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Book Vi. Canto Cxix. Glory To Vishnu

Canto Cxix.: Glory To Vishnu.


The shrill cry pierced through Rma's ears

And his sad eyes o'erflowed with tears,

When lo, transported through the sky

A glorious band of Gods was nigh.

Ancestral shades, 1 by men revered,

In venerable state appeared.

And he from whom all riches flow, 2

And Yama Lord who reigns below:

King Indra, thousand-eyed, and he

Who wields the sceptre of the sea. 3

The God who shows the blazoned, bull, 4

And Brahm Lord most bountiful

By whose command the worlds were made

All these on radiant cars conveyed,

p. 499

Brighter than sun-beams, sought the place

Where stood the prince of Raghu's race,

And from their glittering seats the best

Of blessed Gods the chief addressed:

'Couldst thou, the Lord of all, couldst thou,

Creator of the worlds, allow

Thy queen, thy spouse to brave the fire

And give her body to the pyre?

Dost thou not yet, supremely wise,

Thy heavenly nature recognize?

They ceased: and Rma thus began:

'I deem myself a mortal man.

Of old Ikshvku's line, I spring

From Das'aratha Kosal's king.'

He ceased: and Brahm's self replied:

'O cast the idle thought aside.

Thou art the Lord Nryan, thou

The God to whom all creatures bow.

Thou art the saviour God who wore

Of old the semblance of a boar;

Thou he whose discus overthrows

All present, past and future foes;

Thou Brahm, That whose days extend

Without beginning, growth or end;

The God, who, bears the bow of horn,

Whom four majestic arms adorn;

Thou art the God who rules the sense

And sways with gentle influence;

Thou all-pervading Vishnu Lord

Who wears the ever-conquering sword;

Thou art the Guide who leads aright,

Thou Krishna of unequalled might.

Thy hand, O Lord, the hills and plains,

And earth with all her life sustains;

Thou wilt appear in serpent form

When sinks the earth in fire and storm.

Queen St of the lovely brows

Is Lakshm thy celestial spouse.

To free the worlds from Rvan thou

Wouldst take the form thou wearest now.

Rejoice: the mighty task is done:

Rejoice, thou great and glorious one.

The tyrant, slain, thy labours end:

Triumphant now to heaven ascend.

High bliss awaits the devotee

Who clings in loving faith to thee,

Who celebrates with solemn praise

The Lord of ne'er beginning days.

On earth below, in heaven above

Great joy shall crown his faith and love.

And he who loves the tale divine

Which tells each glorious deed of thine

Through life's fair course shall never know

The fierce assault of pain and woe.' 1

Footnotes

498:1
The Pitris or Manes, the spirits of the dead.

498:2
Kuvera, the God of Wealth.

498:3
Varun, God of the sea.

498:4
Mhadeva or S'iva whose ensign is a bull.

499:1
The Address to Rma, both text and commentary, will be found literally translated in the Additional Notes. A paraphrase of a portion is all that I have attempted here.
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