pictures that has taken effect? For we have heard
that the missiles did not pass without traditional instruction
even among men of old time, and moreover this exceeding
joy of my heart gives assurance to my soul that is floating
(on doubts). That they are twins also greatly agrees with
my own experience. For I had often marked that the queen
in her pregnancy was blessed with twins. (weeping) (Verse
28) For when the love, that had already taken root, had
grown with our familiarity, it was I who first perceived
with the gentle touch of my palm the two-fold nature of the
foetus in her womb as we were alone, she with her eyes
closed from a sense of natural coyness though feeling per-
fectly at ease, and it was after some days that she came to
know herself. (Having wept) What then shall I ask the e
boys on some pretext?
Lava —Father, what means this? (Verse 29) A flood
of tears has given to thy face, which gives prosperity to the
worlds, the beauty of a dew besprinkled lotus.
Kusa —Oh my dear brother! (Verse 30) Of course
without the queen Sîtâ what must not be a source of grief
to the lord of Raghus? For, truly the whole world becomes a
wilderness on the loss of the beloved, and that love he felt
was so great, and that separation also is endless, why dost
thou ask such a question as if thou hadst not studied the
Râmâyaṇa?
Rama—(To himself) Oh, they talk with indifference.
Enough of questions. Foolish heart, what means this sudden
unsteadving emotion of thine? Having thus revealed the
agitation of my heart, I have become an object of pity even
to the boys. Well, I shall change the topic. (Aloud) My
children, there is a poem called Râmâyaṇa, the outpouring
of the learning of the revered Vâlmîki, the panegyric of the
race of the sun, I wish out of curiosity to hear a little from it.
Kusa —The whole of that composition has been studied
by us. Now there recur to my memory these two verses in the
last canto of the part that describes Râma's boyhood.
Rama —My darlings, repeat them.