Book I. Canto Xlix. Ahaly'a Freed
Canto Xlix.: Ahaly Freed.
Then Rma, following still his guide,
Within the grove, with Lakshman, hied.
Her vows a wondrous light had lent
To that illustrious penitent.
He saw the glorious lady, screened
From eye of man, and God, and fiend,
Like some bright portent which the care
Of Brahm launches through the air,
Designed by his illusive art
To flash a moment and depart:
Or like the flame that leaps on high
To sink involved in smoke and die:
Or like the full moon shining through
The wintry mist, then lost to view:
Or like the sun's reflection, cast
Upon the flood, too bright to last:
So was the glorious dame till then
Removed from Gods' and mortals' ken,
Till--such was Gautam's high decree--
Prince Rma came to set her free.
Then, with great joy that dame to meet,
The sons of Raghu clapped her feet;
And she, remembering Gautam's oath,
With gentle grace received them both;
Then water for their feet she gave,
Guest-gift, and all that strangers crave.
The prince, of courteous rule aware,
Received, as meet, the lady's care.
Then flowers came down in copious rain,
And moving to the heavenly strain
Of music in the skies that rang.
The nymphs and minstrels danced and sang:
And all the Gods with one glad voice
Praised the great dame, and cried, 'Rejoice!
Through fervid rites no more defiled,
But with thy husband reconciled.'
Gautam, the holy hermit knew--
For naught escaped his godlike view--
That Rma lodged beneath that shade,
And hasting there his homage paid.
He took Ahaly to his side.
From sin and folly purified,
And let his new-found consort bear
In his austerities a share.
Then Rma, pride of Raghu's race,
Welcomed by Gautam, face to face,
Who every highest honour showed,
To Mithil pursued his road.
Footnotes
61:1 Kumarila says:' In the same manner, if it is said that Indra was the seducer of Ahaly this does not imply that the God Indra committed such a crime, but Indra means the sun, and Ahaly (from ahan and l) the night; and as the night is seduced and ruined by the sun of the morning, therefore is Indra called the paramour of Ahaly.' Max Muller,
\"History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature", p.530
Then Rma, following still his guide,
Within the grove, with Lakshman, hied.
Her vows a wondrous light had lent
To that illustrious penitent.
He saw the glorious lady, screened
From eye of man, and God, and fiend,
Like some bright portent which the care
Of Brahm launches through the air,
Designed by his illusive art
To flash a moment and depart:
Or like the flame that leaps on high
To sink involved in smoke and die:
Or like the full moon shining through
The wintry mist, then lost to view:
Or like the sun's reflection, cast
Upon the flood, too bright to last:
So was the glorious dame till then
Removed from Gods' and mortals' ken,
Till--such was Gautam's high decree--
Prince Rma came to set her free.
Then, with great joy that dame to meet,
The sons of Raghu clapped her feet;
And she, remembering Gautam's oath,
With gentle grace received them both;
Then water for their feet she gave,
Guest-gift, and all that strangers crave.
The prince, of courteous rule aware,
Received, as meet, the lady's care.
Then flowers came down in copious rain,
And moving to the heavenly strain
Of music in the skies that rang.
The nymphs and minstrels danced and sang:
And all the Gods with one glad voice
Praised the great dame, and cried, 'Rejoice!
Through fervid rites no more defiled,
But with thy husband reconciled.'
Gautam, the holy hermit knew--
For naught escaped his godlike view--
That Rma lodged beneath that shade,
And hasting there his homage paid.
He took Ahaly to his side.
From sin and folly purified,
And let his new-found consort bear
In his austerities a share.
Then Rma, pride of Raghu's race,
Welcomed by Gautam, face to face,
Who every highest honour showed,
To Mithil pursued his road.
Footnotes
61:1 Kumarila says:' In the same manner, if it is said that Indra was the seducer of Ahaly this does not imply that the God Indra committed such a crime, but Indra means the sun, and Ahaly (from ahan and l) the night; and as the night is seduced and ruined by the sun of the morning, therefore is Indra called the paramour of Ahaly.' Max Muller,
\"History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature", p.530
