The Ramayana · 195 of 493

Araṇya Kānda (The Forest Book): Canto 1 — The Hermitage

When Ráma, valiant hero, stood In the vast shade of Daṇḍak wood, His eyes on every side he bent And saw a hermit settlement, Where coats of bark were hung around, And holy grass bestrewed the ground. Bright with Bráhmanic lustre glowed That circle where the saints abode: Like the hot sun in heaven it shone, Too dazzling to be looked upon. Wild creatures found a refuge where The court, well-swept, was bright and fair, And countless birds and roedeer made Their dwelling in the friendly shade. Beneath the boughs of well-loved trees Oft danced the gay Apsarases.(401) Around was many an ample shed Wherein the holy fire was fed; With sacred grass and skins of deer, Ladles and sacrificial gear, And roots and fruit, and wood to burn, And many a brimming water-urn. Tall trees their hallowed branches spread, Laden with pleasant fruit, o’erhead; And gifts which holy laws require,(402) And solemn offerings burnt with fire,(403) And Veda chants on every side That home of hermits sanctified. There many a flower its odour shed, And lotus blooms the lake o’erspred. There, clad in coats of bark and hide,— Their food by roots and fruit supplied,— Dwelt many an old and reverend sire Bright as the sun or Lord of Fire, All with each worldly sense subdued, A pure and saintly multitude. The Veda chants, the saints who trod The sacred ground and mused on God, Made that delightful grove appear Like Brahmá’s own most glorious sphere. As Raghu’s splendid son surveyed That hermit home and tranquil shade, He loosed his mighty bow-string, then Drew nearer to the holy men. With keen celestial sight endued Those mighty saints the chieftain viewed, With joy to meet the prince they came, And gentle Sítá dear to fame. They looked on virtuous Ráma, fair As Soma(404) in the evening air, And Lakshmaṇ by his brother’s side, And Sítá long in duty tried, And with glad blessings every sage Received them in the hermitage. Then Ráma’s form and stature tall Entranced the wondering eyes of all,— His youthful grace, his strength of limb, And garb that nobly sat on him. To Lakshmaṇ too their looks they raised, And upon Sítá’s beauty gazed With eyes that closed not lest their sight Should miss the vision of delight. Then the pure hermits of the wood, Rejoicing in all creatures’ good, Their guest, the glorious Ráma, led Within a cot with leaves o’erhead. With highest honour all the best Of radiant saints received their guest, With kind observance, as is meet, And gave him water for his feet. To highest pitch of rapture wrought Their stores of roots and fruit they brought. They poured their blessings on his head, And “All we have is thine,” they said. Then, reverent hand to hand applied,(405) Each duty-loving hermit cried: “The king is our protector, bright In fame, maintainer of the right. He bears the awful sword, and hence Deserves an elder’s reverence. One fourth of Indra’s essence, he Preserves his realm from danger free, Hence honoured by the world of right The king enjoys each choice delight. Thou shouldst to us protection give, For in thy realm, dear lord, we live: Whether in town or wood thou be, Thou art our king, thy people we. Our wordly aims are laid aside, Our hearts are tamed and purified. To thee our guardian, we who earn Our only wealth by penance turn.”

Then the pure dwellers in the shade To Raghu’s son due honour paid, And Lakshmaṇ, bringing store of roots, And many a flower, and woodland fruits. And others strove the prince to please With all attentive courtesies.