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Book Vi. Canto X. Vibh'ishan's Counsel

Canto X.: Vibhshan'S Counsel.


Soon as the light of morning broke,

Vibhshan from his slumber woke,

And, duty guiding every thought,

The palace of his brother sought.

Vast as a towering hill that shows

His peaks afar, that palace rose.

Here stood within the monarch's gate

Sage nobles skilful in debate.

There strayed in glittering raiment through

The courts his royal retinue,

Where in wild measure rose and fell

The music of the drum and shell,

And talk grew loud, and many a dame

Of fairest feature went and came

Through doors a marvel to behold,

With pearl inlaid on burning gold:

Therein Gandharvas or the fleet

Lords of the storm might joy to meet.

He passed within the wondrous pile,

Chief glory of the giants' isle:

Thus, ere his fiery course be done,

An autumn cloud admits the sun.

p. 434

He heard auspicious voices raise

With loud accord the note of praise,

And sages, deep in Scripture, sing

Each glorious triumph of the king.

He saw the priests in order stand,

Curd, oil, in every sacred hand;

And by them flowers were laid and grain,

Due offerings to the holy train.

Vibhshan to the monarch bowed,

Raised on a throne above the crowd:

Then, skilled in arts of soft address,

He raised his voice the king to bless,

And sate him on a seat where he

Full in his brother's sight should be.

The chieftain there, while none could hear,

Spoke his true speech for Rvan's ear,

And to his words of wisdom lent

The force of weightiest argument:

'O brother, hear! since Rma's queen

A captive in thy house has been,

Disastrous omens day by day

Have struck our souls with wild dismay.

No longer still and strong and clear

The flames of sacrifice appear,

But, restless with the frequent spark,

Neath clouds of smoke grow faint and dark.

Our ministering priests turn pale

To see their wonted offerings fail,

And ants and serpents creep and crawl

Within the consecrated hall. 1

Dried are the udders of our cows,

Our elephants have juiceless brows, 2

Nor can the sweetest pasture stay

The charger's long unquiet neigh.

Big tears from mules and camels flow

Whose staring coats their trouble show,

Nor can the leech's art restore

Their health and vigour as before.

Rapacious birds are fierce and bold:

Not single hunters as of old,

In banded troops they chase the prey,

Or gathering on our temples stay.

Through twilight hours with shriek and howl

Around the city jackals prowl,

And wolves and foul hyaenas wait

Athirst for blood at every gate.

One sole atonement still may cure

These evils, and our weal assure.

Restore the Maithil dame, and win

An easy pardon for thy sin.'

The Rkshas monarch heard, and moved

To sudden wrath his speech reproved:

'No danger, brother, can I see:

The Maithil dame I will not free.

Though all the Gods for Rma fight,

He yields to my superior might.'

Thus the tremendous king who broke

The ranks of heavenly warriors spoke,

And, sternly purposed to resist,

His brother from the hall dismissed.

Footnotes

434:1
The "Agnisl" or room where the sacrificial fire was kept.

434:2
The exudation of a fragrant fluid from the male elephant's temples, especially at certain seasons, is frequently spoken of in Sanskrit poetry. It is said to deceive and attract the bees, and is regarded as a sign of health and masculine vigour.
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