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Book Iii. Canto Lxxv. Savari

Canto Lxxv.: Savari


Thus counselled by their friendly guide

On through the wood the princes hied

Pursuing still the eastern road

To Pampa which Kabandha showed,

Where trees that on the mountains grew

With fruit like honey charmed the view

They rested weary for the night

Upon a mountain's wooded height,

Then onward with the dawn they hied

And stood, on Pampa's western side.

Where S'avan's fair home they viewed

Deep in that shady solitude.

The princes reached the holy ground

Where noble trees stood thick around,

And joying in the lovely view

Near to the aged votress drew.

To meet the sons of Raghu came,

With hands upraised, the pious dame,

And bending low with reverence meet

Welcomed them both and pressed theif feet,

Then water, as beseems, she gave,

Their lips to cool, their feet to lave.

To that pure saint who never broke

One law of duty Rma--spoke:

'I trust no cares invade thy peace,

While holy works and zeal increase;

That thou content with scanty food

All touch of ire hast long subdued;

That all thy vows are well maintained;

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While peace of mind is surely gained:

That reverence of the saints who taught

The faithful heart due fruit has brought.'

The aged votaress pure of taint,

Revered by every perfect saint,

Rose to her feet by Rma's side

And thus in gentle tones replied:

'My penance' meed this day I see

Complete, my lord, in meeting thee.

This day the fruit of birth I gain,

Nor have I served the saints in vain,

I reap rich fruits of toil and vow,

And heaven itself awaits me now,

When I, O chief of men, have done

Honour to thee the godlike one.

I feel, great lord, thy gentle eye

My earthly spirit purify,

And I, brave tamer of thy foes,

Shall through thy grace in bliss repose.

Thy feet by Chitrakta strayed

When those great saints whom I obeyed,

In dazzling chariots bright of hue,

Hence to their heavenly mansions flew.

As the high saints were borne away

I heard their holy voices say:

'In this pure grove, O devotee,

Prince Rma soon will visit thee.

When he and Lakshman seek this shade,

Be to thy guests all honour paid.

Him shalt thou see, and pass away

To those blest worlds which ne'er decay.'

To me, O mighty chief, the best

Of lofty saints these words addressed.

Laid up within my dwelling lie

Fruits of each sort which woods supply,--

Food culled for thee in endless store

From every tree on Pamp's shore.'

Thus to her virtuous guest she sued

And he, with heavenly lore endued,

Words such as these in turn addressed

To her with equal knowledge blest:

'Danu himself the power has told

Of thy great masters lofty-souled.

Now if thou will, mine eyes would fain

Assurance of their glories gain.'

She heard the prince his wish declare:

Then rose she, and the royal pair

Of brothers through the wood she led

That round her holy dwelling spread.

'Behold Matanga's wood' she cried,

'A grove made famous far and wide,

Dark as thick clouds and tilled with herds

Of wandering deer, and joyous birds.

In this pure spot each reverend sire

With offerings fed the holy fire.

See here the western altar stands

Where daily with their trembling hands

The aged saints, so long obeyed

By me, their gifts of blossoms laid.

The holy power, O Raghu's son,

By their ascetic virtue won,

Still keeps their well-loved altar bright.

Filling the air with beams of light.

And those seven neighbouring lakes behold

Which, when the saints infirm and old,

Worn out by fasts, no longer sought,

Moved hither drawn by power of thought.

Look, Rma, where the devotees

Hung their bark mantles on the trees.

Fresh from the bath: those garments wet

Through many a day are dripping yet.

See, through those aged hermits' power

The tender spray, this bright-hued flower

With which the saints their worship paid,

Fresh to this hour nor change nor fade.

Here thou hast seen each lawn and dell,

And heard the tale I had to tell:

Permit thy servant, lord, I pray,

To cast this mortal shell away,

For I would dwell, this life resigned,

With those great saints of lofty mind,

Whom I within this holy shade

With reverential care obeyed.'

When Rma and his brother heard

The pious prayer the dame preferred,

Filled full of transport and amazed

They marvelled as her words they praised.

Then Rma to the votaress said

Whose holy vows were perfected

'Go, lady, where thou fain wouldst be,

O thou who well hast honoured me.'

Her locks in hermit fashion tied,

Clad in hark coat and black deer-hide,

When Rma gave consent, the dame

Resigned her body to the flame.

Then like the fire that burns and glows.

To heaven the sainted lady rose,

In all her heavenly garments dressed,

Immortal wreaths on neck and breast,

Bright with celestial gems she shone

Most beautiful to look upon,

And like the flame of lightning sent

A glory through the firmament.

That holy sphere the dame attained,

By depth of contemplation gained,

Where roam high saints with spirits pure

In bliss that shall for aye endure.
mahabharata anushashan parva chapter 88| mahabharata anushashan parva chapter 88
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