 Chapter 9 of the Ramayana This is a LibriWalks recording. All LibriWalks recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriWalks.org. Recording by Valli The Ramayana by Valmiki Translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith Canto 39 The Sons of Sagar The saint, in accents sweet and clear, thus told his tale for Rama's ear, and thus a new-the-holy man, a legend to the prince, began. He reigned a pious monarch over Ayodhya in the days of Yor. Sagar, his name, no child had he, and children much he longed to see. His honored consort, fair of face, sprang from Vidarbha's royal race. Kesini, famed from early youth for petty and love of truth. Arishchanemi's daughter-fair, with whom no maiden might compare, in beauty. Though the earth is wide, Sumati was his second bride. With his two queens afar he went, and very days in penance spent. Forwent upon Himalaya's hill, where springs the stream called Brigus Rill. Now did he fail that saint to please, with his devout austerities. And when a hundred years had fled, thus the most truthful Brigu said, From thee, O Sagar blameless king, A mighty host of sons shall spring, And thou shalt win a glorious name, which none O' chief but thou shalt claim. One of thy queens, a son shall bear, maintainer of thy race in here, And of th'other there shall be, sons, sixty thousand, born to thee. Thus as he spake, with one accord, to win the grace of that High Lord, the queens with palms together laid, in humble supplication trade. Which queen o' brahman of the pair, the many or the one shall bear? Most eager Lord, our way to know, and as thou sayest, be it so. With his sweet speech, saint replied, Yourselves, O queen, the choice decide. Your own discretion freely use, which shall the one or many choose. One shall the race in name uphold, the host be famous, strong and bold, which will have which. Then, Cassani, the mother of one hair would be, Sumati, sister of the king, of all the birds that ply the wing, to that illustrious brahman suit, that she might bear the multitude. Whose fame throughout the world should sound, for mighty enterprise, renowned. Around the saint, the monarch went, bowing his head most reverent. Then, his wives, with willing feet, besought his own imperial seat. Time passed, the elder consort, where a son called a Sumulj, the heir. Then, Sumati, the younger, gave birth to a god. O hero brave, whose rind, when burst and cleft in two, gave sixty thousand babes to view. All these, with care, the nurses laid, in jars of oil. And there they stayed, till youthful age and strength complete, forth-speeding, from each dark retreat, all pairs in valor, years and might. The sixty thousand came to light. Princess Sumanj, brought up with care, scourge of his force, was made the heir. But Legeman's boys, he used to cast, to surduce waves, but hurried past, laughing the wild and cruel glee. They're dying agonies to see. The wicked prince, who I would stood, the council of the wives and good, who plagued the people in his head, his father banished from the state. His son, kind-spoken, brave and tall, was Unsuman, beloved of all. Long years flew by. The king decreed to slay a sacrificial steed. Consulting with his priestly band, he vowed the right his soul had planned, and Vedas killed, by their advice, made ready for the sacrifice. Canter forty, the cleaving of the earth. Muhammad seized, the tale was done. Then, in a transport, Raghuz's son again addressed the ancient sire, resplendent as a burning fire. O holy man, I fail would hear the tale, repeated full and clear, how he, from whom my sire's descent, brought the great right to a happy end. Muhammad answered with a smile. Then listened, son of Raghuz, while my legendary tale proceeds to tell of high-sold saga's deeds. Within the spacious plain that lies, from where Himalaya's heights arise, to where Proud Vindhya's rival chain looks down upon the subject's plain, a land the best for rights declared, has sacrificed the king prepared. And Unsuman the prince, for so saga advised, with ready bow, was born upon a mighty car, to watch the steed who roamed afar. But Indra, monarch of the skies, wailing his form in demon guise, came down upon appointed day, and drove the victim horde away. The left of the steed, the priests distressed, the master of the right addressed. Upon the sacred day by force, a robber takes the victim horse. Haste king, now let the thief be slain. Bring down the charger back again. The sacred right prevented thus, bring skit and woe to all of us. Rise, monarch, and provide with speed, that not its happy course impede. King Sagar, in his crowded court, gave ear unto the priests' report. He summoned straight away to his side, his sixty thousand sons, and cried. Brave sons of mine, I knew not how these demons are so mighty now. The priests began the right so well, and sanctified with prayer and spell. If in the depths of earth he hide, or lurk beneath the ocean's tide. Pursue, dear sons, the robbers attract, slay him, and bring the charger back. The whole of this broad earth explore, see garlanded from shore to shore. Ye, dig her up with might and mane, until you see the horse again. Deep, let your searching labor reach, a league in depth dug out by each. The robber of our horse pursue, and please your sire, who adores you. By grandson, I, this priestly train, till the steed comes, will here remain. There eager hearts with transport burned, as to their task the heroes turned. Obedient to their father, they, through the earth's recesses, forced their way. With iron arms unflinchingly toil, each dug a league beneath the soil. Earth, cleft asunder, groaned in pain, as emulus diplied a mane. Sharp-pointed counter, pick and bar, hard as the bolts of Indra are. Then, loud, the horrid clamour rolls, of monsters dying beneath their blows. Giant and demon, fiend and snake, that, in earth's core, they dwelling make. They dug in iron that not could stay. Through sixty thousand leagues their way, cleaving the earth with merciless strength, till hill itself they reached at length. Thus digging, searched they Jambudweep, with all its hills and mountains steep. Then a great fear began to shake the heart of God, barred, fiend and snake. And all this rest in spirit went before the sire omnipotent. With signs of woe in every face, they sought the mighty father's grace. And trembling still and ill at ease, addressed their lot in words like these, the sands of Sagar, sire benign, pierced the whole earth with mine on mine. And as their rattles worked, applied innumerable creatures die. This is the thief the princes say, who stole a victim's deed away. This murred the right and caused us ill, and so their guiltless blood they spill. Canto 41, Kapil. The father lent a gracious ear, unlistened to their tale of fear. And kindly to the gods replied, whom woe and death hath terrified. The wisest Vasudeva, who the immortal's foe, fierce Madhu, slow, regards broad earth with love and pride, and guards and couples form his bride. His kindled wrath will quickly fall on the king's sons and burn them all. This cleaving of the earth his eye foresaw in ages long gone by. He knew with prescient soul the fate that Sagar's children should await. The three and thirty freed from fear sought their bride-homes with hopeful cheer. Still rose the great tempestuous sound as Sagar's children pierced the ground. When thus the whole broad earth was cleft, and not a spot unsurged was left, back to their homes the princes sped. And thus unto their father said, We searched the earth from side to side while countless hosts of creatures died. A conquering feat in triumph trod on snake and demon, fiend and god. But yet we failed with all our toil to find the robber and the spoil. What can be more? If more we can, devise o king and tell thy plan. His children's speech king Sagar heard and answered thus to anger stirred. Dig on and never your labor stay till through earth's depths you force your way. Then smite the robber dead and bring the charger back with trumping. The sixty thousand chiefs obeyed. Deep through the earth their way they made. Deep as the dark and deeper yet the immortal elephant they met. Famed Virupaksha vast of size upon whose head the broad earth lies. The mighty beast who earth sustains with shaggy hills and rigid plains. Then with the changing moon distressed and longing for a moment's rest his mighty head the monster shakes. Earth to the bottom reels and quakes. Around that water strong and vast with reverential steps they passed. Nor when the honour due was paid their downward search through earth delayed. But turning from the east aside southward again their task they applied. There Mahapadma held his place the best of all his mighty rays like some huge hill of monstrous girth upholding on his head the earth. When the vast beast the princess saw they marveled and were tilled with awe. The sons of high-sold Sagar round that elephant in reverence wound. Then in the western region they with might unburied cleft their way. There saw they with astonished eyes summoners beast of mountain size. Round him with circling steps they went with greetings kind and reverent. On on no thought of rest or stay they reached the seat of Somas sway. There saw they Bhadra white as snow with lucky marks that fortune show. Bearing the earth upon his head round him the paste with solemn tread and honoured him with greetings kind then downward yet their way they mined. They gained the track to east and north whose fame is ever-blasant forth. And by a storm of raging bells digging through earth their course they held. Then all the princess lofty soul of wondrous vigour strong and bold saw Vasudeva standing there in couples form he loved to wear and near the everlasting god the victim charger cropped the sword. They saw with joy and eager eyes the fancy dropper and the prize and on him rushed the furious band crying aloud stand will stand. I want I want great couple cried his bosom flushed with passions tied then by his might that proud array all scorched to heaps of ashes lay. Canter 42 sagas sacrifice then to the prince his grandson bright with his own fiends unborrowed light king saga thus began to say marbling at his son's delay thou art a various killed and bold match for the mighty manifold now follow on thine uncle's course and track the robber of the horse to God the take thy sword and bow for huge and strong are beasts below their to the reverent reverence pay and kill the force who check thy way then turn successful home and see my sacrifice complete through thee obedience to the high soul's lord grasped and summoned his bow and sword and hurried forth the way to trace with youth and valour's eager base on sped he by the path he found dug by his uncle's underground the water elephant he saw whose size and strength past nature's law who bears the world's tremendous weight whom God feigned jain't venerate birds are bent and each flitting shade to him the honor meet he paid with circling steps and greetings due and further prayed him if he knew to tell him of his uncle's wheel and who had dared the horse to steal to him in war and council tried the water elephant replied thou son of a smudge shalt lead entranced back the rescued steed as to each water beast he came unquestioned all his words the same the honored youth with gentle speech drew eloquent reply from each that fortune should his tips attend and with the horse he home should bend cheered by the grateful answer he passed on with step more light and free and reached with careless heart the place where lain ashes saggers raise then sank the spirit of the chief beneath that shock of sudden grif and with the bitter cry of woe he mount his kinsman fallen so he saw way down by woe and care the victim charger roaming there yet what the pirate's chieftain feign oblations offer to the slain but needing water for the ride he looked and there was none in sight his quick eye searching all around the uncle of his kinsman found king garud best beyond compare of birds who wing the fields of air then does onto the weeping man the son of vinita began grieve not oh hero for their fall who died a death approved of all of mighty strength they met their fate by couple's hand whom none can meet poor thought for them no earthly wave a hornier flood their spirits crave if daughter of the lord of snow ganga would turn her stream below her waves that cleanse all mortal stain would wash their ashes pure again yeah when her flood whom all river rolls over the dust that molders here the 60 000 freed from sin a home in indra's heaven shall win go and with ceaseless labor try to draw the goddess from the sky return and with thee take the steed so shall thy grand size right succeed prince and shuman the strong and brave followed the reed suparna gave the glorious hero took the horse and homeward quickly bent his course straight to the anxious king he hide whom last rose rides had purified the mindful story to unfold and all the king of birds had told the tale of woe the monarch heard no longer was the right deterred with care and just observance he accomplished all as texts decree the rides performed with brighter fame mighty in council home he came he longed to bring the river down but found no plan his wish to crown he pondered long with anxious thought but saw no way to what he sought thus 30 000 years he spent and then to heaven the monarch went end of chapter 9 chapter 10 of the ramayana this is a labor box recording all labor box recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Vali the Ramayana by Valmiki translated by Ralph Th Griffith canto 43 Bhagirath when saga does had bound to fade the lord and commons of the state approved with ready heart and will prince and shuman his throne to fill he ruled a mighty king and blamed sire of the leap are justly famed to him his child and worthy hair the king resigned his kingdom's care and on Himalayas pleasant side his task of stare of penance plight bright as a garden clear renown he planned to bring pure Gangadon there on his fruitless hope intent twice sixteen thousand years he spent and in the grove of harm its state till blessed in heaven his rights repaid the leap are then the good and great soon as he learned his king's man's fate bowed down by war with troubled mind pondering long no cure could find how can I bring the mountain aside to cleanse their dust the heavenly tide how can I give them rest and save their spirits with the offered wave long with his thought his bosom skilled in holy discipline was filled a son was born Bhagirath named above all men for virtue famed the leap are many a right ordained and 30,000 seasons rained but when no hope the king could see his kinsmen from their road to free the Lord of men by sickness tried obeyed the law of fate and died he left the kingdom to his son and gained the heaven his deeds had won the good Bhagirath royals age had no fair son to cheer his age he great in glory pure in will longing for sons was childless still then on one wish one thought intent planning the heavenly streams descent leaving his ministers the care and burden of his state to bear dwelling in far Gokarna he engaged in long austerity with senses checked with arms appraised five fires around and over him blazed every very month the hermit passed breaking but once his awful fast in winter's chill the brook his bed in rain the clouds to screen his head thousands of years he does and yard till Brahma's favor was assured and the High Lord of living things looked kindly on his sufferings with trooping guards the sire came near the king who plight his task of stir blessed monarch of a glorious race die for rent rides have won my grace well has thou brought thine awful task some boon in return o' hermit ask Bhagirath rich in glory slight the hero with the arm of might thus to the lord of earth and sky raised supplement hands and made reply if the great god his favor deans and my long toil its fruit obtains let sagars sons receive from me plebations that belong to see let Ganga with her holy wave the ashes of the hero have that so my kinsmen may ascend to heavenly bliss that never shall end and give I pray God a son nor let my house be all undone sires of the world be this the grace missed out upon Ikshwaku's race the sire when does the king had prayed in sweet kind words his answer made hi hi died hot and wishes are Bhagirath of the mighty car Ikshwaku's line is blessed in thee and as thou pressed it shall be Ganga whose waves in swarga flow is daughter of the lord of snow when she were that his aid be lent to hold her in her mid-descent for earth alone can never bear those torrents hald from upper air and none may hold her weight but he the trident wielding deity thus having said the lord supreme addressed him to the heavenly stream and then with gods and marauds went to heaven above the firmament canto 44 the descent of ganga the lord of life the skies regained the fervent king a year remained with arms appraised refusing rest while with one toe the earth he pressed still as opposed but sleepless eye the air has foot his roof the sky the year had passed then umas lord king of creation world adored thus spoke to great Bhagirath I well pleased thy wish will gratify and on my head her waves shuffling the daughter of the mountain's king he stood upon the lofty crest that crowns the lord of snow and big the river of the blessed descend on earth below Emmanuel's child adored of all the heart he mandated her and her proud bosom at the call with furious wrath was stirred down from her channel in the skies with awful might she sped with a giant's rush in a giant's science on she was holy head he calls me in her watch she cried and all my flood shall sweep and whirl him in its welling tide to hell's profoundest deep he held her around his head and kept her wondering where dense as Himalaya's words was spread the tangles of his hair no way to earth she found ashamed though long and so she strove condemned until her pride were tamed amid his locks to roll there many lengthening seasons through the wilderness river ran Bhagirath saw it and anew his penance dire began then Shiva for the hermit's sake bade her long wandering end and sinking into Windu's lake Haviri waves descend from Ganga by the god set free seven noble rivers came Hladini Paavani and she called Nalini by name these rolled their lucid waves along unsought the eastern side Sujakshu Sita fair and strong and Sindhu's mighty tide these to the region of the west the joyful waters sped the seventh the brightest and the best flowed where Bhagirath led on Shiva's head descending first arrest the talents found then down in all their might they burst and rode along the ground on countless glittering scales the beam of rosy morning flashed where fish and dolphins through the stream fallen and falling dashed then birds who chant celestial days and names of heavenly birth flocked round upon that flow to gaze that streamed from sky and earth the gods themselves from every sphere incomparably bright born in their golden cars junior to see the wondrous sight the cloudless sky was all aflame with the light of a hundred suns wherever the shining chariots came that were those holy ones so flashed the air with crested snakes and fish of every hue as when the lightning's glory breaks through fields of summer blue and white foam clouds and silver spray were wildly tossed on high like swans that urge their homeward way across the autumn sky now round the river calm and clear with current strong and deep now slowly broadened to a mere or scarcely seemed to creep now over a length of sandy plain her tranquil coast she held now rose her waves and sank again by refluent waves repelled so falling first on Shiva's head then rushing to their earthly bed in ceaseless fall the waters streamed and pure with holy luster gleamed then every spirit sage and bad condemned to earth by sentence hard pressed eagerly round the tide that she was touch had sanctified then they whom heavenly doom had hurled accursed to this lower world touched the pure wave and freed from sin reset the skies and entered in and all the world was glad where on the glorious water flowed and shone for sin and stain were banished thence by the sweet reverse influence first in a car of heavenly frame the royal saint of deathless name Bhagirath very glorious road and after him fair Ganga float God sage and bad the chief in place of spirits and the Naga race names giant feigned in long array sped where Bhagirath led the way and all the hosts the flood that swim followed the stream that followed him wherever the great Bhagirath led their ever glorious Ganga flood the best of floods the reverse queen whose water washed the wicket clean a chance that jahnu great and good engaged with holy offering stood the river spread her waves around flooding his sacrificial ground the saint in anger marked her pride and at one drop her stream he tried then God and sage and bad afraid to noble high sold jahnu prayed and begged that he would kindly deem his own dear child that holy stream moved by their suit he soothed their fears and loosed her waters from his ears hence Ganga through the world is styled both Jahnavi and jahnu's child then onwards till she followed fast and reached the great sea bank at last thence deep below her way she made to end those rides so long delayed the monarch reached the oceans side and still behind him Ganga hide he sought the depths which openly where saga's sons had dug their way so leading through earth's nether caves the rivers purifying waves over his kinsman's dust the lord has a funeral libation board soon as the flood their dust with you their spirits gained beauty and all in heavenly bodies rest rose to the skies eternal rest then does to king Bhagirath said brahmar when coming at the head of all his bright celestial train he saw those spirits freed from stain well done great prince of men well done die kinsmen bless in heaven have won the sons of saga mighty sold are with the blessed as gods enrolled long as the oceans flood shall stand upon the border of the land so long shall saga's sons remain and godlike rank in heaven retain ganga dying eldest child shall be called from thy name Bhagirathi named also for her waters fell from heaven and flow through earth and hell trip a tiger stream of the skies because three parts she glorifies and mighty king it is given be now to free thee and perform by vow no longer happy prince delay drink offerings to thy kin to pay for this the holiest saga side but mount the bone he sought denied then on shaman dear prince although no brighter name the world could show strove long the heavenly flood to gain to visit earth but strove in vain nor was she by the sage's spear blessed with all virtues most austere die sir the leaper he the brat though with fierce prayers the moon he sought but thou o king earned success and won high fame which god will bless through thee o victor of thy force on earth this heavenly ganga flows and thou hast gained the meat divine that awaits on virtue such as dine now in her ever holy wave thyself or best of heroes live so shall thou pure from every sin the blessed fruit of merit win now for thy kin who died of your the meat libations duly poor above the heavens I now ascend depart and bliss thy steps attend does to the mighty king who broke his foments might lord brim her spoke and with his gods around him rose to his own heaven of blessed repose the royal sage no more delayed but the libation duly paid home to his regal city hide with water cleansed and purified there ruled he his ancestral state best of all men most fortunate and all the people enjoyed again in good buggy rats gentle rain rich prosperous and blessed were they and brave and sickness fled away does rama I at length have told how ganga came from heaven of old now for the evening passes swift I wish the each of species gift this story of the floods descent will give for its most excellent wealth purity fame length of days and to the skies its heroes rise canter forty five the quest of the umbrip high and more high the wonder rolls as the strange story reached its close and does with lakshman rama best of raghu's sons the saint addressed most wondrous is the tale which thou has told of heavenly ganga how from realms above descending she flowed through the land unfilled the sea in thinking over what thou hast said the night has like a moment fled whose hours and musing have been spent upon thy words most excellent so much a holy sage die low has charmed us with this tale of your day dawned the morning rites were done and the victorious raghu's son addressed the sage in words like these rich in his long austerities the night is past the morn is clear told is the tale so good to hear now over that river let us go three past the best of all that flow this boat stands ready on the shore to bear the holy hermit's over who of thy coming wand in haste the barge upon the bank have placed and kashik's son approved his speech and moving to the sandy beach placed in the boat the hermit man and reached the reverse further strand on the north bank their feet they said and greeted all the they met on ganga's shore they lighted down and saw rishadha's lovely town there the princess by his side the best of holy hermit's hide it was a town exceeding fair that might with heaven itself compare then sapling palm to palm applied famed rama asked his holy guide or best of her mits say what race of monarchs ruled this lovely place dear master let my prayer prevail for much I long to hear the tale moved by his words the saintly man vishala's ancient tale began list drama list with closest he the tale of indra's wondrous deed and mark me as I truly tell what here in ancient days befell air crita's famous age had fled strong were the sense of titi bread and adity's brave children too for very mighty good and true the rival brothers fierce and bold was ansia of kashyap lofty soul of sister mother's born divide brute against brute in jealous pride once as they say band met band and joined an awful council planned to live and harmed by age and time immortal in their youthful prime then this was after due debate the council of the wise and great to churn with might the milky sea the life bestowing drink to free this plant they seized the serpent king was suki for their churning string and mandar's mountain for their pole and churned with all their heart and soul as does a thousand seasons through this way and that this need did drew biting the rocks each tortured head a very deadly venom shed then bursting like a mighty flame a pestilent hill poison came consuming as it onward ran the home of god and fiend and man then all the sublime gods in fear to shanker mighty lord junior to rudra king of hearts dismayed save us oh save us lord they prayed then vishnu bearing shell and mace undiscussed showed his radiant face and thus addressed in smiling glee the trident wielding deity what treasure first the gods have turned from troubled ocean as the churn should for thou art the eldest be conferred o best of gods on thee then come and for thy birthright sake this venom as thy first fruits take he spoke and vanished from their sight when she well saw their vile a fright and heard his speech by whom is born the mighty bow of bending horn the poison flood at once he quaffed as it were the umbrits heavenly draught then from the gods departing went she were the lord preeminent the host of lords and us so still kept churning with one heart and well but mandar mountain whirling round pierced to the depths below the ground then gods and bards and terror flew to him who mighty madhu slew help of all beings more than all the gods on thee for eight make all ward off almighty armed of eight and beer up mandas threatening weight then vishnu as their need was sold the semblance of a tortoise war and in the bed of ocean lay the mountain on his back to stay then he the soul pervading all whose locks and radiant tresses fall one mighty arm extended still and grasped the summit of the hill so ranged among the immortals he joined in the churning of the sea a thousand years had reached their clothes when calmly from the ocean rose the gentle sage with staff and can lord of the art of healing man then as the waters formed and boiled as churning still the immortals toiled of winning face and lovely frame for 60 million fair ones came born of the form and water these were aptly named absurals each had her mates the turn would fail so asked the throne to count the tale but when no god or titan would a wife from all that multitude refused by all they gave their love in common to the gods above then from the sea still waxed and wild rose sura warrants maiden child a fitting match she sought to find but ditties sons her love declined their kinsmen of the rival brood to the pure maid in honest youth hence those who love that name so fair the hallowed name of suras bear and our source are the titan crowd her gentle flames who disallowed then from the for me see was freed uchesh revas the generous steed and kaustubha of gems the gem and soma moon god after them at length when many a year had fled up floated on her lotus bed a maiden fair and tender ride in the young plush of beauty's pride she shone with pearl and golden sheen and seals of glory stamped her queen on each round arm glowed many a gem on her smooth prose a diadem rolling in waves beneath her crown the glory of her hair flowed down pearls on her neck of price and told the lady shone like banished gold queen of the gods she lead to land a lotus in her perfect hand and fondly off the lotus sprung to lotus bearing vishnu clown her gods above and then below as beauty's queen and fortune know god's titans on the ministerial train still churned and brought the troubled maim at length the prize so madly sought the umbrith to their sight was brought for the rich spoil to ext these and those a fratricidal war arose and host against host in battle said are these sons and these met united with the giant's aid these fierce attack the titans made and wildly raged for many a day that universe astounding prey when varied arms were faint to strike and ruin pretend all alike vishnu with arts elusive aid the umbrith from their side conveyed that best of beings smote his force who dared his deathless arm oppose here vishnu all pervading god beneath his feet the titans trod adity's race the sons of light see you did these brood in cruel fight then town destroying indra gained his empire and in glory reigned over the three worlds with bad and sage rejoicing in his heritage canto 46 deities hope but deity when her sons were slain wild with a childless mother's pain to kashyap spake maricha's son her husband or the glorious one dead are the children mine no more the mighty sons to die more long furthest need i crave a boy whose arm may indra's life destroy the toiling pain my care shall be to bless my hope depends on thee give me a mighty son to slay fears indra gracious lord i pray then glorious kashyap thus replied to the tea as she wept inside thy prayer is heard dear saint's remain pure from all sport and thou shalt gain a son whose arm shall take the life of indra in the battle strife for full a thousand years and your free from all stain supremely pure then shall thy son and mine appear whom the three worlds shall serve with fear these words the glorious kashyap said then gently stroked his consort's head blessed her and made a kind adieu and turned him to his rights adieu soon as her lord had left her side her bosom swelled with joy and pride she sought the shade of holy boughs and there began her awful boughs while yet she wrote her rights austere indra unbidden hastened near the sweet observance tending her a reverential minister would water fire and grass he brought sweet roots and woodland fruit he sought and all her wants the thousand night with never failing care supplied with tender love and soft caress removing pain and weariness when of the thousand years ordained 10 only unfulfilled remained thus to her son the thousand night the goddess in her triumph cried best of the mighty there remain but 10 short years of toil and pain these years of pen and soon will flee and a new brother thou shalt see him for thy sake I'll nobly breathe and last of war his soul shall feed then free from care and sorrow thou shalt see the worlds before him bow end of chapter 10 chapter 11 of the Ramayana this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the Ramayana by Valmiki translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith chapter 11 canto 47 Summati thus to Lord Indra thousand-eyed softly beseeching did he sighed when but a blighted bud was left which Indra's hand in seven had left no fault or lord of gods is dying the blame urine is only mine but for one grace I feign would pray as thou has left this hope away this bud or Indra which a blight has withered ear it saw the light from this may seven fair spirits rise to rule the regions of the skies be theirs through heaven's unbounded space and shoulders of the winds to raise my children rest in heavenly forms far feigned as Maruth's gods of storms one god to Brahma's fear assign let one or Indra watch over thine and ranging through the lower air the third the name of why you bear gods let the four remaining be and roam through space obeying thee the town destroyer thousand-eyed host mode fears Bali till he died joined supplied hands and thus replied that children heavenly forms shall wear the names devised by the shall bear and Maruth's called by my decree shall Amrit drink and wait on me from pure and age and sickness freed through the three words their wings shall speed thus in the hermit's holy shade mother and son their compact maid and then as fame relates content home to the happy skies they went this is the spot so men have told why Lord Mahindra 12 years old this is a blessed region where his voter his mother claimed his care here a gentle alambusha bear to old Ishwaku king and sage Vishala glory of his age by whom a monarch void of guilt was this fair town Vishala built his son was him chandra still renowned for might and war like skill from him the great sachandra king his son dumras were dear to fame next followed royal shrinjay then famed sahadeva lord of men next came kushava good and mild for some was so mudatta styled and Sumati his heir the pure of gods above now governs here and ever through Ishwaka's grace Vishala's came his noble race a lofty soul and blessed with length of days with virtue and with strength this night or prince we here will sleep and when the day begins to pee our onward way will take with the the king of myth alert see then Sumati the king aware of wish for mitzra's advent there came quickly forth with meet the lofty minded sage to greet kirt with his priest and lords the king did lower basins worshiping with supplied hands with head inclined thus spoke he after questioned kind since thou has danged to bless my sight and grace a while thy servant's seat high fate is mine great anchorite and none may with my bliss compete canto 48 indra and ahalia when mutual courtesy is head past vishala's rulers spoke at last these princely youths of sage who vie in might with children of the sky heroic born for happy fate with elephants or lions gate bold as a tiger or the bull with lotus eyes so large and full armed with the quiver sword and bow whose figures like the aswin's show like children of the deathless powers come freely to these shades of ours how they have reached on foot this place how do they seek and what their race as sun and moon adorn the sky this spots the heroes glorify alike in stature port and mean the same fair form in each scene he spoke and at the monarchs call the best of hermits told him all how in the grove with him they dwelt and slaughtered to the demons dealt then wonder filled the monarchs breast who tended well each royal guest thus entertained the princely pair remained that night and rested there and with the morn's returning ray to mythila pursued their way when janak's lovely city first upon their site yet distant burst the hermits all with joyful cries hailed the fair town that met their eyes then rama saw holy wood close in the city's neighborhood overgrown deserted marked by age and thus addressed the mighty sage oh reverend lord i longed to know what hermit dwelt here long ago then to the prince his holy guide most eloquent of men replied oh rama listen while i tell whose was his groove and what befell when in the fury of his rage the high saint cursed the hermitage this was a groove most lovely then of galtam oh thou best of men like heaven itself most honored by the gods who dwelt above the sky here with a hulia at his side his favorite task the ascetic plight years fled in thousands on a day a chance the saint had gone away when town destroying indra came and saw the beauty of the dame the sage's form the god endeared and thus the fair a hulia would love sweet should broke no dull delay but snatched the moments when he may she knew him in the saint's disguise lord indra of the thousand eyes but touched by love's unholy fire she yielded to the god's desire now lord of god she whispered flee from gautam save thyself and me trembling with doubt and wild with dread lord indra from the cottage fled but fleeing in the grove he met the home returning anchor it whose wrath the gods and fiends would shun such power his fervent rites had won fresh from the lustful flood he came in splendor like the burning flame with fuel for his sacred rites and grass the best of ermites the lord of gods was sad of cheer to see the mighty saint sonia and when the holy hermit spied in hermit's garb the thousand eyed he knew the whole his fury broke forth on the sinner as he spoke because my form thou has presumed and drop this folly thou are doomed for this my curse to thee shall claim henceforth a sad and sexless thing no empty threat that sentence came it chilled his soul and marred his frame his might and godlike vigor fled and every nerve was cold and dead then on his wife his fury burst and thus the guilty dame he cursed for countless years disloyal spouse devoted to severest vows thy bed the ashes or thy food here shall thou live in solitude this lonely grove thy home shall be and not an eye thy form shall see when rama the shrata's child shall seek these shades then drear and wild his coming shall remove thy stain and make the sinner pure again do you honor pay to him thy guest shall cleanse thy fond and airing breast thee to my side and bless restore and give thy proper shape once more thus to his guilty wife he said then far the holy gautham fled and on himalaya's lovely hides spent the long years in stern his rides canter 49 a whole year freed then rama following still his guide within the grove with lakshman hide her vows a wondrous light had glanced to the illustrious penitent he saw the glorious lady green from eye of man and garden fiend like some bright portent which the care of brama 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 wintery mist then lost to you 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 can till such was gautham's high decree prince rama came to set her free then with great joy that dame to meet the sons of ragu clapped her feet and she remembering gautham's oath with gentle grace received them both then water for their feet she gave guest gift and all the strangers crave the prince of cotia's rule aware received as meet the lady's care then flowers came down and 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 the fervid rites no more defiled but with their husband reconciled gautham the holy hermit knew for not escaped his godlike view the rama lodged beneath the shade and hasting there his homage paid he took ahalia to his side from sin and folly purified and let his new found consort pair in his austerity is a share then rama pride of ragu's race welcomed by gautham face to face who every highest honor showed to mythler pursued his road counter fifty janak the sons of ragu journeyed forth bending their steps to east and north soon guided by the sage they found enclosed a sacrificial ground then to the best of saints his guide in admiration rama cried the high sold king no toil has paid but nobly for his right prepared how many thousand brahmins here from every region far and near well read and holy lore appear how many tents that sages scream with veins in hundreds here are seen great brahman let us find a place where we may stay and rest a space the hermit did as rama prayed and in his spot his lodging made far from the crowd sequestered clear with copious water flowing near then janak best of kings aware of vishwamitra lodging there with satananda for his guide the priest on whom he most relied his chaplain void of guile and stain and others of his priestly train bearing the gift that greets the guest to meet him with all honor pressed the saint received with glad some mind each honor and observance kind then of his healthy asked the king and how his rights were prospering janak with chaplain and with priest addressed the hermit's chief and least a casting all in due degree with proper words of courtesy then with his palms together laid the king his supplication made dame reverend lord to sit the down with these good saints of high renown then said the chief of hermit's here obedient to the monarch's prayer chaplain and priest and king and pure fit in their order far or near then thus the king began to say the gods have blessed my rights today and with the sight of the repaid the preparations I have made grateful am I so highly blessed that thou of saints the holiest has come o brahman here with all these omits to the festival 12 days o brahman sage remain for so the learned priests ordain and then o heir of kushik's name the gods will come their dues to claim with looks that testified delight thus pay key to the anchorite then with the supplied hands appraised he asked as earnestly he caged these princely youths or sage who why in might with children of the sky heroic born for happy fate with elephants or lion's gate bold as a tiger and the bull with lotus eyes so large and full armed with the quiver sword and bow his figures like the ashman's show like children of the heavenly powers come freely to these shades of ours how have they reached on foot this place what do they seek and what they raise as sun and moon adorn the sky the spots the heroes glorify alike in stature port and mean the same fair form in each is seen thus spoke the monarch lofty sold the saint of heart unfathomed told how sons of the shrata they accompanied his homeward way how in the hermitage they twelt and slaughtered the demons dealt their journey till the spot they neared when spare vishala stowers appeared a hall here seen and freed from taint their meeting with her lord the saint and how they came to know the virtue of the famous bow thus vishwamitra spoke the whole to royal jannak great of soul and when this wondrous tale was over the glorious hermit said no more can to 51 vishwamitra wise vishwamitra stale was done then saint at gautham's eldest son great satananda far renowned whom long austerities had crowned with glory as a news he heard the down upon his body stirred filled full of wonder at the sight of rama felt supreme delight when satananda saw the pair of youthful princess seated there he turned him to the holy man who sat at ease and thus began and did stow mighty sage in truth show clearly to the royal youth my mother glorious far and wide whom penance rights have sanctified and did my glorious mother she airs a noble destiny serve her great guest with woodland store whom all should honor evermore did stow the tale to rama tell of what in ancient days befell the sin the misery and the shame of guilty god and faithless dame and or thou best of hermit say did rama's healing presence stay her trial was the wife restored again to him my siren lord say hermit did that sire of mine receive her with the soul benign when long austerities in time had cleansed her from the taint of crime and son of kushik let me know did my great-minded father show honor to rama and regard before he journeyed hitherward the hermit with a tent of ear marked all the questions to this year to him for eloquence far famed his eloquent reply he framed yet was my care no task to shun and all i had to do was done as renuka and brico's child the saint and dame were reconciled when the great sage had thus replied to rama satananda cried a welcome visit prince is dine the sign of king raghu's line with whom to guide thy way all right this sage invincible in mind this brahmin sage most glorious bright by long austerities has wrought a wondrous deed exceeding thought thou knowest well or strong of arm the shore defends from scaven harm none rama none is living now in all the earth more blessed than thou that thou has won a saint so tried in fervid rights their life to guide now listen prince while i relate his lofty deeds and wondrous fate he was a monarch pious soul his foreman in the dust he rolled most learned from to duty's claim his people's good his joy and name of old the lord of life gave birth to mighty kusha king of earth his son was kushanaba strong friend of the right the foe of wrong gadi whose fame no time showed them air of his throne was born to him and which vamitra gadi's air govern the land with king they care while years unnumbered rolled away the monarch reigned with equal sway at length assembling many a band he led his warriors around the land complete in tale a mighty force cars elephants and foot and horse through cities groves and floods he passed over lofty hills through regions vast he reached precious stars pure abode where trees and flowers and creepers glowed where troops of sylvan creatures fed which saints and angels visited gods fawns and barns of heavenly rays and spirits glorify the place the dear the timid ways forgot and holy brahmins thronged the spot bright in their souls like fire where these made pure by long austerity bound by the rule of vows severe and each in glory brahmas pure some fair on water some on air some on the leaves that withered there roots and wild fruit where others food all rage was checked each sense subdued there balaclyas went and came now breathed the prayer now fed the flame these anaesthetic bands beside the sweet retirement beautified such was the sister's blessed retreat like brahmas own celestial seed which gladdened vishwamitra's eyes pure list for war like enterprise canto 52 vashishtas feast right glad was vishwamitra when he saw the prince of saintly men low at his feet the hero penned and did obeisance reverent the king was welcomed in and shown a seat beside the hermit's own who offered him when resting there fruit in due course and woodland fair and wish vamitra noblest king received vashishtas welcoming turned to his host and prayed him tell that he and all with him were well vashishtha to the king replied that all was well on every side that fire and vows and pupils throw and all the trees within the grove and then the son of brama best of all who pray with voice suppressed questioned with pleasant words like these the mighty king who sat at ease and is it well with thee i pray and dust our win by virtuous way by people's love discharging all the duties on a king their fault are all thy servants postard well do all obey and nondrabel has thou destroyer of the foe no enemies to overthrow misfortune conqueror still attend thy treasure host and every friend is it all well does happy fate on sons and children's children wait he spoke the mortis king replied that all was prosperous far and wide thus for a while the two conversed as each to each his tail rehearsed and as the happy moments flew their joy and friendship stronger grew when such discourse had reached an end thus spoke the saint most reverent to royal vishra mitra wireless features brighten with a smile almighty lord of men i fain would bank with thee and all thy train in mode that suits thy station high and do not thou my prayer deny let my good lord would favor take the offering that i fain would make and let me honor every part my royal guest with loving heart him vishra mitra thus addressed why may go saint this new request thy welcome and each gracious word sufficient honor have conferred thou gavest roots and fruit to eat the treasures of this pure retreat and water for my mouth and feet and boon i price above the rest thy presence has mine i site blessed honored by thee in every way to whom all honor all should pay i now will go my lord goodbye regard me with a friendly eye him speaking thus vashishta stayed and still to share his banquet prayed the will of gadi san he bent and won the monarch to consent who spoke an answer let it be great hermit as it pleases thee when best of those who breathed the prayer he heard the king his will declare he called the cow or spotted skin all spot without all pure within come dapple skin he cried with speed here thou my words and help at need my heart is set to entertain this monarch and his mighty train with some choose meal and worthy fare be thine the banquet to prepare each dainty cute each goodly dish of sixfolds taste as each may wish all these o cow of heavenly power rain down for me in copious shower vines and drink for tooth and lip to eat to suck to quaff to sip of these sufficient and to spare or plenty giving cow prepare canto 53 vishwan mitra's request thus charged or slayer of their force the cow from whom all plenty flows obedient to her saintly lord vines to suit each taste out poured honey she gave and roasted grain mead sweet with flowers and sugar cane each beverage of flavor rare and food of every sort were there hills of hot rice and sweetened cakes and curdled milk and soap in late vast beakers foaming to the brim with sugar to drink prepared for him and dainty sweet mead definitely made before the hermit's guests were laid so well regaled so nobly fed the mighty army banqueted and all the train from chief to least delighted in vashishtas feast then vishwan mitra royal sage surrounded by his vassalage prince pure and counselor and all from highest lord to lowest thrall thus feasted to vashishtak ride with joy supremely gratified rich honor i thus entertained most honorable lord have gained now here before i journey hence my words was killed in eloquence bought for a hundred thousand kind let dapple skin o saint be mine a wondrous jewel is i cow and gems are for the monad's brow to me her rightful lord resign does dapple skin the cowl's time the great vashishtha thus addressed arch hermit of the holy breast to vishwan mitra answer made the king whom all the land obeyed not for a hundred thousand may not a ten million thou wits pay with silver heaps the price to swell will i my cow o monarch sell unmute for her it's such a fate that i my friend should alienate as glory with the virtuous she forever makes her home with me on her mine offerings which ascend to gods and spirits all depend my very life is due to her my guardian friend and minister the feeding of the sacred flame the dough which living creatures claim the mighty sacrifice by fire each formula the rites require and various saving lord beside are by her aid in so supplied the banquet which thy host has shared believe it was by her prepared in her mine only treasures lie she cheers mine heart and charms mine i and reasons more could are assigned why dapple skin can never be dine the royal sage his suit denied with eloquence more earnest cried tusked elephants a goodly train each with a golden girth and chain whose golds with gold well fashioned shine of these be twice seven thousand line and four horse cars with gold made bright with steeds most beautifully white whose bells make music as they go eight hundred saint will i bestow eleven thousand metal steeds from famous lands of noble breeds these will i gladly give or thou devoted to each holy vow ten million hyphers fair to view whose sides are marked with every hue these in exchange will i assign but let thy dapples can be mine ask what thou wilt and piles untold of priceless gems and gleaming gold or best of brahmins shall be thine but let thy dapples can be mine the great vashishta thus addressed made answer to the king's request never will i give my cow away my gem my wealth my life and stay my worship at the moon's first chill and at the full to her i owe and sacrifice a small and great which larges due and gives a weight from her alone their root okay my rites and holy service spring what boots it further words to say i will not give my cow away who yields me what i ask each day end of chapter 11 only bivox recordings are in the month please visit bivox.org recording by Sudeshna the Ramayana by Valmiki translated by Ralph D.H. Bruyant canto 54 the battle as saint vashishta answered so nor let the cow of plenty go the monarch as last resource began to drag her off by hopes while the king's servant stole away their morning miserable prey sad and sick at heart and so distressed she pondered thus within her breast why am i thus forsake why betrayed by him of soul most high vashishta ravished by the hands of soldiers of the monarch's man's ah me what evil have i done i guess lofty minded one that he so pious can expose the innocent whose love he knows in her sad breast as thus she thought and heaved deep sighs with anguish with wondrous speed away she fled and back to saint vashishta's bed she hurled by hundreds to the ground the menial crew that him around and flying swifter than the blast before the saint herself she cast there that will skin before the saint stood morning forth her sad complaint and wept that lord such tones as come from wandering cloud of distra oh son of brahman thus cried she why has thou thus forsaken me that the king's men before thy face bear of thy servant from her place then thus the brahman saint replied to her whose heart with hope was tried and breathing for his favorite sake as to a suffering sister's bake i leave the knot dismissed the thought nor do you just ask thou failed not this king o weaning in the pride of power has left me from my side little i weaned my strength could do against him a mighty warrior too strong as a soldier born and read great as a king whom regions dread see what a host the conqueror leads with elephants and cars and steaks or countless bans his penons flying so is he mightier far than i he spoke did she to that high saint her speech revealed so judge not they who wisest are the brahman's might is mightier far for brahman strength from heaven derive and warriors bow when brahman strive a boundless power this time to wield to such a king thou should not yield who very mighty thou he be so fears thy strength must bow to thee command me saint thy power divine has brought me here and made me die and i however the tyrant roast will tame his pride and slay his host then cry the glorious sage create a mighty force the fort to mate she lowered and crooked into life behlava's burning for destroyer king wisra mitra's army slew before the very leader's view the monarch in excessive fire his eyes with fury darting fire rained every missile on the fort until all the behlava's were gone she seen all her champions slain lying by thousands on the plane created by her mere desire yavanas and sarkals fears and dire and all the drunk was over spread with the yavan's and with sarkas threat a host of warriors bright and strong and numberless in closest form the threads within the lotus stem so densely backed might equal them in gold huge mailed against wars at ice each boros ward and battle ice the royal host wherever these came fen as if burnt the ravening flame the monarch famous through the world against his fearful weapons lord that made kombosha's barbarous form with yavan's troubled feeling and form end of canto 54 canto 55 the hermitage burnt so over the field that host least rewn by wisra mitra's darts or throne then does basishtha charge the cow create with all thy vigor now fourth sprang kombosha's ashy lord bright as the sun their faces glowed forth from her other barbarous poured soldiers who brandished parents sword and yavan's with their shafts and darts and shakers from her hinder parts and every pore upon her fell and every hair producing cell with militias and kirtas teamed and forth with them harita's dreamed and wisra mitra's mighty force car elephant and foot and horse fell in a moment's time subdued by the tremendous multitude the monarch's hundred sons whose eyes beheld the route in wild surprise armed with all weapons mad with rage rushed fiercely on the holy sage one cry he raised one glance he shot and all fell scorched upon the spot burnt by the sage to ashes they with horse and foot and chariot lay the monarch mourned with shame and pain his army lost his children slain like ocean when his roar is hushed or some great snake whose fangs are crushed or as in swift eclipse the sun dark with the doom he cannot shun or a poor bird with mangled wing so reft of sons and host the king no longer by ambition fired the pride of war his breast inspired he gave his empire to his son of all he had the only one and made him rule as kings are taught then straight a hermit grove he sought far to Himalayas side he fled which bards and agas visited and mad eva's grace to earn he gave his life to penance turn a london season thus passed by which shivers self the lord most high whose banner shows the pictured bull appeared the god most pountiful why fervent does in toil and pain what brings thee here what boon to gain thy heart's desire o monarch speak i grant the boons which mortals seek the king his adoration paid to mad eva answered made if thou hast deemed me fit to win thy favor or thou void of sin on me almighty god bestow the wondrous signs of the bow all mine complete in every part with secret spell and mystic art to me be all the arms revealed that gods and saints and titans wield and every dart that arms the hands of spirits feigns and minstrel bands be mine o lord supreme in place the stoken of thy boundless grace the lord of gods then gave consent and to his heavenly mansion went triumphant in the arms he held the monarch's breast with glory swelled so swells the ocean went upon his breast the full moon's beams have shown already in his mind he viewed vashishta at his feet subdued he sought that hermit's grove and there launched his dire weapons through the air till scorched by might that none could stay the hermitage inaciously wherever the inmates saw aghast the dart that vishamitra cast to every side they turned and fled in hundreds forth disquited vashishta's pupils got the fear and every bird and every deer and fled in wild confusion forth eastward and westward south and north and so vashishta's holy shade a solitary wild was made silent a while for not a sound disturbed the hush that was around vashishta then with eager cry called fear not friends nor seek to fly the son of gadi dies today like whore frost in the morning's ray thus having said the glorious sage spoke to the king in words of rage because thou hast destroyed this grove which long in holy quiet throve by folly urged to senseless crime now shalt thou die before thy time end of canto 55 canto 56 vishamitra's woe but vishamitra at the threat of that illustrious anchor it cried as he launched with ready hand a fiery weapon stand or stand vashishta while with rage and hate raising as to a the rod of fate his mighty brahman wand on high to vishamitra made reply nay stand or warrior thou and show what soldier can against brahman for oh gadi son thy days are told thy pride is tamed thy dart is cold how shall the warriors puissance dare with brahman's awful strength compare today based warrior shall thou feel that godsent might is more than steel he raised his brahman's staff nor mist the fiery dart there near him hissed and quenched the fearful weapon fell as flame beneath the bellows swell then gadi's son in fury threw lord varun's arm and rudra's too indra's fierce bolt that all destroys that which the lord of herds employs the human that which minstrels keep the deadly lure the endless sleep the yawner and the dart which charms lament and torture fearful arms the terrible the dart which dries the thunderbolt which quenchless flies and fates dreadnet and brahman's noose and that which waits for varun's use the dart he loves who wheels the bow pinaka and twin bolts that glow with fury as they flash and fly the quenchless liquid and the dry the dart of vengeance swift to kill the goblin's dart the curlew's bill they discuss both of fate and right and vishnu's of unerring flight the wind god's dart the troubled red the weapon named the horse's head from his fierce hand to spears were thrown and the great maze that smashes bone the dart of spirits of the air and that which fate exalts to bear the trident dart which slaughters force and that which hanging skulls compose these fearful darts in fairy rain he hurled upon the saint amain an awful miracle to view but as the ceaseless tempest flew the sage with wand of god sent power still swallowed up that fairy char then gadi's son when these had failed with brahman's dart his foe assailed the gods with indra at their head and nagas quailed disquited and saints and minstrels when they saw the king that awful weapon draw and the three words were filled with dread and trembled as the missile sped the saint with brahman wand empowered by lord divine that dart devoured nor could the triple world withdraw wrapped gazes from that site of awe for as be swallowed down the dart of brahman sparks from every spot from finest poor and hair cell broke enveloped in a will of smoke the staff he waved was all aglow like yummers kept her king below or like the lurid fire of fate whose rage the world's will desolate the hermits whom that site had odd extolled the saint with him and lord thy power osages near in vain now with thy might thy might restrain be gracious master and allow the world's to rest from trouble now for vishramitra strong and red by thee has been discomfited then thus addressed the saint well pleased the fury of his wrath appeased the king o powered and ashamed with many a deep drawn psy exclaimed ah warrior's strength is poor and slight a brahman's power is truly might this brahman's staff the hermit held the fury of my darts has quelled this truth within my heart impressed which senses ruled and tranquil pressed my task austere will i begin and brahman hood will strive to win end of canto 56 canto 57 trishanku then with his heart consumed with woe still brooding on his overthrow by the great saint he had defied at every breath the monarch sighed forth from his home his queen he led and to a land far southward fled there fruit and roots his only food he practiced penance sent subdued and in that solitary spot four virtuous sons the king begot havisyanda from the offering named and madhu shanda for sweetness famed maharath chariot born in fight and redha netra strong of sight a thousand years had passed away when drama sire whom all obey addressed in pleasant words like these him rich in long austerities thou by the penance kushik son a place mid royal saints has won pleased with thy constant penance we this lofty rank assigned to thee thus spoke the glorious lord most high father of earth and air and sky and with the gods around him spread home to his changed a sphere he sped but wish ramitra scorned the grace and bent in shame his angry face burning with rage or well with grief thus in his heart exclaimed the chief no fruit i mean have i secured by strictest penance long endured if gods in all the saints decree to make but royal saint of me thus pondering he with sense subdued with stonest zeal his vows renewed then reigned a monarch true of soul who kept each sense in firm control of old ikshavaku's line he came their glories in trishanku's name within his breast or agus child arose a longing strong and wild great offerings to the gods to pay and win alive to heaven his way his priest vashishtha's aid he sought and told him of his secret thought but wise vashishtha showed the hope was far beyond the monarch's scope trishanku then his suit denied far to the southern region hide to beg vashishtha's sons to aid the mighty plan his soul had made their king trishanku far renowned vashishtha's hundred children found each on his fervent vows intent for mind and fame preeminent to these the famous king applied wise children of his holy guide saluting each in order to his eyes for shame he downward threw and reverent hands together pressed the glorious company addressed i as a humble supply and seek sucker of you who ate the week a mighty offering i would pay but sage vashishtha answered me be yours permissions to accord and to my rights your help afford sons of my guide to each of you with lowly reverence here i see you to each intent on penance wow or brahman's low my head i bow and pray you each with ready heart in my great right to be a part that in the body i may rise and dwell with gods within the skies sons of my guide none else i see can give what he refuses me ikshu akus children still depend upon their guide most reverent and you as nearest in degree to him my deities shall be end of canto 57 canto 58 trishanku cursed trishanku speech the hundred heard and thus replied to anger stirred why foolish king by him denied whose truthful lips have never lied thus thou transgresses prudent rule and seek for aid another school ikshu akus sons have a relied most surely on their holy guide then how does thou font monarch dare transgress the rule his lips declare thy wish is vain the saint replied and made the cast the plan aside then how can we his sons pretend in such a right our aid to lend a monarch of the childish heart home to their royal town depart that mighty saint thy priest and guide at noblest rights may well preside the worlds for sacrifice combined a worthy a priest could never find such speech of theirs the monarch heard now rage distorted every word and who the hermits made reply you like your sire my suit deny for other aid i turn from you so rich in penance saints adieu vashishtha's children heard and guessed his evil purpose scars expressed and cried while rage their bosoms burned be to a while chandala turned this said with lofty thoughts inspired each to his own retreat retired that night trishanku underwent sad change in shape and linament next worn an outcast sort of hue his dusky cloth he frowned him drew his hair had fallen from his head and roughness over his skin was spread such reads adorned him as i found to flourish on the funeral ground each armlet was an iron ring such was the figure of the king that every counselor and pair and following townsman fled in fear alone unyielding to dismay though burned by anguish night and day great wish amitra side he sought whose treasures were by penance bought the hermit with his tender eyes looked on trishanku's altered guise and grieving at his ruin state addressed him thus compassionate great king the pious hermit said what caused thy steps has hither led a yodhya's mighty sovereign whom a curse has plagued with outcasts too in while chandala's shape the king heard wish amitra's questioning and supplied palm to palm applied with answering eloquence he cried my priest and all his sons refused to aid the plan on which i'm used failing to win the boon i sought to this condition i was brought i in the body saint would feign a mansion in the skies obtain i planned a hundred rites for this but still was doomed the fruit to miss pure are my lips from falsehood stain and pure they ever shall remain yea by a warrior's faith i swear though i be tried with grief and care unnumbered rites to heaven i paid with righteous care the sceptres to aid and holy priest and high soul guide my modest conduct gratified but oh thou best of hermits they oppose my wishes these rites to pay they won and all refuse consent nor aid me in my high intent fate is i wean the power supreme plans effort but an idle dream fate worlds our plans are all away fate is our only hope and stay now day no blessed saint to aid me even me by fate betrayed who come a supply and sword distressed one grace oh hermit to request no other hope or way i see no other refuge waits for me oh aid me in my fallen state and human will shall conquer fate end of canto 58 canto 59 the sons of ashishtha then kushik's son by pity warmed spoke sweetly to the king transformed hail glory of ikshavaku's line i know how bright thy virtues shine dismiss thy fear or noblest chief for i myself will bring relief the holiest saints will lie in white to celebrate thy proposed rite so shall thy vow o king succeed and from thy caress shall to thou be freed thou in the form which now thou hast transfigured by the curse they cast yea in the body king shall flee transported where thou feign wouldst be oh lord of men i weaned then thou hast heaven within thy hand in now for very wisely has thou done and refuse sought with kushik's son thus having said the sage addressed his sons of men the holiest and bade the prudent saints whatever was needed for the rite prepare the pupils he was wont to teach he summoned next and spoke the speech gobid ashishtha's sons appear and all the saints be gathered here and what they won and all reply when summoned by this mandate I to me with faithful care report omich no word and none distraught the pupils heard and prompt obeyed to every side their way they made then swift from every quarter's bed the sages in the way thus read back to that saint they invoice came whose glory shone like burning flame and told him in their faithful speech the answer that they bore from each submissive to thy word usure the holy men are gathering here by all was meet obedience shone Mahodaya refused alone and now a chief of hermit's here what answer chilling us with fear vashishtha's hundred sons returned thick speaking as with rage they burnt how will the gods and saints partake the offerings that the prince would make and he a violin art casting his minstant one borne a king can we great brahmins eat his food and think to win bettitude by Vishramitra purified the siren sons in scorn replied and as these bitter words they said while fury made their eyeballs red their answer when the arch hermit heard his tranquil eyes with rage were blurred great fury in his bosom woke and thus unto the youths he spoke me blameless me they dare to blame and disallow the righteous claim my fierce austerities have warned to ashes be the sinners turned caught in the news of fate shall they to yama's kingdom sink today seven hundred times shall they be born to wear the clothes the dead have worn dregs of the dregs too wild to hate the flesh of dogs their moths shall say it in hideous form in lotsam weed a sad existence each shall lead Mahodaya too the fool who feigned my stainless life would try to stain stained in the world with long disgrace shall sink into a furlough's place rejoicing guiltless blood to spill no pity through his breast shall thrill cursed by my wrath for many a day his wretched life for sin shall pay thus girt with hermit saint and priest great Vishramitra spoke and ceased end of canto 59 end of chapter 12 recording by Sudeshna