SELECT SPECIMENS

OF THE

THEATRE OF THE HINDUS,

TRANSLATED

From
0. r\^y'

the Original Sanscrit,

VOL.

II.

CONTENTSr

Vikrama and Urvasi.

Mdlati and Mddhava,
TJttara

Rama

Cheritrai

BY

Horace Hayman Wilson,

Esq.

Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Bengal, ^c.

CALCUTTA:
Printed by V.

HOLCROFT,
1827.

at the Asiatic

Pressi,

WILLIAM H. FLOYD'S CO^E^TION.

VIKRAMA AND UR VAST,

OR

THE HERO AND THE NYMPH.

A DRAMA
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL

SANSCRIT,
BY

Horace Hayman Wilson, Esq.

Secret art/ to the Asiatic Society of Bengali
Sfc.

CALCUTTA
V.

HOLCROFT, ASIATIC PRESS,

No.
3, Council

House

Street,

820.

VlKllAMA AND URVASI,

THE HEEO AND THE NYMPH.

PREFACE.
The drama of "^^ikrama and Urvasi
to
tlie
i

one of the three

plays attributed to Kalidasa, already advantageously

known
inis

western

world, as the Author of Sakuntala

the

troductory observation of the IManager in the prelude

our

evidence to this

effect,

and

it is

corroborated by the corresin

pondence of these two compositions,

teristic

many

of their characis

merits

and defects: the subject of each

are the hero

taken from

heroic mythology, and a royal demigod and

nymph of more
;

than
is

human mould

and heroine of either

there

the same vivacity of description, and tenderness of feeling

;

in both

the like delicate beauty in the thoughts, and exin the style
:

treme elegance

it

may be

difficult to

decide to

which the palm belongs but the

is

story of the present play

rise

perhaps more skilfully woven, and the incidents

out

of each other more naturally than in Sakuntala, while on the

other hand, there
inff as
is

perhaps no one personage in

it

so interest-^

the heroine of that drama.

894-453

4
is

Allliouoli howevci- there

no reason
as that

to

doubt that

this

play

is

the

work of
tlie

t]ie

same hand

tx-anslatsd

by Sir

Wm;;
lifjht

Jones,

concurrence does not throw any further

or history

upon the date

of the author:

we

can only

infer

from the observance of the same chaste style of com-

position,

and the absence of any forced construction, or

conceits, that

of-

fensive

they are both the production of a

period anterior to the reign of Hhoja,

when

his

Kalidas, a

man

of fancy and taste, could descend to write a whole poem,

the Nalodaifft, for instance, in a strain of verljal paltering and

a succession of jingling sounds.
'I'he

richness of the PrA-?-// in this play both in structure

and

in its metrical code, is

very remarkable: a very great

portion, especially of thefourth act, isin this language,

and

in

that act also a considerable variet)' of metre

will

is

introduced as
clear thereculti-

be hereafter more particularly noticed:

it is

fore that this foi'm of Sanscrit

must have been highly

vated long before the play was written, and

lis

tliis niiglit

lead

to

doubt whetlier the composition can bear so remote a

is

data as the reign of ViKRAai4DiTYA. (oQ. B. C.) It

rather uncertain whethc^r the classical
literature

yet

language of Hindu

had

at that

time received so high a polish as ap-

pears in

tlie

present drama,

and

stiil less

therefore could the

if

descendants have been exquisitely refined,

the parent

were comparatively rude.

th.e

We

can scarcely conceive that

cultivation of Prakrit precesled that of Sanscrit,

when

we

advert to tho principles on wliich the former seems to be

the latter, but
it

evolved from

must be confessed that

yet far from being uu-

the relation between Sanscrit and Prakrit has been liitherto

very imperfectly investigated, and
der-toud.
is

It

may be thought some argument

of the present drama that
differently
fo und:

for the
it

compari^tive

antiquity

tells

the

?to)-y

of

PuRUUAvAS very
which
it

from the Pur^nas,

in several of

may be

we may suppose

therefore that the

play preceded those works, asliaditbeen subsequently com"

posed the poet would either spontaneously, or

to sacred authority

in deference

have adhered more closely to the Pau-

ranic legend: the difference

thePuranas

also indicates that

corruption of taste which

the product of more
'J'lie

we cannot

hesitate regarding

as

modern and degenerate

days.
in vari-

Loves of Pururavas and Urvasi are related

:

ous Puranas

the following

is

the story as

it

appears in the
is

Vishnu Parana in which and in the

Padma* it
in

more

fully

and connectedly detailed than perhaps

tion of the

any other composi-

same

class.

Ukvasi, the

Apsiu-iis. or

one of the n3-mplis of heaven so

named,

having incurrea the displeasure of

to

Mitra and
(fa

Varuna was sentenced by them

'

l)econ!e the consort

mortal, and in consequence of this curse she became ena-

moured of the king Purpravas, the son of Budha and

Forgetting her
oi Swergn, she
celestial duties,

Ila.

and foregoing the delights

introduced herself to the monai-ch, and her

fail

charms did not

to

make

the due impression on his iieart.

She was

delicately

and symmetrically formed, was gracein her

ful in lier gestures

and fascinating
Avas

manners

her voice

was music, her countenance

dressed in smiles, and her

beauty was such as might enchant the

* It is the

world
:i

no v/onder
liio

subject also
leiigtli
ii)

of a

ister

of

pettj'

prince in

work of some

Teliigu

Dekhiii, the
this

Rnjii of Conrfur/r,

cjilled the' Kavir;ij;i

M:mor;inCii;trilr;un

story

follows th^ Piinniiis

diftereiices.

jaiiani

or Puriiniva

but with souie

coniposcii by

Avyaya liie nun-

G
at

ihci-efore that

PuRUttAVAs was

once inspired
rj'no\Tn,

Avith fervent

love: conficlInjT in his rank

:

and

the king did not

to jiropose a
,

matrimonial alliance to the

nymph of
to

she was nothin^^ loth, but had not the

power

com-

.ithout previonsly exacting the

,

bridegroom's consent
to

two conditions. Puriravas hesitated not

accede to the

^.tipnlation?:.

UuY ASi Jiad

and

with her two pet rams, creatiu*es of heavenly

illusive natures, and

one of her conditions was thatthe king

liis

should take these animals under

a"-ainst their beinjrever carried

own

charge, and guard

or force.

away bv fraud

The

other stipulation was, that the

nymph was

never to behold

the person of the king,

divested of his rainijient.

On

the

ready accession of Puhuuavas to these terms, Urvasi be-

came

his bride,

and

the}'^

dwelt together in the forest of

capital of

Chaiiraratha, near Alakd the

Kuvkra,

for sixty
affection.

one* years, in perfect happiness and undiminished

The absence of Urvasi was very soon

sphere, and
tlie

felt

in the

upper
enjoy-

inhabitants of Sivcrga found

unpi-ofitable,

their

ments

stale

and

no longer Iieightened by the

agreeable manners and

entertaining society of the

nymph.
and de-

The whole body

otiier tenants

of Apsarnsas, Siddhas, Gandharhas, and

loss,

of Indra's heaven, regretted her

tnrmined to attempt her recovery as soon as the period of

her
exile, as

denounced by the imprecation, should have

period arrived, they deputed some of the

r::pired.

When this

OniullinrJins

on the expedition, wlio undertook to

bring

about the violation of the terms on which the alliance of the

* Thi^
is

liovvcver a

mereniodura-

accortiiiiE: to ilic
is

Purauas: there
iii

niptil in Mif

extr:iv!ijnitt

nothing of the kind

llic

tion of Ihe life of

I'tRURAVAj

play.

king and the

nymph

depended: with this intent they entered

the sleeping chamber of the monarch, and carried off one of the rams: the bleat of the animal
its

woke Uuvasi,

-who echoed

cries

with her lamentations, and aroused the prince.

Apprehensive however of appearing before his bride, undressed, PufiURAVAs hesitated to pursue the thief,

and thus

incurred the angry reproaches of his spouse for his indiffer-

ence to her

loss.

Presently the Gaiidharbas bore

away the

second ram, and the grief of UavAsr was afresh excited;

the king's indignation also could no longer be restrained,

and determined

to

pursue and punish the ravishers

he

leaped naked out of bed, trusting

that the darkness of night

consort.

would screen him from the eye of his

what
his

This was
off tlie

enemies desired, and he was no sooner

couch, than a vivid flash of lightning revealed

him
of

to view,

and put an end

to his

imion with the

nymph

Swerga.

UuAvsi

imiTtiediately disappeared,

accompanying the

Can*

dharhas to the halls of Indra.

When

PuRXJRAVAs was
it

conscioiis of

I'"? loss,

his grief wai

so intense, that

affected his intell^:!ts,

aid he long v,anI

dered frantic over the world

in quest of Lis

ride

after

many

years had elapsed

sevrval

'.e

came

to

a lake in Kvrukshetra

where he found
amongst them
to her
w.".?

Nymphs
:

sporting on the bank

TiavAsi
<,vild

recognising her at once he ran

ir-iplored

and wlUi

energy

her return
if

the

Nymph however
all

was no longer dispoo?d, even

his wishes, .^nd
in

she

had

been permlttei, to comply with

his
er>t'

was deaf to

eatieo, -^ud at last

she succeeded

convincing hint

of <^lie unreaso" lableness of his solicitations, and prevauc-I on

him

tJ

resuvne his station, and the duties of a King, engaging

on Uiose terms to pay him an annual visit

Pi;uUi;AVAS, hov/-

)
to submit,
:

ever reluctantly,

was compelled

and returned

sor-

rowfully but composed to his capital

his annual interviews

with Urvasi were punctually repeated and the fruit of this

intercourse

was the birth of

six

Sons* Ayus,

Dhim vn

Amavasu, Viswavasu, Satayu and Srutayu, who were the

progenitors of the lunar race of kings.

The

occasional interviews

with his bride granted to PuRstill

TjnAVAs were far from satisfying his desires, and he

sighed for the

permanent enjoyment of her

pitying his
the
distress,

society: the

Gand-

harhas at

last

engaged

to

promote his

reunion with

nymph, and

sent the ting a brazier

charged

v.ith fire,

with which they directed him to perform

to attain the gratification of all his

a sacrifice in the forest,

wisbcs.
lie

The king

repaired to the woods, but reflecting that

ill

had quitted Urvasi

order to celebrate this

rite,

giving

up

the substance for the shadow,

he returned to seek the

nymph, leaving the

vessel offii'einthe thicket.

Not

find-

ing his consort he again directed his steps to the forest, but
there the brazier was gone,
liad stood, a

and on
tree

the spot

where

it

Sami\ and AswaUhaX

had sprung up. After

a bi'anch

little

consideration

Pururavas broke

from
recit*

either tree,

and carried them bark to the palace, where and rubbing the
:

ing the
ated
fire

Gdi/atrz

sticks together,
fire

he gener-

with the friction

this

primeval

he divided into
sacrifices

three portions and with

them he performed various

and oblations imtil he obtained the rank of a Gandharba

*

AH

this part

of

the story,

+ Mimosa Suma,
*:

Urvfisfs loss and recovery, and

the birth of
Ji/iis,

Religious Fig.

arc

totally

The

holiest

terse

of the

dilTercut iu the play.

Vedas.

and being elevated to the regions of Swerga, there enjoyed

the constant society of his beloved Urvasi.*

The

latter

circumstances of

tliis

legend seem to indicate

the introduction of fire worship into India

by Pururavas,

considered as a historical personage.t There

may have been

it is
it

some old

tradition to that effect,

whence the Pauranic writers

not noticed

derived the ground worU of their fable, but

in the play, neither is

any allusion made

to

in the version

of this story in another work in which

it is

found, the Vrihat

the play

Katkd. which

differs in

many particulars from both

story tiiere

and the Purana,

narrated,

The

however

is

very concisely

and the author has

clearly taken

merely the perso-

nages and course of the fable, from what was currently

known, and givenhisown colouring

to the incidents. It adds

therefore nothing to the history of the narrative, and

either anterior or subsequent to the forms in

which it

may be is now

presented to English readers.

the Matsya Purdna,
tells

Another authority however,

the story more agreeably to the

:

tenor of the drama, as follows

"

When

a year

had elapsed, the divine Tch'd bore a son of

surpassing splendour, arrayed in celestial raiment of a yel-

low colour, and richly decorated with heavenly gems

his

fi'ora

youth he was versed in regal duties and was

art,

so skilled in

the trainingof elephants that he taught the

the appellation of Gajavedhaka.
* The play makes no allusion
to these iucidents, closing with

and acquired

The Gods being assem-

^4havanii/a or consecrated fire taken from the preceding' and

the appearance of the elder son,

prepared for receiving oblations,

,4yut

t The three

fires

are the Carfire

and tii Dakshinugni fire taken from either of the former and
placed towards the Suu'ih.

hapatya or perpetual
tained

main-

by

a householder, the C

10

bled at

tlie

mansion of her husband, Vtihaspatl, to perform

liis

the rites due to

birth,

enquired of Turd whose son he was,

5o???rt

and with much vehictance she acknowledged the Royal

was

his father.

Soma therefore took the boy, and

earth,

named him

jBMrf/^a,

and gave him dominion on the

and inaugurated
the rest confer-

him supreme over the world.

their departure.

Brahma and

red ui)on him thedignity of a planetary power and then took

The holy Biidha begot by

his

lid a son,

own might

hundred Aswamedhas.
all

who performed by He was named

PtiRuiiArAs and was revered by

worlds.

He

worshipped

Vishnu on the peaks

of Himalaya, and thence became the

monarch of the seven

fell

fold earth.

Kesi and myriads of Daityas

before his prowess, and Urvasi fascinated

by his personal

graces,

became

his bride.

Virtue, IVealih,

and Desire, once paid

this

monarch a
first

visit,

curious to
his esteem.

ascertain

which of them held the

place in

The king

received them with respect but payed

to Virtue his profonndest

homage. Wealth and Desire

were

offended by the preference sliewn to their companion. Wealth

denounceda
fall,
liis

cui'se

upon him,

that Avarice should occasion his

and

Dc^jiz-e

declared that he should be separated from

suffer distraction in the forest
;

bride,

and on that account

the

of

Kumara on

Gandhamadana mountain but

life,

Virtue decla-

red he should enjoy a long and pious

that his descendants

should continue to multiply, as lon^ as the Sun and

endured,
i

Moon

nd shoidd ever enjoy dominion of the earth

After
Sun

this the divinities disappeared.

Pl-ruravas

M'as in

the habit of paying a visit to Indra

every day. Having ascended his car, accompanying the

in his

southern course, he beheld on one occasion the

Demon

11

Kesi

seize

and carry

off the

nymjihs Ch'Uralekhd and

IjRVA.sr.

The king attacked the demon, and destroyed liim with the
shatc of
y'aj/ii,

by which he not only rescued the nymplis,

thi'one,

but established Iiidra on his

which

tlie

Demon had

endangered

for this service Indra repaid the

monarch with

his friendship,

and gave him additional power, splendor, and

glory.

Having

invited the king to a festivqj at

which was repreelection of a hus-

sented the celebrated story of

Lakshms

band, the invention of Bharata,

Indra commanded Metheir respective parts.

NAKA, Rembha and Uuvasi to perform

Urvasi who

i-epresented Lakshmi, being engrossed

by admir-

ration of the king, forgot

what she had

to enact,

and thereby

incurred the high displeasure of the sage,

to separation

who

sentenced her

from the Prince on earth, and condemned her

to a Vine, until restored

to pine fifty five years transformed

to the regrets of

Pururavas. Urvasi having made the King

and
after the

her Lord, resided with him,

term of the curse

"had expired bore him eight sons

Ayu, Bhrirhuiju, Aswuyu,

Sdtaiju all

Dhanayu, Dhritimdn, Va^u, Bivijala, and

with more than
This story
less in
is

endowed

human power."

evidently that of the play, although related

detail,
it is

and with a few variations accordingto Pauranic

clear that
it is

taste but

either derived

from a common

source with the narration of the drama, or which isnotimprobable, that

plexion.
it

has borrowed from the latter

its

general com-

The

nature of the relation Avhich exists '^between

it

the fiction as

appears in the

Drama, and

in the

Purdnas,
after

our readers will be able to appreciate for themselves

perusal of the former.

DRAMA TIS PERSONjE.

OF THE PRELUDE.
MANAGER. ACTOR.

OF THE PLAY,
MEN.
Pururavas.King of Pratiskthdna.
Ayus.

The son o? Pvruravas.

The Vidushaka
and confidential companion of

Mdnava
Chitrasena.

the king.

King of the

Gawrf/j<?r6flj

the attendants onlndra.

Ndreda.- The divine sage, the son of Brahma.

Ch amber hiin,

Forester.

Paila
Cdlava.

i > T^vo disciples of the sage Bharatn.

WOIMEN.
Chliralcklid.

Urvasi. Ai\%1psuras or nymph of Indra's heaven. Another nymph^ her

friend,

Saha/janyd

^
> Nymphs.*

P.cmbhd
Meuakii.

7
to
tlie

* According

Kasi

are the principal of these

howsix

Khand
niillions

there

are

thirly-five

ever not more than

are the luhject
poetical

five or

of

tliese

nrniphs, hiit
ixly

of Paiiranic or

only one thousand and

narrations

or

Urvati,

13

Ausinart.

The

queen of Puniravas and daughter of

tlie

king of Kdsi or Benares.

Nipunikd.-

One of her attendants.

TERSONS SPOKEN
OF.
and Sovereio-n of

/wrfrrt.The chief of all the inferior Deities,

Swerga or Paradise.
Ki-si

Daitya or Titan an enemy of the Gods.

Bharata.

A holy sage the inventor of dramatic composition.

Act the Peaks of the Himalaya;
in the se-

Guards.

JN'ymnhs &c.

Scene

in tlie First

con d and third, the palace of Pururavas at Praiishihalifi;

in tle fourth, the forest

of Akalusha, raid in the

filth

again at the palace.

C Time

Uncertain.)
Their beinj.
lM>ni,

Mcnakd, Ilamb'd^

Tillottavid,

Myriads
all

rrerc

they

and Alambushd. In their birth and deuomiiiatioi!, they ofTcr

In

mid

vesture

heavenly

clad, anil

some analogy

to the

Goddess

heavenly geins:

Jphrodite: like her they arose

Yet

more divine
all

their

native

from Ihe Kca, and as her

is

name

sem!)lancc, rich

ttferrt d to

Aphros foam or
Apsarawater and Saorigin
is

With

the

o:ifls

of grace,

and

spray, so
if J,
//

that of the

youth, and beauty.

is

from .^p

train

Innunierous followed:

who moYes llieir

ill

vat thus fair

thus related

the

first

book of

the IlilmdyaTin.

Nor God nor Demon their wedded love

:

songlit

Then from the

np^prnng

agitated depp

Thus

Rnghnva

they

still

re-

The
That

ifgion of

Apsara&ns, so

nainetl

main- their charms The ronimon trengure of host of hovon.

the

to

the

watery

clement

they

owed

VIKRAMA AND
PRELUDE.

UIIVASI.

ENTER THE MANAGER.

May
tion

that* > n-a protect you

faith ;t "vvho is
all

>vlio

is

attainable
%

by devo

and

the

sole

male of the

Vedunta,
1|

spread througli
is

space, to
is

wliom alone the name of

Lord

applicable,

and who

sought with suppressed breath

by those who covet

* The term used

final

emancipation.**
closing both during the
tion
repeti-

in the text is

Sihhnu a name of Siva

or eternal.

from

mentally

of certain for-

Sthd to stay or be, the existent

t Bhakli faith and Yoga the
practice of abstract meditation.
:};

mulae.

** Inferior enjoyment

in hea-

ven

is

not an

oltject

of desire

to the

more

enthusiastic of the
it is

The Eka purusha,

The
theolojjital
tiie
is

the

ac-

Hindus, as
after
its

but

finite,

and

tive inslrnmenl in creation.

^
(ir

cessation, the individual

meta-

is l)()rit

again

iu the world,

and
frail

physical portion of
(j

Vedas.

exposed to thecalamitiesofa
existence

Iswara,

wliicli

derived

the great aim of deimica

vrith

from

Isha, to

have power, or

votion

is

the su-

Asa
CJ^e

to
tlie

pervade

in

the

latter

preme and

universal spirit, iu

vowel

is

tlianj^ed.

which case the soul no more

assumes a perishable shape
character
:

5 The exercise of l^rinayama

or
breatliin<r

the

through

cither
tliii

of

tiiis

bendiction

Iicilri]

alternately

and

corresponds with that of Sakun-

15

Man. (Looking of the

'

stage.)

Ho, Marisha* come hither.

ENTER ACTOR.
I Sir.

Act

Here am

Man.

Many

assemblies have witnessed the compositions

I

of former dramatic Bards. t

therefoa-e

propose to exhibit

one not hitherto represented, the drama;}: of Vikrama and

Urvasi.

Desire the company to be ready to do justice to

their respective parts.

Act.

I shall Sir.

Man.

have now only to request the audience that they

will listen to this

work of Kaliddsa with

of
its

attention

and kind-

ness, in consideration

subject and respect for the

Author.

(Behbid
Help, help,
if in

the Scenes.)

the middle sky,

A friend be foundto aid

talk and both

us

fly.
is

indicate the auraodifi-

+ KdJidas

therefore not the

thor's l)el<)no;ing' to that

oldest dramatic writer,

cation of the

Hindu

filth

in

The Trotaka a drama

in

which the abstract deism of the

Veda'ita
is

five, eight,

or nine acts, thechar-

qualified by Identify-

acters of

which are mixed or

ing the supreme, invisible, and

inapprecialile spirit with a deluslve

heavenly and
introduction,

human

see

the

form which was the person

the

^ Tl>e original

may
it i

be so un-

o{ Rudra or Siva.

mans of

The BrahSouth and West are

clear,

mostly of this sect

and whatmay have

Gosalns.

not quite Pranaylshu dakshinyad, yadl \a sadvastu purusha bahnniaiiah

itaik
It is

derstood although

ever Sanlcara SK'anii

tauo-ht,
it is

srlnnfa
little

nianobhlravah-

that of his descend-

krlyam

im;ini Kalldasasva.

ants

tlie

Das-iiami
is

of

consequence, except
it

The
of
*

sect

probably the oldest

existing in India.
It
is

that in the sense preferred

dlcates the

in-

all

now

fame of the author

A term by which

pro-

to be estai)lisliej

when tbijpicc

per to address owe of the priucipal performers.

was

wrllten.

16

Man.
the

What sounds

are these in the

air^

that like the

it

plaintive bleat of lambs, break in

upon

my

speech: was

murmur

of the Bee or Koil's distant song, or do the

as they pass above,

Nymplis of heaven
strains

warble their

celestial

Ah
saint,

no it is

the cry of distress

The

fair creation

of the

the friend of NauA;, Uuvasi, has been carried

halls of the

off by a

demon on her return from the

and her
sisters are

Sovereign

of Kaildsa*

invoking some friendly

\^Exit.

power

to their aid.

ACT
SCENE

I.

FIRST.

PART OF THE HIMALAYA RANGE OF MOUNTAINS.

BNTER in
the

Air a Troop of Apsarasas or Nymphs of Heaven.

if any

Nymphs. Help, help

friend be nigh

To
Pur.

aid the daughters of the sky.

in

ENTEii Pururavas-^

a heavenly car driven by his Charioteer^

cries,

Suspend your

in

me

behold a friend,

Pururavas, returning from the sphere

Of

the wide glancing sun,

tell

command my

aid

And
whose
ed
to

me, what you dread.

* Kuvera, the God of wealth,

capital

BRAHMA.
Duksha,
I

Jlakd

is

supposAtri,
I

be situated

on mount

Kaildsa.
t Pururavas isn king of higli descent hfin^ sprung by iiis n\oIher lid from tiie sun, .^nd hi faUiei- Budhii from the moon,

Aditi* Kasjapa,

Soma^

Viwaswat the lun,

1

Vaiwaswat,
1

being the grandson of the latter

Ila,

Rudha*
rurui'uvus,

lla,

and great grandson of the

for-

mer

his

origin

is

ultimately
thus.

dcrifed fruin

Brahma

17

Pcmhhcf.

A demon's violence.
violence presumes the fiend to offer.
it

Pur.

What
Our

Mf.naha. Great king

steps

thus has chanced:

we measured back

from an assembly of the Gods

hall

Held in* Kuveras

before us stepped
Nymph
whose charms

Th.? graceful Urvasi, the

Defeated Indra's stratagemst and shamed

The
Kcsi,

loveliness of SriX
:

the brightest ornament

city||

Of heaven
tlie

when on our path the haughty Dunava,

monarch of the golden

Sprang
Pur.

fierce and bore the struggling

nymph away.

Which path pursued

Banish your
I
fears.

the wretch.

Sahajanya. 'Tis yonder.

Pur.

go

to rescue
is

and restore your

friend.

Rcmbkd.
Pur.

The act

worthy of your high descent.

Where

wait you
this

my

return.

Rembha Here
Pur.

on

peak

The towering HemaJada.^

( To the Charioteer
)

Bend our

course

To yonder point, and urge tiie rapid steeds To swiftest flight 'tis done before the car

Like vollied dust the scattering clouds divide;

The

whirling wheel deceives the dazzled eye

And

double I'ound the axle seems to

circ'e

The waving chowrie on

*

the steed's broad

fJiranyapur,

brow
name

The God

of Riches.

is

1|

the

+ See the note in p^ge 20. + The wife of Vishnu goddess

of prosperity and hearty.

in the text.
^

The golden or Snowy Pe^k.

IS

Points backward, motionless as in a picture;

And backward streams thebauner from

the breeze

We
The
Jlcmhhd.

meet

immoveable* We should outstrip

of rainatei/af and must surely

flight

O'ertake theravisher.

^Exeuni,
blithely seek
glittering

Now

Sisters on,

and

The golden mountain's

That rankles
Alenakd.

peak

Secure the king extracts the dart

in

each anxious heart.

:

We
The

need not fear

his

arm can

quell

mightiest of the sons of hell.

What makes he liere but aid to bring From mortal realms to Srverga's king ;

And is not to his valour given Command o'er all the hosts of heaven,
Rembhd. Joy, Sisters, joy
_,

(they proceed,

the king advances

High

o'er

yon ridgy rampart dances

The deer-emblazoned banner See The heavenly

car rolls on;
'tis

he.

* Avery similar description, but

les {jictnresque andjust,

against the breeze than the

un

occun

dulation of eilhrr.

The Charaari
white

in the beginning of Sakuntiila.

or Chowrie
tail

the

bushj

and the truth of

less striking

it

is

rendered

of the Tibet Cow, fixed on a

by a loose transia-

gold or ornamented shaft, rse

lion. Sir William Jones translates

from between the ears of th

horse like the

Nishkanipa

Chamara

Siklia

Plume of the War

" they tossed their manes"

it

when

horse of Chivalry

the

banner

means

" their nianes and the

or banneret wilh the device of

Chowries

on

their
is

heads are
they point

the Chief rose at the back of the

unagitated"

that
a

against the wind without waving, a predicate

Car sometimes several llttietriangular flags were mounted on

its sides,

much more
rapid

in-

dicative

of

ad\anc*

t Garura the ton of Tinata.

19

ENTa Pururavas

in his

car sJowty ; Urvasi in tkt ear

JainU

ing, supported by Ckitralekkd.

Chitr,

Dear friend
Fair
Still

revive.

Pur.

nymph resume your

courage

wields the thunderer his bolt, and guards

triple

The

world from harm

the foes (f heaven

this

Are put

to flight

Avhy cherish
is

alarm

When
The
Chilr.

its

just cause

o'er

unclose those lids

lotus opens

when

the night retires.

Alas her sighs alone declare her conscious.

Soft as the flower the timid heart not soon

Pur.

Forgoes

its

fears

The scarf that

veils

her bosom
breast.

Hides not

its

flutterings,

and the panting

Seems

as

it felt

the wreath of heavenly blossoms

Weigh
Ch
tr.

too oppressively.

Revive

my

friend
ill

This weakness

becomes a nymph of heaven.

recovers,

Pur.

Have

patience

^he

though but
the night

faintl}

So gently

steals the

moon upon

Retiring tardily

so peeps the flame

clears her troubled

Of evening fires through smoky wreaths; and thus.

The Ganges slowly
wave,

Engulphs the ruin that the tumbling bank

Had And
*

hurled athwart her agitate

flows a clear

course,

and

stately stream

again*

The
is

idea in the last fonr

vey to those acquainted with the

siil)ject

lines

somewhat expanded,

to

of the description
lines

tlie

convey more distinctly to European readers what one-fourth of

their Qumber would at once con-

original

are exceedingly

sweet and beautiful,

20

Chili:

Awake
Are

dear friend, the enemies of heaven

baffled in despair.

Urr.
Chitr.

(Feviving.)

By InSras

prowess.

'By prowess not inferior to Mahetidra's

Bv
Urv.

this

most holy Prince*

rurt'travas.

(LooJcing at Pururatas; then apart.)

What
Pur.

thanks

owe

the Daniiva.

(After lookhig at Urvasi, then apart.)

What

marvel.

The Nymphs celestial blushed with humbled charms.

When
The

to

rebuke their wantonness, the sage

this

Willed that

wondrous beauty should appear.

creature of a sage

it

cannot be

How could an
* Tie
ii

aged anchoret,t grown old

them with so much
they thought
attained.
civility, Ihat

nlwnys called a RaUi'ihi

iarshi.Raia
In
tlie

or Roy;] Siiint.

their object sage,

was

rl'ssification

of sagrs

The

however,

there are three <)rders, the Rajarshi. or kingly sage, such

taking up a flower stalk, placed

it

as

jAiN*KA,theBrahniarshi orBrahnian saje as

on his thigh, when a beautiful nymph appeared, the superiority

of whose

Vasishtha. and

charms covered

ths

the Devarshi or Divine Sage as

Nareda. + Nara and Ndrdj/ana were two Saii\ls, the sons of Dherma
unA Ahinad: Ihey devoted Ihemielves to ascetic exercises wliich

nymphs of heaven with shame. Hardy ana then told them to

return to Indra. and

bear

him

a proof he needed not the coni-

pany of beauty,

in

the present

he made him of the new born

alarmed the Gods, and Indra

sent

nymph, who accompanied the Apsarases to Swerga, and wag LoveandSpring.wilh the nymphs called I'rvdst from Uru a thigh, of heaven lo inflame the sages P'dmana Purdna. The Com-

Kama

and

Vasanta

or

witii passion

and thus end their

mentator on

penance.

Xdrdyana observing
snsinvit-

Nara
of

7\\\A

the drama Ndrayana vmic

says,

^4va-

the ginihols of the party

laras, descents or

incarnations

peeled their purpose

he

^/jM"a and Kriihna.

ed themlo approach, and treated

21

In

dull devotion,

and whose only merit

Was
Such

cold insensibility, conceive

supei'natural beauty

oh no;

Love

Himself was her creator, whilst the

Moon
passion,

Gave her

his radiance,
to

and the flowery Spring,

Taught her
Urv.
Chitr.

madden men and gods with

lead us to them.
loss,

Where
Trust

are our friends.

The King will

Pur.

me

they

mourn your

nor

is it

strange

That they should miss your presence, when the eye

That once has viewed you
Urv.

must lament your absence.

fall like

(Apart.) Delightful words, they

drops of

[^Nectar.

(Aloud ) Not

less

my

eagerness to see again

The
Pur.

friends I love.

Behold them there

they keep
safe

Their anxious watch on Hemakuta's brow.

And mark
Chilr.

your coming

from the Demon's grasp.

eclipse.

Like the bright moon emerging from

Look

friend.
fill

Urv.
Chilr.

Like feelings

my eyes as

Whose }

Urv.

My
Jjike

friends.

liembhd. Attended by each brilliant star.

Chandra*

in his radiant car.

The king appears and with him borne

Behold our
sister

nymphs

return.
;

Menaku. For both the boons our thanks be poured

The
* Like the

prince

unharmed and

friends restored.
F'isdlchd,

moon

with the two stars of

stars.

one of the

lu-

nar asterisms cuutuiai!ir two

22

Chorus. Joy to the prince

who mighty
demon
foes.

rose

To
pur.

quell the pride of

lofty

To yonder

mountain guide the

car.
:

(Apart.) Not

vain our journey hitherward

'tis

much

In the unsteady rolling of the chariot

But

for a

Of

this celestial

moment to have touched the form nymph the blissful contact

Shoots extasy through every

fibre.

Here (aloud.)

Arrest our course the maid's companion choir

press on to her embrace, like flowery vines

That bend

to catch the

beauty of the spring.

Chorus. Joy to the king

Propitious Heaven
my
triumph.

Has
Pur.

victory to his prowess given.

in these

Behold

(presenling Urvasi

and Chitralehha.)

Urv.

]\Iy deal*,

dear Sisters,

little

did I hope

But
Chorus.

late to feel

once more

this loved

embrace.

{embraces them )

May

countless ages blest survey

noise rvilhout)

The mighty Pururavds sway, (a

Charioteer.

(To the King.)

is

Sire from the east the rushing sound

heard

Of mighty

chariots

yonder
cliffs
;

like clouds they roll

Along the mountain

now

there alights

A chief in
Of

gorgeous raiment like the blaze

lightening playing on the towering precipice.

Nymphs. Our king, great Chitraratha.

ENTER

Chitraratha, the Icing of the Gandharhas,*

(attended.)
Chilr.

Illustrious victor, friend o Indra hail.

ia the

The Gandhtirbas are the male atteadaats aad Choriiter* CourU uf Siva, Indra, aud Kuvera.

53

Pur.

King of the heavenly

friend*

quiristers receive

The welcome of a
Chiir.

"V^hat brings

you hither.

When

India learnt from Nareda the rape

Of this

fair

damsel by the Daiii/a, Kest,

He bade me gather the Gandharha train And hasten to her rescue I obeyed
;

But

ere

we marched, news

of your triumph came

And

stopped our progress.

For your friendly aid

I bear

you now our monarch's thanks, and more

to see

His wish

you

in the to

heavenly courts,

Your worth has opened

This service
Is
is

your welcome visit

most dear

to

him

the nymph

now your boon

first

given by Ndrdyana

To grace the halls of Srverga now redeemed From hands profane by your resistless valour, You rate the deed too high not mine the Tur.
;

glory

But

his,

the Thunderer's, from

whom derived
in his cause.

The strength of those who conquer The very Echo of the Lion's roar.
As through
Chilr.

the rocky

rifts it

spreads and deepens.

Appalls the mighty elephant.

'Tis well.

This modesty becomes your worth

Humility
nymph

Is ever found the ornament of valour.

Pur.

Excuse

me

to the

monarch

Other claims

Demand my
Back
Chitr.

distant presence; lead the

to the king.

Your
Speak

will shall
to

be obeyed.

Urv.

(Apart

Chilralekhd.)

for

To
hastaw

bid adieu to

me my dear friend, my lips my protector Speak.

is

refuse

* The stage direction here

spriiatali"'

They shake hands.

" Paraiparana

U
friend

Chiir.

(To

the

king)
Sir,

Illustrious

my

commands me ask

Your

leave to carry back with her to heaven.

As one
Par.

she dearly cherishes, your fame.

Farewell

I trust ere

long to meet again.

ascend,

The Gandharbas and Apsarasas

pretends

Urvasi

loiters

and

to be stopped.

Urv.

moment

pause, (to Chitrdlekha.)

Dear Girl

this

straggling vine.

Has caught my garland

Chilr.

No easy
fast to

task I fear
set free

Too

be

help me get you seem entangled

to
bivt

loose.

come what may

Depend upon my
Urv.

friendship.

Thanks, thanks.
of your promise.

Be mindful
Pur,
I

( Chitralekhd employed in discngairing her J.

A thousand

thanks, dear Plant, to whose kind aid

owe another instant, and behold. But for a moment and imperfectly.

Those half-averted charms.

Charioteer.

Come Royal
the ocean

Sir,

Let us depart the demon

foes are hurled

Deep
For

in

wave just punishment

king

their rebellion against Stvergn's

let

Now
The As
Pin:
Urv.

the shaft, whose headlong force resembles

blast of fate, sleep in its

wonted

quivei".

cowers the snake within his gloomy covert.

C Thei/ mount.)

Ascend the car

! !

Ah me ah when agam Shall I behold my brave delivei'er.

(Departs

m(h ChitraUkhd and

the nymphs.)

25

Puru.

(Looking i^ter her.)

What idle drean)s does frantic love suggest What ai'duous tasks inspire the beauteous nymph

Bears off

my

heart in triumph through the path

Her sire immortal treads : so flies the swan Through the mid air, charged with its precious
The
milky nectar of the Lotus stem.

spoil.

(Exit in his Cai\)

END OP THE FIRST

ACT.

ACT
AT PRAYAGA.*
Enter Mdnava,
It
is

II.

THE GARDEN OF THE PALACE OF PURURAVA3

(Allahabad,)
Vidushaka.
a
the

mighty inconvenient

this, for

Brahman

like myself,

one so

much

sought

after

and subject

to such frequent in-

vitation, to

be burthened with the king's secret

going

so

much

into

company

as I do, I shall never

I

be able

to set a

guard upon

my

tongue.

must be prudent, and

will stay

here by myself in this retired temple, until

my

royal friend

comes forth from the Council Chamber.

covers his face with his hands.)
*
led
It is also in

(Sits down

and

other places calis

Pratisthana and

described

as at the confluence of the

Ya-

cording to Hamilton are still to be seen at Jhiisi on the left bank of the Ganges. Hinniltoii's Genealo^ies of {he Hindus.
Alla-

muiia and Ganges on the bank

of the latter
:

it

should seern
the

therefore that so late as

habad or Prayaga was a holy jtlace having been the seat of

composition of
ancient city
to
its

tliis

drama the

Bharadhwajat

still

stood opposite

heTiv'i'ase, hut \t never was a city until Akber

present site

The ruins ac-

made

it

one.

26

Enter

Nipiinikd, an Attendant on the Qticsn.

king-

The daughter of the

the same
else

of Kdsi*

is

quite sure that since

is

the king" returned from the regions of the sun, he

no longer

he

must have
I

left his

heart behind
find
it

him

what
if that
it.

can be the reason.

must try and

out

crafty

Brahman be
thin grass

in the secret 1 shall easily get at

A
dew

secret can rest

no longer

in his bi'east,

than morning

upon
sits

uhere can he
is

be

eh

yes, there he

immoveablelike a monkey in a
him, that
all

picture.

now
sly

to at-

tack

have

to

do.

fAryaMihiava
That

salute you.
j\Ia7i.

Prosperity attend you. (apart).

baggage

Nipunikd

she seeks
it

to discover the secret I dare say. If so,

she will get

to

a certainty in spite of

me, {aloud) Well

practice:]: for

Nipunikd,

how

is it

you leave your music

the

garden.

Nip,

The Queen
She
bids

has sent

me

to

pay you a

visit Sir.

Man. And what may be her

Nip.

^Majesty's

commands.

me

say that she has ever esteemed you as

it is

her good friend, and that

therefore with

some surprise

she finds you utterly indifferent to her present anxiety.

Ma7i.

Why,

what's the matter

you
my
;

cannot suspect that

my

royal friend regards her grace with any diminution of his

? is

affection for her

Nip.

Oh!

that

not the point

mistress

knows
let

the

cause of his melanclioly well enough

the secret himself, and in a
fit

nay more, he

out

of aosence, addressed the

love.
:}:

Queen

by

t}":"

very

name

of his

new
Bein

* Tlie ancient
nares w'lich
tbp C'
soitlia
is

name of
I'iiny.

Savgida Bdpdra for Sangita

Practice

recognisable

Vjaparji.

of

music,

of Ptt

singing and dancing.

term of refpcct.

27

Man.

C Apart. J Indeed

oh,

if his

majesty cannot keep

his ov/n secrets,

why

should I be plagued with them, (aloud.)

Urvasi.

Why what the deuce Nipuniku, did he call the Queen,

Nip.

And

pray

who

is

Urvasi.
since the king

Man.

The nympli the Apsaras, ever

been
out of his senses,

saw

her, lie has

he not on'y neglects her

grace, but turns his back

upon me.
I

Nip.

(Apart.)

So, so,

have settled that matter, as I

expected, {Aloud.) Well I must return to the queen, what

am

I to

say to her.
Tell her I

Mm.
is

am weary

of attempting to cure

my

friend the king, of this idle fancy of his.

The only remedy,

\ExU.

the sight of her lotus countenance.

Nip.

You may depend upon me.

(ivithout.)

The Warder,

All hail to the monarch

who

toils

through the day

To
As

shed o'er his subjects the light of his sway.

travels unceasing the sun in his sphere

To

chase from the universe darkness and fear

The Lord of
His course
at

lone splendour an instant suspends

mid-noon ere he Avestward descends.

And

brief are the

moments our young monarch knows.

Devoted

to pleasure or paid to repose.*

will oc-

* Frequent occasion
sort of poetical

arrival of the

Gtlihouror watch
or
lie

cur to notice the FaKdlilca, a

of the day, about two

three
sayji

warder or Bard,
fixed

o'clock, in which alone

who announces
&c.
ini;

periods

the king can follow

clination.
It

his

own

in.

of the day, as dawn and eveningin

appears

indeed
Iy

measured

lines,

and occa-

that

tlie

royal station was

lionaliy pours forth strains aris-

no means a sinecnre: the Agni

Pnraiia lays

from any incidental occurannounces the

down

rules for the

rence he here

apportioning of the regil day.

28

Man.
seat,

{Listening
is

Ha my
! ;

royal friend has risen from his

and

coming hither
more

1 -will

await him.
perusal

l)ut

the snrae are

fully de-

the

tailedin the last story of theDasa

work.

of some nacrcd The fourth and fifth

three hours are
Tn the

Kiimara, upon the authority of

portions or

aU

Chanakya, the relehrated minister of Chandr;. jopta,

lowed for

sleep.

Sixth

who

is

al-

he must

rise

ways cited
Niti,

and purifr himself,

holds a pri-

as the author of the

In the Seventh, he

or Institutes of Govern-

vate consultation
nisters

ment.
it

From

with his mi-

the Dasa
the

Knmara
day and

and furnishes the Officeri

instructi-

appears

that

of Cxovernment with
ons, and the Eighth,
is

in-ht,

was each divided into

portions,

approprior Priest

eight

corresponding

ated to the Purohit

accordingly to one hour and a

half,
of.

the

Brahman and

religious ce'

and they are thus disposed

portion.
is

Day-First
dressed

The kinis

bemg

remonies, after which the husiess of the day is resumed.

The

to audit hi
to pro-

accounts.

Second-he

author of the play has conformed to this dislrihufion-hrinc^ine

Dounce judgment in suits appealed to h.m Third-he is to

breakfast.

Pururavas from Council at^he

sixth

portion of

the

Fourth-he
political

day-the

is

to

precise

rece.veand makepresents. Fifth

to
discuss

hour depends upon the

year, th0 different-

period of the portions

sunrise,

questions

bein?

w.th
lors.

reckoned from
infer that the

ministers and councilis,

we may

Sixth-he

n. staled in

the drama, his own master, Seventh-he is to review the Troops. Eighlh-he hoi Is a
military Council. Night.
portion.
First

Poet intends this to be about 2 i^. M. as at the end of the Act he makes the kin- describe the
time as being past noon, when the h.at is most oppressivethe
Sixth

The king is to receive the reports of his spies and enToys. Second-he sups or dines,
Third- he
retires to rest ;ifter

watch

accordingly

begins in the
o'clock.

drama about one

29

ENTER
Pur.

Turiiravns.
;

One

glance sufficed

the unerring shaft of love.

Laid bare the path, and gave a ready access

To
Man.
Pur.

that celestial
in

nymph, to
heart.

seat;

herself

Throned

my

(To
(To

himself) Ah, that

of.

is

exactly

what the poor

daughter of Kdsiraja complains

the Vidushaka.)

You have kept my

secret safe.

Man.

(Apart.)

That baggage must have betrayed me,

why

else

should he ask the question.

(^Alarmed.)

Pur.

How, you

are silent
fact
is,

Man. Don't be alarmed- the

accustomed
to the restraint I

that

my
it,

tongue

is

so

have put upon

that 1 cannot

answer
Pur.

off

hand, even your enquiries.

'Tis well

now then
do
}

for

recreation

What shall we
Man. Pay a
Pur.

visit to

the kitchen.
>

With what

intent

Man.

Why

the very sight of the savoury dishes In course

"will

of preparation
ide^s.

be

sufficient to dissipate all

melancholy

Pur.

With you

it

may for

what you covet there

desires aiFect

You may
Man.

obtain

what my

Is hopeless
IVIay T

where should
ask
if

then seek diversion.

the person of your highness was not

beheld by the lady Urvasi.

Pur.

What

then.

Man.

Why

then I should think her not quite so un^

comeatable.

Pur.

Weigh

it

not thus, but judge impartially.

oO

Man. "What
sijrnifies

5'on say only

adds to

my

surprise:

what
I

madam

Urvasi's

unrivalled

beauty,

am

not

equally without a peer, in ugliness.

Pia'.

"Word"! cannot paint her every excellence.

Hear
Ma7i.
I

lier

Mcinovaku desCiil)ed

in brief.

am

all iittention.

Pur.

Her Her

loveliness yields splendour to lier ornaments.

purity gives fragrance to her perfumes,

All the similitudes that poets use

To
1-Jan.

picture beauty
to

it

were gross

flattery

To them,
This
is

name
T

Avith

her surpassing charms.

mighty

well, but in t!ie fancy for sucli su-

]^crhuman excellence,

should think your majesty had taken

;

the ChiUali-n* for your model

where please you

the only solace.
gi'ove.

shall

we go.

Pur.

To melancholy moods
(Apart.)

Is solitude

go onwards to the
What absurdity.
civility to nneet

Man.

(Aloud.) This

way

Sir,

liere is the

boundary of the grove, and the southern windt

you.

advances with due

Pur.

lie comes to teach me, as he amorous sports

Amongst the blossoms

of the Madhain%

And
With

dances
all

frolic

with the Knnda\\ flowers.

the impassioned fervour of desire

And
I

graceful ingenuity of iove

in

mark
'\

him

my

pictured sentiments.
I see
is

^lan.
fence,

he only likeness
here
sniJ

your mutual persever*

])ut

we

are, please

you

to enter.

* A

r.ir(1,

to iltink

no

dmtan
%
ers.
\

is

from the South.

TVMter bill

r;iiii.

cri^eper willi white flow.

+ nuiin;; ihe hot tventher the picvyiling Breeze in Ilia-

A hind of Jasmin.

51

Pur.

Precede. I fear

my

coming hither

vain.

Nor
I

yield these sliades relief to

my

affection

Though widi
I feel like

intent to gain tranquillity

seek these paths of solitude and peace;

one contending with the stream

boi-ne

And
Man.
Pur.

still

backwards by the current's

fores.

Why entertain such feelings. How avoid them.

I affect
is

What
The

of no light attainment

The very thought presumption

five

and now Love

armed God,* Avhose shafts already pierce me.

fragrant flowers and pallid leaves.

Calls to his aid these passion-breathing b'ossoms.

The mango's
Man.
coaxing,
Piir.

Light wafted round ns by the southern breeze.

Away
1

with despondence, be assured thatwith a

will

little

Anangaf

be yoin* friend.

take your words as ominous.

let

Man.

But now

your highness notice the beauty of this

it

garden, heralding as

were the presence of the sprhig.

Pur.

mark

it

well

In the

Kurmaka,

Behold the painted

fingers of the fair

Red

tinted in the midst

and edged with ebony buds

Hera the Asoka puts

forth nascent

Just bursting into flowers, and here the tendril

Round the brown mango's thickly clustering blossoms To steal their fragrance, twines ; methinks I see
* The Hindoo Cupid ed with a l)ow strung
arrows,
is

armBees

Deily.

Having
I)y

Iteeii

once deaslit^s

wiili

stroyed
l)y

Siva, burnt to

and

fivr

each

ti()|)ed
[>e-

tiie fire

of his eye

in resenf-

TTith a flower

and exercising

menl of A'c.7j'saimi!ig
nt
liisii.

his darts

culiar influence on the heart.

Love

the

iinembodied

S2

The

pride of spring on either

hand attended
studded thick
in

By
Man.
invites

budding infancy and flowering youth.

The bower

of Jasmines yonder

is

Avith blossoms,

and the bees crowd about them

heaps

it

your majesty to repose.

(Thei/ enter the Arbour.)

Pur.

As you

please.

Man.
Pur.

Now How

seated in this

shade you

may

dissipate

your

cares, by contemplating the elegant plants around us.

should

I learn

composure As my eye
call to

Rests on the towering trees, and from their tops

Sees the lithe ceeper wave, I

mind

The graces

that surpass

its

pendulous elegance.
inspire

Come, rouse your wit and friendship may

Some capable expedient to secure me The object of my wishes. Man. With all my heart, 'Ihe thunderbolt was Indra's friend, when he was in love with Ahalyd* and I am your adviser

now you

are

enamoured of Urvasi.

We

are both of us

sapient councillors.

Pur.

Genuine

affection ever councils wisely.

Man. Well
Pur.

I will turn the mattei over in

my

mind, but

you must not disturb

my

cogitations
tfvinkle.)

by your

sighs.

(Feeling his eyes

* The wife of the sage Gau-

presence of Ramachandra.
+
alike,
tlit;

tama

Indra enjoyed her by the

for

The
is

insanity

of both

is

contrivance Jupiter practised to

possess Alcmcna, the :irumpti-

the

literal

purport
:

of

Viduskakas

remarks

if it

ou of her husband's person,

Mhicli I)oth
tage.

were not
this

for the Raja's reply

were cursed by the

in

-would

seem applicable to
rather than

Jhalyu

consequence
restor-

the

sd vised

the

became a statue and was

ed to auimatiuii
oii]v

adtiseri.

bv the

 t
!

S3

The moon-faced maid is fai' beyond my reacli Then why should love impart such flattering
They The
teach

tokens.

my mind
bliss,

to feel as if enjoyed

present

hope scarcely dares imagine.

{They
retire.)

KNTKR Urvasi and ChitraUkha

Ckilr. Tell

in the air.
:

me
tell

dear girl your piu'pose

whither go we.

Urv.

me first do you recall the promise You made me jestingly vipon the brow Of Hemah'tta, when your friendly hand
Nay,
Detached
If
it

my

vesture from entangling thorns

be

still

within your recollection

f hitr.

You need not ask me whither we proceed. You seek the moon of monarchs, Pururavas.
Riglit girl,

Urv.
Chilr.

though

ill

it

argue of my modesty.

Whom

have you sent the envoy of your coming.

Urv.
Chitr.

None, but

my heart;

that, lias

long gone before me.

visit.

And who
I

suggested such a tender

love.

Urv.
Chitr.

'Twas enjoined by

make no

further question.
council,

Urv.

Aid me with your

There
no

which way best

We may
Chifr.

proceed, to meet with no impediment.

is

fear, the H!l-v.ise

preceptor*

Of the immortals has imparted to you The spell that renders you invincible And mightier than the mightiest foe of heaven.
* Vrihaspali, the pliinel Jupiter
idani,

iiama,

Sinha

baiidhana,

and

leaclier

of the
first

Gods,
pail
is

vijjnm.

Aparajita iiama Siklia

+TheraeaD'uigofthe

Landhana Vidja.

The unsur-

perhaps not quite correct as

plirase
is

tlie

passed crest-binding Science,

very doubtful, Apara

SI

rVi'.

Bnt you

recall 3"0ur promise.

Chilr.

"lis retained
in

Firm

my

heart

Behold wlieremeet the stream?

Of Gangd and of Yamuna in the mirror Of tlie broad waves, the palace of the king^, 'I'he crest borne gem of Pratiskthuna, views. Complacently its own reflected glory.
Vrv.
'J

'Jhe scene in truth

might tempt us

to believe

he

fields

of heaven were here in prospect spread-

its

Cut

wliere to find
tlie

Lord, the pitying friend

Of all
Cli'dr.

helpless children of misfortune.

in this

Let us alight and hide us

garden.
till

Whose groves may vie with Indra's, Some news of him we seek.
Yonder
I

we

learn

view him.
display
liis

{T^^^y descend.)

He waits thy coming to

With undiminished
That newly

beauty

brightness, like the

moon.

risen expects awhile his bride

light, ere

The
Urv.

soft

moon

he put forth

liis

radiance.
first

More
]My gaze.

graceful seems he than

when

he met

CMtr.
U]-v.

No

doubt,

come
a

let

us approch.

Xo, hold

moment

let

us conceal ourselves

In veiling mist,* and lurking thus unseen

* Viv'iw^
to llie audito individuals

\isil)Ie

and Angelo
tyr,

in

the Virgin Mariiivi-

enceandin visible
vn the
st<ii;e

who
:

repeatedly enters

is

a conlrivance

silde

the wardrolie of

some of
couipris-

f;imiliar to llie |d;iys of viuions

our
ed
a

old

Comedians
to

people, especinlly

our own, as
lh;il

rolto

walk

iiivisii)le,

the Giiost of Ilanilel,

of

^^liich

Gifiord
light

supposes

was a

Uai t^uo, Ariel

iu

the Tempest,

dress ci

guuzy texture.

25

About

the arbour, ^ve

may

overliear

What thoughts he utters in this solitude. Communing with one only friend.
CThei/ become invisible
to the

king and the Vidiishaka.)

I

Man.
Urv.

have

it,

difficult as it is,

have

hit

upon

a plan

for securing

you an interview with your Charmer.

{Behind.)

How, who; what female is so

blest to

be

The
Chitr.

object of his anxious thoughts.

Be

sure

It is

no nymph of merely mortal origin.

lofty excellence
fills

Urv,

Such

MaU'

Did

3'our IMajesty hear

me M'ith fear. me observe I had

devised

an expedient.
Pur.

Say
This

on,
it is

what

is it.

Man.

Let your Majesty cherish a comfortable

;

nap, your union will then be effected by your dreams

delirreate a portrait of the

or

Lady Urvnst and

recreate your

imagination by gazing on her picture.

Urv.
Is then his heart indeed
I fear

my own.
dreams

Tur.

me
I

both impracticable.
to taste repose that

How

can

hope

Might give me

Urvasi, while fierce the shaft

Of Kinna'^
The The
Chitr.

rankles in

my

breast

and vain.
;

task her blooming graces to pourtray

tears of hooeless love at every line
fill

"Would

my

eyes,

and hide her beauties from me.

You

hear.

Urv.

I do, yet scarcely yet confide.

tlie

Something of

kind
as

is

iised
tas^e

veil,
veil."

:hi(1

"throwing

aside

the

heie apparently

the

directions are 'covered vtiUi a

The Hindu Cupid.

36

Man.
Pur.

Ah

well,

my
little

ingenuity extends no farther.

Cold and relentless

little

does she know.

Or knowing
Yet cannot
I

heeds,

my

fond despair.

reproach the archer God,

to

Although by giving
Pie tortures
Chirt.

my

hopes such aim.

me

with barren, wild, desires.

What
I

say

you now.

Urv.

grieve that he should

deem me

Cold and unfeeling

Before
I

cannot

now appear
:

make

these charges

some reply

Here

is

a Bhiirja leaf,* I will inscribe

it

My

thoughts on it and cast

the leaf

in his

way. Vidushaka

(She writes upon

and

lets
it

il

fall near the

who picks

up.)

Man.
upon me.
Pur.

Ilola,

what

is

here, the slough of a

Snake dropped

It is a leaf

and something

Avritten

on

it.

Man.
Pur,

No doubt

the lady

Urvasi unperceived, has over

this billet to console

heard your lamentations, and sends

you.

Hope dawns upon my

right.

passion.

(Reads

the leaf.

Your guess was

Man.
Urv.

Oblige

me

then by letting me hear what

is

written.

Indeed, Sir, you are curious.

Pur.

(Reads.)
flame.

" Not undeserved, although unknown, the

"
'1

hat glows with equal

fires in either

frame.

" The breeze that " Iveclined upon

* A kiiul of
ci
Bircli,

softly floats

through heavenly bowers,

coi-al

my

couch of

flowers,

the

leaf
in

that of the
ninsuja.

Palm

is

in the Fe-

wnicli

is

used as jjaper

some

p.^its

of Upper India, ai

37

<'

Sheds not on
blovirs
all

me

its

cool reviving breath

:

" But
''

the hot and scorching gate of death

O'er

my

form the fevered venom

flies,

"

And
I

each bright bud beneath me, droops and dies"

Man.

hope you are pleased

you
it,

have now
to

as

much
asked

cause for rapture as I should consider

to dinner -when T felt
Pter.

be

civilly

hungry.
;

How
still

say you

cause for rapture

this dear leaf

Conveys indeed assurance most delightful

Yet

I sigh to interchange

our thoughts.
eye.

Met face to face, and eye encountering Our sentiments accord. Urv.
Pur.

The drops

that steal

Fast from

my

tremulous fingers

may

efflice.
:

These characters traced by her tender hand

Take you the

lear,

and
it.

as

a sacred trust

With
Man.

care preserve

Phoo, what matters

it

now

is it

not enough that

desire

by the assenting sentiments of the lady Urvasi, your

has borne flowers and promises
Urv.
fruit.

Now
To

Chitralekhd, whilst I

summon

courage

issue into view,

do you appear.

And
Cliilr.

give the monarch notice of

I shall obey.

my
;

purpose.
Plail to the king.

(Becomes

visible.)

Pur.

Fair damsel you are welcome

yet forgive me.

:

The

less,

your lovely friend comes not along

The

sacred streams before us shew less stately

Until they flow in unison.

Chilr.

Royal

Sir,

The cloud precedes

Pur.

the lightning.

Where

is

Urvasi:

S8

You
CJiiir.

are inseparable.
salutes the
this

She

king

And
Pur.
CJiitr.

nftjikes

her request.

Say, her confimand,

'

Once by the enemy of the Gods assailed And captive made, your valiant arm redeemed her.
Again
in peril, she applies to

you

And

claims your guardian shield against a fo9

IVIore

formidable

still

from Madana^
her.
fair friend

Whom
Pur.

you have armed against

tell

You

me
be

gentle

nymph your

pinei

With amorous passion

could you view my heart

as in

You would
With

satisfied that love inflicts

Like anguish there

mutual fervours

the God cements our souls one mass combines

fiery

f Iron with iron when each

W'ith equal radiance glows.
Chitr.

bar

Appear,

my friend

The The
Urv.

potent deity with like relentlessness

Afflicts the prince

and now

to

you

I call

herald of his sufferings

(appearmg) Faithless friend

to desert me.

Thus

Chilr. It will soon

be seen
title

Which

merits best the

wliile,

of deserter

Mean
Urv.

think v/here you are.

to the king-.
is

Triumph

Pur.

The wish
name
of

victory, or

* Another

Kama

was therefore
Hindus.

known

to

the

Cupid.

+ The art of

weldino; Iron

59

When from the Sovereign of the Gods transferred By h'ps celestial to a mortal monarch,*
(Take her hmul and
leads her to a scat.)

Man.
friend,

Fair

Lady

am

tlie

Brahman of

the King, and his

and

5;o

may

claim some notice

( JJrvasi

hows

to

him

smiling.')

Prosperity attend you.

A
Mess.

Messenger of the Gods

in the air.

Ho

Chitralshha Urvusi repair

;

Swift to the palace of the Lord of air

There your app inted duties

to fulfill

And o-ive expression to the M'ondrous skill O? Bharetta your mastert to the dome
Divine, the world's protecting
rulers;!:

come,
Ihe

* Thnt
wilh

is. tlip

customary wish
is

of crealed
nirs
in

Ihitigs

list

or-

vihicli

Indra

addressed
l<>

several

Puranns

l)ut

wlieii jijiplicd
t:d is
ill

by you

a nior-

the fujlowing
hliaral, the

f;i<t:i l)(>on

to Ihit ef-

is from the ,MahaHarivansa porliou.

feet.

The

T\nr(ls

are

JayaduJa-

Indra, Sovereign of the three

tadu MfildraoMiiy the great

prince conquer.

Lnkas, or Earth and the Regions

above and below.

the

+ Bharnid

is

supposed

Soma
rites,

Of

Sarrifices,

ascetic

inventor of dramatic coniposition.

the lunar and solar aste-

risins, lierbs.

Brahmans and

healin;;

t The Lolcapa^as or Guardians of the world are sonietiuies

Daksha

Of

the

Prajdpnlis
first

confonwded
presiiiiiiff

with
li\e

the

deities

the patriirchs or

created

over

different cartliis
is

and progenitors of mankind,

dinal

points,

but

not

fpiite correct,

and

thf>y

are

more
the
act
kiticis

Varuna Of the Waters, Vahwanara Of the Tilrxt

or Maiics-

properly the divinities wlio v.ere

sppointed by
creation

Brahmh upon
tlie

ds/ii

Of the

Gandherha$.oi
time

of

vcorld, to

unenibodied eleuieat, of

cs rulers over

llie

dUTcrcnt

and sound.

40

Eager

to view tlie scene that genius fires

inspires.

That passion animates, and truth

Ckltr.

Hear you my

friend, be

speedy

in

your parting.

Urv.

I caimot speak.

Jtfaha'Iei^a

Of
of
ill,

the

Matrix,

of lime from the twinkling; of

of ihe

spirits

of kine, of

an eve to the period of an aj3.

portents and planets, of infirmities

Supevna Of Birds of prey,

Garitra

and

dise;>ses,

and of Ghosts.

Of

the wingcJ race.

/ flfs/Y/rrtfia Of the Yakshii$,

Jiakshasns.Guhi/alcas, of svedlih

Aruna"-\\\t brother of
/!

Garw
ia

was made hy Indr a, ruler

E-ist.

and of

nil

precious gems.
llie

the

Sesha
race.

Of

entire Serpent

Yama

the

son

of Aditya

in

the South.

Fasuki

Of

the

Nagas

or

The son of Kasyapa, Ambu'

raja, in the West.

Ophite trihes of

Piiidla.

Takshalca)o\\ngttt

JiroLher

Fingala the sou of Pulasli/a

in the North.

of the Adili/as. Of Snakes.

Pflrja^ Of Oceans,
clouds, and rain.

rivers,

ILiving thus

nominated
created

the

Presiding Spirits, various Lokas

the

ChilraraUia
herhas.

Of
of

Gand-

or

districts

were

by
the

i>n:ayambhu
sun or
fire,

as brilliant as
beaming
various
as

Kdmadeva Of the .^/jsflrflsc*.

JVflwrft the bull
5tv^7,

radiant as lightning,

of

all

or

chastely

the

quadrupeds.

Moon,
ilreda

of

colours,

IIiranyak$ha and Hiranyakasipti,

movcal)le

at will,

many hunextent,

of Ihe Daityas.
the

of rojanas \a

the

ViprachitliOf
vas.

Dana-

fit

abodes of the pious, exempt

sin

from

and pain.

Those Brahshines

Mah'ikd! a Of the Ganas or

mans whose merit

regions, those
ty

con-

Sivas attendants.
Vrilra

spicuous are elevated to these

Of
\\iti

the children
wife of

of

who
and

practice

pie-

^na yusha
tri.

Tnnah-

and worship devoutly,

upri<iht

who

are
free

benevolent,

linhu the son of Sinliikd

from cupidity and cherish-

Of

evil portents

and prodigies,

ers of the poor.

5amt'fl/sa/fl Of the divi^ioni

Having thus

distributed

hij

41

CliUr.

Forgive us mighty Prince

stated tasks,

We have our
Not yours

and must obey

should provoke

the wish

we wanton

The dread
Pur.

displeasure of the king of heaven.

;

You judge me right

for

not mine the impious thought

But

an instant to withhold obedience high will

To

his

Farewell but

let

me

ever

Live in your memory.

(Urvasi and Chitralehhd depart.)

Pnr,

(To

the Viditshaka.)

She disappears: What

else de-

serves

my

gaze.

sons,

Brahma departed
dwelling

to

his

He
Jcas

pnsses in this route the

Lo-

own

Pushliara.

The

of the nymphs, of the Sun,

Deities ranihled through the districts,

of Tndra, Jgni, J\''irrhHa,Varuna, Vdyu., Kuvera, of the

and engaged

in the

charges

Ganas
fiwrf/ta

respectively assigned them,!)eing

all

or attendants of

Siva.,

of Soma,

cherished

hy

Mahendra.
at Iheir

of the lunar asterisms, of

The

Gods, with

/nrfrffl

Sukra,Bhauma, Guru
Mars, Jupiter and
the seven Rishis, the Lolcas
called

2ini\

Sani

head, as placed

by

Swayarnbhu

or the planets Mercury, Venus,

Saturn,

discharging their guardian duties

of

obtained fame and heaven,

receiving their
share

of Dhruva,

and

of

Maharloka,

sacrifices

enjoyed

prosperity

and happiness.

Some of

the

early

sections

and Tapololta, and that called 5<^a/oAvr. the abode of Brahma, and Failiunlha and
JanatoJca

of the Kasi Icliand of the Shan-

da Purava or from

the

9tl\

to

Kailas or the regions severally of Fishnu and Siva. This disposition of the spheres

the 23d contain a description of

however

the several Lotias, the cities

or

has evidently received a peculiar

spheres of the different divinities

colouring from the Paura-

as they

are

traversed
his

by

nic Cosmography, and the sectariai

Sivasermd

on

way from
of

bias of the

Shanda Pu<

earth to the region

Sita

rdna.

42

Man.

Why

perhaps this ('/ooArJng for the Bhurja

I

leaf.

(apart.) Bless me,

have been so fascinated myself by the

smiles of the lady Urvasl, that the leaf with her billet
it,

upon

has unconsciously slipped out of

Fi/r.

my

hands.

You

-were about to speak.

I

Man. Yes,
she

was going

to say

do not

lose

your fortitude
it

you are firmly attached

is

to the

nymph, and depend on

just as fervently devoted to you.

Pur.

Of that

I feel

assured: the sighs that heaved

as she

iler panting

bosom
heart,

hence departed
it

Exhaled her

and lodged
it,

in

my
ill*

bosom.

Free to dispose of

although her person

^\

Be
for that

forced to wait upon a master's

Man. (apart.) I
abominable

am

all in

a flutter lest he should ask

me

leaf.

Pur.

What

shall console

my eyesgive me
it it

the leaf.

Man.
Pur.

The leaf,

dear me,

not

here it must have gone

search about.
the leaf (nid retire.

after Urvasi.

How
in the

could you be so heedless

They search for

ENTER

foreground, Ausinari, the Queen, with Nipuni/cd

and
Ausi.

attendants.

You saw

his highness

you are sure

Nipuni/cd,

Xip.
ylusi.

Why
Well,

should your majesty doubt

let

my report.

us seek him then, and unobserved.

Amidst

these sliadcs

we may

detect the truth.

*Rowe
ill

is less

daring, altho'

A\ex.(ro Statira)

My

flullerliig
its bliss.

the Rival Qiictiis he

mnkes
this

hearltumultuous with

Alexander say somelhiiig of

kind.

Would

leap

iiito

thy bosom-

43

But what

is

yon that meets us

like a shred

Of some
Nip,
like letters
it

rent garment, floating on the wind,

A Bhojpatr leafthere
upon
it
it
;

seem

to

be some marljs

it is

caught by your grace's anclet. (Picks

read
it.

np.)

"Will

please

j'^ou

Aud.

Glance

o'er its tenor,

and

if

not unfit
is

To meet
Kip,

our ear

peruse what there

written.

It looks likea memorial verse: eh, no;

now it

strikes
;

me

they must be
is

lines

addressed by

Urvasi to the king

this

some

carelessness

now

of that blockhead Mdnavuka.

Ausi.

Read,

I shall conceive its purport.

tlie

Kip.
Ausi.

(Reads

lines as above.

Enough,

proceed, and

with

this

evidence.

We shall confound our nymph-enamoured

Theif

swain.

go round

the arbour, the

King and Mdnavakaadvance.

Man.
Pur.

Eh,

is

not that the leaf yonder on the

mount

just

on the edge of the garden.

Breeze of the south, the friend of love and spring.
the flower you steal the fragrant dov/n

Though from

To scatter perfume yet why plunder me Of those dear characters, her own fair hand
In proof of her
affection traced

thou knowest
It is

The lonely

lover that in absence pines

Lives on such fond memorials

not

Thy wont
Man. No,
Pur.
I

to disregard a lover's suit.

was mistaken,
tail.

was deceived by the tawny

hue of the Peacock's

I

am

every

way imhappy.

Aushiari and her train adiumce.

Ausi,

Nay my good Lord

if as I

I pray you be consoled,

deem

'

44

The loss
Pur.

of tins occasion your distress.

(

Ofiering the

lenf. )

{Apart.)

The Queen.
not think

{Aloud.)

Madam

you are

welcome.
Ausi.

You do
( To
I
is the.

me

so.

Pui:
Maji.

Vidushaka apart.)

What

is

to

be done.

dont know: what excuse can a free booter offer

vlien he

taken in the
is

fact.

Pur.

This

no time

to jest. {Aloud.) Believe me

madam.

This leaf was not

tlie

object of

my

search.

Nor
Ausi.

cause of

my

anxiety.

Excuse

me

If I suspect that your denial seeks

But
^lan.

to conceal the truth.

Your grace had

better order dinner

that

will

be

the most effectual remedy for his majestys

Ausi.

bile.

You hear Nipunika this most sage councillor. And how he would remove his friend's distress.

Man.
Pur.
Ausi.

Why not Madam.

Is not

every body put into

good humour by a hearty meal.

Peace Blockhead, you but heighten

my

offence.

Xot yours

the offence

my
is

lord:

'tis

mine,who
'tis

tarry.

Here, where

my

presence

not wished,

soon

Removed
Pur.

( Going.)

Yet

stay

owe myself to blame

Curb your resentment

that alone convicts me

it

When
But
Ausi.

monarchs are incensed

cannot be

that their slaves are guilty. Cfalls at her feet,)

Think me

not.

So mere
Beguiles

a child

that

this

assumed respect

me

of ray

wraths Away with it

45
sets

'Tis gross ray lord,

and

but

ill

upon

3'oii.

I treat such hypocritical penitence

As
the rains

it

deserves.

(Simrns him and

rise.

exit.)

Man. Her majesty has gone

You
I

may

off in a hurry like, a river in {To the king who has coniimied

prostrate.)

Pur.

might have spared myself the pains.

is

woman

clear sighted

and

mere words

Touch not her heart

Passion must give them credit.

of his craft

The lapidary master

With
Man.
that
is

cold indifference eyes the spurious gem.

care very
little

You
Not

about

this I

suppose

the eye

dazzled Avith light cannot bear the lamp.

so, 'tis

Pur,

true that Urvasi engrosses

My

heart, but Kusiraja's daughter claims

IMy deference
Disdains

less indeed, that

her contempt
this scorn

my
let

protestations

and

Will justify requital.

Man. Well,
think a
little

us have done vith her majesty

it is

and

of a famished brahman:

high time to

bathe and

eat.

Pur.

'Tis past

mid-day

exhausted by the heat

root: the

The Peacock plunges in the scanty pool

That feeds the
tall tree's

drowsy Bee

Sleeps in the hollow chamber of the Lotus

Darkened with closing

petals

on the brink
Duck
lurks

Of the now
Amongst

tepid lake the wild

the sedgy shade; and even here

his

\_Excunt.

The Parrot from

wiry bower complains

thirst.

And

calls for

water to allay his

END OF THE SECOND

ACT.

ACT
SCENE
I.

III.

THE HERMITAGE OP BHARATA.

two of his
disciples.

ENTER ^Calara and Pailava^

Gal.

Well, friend Pailava

what newswhilst you were

of a son hy her, two hundred of
the steeds he was in

at Maliendra's palace with the Sage, I have been obliged

* Giilava was a saint of some

note, and
is

the hero of a

lon'j;

quest

of.

legend in the
the

Vdi/oga Parva of

These horses were originally a

thousand
in

Mahahharal
At the

He there apof his

his

numher.

The

saint

pears as the
tva.

pupil of Fiswami-

Richika having demanded the

daughter of

expiration

Gddhi

sovereign

studies he importuned
ter so tell

mas-

of Kanyakuhja as his wife, that

prince to evade the match, being
afraid to decline
it,

him what present he

make \\\mVu%i>amiira being out of humor al last dehim to hring him 800 sired
should
horses, each
lour,

required the

steeds in question as a present in

return.

Richika obtained them

of

while col)lack.

from the God of ocean, f'aruna,

with

one

ear.

and transferred them to

in

his father

Gdlava

in his distress applied to

law hy whose

descendants
to
different

friend, and with

Garura who was his particular him repaired to

Yaydli king of Pralixhthana.

600

were

sold

princes, and the rest given

to the Brahmans.

away Gdlava hav-

Yaydli heing unahle to comply

with the
sage's

ing procured

the horses which

wish presented

were took
still

in

possession of the kings

him his daugiiter JMudhavi^yi\w\\\ Gdlava gave in marriage successively to Ilari/aswa

1/odhi/d,

them and the Damsel,

by virtue of a boon a virgin,

king of ^and

and presented them together to

f'hiaamitra.

Divoddsa king of Kdst,

ki:ig of Bhoja,
re-

The sage received

her,

Usinara

them and begot a son by

Aihlaka, to

ceived from each upon Ihe birlh

whom

he resigned


47

ed

to

stay

at

home

to

look after the holy Fire

Were
was

the Immortals pleased with the specimen of our master's

skill.

Pail.

IIow could they ehuse but be pleased

for

tliere

eloquence and melody

choice of a

them

the Drama

Avas Lakshmi's

Lord*

the nymph

t/ViYm quite lost herself in

the impassioned passages.

Gal.

There

is

something not quite right implied in your

applause.
Pail.

Very

true^ for unluckily Urvasi forgot her part.

Gal.
Pail.
\vas

How
You
,

so

shall hear.

Urvasi

played Lakshmi, Menalai

head appears,

Vdriini

the latter says

Lalshni the mighty powers that rule the spheres

Are

all

assembled:

at their
:

The blooming Kesava

Inclines your heart
liis

Confess

to whom
themfor thff

hermitage,

aiul his stud,

and

to select a husband for

selves.

retired to the

woods: the place

was thence cviWtA .dshtakapur.

The candidates hand of the Lady were

previous
festivities

invited
after

The

lady after this

was recon-

to

her father's house, and

fur

ducted by Gd'ava to her father,

some
hall,

and he

in

imitation of his pre-

dajs,

were collected in a

reptor spent the rest of his days

in solitary devotion.

round which the damsel passed and

his

selected

her future

Lord,

Paila

is

the

name of a

by throwing
neck
:

garland

round

BishLhy vihom lhenigredavf;i

arrangiid.

the marriisge
:

rite
tiie

was
cus-

and sub-divided into

It is

then cdeljrated as usual

torn
uvj;
is

two
tliat

portions.

not certain

the subject of

much

pleas-

he

is

intended in this place,

poetic

description, in
.V aishndhn

the

by the name Pailava although not unlikely. * Or the Lakshmi Swat/amf</ra

:

Mahdbhdrat, ths

ami

other works; a translation of the

Swayamvara of Draupadi from

the former
Calcutta
is

it

was common

in

the Hinfor

published

in

the

du Society of former times

Princesses, and

Quarterly

INLnjaziue

women

of rank

for Sept. IS25.

48

Her

reply

should h;ive been

To
?

Puru-shottama

but instead of that -To Purn-rava, escaped her lips. Gal The intellectual faculties are but the slaves of destiny

\\'as not the sage

much

displeased

Pail.

He

immediately denounced a curse on

her,

but

she found favour with Mahendra.

Gat.
Pail.

MoAv so?

The sentence

of the Sage was, that as she

had
;

for-

gotten her part, so should she be forgotten in heaven

but

when

the performance was over, Indra observing her asshe

called her

stood apart, ashamed and disconsolate,

'V\\e

him,

mortal

who

engrossed her thoughts, he said, had been

his friend in the

hour of peril

he had aided him

effectually

in conflict with the

enemies of the Gods, and was entitled

to

some acknowledgment

The anger of the Seer had banisha wlii.e

ed her from heaven for

consequently

she

must

depart his Court, but she might spend her term of exile

with the JMonarch

pire

the period of her banishment

tlie

is

to ex-

when

the king beholds

offspiing she shall bear him.

Gal.
Pail.
is

'I'his

was

like
!

Mahendra

he knows
let

all

hearts.
till

Come, Come

we have been

chattering here

it

almost the time

when our Preceptor performs

to lose

his ablu-

tions.

Come, we have no time

us attend him.

Exeunt.

SCENE
ENTKR
As
long as
life is

II.

PART OF THE GARDENS OF THE PALACE.

the Chamberlain.

vigorous a

man endures

labour for the

his
:

pake of procuring ease

toils
<';re

when further advanced in age,

his exertions,

lightened by the participation of his children

is

but
fa-

when he

old,

he reaps nothing from

but

49

tigue

my

strength
this

is

dally

undermined and

my body
is

exhausted by
devil

servitude

waiting
anger

on
tell

women
him

the

am now
having

to find the

King, and
all

that her

majesty
is

dismissed

and

resentment,

desirouS' of

paying her homage to him

this evening, for

the completion of the

close of the

vow

in

which she has engaged.* The

day

is

agreeable enough here in the palace.

their

The

Peacocks nod upon

the turret tops

perches and the Doves flock to

distingishable from the

scarce' y

incense

that flows through the lattices of the lofty chambers.

Th
for the

venerable servants of the inner apartment are

all

busily en-"

gaged

in

propitiatory rites,

and substituting lamps

offerings of flowers that decorated the holy shrines through-

out the day.

Ah, here comes the

-with

prince, attended

by the
:

damsel train

flambeaux in their delicate hands

he

moves

like a mountain,

around whose
its

stately skirts, the

slender Karnikdra spreads

brilliant blossoms. I will wait

him

here.
ivlth

ENTER Pururavas and the Vidushaha

So ends the day, the anxious

female altendanhf

carrying torches.
cares of state

Have
*

left

no interval
self

for privt te sorrow,

Obligations

imposed
case

Hiddus
for

I)efore

the Christian era

person when with-

are in constant practice amongst

tlie king-'s

the

Hindus,

in

this

tlie

in the palace

used to be attendguai;j^s

Queen has engagd

gid fast until! the
certain aslerism.

to

forego
ri-

ed by

women his
troops

and

her ornaraents and to hold a

other

being

stationed

moon

enters a

without the gates. Thus Strabo. Regis corpus mulieres curant, ea

t This mij;ht be supposed a

quoque de

parentibus
custodiunt,

Copy of Mohammedan manners

but
it is

cmptEe, qui
et

Regem

not necessarily

so,

hav-

reliquus

exercitus

manent

ing been

the practice of the

extra portas. IV. 15,


50
:

But how

to pass the night

its

deary length

Affords no promise of

relief.

Chamherla'm, (advances,) Glory to the king.

So please
honoured

your Grace, Her

Avitli

IMajesty expresses a wish to be

your presence on the terrace of the Pavilion of gems, to

it tlie

witness from

entrance of the

Moon

into the asterism

Rohini.

Pur.

Go my good friend apprise her majesty\_Exit Chamberlain. She may dispose of us. What think you that the Queen
Proposes by the vow she
lias

assumed.

"Man.

suppose she repents of herpettishness, and wishes

to be friends witli

you again:

tliis is

but an excuse

to

bring

you

to her

presence

when

she

may

efface the recollection

of

the indignity with which she treated you.

Pur.

"lis very likely

Prudent wives
ai'e

full

soon

Hepent the scorn that urged them

to repel

An humbled
Some
Man.
fair

husband, and

glad to seek

pretext to win his love again

We will indulge her

'Tis

grace

On

to the

chamber,

here

ascend these steps of crystal, smooth

shining as the waters of the Ganges

is

the
east

Pavilion of
(they

gems

particvdarly lovely
is

when evening

sets in,
is

ascend.)

The moon
Pur.

just about to rise

the

tinged with red.

'Tis

even so

iiluniined

by the rays

Of his yet unseen orb, the evening glooms On either hand retire, and in the midst
The
radiance spreads like a fair face that smiles

Betwixt the jetty curls on either brow

In clusters pendulous
y.an.
I

could gaze for ever.

as

Ho, here he comes, the king of the Brahmans,

beautiful as a ball of

Almonds and

Suarar.

51

Pur.

Oh
Have

base similitude

your

tliouglits

my

friend

rarely nobler prompter tlian your Stomach.

to his Joreheud

Carries Ids hands

and hows

to the

moon now

risen.

Hail-glorious Lord of night whose tempered

fii-es

Are gleaned from

Sclar fountains, but to yield

The virtuous, fruit eternal, as they light The flame of holy sacrifice whose stores

Ambrosial serve but

to regale the

Gods

And

the immortal fathers of

mankind
dispels

Ail hail to thee

whose lising ray

The glooms of eve, and Avhose pale crescent crowns The glorious diadem of Muhddevu.^
Man. Enough,
sent
Sir

your grand father without whose

nothing, bids you
sit,

as-

we Brahmans can do
repose himself.

that he

may

Puru.

(Makes

the Vidi'isliaka

sit

and

theJi seats

himself.)

The splendour

of the

Remove

the torches

Moon is light enough: and command my train

Retire to rest. * The

lions
first

of these specificato

cording to mythological notions

also the

refers

the

astronomi-

moon

is

the grand re.</;-

ra] facts of the

its
its

moon's deriving
l)y

ccptacle and store house of

light

from the sun, and

W/
to

or Ambrosia which

it

supplies

positions forming

the davs

of the lunar month, on

particular ceremonies

which
lie

during the fortnight of its wane the Gods and on the last

are to

daytotlie
progenitors.

Pilris or

deified
tlie

observed

in the

hilter case

it is

As

personified,

supposed to move

in the J\Ian-

moon
as

is

tlie

father

of Budlia

data the sphere or orbit of the

snn,

and grandfather of Pururavus

already

and when

in

conjunction

shewn.

The

half

as at the

new moon or Amd(bsequies are e*celebrated.

to be

vasty a funeral

moon, as frequentiv noticed, \% worn by Sivu upon his forehead,

peciallj

Ac-

S2

Altendant.
vers
)

As you command

(ivithdraws with the torch hea"

Piin(.

I think Ave

may

not yet expect the

I

Queen

And now we

are alone

would impart
no appearance of her ye^
with hope.

My
aud
it is

thoughts.
tliem

Nan. Out with

there

is

well to keep

up your

spirits

Puru.

You

council well

In truth my fond desire

Becomes more

fervid as enjoyment seems

Remote, and fresh impediments obstruct

]My happiness

like an impetuous torrent.

Avhile delays

That checked by adverse rocks a

Its course,
ti:l

high

Avith

chafing waters swollen.

It rushes past with aggravated

uwy.
:

Man. There

is

one thing to be said

notwitlistanding
it

your anxiety has made you something thinner

has rather

improved than impaired your personal appearance

from
this that a

I argue

meeting with the

nymph

is

not very distant.

Pur.

My

right

arm by

its

glad pulsation soothes

]My
ISlan.

grief,

like

you with hope inspiring words.

Brahman's words be assured are never uttered

ni vain.

(Enter
Urvasi.

ahove in a heavenlij car

jyiirple

Urvasi and ChilraUkhd

Urvasiin a

dress with pearl ornaments.*)

Now my
say you

dear Girl

What

do these purple robes become me

pearls
lion
is

Thus trimmed with

Tlie

text

is

^dlihhdrilcd

from UrvasVs
is

first

speech

fcslta, the

garl)

of

womiui
lover
Irausla-

the term
dark
hliie

Aila which means

who

goes to meet

licr
llie

or hhick

most

or-

the Specificatioii of

diniirily tlie former..

( I

53

C.hitr.

cannot think of words

To speak my admiration only this. Would I were Vnrnravas.

Urva.

My

dear Friend
strength desert

I feel

my

me

do you lead

me

Quick
Chitr.

to his

Royal Palace.

View

it

here.

White gleaming in the Moon-!ight,

whilst below

The Yamunds blue waters wash its foot. Like the Snow tufted summits of Kailusa
Rising in radiance from their bosky base.

Advance.
Urva.

One moment exercise the poAver Of meditative vision where is the King
:

The master of my
Chilr
I see

heart and

what employs him.

(apart.) I will rouse her fears.

him

in a

fit

solitude he waits

Impatiently the coming of the bride

(Urvasi expresses despair.)

How,
Urva.

Silly

wench

what
is

else

would you desire

Should be

his

occupation

Ah my friend.
easily alarmed.

My flutterihg heait
Chilr.

In the Pavilion of bright gems awaits

'Jhe king, his trusty friend alone attends liim

Let us
Urv.

thither.

Proceed.
(

Theij descend

and
so

leave the car

Piiru.

As
Ah,

spread? the
Avith

Moon

its lustre,

my Love

Grows
Urv.

advancing
fear.

nijiht.

me I

54

Even

yet to tvust

let

us remain invisible
till

And
Be
Chitr.
all

overhear theiv conference

dispersed.

doubt

Be it as you will. Mayu The rays of the Moon

sia

aie

charged with Anibro-

do you

find

no benefit from them.

is

Puru.

Small

their

power, or that of aught, to mitigate

Soft beds of fragrant flowers

The pangs of Love.

Sandal's cool unguent, strings of gelid pearl.

And

tliese

mild tempered rays, exhaust on

me

In vain their virtue - nothing can allay

The fever of my heart She, she alone The Goddess I adore, with a few Avords

Of magic potency can charm my woes And yield me rest. This arm that pressed her W^hen through etherial fields we rapid drove. Is warm with life, all else exanimate.
Cumbers the
Ui'v.

side,

earth a dull and useless burthen

need no more concealment (She advances hasiUi/)

Woe is me He deigns not to

Chitr.

regard

me

In your haste
forgotten to put off the veil
fi-om his siglit.

You have
Behind
{All listen

That screens you

This way your grace Urvasi throws herself

The Queen
is

into the

arms of ChitraU-khd)

Man.
Puru.
Urv.
C'liir.

here

we

had better be mute.

Assume

the semblance of indifference.

v,re

What

shall

do

llemain invisible.

Urv.

Not long her purposed

liolds

stay

by her

attire,

She

some sacred vow.

'

55

(Enter
Queen
Queen.

the
is

Queen with attendants hearing

offerings,

the

dressed in

white-fiowers are her onli/ ornaments.)

This union with the constellation yields

brilliance to the

New

Lord of Rohini.*
attends

Attendants.

Such

effect

your grace's encounter

with his JMajesty.

Mayi.
(to Puriiravas.)

She comes

imagine to

offer

her

benedictions, or imder the semblance of a solemn vow, she

wishes to obliterate the recollection of the indignity with

which she

lately repelled

your advances

Well,

think

her majesty looks very charming to-day.

Puru.

In truth she pleases

me

thus chastely robed

In modest white

her clustering tresses decked

alonef her haughty mien

With

sacred flowers
for

Exchanged

meek devotion

thus

arrayed

She moves with heightened charms.

Qjiee?i.

{advancing)

Hail to the King.

Attendant.

Hail to the King.

are welcome. (leads her
to

Puru.

Madam you

a seat.)

Urv. (behind) She

merit?i to be called divine.^

the bride
me

Of Heaven's
Chitr.

great King|| boasts not surpassing dignity.

free

Your commendations speak you

from envy.

Queen.

My gracious Lord,
hand

have imposed on

A voluntary
Is nigh at

vow, the term of which

would

solicit

you.

Bear with the inconvenience that

my

presence

May for
* The Moon. + Or
holy

brief time occasion you.

Hie
titles

appropriate

to

Ihe

with the blossoms of the

Grass.
is

state of
|

Queen.
wi.fe

Dnrva

Sachi the

o( Indra,

* Devi, or Goddess

one of


(
'o6

Puru.

You do me
jMay
all

w^rong.
a favom*.

Your presence

is

M(m.
Pur.
Nip.

the inconvenience light

upon those who

would disturb such interchange of good wishes.

(To fJie Queen J How call you your observance? (On the Queen's turning to her) The conciliation

of regard*

Pur. Is

it even so yet trust me it is needless To wear this tender form, as slight and delicate As the lithe Lotus stem, with rude austerity. In me behold your slave, whom to propitiate

Claims not your care, your favour

Urv. (Smiling scornfuUij)
C/iilr.

is

his happiness.

He pays

her mighty deference.

So he should
heart strays, the tongue
is

When the
Of bland
Queen.

most profuse

professions to the slighted wife.

since
it

Not vain my vow,

lord's

already wins

me

]My

complacent speech
said

Man. Enough
no further reply.
Queen.

on both

sides, these civilities require

Come Girls, the offerings, that I may To the bright Deity, whose rays diffuse
Intenser lustre on these splendid walls.

present

them

Attendant.

Here are the perfumes IMadam, here the flowand

the

ers, (gives i/iem,

Queen goes through

oblation

the usual

form

ofpresenting the Arghya or

ers, c"yr.)

of

fruits, j)crfnines, Jlo)v->

Queen.

These

cates present

Manavaka, and these

Give

to the

Chamberlain.
*
Pi'j/a

passddana.

57

{The Atlendant takes a tray of Sweetmeats Jlrsl

ka and then
to the

to the Vidiisha-

Kanchuhi)

Man.

Prosperity attend your highness,

feast.

may your

fasta

ever end in a
Ch'tmherl

liii.

Prosperity to the Queen.

leave
I

Queen.

Now Avith your grace's

to the

pay you homacre.

at hisJed, then

(Presents oblations
rises.

King, boms and fcdls

Resplendent pair whoe'er the night preside.

Lord of the Deer born* banneret and thou

His
favourite,

RoHiNit

hear and
my

attest

The

sacred promise that I

attract

make my husband.
Lord's regard,
love,

Whatever nymph
I henceforth treat

"And share with him the mutual bonds of

with kindness and complacencr.

is

* The cnr of the

conilecl

moon

de-

coiis'^qiience

of

^hich
and

he

re-

with a small
is

flag

on

mained
aflTccled

childless',

became

which a deer
have

represented.

by

consumption.

The
inter-

* Chandra or the
l)led

Moon

is f-i-

wives of ceded
f.ilher,

Chandra having
his

to

leen

married

to

in

l)ehalf

with their
im-

the twenty seven the Patriarch

U'ini

dau^^hters of
or,
.-/s-

Dulcsha modified an

Daksha,
rest,

precation
recall, ajid

which

lie

could not

and the

who

are
tlie

in

pronounced that the

only,
it

fact personifications of
liar

Ln-

decay should be periodical

not

Asterisms.

His

favourite
Itohi'ni,

permanent,

and

that

amongst them, was

to

should alternate
recovery.

with periods of
successive
the

whom

he so wholly

devoted

Hence the
increase of

himself as to neglect the rest

they complained to iheir father, and DaJi%ha repeatedly interposed,
till

wane and
Sec.
is
II.

Moon,

Padma Parana, Swer^a KhanHohini

in

astronomy

finding

his

remon-

the

fourth

Lunar Mansion,
stars,

gtrances vain he

denounced a
sou-iu-law,
in

containing five
pal of which
I
is

the princi-

curse

upou

his

Aldebaran.


5S

Urv.

Oh my dear friend, how much these words assuage The apprehensions of my heart.
She
is

Chitr.

Lady

Of an exalted spirit, and a wife Of duty most exemplary you now

IMay rest assured, nothing will more impede

Your union with your

love.
is

Man,
and gets

(Apart
off

to

Pururavas.) The culprit that

caught,
deter-

with the loss of a liand instead of his

life

mines to reform, {aloud) Surely your grace cannot think his

Mtijesty a person of such a disposition.

Queen
I
*]

It matters not.

If my enjoyment cease,
liis

would not therefore that

he
Irast restraint.

grace should feel

to his liberty.
is

I leave

him

Think yon, wiseSir,

Pura.
I

this license

unwelcome.

am

not what you doubt

:

me but
if

the power

Abides with you

Give

do with

me

as

you willyou please

me to whom you please, or Iietain me still your slave.

Be
Avhat
is

Queen.

you

list.

My
If
it

vow

plighted

nor

in vain the rite.

afford

you

satisfaction- come

Hence, Girls

-'tis time

we

take our leave.

Pum. Kot
So soon
Queen.

so
to leave

me

is

no mark of favour.

You must

excuse

me I may

not forego

The

duties I have solemnly incurred.

l^Exif rviik train.

Urv.

Why,

Girl, I

doubt the Raja

it
it is

still

affects

His queen

so be
hope

now

too late

For

me

to

my heart

ca.i

be reclaimed.

C
CJiitr.

59

)
fear.

Away
Is the

with doubt, you have no need to

Pur.

Queen

far

removed.
r

Man.
you are
siciar.

You may
fairly

say whatever you wish, safely enotirrh

o\ er

given

by

her, like a sick

man by his phy-

Pur.

I feav I

am, by

faithless Urvrisl.

Would she Avere here and that the gentle music Of her rich Anklets murmured in my ears; Or that her lotus hands, as with light step
She
stole

behind me, spread a tender

veil

Before

my eyes that in this

violence

shady bower

She deigned descend spontaneous, or drawn hither

With welcome

by some

fair friend

Ha, the lovely daughter of Ndrdyana.

(Urvasi has advanced behind the king and covers hi*
eyes willi her ha7ids.)

Vld.

How
It

knows your grace.

hand could shoot such extasy
this emaciate

Pur,

must be Urvasi-

No other
Through

frame: the Solar ray

Wakes
Urv.

not the night's

fair

blossom

that alone.

Expands when conscious of the moon's dear presence.

(^Appearing.)

Joy

to the king.

Pur,

All hail bright

nymph of

heaven.
(

Leads her

to

a seat )

Chitr. {Advancing.)

Be

the king blest.

Pur.
Urv.

I feel I

am

already.
ChitraleJchd )

Hear me

my friend. (To

By
]Made of

virtue of the gift

his royal person

by the Queen,

I boldly claim the king.

Do you

t.eclare.

60

If T

^lan.

am reprehensible. What were you here

I liave
let

ever sines Sunset.

Fur.

na purpose

to

depute the claim

But

me
it

ask, if such assent Avere needed.

Who
ChUr.

was

that

first

granted you permission

To rob me
Can
proffer

of

my
I

heart.

'My friend,

knoAV,

no reply

then

till

let this

be.

Now
"^

grant

me my

reqviest, I
till

must depart

'jo minister to

Chandra
festival

the term

O" the
Be To

Spring

my

return

careful that this

raor.rn the

nymph have
why

never cause
for the?.

Heaven she has resigned

Jifan.

Heaven
] 1

indeed,

should she ever think of such

eat,

a vl ce

ice

where they neither

not drink, nor close

their eyes even for a twiiik e.*

* The Gods

me

supposed to

marrin^eof T/ffw^yflwi^jshe
linguishes her mortal

dis-

bc ex'iripl from ihe momeiilnry

elevalioii

lover

hy

and ('eprcssion of the

i-.iortals

the twinkling of
Ihe

his eyes, whilst

upper Eyelid, to hiih

lire sn1>jf*rt,

Gods are Stabdha

Lochnna,
NalO'

and

1(1

look ^ith a

fixed-eyed.

Ji^/ahdbhdrat,

firm unintermillent g;ize. TTence

a deily
is

pdkhj/dn.

Am)

wlien the

termed Jvimisha and

Kumuras
trick

practice

^swini the same

husin-

^fnimesha

one

^^hose

eyes

upon
slie

the

bride of Ckt/a-

do not twinkle.
roelry.

Various allu-

vana,
l);ind

recognises her

sions to this allribiilc occur in

by

lliis

amongst other
Puri'ina.

When

/nrfra visits 5f/

lie

(lications.

Padma
the
it is

The

to encourag^e her,
at her request the

assumes
di-

notion

is

more deserving of
one of those
Classical

marks of
air,
tlie

attention, as

viniU

he

treads the

and
eye-

coincidences with

Mysays

snspends the motion of

lid.

thobijv whicli
accidental.
'

can

saarcejy he

Riimat;ava.

Wlien

Ji^rti
all

Heliodcrus

f'(-runa, Ytivia and

Indra

Tlie

Gods may he known by

with a fixed

assume Ihc form of

A'^/^a at the

the ejes looking

61
Inch a

The heaven of Pur Of joy ineffable

:

is

the eternal source

it

cannot be,

The
Yet,
Shall
Cliitr.

cares of Purm-ovus should efface

The memory

of immortal
this

b'.iss

my
soul

nymph, of

be confident,

know no
bid

other sovereign than your friend.

'Tis all I ask

be

happy Urvasi

And
Urv.
Ch'ilr.

me now
I

adieu.

(Einjrachig hzr.)
That,

Forget

me

not.

should rather beg of yon, thus blest

With one
Mini.

the only object of your wishes.

\_Bows

to the Ich?g

and Exit.

Fate

is

propitious and crowns your Majesty's desires.

Tur.

'Tis true, I reach the

height of ray ambition.

it's

The haughty canopy

that spreads
o'er the

shade

Of universal empire
The
Are
footstool of

world

dominion

set

with gems
king:?.

Torn from the

in ray

glittaring

brows of prostrate
lie

mind less

glorious than to

At
Urv.

Urvasi's fair feet,

I

and do her bidding.

to

have not words

I

speak

my

gratitude.
is all

Pur.

Now

behold thee thus,

how changed
shafts of
wliicli

Tlie current of

my

feelings

these mild rays

Madana
commentators,
to
1

Cool, vivifying,
reznrr^; evelids,

gleam the
tlie

ami never closing

;iii(l

nu

the

he cites

Hmuar

in

and translators seem

perplexed with, are
Sfa'/,ih:i

be

much
tlte

proof of

it.

Ail instance
lie

from

probably

the Hind wliich

ticed,
aii

hag not no-

Inchana,

the fixed eves

iinvei!-

may

be cited perhiips as

of ihe Hindus

full, and

additional confirm ition. and

ed even for an instint,

ejes of a tjuirble Statue.

like the

\\\e

mnrhle eyes of Venus by

Uiiev? the

vhicU Heleu

Goddess,


G3

Are now most welcome

all

that

was but
appears

late

Harsh and distasteful to me^

Delightful by your presence.
Urv.
I

now

lament,

I caused

my Lord

to suffer pain so long'.

Pur.

Nay, say not

so,

the Joy that follows grief

Gains richer zest from agony foregone

The

traveller

who

faint

pursues his track

In the

fierce day, alone can tell

how

sweet.

The
Mow.
Pur.

grateful shelter of the friendly tree.

is

The moon

high

it

were

as well to
let

go

in.

Conduct the way

and dearest
a

me trust
to

The moon
S*hi:ll

that smiles to night on our espousals,

shine through

many

happy year

come

Auspicious on our Union.*

[^Esetint

mto

the Pavilion.

* The translation

is

not verv
is

ble,

as the
is
is

nntiuscript

of the
the

close here, the deviation

]y

part-

orig^inal

incorrect and
silent.

iatcutiunal, partly uuuTuida-

Coiuiueut

END OP THE THIUD

AOT,

ACT
SCENlv.
hamudana

IV.*
the skirts

The Fnresl of Akalusha on

of Galid*

one of the monuiainous harriers

of Meru.

fS trains tvitlioui.
Soft voices low sound in
tlie

Sky,

Whei'e the nymphs a companion deplore;

And

lament as together they

fly

The

friend they encounter no more.

witlir>iit a

* This Artis
fll in

pnral-

script liowevpr
rors, little

heln^

full
h;is

of er-

niiy

of

ibt-

Dramas
is

yet

assistiince

eiirouiilered.
tirely
\\
is

It

jilmost

en-

derived

in this respect

been from tiia

Prdfcrilj

nnd
not

the

annotator, but his definitions of

Prakrit
in

arranged,

only

metrical

forms
musical

peculiar

ed

to that h>ngiiage, but, according

seem to be extractfrom the San^ila Rettid'cara, from which auLhorithe

airs

chiefly

to

particular

rhythm,
Again,

ty it appears, (hat

this

subject

as intended to be sun^.

has yet been very insufficiently

investigated,
as the

thereare stage directions for the

nieasure to which certain geslicnialions
so that
it

modificali-

ons of the 6 TJajas amounted to

264, with the

are to

l)e

performed,

whole of which

partakes bolli of the

we

are yet unacquainted

Soma
Sir

Operatic
character
airs

and

Melo Dramatic the names of llie

present
day,

enumerates,

according to

William Jones, ninehnndred and

sixty variations. A. R.
3.

and measures are not curthe

7).

rent in

nor
ex-

The expression
as

is .^/fs/u';?/i'-

known

to tiie Pundits
ill

liit

Id and
plies,

a musical

term imof

planations of tliem

tlje

Tika,

Jir

the
is

adaptation

or Commentary on

the

Drama,
a

notes, or Iheirnames, to poetical

arequoted usually from

Z^ftfl/fffrt,

rbythiu.

It

said in the

San-

whose

rules

no longer

exist, in

^ita Rebidkara to be arranged

iu the

collective

form.

The

manu-

Chachchatputa, aud other

C4

So, fad r.nd melodious awalces

The

plaint of the

Swan

o'er the

Stream,

Where

the red Lotus blossoms, as breaks

On

the wave, the day's orient beam.

Enteh
Chilr.

Chilridehha
tip )

aiicl

Suhijuiiya.*

(Lcohing

The swans along

the Stream that

sail

fond companion's loss bewail

grief.

In murmuring Songs they vent their

Or find from tender

Suha.

tears, relief.

Now
ill

CJiilr'ilehhd

what has chanced

to cloud

Your countenance it
Is
CJiitr.

indicates 3'our heart

at ease
is

what
all

causes your distress

to

It

not

unknown
in

you

engaged

Amidst our band

paying wonted service

To the all seeing Sun, I have not shared The vernal sports my Urvasi away.

ta^as

(time or ine:isure)
three
to

to ad-

*With

Di>i>?'Aa

is

the slno^e,

mil
tiiul

llie

M drg as ^{\\Mn\fi)
notes

direction: this measure differ*

combine

with
cited

from the Dwipadi noticed

Mr. Colebroke (A
is

hj

words.
1)V

C/iar/7frt :idds, !is

it

lO-iOO). It

the commentator,

serves

siid to conipreheiid four kinds

to introduce churiicters on the

sla^e
:

Suddhd,

as a

measure of verse

it

Khandi, Jfdlra Sampurnd, of which the

lines

and
first

appears both here and elsewhere,

ns averse of four 7ja5?as or lines,

consists of 4 equal

of 13

Syllables each, arranged in three

feet

the

first

Svllatiles,

and third containing 12 the second IH, and

15

it

corresponds

precisely

v,\ih ihe

Avaltnubaka of
preceding
it
is

Cole-

fourth

it

is

the regular
as

brooke
like

A R

10 467, Species 52:

Jrija or GdtM., dered as of two

tichs, consists

and
of

consi-

tiie

Cili-

lines, or heinis-

vLctha

a kind of

;50!)''

or Air.

30 aud 27

t^jllubic instants.

C
SaJia.

65

This

we

all

know, and know your mutual

love.
to learn

Chitr,

"Whilst dwelling on her

memory

anxious

Some tidings of her, I employed my power Of bringing absent objects to my view

And by
Suha.
Chitr.

this art I learn

what much alarms me

Say on.

The

king,

by

Urvasi's persuasions.

Resigned of late the reins of rule, and sought

AVith her the groves of Gandhamddana.*

Saha.

Amid

such lovely scenes, the amorous pair

enjoy each other's company

Would most

What
Cliifr.

followed.

Whilst wandering pleasantly along the brink

the Mnnddkiin, a

Of

nymph

of

air.

Who gambolled

in the crystal wave, attracted

The Monarch's momentary glance

and this

Aroused the jealous wrath of Urvasi.

* Tlie
tain
is

Gandhamddana raoun-

one of Ihe four boundary

mountains enclosing the central

region of the world called Ilavrilla,
in

amongst the projecting branche* or filaments of Meru. The Bhdgavat places it on the East
of

Meru.

The

jyiahdhMrai

which

the

golden

agrees with the

Tlie

Vayu Parana.
is

mountain of the Gods or Meru is situated. The Purunas

are rather at variance as to
its

Padma

Parana
itself,

at

Tariauce with
it

and places

in

one passage on the West

in

position, according to the /'ttj/K

and
as to

another
the

describes
:

it

Parana

it

lies

on the West,
ranges,
it

on
this

Easf

according
re-

connecting .A7/a and jYishadha

the North

Parana,
it

Kuvera

and South

sides

on
Sild

with the .Jpsarasas,

The

F'ishnu

Parana

places

Gandherbaa,

and

Rakshasas.
on
its

on the
Vipula.

South

llie

Western
called

The

alighting

top

inounlaia

being there
It

thence descends to the Bhadras-.

has,

however,
to
tlie

wa
K

versha

and flows to

the

GundhamOdana

West

Eastern Sea.

6Q

Saha. 'Tis ever thus true love is most intolerant.

Yet destiny
Chiir.

is

mightier.

Thus incensed,

My friend disdainfully repelled her Lord.

In sooth her mind was darkened by the curse

The Sage
She

ere while denounced,

and troubled

thuf5i

heedlessly forgot the law that bars

All female access from the hateful groves

Of Kdrtikeya. Of her
Saha.

Trespassing the bounds

Proscribed, she suffers

transgression,

now

the penalty

and

to a slender vine
till

Transformed, there pines

time shall set her free

How

vain the hope to shim the will of fate.

What
So
Chilr.

other cause could interrupt a love

fervent.

Where

is

now the

king.

He

roams,

Frantic with sorrow, through the wood, in search

Of his

lost bride,

nor night nor day desists

From
For

the sad quest.

These rising clouds that teach

ill

Passion to pious Sages, augur

his alleviation
is

much

fear

There

but

Itttle
first

hope of remedy
Stanza.
the Stream that
of
Sahiiari
Siiravarii

sail

(Repeats the

The Swans along

&c.)*
|

* Wilh a slight variation

duha
|

liddha--am
|

the words in the tliird liuc of

ammi
|

Siui

ddha
na

the Slanzn, aflecliag

neither the sense nor
sure

however
the
niea-

am

\sl

<me, Vahov
|

agl

this

am

niodificatiou of the
is

a na

am
|

Divipadilca

termed Jambhdis

2d lime, Avlrali
la

vaha ja

lol-

Wva lUc

Prakrit

as follows;

am

Tumoiai

ilansi

jugala-ara


07
is

Saha.

But think you there

There

no expedient then

To
Cli'ilr.

re-unite these Lovers.

is

but one.
its

Tlie pacred

gem

that oAves

ruby glow

To
Sofia.

the bright tint of Gauri's* sacred feet

effects their iniion.
it

Alone

Let us hope

Their delicate forms endure not agony

Violent and protracted, and the Gods

Can

surely never purpose such a pair

Should wholly perish

Some means of
His countenance

their relief

they will soon devise to their high power

The
glorious

We leave them. Come.

Sun reveals

let

us depart and pay

(Sitigs.)

Our wonted

adorations.

t Amidst the wide lake

where the Lotus expands

in frolicksome bands.

And
The

beauty and fragrance imparts to the Stream,

stately

swans gliding

Unfold their white plumes in the day's dawning beam.

Exeunt.

Thus
Ilansi

interpreleil

Sanscritice

also

be underslood from the ex-

yugalam t ami/ ate {Kimfdshpdpavalila

may^IviralaJash'pa-jalen

ample.

bhutam)

* Z)Mr5"a or Part'afi the bride

anam or
ollolam
bhasi,

of Siva,
i

also Sarovarasi/a amSnigdham and Sahachari

The measure of
;

this
it
is

is

termed Khdndadhaid
lables

dukhdliddham
this Play

this

will afford

Stanza of four P</as of 14 Syl-

a specimen of the Prakrit of

each:

it

is

in fact

the

and
is

tiie

mode

in

which

second species of the Dwipadi-

this dialect

usual! y explained

kd

differing

from the

first

only

by the annotators, the Prosody

f the Suddha Vvuipadikd.

by the addition of a short Syllable, as Chinta,

sjia'

may

duiumia,

luaiia-

&c.

08

ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST.*

(Slnwis
wllhoiit.)

Air.

The

lord of the Elephant train.

Now
And
To

-wanders afar from his mate:

franticly

comes

to

complain
state.

the Woody, of his desolate

Distraction alone for his guide,

He phmges amidst the dark bowers; And he casts his rich trappings aside
For garlands of wild
forest flowers.
to the heavens, his

Enter
aanilij.

Pun'navas

hastily

looMng vp

dress disordered, and his general appearance indicative ofin-

Hold treacherous
!

fiend,

suspend thy

flight,

forbear.
:

Ah Whither has he borne my And now his arrows sting me thick as

From yonder peak whose' sharp
They shower upon me.
(Bushes forward as
looks
to

beauteous bride
hail

top pierces heaven,

the attack

then

pauses and

vpwards.\)

Air.

The

lonely

Cygnet breasts the

flood.

Without
* Or
in Die loxl

his mate, in

mournful mood.
is

the Prove-

annunciation

in

llie

same

snsica llie

iulroducer

either

a
it

metre as the
likd.

first,

the ^ksldp'

jierson

on Ihe singe, or near

interposes

who

occasion-ally

to
is

+ Witli Dwipadiku, on which

the Pratcril Stanza described in

let the

audience

know who
:

coming when none of the characlers

a precedino; note, follows

it

being

perform that duty

the

may

be inferred, sung.

C9

His Snowy plumage drooping

lies

And trickling
It
is

tears suffuse his eyes.

no demon

No
The

hostile quiver

but a friendly cloud but the bow of Indra:

fall,

cooling rain-drops
I

not barbed Shafts,

And

mistake the lightning for

my

love.

(Faints

then

revives

and

rising.*

Am.t
I

madly thought a
from me,

fiend

conveyed
eyed maid

Away

my fliwn

The early rain-drops sense restore To teach me to despair the more.* Where can she bend her steps her native

gentleness

Cannot thus cherish anger

if

she seek

The

Skies, her love for

me

"will

soon revive.
host

Once mine
Alas, no

again, not all the

Demon

That brave the Gods, should force her from

my

arms.

more

my

gaze delighted dwells

Upon

her loveliness

How sad the chance.

lias assailed.

Fate heaps calamities with diligent malice

On

those uliom once misfortune

I lost

Hence have

my

love,

when

genial airs

And overshadowing clouds, veiling the day. Had shed intenser rapture on her presence* Dwipadilca. + r//flrdiflri,aStan:sa of which

Drula or Madhya Layaa

gro ov JUegretto) and timdndaka or
the Lutddilala
lidsaJca,
is

( Alle-

ia either

no

(Icfinilion

given,

and
in

class of Tulas or airs called

Pra-

which

subsc(iuently
it is

recurs

as with
is

different forms:

here a Stan-

which

coin-

za of four lines of which the

three
first

monly
Laladi

called according to
:

Bha'
Hi

contain 21

syllahic

rata, Saurasa

Pratimandalcam
Saurasa

instants and the last 19 or 20: as

Tdio lohe

a kind of song

it

is

sung

in the

abhidliii/ate.

>

70
Air,

Ye

clouds whose ceaseless torrents slied^

glories

New

through the

g' corny air

Awhile your angry showers forbear

Nor burst upon

Give me
to find

this

humbled head
then fulfill
will.

my love, and
I

content bow me to your the wise assert Call kings th3 Lords of time
Your wrath
Awai/Avith this humility
I will

My power,
The

and bid the seasons tay

Aiu.*

their course.

tree of
all its

heaven invites the breeze.

;

And
.

countless blossoms glow

;

They dance upon the gale the bees With sweets inebriate murmuring loWj,
Soft music lend, and gushes strong

The
No,
For

Ku'il's

deep thick warbling song.

I will not arrrest the

all

march of time
state

around behold

my

apparelled

The clouds expand my canopy their lightnings Gleam as its glittering fringe Rich chowries wave

Of many
The
Are

coloured hues from flowering trees-

shrieking Peafowl, clamorous in their joy.

the loud heralds of a Sovereigns' honours-

And those bright torrents, flasliing o'er the brows Of the tall mountains, are the wealthy streams
Poured forth profuse from tributary realms.

Fye on it
*
Alrii)

Avliat

have

do

witii

pomp
The two
first lines

Charchari but a different measure.

each \Qkalus aud the two
last

coaUiiiiiii?:

23 each.

71

And
To

kingly pride

ray sole sad

Air.*

business hers

thread the woods in search of my beloved.

The monarch

of the "woods
gait
floods,

With slow desponding

"Wanders through vales and

And rocks and forest bowers. Gemmed with new springing flowers, And mourns heart-broken for his absent Ah me whatever I view but aggravates
!

mate.*

"My woe

Ihese bright and pendulous flowers

dcAv,

Surcharged with

resemble those dear

C3'es

Glistening Avith starting tears, Hoav shall

I learn
'

If she have passed this

way

the

3'ielding soil

Softened by showers^ perchance

may have

retained

The

delicate impression of her feet,

* Charchari, a verse of two

lines of 32

imperfect:

it is saisl

to

lie

adnpt-

Kalds or a Stanxa of

cd to

tlie

expression of lieroisin
restricted
tjie

four divisions of sixteen syllabic

and

surprise, to be

to

moments, being the same

t^ri/agili

as

the

the latter part of

day, and
suptr-

of Colebrooke A.
It is

R.

to be under the tutelary

10.461.

accompanied with
additions, Pulha^t/-

intendance of 5cma.
+ At the end of the Stage direction
is

some curious
ante
called
in

air,

the

Bhinnalca.
the

Bhlnnaka
explained

is

Dwipadikiii/d

commentary a
is

parikrair.ya uvalokt/acho, liaviiig

Bdga ;
d^a

Pdlha,

f'd-

walked round the Scene, and

it,

Ulkara, implying possibly

Sym-

surveyed

with Dwipadikd,

instrumental prelude or

by which must be understood, time merely, or musical accompaniment,

for

phony Bhinnaka is described in the being composed as Madhyama gruma, \i\r\'y)V raoAe, as evolved from ishadja, but
the

the

j)roceeds in Sanscrit, and for

Monologue a

short way iu Prose,

manuscript

is

tie very

72

And shew some vestige of

Where

their

ruby tincture.*

in this lonely thicket

To

gain some tidings

may I hope Yon proud Bird of her

Perched on the jutting crag that stately stands.

With neck

outstretched and speading

tail to

tell

His'raptnres to the clouds

haply may give

Some kind intelligence.

AlR.t

The

royal elephant the dread

rival foes

Of all his

With downca&t eye and tardy

ThVough tangled
thickets goes

tread,
;

To solitary

grief a prey.
far

His loved companion

away.

J will speak to this

If,

Peacock
as

oh
soar,
|

tell

free^on the
being

wing

you

* The

soles

stained
J/e7/7?<//.

Sampat
riyain
[

ta 7180
|

ranao
|

lii-

^ith Ihered juice of the

pariiva

rana-o
|

+ Khanilalca,a verse of four

lines

F\a

damadan
]

sanala

laa-o

the two fust containing

llie

Gaa
:j:

vara\i

huita

ma

nasa-o

twelve kalds
it

two

l;ist

14:

The

direction here

is

may be one of

the

many

va-

Khandafcante

Charchari.

Term The

rieties of the .4ij/ngiti nieasnre,

Charchari

is

a long Stanza, the

also called

Khandaka (A
four,

R 10.40
and
all

four lines consisting each of 22

Fjllabic*;

the two short lines contain three

feet, the

moments
a
mystical

or

Kalds
to

two long

Tena

is

prefix

but the first foot of the first line verses, according to the comwhich is a sijondoo and the first mentator, an auspicious intepof the third and fourth, which tive particle explained by likaare pjrrhics,
are auaparsts
as

raia, as here cited, to signify by

<

lO

)
dell.

In

forest, or

meadow, or
the loved

You have seen You will know

nymph

deplore

her, the fairest of damsels fair

air.

By

her large soft eye, and her graceful

C Advancing
Bird of the
daffk blue throat

to the

bird^ and bowing.)

jet

and eye of

Oh

tell

me
fair

have you seen the lovely face

bride

Of my

lost in this

dreary wilderness:

how no reply how What means this merry mood Oh yes know Tlie cause he now may^boast his plumage
Her charms
deserve your gaze

He

ansv/ers not, but beats a measure

Without a

peer, nor

shame

to

shew

his glories

Before the floating tresses of

my

Urvasi.

I leave him, nor will Avas,te a thought

on one

Who

feels

no pity for another's woe.

( Proceeds ;

Musici'J

Yonder amidst the thick and shady branches

Of

the broad Jambu, cowers the Koil

faint

Her

flame of passion in the hotter breath

Of noon;

she of the birds

her.;!;

is

wisest

famed
two Dru/ff and
whic h
it

I Avill address

Brahnie or Cod, anahigous to

the import nf
asi.

consists of

eij;ht

Tad

in

Tat-twamSpirit

Laghu
haps
is

(notes)

per-

Tliut all pervading

allowable to

call

two

tiiDU

art

and

similar phrases,
to Airs.

quaver* and eight crotchets,

t With Dwipitdika.
:}:

aud should he prefixed

*

Wilh Charcharikd

hereof
is

Khuruka

a sovl of d:\nce
to
nuisit-al
is

oi'

course something different from

the Cliarchari which
i?7(rtrfl^rt

gCKliculatioa

inca-

sung

sure: the

name

aho

applied

iscited to call iteitiier

to a pirticular

comhinatiou of

a sort of

m casured movement or
J all
or Td!a, which

of letters or figure of rhetoric,

measure,

74
Air.*

]\Iajestic as sails

the miglity cloud

air.

Along the dusky

The Elephant cometh

hither to shroud

In the thickets his despair.

From

his heart all

hope of delight'^s riven

And

his eyes

with tears o'erflow.

the shades, whei'c the sons of heaven

As he roams
Descend

to sport below.

AlK.t

Say nurseling of a stranger

nest,:!!

Say hast thou chanced a nymph

to see,

Amidst these gardens of the

"Wandering at liberty

blest,

Or

Avarbling Avith a voice divine

JMelodious strains more sweet than thine.

(Approaches and kneels.)

Sweet Bird

whom lovers deem Love's messengci*,|l

envenomed
shafts.

Skilled to direct the God's

And tame
To where

the proudest heart; oh hither guide

Isly lovely fugitive, or lead

my
liis

steps
lcj'l,^andas if I'epli/ing)
leave
its

she

%iray^,{tiir}is to

* Charthari of 42 and 36, or

21.
21. 18.

is

said to

eggs in the

and

18, s\ilabic in-

nests of other birds,

11

stauls.

Because the' KoiVs song

is

+ With T^ulantika, described

ill

especially heard at the

season

the Sangila Jiclndkara, as an

of

spring

t!ie

friend

of love.

f rpdn^a or sub-division of a Mdga: it is here of course tlie even melody or

strain.

Tliis sort
is

of turn however

technical,

and

is

termed

f'dmalca.

The AoVVj

like the

Cuckoo

75

Why did she

One
In

leave
?

so devoted to her will

In wrath
lives not

She left me, but the cause of anger

my imagination the
slightest

fond tyranny

That Avomen exercise

Brooks not the

o'er those Avho love

them

shew of disregard.

How now

the Bird has flown

'tis

ever

thus-

All coldly listen to another's sorrows.

Unheeding

my

affliction, lo,

she speeds

Intent on joy expected, to yon tree^

To banquet on the luscious juice, the Jambu^ From its now ripe and roseate fruit distills.
Like ray beloved, the Bird of tuneful song
Deserts

me ;

let

can forgive her (Proceeds Music)

her go
I

Ha on my
]My
f'iir

right

amidst the wood

'tis

hear

A tinkling melody

the sweet chime

one's anklets echo to her footsteps.

Aiut
Through
the

woods the

stately elephant strays.

And

his glances despair express;

so denomiit is

* The Rose apple

Dated from
ever the
its

passage

is

not very clear

in

the

odour:

howis

manuscript, either of the Cora-

Mahdjambii that
in the text.

ment

or Saiigita RetnaJcara, but

'\s

mentioned
t

Ihe KaJcubha

a form

in

the

Kaknbha a Ruga, according mode of Dhiiivala of which to BharalaKakuhha appears D/ja is the Ansa or key note, a Ragini in the list quoted hy The notation of tiie Scale Sir Wm. Jones from Mirza Khan is given hy Sir W- Jones Dhabut it differs in gender and de- ni-sa-ri-ga-ma-pa. The Rdga
aominatiou, (A. R. 3 81) the
hci\.\\c<}i

iht Shadupabhanga, or

76

On his limbo the enfeebling malady preys. And his steps are slow with distress;
In his eyes the starting tear drop swells.

As

his

thought on his

lost

companion dwells

Alas, the gathering of the clouds deceives

The swan, who

For
1 hear his

hails rejoicingly the

time

periodic flight to Mdnasa.'*

song of gladness not the sound

anklets

Of tinkling
Its distant

ere yet the troop begins

address the chief.
:

march

I will

Ho IMonarch

of the tribes that breast the stream,

forego the provender

Forbear awhile your course

Of Lotus stems, not needed yet, and hear

My

suit

Some tidings of my love 'tis worthier To render kindly offices to others

Than meanly
labour for a selfish
not, but
stiil

redeem me from despairimpart far

goodI

He

heeds

me

on Manasa
note

Intent, collects his store

and now

him

More

closely, I suspect

some mystery.

Why
Was

seek to veil the

truthif my beloved

never seen by thee as graceful straying

Along the flowery borders of the

Then whence
Hast
stolen sports
it

this elegant gait

lake.

'Tis hers

and

tho'ii

Love
in six parts
six lines

from herin whose every step thy walk betrays thee own thy crime,
;

and the verse has

gination it

is

followed

by

the

rhythm both
as

of

Stanza of the
four
lines

Dw ipadilca

clasfj,

the air and poetry being thus

irrpgnlarly subdivided

of

14 Kalas each,

more

which repeatinnf the same ideas

has been omiltcJ.

expressive of a disordered ima-

77

And

lead

me quickly

to her. (laughs)
fliei;

Nay he

fears

Our Royal power

the plunderer
Music.

the king.

Proceeds

Yonder

I see

the Chaktva* Avith his mate

Of him

I will enquire

AlR.t
In groves of tall trees with
bi'ight

blossoms blooming
tones,

And

vocal with

many sweet murmured

Ihe Lord

of the herd

whom

grief

is

consuming

Distracted the loss of his mate bemoans.

Aiu.

Jfier a pause.^

Ah
The
I

nO;,

he

replies, I taste

on the wing,

joys of the cool returning spring.

And as
Yet
tell

each feather

thrills

with delight,

mark not the fair

ine

that

meet

my

sight.

Who asks

thy answer

hast thou seen her know'st thou not the great king of day
of the night are

And monarch

my

progenitors:
the Stan-

* The ChaJcra vtika or Ruddt/

goose: these birds are supposed
to be
night.

two
7a

last to

C/j/?rcAajv*,

is

Dwipndika

four lines

of

separated through the

14 SvJIables each,

+ Here the gesture

cd
;

is

descrihit is

i Dnnlaydntare after two Lnyas, the commentator cites

^f /<?/'

Kulilika wilh which

explannlion of fjnya
the concurrence
voice, instrument,

in

directed to begin, being explained, standing; with the feet some-

wliich

is

time of

and

thing apart, the left

hand ex-

tended and the right resting on

the hip.
In the second line of
is

j^csticulation, here however it must imply something else, an

interval proI)ably,

or a definite

the Stanza the gesture

changin the

measure of symphony or prclude.

ed to ^laUasliali and

78

Their grandson

I,

and by their oAvn free choice.

The Lord

of Urvasi and of the Earth.

How-silent

thou might'st measure my

all
if,

affliction

By

Avhat thou feelest;

tliy

the air resounds

With

incessant plaint.^,

but a

moment

Thy fair companion nestling bides in sport Amongst the lotus leaves, and flies thy view.
Alas

to one whom fate has cursed like me

is

Nought

propitious

will ask

no more.

Proceeds

Music.
it

How

beautiful the lotus

arrests
it

My

path and bids

me

gaze on

the bees

Murmur amidst its petals like tlie lip Of my beloved it glows, when that has been
Somewhat too rudely sipped by mine, and long
Ketains the amorous impress

I will woo
my
friend

This honey

rifler to

become

Advances.^

Am.
Unheeding the cygnet
His beak
in the nectar
at first,

of passion dips

But

fiercer

and

fiercer his thirst

As deeper he

sips.

Say plunderer of the honied

dew hast

thou

Beheld the nymph wliose large and languid eye Voluptuous rolls as if it swam with wine.

And

yet methinks

'tis

idle to enquire,
at to
llie

* With the Ardhadiuicliata.

rasraka, a particular
gesticubtiug, this
is

end of

tlic

Pidkril verse

mode of
afc

Dioichaturasrakua

term

changed

of like import.

79

For had he

tnsted hcv delicious bveath

lie noAv ^vollld

scomthe lotus T
Proceeds

will hence.

jSIimc.*
yet hold
tre

Beneath

tlie

shade of 3-on Kadomha tree

1 he royal clepliant reclines, and Avith him

His tender mate

ui 11 approach

From liis Companion he accepts the bough Her trunk has snapped from the balm breathing
I^ow
rich with teeming shoots

and juicy fragrance.

Advances^

tlien

Pauses. j^

He

crushes

it

may proceed
Air

King of

the forest

whose

sports have felled

;

The
Oh^

stateliest trees, the thicket's pride

say, in these shades hast thou beheld,

Slore bright than the jMoon,

my

-wandering bride.

Advcmclug a few paces.

Chief of
the.

mighty herd

say
moon

Iiast

thou seen

Jly love

like the j^oung

her delicate frame.

And
Her

with eternal youth her beauties glow;

voice
is

music
f>|j

her long tresses wear

liadst

The Jasmine'

golden hue,

thou afar
thj'

Beheld her charms they must have fixed

*
Dw/padikuija
is

gaze.

Parikrdmi-

uo

{leteiiuiiu'd

measure.
lie

talcena

the sta^c direction.

t
ces

hi the original

commenabrupt-

+ Slhanakena
idenlified

nnASthdnaka is with a variety of Aid;

a Stanza to the KulUika

off"

measure, hut breaks

ly.
\\

ya on the authoiily of Bharatn

4lupa ai^tears in the Sani^ila F.einakuva to signify moiliilathe succession of notes tioii,

Yvlhild ^avula

kesi, hav-

jng hair l)roMn as the yellow

J asminegolden

or auburji, a

couformabiv to a fixed scale, but

very strange idea for a Hindu

so

Ha, he

replies.

Tliat

hind assenting roar

Conveys some intimation

Tiie sound

oil

repeat

consider that we should befriend

bound by various common
ties.

Each

other,

T!;cu art the sovereign of the forest

Me

They term

the

King of men. Thy bounty sheds

air,

Tliy frontal fragrance on the

my wealth

On

pM

is

showered profuse

Amongst the bands

Of lovely nymphs obedient to my will One cnly Uivasico\nniar\ds my love,

i\s

thou
all

liast

chosen

this?,

thy favourite

From

the herd.

Thus

far

our fates accord.

And
Such

never be the pangs of separation.

as distract

my

bosom, known to thee.

;

Propitious be thy fortunes

friend, farewell.

FroceeJs.

Wiiat have

we

here

deep

in the mountain's breast

:

yawning chasm appears

such shades are ever

earth.

Haunts of the nymphs of air and

Perchance

My

Urvasi

now

lurks within the grotto

In cool seclusion I will enter All

Is utter darkness.

Would

the lightning's flash

disdains.

Now
Such
It's

blaze to guide
is

me

no the cloud
be
of
it

my

fate perverse, to

shed for me.

so

many

channelled rachance

I will retire
it is

but

first

the rock address.

it is

said

Ihat

in

the west of
is

consu'.ered a
llie

India such

hair

sometimes
that

tioti

iiair,

morbid aftecand the woit.

seeii,l)utthe prejudice in i'avoiir

Uiou dye and conceal

of cbou locks

is

so strong


81
)

Am.*
Witli horny hoofs and a resolute breast

The

boar through the thicket stalks

He
S

ploughs up the ground, as he plies his quest

forest's

In the
\y

gloomiest walks.

mountain whose expansive slope confines

forest verge,

The

oh

tell

me

hast thou seen

tteep ascent.

fair

nymph,

straining

up thy

Or wearied resting
How, no
I will

in thy
to

crowning woods
his

That Love delights

make

shady dwelling-

replj^ remote he hears

me

not

approach him nearer.

AlR.t

From thy crystal summits the glistening Rush down the flowery sides

springs

And

the spirit of heaven delightedly sings

hides.

As among thy peaks he

Say mountain

so favoured
this

have the

feet

Of my

fail-

one pressed

calm

retreat.

Now

by
is

my
she

hopes he answers

he has seen her

mouth
tliey roll
(^faints).

Where
Alone

say

alas

again deceived

hear the echo of my words

the cavern's hollow

As round

And multiplied return ah Urvasi

(Recovers and
slls

as exhausted.)
Aviil

Fatigue has overcome

* Khandiku
VL

me I

rest

kiiiil

of song

26 Syllabic moments ench.

f Charchari,
a
StuiiZi

in the A'M.7/6/ia//^

time

or the
lines of

four

verse

is

a StaD~;i of two

fines 17 syllable insta>its each,

S2

Upon the borders of this mountain torrent. And gather vigour from the breeze that gleans
Refresliing coolness from
AVJiilst
its

gelid waves.

gazing on the stream, whose

flow,

new swoln waters

Yet turbid
Possess

what strange imaginings

and
is
fill

my

soul

it

with delight.
her arching brow.

The
The

rippling Avave

like

fluttering line of storks her timid tongue.

The foamy spray her white

loose floating vest.

And this meandering

Her undulating
gait;

course the current tracks

all

these recall
I

J\Iy soon-offended love

must appease her

Aiu.*

Be not relentless, dearest. Nor wrath with me for evei*. I mark where thou appearest

A fair and mountain river.

Like Ganga proud thou shewest.

From
The

heavenly regions springing;

thee as thou flowest

Around

birds their course are winging.

The timid deer confiding Thy flowery borders throng ;

And
Pour
^

Bees, their store providing.

forth enraptured song.

Kutilikii,

as formerly

ocit

the verse

is

a Stanza of 4 lines
is

curling, gesliculation,

but

of 16 syllabic iustantS} aud

the ^ri/a Giti class.

of

should here rather imply metre:

83
Air.*

In the lowering East the king of the deep

Expects

his

coming bride

His limbs are the clouds that darkly sweep

The

skirts of the

heaving tide;

And
With

his tossing

arms are the tumbling waves.

Where

the gale o'er the heaving billow raves.

rapture he dances, the Lord of the main.

And

proad

in his state appears:

His steps are pursued by the monster train

The deep Sea darkness

rears;

And the curlew, the swan, and glistening And the lotus, the monarch's glory swell.
The43ellowing surges his fame resound.

shell

And dash at
The

the gates of heaven.

sea with the sky they threat to confound.

But back with shame

are driven
for their right

For now the young Kains are armed

And their

prowess arrests old ocean's might

(Approaches and hows.)

Oh nymph
That thus

adored, what crime have I committed.

3'ou fly

from one so wholly yours.

Who now implores your pity,

Anticipates your loss

and with

terror

relent return
quit

This

is

not Urvasi.

She would not

Even

for the

Ocean King

What's

to

be

me done

* Charchari, 6 lines of 22
sv liable iiistaals

tion,

being in the original es-

each:
la

it is

very

ceedingly brief aad obscure,

much expanded

the trausla-


84

Fortune crowns those who yield not to despair*

I'll

back to where
the black

my love

first

disappeared.
lies;

Yonder

Deer cou chant

Antelope*

of him

I wi'l enquire

-Ho

behold
Nandana ;X

The

royal elephant Airdvataf

Scorched by the pangs of solitude explores

In search of

his lost mate, the groves of

Whose close embowering walks are resonant With the glad KoUs song, as pleased he sips The juicy nectar of the clustering blossoms.

How he averts his gaze as he disdained To hear my suit ah no he anxious marks

His doe approach hira tardily
sJie

comes,

Her

frolic

fawn impending her advance

AiR.II

A nymph of heaven has left To make a heavenly region

And treads this

her sphere
here.

sacred ground.
hips^

Her slender waist, her swelling Her languid eye, her ruby lips
With youth unfading crowned.

Oh

tell

me through tlie
soft

tangled maze.

If Avandering she has met thy gaze.

Deer of the

black eye

Ere yet beneath the yawning brink

* Advancing with
Cfl/ani/Vra,
all

the preceding,

in

Sanscrit, in

termed nierelj a kind of

dance or gesliculation.

naljja

the usual measure,

:}:

The Garden of

Indra.

Tlic elephant

of

Indra-.

||

Charchari, a verse of four

this illuslralion proceeds unlike

lines of

22 sj liable iiislanls each.

S5

)
I

Of sorrow's
Befriend

gulph, immersed

sink

ine^ or I

die
Advances.

Lord of the bounding herds, say hast thou seen

My
But

fair

whose large and languid

e)'e

resembles

That of thy tender mate

springs to meet his
fate
still

he heeds me not
doe be happy
both

Though

adverse frown on

my

desires.

Proceeds and pauses.

How now what

Through the

stream of ruddy radiance breaks

rock

'tis The fast Some sanguine fragment of the Lion's feast. more roseate than the blush 'tis a gem IsTc

no flame could have survived perchance descending torrents

cleft

Of the

Asoka blossoms, and the Sun

it

"Would grasp

with his beams

it

it

pleases

me

And

I will

make

mine.

Am.*
With
tearful eye

and dejected gaze.

Despairing his Love to meet

All lonely the Royal Elephant strays

Through

the forest's
I

still

retreat.

Why
'i

should

take the jewel.

She whose brow

had worn

Bound with Maiiddra

he
costly

filets, best

gem,

is

far

far from me whywitli

Should

I distain the

ruby

my

tears.

* Dwipadikd, four liaes fourleen

Icalds each.

86

^Going^a
Take up the gem,

Voice in the air,^

my

Son

its

radiant red

The

feet of

Hema's holy daughter shed*

And
'J

Avonderous virtue gave

let it

adorn

hy hand and thou

wilt shortly cease to

mourn

Thy absent bride once more by this restored To bless her sorrowing and lamented Lord. Vur. What voice is this descends some friendly sage
In
pity of

my

griefs^ or in

some deer
Seer

Disguised, directs

me thus.
love,

I obey
divine

And

thank thy

holy counsel Gem

Restore

me to my

and

I will bear thee

High on my diadem, and hold

thee ever

As

dear as Iswura his crescent

the gem

moon

-Takes

and proceeds, then pauses

What means this strange emotion as I gaze Upon this vineno blossoms deck its boughs
Nipped by the
fa.liiig rains^ like

briny tears.

The buds have

perished,

and the mournful shrub

All unadorned appears to pine in absence.

No

bees regale her with their songs

silent

And sad, she, lonely, shews the image Of my repentant love, who now laments
Her
causeless indignation

I will

press

The melancholy

likeness to

my heart
of her feet
red

* Gauriot Parrat/, the stone

is

tact with the soles

fabled to

have received

its

stained

with the

of

the

colour, and Tirlues from cou-

Melmdi (iawsonia

incrwji.)

87
Air.

Vine of the wilderness, behold,

A lone
His

heart-broken wretch in me,

in his

"Who dreams
love, as

embrace

to fold

wild he clings to thee.

And might relenting fate restore To these fond arms^ the nymph I mourn;
I'd bear her hence,

and never more

To
{Goes
to

these forbidden haunts return.

embrace the Creeper which

is

transformed

to

Urvasi*)

What can this mean, through every fibre spreads. The conscious touch of Urvasi yet all let me wake I deemed her charms deceived me

And
*Tis
TJrv.

realise the vision or dispell

no deceit

'Tis shemy best beloved

Glory to the King

it.

(faints)

(in tears.)

Pur. (reviving.)

Thy

loss

dear love has plunged

my

sinking spirit

Deep

into dreariest

gloom; but now thy sight

calls

Arrests

my

soul,

and

me back

to bliss.

Urv
Pur.
Urv.

I knew not of your woe, myself deprived Of conscious being How what mean you speak I will explain, but let me first implore

Porgiveness, that

my causeless
;

wrath has wrought

So
Pur.

sad a change in you.

Enough, enough

You mine once more,

* Or, enters as
it

all else is

quite forgotten,

were

in its very place,

Tatah

pravisati fat

illiane era Urvasi.

88

And

every lliouglitis extasj'

but come
away

Say bow you cheered your time, your lord For me

Aiu.*

I have sued to the starry

plumed Bird,
;

And the KoJl of love-breathing song To the Lord of the Elephant herd. And the Bee as he murmured along
To

the Swan, and the loud Waterfall,

To the

Chafcwa, the

Rock and
I

the Roe,
all.

In thy search have

sued to

them

But none of them lightened

Urv.

my

woe.

To me all news

of

my

lamented lord

Came but in
Pti?-.

fond imaginings

How thus
In ancient days, the warrior
coenobites observance

Urv.

God adopted
this

and for

Retiring to the woods that stud the va'e

Of Gondhamudana,

then called Akulasha,

He
Pur.
Urv.

framed

this law.

What

law

proceed
that shoidd rashly pass the

The female

bounds

Proscribed, and penetrate the forest shades.

Should instant metamorphose undergo,

And
By

to a twining

shrub should bstransformecTi

to

Alone from such sad change

be redeemed,

the celestial gem, whoss ruby glow

Is gleaned

from Gauri's

foot.

This law

broke*

* Chaichnri.

S9

Bewildered by the Sage's imprecation

I tliouglitlej,3

plunged into the

thicket's

glooms

Shunned ever by the gods, and

in a vine
lost.

My
I

form and
all

faculties awhile

were

Pur. 'Tis

explained; no ordinary cause

knew
in

detained thee from

me

thee,

whose

fears

Brooked not

my

mcrmentary separation,

Even

thy dreams

The virtue of the gem.

As thou
Behold
Urv.

hast said, this day effects our meeting^.

it

here.

The Ruby of Reunion,

This holy

gem

restores
it
;

me

to

my

nature.

(Takes
Pur.

it

and puts

respect fulli/ to her forehead)

A moment thus
by
this

let

me behold

thy brow;,

Irradiated

heavenly jewel
its

Like the red

Urv.

lotus ere

buds expand.

The king
city

delights to flatter me, but

to Pratishthdna ;
its

now

Let us return

long

The

mourns

absent lord, and I

The cause of his departure, shall incur. The angry censures of the people come
:

How

will

it

please you travel

Pur. Yonder cloud

Shall be our

downy

car, to

waft us swift

And

lightly

on our Avay

the lightnings wave

hues.

Its glittering banners,

and the bow of Indra

Hangs

as

its

ovei'arching canopy

Of variegated and resplendent

AIR.

The ardent swan

his

mate recovers

And

all his spirit is delight:

90

With her aloft in air he hovers, And homeward wings his joyous

flight.
; viiiSic.*

[_Exeimt on the cloud

END OF THE FOURTH

ACT.

ACT

V.

THE PALACE OF TURURAVAS

Enter Mdnavaha

At

last

thank the
tlie

fates,

the king has leturned with IMa-

clam Urvasi from

groves of Nandaiin, the pleasant gar-

dens of the Gods.

My

friend

is

once more attentive to his

yet he seems out of what should be the cause except the want of grieve This a bustling daythe dren he has nothing
royal duties and the cares of state
spirits

chil-

to

for

is

king and hisqueens have just performed their royal ablutions

where the Yamnnd and the Ganges meet

toilet

he must be

at his

by

this time,

and by joining him I

for

shall secure a share

of the flowers and perfumes prepared

(Noise behind)

him.

The Ruby the ruby

borne away the

a hawk taking

it

for a piece of flesh has

Ruby

of Reunion from

the plaintain

leaf,

on which it was a moment placed along with

the Lady's robes.

* With Khandadhurd a

sort

of air

niaintainiiig

llie

curious

monologue with all its airs raust be endowed with extraordinary

powers.

character of this act to the last

the actor

who could execute

the

01

Man. Here's
keep

a pretty piece of

work

so highly prized
aloof.

Ho, here he comes, not yet attired

the jewel my friend will

I

Enter Pururavas

in haste followed

hy the Chamberlain, a hun-

ter*
Pt(r.

and

attendants.

Where is

the winged thief that raslily courts

to violate

His own destruction, and presumes

The dwelling
Hunter.

of his Sovereign.

Yonder he goes
his beak.

the golden chain of the jewel

flies

hanging from
Fur.
I see

him as he rapid
in

around

In airy rings, the whirling chain appears

To hem him
What's
to

fiery

circle

be done.

Man.
Pur.

{Advancing.)

Punish liim to be

sure,

put the

culprit to death.

Bring

me my bow. {A female

attendant* goes out

and returns with a how and arrows

'Tis

ivhich she gives to the king.

now

too late

he

flies

Far
* Also
forester:

to the
called

South beyond the arrow's

a Kirdta a
tlie

leacli

Princes

had guards of Africaa

in their

the

Kirdlas

women

harams, and the

>I<)\inlaiaeer

and Savnge tribes

to

presence

of female attendants

of India

were known

the

in those of the

Hindu Sovereigns

ancients as the Cirrhadoe on the

has also been adverted to, but

the term Yavani has been appli-

Cororaandel coast
to have been

they appear
the

independant but
to

ed by the later

Hindus to the
and
it
is

were

tributary

Hindu

JHohannnedans,
likely

not

kings-or perhaps only rendered

personal service.
N

that

either

Persian or

Arabian
is

women

ever found their

Yavani which

rather

way
of

into the inner

appartments
as

inexplicable the

Mohammedan

Hindu

princes,

personal

92

Red

as Asoka flowers the precious

gem
glows

Graces the sky

with sullen

fires it

Like angry IMars, bursting at intervals

Tlirough the thick clouds that overhang the night.

My good Ldlavrja.(io IheChambcrla'm.) give command,

the Bird

Be
Man.
Pvr.

tracked, and followed to his perch.

shall be obeyed,
{^Exit.*

Cham. The king

Now

please

you

sit

the

thief will

not be able to

escape your power.

(Sits.)

Were

it

an ordinary

gem

its

loss

Would move me
To
Man.
it I

not

but

to lose this

would vex

me

oAve reunion with

is this

my

love.
;

Well there
in

comfort

as

you have the lady,

you are no longer

need of the jewel.

Enter
Cham.

the

Chamberlain with an Arrow and the Jewel.

!

Victory to your grace

fallen,

the bird

condemned by

your Majesty's decree has

pierced by this Shaft

tlie

ruby

is

recovered;
it

it

has been cleansed Avith water; please you

say to

whom

shall

be intrusted.
If,

attendants or gunids.

as has

haps Tartnrian or Bactrian wo-

been supposed, J'fluanas formerly

implied
Greeks,
it
is

men may
*

beinteiuled.
is

equally

There
art

evidently
the

much
of

impossible

that Greek
fulfilled

women
such an

more
the

in

conduct

should

have

the business in

this piece tlian in

office, as

few could have found

to India, or even

Toy

Cart.

The Chamberlain

their

way
it

to

Bactriu, and those

would have

would tjierc have been sent out, and would Ivive returned immediately, in all probability, instead

been,

may

be supposed, too

highly valued hy their Country-

of any dialogue
interval,

filling

up the

men
as

to have been sufi'ored to act

slaves

to

Barbarians per-


93
the

Fni'.

Ho, Forester,

let

gem

I3e purified Avith flame,

and then replace it

Safe in

its

casket.

Hunter

As your Majesty commands.

\_Exit. the

Kirdia or Forester.

Pur.

Know you
is

to

whom

the Shaft belongs,

it

Cham. There

name

inscribed upon

your grace, but

my

eye sight cannot distinguish the characters.

Pio:

Let

me

see them.

(Takes

the

arrow and expresses wonder and

I will

deligld.)

Cham. With your grace's leave

duties.

now

attend to other
[_Exii.

Man, What does your majesty study so in'ently. " The arrow of the all subduing Ayus, Listen Pii?\ The son of Urvasi and Ptiruravas."
Man.
Pur.

Joy

to

your grace.

Fate has crowned your wishes.

How

should this be

but for the interval

me

Of the Naimisha*
]My U)
vasi has

sacrificial rite

always been Avith

I do recall indeed a transient period.

When

her soft cheek was paler than the leaf

Cold-nipped and shrivelled

and her eloquent eye

Betrayed unwonted lassitude

1 never noted.

aught

else

Man,

Oh

j'ou

must not suppose

that the

nymphs of

heaven manage these matters

they have the power
* The Naimishcya

like those of earth

No,

no

to counteract all

such appearances.
to llio J^fatiu-

sacrifice is

years according
hluhal., a

the great sacrifice performed at the Naimisha forest hy

the asserabled sages which lasted twelve

thousand according to

the Blid^avut.

91

)
this

Ftcr.

It

may be

so

yet

why

mystery

Why keep
Man.
Spirits.

from

me

all

knowledge of

my

child.
celestial

Oh

there's no accounting for the fancies of

Enter

Chamberlain.
saintly

Cham. So please your majesty, a

dame and a

young lad from the hermitage ofChi/avana* solicitadmittance.

Pur.

Let them enter

is

quick.
of
Ihe wralli of Ihe
cifietl
i??/s^i,

* Chi/ avail a

the

Son

and pa-

Bhrtgu, the son of Brahma, by

his wife

him by giving him the

in marrioffe.

Pidoma.

A
cliilil

Ilakshasa
1o

dnmsel
iiig'

After be-

er fiend attemptinoj
off

carry

niairied

some

time, the Jls(^hy-

Pulomaihe
Chi/u to

was pre-

ri]ini

Kumar as

\)Si%i\n^h^

maturely born, whence his name

avana's residence conferred up-

from

fall

from.

Upon

on him youth and

requital

Iieauty, in

his birth his splendor

was such

of

as to reduce the insulter of his

gave thera

which boons he a share in the Soma

Gods with Indra at
this

mother to

ashes.

Jl/ahabhdrat

juice offered at sacrifices to the

f;ods

^di Parva, Puloma Adhyuya. The sage having adopted a

life

the

theirhead opposed
/wf/r fifted

grant,and
to strike

of ascetic devotion was so

up

his

arm

immersed in abstraction that he became comi)letely covered

with the nests of white ants,
Sulcanyd the daughter of king
5arj/iti

Chyavana dead with his thunbo]t, when the sac^e paralysed his arm. To appall the Gods he created the demon Mada^
intoxication personified, in terror of

wandering

in the forest

observed what she thought two

lights in
in

whom

an d of the power

an ant hiil,and thrust

grass,

of the Saint, the Gods acceded

to the participation of the

two blades of Kusa

^s-

which when withdrawn were followed by a flow of blood. Much

alarmed
the
Princess repaired
related

wini Kumaras'm divine honours,

Indra was restored to the use

his arm, and .!/// was divided and distributed amongst dice,

of

to her father and

what

had happened.

The king con-

women and

wine.

Bhavishyat

jecturing the truth immediateJy

Puraiia and the

cctioa of the

DdnaLherma

went

to the spot to deprecate

Mahdbhdrat.

95

Enter

a Tapasl or Female Ascellc, and a Boy with a how in

his hand-

Man.

Observe him sir that warrior lad must be the

is

owner of the arrow, he

Pur.
Is

your perfect image.

May

it

prove so my imperfect sight.

tears
;

dimmed with
agitated

my heart
all

is

overcome

With tenderness

and strong emotions crowd

My
A
Cham.
Pta\

mind

on

my limbs

sudden tremor seizes howl long

clasp hira to

To

my bosom.
Hail holy

Here pause most reverend Lady.

(Bowbig.)

Dame.

Tap.

May

fortune ever wait.

line

The glorious The king

I bring

of 5owz. (Apart.)

Now, methinks.
him

has secret intimation given

his son. (Aloud)

him here

Boy Pay your homage.

(Ayiis boil's)
Piiru.

May your

years be many.

Ayust

(Apart) If I dared listen to

my

heart

I should

Believe this were

my

father

I his

son

For

have never known the fond endearments

Paternal love bestows upon a child.

Puru.
Tap.

What

brings thee to our presence saintly

Dame,

Let the king hear

Urvasl, was for

This princely
to

)'Outh, the son

Of

some cause confided.

Without your knowledge,

my

secret care.

The ceremonies
The

of his martial birth

pious Chyavana has duly ministered.

fitted to his station

Taught him the knowledge

93

And
Tliis
ii

lastly triiined his

growing 5'outh toarm.5

an act

:*

But now my charge

(by achieved,

expires, for

unfits

him

to

remain

An
^"''-

inmate of the peaceful hermitage.

^^h'lt act
?

'^

Tap.

Whilst on his mission with the Rislu's Sons,

To gather fuel, flowers and holy grass From the adjacent woods, he aimed a shaft Against a hawk new perched upon a tree
With
liis

fresh prey,

and took

his felon life.

This deed of blood excludes him from our haunts.

And by
Again
Turn. Be

the Sage's orders I conduct

him

to Urvast
seated/,

Avould see the queen.

and mean while Latavija.

Apprise our queen, that

we would

see her here

^Exlt Chcimherlain,
P/ini.

Come hither

boy.

As

the moon's silver rvy

Affects the lunar

gem,

his presence sheds

fibre darts

Spontaneous joy, and through each

The

consciousness that

behold

my

son.

Tap. Obey your Sire {The Pmice advances and proslraies

Jiimself':

Purumvas

raises

and embraces him and places him on

ihefoolslool of his throne.

)
and
all

* The original has Dhanurvith/a

other princes are repre*

ardiery which

is

always

seiited in

the liamai/ana, Jla-

put
al.

for military science in geueiTh-.it arclun-y

hdbhdrut,
plays as
cipal

however was

and all poems and making archery a priueducation,

the predominant branch of the

art

part of their

amongst the Hindus

is

cvi-

furnishing a remarkable analogyin this respect to the practice

dent from this use of the term,

of

and from
of heroic
his sousj

all

descriptive acooiuits
odiicalion

Rama
Ji/us

the

ancient Persians, and

Scy-

thiati

the Pandnvas

97

Tin:

Salute your father's friend

fear

Man. What should he

in the hermitajre.

Boy, he has seen baboons enough

fear not.
Sir.

Ai/us. (^'7HJ/w/n-)

Accept

my homage

Ma7i. Fortune attend 3'ou ever.

Enter
Urv.

Urvnsi preceded by the Chamberlain.

Chaw. This way your grace,

(Seeing Aytis)

What youth

is this,

yvho in the Royal

presence

Armed with the boAV and quiver honoured sits Upon the golden footstool whilst the king

Is fondly playing with his twisted tresses.

Ha

Saiijavalf too!

it is

His growth out

strips

my Son, my memory,

Puni. Behold your mother, boy

Is fixed

upon you
its

her gaze intent and her heaving bosom

who embraces him,
then,

Has
Tap.

rent

veiling scarf.

Haste to embrace her.

(Aijus rises and goes to his Mother

lifter

a pause.)

Urv.

Hail

holy mother.

Tap. Ever may you know.

Your
Aijus.

lord's affection.

Mother

accept my salutations
My
dear boy.
father's

Urv.

C Kisses him)

Be long your
Purii.

happines and pride

C Advances) Glory to the King

To

the matron

honour,
o

(^Ilands Urvasi to a Seat with him on the throne)

Be

seated

all {thcij sit)

9S
is

Tap. In

The
all

princely j'outh

perfectly aecomp'islied

the science that becomes his rank,

And is of years and strength to bear the load Of martial mail unfitted to the thoughts And duties of the tranquil hermil-'^ge
;

I yield

him therefore, in the royal presence.

Isis

Back
Vrv.

to

mother's arms,

And

receive him.
:

Most willingly

for

it

is

no longer meet

He

should disturb the quiet of devotion.

satiate v>'ith
liis

"When he is

lather's sight

He may
P/nu.
Ai/?!s.

revisit

you,

till

then fHrev/ell.

And
IS'o
all

bear

my

reverence to the holy Sage.

Will you not take

me Avitli you

>S/ifi//iv!iii.

Tap.

my

dear child

the labours

of the Student

Are

performed,

'tis

time you enter

now

*0n
Ayiis.

loftier duties

Well

if it

must be

so,

Farewell

but send me here m}' favourite peacock

and bey, remember that
yoti

Tap.

I will,

heed

Your
Pur,
I

father ever

Peace be unto
my
love,
violenfbj)

all

\_Exit.

Tlius blessed,

with thee and with

my

Son,

envy not the happiness of Indra.*

Uro.
Pzir.

Ah me (Weeps
"What means
I

this

sadden grief?

Why when The proud perpetuation

contemplate with ecstacy

of

my race.

Should these dear drops

in swift succession spread

A pearly fillet on
* Or
the
literally,

thj'^

heaving bosom.
+ Or
I

You

enter

now
tlie

think

myself like

second order,

lliat

of

Ivdrit witli Paulovii {^[mhniSic)

householder.

and Jayanla)

(his son.)

99

Urv.

Ala?, iny lord,

tlie

name

o( Stvergfi^s king

Brings to

By him denounced ^vhich lippy in the Of this loved boy I had awliile forgotten

my memory

a dread decree

sight

When
*'

for

your love

gladly

left

the courts

Of heaven, the monarch thus declared his will. Go and be happy Avith the Prince my friend, But when he views the Son that thou shalt bear him Then hitherward direct thy prompt return." Twas fear of this that bade me keep concealed
'

JTy

infant's birth,

end

instant I conveyed

him

To

Chi/nvana'sretre&t, entrusting

him

To yonder
Such

pious dame, to be instructed.

my

pretext, in our

most sacred and

is

lore.

The
I

fated term expires,

for

to console

His father

my

loss,

he

restored

may no
still

longer tarry.
fate

Pur.
Is

Adverse

intent to

mar

my
is

perfect joy.

Scarce have
*

I knovv'n

the blessing of a son

"When

my fliir

bride

snatched from

my embrace.

The

tree that languished in the

Summer's blaze

Puts forth reviving, as

Its leafy

j'^oung rain descends.

lo the lightning biu'sts.

shoots,
its

when,

Fierce on

top and

fells it to

the ground.

Man.

I see

nothing left for

this

but to abandon the throne,

3'"ourself to

assume the coat of bark, and betake

Urv. But what remains for
Fulfilled
"

the forests.*

me my

task on earth

once gone the king

wilh the
saliale

will soon forget

ms.
dis-

Such nppp;irs to have been

practice

common

wilh ycnvs and poTver, or gusted with the world,

iniuces of

ludia

when

(
1

100
:

Pur.

Dearest, /?ot so

immersed

in cares of state

I less

might

feel the

pangs of separation.

Then be the deer trod thickets my election. Where lonely I may long indulge my Avoe:
Our son
Ayns.
shall

wield the sceptre of the world.

Sire

Excuse

me

my years are

all

unfit

For suih a burthen

one so long upheld

By
Pur.

thy exalted merits.

Fear

it

not
;

'J"he

elephant cub* soon tames the forest herds

The snake
Kings are

scarce hatched concocts the deadly poison:

in

boyhood monarchs, and endowed

to rule the race of man
fitness,
;

With powers inborn

iS^ature,

not age, gives

{to Ihe

Chambcrlam,')

Lutavrja bid,

Our
For

ministers
this
I

and

priests be all

prepared

our son's inauguration

speed.

Cham.

obey.

\_ExJl sorroivfnUy

and

all

on the scene express grh^.

Pur.

What sudden splendor breaks, whence are these flashes

in a cloudless sky.

Of Lightning
f7ri>.

'Tis Ndreda.

Pur.

His braided curls are of a golden dye;

as the silver

His sacred cord, bright

moon:
1

Around
Like a

his neck, are strings of

heavenly pear

celestial tree
:

with glittering stem

He moves
Urv.

prepare

we

to receive

him.

Here,
are said to
fly

* The young Gandhagaja soon

^nl)ducs

the odour of some

other elephants,

is

the

particular excretion,

whence the

expressiou of the original

they

uanie of

tlie

auiinn].

101

This offering of respect, gathered in haste

Present the sage.

(Gives the King some Flowers )

Ndreda
,Xar.

descends.

Triumph attend
defender of this middle sphere.

The brave
Pur.
Urv.

(Presenting the oblation.) Reverence to the sage.

Accept

my

homage. (Bows.)
disunited.

Nar.
Pur.

Never be wife and husband

(Apart.)

Oh

might

this be.

(Aloud.)

Advance,

my
Your
Ayus.

son and pay

adoration to the holy seer.

Ayiis, the son

of Urvasi, presume?

To pay you homage. (Bows to Nareda.) Nar. May your days be many King, attend

The

might}' Indra to

whom

all is

known.

By me
The
Are

thus intimates his high commands.

ascetic sorrow.

Forego your purpose of

sages, to

whose wisdom past and future

have foretold
at

as the present,

hand
will

Hostilities in heaven,

and the Gods

need

Your prowess

then relinquish not your arms;

life

And
Urv.

Urvasi shall be* through

in holy bonds.

united

With thee

These happy words

Extract a barbed arrow from ray bosom.

Pur.
*This
lion
ill

Whatever Indra
is

Avills I shall

obey.
;

a very material varia-

sannyaslavyam

Tijani

iha

J'r-

the story as told in the

in

vast ydvaddijus lava I Sahadher-

play and

W^QFiiranas: the

ma

churini bhavishyuli.

passage Tena twaya naScstram

]02

Nar.

'Tis wisely said,

fiery

he will not be unthankful.

th*^

The

element sustains

sun.
fire.

The sun

returns his I'ays to nourish

{'Looking vpivardc.)
JRenibhd appear, and bring the holy

wave

Consigned by Indra

to 3'our charge, to consecrate

The
As

prince's elevation to the throne

a Go'den

partner of the Empire.*

afid other

(Remhhd

Nymphs

descend

?r?!h

Vase

eontaimng the Wafer of the Heavenly Ganges, a Tlirone and

other Paraphcrnfdia ndnch ihey arrange.)

Rem.
Nar.

All

is

prepared.

Prince, to your seat.

leads Atpis to the

(Ndreda

Throne of In angnr alion fakes the

,

Golden Ewer from Remhhd and

the Prince.)

j^oiirs

Wafer on the hea'I of

Rernhha complete the

rite.

{Remhhd and the Apsarasas performthe

Rem.

rest

of the ceremony. ')f

Now

Prince salute your Parents and the Sage.

to

(As Ayns hows

Nar.
Tur.
Urv.

them respectively, they reply.)

Unvarying fortune wait upon thy reign.

iVIy son,

sustain the honours of

your lineage.

My

son,

be

still

obedient to thy Sire.

fCho7-?is

of Bards

without.')

Glory,
Still in

all glor}'^,

on Ayns atterding.
father

the son

may the

we

trace;

Justice and valour together extending

The sway

of his sceptre and

+

fjuiie

of his

race

* \%Yiiva rrt/a Young King-or Csar.

The
tlie

stn^e directions in the

orit^inul

are not

more
is

explicit,

and

comment

silent.

103

?ou of the moDarch the universe

filling,

Son

of the

God

of the mist-sheddinjj

niffht.

Son of the sage,* Avhom the great Brahma

Called with creation to
life

wiillnof

and to

light.

Second Chorus.

Long may the Goddess of Glory emblazon. The diadem raised by your father to fame.
Long may
the Avorld be delijited to gaze on

The Long may

fortune allied to your merit and name.

the halo of Lakskmif dear glowing
its

Shoot round you

splendors unclouded and wide

Like Gcniga from snow crested pinnacles flowing

And
Mem.

rolling majestic to Ocean's far tide.

(To Urvasi.)

No ordinary fate dear

Sister blesses j'ou

With such a son and Lord.

Urv.

own my happiness. Come my dear child and

I
filial

offer to the

queen.

Your elder mother, Hold Pur.

:

homage.

Kar.

One moment we will presently The splendours of your son's

to

together.

inauguration

Bring

my memory

the glorious time

When
Of
Pur.
* Or
tlie

Mahascna was anointed chief

the heavenly hosts.
I

all

To you

owe
+

son of Purnravax. the

The

"foddess of Prosperity

son of Bjiddha,\he son of Chan-

Wealth nnd Power.

dra or the nu)nn,the son of

llie

sngc-Z/r/oiieof the will engen-

who

i Kurlikeya, the Son of Sivn, shortly after his birth was

llic

dered sous of the creator Bruh-

appointed general of

armies
Dailj/wi

ma.

of heaven, ajjainst

t!ie

or Tiuiui luulcr TdraJ.a.

101

Such
Kur.

honoui".

Is tliere

ought

else,

Indra can do

To
Pur.
Is

serve his tVicnd.

To
all I

Iiold iTie in

esteem

covet

yet haply

may

thi>3

cliance

I\Iay leai-ning

and prosperity oppose

as their wont, as foes
:

No
But

more

eacli other,

in a friendljf

bond together twined

mankind.*
\_Ej:ennt all.

Ensure the

real welfare of

* A

sinsj!il:u"

hut

rh;ir:icteiis;

the fraiislnlion

h;is

beerj

made
text,
all

tic concluiliog I)eiie(.liction

one

from two copies of the

and one of
tJie

copy adds a stanza

of nniveisii]

desider;itive

comment,
-.

of

prosperity
in

but

it

them
has

full

of hliinders

the

sens;;

does not occur

luay

another.

It

tliert-fore

often been

mad

be

here

observed

that

out conjccturally-

If

it

was necessary

to peruse the

preceding drama with a

it

liberal

allowance for national peculiarities,

in

is

equally reto tlie

quisite

the

present instance to

adapt our faith

national creed,

and

to recognise, for poati'al

and dramatic

purposes, the creations of the mythology of the Hindus.

In

this respect,

however, no very violent demand

,

is

made
The

u))on our imagination

as

we have none
is

of the monstrous

extravagances of the system forced upon om* credulity.

intercourse of heroes

and of goddesses

the familiar theme

of our youthful studies,

into a vine,
is

and the transformation of Urvasi

the meta-

not without abundant paralells in

morphoses of Ovid,
suiierh

The

perso)iages

and

situations of the

uman

portion of the

Drama

are both elegant

and

pic-

105

turesque, and the grouping of the

Nymphs upon

the peaks
fields

of the Himalaya, or the descent of Ndreda through the

of ether, might be represented with as much beauty as

fa-

cl

ty

by the splendid machinery of the theatres of Europe.

is

There

also a peculiarity in the

it

mythos of

this

Drama
anti-

which
quity.

identifies

with the dramatic compositions of

the incidents

Trivial as

may

appear, unimportant

as

may be

the loves of the hero and the heroine,

both per-

sons and events are subject to an awful control, whose inter-

ference invests them with a dignity superior to their natural level.

Fate

is

the ruling principle of the narrative

and

the monarch and the nymph and the Sovereign of the gods
himself, are pourtrayed as subject to the inscrutable
evitable decrees of Destiny.

and in-

The

simplicity of the story does not admit of much display

is

of character, but the timid constancy of Urvasi

not unhap-

pily contrasted with the irresolute haughtiness of the

Queen

the Poet too has shewn himself not unacquainted with the
springs of

human feelings, and his

is

observations, that the husin his professions of

band who

imfaithful,

is

most profuse

regard, and that wor.ien are too sagacious to mistake counterfeit for

genuine

affection, are equally

shrewd and just.

is its

The

chief

charm of this

piece,

however

poetry

the

story, the situations

and the characters are

all

highly imagi-

native and nothing, if partiality for his

work does not mislead

the translator, can surpass the beauty and justice of

many
left to

of the thoughts.

To

select

one as an example were to dis-

parage a number of other passages, and they

the critical

may be

acumen and

taste

of the Reader,

MALA TI AND MABHA VA^

OR

THE STOLEN MARRIAGE.

A DRAMA
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL

SANSCRIT,
BY

Horace Hayman Wilson, Esq.

Secretary
to the

Asiatic Society of Bengal,

i^c-

CALCUTTA
y.

HOLCROFT, ASIATIC PRESS,

No.
3;,

Council House Street.

1826.

Ndlatiand Miidhnva or The Loves of the j-outh yjddhava and the maiden Mulat'i, has been already introduced to the

knowledge of European

readers, as an outline of the plot

fifth

and
JMr.

a translation of part of the

Act were published by

calculated

Colebrooke in his Essay on Sanscrit and Prakrit Prosody.*

The Specimens then given were

to

convey a

favourable impression of the merits of the

Drama, which

the perusal of the entire piece will probably confirm.

The

story of

Mul'ati

and Mddhavu

is

one of pure inven^

tlon, and the piece belongs to the class of compositions termed

PruL-aratia.
all

It

is

referred to as an example
;.

of the
it

class

by

the works on Rhetoric

the oldest of which

con'^o^quently

precedes.

The
its

history of the
is

Drama, however, or more

cor-

rectly of

author,

attended Avith more certainty than

most of the

topics of the literary history of the Hindus.

By

the introductions to Mdlati and Mudhava,

and the
Cher'Ura,

other dramas of the same writer, the Uttara

Rama

and the Vira Cheritra,

origin and family.

we
It

are

made

fully acquainted

with his

appears from these accounts that

or he in

Bhavabhuti,

also

named Srikantha

whose throat

* Asiatic Researches

vol. x.

Eloquence
India, a
tribe of

resides,

-was the son of

a native of the South of

Brahman of Bcrar

or Beder,

and a member of the

Brahmans who pretend

to trace their descent

from
to

the sage Kasyapa of

whom

it

is

said that

some

are

still

befound

in the vicinity
is full}'

of Condavir. Thesiteof Bhavabhuti's

llie

birth place

corroborated by

peculiar talent he dis-

plays in describing nature in her mns^nificence, a talent very

unueualinlliiidu bards
beauties,

who
lie

delightto traceher in her minuter

and onewliich

no doubt derived from

his

early

familiarity Avith the eternal mountains

rvuna.

and

forests of

Gond-

It appears, liowever, that tlie plaae of

Bhavabhuti's natitriumphs, and that

vity

vas not the scene of

hi^

literary

these were attained under the patronage of the princes of

Hindustan. Tlie precision with which he delineates the toposrraphical features of Ujayin

and

its

vicinity,leaves little
city,

doubt

of his having spent some time at that

this respect could

for

accuracy iu
in

have been obtained

at

any time

India

only by
i)Kbides

actual obstrvation.

'ihe B/ioJa Prabtnidha indeed

Bhavabhuti amongst
Dhdr but

the M'riters at the Court of

**"

Bhoja
ters

at

as intimated elsewhere,

this

work can

only be received as an authority for the priority of the wridescribed iu

it

to

the date of

its

own

composition

the grouping whetlier as regards place or time being altogether fanciful.

])cilia,

A preferable authority, the text of the Dasa

Bhavabhuti
to

/i?/-

refers

some period anterior toMuNjA

its

the predecessor of
lull

Bhoja by
it

alluding clearly to

Ma
long

and Mdi^hava, and from

therefore

we

gather that the

play was composed before the eleventh century

anterior to that date

how

we have

also evidence to substantiate,

* Sanscrit, Dictionary, Preface, p.

in

and fromtheHistory of iJLfir^mir, we

learn that

Bwavabhuti
by Yaso7^v).
i^

flourished in the 8th century, being patronised

VERMA
The
are quite in

the sovereign oi Kanoj

who reigned about A. D,

date thus given to the compositions of Bitavabhuti

harmony with

their internal evidence.

The manners
exemption

purely

Hindu without any

restraint in their

foreign

admixture the
their

appearance of women of rank

in public,

and

from any personal

own

habitations, are very

'I'he

incompatible with thepresenceof ^IMohammedan Rulers.

licensed existence of Bauddlia ascetics, their access to the

great,

and

their

employment

as teachers of science, are other

peculiarities characteristic of

an early date,

Avhilst the Avor-

ship o^

Siva in his terrific forms,

and the prevalence of the

practices of the

Yoga are indications of a similar tendency.

The
dans

Liiiga worship of Sivd,

we know, was every where

With
respect to the

the

predominant form of the Hindu Faith, when the Moliammefirst

invaded India.
rites

Yogis

by

whom mystical

were mostly cultivated, it may be observfor giving

ed that there are many reasons

date

them a remote

the excavations

at

Elephunia and Ellora appear to be

their

work thesectis now almost extinctiii Hindustan

and

the Kasi Kliand a Avork probably of seven or eight centuries

remote, states that the Yoga cannot be practised in the present

ao-e.

Mysticism

in fact

gave way,

first

to the

philosophy of

Sankaua

Aciiarya in the seventh or eighth century, and was

finally expelled

by the new doctrine of Bhakii or

the

faith

which

was inivodiicedhy Rdmdnuja and

Vaishnavas in the

eleventh century, and has since continued to be the ruiins^

dogma

of every sect of Hindus.

style of Mdlati

The
tli

and Mddhava may

also
it

be referred to
written. It

period at which

we may conclude

that

was

(
is free

Iv

from the verbal quibbling and extravagance of com-

bination Avhich the compositions of the time of

Bhoja

offer,

but

it

comes very near

to

them

although

classical it is

highly

laboured; although forcible

it is difFiise,

and

is

not unfre-

quently obscure.
prosody, and
is

It

abounds

in

the most

complicated

cited

by Mr. Colebrooke for a specimen of the

syllables,
is

measure called Dandaha or a verse of 54

stanza consequently containing 216
:

and a
fond

the author

also

of an iniseasonable display of learning, and occasionally substitutes the

phraseology of logic or metaphysics for the lan-

guage of poetry and nature. At the same time the beauties

predominate over the defects, and the language of the drama
is in

general of extraordinary beauty and power.

The

ble-

mishes of the composition have materially affected the translation,

and while

it is

very probable that the obscurity of

to an inexact interpretation of their

some passages has led

cessity of considerable
sions.

import, the prosaic prolixity of others has involved the ne-

compression and occasional omiswill be particu-

The latter when of any importance

larised as they occur.

Mcilaii

and Madhava divides with Suhuntald the honoiir

occasionally, although not very

of being

still

commonly, read
scarce.

by the Pandits-~Copies of it therefore are not very That used

for the present translation

was transcribed from

from
errors. It

Mr. Colebrooke's
commentaries.

as being singularly free

had

the advantage also of being illustrated by two excellent

The most

copious of these

is

the

work of

Jagaddiiara the son of Rftn.vdhaka described as a learned

teacher, the Prince of Pandits

and

poets,

and administrator

of Law the other

:

is

by a royalJiand the Rdjddhirdja Ma-

i,anka: wehaveno further particulars of these commentators,

except that the

first is

known

to

have been a Maiiuda Bi ah"

man, and not very ancient,

MALATI AND MADHAVA.

DRAMATIS PERSONjE,
MEN.
Mudhava,

The

son of Devardta, studying at PadmdvatT,

in love with Mdluti.

Mcdaranda,
Kalahansa,

His

friend, in love

with Madayantikd.

Mddhavd s

servant.

Aghoraghanla,

Priest of Chdnmnda, a terrific Goddess*

A Messenger.
WOMEN.
Mdlati,

The daughter of the

Mddhava.

Minister of State Bhurivasu,

in love with

Madayantikd,
ii

The

sister

oNa7idana, and friend of M^la^

in love

with Maharanda.
Priestess o

KdmanddVi,
Preceptress of

Buddha, nurse of Mdlati and

Mddhava
Priestess of

Kapula Kiaidald,
Sauddmini,
gical powers

Chdmundd,

Disciple of Kdmajidaki,

and Possessor of Ma*

Luvangifcd,

Foster sister o Mdlati.

Disciples of Kdmandakij

JBuddhatakshitd,
Avalokitd,

Female Attendants,

PERSONS SPOKEN
The Sovereign of Padmavati
Nandana,
Bhurivasu,

OF.

His favourite, the brother of MadaymitiJci,

His Minister, the father of Malati.

Bevardia,

The

father of

Mddhava and minister of Knn-*

dimpura.

SCENE,

Ujjayini

(Ougein) designated most usually

vicinity.Timea few days.

as Padmuvati,

and

its

MALATI AND MADHAVA,

A DRAMA.
PRELUDE.
ENTER MANAGER.
May the trepidations of ^i/j/a/irt'**
by
the

countenance, attended
!

cry of terror, long preserve you

at the

those trepidations

which

dance of Sulapdnif proceeded from the en-

trance into his nostrils of the

Lord of serpents

Avith contract-"

ed hood, frightened

at the

cry of Kumara'sX peacocks,

upon

hearing the sound of

Na7idi\\,

the tabor struck

by the delighted
with the buzzing

and whence the regions were

filled

of bees, flying away from his temples.

May

the tresses

interwoven with a circular garland of

serpents, for flowers,

where the waters of the Munddldni^

are flowing over the lower chaplet of skulls

worn

in the crest,

luminous with the light of the eye of the forehead sparkling

* Ganesa, + Siva or the God who holds
A'^ffl7j?j
(j

is

an atteadaut npoa

Siva.

a trident in his hand. + Kdrtikeya the son of Siva

and Parwati the deity of war, represented as riding oa a Fea>
cock.

Ganges of Heaven ^ The supposed to trickle through the

tresses of^tfa.

like lightening-, ami of -which the

moon

is

confounded

-with

the filaments of the lotus, preserve thee!*

* Tlie perusal of the precediiifj

happens
Ganesa's

to

be

the

lip

of

Dramas
this

will

have partly
but

elephant

trunk his

prepared the Reader to understand

l)enediction,
it

entrance into which disturbs the

Bees that are supposed to sotHa

involves a

number

of

Hindu
in-

on the temples of an elephant,

This
is

common
telligible.

places,

and may require

the purport of the

first

explanation to be rendered

verse,

In

tlie

second the author refers

in

Siva for

the amusement of
bride

to the

mode
it
is

which the hair

is

Pdrvati

liis

originated a

delineated in

tiie

figures of 5/i;, asceIt

is

particular dance, to the musical

and as
tics
is

worn by the

accompaniment
his

of

the

tabor

who

profess his worship.

struck by his attendant

sons

Nandi

allowed to grow long, and

were present A'ar-

then divided into three or four

tresses

tikeya mounted on his Peacock

which are braided toge-

and Ganesa with the head and

trunk
is

ther,

and coiled upon the antepart of the crown of the

of

an

elephant
with

Siva

rior

embellished

a collar

head the
projecting

apex
right

of

the

coil
Jitl'e

hooded snake twining round his neck and surmounting The Peacock is suphis head.
of the
posed to be particularly delighted by the approach of the rainy
season,

forwards

on

the

side i'/ya also

wears round his head a braid

of Snakes and a chaplet of skulls,

and he
forehead

has
:

a half

moon on
eye whose

and the bird of /Tarmistaking

the

his forehead
is

in the centre of his

tikeya

deep

his third

sound of the drum for the rolling of thunder indicative of a

storm,

glances are of flame, and over

his

head flows the Ganges with

lily

screams with

delight,

the water
its

floating

amongst

The Peacock is considered the natural enemy of Snakes, and

the Snake of
5/'t'a

waves,
personifi-

In these allusions the author

refers to the popular

alarmed at the

approach of

his

mortal foe, de-

cation

of

S'/i's

untinged

with

Berts his place

on the neck of
first

any references to
worship,

his mystical

the deity, and makes for the

hiding place he can liud this

What need
Ma7iagcr

of prolixity

(Looking
all

to the

East J

Ha

the Celestial Liimiis

nary enlightening
risen. I salute

the divisions of the world,

completely

him.* (Bowing)

Oh

thou the universal form,

and the

vessel of all auspicious light, be propitious to

me,

and enable
fioni

me

to support the burthen of the

drama
every

remove
sin,

me. Lord of the world, thus prostrate,

all

and

augment
Stage.)

that

is

favourable to success.

(Looking off the

plete

Ho, Mdnsha,\ the auspicious preparations are com-< from all quarters persons of distinction have come to
these wise and learned auditors, to represent
tale.

celebrate the Festival of Kdlapri>januth,% and I have baen

commanded by
to

them some new dramatic

This

is

not

difficult.

The

Actors are present.

Enter
Actor,

Actor,

We

are not informed

Sir

of the wishes of the

audience*
that

We may
the

infer from this Hindu Dramas were

represented early in the morning,

of the Yamuna anA KaJaprlya JVdthhis Lord or God, implies a Linga the construction of

+ One term hy which an actor

:}:

which

is

atlrihuted to the Sun.

in

is

to be addressed.
this

The. more usual word

is,

these

Who

deity

is

not

compounds

is

hwara
is

as Sojnes-

known

to the Pundits of the

wara, Rutneswara, t^isweswara,

&c. but A''dlh
especially

present diayMalanlca takes no

the terra

more
partt
i

notice of the
is

name
say

Jagaddhara
that of a

employed by a

content to

it is

cular sect, that of the

Yogis or

sort of divinity worshipped in

that

country It

is

proI)ably the

appellation

of a

Siva Linga.

Pdsupatas the oldest sect probably now existing amongst the Hindus, and with whose tenets

In the
Prii/a
is

Varaha Parana, Kdla

said to be

and practices
pears to

Bfiavabliuti ap-

a form of

have beeu thoroughly

the sua worshipped to the South

acqnaiated.

<

<i

Manager.

Say Marisha

Avliat

are tlose qualities

which

the virtuous, the wise,

the venerable, the learned, and the

Brahmans require in a Drama.

Ac/or.

Profound exposition of the various passions, pleas-

ing interchange ot mutual affection, loftiness of character

expression o' desire, a surpi-ising story
]\fa7i.

and elegant language.

7 len

I recollect one.
is it

AcLor.

What
There
a ^ity

Sir.

Man.
derhJui,

is

in the South,

and

in the province of * F-

named Fadma
of the

nagaici,

where dwelt

certain

Erahmans of the family of Kosyapa^ and followers of the

T'dtiri portion

Vedas according to the teacher Chat

rana
fires,
???/;

taking precedence at festivals, maintaining the five

observers of religious obligations

drinkers of

the

So-*

juice

possessing names of note

and learned

in \\\.QVedas.\

These Brahmans
* Viderhha
lied
is

constantly reverenced the

study of holy
His share ia

always idenlilimits

of created things.
creation

with Berar but the

was no

unimportant
Beasts, birds,

of the

province

in

that

case

one

as he

was the father of the

included the adjoining district

Gods and Demons,

reptiles

of of

Beder, in which the

name
is

and man.

He

is

suppos-

Viderbha

or

B'tderbha

ed by some modern writers to be

a personification of the remains

traceable.
sissert
still

Local traditions also

ancient
is

that the

Capital

of the anlldeluvian

race

who
his

called

Beder

the

same

as

took refuge
tic chain, in

in the central Asia-

T^iderhha.

We do

not find a Pad-

which traces of

w2flM/7.!rar in

the maps.
allusions con-

name
\\\\.\\q

so

plentifully

abound, as

The various

tained in this short description

Caspian,

Koh-kas or Caucasus, Ihe and CashrrJr. It is

thirteen

require

explanation

Kcisyapa

asserted that

Gotras

was a sage, the son of Murichi

the son of

or

families

of Brahmans
to as

owe

Brahma, and one of

rrogeuitors

their orig-in

many

divine

the Pnijupalis or

sages called after their

names.

\)n-it,

for the

knowledge of truth

wealth,

foi*

the celebration

Kasyapa is one of the number, The tfiswaldj/ana Sutra of the

teacher of the Vajur, swallowed

the fragments of tliis work, which

Rig Veda

contains the enumer-

he had compelled

his

disciple

ation of the Gotras, and their

sub-divisions, but
in

Yajnavalkya who had offeniloi

very

him

to disgorge.

This

porl'.o-i

involved and unintelligible style

of the Veda was thence named

Taittirfya.
lo

tlie
but
it

popular enumeration of
nearly
if nut wholly South of India

Tne legend seems

writers

them however is not uncommon,

is

have been invented by the

to
disguise
the real pur-

Pauranic

confined to the

their ignorance of

vhere
yet

several

of the reputed
tribes

port of the designation. Cftflrflna

is

representatives of these
exist

supposed

by one conrimenbranch
of

especially

about

tator to be either a

Gooty and Condavir.

J\''anda-

the

Vedas, or some particular

to im-

varam it is made to tlie

the

said

was a grant
Gotras h^
\.\\Q

teacher, and by the other

13

ply a verse or foot,

meaning that
with
the

Sovereign of India. Amanda, in

year of Kali 980, but
is

they

were

familiar

if

Metres of the Vedas.

a

We

are

there
grant,

anv foundation for the

of

already familiar with the three

fires

it is

much more

recent

Brahman should maintain

the other two as

date, J\''anda having lived in the

(Vikrama^nA. Urvasi Introdnc-

fourth
Christian

century,
era.

before

the

Hon

p. 9

men-

The Vedas
into

ss i'loned in a

Suktaoi the Rig Veda

explained by different teachers,

branch

out

innumerable

Schools to whicli different tribes

and the ^paslumha Sittra arethe Sabhya mnd avasathya, ihe preelse purport of which names is
not

of Brahmans

in

the

South of

known

to the Pundits, nor

B7ms//j/fl,

India are hereditarily attached:

in

explained in the

the

li-

upper India every classification teral sense would be the Fire of of the kind has long been for- the assembly and the Fire of

gotten a very
in

principal diviis

the village,
fire

as if a

sacrificial

sion of the Ferfas

that

named
It

was sometimes
in
is

maintainSorna

the text the

Tailtiriya ov
rff///r.

ed

common. The
the juice

white Portion of the

derives
its

juice

of the Acid
is

name from

Tiltiri a

Asclepias, drinking which

essential part of the

an

partridge in which shape accord-

ceremonial
renat

ing to the Vishnu Purdna, the

sage

of the
dered,

Vedas.
taking

The term
precedence

Vaisampayana, the

first

of i'cligious rites;* wives for the propagation of offspring"

iind life for the practice

of devotion.

Of this

family the Grandson of one

whose well

selected
in

name was Bhatta Gopala, and the Son of the pure

'NUakantha, whose auspicious appellation

fame

was Bhavahhuti

surnamed Srikantha, and whose mother was Jalukarni, a

poet familiar through friendship with actors, has given us a

Drama composed by him,

which indeed
they

replete with all

is

qualitie?.

To
d(^

this sentence

applicable.

How

little

know who speak

is

of us with censure.

This entertain-

ment

not for them.

Possibly some one exists or will exist

is

of equal merit with myself, for time

boundless and the

world

is

wide.
:

>?Again

what

avails

it

to boasta

knowledge of the* Fogtf, of

the SdnIchi/a,fo the XUpanishad' s or of the Vetlas; no benefit

festivals
is

Panlcli

Fi'wana

under four heads as Ihe Rig^

Yajur, Sdmti, and AtharvaF'edas.

a very

anitigticiis expression.
tiie row or range Jagaddhara sa'^s, in the
is

Pure
that
is

in

They comprehend a practical and philosophical portion the

ritual

place where there

in other words they were

*7io;7jia/i

food or ^gra-

of the former
or practised.

is

little

known
*

the first feeders. lie also

One of ihe Schools of

spirit

phi-

quotes a text, without mentioning his authority, to shew, the term

implies a
liiat

losopby teaching the eternity of

matter and
liberation
practices.

as well as

of

Brahman
Malanka
it

God, and the obtaining of

final

who

has read the Ynjur, Sdina,

from

life

by ascetic

and Atharva Vcdas.

passes
it

over unnoticed, and

t Another system of Philosophy teaching the eternity of

matter and
of
spirit

seems

likely tliat neither

he nor

piore than

Jagaddhara understood it any the term Charana. The Fedas are well known
tracts

independant

they consist of an infinite number of distinct

classed

God founded by Kapila. ^ The UpanisJiads are treatises on the unity of God and
the ideulitj

of Spirit,

forming

accrues from

them

in a dramatic composition.

Fertility

of

imagination, melody of expression, and richness of meaning,

are the indication' of learning and of genius.

Such a Drama

has been entrusted to us by the friendly and venerable Blia^

vabhuli entitled iVf7ai< andMflrf/mu, one written by himself.

Let

all

the actors, prepared to represent this with the

in the

best
ap-.

abilities

presence of the Divine Kulaprhjanulh,

pear before
Actor.
It is first,

me

agreeably to the dramatic rules.

lu

(Ajier

pmise) Youv orders shall be obeyed but

it

necessary to exhibit

with becoming decorations, and

our chief tctorin the costume of Kamanduld, an old

is

female Suiigata'" beggar

to appear, together
I

with AcalukUci
cast.

one of her Disciples, for whose character

am

Man.
Actor.
fiction,

Very
'J

A\ell:

what more.
be assumed how

hen the semblance of Mddhava, the hevo'o( the

is

and lover o Mdhiti

to

is

this to

be

effected.

Mufi.
enter. Actor.

That

is

described after

Makaranda and Kalahansn

We
Very
I

are ready then to exhibit our performance in

the presence of the assembly.

Man.
Actor.

Avell, I

take the character o? Kdmandakt

am

AvaloHtd.
\_Exeun '.

END OF THE PRELUDE.

part of the /^e<fas.
shortest

Some

of Ihe

theiice

rendered into Liliu

dii

l)y

have been translated

Anquetil

Perron

iu

;i

siim-

into English by

Rammohun Roy
Sir

mary of whose work

has

French

Dr. Carey

aud

W.

Jones,

been

published

by Mous.

They were rendered

the sou of Shah

also into

Lanjuinais.

Persian by order of Darrt 5/ieto/i

worshipper of Sugata

cL

Jehan and were

form of Buddha*

ACT

I.

SCENE FIRST.

KAMANDAKI'S HOUSE.
Enter Kamandaki and
Kcim.
Avalokita*

Daughter
Mistress

Avalokitd.

Ava.

your commands.
:

Kdm. I have a task in hand connubial Must join the amiable progeny

rites

Of BJmrivasu and of Devardta Long cherished friends Fair Mdlati the maid. And Mddhava the youth. Auspicious signs Forerun a happy fate, and even now

My
Ava.

throbbing eye-ball

tells,* propitious

destiny

Shall crown the wishes of

my

heart.

Yet pardon me
it

How should
High

happen one in rank and power

raised as Bhiirivasu, should require

his child, the services of one
in tattered weeds,

To wed

Arrayed

whose humble food

and whose thoughts

Is the scant dole of charity,

Disdain the obstacles, that worldly cares

Opposite to sanctity and

*

final bliss.

We
the

have already had occathis superslilion

woman

the right in a man.

these
palpita-

sion to notice
iii

The purport of
tions
larly understood

preceding
is

piece.

The

seems to have been simiby the

Greeks.

left

side

the lucky side ia

11

Kam.

Thou

errest daughter. Tliat the minister

Appoints

me

to

such duty,

is tlie

fruit

Of his regard and confidence, and with prayers.

And

penances and Hfe,

All that

my friend

ordains

am prepared me to fulfil.
far distant
to

Recall you not,

when from

realms

Assembling students crowded

our school

To

gather science.

Then, before
it

my

friend,

Sauddmini and me,

Avas

convened

By

these two statesmen

at ihat time associate

their children

In amity and study

that

When

ripe in years, in love should be vmited.

Hence Devardta's blooming son

Sent by his father

attends

me;

mindful of
is

his troth
to,

With

faith the

world

strange

but the youth

KnoAvs not

his

purpose

from Kundiiiijmr a.*

deemsf no
lore

He
Ava-

hither comes, to learn he

But what the

schools of Padmavali teach

But why

this

mystery

why should not wed

state

The youth and maiden as their

becomes them ;

And why
Kairi'

to

you

their stolen loves entrusted.

The favourite of the Sovereign Nandana Sues him for Mdlati The king demands

The maiden of her

His anger

father

To evade
a very appropriate study
Jagaddhara

if the suit

should be rejected

Is this ingenious device adopted.

* Kundinipur

is

placed by

Logic
the

tradition as well as siiniiarily of

commentator

name

in the

modern

district

of

oberves for one

who

requires

Condavir.

sufficient craft to effect a stolen

t Literally

He comes

to studjf

match.

12

Av.

Yet

why

thus strange to 31flrf/ior his

to the minister

name

Seems even

unknown ;

Small proof of his regard.

Kam.

A mere pretext he knows youth indiscreet

fears to trust the lovers
t!,eir
;

And

with his councils.

Let the world deem

union Avas the work

so
tl.e

Of mutual

passion only

king

And Nandcmi

are foiled,

nor Ave to blame.

A Avise man veils his projects

Silent effects his schemes
;

from the Avorld

Avhilst all his acts

Bespeak

indifierence,

and

his cheeiful

manners

Shew
Av.
I

to suspicion's

eye a heart at ease.

compVehend your plans

^'tis

for this cause

That Mudhnva passes so frequently

"By Bht'irivasxis palace.

Kam.

True'

and as I learn

The princess from her casennent has beheld The youth he graceful as the God of love,

Herself love's blooming bride

nor seen iw vain.

learns to suffer.

Her The
Av.

Avaning form too faithfully betrays

lurking care, she

now

first

To
The

soothe that care then has her skill pourtrayed,

lineaments of Mddhava, to day

Left by her foster sister Avith

Manddrikd*

Kam. Knows that

Doth

In sooth not

ill

devised Z,ai>fl??^?7(;a

the youth's attendant Kalakansa,

love Matiddri/cd,

and shreAvdly deems

will obtain the portrait^,

That from her hands he

To

ihcvv his master.

terras her

^ The Scrvaut of the con\ent-or as Kdmandaki

J^'ihdra Dusi,

13
part;

Av,

T have borne
to the

my

And
The
It
is

Garden of Love's God directed

steps of

Mddhava
t)

at early

dawn.
Princess

the festival

Madana.

The

And And
Kam.
'

damsel train

will to his groves proceed.

thus the youthful pair to day will meet.

}

is

well

now

tell nie

daughter

Amidst this

lighter matter does thy

memory

Recall Sauddmini, mine ancient pupil.

All

I learn that

upon mount Sri Parvrda*

desperate penance,

She now resides, where won by

Power more than than

Kam.
Av.
Is

earthly waits

upon her

will.

Whence is this information. The formidable deity Clidmiindd

worshipped near the
city cemetery.

Kam.

She

whom her miscreant votaries

aver

Delights in living sacrifice.

Av.

The same. From one of these,

Kapulahutidald

I learnt the news, as I encountered her

By chance at eve She is the pupil Of a skull bearing seer, Aghora GJumla, A wandering mendicant, but dwelling now
Amidst the neighbouring foresthe has
late

Come from

.^rtPari^flffl
>'fl/.'a

Sri Parvata,
sulptiires

means Hie snme

5/-t

on the monntain, and

as Sn*

the mountain of

the great labour and cost be-

or Lakshmi, a place of sanclily

in the Dekhin, nenr the

stowed
whicli

on
it
is

the

causeways by
It is

Krishna

approachetl.

River.
ty,

It stijl retains its sancli-

described by

Col. I^Iackenzie in

but has

lost the
tft

splendour

it

the 6lh vol. of the Asiatic Researches,

formerly seems

have possess-

and was more recently

ed by the extensive reaiains of

visited by the late Dr. Yoysey.

11

Av.

Kmn. This More

is

enough.

pleasing themes attend, for Malcaranda

The early friend of Mddhava adores The Lady MndaijantUca, the sister

Of the
Scarce

King's favorite, and to secure

will yield to

His happiness

Mddhava,

less delight

than to ensure his own.

Budulharakslilld

Kam.

It has

not been forgotten

Attends that charge.

Ava.

This Misti'ess was well done.

Kam.

Come Daughter
Mddhava has

let

us forth, and having learnt

How
I

fired, repair to Malntt.

know her

spirit lofty:
if

With prudence

we must proceed we would obtain success.

as its choicest
;

Oh may
With

the youth enj >y his fond desires.

Endowed by Heaven

work

every excellence

and be

his virtues

Blest with the maid's affection, as the lotus

Buds

in full

beauty to the tender light

sheds upon
its

The moon autumnal

leaves*
^Exeunl.

SCENE
Enter
I wonder where

II. A
master

GARDEN.
is

Kalaliansa (with a picture.

my

to

be found

he

may

well has
this

think his pei'son equal to that of Love himself since

* This
is

it

a very matter of fact

it
is

previously been announced

is

of scene hut

precisely ac-

Canon of thellindu dramatic

cording lonilc,and does not very

l)a(ily

code

and was formerly

]aws.

prepare fur

tlie

appearance

nur own

one of Massivger is

of the persons alluded to, the entrance of some of

sideralily delayed.
is

reniarkahle
this
respect.

for his precision in

whom

is

con-

Beaumonl and
unobservaut

No character

Fletcher are not

to

l)c

iutruduced that has not

of the rule.

15

made an
grove,

impression upon the heart of Mulati.

feel rather this

veary, and shall take the liberty of reposing myself in

till

I see

my

master and his friend.

[Relirts.

Enter. Maharmida.
I learn

from Avalokitu,

my friend
and there

Is in the grove of Madaiia,

I

go to seek him

ha! he hither comes.*

disturbs

Yet something sure

him

for his step

Has
Are

not

its

vonted nimbi cness

his eyes

fixed

on vacancy

his Avhole attire

his frequent sigh.

Is disarrayed,

and heaves

Has

love been busy here, whose potent will.

By

every lovely attribute administered.

Avorld,

Pervades the

and on the form of youth

Works

sad and wondrous change.

'Tis strange

Enter Mddhava.
'tis

passing strange,

my

vagrant thoughts!

No

more return

to

me

Deserting sliame.
moon
faced maid.

Or self-respect, or fortitude, or judgement. They dwell perverse upon one fond idea.

The

lovely image of the

Wonder

alone each faculty engrossed

As rapt I gazed upon her, and my heart. As if immersed in heavenly nectar glowed.
Delusive extacy ; too late I
feel,

I nursed a burning coal within

my

bosom.

Ma/c.

(coming forward)

Mddhava

The sun is high, and darts his fiercest rays Upon the aching brow here let us enter.

And
Mad.

rest awhile

beneath the garden's shades.

please,

Even

as

you

^Exeunt

16

Kolahansa advances.
master and his friend are undoubtedly the two great, Well ; I will now take hiniest ornaments of this garden.

My

this picture of

himself the delight of the eyes of

Mulai'i

and

solace of her
lief.

amorous pain

hope

it

will afford

him too v{_ExiU

Another pay- 1 of the Garden.

Enter. Mddhava and Malar anda.

Male.

Here

at the foot of this wide spreading

ti'ee

Amidst the fragrance that the breezes waft Abroad from every bud

let

us recline.
\_They
lie

down^

To day was one of peril, Mddhaoa. You could not sure behold the numerous Of all our City's beaut}'^ bound to pay

concourse

Their annual homage at the Shrine of Love

And
The

scape

unharmed

in sooth, to

me

it

seems
heart.

shaft has lighted,

and has grazed thy

Nay, never the droop

V/ho can

lotus of thy face.

If struck reveal thy hurt:

resist

why shame

to bear

it.

the heart born deity.

all

Creatures of passion,

confess his power.

And Gods
Mad.
I

themselves are impotent as we.*

own my weakness

listen to its cause.

By

AvaloJiitd

advised I went
temple, Avhere I strayed,
seiili-

To Kdinadcms

* Literally The same ment was evinced m the

in Siva.

ed of his of his own

daughter,

crea-

Inspiring 5ivflwith love for /rvati was a more dangerous feat, and the archer God although he

tion of the world in Brahmd;u\A.

Kama
I)e

was scarcely
thoiiglit pro-

created hefore

succeeded was reduced to ashes

by the object of his triumph.

per to

make

Z?ra/j/a

enamour-

17

Till

weary

1 recllnetl

beside a fountain
stately tree.

That laves the deep roots of a

Whose clustering blossoms wooed the wanton bee* To cull their sweet inebriating fragrance.
Lulled by their songs, and tempted by the shadcj
I laid me down, and in pure idleness. To while away the time, I gathered round mc The new fall'n blossoms, and assiduous wove

flowery garland

There issued from the fane

Stately her gait

Whilst I was thus employed a beauteous maid

o'er a prostrate

yet graceful as the banner

world.

Love waves

in

triumph

Her

train

bespoke a princely rank

her garb
was graced.

With

youth's appropriate ornaments

Her form was beauty's

shrine, or of that shrine

Hadiant she moved the guardian deity

To mould
Fairest

her charms whatever nature

best, liad surely

offers

and

been assembled.

And Love

omnipotent was her creator.

to collect the flowei's

Led by her maidens

She neared the spot

That thickly hung on

:

my

o'ershadowing tree.

uh, then too plain I noted

The

signs of passion, for

some happy youth

Long

entertained, the lovely

maid revealed.

As As white

slender as the Lotus stalk her shape

as unstained ivory her

brow.
whilst each act.

And

whiter than the

moon beams:

Through kind compliance with her maiden's wishes^

Displayed her

own

indifference. Scarce I

gazed

Upon

her, but

my

eye

felt

new

delight.

As bathed

Avith nectar,

and she drew

my heart

18

As powerfully

as attracts the

magnet gem*
what may

The

unresisting ore, at once towards her.

is

That heart

her's for ever

chance

And

though

my portion be

henceforth despair.

The Goddess Destiny

Mak.

decrees at pleasure.

The good or ill of all created beings. Nay Mddhava this cannot be, believe me.
Without some cause

behold

all

nature's sympathiei

Spring not from outward form, but inward virtue.

The Lotus buds not till the sun has risen Nor melts the moon gem till it feels the moon

What
Mad.

then ensued
her
fair train

When

beheld me, they exchanged

Expressive looks and smiles, and each to each

As if they knew me, murmured This The music of their tinkling zones was
Repressed the
silver

is

he

stilled.

echo of their anclets

Sharp clanging

to their undulating motion.

Hushed was
Whilst their

the melody their bracelets made.

fair lotus

palms, in sportive

mood

Were
As
Mak.
if

beating measure to their merriment.

Silent they stood

they said

and with extended fingers the have favoured us.

fates

Lady

behold him here.

This
is

J C To himself
(Advancing)

indeed

A proof of preconceived regard

Kai.

What
is

is all

this about,

some pleasing

story of which

woman

the object.
that artificial ningnets as well as the projiertics of the Load tuae wcru kuuTvu tu tlie ilindus.

* Ayashdnla viani Saldkeva Like a rod of the Iron slonc

Gem.

should sccni

possil)l<;

19

MaL

Proceed

my

friend.

Mad, What words shall picture >\ hat those looks conveyed ; The lore of love those lotus eyes revealed.

What firmness could resist the honest warmth Of nature's mute expressiveness, nor fall Before those orbs, that now like opening buds.
Beneath the creeper of the tremulous brow
Expansive bloomed, and now retiring shrunk

But

half averted from the answering gaze.

veiling lashes o'er their brightness.

Then dropj)ed the

I felt their influence,

and those looks of

and moist
off

love,

Beaming with mild

timidity,

With sweet abandonment, bore

my

heart.
I'oots

Nay

plucked

it

from

my bosom
I

by the

All pierced with wounds. Incredulous of my happiness,

sought

To mark her
Thence
I

passion nor display

my

own.

Though every limb partook

resumed
intent,

the fond emotion.

my task,

and wove

my

wreath

Seeming

till

she at length withdrew

Attended by her maidens, and a guard

Of Eunuchs armed

with staves and javelins.

A stately elephant received the Princes?,

And
bore her towards the city
the
lily

Whilst they moved.

stalky,

As winds

on

its

slender

So turned her head

toAvards the grove of

Kdmaf

And from her

delicate lids

she shot retiring

Glances with venom and ambrosia tipped

My breast received the

And deathly
Throughout

shafts

a mingled

flame^,

chillness, since alternate

spread
to such agony,

my

form, and

doom me

20

Words cannot

paint, the

world has never witnessed.

cts.

Perception dimly pictures present obj

And
Vain

past perceptions fiide fi'om recollection.

Avere the lunar ray, or ,^elJd stream

To
Kal.

cool

my body's

fever

whilst my
is

mind
rest.

Whirls

in perpetual

round, and knows not

The object of this

passion must assuredly be MulatL

lost

Mak.

(To

himself) IMy friend

my councils were

but vain

And

e'en tlie wish

were

idle, that

the Deity,

Self-born, should sj)are his year*, nor with sad change

Soil his

pure mind

the flowery
is

bow

is

strung

And

ardent youth

reckless of the peril

{To Mddhav(t) Know you

lady.

the

name and race of that fair

Mad.

Hear how

I learnt

them

Ere she had departed

had woven

One

of her train, apparently intent,

privately approached me.

On gathering flowers, And borrowing from

the garland I

A
''

covert for her

meaning thus addressed me

"Well has been strung this string of blooming beauty.

And

pleasing

is it

in

our Luly's sight,

herself excels.

Who in like excellence

And this
Bear
It's

IMay then success reward such high desert

bright product of creative art

richest fruit, exalted to that .station.

merit claims

suspended round the

JSIulal).

neck

0Bhihtvasti's daughter
+
dri;

Tliis piece
i.s

of double cntenpreci.sely fol-

much more

figure

word has a douMe import the is termed Akshara SanCombiaaliou of Letters.

Jowed ia the

original

aud every

ghiaa,

21

Whose
Kal.

foster sistcv,

and whose nearest

you.

friend,

Lavangikd
This
is

now
as

stjinds before

we wish and

fortune favours the

design of the flower armed deity.

31 a/i.

JMdlati! the daughter of the ministei',

mark

for elevated

rank

her name
preceptress.

Is ever in the

mouth of our

And rumour
In marriage

adds, the king solicits her

for his favourite

Kandana.
gave her
it

Mad.

Requested by

Lavanglkt'i, I

The

flowery wreath

she took

with respect.

As 'twei-e a precious gift, and all the while The eyes of Mdlali were fixed on her.
Bowing with
reverence, she then retired

And quickly
The
*

disappeared amidst the tlirong

princess and the people left the grove

I directed story,

And
Mill:

hitherward

my

steps.

Your

Madhavu, plainly shews^

is

That Malalis

affection

your own
tint

And

that soft cheek,

whose pallid
is

denoted

Love preconceived,

pale alone for you.

Whom slie has oft

Hence

undoubtedly beheld

those expressive glances, interchanged

Amongst

her maidens, whose love speaking eyes

Had
The

never rested on a face unknown,

.Not precious to their mistress

and declared
in

passion

you had wakened

her bosom.

Then comes her

foster sister's plain enigma.

And

tells intelligibly,

whose her heart

at this picture.

Kah
Milk.

(Advancing.)

Look

Mud/iaras counterfeit

whose work

is this.

22

Kul.
Male.

Hers who has

stolen his heart.

What Mi'dati.
The same.
Thisgives

KaL
Jilad.

me faith,
gave
it

dear friend,inyour conjectures.

this.
it

Male.

But, Kalahansa,

how came you by

to

Kal.
vangikd.

MandarM
And what

me She had

from !.-

M(d:

inchiced the princes> to delineate

;

This picture

did Manddrikd inform you.

it

Kal
Mak.

She painted

to

amuse and

relieve her distress.

What

say you

Mddhava

this lovely

maid

The

soft light

of your eyes, assuredly,

to her in love's alliance.
life.

Eegards you bound

And holds you

What
Let

dearer to her than her

should prevent your union.

Combined, seem labouring

to effect

Fate and love come

it

me

behold the wondrous form that works

pourtray her you have the try bring me the pencil.
skill;

Such change in yours

Mad. To

please

you

i will

(fj

Kalahimsu)

Hard

is

{Draws ) the task you have assigned me

through
all

chilly tremoi- spreads

distill

my frame,

])amp dews

from every opening pore.

And starting fast, my tears repeatedly Dim the faint outline that my trembling hand. Oh how unworthily, attempts to picture
:

Yet with what

Male.

skill I

have,

'tis

done.

{Taldug the draiving) Most excellent and worthy

ofyour passion.
It

may be

said of

her

(^writes,

on Ihc dntmng.J

23

" Whatevei' nature's

"

loveliness displays

May

shew

to all

men

beautiful

and bright

" But since these charms have broke upon

my gaze,

" They form

my

life's

sole exquisite deliglit."

hastily.

Enter Manddrikd
Man. Ha, Kalakansayou are

at last overtaken

Makaratida,

Mddkava i'irs
Male.

I salute you.

Approach Manddrikd what brings you hither

I followed

Man.
Kal.

Kulahansa to recover a picture.

{Gives her the one

Madkava has.) Here

it is

take
;

it.

Man.
Kal.

Mdlaii's -picture I protest

it.

how came

this

here

who

has painted

He whom she

delineated,

and with much the same

intention.

Ma/c.

He

tells

you truth

and now do you be honest.

first

Inform us howj and where,

Mdlali

Saw Madhava.
Man.
at

She was called to the

lattice

by Lavangika

to look

him, as he passed the palace.

Male.

So

supposed

We frequently have passed in that

I will

direction.

Man.
events to

With your permission

communicate these

my

friend Luvangikd.~^
free leave.
(^Exist

Mak.
Mak.

You have

Manddrikd'")
darts

The Monarch of a thousand beams now

His hottest rays;
'tis

noon

let

us go home.

Mud

Willingly

The day's warm influence surely washes off The careful labours of the moi-ning (oilet.

And

steals

those saudal marks, so neatly laid

24

In graceful
play
o'er

lines across the flowery cheek.

my

limbs ye soft refreshing breezes.

to beauty^

Whose previous homage has been paid

And wrapt in soft embrace my

fair one's

charms

Diffusing o'er her form, the honied fragrance

Shook from the Jasmine's scarce unfoldedlossom.

Mak.

Alas, the flower-armed, and resistless deity.

Has

sadly changed the person of my friend

Like the young elephant, when fever preys

On
Mad.

his yet tender frame.

Our only hope

Is now Kdmandaki.

'Tis strange, most strange.

Where'er I turn, the same loved charms appear

On

every side

Bright as the

golden bud
face

Of the young Lotus gleams her beauteous Though oft averted from my fond regards
Alas,

my friend This fascination spreads O'er all my senses, and a feverish flame Consumes my strength my heart is all on fire

My

mind

is

tossed with doubt;

and every faculty

I cease to

In one fond thought absorbed,

be

Myselfj or conscious of the thing I am.

ExcunL

END OF THE FIRST

ACT.

ACT

II

THE DWELLING OF MALATL

ENTER
First Ait.

Tivo Female Attendants, meelbig.

Hey friend, I saw you just now near the* Music

room, in deep conversation with Avalokitd; what were you two

talking about

Second Alt. The whole story of the gi'ove of Kdmahas been

carried to

Kdmandald by Mudhava's

friend,

and she being de-

sirous of seeing Mdlaii sent Avalokitd to her,

who was

telling

me, that she had

First Alt.

left

Lavangikd and the princess together.

;

"Why

Latangikd said she was going to gather

grove of Mudana

Bakula flowers

in the

since

which she

bus not returned

^Has she been heard of?

Second

Alt.

Yes, the Princess saw her coming, on which

she dismissed her attendants at the door of her apartment?, but

detained Lavangikd.
First All.
I suppose,

She Imd some very agreeable news to

tell

MulatU

of the youth 3/rZ/^w^

It is a hopeless passion I

Second

All.

am

afraid,

and to

day's interview will only

add

to her distress

to-raorrov/ the

king gives the prfncess to Nandiena; her father has consent-* ed to the

match
Consented
we had occasion to
notice in

First Alt.

The Sangila Sdtd which preceding drama.

the

26

Second Alt.
over his

Yes lie

told the

king that he was " Lord

own daughter".

This will be a dagger to the heart of

MdlaJi and death to Mddhaim.

First Alt,

Now

then

we

shall, see

what K'amandalci

cacn

do

and whether she will put forth her power. Come us depart Second Ait. You talk idly.
let

Exeunt.

Enter

Mdlali and Lavangikd,

il.

Proceed,

my
it)
is

dear Lavangikd, proceed.

X.ai\

This flowery wreath then did he send by me.

JMcd.

{Taking

"lis strung unevenly.

Lac.
JSIal.

The fault

yours
t!iat

How

should

be

Lai.

Where deem

you, were his thouglits-:

Who
Mai.

caused that dark hued youth's deep agitation?

Dearest Luvangiku

comfort.

You
Here

ever speak

me

Lavt Tiiere might be better comfort

in

He, himself.

your presence

gazing rapt upon you

With

look intent, from eyes that tremulous glow.

Like the blown Lotus shaken by the zephyr,

Forced from the timid plea of weaving chaplets.

To dart upon you glances of delight. From underneath the arching brow thatAvaves In curve as graceful as the bow of Kama Mai. How can I credit this how should I know From such brief interview, if the graceful youtU Ee true, or if he only seek to mock me. Lav. You have no need to fear in this, believe me*

Mai.
Xai'.

Weil

well complete your Story

received the garland, I departed

When I

27

And
That

mingled with the

crowd thence

to

Mandmiha

I hastened, to receive again the picture.

in the

morning had been

left Avith her,

?

MaU With
Lav.

her

with what intent

and
I

She has a lover, Kuluhansaka,

A follower oi Mddhava,
Tohim

knew
all

the picture would be shewn, and

That thence ensued, would be revealed

to nie.

MaU
Lav.

{Apart) Then

Mddkava

has seen

it.

{Aloud) Whatis your dearest wish, Lavangikd.

That he, whose heart now pines in hopeless passion.

soothe his sorrows with this bright resemblance.
fair

May

Of the

cause of his distress.

the picture

(Shews Mdlali
Mai.

drawn hy Mddhava

(contemplating it}

My heart is
That

now

at ease.

I doubt nie

much

this will

prove a treacherous comforter-;^

What have we here-

(Reads Makaranda's
lines.)

Oh Mddhava the
Thy
Are
all

graces of thy form.

flattering tongue,

and fascinating gaze

alike resistless

happy

she.

Who never
They,

has beheld

them On my heart
(weeps-^

Cruel,

shed interminable anguish,

Lav.
Mai.
Lav.

Why, dearest friend, despond? What should I hope

!

Be

sure of this

that he on whose account.

its

Like the young blossom from

slender stem

Pluckedrude you droop, and taste no moretlie fragrance,

Of the
Love's.

sweet Jasmine

He, be sure,

will^

weary

God with

prayers to mitigate the pain.

'

28

You
Mai.

both are doomed to

suffev.

OJi,

be they heard, and be at

least his portion

Happiness
This
is

for me,

dare not chrish hope.

a day of strange, and changeful feeling.

like subt'est poison.

Love spreads through every vein

And like the fire that

Consumes
this feeble
fibre

brightens in the breeze

frame

resistless fever
is its

Preys on each

Fatal

fury.

]\o one can bring

me aid nor
may,
;

tender mother

Nor
Lav.

father

nor Lavangikd can save me.

in sooth,

S^uch mutual passion

bestow

Delight Avhen lovers meet

but when apart

Condemns them

to affliction.

From

a brief

And passing gaze, thy life was brought in peril. And now to day his nearer presence sheds

A fiercer fever on thy delicate frame. What now is to be said? We must admit.
The rarest and most
is

difficult

attainment

Of all, on earth, Of equal excellence, and like affection. Mai Life is distasteful to me leave me, friend And yet I wrong tliy gentleness. Repeatedly
union with a lover.
:

Recurring to the anguish of my heart,

I lose
all

fortitude,

and

in

my

grier

Become
Let the

capricious
full

and unjust forgive me.

moon

blaze in the nightly sky

his fury.

Let love rage on

Death screens me from

my
my
mother, and my race.

What

should exact

love and veneration ?

JRIy father,

and

Of still unblemished honour not my life No nor the mortal who subdues my heart. Lav. (Ajmt) What is to be done
:

29

(Jn atlcndant enters hit jvithout The venerable Kdvumdaki Both. What would she ?
Ail.
Ait.

aJvanclng far)

She seeks admission

to the princess.
?

Both.

What should
(Attendant

delay her

retires^

Mulali concccds

the picture.)

Lnv.

(Aside) In good time she comes

Enter
Kam.
So
So
fiiV;,

Kdtnanduki and Avalokitd.

(Soliloquises)

my

friend, respected Bjmrivasu,

:

far is well

in either world, assent

to the

Awaits thy answer

King
is

He, of his own.

our friend.

Is the undoubted lord. Fate

In

all

that chanced to

day

in

Kamos's grove.

And

in the interchange of tender tokens.

The garland and

the picture,

all

conspires.

To crown
'

our sanguine wishes with success.

is

jBest

pledge of blissful union

love;

the

bond
said;

Of mutual
The
Lav.

and well the sage* has

shall prosper,

The marriage rite

The Lady

when

the eye.

tongue, and heart, unite the \vedded pair;

Mi'daii,

Kam.

(Surveying ker)
affliction

I view her with

and

delight-

Slender her frame, and delicate and pale.

Like the young

plaintain, or the
is

waning moon.

Soothing and pleasant

she to the eye,

all

Tliough thin
Declare, the

antl pallid
fires

be her chsek, and

of love have triumphed here.

As

well as in the youth's congenial breast,

* Angirai,

30

One
Her Her

thouolit alone ])ossc?es her,

and

still
is

She dwells upon her love -her garb

soft lip (pii vers -starting

loose.

drops

suffuise

gentle lips

her bosom

p;il|)itates,

An*l her dark

e)'^ in soft

abandonment

Moist, languid flo?tsEach look and gesture spealc&

The fond
Lav
Mid.

ilcsires

that agitate her youth.

(Approaches.)

(To Mulati) Behold.

Priestess, I salute you. (hows)

Kam.
Lav.
Mill.

May
fruit

you enjoy, dear lady,

of all your Avishes.
seated.

in

due

season,.

The

Pray be

Is all propitious

with the Priestess

Kam.
Lav.
I

(Sighing)

all.
is

(Aside) That sigh

but the prelude to our

play,.

have

my

cue. (aloud)
is

And

yet, respected

Lady,

INIethinks that sigh

with your words at variance^

?

What
Kiim

can

its

import be

Behold these weeds:

Sorts such a garb with one

you

call

your friend

.''

Lav.

Kam.

What follows? I am grieved,

to

like

unmeet union.

Should sentence youth, and charms inniimerable.

Born
Lav.

no

profit, to a

worthless bridegroom.
a' one
;

You do

not grieve

the

common voiceand blames

Condemns the

minister's assent,
to

His yielding Malali,

be the bride
it.

Of yandana,
Mai.
l^resented

because the king requests

I

(Aside) Alas,

am

an offering to the monarch,

by

my father.

31

Kdm.

'Tis

most strange.

How

he could overlook the vast defects

alliance

Of such
Whose
The
Mai.

but how can those

offsprinp:.

Feel natural affection for their

souls are

sunk
is

in

schemes of crooked po-icy.

His onh' thought

a clearly, to secure.

friendship of the monarch's chosen friend.

And boon companion by his

His MdluVi
Lav.
'Tis as
is

daughter's person.
is all

(Apart) The king's regard

nothing.
say,

in all

with

liini

you

dame.
mistress thus be sacrificed.

Or why should our young

To age and ugliness.

Mat.

(Apart) Ah, luckless wench,

A thunderbolt has struck

iy.

me

to the ground.

To

you, she ever has Ijeen like a daughter.

this living death.
si<

Save her, dear Lady, from

Kam.

What

can I aid

Fate and her

e alone

Exact obedience from a daughter.

Sahuntuld, of KusiJiu's high race.

'J'rue,

Bestowed her love on a sell-diosen Lord

The king Dushyanta.

A bright nymph of heaven

choice,

Espoused a mortal monarch, Pururavas/

And

the fair princess, I'Ssavadatid, scorned

The husband of her Other's

* Although
reference
it is possible thiit
tii'is.

and

fled
for the nar-

The term used

is

may he here made

to

raters,

Alcliyuna I'ida, those

stories, the eveiili

the Piudnas in Tvhich the Stories alluded to, are contained, it

who know
past times,

of

PuravriUa,

which

seems more
bTiiili

likelj-

that Bhava-

would scarcely

have been np-

had in

his

thoughts the

plied to the inspired author' ur

dramas of

his predecessor A'a/*-

compiler of the I'uranas.

32

With prinre Udayana*

So poets tellacts,

But these were desperate

and must not be

Proposed for imitation. Let

tlie ministei*,

Compleat

his will

secure his master's favour.

friend.

With

the rich offering of his daughters peace.

this

And yield
Avfi.

maiden to the sovereign's

Like the pale moon, to RdJui's foul embrace.

Mistress, time passes,
it

were well
aid.

to think

O^Mridhava, who needs your

Kain.
'Tis well.

Permit me. Princess, to depart.

Lav.

One moment,

(aside to Malafi)

Say, shall I ask the dame,

who

is

the youth.

And what Mai Do so

;

his origin ?
I long to hear
it.

ing' off'

* The story of Udayanas carry Vdsavadaltd makes a

distiiif^uished figure in the

Res. X. 451.) on the* passage

m
am

the text, that no other trace has

very

been yet found of the story to

lighter literature of the Hindus,

which Bhavahhnll

alludes.

and

is

very fully detailed in the

belter pleased to bear this tesli-

yi-ihat kalhd, hat \n Vhc

lar version of the story

popu-

mony, because

in

consequence
exact

Vdayana

of jnisunderstanding the

carries

off"

the princess by her

purport of Mr. Colebrooke's re-

father's connivance,

and no mentermthe

mark,

considered

him

to

have

lion

is

made

of a Rival for her

is

overlooked an allusion to the

Story of Udayana in the
IJida, which

hand, King Saiijayaw'i he

ed,
in

Megha
merely

the text,

who was

however

is

husband of her
Neither
is

father's choice,

general, and therefore throws

light

on
of

the

circumstance

on the passage.
that

It

seems

meiilioned by Siihaiidhit in his

probable

the

story

poem

of

Fusnvadallii^ iwd in-

J'asavadatid underwent
alterations

some
to the

deed he seems to have

the story a

given

subsequent

new form

altogether,

lime

of

Bhavabhuli, and the

My own

enquiry confirms the

(As.

original

form

is

lost,

remark of Mr. Colcbroykc

33

Lav.

Inform us pious Dame, what youtli

is tliis.

In

whom you shew

The

such interest.
:

Kdm.

story though of import, needs no preface

1 he sovereign of Viderbha boasts for minister.

The sage and long

experienced Devardta,
state,

Who bears
Such
For

tlie

burden of the

and spreads

Throughout the world,

as himself

his piety

and fame.
Avell,

your father knows him

in

in their

youth they were

study joined,

And trained to learning by the same preceptor ; And rarely in this world, do we behold
Such
Is the

characters as theirs

whose

lofty rank.

abode of Avisdom and of piety.

of virtue
;

Of valour and
Mai.
I

and whose fame

Spreads white and spotless through the universe.

have often heard

my

father speak of him.

silver rays

Kdm

Bright as the rising

moon, whose

First streaming o'er the eastern mountain, chai'm

The eyes of a!I mankind,

Has sprung

a son from

him

whose opening

virtues early

^We

Occasion of rejoicing to the world.

Now,
Ripe

in his bloom assiduous to collect.

store of knowledge, has this

youth been sent

From his
Here
as

paternal mansion to our city.

he passes,

many

a lotus eye.

Shoots from each casement, soul subduing glances^

But I'eckless

he, along with

Malaranda,

His friend and fellow of

* One or twoshort speehos of

like years
terrupliiig
lion,

and worth,
KdmandaUi's n^xtn^

Ldvangiku

and

Jfufali

Iiave
iri-

been omitted asuimecessavilj

34

Pursues his
IMul

toils

-his name

is

Mddhava

(Ai)art IQ LavnngikdJ

Heard you

my friend

Lav

In truth you have escaped

perilous ocean,

The
Is

and the

tree of

heaven

now

within your reach.

C

Tlie

Conch

is

sounded withont)

Kam.

These echoing tones.

That through the deep recesses of the palace,

Kesoundii.g spread, proclaim the evening hour,
(

Thei/ all rise.)

Mill.

CJpart)

Alas,

my

father,

thy ambition spurns

daughter's happiness
I

yet in my grief.
s

Some hope

borrow from the youth

again.

descent.

And
Lot).

trust,
is

we meet
our M-ay.

This

Ka7n. (Apart) So far so well

I

an unsuspected messengeiV
Malati

have discharged

my

duty

Is tutored to our wishes,

and inspired

With hatred of the bridegroom taught to question Her father's love, reminded of examples
That vindicate the
free choice of a

husband*

Her admiration of her youthful lover Is now approved by his illustrious birth.

And my encomium
this

of his high descent

Ai And now their union may

must strengthen and confirm her passion.

be left to
fate.

END or THE SECOND

ACT.

ACT

III.

THE HOUSE OF KAMANDAKL

Enter
Sudd.
Av:t.

BuddkaraJcshitd and Avalohitd

AvaloJcltd,

fleeting.

Ho,

where

is

our

Dame.
the season for

Do

yovi

not
is

know

DI regarding

co'lecting alms,* she

ever with the Princess.

Budd.
Jvfr.
I

And where

have you been.

tell

have been to Mddhava by her orders, to

Mm

to repair to the public garden of the temple of Sa?tkara, and

place himself in the grove of red Asoka treesj that extends to

the KantaVi bower.

Budd.
Ava.

For what purpose.

This
is

the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight.

Persuading the Princess that the

God Sankara

is

to

be proself the for-

pitiated with offerings of flowers gathered by one's

Dame
mer
is

takes her,

and Lnva'iglkd

thither,

and whilst the

will

collecting her oblation, she

:

and Mddhava

as

it

were by accident again encounter

ing.

but where are you go-

* Literally ihe Pindaputa reIII

explained to

sifjnify

the hour

or Bauddha mendicant the word means a lump or ball of any

:

P/nrfffl

of going round to collect the which is the name given,

the commentator says, to the
collected by tha Saugala,

viands usually of rice or meal

the

same
is

authority

adds

the

time

the seventh G/;er/, which

Food

will be

one hour after uoour

3G
to

Jjudcl

am on my way

my

friend Madayantikd to ac-

company
pay

lier to

the temple of Sankara also. I looked in to

my

respects to the Priestess.

Ava.
Biidd.

And how
As our

speed you in what you have in hand.

mistress could wish

I have won the entire

suifa-

confidence of

3/rt(i'rt.yaM/i/i;a

and by expatiating on the

llsnessand merit of Makai'anda, have excited in her bosom

the most lively affection for him.

Ava.

This is well

Now

to our several duties.

[^Exciait.

SCENE SECOND.
THE
GARDEJf.

Enter Kdmandaki.
JCam. Poor
girl

the lesson
:

have

lately hinted

Has bowed her

lofty spirit,

and she seeks

me to her mournfully she pines When I am absent; brightens in my presence, Whispers her secret thoughts to me presents me
will
;

To

With

costly gifts

when

depart she clings

lets

Around my

neck, and only

me

leave her.
:

When

I liave

vowed repeatedly return

she
sits,

Then on my knee
Again Jhe
stories

and bids me tell her

of the nymj)hs that loved.

And
Their

questions o'er and o'er, with flimsy plea.

fate

and conduct
meditation

As

lost iu

then she
'tis

silent
:

pauses

enough

To-day they

me t Daughter this wayapproach.

Enti.ii Mdlati and LavangtJid.

Mai

{apart)

Alas,

my father loves his

child

no

moi-e;,

S7

But
Lav.

offers

her a victim to ambition

sustains me.

One hope alone

Taste,

my

friend.

The

freshness of the breeze, that sweeps the blossoais.

And

wafts around the

Champakas perfume.
and with the song.
;

Breathing melodious with the buzz of bees

That cluster

in the buds,

The Koil warbles thick and hurried forth

As on

the flowery mangoe's top he

inebriate with
its

sits.

And all

nectar sings.

The garden gale comes wooingly to sip The drops ambrosial from thy moonlike

face."

Come

on, those shades invite us.

(2Viey retire.)

Enter Mddhava.
The The
pious

dame

is

here

her presence
'tis

fills

My heart with rapture so the

flash that heralds the

peafowl hails

approaching shower.
she

Ldvrwgikd.
'Tis M/a^/- ah

the third

me a

sudden

chill

Peivades

my

heart,

and freezes every

faculty.

To

marble turned by her moon beaming countenance.

ice

Like mountains
Shot on
their

bound, by the gelid ray

summits from the lunar gem.

How

lovely she appears, as o'er her frame

fast

Like a

fading Avreath, soft langour steals

And heightens

every beauty.
their being.

Now
As
I

mine eyes
gaze

Are conscious of

My

heart consumes, and love

lights all his fires.

(Approaches unobserved )
Mill- (advancing.) Come, Lavangifcd
let

us pluck flowers

From this

delightful arbour.

(2B
Kant.

Nay

rest

my

child,

Thy

languid look, and sleppy eyes evince

Already, weariness

one might
have a
(Sits

suspect.

Thy form

such soft abandonment betrays

A
Mai.

lover's

gaze were dwelling on thy beauties.

tale to tell thee.

Come sit thee here I You are obeyed* Madhavn.)

down by Kamandaki, who

passes her hand und^r Malati's chin so as to hold up her f,:ce

iOTVards

Kam.

There was a youth, named Madhnvi, who shared

portion of

With you an equal

IjIV.

my

heart.

So we have heard.
He, from the luckless day,

Kam.

Of Kama's festival, has ceased to 1)P, The master of himself, and though he
His sorrows
to the

told not

moon
still

or faithful friend

His changing form,

lovely in decay,
utter.

Kevealed the anguish he disdained to

I hastened to his aid, and quickly guessed

The

cause of h's distress,

when

was told

He had

beheld this lovely countenance.

that

The moon
Mad.
Kain.
(behind.

swayed the heaving of his

heart.

Like the deep waters of the tossing main.

)

How

well she penetrates

his only pleasures

my

secret.f

Reckless of

life,

now.

Are

tasks that feed and aggravate his flame.

He

gazes on the

mango buds

Attentive to the Ko'ils song

he he breasts

listens

Two or three short speeches

are here omitted.

more profnic fed hut it

Hie Ixisiness ami
is

interrupts

more lechni*

t Mudhavas eulogy

is

rather

cai

than poetical.

S9

The breeze iinpi'egnate with the

flowery fragrance!

He hii<Ts the lotus blossoms to his heart And hasks ber.e'ith the deadly lunar beam Tliis first fond passion preys upon my son
And
ISIul.

soon,

I fear,

cuts short his gentle being.*

(To

L'tVfingllcii.)

Why
For
XjUV

does the

dame alarm me
all
:

thus with
I say.

few

life

so de.ir to

what can

{To

K,imaiid:i/ci.)

You

are not terrified alone

tlie

like fears

Pervade us for

princess
as

she has

often

Beheld the youth, His

cours^'

by the palace walls

has frequent chance .since

when

fiiie

pines

As

droops the lotus on

its

slender stem
:

Be-ieath the scorching sun

her youthful sport*

sits

Delight no more: pensive apart she

Whole

days, her cheek

upon her hand

reclined.

We fondly hoped those looks that were exchanged

In Kdm'is grove, when like the present
'Jl'he

God

youthful Mddhavn appeared to grace

festival,

Love's

amidst his blooming votaries.

Would dissipate this melancholy mood. And cheer her heart with hope but passion
lutenser rages in her tender heart.

sincd

And threatens
If but a

lier

existence

oh

befriend us.

moment

she could view the youth.

relief, as

E'en

that,

were such

earth receives.

When
*
tc(L

parched by sultry suns, she drinks revived

Two

short speeches of

Madhava aad Mdlati

arc here

omiU

40

Tlie bland and life-bestowing

dews of heaven.

The

hapless state of Mdlati affrights us.

Unfit to struggle with the sports of destiny.

Do thou

exert thy powers, and t)ien the pair.

Who
Kftm.

claim alike thy pity and regard.

death, shall prosper in their loves.*
Avith

Redeemed from
BIy heart

is filled

sorrow and deiight

I

I pity her sad state, even whilst

joy,

To
Lav.

find her justly conscious of desert.

this picture of

Behold these proofs

her Lord.

(^Opniing Ihc garment over her breasL)

And
T^J^ad.

this

decaying Avreath, strung by his hands.

Dear

as her life, thus clierished in her

bosom.

How enviable its fate thus

like a banner.

Floating triumphant o'er that lovely breast.

And

clinging like a friend around her neck.

(^A noise hchi?id.)

" What ho, beware in youthful strength and sport The Tiger in the Temple's porch confined, Has burst his iron cage, and roams at large.

With

tail

high waving like a banner

vast
paw

And mighty

limbed, he stalks along the groves.

Now

in the

midst of mangled forms his

As ponderous as the thunderbolt,

has felled,

The monster stands -and in liis maw engulphs Wide as a cave, the quivering flesh, or grinds The cracking bones with hard sharp pointed teeth--

From his deep

+
Zfly<7??.:n^z7:d's

throat, *
is

he roars'in thunder loud

and obscurities that by much the

speech

in

the

crigimd so exlreinely diffuse and

coutatus so

most considerable porttou of

has beeo omitted.

it

many

repclilious

41
fly

>

And men
*

and beasts

trembling from the echo

fast

Begrimed with blood and dust he follows

And

plies insatiate his

death dealing talons-

Look

to

your

lives

as best you may, avoid him."

Alas!
alas,

Bicddharakshita.

(^Wilhout .')

my

dear friend

Madayaniikd.

{rushes in.)
;

Oh

save us, save us

Madai/antikd,

Our

friend, the sister of the Minister,

Is singled out
JSIal.

and hunted by the

tiger.

Oh horror.
is

Madh. (Rushing fonvard.) Where

M(d.
{With delight (qmrt.)

the savagej

He

here.

Madh.

Now am

I blessed

indeed; her gaze surprised

Dwells greedily upon

In flowery bonds,

my presence, and enchains me falls on my heart like balm.

And
Lav.

sheds a shower of heavenly nectar o'er me.

quit the garden.
{going. )

Can we not

Madh. Fo 11 o w

me

Kam.
Madh.

Beware
to

my son. Though
I

valiant be not rash.

Mai. {Apart

Lavungikd.) I tremble now.

moment pause.

mark

the savage spread

carcases

Dismay

his course

is

marked with

And all his steps sink deep in mii'e and gore. Oh horror we are distant noAV he views

A maid she
* This
descriptioa

flies

he follows.
also
al-

is

somewhat compressed
nal Prakrit
is

:the origi-

very powerful

though too much laboured aud

ranga gamgaluggar abhivrida gala gnhd gabbha gamdhira ghaggharo valli Roaring with a loud roar from the depth of
the cavern of a throat filled with
the flesh of

abounding more than

Ihwiallileralioa cv.gr.

enough

Nara

tu-

men and

steeds.

42

>

All-

Madarj anli k a.

Kam.

Behold a youth advances

grasp a fallen sword.
lie throws himself.

now he stoops
'tis

To
Mad.

Brave youth, before the tiger

'T
is

iDy friend

Makaranda.
valiant youth.

Ml
Kcivi.
jill.

Noble

Modh.

Alas

the beast has wounded him.

;

Joy

Joy
fate

the Savage

falls.

What

have we escaped.
son

Kam. IMy generous

he bleeds profusely
rests

Supported by the trembling maid, he

Upon his sword, along whose ruddy blade The trickling torrent reddens to the ground.
Madh,

He faints help

holy

Dame

^preserve

my

friend.

Kam,

Fear not, fear nof, but liasten to his succor.

Exeiuil^

liND OF

THE THIRD

ACT.

ACT

IV.*

THE SAME SCENE.

Madhava and Maharanda brought
on
h\f

the

women

insensible.
thi.3

Mud. (To Kdm.) Befriend him pious dame

youtli^

oh save

Who to
The
others.

preserve

my life has

risked his

own

What should we

do.

Kan.

Sprinkle o'er their Lmbs,

fixn their faces.

Tlie Water of this Ewer, and

With your
( Theij

light robes.

fan the xjouths and cast mater

from

the

Dame's-

Kama idalu or waterpot

Mak.

carried by an Ascetic.)

(Sighs and looks up)

Why thus
Quite W(

alarmed

my

friend

am

well

11.

Mad.
Mul.

{JVith delight)

Ah me he
to

is

restored

(Puts her hand

Mddhavd' s forehead.) Lavangika,

Madh.

How, happy you, your friend again is conscious. {Reviving) Rash youth where are you here

to

my

heart.
(^Theij

embrace
of

Kamandnki haiigs over Ihemf)

fectionpareiit;il yearning

* An act
ted by the

is

tlifrefore constituall

still

fixit

Ihe perfi)r-

common
odd
it

in

India

and
to

a very

mors after a sufficient interval, and not by mere change of scene,

+ Lileialjy smells
tlieir

ancient oriental practice however

may appear
it

European
th-i

heads,

notions:

was perhaps rather

a mode of

expressing iutcuse af-

result gfthis practice Ihua chance

44

Kdm.
Lav.

1 revive (Thei/ all express delight)

We

all

partake your joy

to

Budd.

C Apart

Madai/antikaJ

You know
know
it all.

methlnks

your brave deliverer.

3Iad.

The

friend
I

oiMddhava :*

Budd.

Have

not spoke hina truly

Mad'

"Were his v/orth

it

Less than

shews, you had not so described him.

(ToMdlali)

]\fethinks dear friend

yon graceful youth's

deportment
Betrays some lurking passion
Icaranda.)

Turns

to look at

Ma*

Kam.

(Observing them, apart)

And

it

seems;

That form, with heightened

interest is invested.

By

that

which destiny to-day has wrought.

us,

{Aloud to Makaranda) Tell

tious chance.

my son,

by what

propi-

Conducted to

this grove,

you came

to save

The
Male.
X

life

of this dear maid.

to seek

came

My friend,
By

directed to the grove of

Kama

Avahkila, and charged with news

I gathered in Hemant'i\ and the which

I fear
^/ill little

please
of

him

when
+

saw

that Tsaic notices

llie

smell

catesher reg-vrding himas ahu8-

Jac<)1)'spp'-son,"an(l lie

came near

band.

and kissed him,

lilm

anil

smeJlcd the

The

expression

is

Hemanta

smell of his raiiient, and blessed

J^''ugaraot\\\(iUyvinoi Hemanta',

and

sail!

Se, the

smell of

neither
offer

of the

commentators
tlie

my son
which

is

as the smell of a field

any remark on

name

Hi';

Lord hath blessed."

which should be that of some

part of Ougein,

* Her avoiding his uarne iadi-

<

45

This noble maiden flying from the wrath

Of yon
Kam.

ferocious animal.
"1 is

(Apart J

time

To pledge the faith of Maluti. {aloud) Uly son, (To Mddhava.) For that I am most happy, that your friend
Is safe from

harm

do you, on my behalf.
but be it
for myself;

Present some token of regard to Mdldti

Madh.

IMost willingly
her, I

To

owe

re ^overy

from the
o'er

mist,

Theperilof my friend spread

my

senses

And
Lav.

for returning]consciousnes5, I

pledge her,
life.

A free will offering eachmy heart, my

I ansAver for

my

friend

she deems the

what
is

gifts

Deserving her acceptance

Mad.

{Apart)
youtli

On my

Avord
to proffer

The
Mai.

knows when

sure

To meet

with willing ears.

tiiis

{Apart) But
should
it

news

What
Madh.

be

to

render Iiim unhappy.

tell

Now Makaranda

us what you hera-d.

That threatened

to displease me.

Enter A
Desires your presence

messenger.*

Mess. ( ToMaday.) Lady, the minister, your brot]ier2Vrti?fl/rt8

It has pleased the

King,

In person

to anounce, that Bhurivusii

Consents this day to give him Mdlalt:

He
Ma1c.

wills

you therefore come, and share

his happiness-

He

brings you

my intelligence.
origiiia!.

The order

is

given behiud the Scenes in Ihe

41^

(Mdlait and Mddhava express their despair^

Mud.

(^Etnbi

acing MdlaLi

)
indeed delightful.

My dearest friend, this is

One city saw

our birth; our infant sports

And opening youth have ever found us friends; And now you are my sister and the pride.
Of our iUustrious house. Kdm. In truth my child, Fate is propitious when she grants'ycur

brother,

A brida like this Mad. We rather thank your prayersMy

friend Lavangika, our every wish*

now we obtain your princess. T,av. It may be we have no concern with it. Mad. Come wench, {to Buddharakshitd) let's hasten and
Is gratified,
:

get every thing

In order
Biidd.

for the bridal.

I attend

you (They

rise.)

Lav.

{Apart

to

lunn) This interchange of

looks,

from

eyes that roll

liike the soft tremulous lotus,

and express
delights.

The

dear emotions, and

fill

tlie

new

That

and

agitate the heart, reveal

This couple conscious of the like desire.

{MaJcarand I and Madntjantikd)

Kam.
S>

No doubt,

they taste like pleasure from the look

oft repeated,

and the

furtive glancf,

Tells a plain story; side long

and slow the eye

lids.
is

Glides to theang'e of the dropping

Half closed by

passion's birth

tlie

brow

raised

In gentle curve^ and the loose veiling

lashes.

47

Tremble

in soft

abandonment

all

speaks

The inward consciousness of new delight. Nadh, (io Build.) Sure I shall see again this
youth.

graceful

The Saviour of my
Budd.

life.

If fate so pleases.

^Exeunt with atiendant.

Mad. (Apart)
rislied.

Now

let the

thread of hope, long idly che-

Snap

like the fibre of the lotus stem.

Come boundless anguish, but by death relieved. And frantic grief: be destiny appeased.

And

love Avork all his vengeance.

Adverse

fate.

Delights to aggravate

my

woes, and mocks

me

With disappointment, after I have won. No common prize, affection like my own.
I

marked her

as she heard her father's will

Pale as the

moon

before the morning sun.

Her

lovely countenance revealed her sorrows.

And added
Kcan. (Apart)

sharper poignancy to mine.

I

cannot bear his grief; and hope

des-

troyed
Life
is

a burthen, (alotid)

Mddhava,

my

son.

Tell me, have

you indulged the expectation

The
]\Ii.>dh.

minister Avould give his daughter to you.

(bashfully) No, never, never.

Kam.

Then were you

ill

apprised

Of past occurrences. Mak. What mean you dame.

That Mdlati already
is

betrothed.
to all
'tis

Kam, You know what you have heard j

known^

4S

That when the Monarch

for his favourite

sued

The
^lal.

minister, replied

Your majesty.
.

Is master of your

own

So rumor goes.
To-d;iy

Kdm.

we learn the king has given MdlatL As if she were his own; but mark me Son ; The bond of human actions is good faith. And promises controul the acts of men
:

In speech, the seeds of good and

ill

reside.

And all Do you

events are

upon words dependant.

not see, in Bhurivasu's answer,

for Miilati
;

A covert import lies,

Nor

Is not the daughter of the Sovereign

law, nor social decency, acknowledges

Avill

A monarch's
To
Fie on
it

as the authority

regulate a daughter's bridal compact.

It is not to

be thought of

And

more,

my

son

Doubt you my vigilance.

fears.

Why

then alarm the tender child with

Of such
Nor
Male.
lil'e,

a fate, I would not wish your foes

Confide in

me I

will not spare

my pains.

if it

be needed to secure
the maiden.

Your union with

Their union

Well resolved.
is

most suitable

your

heai't

Most holy dame, though from the world estranged.

Is softened
still

with pity and affection

children,

Towards these thy

Howe'er opposed
to

and thy active love

penance and devotion.

Shall like the will of destiny prevail.

40

Enter

a Messenger.

The Queen commands you, dame, with speed conduct The Lady Malati to the palace.

Km.

Daugliter come.
(intC' chcttige looks

Mad. and Mdl.

Madh. (Ap(ir')

and sighs )

Oivt on the world's vicissitudes.

first

Fa:e like a friend

shews

my blooming
inspired
afflicts,

maid
;

With tender

passion like

my own

Then with
{Apart)

capricious fickleness

jMy heart with deeper anguish.

Mill.

Come what may;

is

This happiness

mine,

have beheld him.

Lav.

This barbarous minister has taught

her being.

my

friend

To hate
Mai.

(Apart)

Love of life has borne

Its fruits

mature

my

father's cruelty.

Stern as the offerer of

human

sacrifice.

And
To
Madh.

fate, alike relentless,

have achieved

Their task.

Ah

me, unhappy, to what friend.

-what kind refuge, can I

\_Exit with
1 fear tne

now

repair.

Kiimandaki and Lavangil-d,

much, the hope the dame encouraged.

for her.

Sprang from the dread she entertained

Whom
"\A'^ill

she has loved from birth.

[

IMy luckless days

bear

doubt nofruit. What's to be done (//*n/^.)

Appiy

to horrid mysteries,
{to

what

else

Remains,

Maharanda)

How

nov/,

my

friend,

methinks you grieve

For Mudayantiku.
Male.
'Tis

even so

My

mind

recalls her timid Avild

embrace,

50

"When

fearful as the tender fawn, she clung.

With limbs
Around me,
hladh.

diffusing nectar

on

my

wounds.

heedless of her loose

attii-e.

She will be yours, for Biiddh<irakskila,

friend
is

Your

hers,

and

whom

should she

affect,

But you whom she embraced

as her preserver

Snatched bv your prowess from the monster's fangs.

IS or

did her looks proclaim you were a stranger.

Tlie fond regard those lotus eyes expressed.

Was
Male.

clearly

no new lesson.

Let us hence.

Bathe where the S'lndhu and the Pura meet.

And
This

then re seek the town.

(They
is

rise

and

proceed.)

the Spot.
of the streams, whose favoured bank.
fairest

The union
Forego

Beholds the

of Ujjai/ini's* daughters.

their robes,

and with their tender hands

Veiling imperfectly their charms, commit

Their lovely bosoms to the friendly wave.

Tl.is term fixes the sense in
wJiiih
radiiiilvuli
is

Paid may

possibly be

llie

same

is

used

tlie

as the Sipra.

Sindhu

the Kali Sind.

The

END OF THE rOUKTH

ACT,

ACT

V.
bodies are

SCENEThe Fifld in which dead

burned

IN THE Vicinity of a Temple.

Enter

in ike air in

a heavenly car and in a hideous garb.

KAPAL aKUNDALA.
Glory to SaMindih,* upon whose
steps.

The mighty

goddesses attend

whom

seek

Successfully alone the firm of thought.

He crowns the lofty aims of those, who know. And hold, his form, as the pervading spirit.
That, one with their

own

essence,

makes

his seat

The

heart, the lotus centre of the sphere^

Sixfold,

by ten nerves
all

circled.

Such am
God,

I.

Freed from

perishable bonds I view,

The

eternal soul

embodied

as the

* The Lord o^ Sakli or the divine energy under a female

personificati<)n:ii\ thissense5tf/c<t
is

as ZJ/jw/rayd, the terrific

and des^

tnictive deity, wlio

is

propitiated

byOiTerinijsof wine and flesh.

applicable to every
it is

goddess,

* Tlie Nari dialer a

as

the iiearl,

but

more
Siva.

especially the

name

the centre

of the circle

of

of

Zi/)aj'aii,
is

and her lord or hus-

thediffjrent orguis and

ves^sels

tiilmlar
vital

baiul

along
spirit

which
is

the

* Surrounded by the Saklis or

air

or

by the eight goddesses so termed,

or Brdhini, Muheswari,
f'aishnuvi,
fVtruhi,

this spirit

l>eii;g

conveved, and one with Siva

Kaumuri

JMdhendri

(Sarvam Siva Mayam) his fornj or nature (Rupa) may be said

to be seated in the heart.

Chdtnunda,M\ilChandikdAndeoyis
goddesses,

The

who atteud upou Siva

six orgaus are the ear, the uavel

52

Forced by

my

spells* to tread the mystic labyrinth.

And

rise in splendovir

throned upon

my

heart.
I

Hence through the many channelled

veins

draw

*The grosser elements of this mortal body.

And
'i

soar unwearied through the

air,

divid'ug
flighty
s

he water-shedding clouds

Upon my
my

Horrific honors Avaif

the hollow skul

t Fixed
is
l)y

That low descending from

neck depend.

Emit

fierce

music as they clash together,

])uliile

the heart, the throat, the

ihe Ni/dsa

wliirh

and the eye. brow. Tlie Naris or

tnl)es
:>re,

a form of geslicuhilion

made

101

iu

luiinber hut with a short and n)y.s!ic prayer to

//,

ten are

pri!\(i|>a],

Vhi^ald

the heart, the head, Ihe crown of the head Sirase

ai\d

Sushunihd,Gantlhari, Haslijilnvd

the eye, as
;

Grn

Pushu, Aruna, Alambushd, Guild,

Sankhini

These

all

unite

in

the heart.
to
tlie

These notions l)elong

According to other

Namah. Om silutation to the head witli the nddition of ihe Kavadia the armour or s\ 1lahle Phat, and the

Yof^a.

Jslra the

doctrines,

and the more obvious

of the original text,
i\'ris.

meaning

weapon or sylhihle Hum. The entire Mantra, the prayer or iiicautation,

is

there are sixteen principal

then,

Om

Sirase

To

those
tlie

who have
actual

thus disco-

Namah, Hum,
dsdl Pasyate

Phut.

\ered

presence

of

+ Agreeably to the text ^i//y-

divine spirit in

themselves the
5irf/f/MS.

deity Szua gives theeight

J^/fl/i//7;a

mdnam Atmdnam.

Suryam ParamdtBy practice

the faculty of enlarging

the bulk; Laghimd that of niakiiig it light;

( of the }'oga)he (the adept) beholds his own soul, the Supreme

Animd

that of

mak-

soul, as the sun.

ingitsmall or atomic; PraZca/H^rt,

the power of gratifying passion
jTflsi/a that
Jsitd
;

* According to some the five

senses, or siglit, smell, hearing,
taste

of subjecting all;
Prd;}ti\.\\e

and touch, or the

air,

five Elefire,

supreme sway;
however

meats. Earth,

water,

and

faculty of reaching or grasping

^/ca* or ether,

objects

remote,

and

Kumuvasdyilwam
on of naluial

the destructi-

desire.

53

Or

strike the

tremWing

plates that gird

my

loins.

Loose stream on every side

my woven

locks
staff.

In lengthening braids

Upon my poTiderous
and
fro,
floats

The

string of bells light -waving to

Jan_g-les incessantly

my Banner
it

Up

borne upon the wailing breeze, whose tone

Is deepened

by the echoes

awakes.

Amidst the caverns of each

That hangs
in dread array
)

fleshless skull.

around

my

person.

(^alights and looks about

I scent the temple of Ktirdld

near
pile

The
It

cemetery, and perfumed of old

I5y fragrant odours

is

from the tuneral

my present
me
to aid

object

for to day,

My

wise preceptor, great Jghoraghanta,

Calls

him

in the

powerful

rite

That terminates

his toils

to-day he
gem
I

offers

The promised

gift

the

of

woman

kind,

victim to the Goddess. In this city,

The damsel dwells

and

must make her mine.

out.

Looking

But who comes hitherward of jleasing form. With braided hair and in one hand a swovd;

The

other

ha

it

braves the world's restraint?.

And
I

soiled with blood determinately grasps

flesh

A lump of human
know
the

and now

I look,

youth 'tis Mddhava

the son

Of the old dame Kamandaki's dear friend. What makes him vender of the flesh of man
It matters not
;

Now

to ray

work;

foi*

see

The hour

of twilight hovers
skirts of the

o'er the west.

Along the

horizon steal

54
like

The winding glooms

dark Tamdhi blossom?.

lost as if

And

earth's far

bounds are

immersed

In nascent waters to

the woods young night

Her own yet

gentle shade im[)arts, as if

air.

wreath of smoke were wafted through the

spread abroad in mist before the breeze.

And

Enter Mddhava.

May

those endearments yet be mine, that spring

affection

From young

and the dawn of passion.

Now

first

awakened

in ray Maluii

"Which

for

an instant only to imagine.

heart with extacy unsullied.

Inspires

my

By all impure admixture 'twere enough. To be enfolded in her arm?, to lean

My

face

upon her cheek,

or to be prest

Against her firm and palpitating bosom,

Fragrant with perfume, and with pearls adorned.

Yet

this is too

remote

I will

but ask

To
She

see her face, the shrine of love, once more.

Once more
lives

Ah no

for ever in

my

view.

assiduous memory constant turns

fed by hourly thoughts.

To cherished hopes, and One sole idea, engrosses

Till all

every sense.

my

inmost soul

is

Malati*
pliilo*

The
is

(ibvious purport of Ihis

agreeably to the Fdvlchya

Terse

clear enoiigii, but rt'fer-

sophy, and without having corresjtonding terms to

ence

is iiileiulcil

by the original

thosu

em-

to the practice

of

ideiilifyiiig

ployed, a close
translalion
is

and

iiiteliigii)Ie

the individaal

spirit

with

the

impracticable. Part

Supreme
litj

Spirit

by the

iiiteii-

of the preceding, and a subse-

of

abstract

luedilaliou,

queut vcisc have been oniitted>

55

("A Noise Behind.)

Now
From

\vake the terrors of the place,* beset

rind

With crowding
Clogged with

malignant fiends

the flames

funeral pyres scarce lend their sullen light.

their fleshly prey, to dissipate

The
In

fearful

gloom that hems them round. Pale ghosts

-Sj.ort

with foul goblins, and their dissonant mirth

respondent shrieks
it so.
ill,

shrill

is

echoed round.

Well, be

I seek,

and must address them.

spirits,

Demons

of

and disembodied
;

Who
The

haunt

this spot

bring you flesh for

sale.

flesh of

man+

untouched by trenchant
efi'ect

steel,:!:

as wenkening ihe general

of the passage.

mode

in

which the

niiiid

that

The

first

de-

perceives, and the ohject

oi" ))er-

icr'iUes 31 dlat't''s f;ice in Ihe cus-

ciplion, are

comhinedso

as

to

tuniary strain, and in

the hitler

produce consciousness.
*

31 ddhai'ii ohserws

tliat

MuUiti

The S/nasa;/,
are
in

the place where

;

is as firmly united with his heart

bodies

l)urnt

temples of
terrifick
in

as

if

sewed

to

it,

witli

the

Durgd
near
it,

some of her

strong threads
]

of recolleetion,

forms were usually erected

or

inned to

it,

with the shafts of

in
it,

Kama, melted
it,

reflected
it,

by
set

and monuments of stone or brick were not unfrequenlly

reared were the pile had stood,
t This was a necessary condi'
tion
:

inscribed or engraven on
in
it,

or planted
\erse

or fixed to

it

by

diamond glue
is

{l''ajra lepa)

the
The
of
all

for the goblins, to the great

curious as

illustrative
arts.

discredit of their taste

we must

of the progress of the

last is said to

presume, would not condescend

to eat female flesh,

be a union

valuable articles externally, as

diamonds, &r. so that they cannot be detached, but how

eflected
4)f
is

pon, was

% Flesh cut off with a weain disrepute on account

its

this

is

of

being too

common,
it

in

con-

not explained.
is

these terms,

said

Each by Jag id-

sequence of the number of

killed in battle;

men

does not apby his

tlhara to bear also

a nictuphjsi-

pear

how our hero comes

cal sense, and to refer to the dif-

nierchaudise.

fereut scholastic uolious of the

56

And -worthy your How, the noise

Hi,^h, shrill,

acceptance.

(A

great noise.)

and

inch'stinct,

of chattering sprites

Coinrnunicative

fills

the chai'nel ground.

flit

Strange forms like foxes

a'ong the sky

From The meteor blaze or from their mouths that stretch From ear to ear thick set with numerous fangs.
the red hair of their lank bodies, darts
;

Or

eyes or beards or broAvs, the radiance streams.

host
:

And now I see the goblin On legs like palm trees, a

^Vhose
i\ml
flesliless
scai-.tly

each stalks.
skelefo:i,

gaunt

bones are bound by starting sinews,

:

cased in black and shrivelled skin

trees

Like
'I'Jiey

tall

and withered
as

by lightning scathed

move, and

amidst their sapless trunks.

The mighty

sei'pent curls

so in each mouth

Wide yawning rolls, the vast blood di'ippmg tongue* They mark my coming, and the half chewed morsel
Falls to the

howling wolf

and now they

fly.

(Pauses and looking round.)

race

dastardly as

hideous

All
its

is

plunged

In utter gloom, (considering J The River flows before rae,

TJie boundary of the funeral ground, that winds

Through mouldering bones

'Wild raves the torrent as
it

interrupted way.

rushes past.

And
The
Behind

rends

its

crumbling banks j the wailing

its

Owl

Hoots through

skirting groves,

and

to the sounds,

loud long moaning Jackall yells

I'eply.

Ah

cruel father, she

iiuUiIgcs here in
(iissjnst-

you meant an
followed.

offering

* The author
iiig

European

taste to

be faithfully

n strain of powerful l)ut

descriptiou, loo revolting to

57

To

the kingr's favor,

^Jadh. (Alarmed)
wild.

now deserted dies. What voice Avas that so m usical and

:

That sounds

like the affrij^hted osprey's cry.

It bursts not unfarniliar to

mine ear

And

penetrates

my soul my
:

throbbing heart

Faint dies within me, and a

Steals along evei'y limb
;

lifeless chill

my
:

tottering steps.

Can The
I

scarce sustain their load

what should

this

be

dreadful sound

came from Ktn-ahTs

fane.

Fit scene for deeds of horror

be

it

so

[^Rushes
oJjT

must be sati;3ed

SCENE.

JNSIDE OF THE TEMPLE OF

Chdmundd.*

Aghoraghanta , Kapdlakiindald.
Mulali DRESSED AS A VICTIJI.

Mai.

Unpitying

sire
;

thy hapless daughter

Revered

dies.

Mother beloved

remorseless fate consigns

Thy

gentle heart to agony.

Chdmundd was an emanation

of the goddess ZJMrg-, springing

most respects with the allusions

in the

text

"From

the fore-with

from her forehead to encounter ilie Demons C/i</rt and 7J/?/nrffl,

detached to seize the latter by
the soverei;:;n of the
Daitt/ns,

head of .^/ni/Aa contracted

wrathfnl frowns sprang swiftly

forth a goddess black and of for-

midable aspect,

armed with a

Sunibha, as related in the

JV/7i''(<j^,

Burga

scymitar and noose, bearing a

andher appearance,

ponderous mace, and decorated

with a garland of dead corses,

which

is

thus described in the

in

Marhandeya Purana, accords

robed

iu the hide of an cle-


58

And

holy dame who lived but for thy Mulalt, Whose every thought was for her hap])iness. Thy love will teach thee long and bitter anguibh.

Ah,
I>ut

my
ill

dear friend, Lavangikdy to thee,

I heuccfoi'th shail

thy dream-;

appear

Madh.

{Enters Behind)
still

2\ly

fears Avere

true 'tis she-*

but

she lives.
in *nwfiiiip)

Aghora {Running round quickly as

Hail

Hail
fills

Chdniinuld,

mighty Goddess
in the dance,*

hail

I glorify thy sport,

when

'Ihat

the court of Siva with delight.

Thy
The

foot descending spurns the eart hly Globe.

tortoise reels j1"

Beneath the weight the broad backed

t-ei^g

o? Brahma trembles

at the

sho.k;

And

in a

yawning chasm,

that gapes like hell,

phant, dry and withered and hideous with jawiiinf; mouth and lolling tongue and l)U)od shot
eves, and filling the regions with

worship or respect
part of the

is

an essential
l)e

homage to
is

offered,

* This dance
p:irt
is

Ihe counter-

of that which Siva himself

her shouts."

Having

slain

the

demons
that

site

hore their heads lo

her parent goddess,

who

told her

supposed to perform, and of which notice was taken at the opening of llie play. In this rite
the Uride

having

slain

Chiinda and

of
her
in

Sivti is

descrihed

Minidu she should thence forth he known on eartli as Cl.amunda. Shc is also termed Kali from her

only in

terrific

form
is

as

Chamunrld,

which she

inves-

ted with a garl

ornaments and
to

Hack

colour, and KariUa or

Ka-

attributes, similar

those of

ri'tldbadana

from

her

hideous

Siva himself, or with those of

Kali-

countenance. * The slai2;e direction

/am

paj'/A:;fl/Hfl/<

Twawhich may also

is

The Earth

is

in

some legends

supposed to rest 'jpon the back

of a tortoise,
:}:

mean

only proceeding quickly,

hut the limits of the stage must

restrict this

motion, and theactof

world, the Orphic or

Eg;;

The Eg of Brahma. \ the mundane

which
floated

cu'cuinambululiiig aa object of

amidst

tbi

59

The

sevenfold main* tumultuou.-^ly rushes.

Tlie elephant hide that robes thee, to thy steps

Swings

to

and

fro

the whirling talons rend

fills,

The The

crescent

on thy brow from the torn orb

and every skull

trickling nectar
tliy

That gems
Attendant

necklace laughs with horrid afet

spirits

tremble and

a})j)laud.

The mountain

falls

before thy ])owerfiil arms.

Around whose length

the sable serpents twine

terrific

Their swelling forms, and knit

bands.
flash

Whilst from the hood expanded, frequent

Invenomed flames

As

rolls

thy awful head.

brow,:,';

The

lowering eye that glows amidst thy

fiery circle designates, that

wraps
:

The

spheres within

its

terrible circumference
staff".

Whilst by the banner on thy dreadful

High waved,

the stars are scattered from their orbits.

The

three e^^ed

God

exults in the embrace,

vater before creation,

niul

from
horn
le-

which Brahma the

first

of Siva and Durgd a necklace of skulls forms an invariaUje decoration as docs the crescent or
hajf
as

emerged according;
,o-ends,

to

some

i)ut

which according to

moon on

the forehead, and

oHiers merely resolved itself into

tiie

we have before had occasion

upper and lower spheres.

to observe the

moon

is

consider-

* According to the Geogra-

cd to be the peculiar reservoir

of Amrita
or the

phy of the Pur anas the Earth

consists
circle

beverage of

of a
six

series,

of a central

immortality,

and

other amnilar con-

tiiieiils,

separated

from

each
of dif-

is

^ The eye in the forehead one pecui'ar characteristic of

otiier i)y as

many oceans
terrific

Siva and of his consort

wheu

ferent fluid substances.

armed with
forms

his terrors.

i lu Ihedittcreul

<

CO

)
led,

Of By

his fair Spouse, as

Gauri sinks appal

the distracting cries of countless fiends.

Who
Mahd.

shout thy praise

Oh may such dance

e'er

afford,

Whate'er we need what

(Behind)
maid.

may

yield us happiness.*

What luckless chance is this,

that such a

With crimson garb and garland

Adorned
for sacrifice; sliould

like a victim,+

be the captive

Of impious

wretcheSjJ like a timid fawn

tliat

Begirt by ravenous wolves:

she, the child

lie

Of the
Thus

ail

powerful minister, should

in the jaAVs of death

Ah,

cruel destiny

How
to
think

ruthless are thy purposes

is

* Jagaddhara
tiiat

rather shocked

Sfrep.

Whv

this chaplet?

these pr;iises
fail

of

Wouldst make of
Athanias.

nie another

Cliamnnda shuu\d

of produc-

iig

their

due

effect

but consoles
tlie

And

sacrifice
in

me
the

to a cloud,

himself by the reflexion that

So niso

IleracUdte,

worshippers were (lisappoinled of

their object either on account of
their wickedness, or their inaccii-

Macarin when

offering herself

as a victim to secure

thetriumph

of the Atiienians, exclaims,

rate pronunciation of

some

part

"To

the scene of death,

Conduct, with p;arlands crown me."" of the ritual. * We had occasion to notice The Translator of Euripides
these parnphernalia

more

parti:

also observes, that

human sacriappear

cnlarly in the Mrichchalcati

like

in

fices at their first origin

manner the

ordinary vie-

to have consisted of virgins or

tinisof the

with crowns

Greeks were adorned and g arlands as

victims:
in

young men
b;icy,

in in

the state of celithis

and

respect the

were
jn

hum in

as thus

selection

o( Mdliti offers auo-

the

Clouds,

the scene

iher analogy, *

between
siade'i
;

Socrates

and

Slrep-

Pashimdn

and

Chandala

heretics and outcasts

theseepi"
respect for

Socr-

Now
it.

take this chnplct

thcls indicate

little

wear

the worshippers

of

Durgd and

CI

Kap.

Fair maid.

Think upon him

For
Jl'//.

whom

Uiou in

life

hast loved.

pitiless deatli is

near thee

Ah Mddhdva,
in

Lord of my
Live
thy
love

heart. Oh may I after death. memory They do not die.

Whom
Kap.

embalms

in long
is

and fond remembrance".

her heart Madhavas no matter Come what come may we must delay no longer.
Poor child
(^Raising his sroord) This offering

Aglior.

vowed

to thee,

divine C/i/nnniidd,

Deign

to accept

Mudh
Kap.

(Rushes fonvardand snatches Matati tijp In his arms)

Vile wretch,
forbeai*.

The term
is

Profane,

thine.

Ma/.
JSladh,

Oh

save me, save

me

(embracing

MddhavaJ

Princess do not fear.

faithful friend,

who

in the

hour of death.
is

Finds courage to declare his love,

near thee

Be
Agho.

of good courage

on

this

impious wretch.

The

retribution of his crimes descends.

What
The

sinful
rite.

youth

is

this that interrupts

Our solemn
Kap.

lover of the IMaidcn,

The pupil
their

of Kthnanddki,
puhlickly
us to infer

wno
''Lit

treads,

applicalion so

wliich he gives the fexfs; Jhpy are

declared, would lead

him not eat from

sj.iy

tlie

leaf

that the author's sentiments were

of the asdepiasnor

a female

those of his

ageJagaddhara
two
legal

nor

child"

and "Females
beiii^, it

of
is

states that iu the rite

every description of
well

prohibitions

are

violated

of

Lnown, are not

to be slain."

02

Tlic?e precincts

ft)!*

unholy purpoaes.
of man.

And
Mad//.

vends the

flesli

Inform
has

me

Princess,

How
1,1 ai.
I

tliis

chanced.
I

kiiow not
v-i^oi'.

reposed.
:

At cvc Your
J\la:lh.

the terrace

\vhen I wolve,

I found myself a prisoner

But what led

m-ged.
miglit be.
I

steps to this retreat.

( A.'iiuiincd)

By

pi'.ssion
life

Incited by the hope

my

Yet
'i'o

blest

by

this fair

hand,

hither came,

invoke the unclean

crie
;

spirits

of the dead.

Your
I,I(d.

heard, auvl instant hurried here.

And Avert thou thus regardless And wandering here for me.
Blest was the chance.

of thyself.

lladh.

That snatched

my

love from the

iipliftecl| sword.

Like the pale moon from Ruhu's* ravenous jaws.

IMy mind

is

yet with various passions tossed.

And terror, pity, wonder, joy By turns possess my soul.

Agho.

and rage.

Hash Brahman boy,

seek'st thy fate

Thon

the pitying stag

dar'st

defies

Tlu; tiger in the rescue of his doc.

And
So

both are

made

the forest monarch's prey-

shalt thou perish,

who

hope

to save

The

victim of
flies

my sacrifice. Thy

blood.

As

the severed head before

my

scymitar.

Shall stream an offering to the

mighty mother

Of all

created beings.
dr.i.'joifs lie.ul

* 1 he node or

inoon

is

the supposed cause of

vbose allcmpt

to

swallow the

Kclipscs.

G3

'McuJJi.

Wvctcli accursed.
vile.

Impious and
Against

Couldst thou raise

t'ly sworil

this delicate frame, that timid

shruuk.

Even from
Like

the flowers her fond companions cast,

:

In sportive mood upon her

but

my arm
refrain froxn violence:

iYumus mace now

is

falls

upon thy head.

Mdl. (to Madhavn) Lord of

my
him

life,

His crime

baffled, let

be.

Avoid

All needless peril.

K<tp (io Alitor a) Holy Sir

be

firm.

Destroy the culprit.

Madh.

and Agho ;*
villain dies

(Io the jvomcii)

Banish your alarms

The

what other chance should wait

when
the Lion,

The
As

issue of the contest,

Whose

talons light

upon the elephant's brow.

upon the mountain,

falls

the tliuiiderbolt

Raises their miglit against the feeble deer.

A
V/hat ho

noise heliiiuL
in search of Mcilatt
!

ye who are now

The

venerable Priestess,

whose commands.

Are ever

wise, enjoins ye to suiround.

The Temple o Kerala this can be The act of none but him who ministers To the terrific Goddess, and the Pnncess, Can be an offering for no other shrine.
Kctp.

We
is

are surrounded.

+ Yama
anil

Ihe

Regent of
is

hell

cited

judge

of"

the dead, he rides

Drama. It is common however in Spanish plajsfor two

three

upon a

buffalo and

armed with

or

characters

to

speak

a ponderous mace. * We are familiar with such

together in the same words witfi

such

trifling

Tiodificutions

as

consentaneous declaration in the

Italiau opera but not in the re-

may
them

be

necessary

to

render

applicable to the speaker.

<34

Jghi. Greater

i:-

tlie

need

Of manly resolution.
Mai.
Bly dear
fatlier.

My
Mudh.

venerable mistress.
I will place

The

Princess out of joeril with her friends.

swift return for verigeance. {he carries

Then

MahUi

off

and returns confronting Jghoraglicmta)

Now

let

the falchion piece meal

tliy

hew thy form

Ring on

bones, and cleave thy sinewy joints.

Sport in the yielding marrow, and divide,

Kesistless in
its

fury, limb from limb.

Exeu n t Jigh ling *

,

The Hindu

theatre

is

as

anabliidMnat from

its

not be-

prtilictilur as the
hil)ilii

French

in pro-

ing allowed to represent slau^-hter visibly in a

upon
tor

tlie

gihe exhibition of death stage the commeiilathe

drama, agreeably

to the Horatian

precept A>c
'

observes,

combatants
sdkshdi badh

pueros coram
irucidel."

populo

Medea

disappear

itlake

END OF THE yiFTII ACT.

ACT VL
A PUBLIC PLACE.
Entkr
Alas
Kaj)al((hindald,
slain,

the cruel Mddhava has

;

^y venerable Master,
O? Mdl'iti In
V.'liat

in the cause

vain, I strove to stay

His ruthless hand

he spurned

my

supplications.

now remains
yet shall feel

vengeance Yes, Mddhava.^

my
fury no repose

Thou
Can

the Destroyer of the serpent brood,

to taste - the

Expect

mother snake

retains.

Her wrath

unmitigated, whets her fangs.

And hoards
Ho,

her venom, wakeful for revenge.

(

Without)

warriors, haste, be quick in preparation

Let the Brahmcms devise. Recite auspicious strains Let

Appointed by the Elders
all

Ingenious shoAvs and

Propitiating fate

fitting invocations

for near at hand.

train approaches

The bridegroom
Obedient
to the

Till

they come.

holy dame's injunctions.

The stately line of noble Ladies leads. The maiden to the Temple of the deity*
* According to the Hindus,
every city
city

under
well

llie

protection
divinity
us,

of
it

has

i^s

own

Sri, its

some

known
to

own
which

fortune
ill

or

prosperity

more
that
vailed

familiar

but an

former limes seems

analogous

superstition

with
pre-

to have

been

represented by
a temple of
its

of the

Hindus

also

an image with

amongst the polylheists

own the
the

practice

amongst

of Europe.
chiefs
1

Thus

in the
;

Seven

ancients of considering a

before

Thebes

The

66

>

That guards our

walls, to

pray that nought molest

rite.

No

evil interrupt

the ha})py

Quicklet

guard

in rich caparison

Arrayed, upon the brilliant train attend.

Kop.

'Tis well

I will

keep vigilant watch.

marriage
feast,

And

in the bustle of this

I xnay perchance

some

fit

occasion seize.

To wreak my -vengar.ce upon Mddhava.

EkU.

SCENE SECOND.
INSIDE OF THE TEMPLE.
Enter
t was ordered by

Kulahans(u
is

my

Master who

concealed within tho

shrine here with his friend

M ikaraiida, to go and see

whe-

ther the Liuly Mdlali leads the precession to this Temple.

I shall delight

him.

Entlu Madhdva and Makaranda.

Mad

IIov/ wi

this end^

from
who

the

first

day

saw

The
gliriues
tlie

lovely maid, events succeeding

seek
their
liaci

add
the empire

Theban women
guardians of
to

protected

of the Gods
llie

wlio
ily.

are

departed from the shrines, xcessere omncs adylis arisque relicli$

J)ii,

Yet therefore
imagcs

the ancient

qidbusimyerium hoc

ste-

let at.

Mn.'i.

Confiding in their sacred power

1

r:in,

rii'd

The Gods that Mneas carwith him to Rome appear

this

When

at llie

gales sharp

sleet

to

have been of
Troy.
sacra

order, the

of arrowy shower

I'lMiales of
J'ffigies

Drove hard

my

fears impelled

divum PhryPenates

me
The

to

implore
protect
the

giique Pcnales.

hit st (lotls to

The
those
rcsscs

Public

were
fort

citv's strenglli.

who

presided Over

N. B.

And

f'irs^il states

that

and cities

OU

the

fall

of Troy the Deities

07
Fresli
'1

J
to

fiiel

to

my passion and

Acp

he

itlsis

comes

will the sage dame's device^

friend

Secure
Male.

me

bhss^ or end in disap ointment.

Fear not

my
is

her wisdom cannot

at

fail.

Kal.

(Approaches) 3My lord yon are favoured by fortune.

The Lady Mulaii

cession.

on the road,

the'

head of the pro*

Mndr
Male.

Can

it

be

triu'.

Why

shoult!

you doubting question*

1 hey are at hand

for hark
the ear

a hoi

ow murmur.
the druma sound-

Like that of rushiug clouds, before the ga e

Comes sudden on
That peal
in

and now

joy drown every other

lattice

Here from the

Kol-

Look master

see

we may see their march, how the white umbrellis

float

like trembling lotuses in the lake of the atmosphere

the

nu-

merous banners undulate like waves as they play before

the wind of the Chowris, which hover about like

swans

and now the elephants advance,

stride
;

their bells tinkling as they

they are mounted by bevies of damseb singing songs

of rejoicing, and blazing like rays of light with glittering

jewels of varriegated
tints, as if

they were so

many

porti-

ons of the heavens decorated with fragments of Indras bow^

Mak.

'J'he state

of Bhurivusit

is

in sooth.

Most princely

As the countless jewels shoot

reflect

Their blaze into the sky, the heavens

The countless Or the mixed

hues, as

if tlie

Peacock's plumagr

(olours of the painted Jay,

air

Played through the

or China's gorgeous
many

silks.

Vested the Atmosphere, or India's bow

Displayed throughout
its

coloured radiance.

68

Knl.
fall off to

Th* throng of attendants

a respectful distance,

hastily

forming a circle

and keep back tbe crowd

and god: her Elephant

with staves covered with

silver

painted with vermilion resembles the ruddy dawn, or with

the starry garland*
night.

on her brow looks

like the brilliant

But she

herself, the lovely object of all eyes,

as pais

and

delicate as the
'I'he

new moon, advances from Her emaciate

form,

the ring.

Mafi.

beauteous damsel well becomes the grace

Of bridal

honours.

And

pallid cheek, although they plainly

shew

Deep

rooted grief, heighten her love iness.

fair

Like some

plant just budding into flower

And
The
Madh.

withered at the corebehold

Elephiint kneels.

my

friend.

And

Mdlali descends;

And

with the priestess and her faithful fiiend

(//^e^

Lavangikd, comes hither.

mlhdratv.')

SCENE THIRD.
INSIDE OF THE TEMPLE.
Enter
^dm.
{To
Malati,

Kamundaki and Lnvangikd.

fateassist the

l.erself.)

May

wishesof our hearts;

;

And may the just Gods crown them with completion May I attain my aim, and this device That binds the children of my friends in love.
Secure their future happiness.
JSlal.

{. ^ part)

Ah me
;

What b'est occasion wi 1 afford the means Of death to free me from the world but no
DL>ath coraei not to the wretch Avho prays his aid. The Nakshnlra

ma'a -n garland of Iwenly icTCa pearl%

the uuiuberof Ibe JVakahatras or lunar maasiuai.

Zav.

(Apart) This

final

parting from Inr love hnsplunged

My
A't.

poor friend in depair.

Enter
(To Ki.n
to iuf )rni

a fcmal-j attendant with a Basket.

in l.i\i.) Ilis

His ExceUency, Dame, desires

me
in

yoa

t!iat

IMajesty has

sent this bridal dress,

and these ornaments, that Maluti may

presence of the deity

put them on

Kdm.
1

'Tis rightly

judged

the place
;

is

most propitious.

L^t us behold the gear.

Att.
lin
is

his

is

the corset of white silk

;

this

is

the red mus-

mantle

these are the ornaments

this,

the necklace

this

sandal, this the chaplet of flowers.

Kam.

(Apart.) It Avere a pleasant trick, and Madayantikd

Will not be sorry to behold the

youths
it

(Aloud) Inform the minister

shall

be done.

As he
Lav.
Kani.

directs.

(Exit servant.) Daughter LavangikS

ess to the inner shrine.

Attend the prin

Where
I

tarry

you mean while.

would remain.
value of these jewels.

Alone, and leisurely investigate.

The
Hal.
Jjiiv

(Apart.) KveT, lAivan-^ikd.

This

is

the door

Here

let us

enter
of the Teniae.')

(They
^Mildhav
Milk.

enter.
I,

Scene changes

to the interior
i

ik irandi,

and Kalahans
let us

discovered.

They come
hind
WIS

conceal ourcielves awhile,

B
It

this pillar.
also

[They
but at Alhensy
all(^eJ

hide.

custoiuiry
for

no

vir^jin

s-

amov'st
ration to

the Greeks

the

to

l)e

mnrrleJ

lief. re

inteiided bride to

pwhsrailo-

worilniiping
in the

Minerva, w!r)
iiist

as

soma

tliviaity b:jfi)re

preieat

mrc, was ihs

bor marriage, uiually to Diana,

tulelarj deity of the cil).

70

Enter Multiarxd
L(t^.

Lav^nglkd.

Here

is

the perfume

for the

person-herif
them
)

The
2d .1.
L'lV.

flowery garland/
are thej- to

(ojfer'urg

What

me.

Consider

my
-^nd

dear friend

yo\i ars sent here?

propitiat'"
rite.
is tern,.

By On
^lal.

your respeted mother to

deity

The

thus invoke* good fortune

the marriage

the

commencement of

Why

thus distract a wretcli whose heart

intolerable,

With pangs
Is tortured

and whose mind

by the wanton cruelty

fate.

Of unrelenting
Z/fly.

Alas what would you

Whatever
he,

say.
art,-

Mai.

whose fortunes

lik" min?;^

Blighted by unavailing hopes, migh*: counsel.

Mah.
Nadh.
Mai.

Heard you.
I

heard

Avhat
my

little

cheen

my

heart.

(Embracing Lavangilcu.)
Sister of

My
d!s>

dearesb

friend

th.-.

Soul.

Your

hapless Mulali, about to

Un wedded begs
From
Unvarying
to

one proof of your

affection^

earliest infancy

you have replied

my

confidence

ah, now.
my hopes
named,
:

Do

not the

first

time disappoint

G.irlands

made

pnrl of the

falselv

bn;l:>l as well as

sacrificial or-

Your

bride

vet

wilh floweO

naiiieiits

amongst the Greeks,

adorned her lirow,

A:>d fancied t'lat
votir arms;
I

thus

ill ill

Jgamemnon.

Clyteiu

]ed her to

Iiestra

addressinsf Achilles;

Oflspring of Tiielis, pity

dislrcw,

my

But now
tar lead.

to the

bloody

::,1-

Eaccor atirgiu aaincd, Iho'

Jphigenia in JuUs^

11
in

Bear

still

my image

your heart, and se^

The

lotus lovely countenani.e of

Madhava,
(Weeps,

The

shrine of each auspicious excellence.

Madh. (Behind.) Delightful words,

Their nectar through

that fortunately shed

my

hearty

and

o'er

my frame

Diffuse the powerful medicine that restores

The
Mai.

vigorous bloom of
tell

life's

decaying flower.

Then
he

the brave preserver of

my

life.

He must

not, if he ever prized

shall hear that I
live to

my

love.

When

His days, but

am dead, attempt cherish my remembrance.

life's

Tell him, I hope he will not wholly lose

The

recollection of this

events.

Although the tenant of another world,

I here shall live in

memory
bestow.

alone.

Do
Male.

this

and

all

your Malati's desires

will

Your kindness
Alas poor

girl.

Madh. The sad yet sweet tones of her fond despair

Awake

contending sentiments

her grief
fills

Excites both joy and pain, and

my mind

With anguish and

Lav.
I

delight.

am overcome With horror let me

Words

hear no more ray friend

of such evil omen.

Lavaiigikd.
life

Mai.

Ah

You
Not
Lnv.

love the
Mulati.

of Mdlali alone;

What mean
I

you.

Mid.

have borne.
hateful
life,

Thus long a

sustained alone

^Y

flattering promises I yet

might wed

72

The Lord
But
'tis

of

my election.

1 his

is

past
days.

my firm

resolve to enil

my

Free from

the stain

of vio ated faith

I

To

the divinity,

whom

have served

Then do
Male.

not thou oppose

me

in

my

pui'pofj.

Falls at her feet.

Her
tnl<e
I

love

is

boundless.
to

Lnvnngikd beckons

Mddhata-

Go
M'idh
M^ik.

her place.

tremble.

'Tis a s'gn

Of present
Madh.
I
<ro.

happiness.

(approaches

genilij

and takes

the station

of

Laraigikd who retires*

Mill. (Kneeling,')

Speak your assent

my

friend

Madh. Forego such desperate purpose, simple maid

Aly heart, dear
Mai.
girl,

wi

never bear thy loss.f

1

Behold

Madh.

me prostrate ti you give consent. What can I say desponding as thou art

Do
Mai.

as thou wiltj but

first this

fond embrace.
Ihi

Now

am

blest (rises

and

cms herself

into

Md-i

dhava's arms. J
I

have but half

my friend ;

For

my

fast

flowing tears obscure

my

sight.

Firm

as the lotus cup,

and smooth with down.

Thy form

recalls a contact that allays

* The Mtiintion Hint ensues

IS

and Prakrit according;

to

the

rendered exfravagnntly imllie

commentator,
ri'is;nm

Sarale

Suhaia

prnl)al)lehy the dial();ne. If

discovery were natural ilwould

niurtcha

not he iindraina'if.

^am

parihara Rembhohru ^awramhham, Viravirahai/d^am sohrumtava

+ This verse

is

both Sanscrit

chittam asahaiitme.

73

The fever of my With hands thus

grief;

oh bear its owneT^

elevated to your brow.

My
As

farewell message

'Tis long since these eyes

Have

lost the sight of thy engaging countenance.

brilliant as the

broad bright beaming moon.

And
The

lovelier than the full

blown

lotus

fl

iwer.

sufferings of

my

frame, which not the rayg

Of the mild lunar orb, nor the cool breath Of Malaya could appease, have long distressed
]My friendly
train,

with bitterest

affliction.

Firmness long since has

fled this captive heart,

Uprooted by

resistless destiny.

Impetuous torturing
I

me

with fruitless
still live,

hope
gone,

hope no more. Let me

dear friend.
1

In your remembrance, and when

INIay this, the

am

work of Mddhava, preserved

heart, whene'er
it

Next to your
Bring
Goes
to

meet your gaze,

to

your mind the Mdlati you loved

the

hang

Garland roiuidthe neck of Mddhava and

discovering her mistake starts hack hi alarm.

Madh. {Apart.) The gentle pressure of her heaving bosom Has spread delightful coolness through my frame.

As

if

combined upon

my

skin Avere strewed

Sandal and Camphor

Saivala^ and pearls

The lotus
Madh,
*

fibre or

the moonstone's dew.

Mai. Lavangikd betrays me.

Gentle maid
plant

Au

aquatic

(Vallisneria)

of

supposed

cooling

powers.

Your

o-vvn

experience only lannot teach you/

What

otliers

have endured

but this believe;

I

Such days as you have passed, such have

known.

Whose

fevered flan;es have raged in every vein.

And anguisli wrung conscious existence from me. Thy love nlone preserved my fleeting life. Lav. You are ensnared my friend as you deserved.
Kcd.

This mutual confession

is

pleasant enough.

Mak. Princess you

are merciful

it is

true,

IMv friend has undergone so sad a time.

And And
Lav.

yet exists

now may his hopes be crowned.

name
the golden thread that girdS

with that plighted hand ihe golden thread

Shall gird, be happiness his future portion.

Wow

(an )'ou

The

bridal

hand

observe you not her heart.

marriage.
it

Is agitated with the appi'ehension,

Of an immediate and unwelcome

^lul.

(Apari.) Out on

what

is this, it ill

becomes

The daughter of
Kam.
]\ry

a noble race.

(Entering

How now-
)

gentle child.

(]\Ial(Ui

throws herself into her (tuns

up, behold the youth

J\um.

Look

who

shared your suf-

ferings.

Whose
To

eyes

first

caught the flame; whose heart was

next.
tliee

alone devoted

and whose frame

loassion shews.
this

Like thine emaciate equal

Behold

liim

here Dismiss
and destiny

weak timidity

Ee

love obeyed

fulfilled.

75

Lav.

What marvel dame,

is,

our friend should be alarmed.

This

to say the truth, a fearful

personage

The conqueror
Wlio braved

of the fierce and impious wreteh,

his fatal

arm, when on the night

No moon ilhunes, and with He trod the confines of the

Mak. (To
himself.)

no good

intent,

funeral ground.

Well

said

Lnvangika

the

double

bond.

Of love and
Mai.
Alas

gratitude

is

well susriiested-

Kam.
Madh.

my parents. MddJmva my son.

Command
me.

Kam.

This is this dearest gem of Bhurivasu, The mighty minister^ whose feet areblazoned^ With the bright diadems of prostrate priuces.
Fate, pleased congenial merit to unite,

And Love
Mak.

and

their instrument, confer

This treasure

to

your

care.

f Weeps.)

Our hopes
your kind

are gratified
aid.

By
Madh.

But why these

tears.

Kam.

My

son, long cherished friendship has

endeared

The interests of your house to me, and

That love
is

now

consummated,

for

mine o!d

And
I

tried affection,

and

for other causes,

may demand, you listen to my councils. Then heed my words, and pledge your faith

to

me.

You cherish
(AboiU

this

dear child most tenderly.

When distant from

her anxious

sire,

and

me

to fall, at the feel

of Mudhava-J

76

Madh.

(Prevenl'mg her.) Forbear

forbear

your kind-

ness overpowers me.

Muk.

Why

slioukl you need assurance

dame

of this

The object of your

praise

the living festival

replete with warm affection. why, one Avere irresistible worth And brilliant
Of human eyes
is

Their union

your surety.

Kam.

My

son (io Mcidhava.)

Madh. Behold me.

Kam.
Lav.

Mdlati

my

child.
Avill.

Slie waits

upon your
children

Kum.

Uemember

virtuous wife, and a respected lord

to either all

Are each

kindred and
dame

friends.

Wealth, love, and

Male.

life,

and all the heart should

covet,

'Tis justly said.

Lav.

What further
order.

has the

To
Kam..

Mukarnnda
dress

take these robes.

can

And
Male.

you

for the bridal.

As you
The

will.

Behind

this curtain* I

make my
is

toilet,

(retires).

Madh.
K'-m.

act

is

easy but the end

liast

arduous.
this.

Out on thee what

I trust

thou to do in

Madh.

me to your judgement.
psvint- Jca,
siis-

* Chilra, Javanilcd, a ed
clolli,

it

is

ralher

arras
it

or tapesas

ascreeu or veil

try he

descrilies

ch)th

pended

iQ

u temple before the

covering the walls of a tcuiple.

ad} turn according to Malan-

'^7

)
in

Enter Mahcn-anda
Mnk.

female atlire.^

My

friend

behold your Mulati.

Nandana,

Madh.

{Embructn^ lam.) In truth,

priestess highly favours

The

To

yield his admiration^ for an instant,

this.

A
Kam.

bride tike

Now my
leave

dear children (to Mdliti and

Mddhava)

This Temple by the sacred grove, and pass

Quick

to the

garden of

my

Sanctuary.

In the pavi
Awaits

ion, Avalolitd,

}'our coming, with all

means prepared

To

celebrate the nuptial ceremony.

rite

The

accomplished, to the grove retire

the

Where round
Curls
its

Areka

trees, the betel vine

pale leaves, as pallid as the cheek

Of the

fair

dames of Kerala who mourn

Their absent lordst

The beauties of the scene

numerous
choristers.

Begirt with waving oranges, and musical

With

the sweet tone of

Who sip
There

delightedly the jujube's juice.

Shall breathe a
loiter
till

warmer rapture on your

your
friend,

loves.

and

his fair maid.

The
Madh.
*

princess Madcii/rintikci shall join you.

This were indeed to crown

expeditious affair

my

happiness.

rather

+ Milahar.

They are oftea

lliis

but as the dress consists almost wrapper one long of solely

not so
of

alluded to in
it is

strain,

and

to be supposed

therefore

unmanageable

as

the trausforraalioas of a

some that tlie women of this proMa- vinre areof a fairer coraplexiou than usual iu India*

thevrs.

78

Kal.

If luck befriend us this will surely

'I'liere

bcs-

Madh.
Jmv.
Ku)n.

cannot be a fear.

Heard

3'oa

my

friend.

Livan^i'cd

And Makaranda
Mdl.
Lav.
(Sm'dhi'^.)
is

we must now depart, What; must you go, Lavan^ikd.

I

must.

This

our way.

Exeunt Kdmmidaki, Lavangikd and Malcaranda.

Madh.

Like some

fair lotus is this

trembling hand.

Along whose slender

stalk, the

downy

filaments

Erect extend, and from whose

leaflet fingers

The

pearly tkops from love engendered fall

it

I clasp

now

in

mine

as

with his tusk,

The^Elephant entwines the tender flower.

And

gently wrests

it

from

its

native lake.

Exit with Mulatk

END OV

THJS

SIXTH ACT,

ACT VI

r.

THE PALACE OF N AND ANA.

Enter
So
far so well.

Buddharakshilu.
well

Malaranda
the

became

his

disguise as

Mdlalt^ and by

instructions

and good fortune of the

Danie, has played his part unsuspected, and has been wed-

ded

to

Nandana

in the palace

of the minister.

Kamandaki

then took leave, and went home, anticipating that the attendants

would

all

be Avearied

Avith the bustle

of the festival of

bringing

the bride

to her

husband's house, and that the

evening would be favourable to the execution of our design.

In the mean time Nandana impatient

first

to possess

his

bride,

esuleavoured to sooth her alarms, and humble himself

:

at

her feet

finding this in vain he had recourse to violence,

so severely

but he was

handled by the supposed maiden that

he was compelled
tears starting

to desist.

Enraged

at the

treatment the
his

from

his eyes with pain

and vexation, and

speech inarticulate with fury,

Nandana vowed he would

have no more

to say to one,

who was no

better

than the
the house,

wanton of a boy

with

this determination

he

left

and now on

this pretext,

we may

bring Madayaniikd and

Exit.

Makaranda

together.

80

SCENE SECOND.
Lavanrr'ikd,

and Makaranda on a conch

discovered.

in

ivoniaWs attire,

Male.

You

are confident that BuddJiarakshitd,

Will make no blunder, and so disappoint

The
Lav.

project of the priestess.

fear.

Never
hark

And

the tinkling foot

sleep.

bells

that proclaim
she covers him.

Their near appi'oach: quick, spread this mantleover you.

And seem to

(lie lies

down as

Enter
Mad.
Buddh.
I\Ty
]\Iost

Madaij an tiled and Buddharakshitd.

is

brother

indeed

grievously displeased with Mcilali.

No
But

doubt.

Mad.
Buddh.

this is

unbecoming

ill

let

us go
girl.

And
Mad.

take to task this rude

mannered

This

is

her chamber door.

Lavangikd.

Sleeps your fair friend.

Lav.

Yes, do not break her slumbers.

late,

She has been sadly vexed of

and now

Her
Mad.

cares awhile forgot, she tastes repose.

seat

Here gently,
(Sits

you on the couch.

down.) Indeed
;

She may be vexed

Lav.

that she

Is

rude I'm sure.

Plow should she not be

affectionate

fretted

with a husband

So gently kind,
So skilled

and mild.

to Avin a

maiden's confidence.

As

is

your brother.

Si

>

Mad.
Suddh.

irey BiiddJinrahshUd
tell

We came to
Mud.
Buddh.

a very different story.

different.

Perchance not quite so

How so.
"lis true she treated with but scant respect

The husband

prostrate at her feet

still

this

Was maiden bashfulness, and might be pardoned. You cannot deem so of your brother's anger.

Who
Such

in resentment of a coy resistance,

as

became a virgin bride

to offer.

To boisterous violence, forgot all sense Of his own dignity, and had recourse To sheer abuse such conduct is disgraceful To you, not us The poets well observe

Women like flov/ers are of tender fabric And should be softly handled they detest
The
Lav.
furious passion that

would

force their love

Impatient, ere their confidence be won.

Alas

who ever heard of such behaviour.

men
of exalted rank
gentle birth;
like fire the breeze blows into flame.

In many a house,

Are wedded unto maids of But who,

Is rendered furious

by the chaste reluctance

and unoffending
bride.

Of his
To

young,

fair,

A husband's harshness renders home distasteful

the desponding wife, tortures her heart
shafts,

With poisoned
Occurrences

and makes her wish

compel a family
a girl
is
.

for death.

like these

To murmur

sorely

when

born.

82

Mad.

(To Buddh) Our

grieved.

friend iavfif/igi/cw seems sadly

What
J?M
Idh.

fault so lieinous is

my

brother charged with.

Did we not hear

his Avords.

Mud.

What

Avere they.

Buddh. "

I will

naught

Of one no better than a stripling's wanton." Mad. Folly insanity my iYie\\(\. LavavgiJcd ;

It

is

with shame
I

I look

you

in the face.
alFair,

But
LaiK
Mad/i.
I

should have some voice iu this

So hear what I advise.

am

attentive.

memory of my brother's rudeness. Remember only that he is the husband Of our friend Mulali, and, to confess The truth, you must admit there was some cause
Dismiss the

For this intemperate languagCj though unmeet

For female
Lav.
I

ears.

knoAv no cause.
It has

Madh.
That

been noised abroad,

Mdlai'i

had plighted her

affection
is

To
But

the youth Mad/iava. This

noAV, dear friend, exert
ill

no mystery
skill.

your utmost

That such

starred aversion to her husband.

May

utterly be rooted

from her heart:

Avill

If not, a grievous shame

light

upon

her,

For wives resentful and vuigentle plague

The hearts

of

men

this fear that I

have

hinteil

You

Avill

not speak

of.

83

>

Itav.

Hence you heedless

girl,

To be
I hold

beguiled by loose report so

easily::

no farther talk with you.

Mad.

Nay nay. Be not displeased: you need not hesitate To own the truth v* hat, I suppose we knew
to death.

not.

That Mdlati had nearly pined

On
The

Mudhava's account: we did not mark

delicate beautj' of lier wasting form.

)'^oung tender Ketaki we saw not The animating influen e of the wreath Of Vakida flowers^ wove by the hand of Mudhavaf

Like the

Nor
As

did

we

note ihe evident sympathy

expressed,

Each frame
tlie

when

either

shewed

moon's pallid disk when morning

as wan dawns

You may

forget, that I beheld their glances.

When
Swam

in the

garden of the flower- armed god.

:

The youth and maiden met

with delight, and

their eyes encountering;

brilliant flashes shot

From each soft orb, uttering intelligibly The language prompted by the soft emotion
That played throuo'h every agitated limb
Then, when the news arrived the king had given he?
In marriage to

my

brother

was not a change.

As if the hand of adverse fate had scorched Her charms, and rudely from its living bands Had wrung her heart, that moment manifestNay,
Lai\
I

remember

too

What more.

Mad.

When by

the shrewed suggestion of the

Dame,

84

The youth was Some token of

The
Again

counselled to give Mnlati

his happiness, that his friend.

bi'ave preserver

of

my

life;,

"as brought

to conscious being

His heart

and

life

he presented her and heard aright,

if I

X>ava?igika replied, "

my

friend esteems

Tliese liberal gifts most Avorthy her acceptance.

Lav.

And who was he the

Think

saviour of your

life,

I have forgotten him.

Mad.

think again

When I was ciiased by the ferocious beast. And had no hope that guardian youth appearec?. And heedless of a person wliich ensln-ines
1 he Avorth of
all

the world, quick interposed

to snatch

His powerful arm

me from

destruction.

For me, he braved the monster's mighty blows.

Falling like thunder strokes; his

manly breast

Was scored
Of

with wounds, and ruddier than a wreath

c:imson roses. But the tiger plied

His fangs and claws in vain

the hero triumphed

The
Lav.

furious savage fell beneath his sword.

I

Ah,

remember now
say you.

'Twas Makaranda.
lier.)

Mad,
Lav.

Whom

Makarand:i.

(taking holdoj

How now
AVhat are

we

all

alike

how chances

\i

That one so

free

from passion should betray

And blossom like

Without apparent cause, this agitation^ the round Kadamhu flower.*

projecting anthercc

* The Kadamha flower when

full

hkc

the

blown

is

iuvested

with

erect bristles of a

hedge-hog-


85
I

)
I often

Mad.

Why

laugh

at

me:

own

think

Of that

brave youth,
aid,

who

reckless of his safety

Rushed to my

and snatched me from the jaws

Of all devouring fate I frequent view him. As the sharp pain of his inmunerous wounds.
Forced the big drops from
his exhausted limbs.

And

leaning on his sword, awhile he stood.

closed his lotus eyes and fiinting
fell

Then

Content to leave

this g'orious living world.

For Madayaniika, and inhtr presence.

Should
Biiddh.
I think less of

one

who

saved

my

life.

Then why

this evident uneasiness.

It is

Mad.

Away

away
girl

because T

find.

My
Lav.

oldest friends mistrust

me.

Na3% dear

come be composed there should be no disguise Amongst such friends as we are us

We
know
that

which we know

Confess the truth

let

taste

The pleasure mutual

Buddh.

confidence bestows.

Lavangikd

is

right

Mad.

Well

must need.

Obey my friend.
Lav.

Come tell

us

how

of late

You
Mad.

pass your time.

Hear me: when

this

first

I saw

youth with Buddhm-alcsJiitd,

I

Confiding in her consciousness,

checked not

My heart from dwelling

delight according to

on

his pleasing image.

the

Hin-

to the

down of the body

the
to.

dus

gives

bristly elevation

phenomenon here alluded

86

brief indulgence

Destiny

full

soon
I

Withdrew his presence It -was then

found

How
The

deep a wound had ^Madaiia

inflicted

Life was distasteful to

me on my form
affliction.

scorching flames of passion fiercely preyed.

filled

And

my
is

kind attendants Avith

I

The only remedy

saw Avas death

And
Still

anxio

sought such welcome liberation.

Buddharakshila opposed

my purpose.
me

Assuaged
Still to

my growing

sorrows, and persuaded

endure

this transitory Avorld.

My

dreams since come

Place in

Bring
Fold

to animate my hopes; my eyes the object of my wishes. to my ears the music of liis voice,

me
I

within his grasp, and picture moi*e

tell

Than

dare

you till

wake and view

Avaste.f
I

Ah me the
Lciv.

world a lone and dreary

avowed, and well

'lis honestly

know.

It costs

onr friend here no small pains to liide

these feelings from 3'our tittering train*
chatter giddily
lier not,

Some of
Mad,
Has
Bud.
I

You
for

have done

Avith you.

Buddh. Regard

be sure that Miduti,

her ear some similar confession.

Mad, Nay

nay you must not laugh

have done, and now

at Mdlati.

^Vell I

have a question for you,

my tender friend, if you promise me

Inviolate secvecy.

* The Hindu Cupid. \ The latter part of ibis speech

is

somewhat compressed from

origiaal.

tlic

87

Mad.

What breach of trust Have I committed, that there needs such

is

promise.

]\ry heart

wholly yours, and Lavangikas.

siarht asfain

Su'ldh. If Makaraii la cross your

By any
Mad.
Baddk.

accident, wliat

would you

do.

My
on

eyes would rest unwearied^n his form,

And

my
if

heart

would heavenly rapture

fall.

And

by love directed he should

as

offer

Such gentle violence

Rukmini

Endured from

Purnsliollama'^

and wrung

Your

bridal

vows from you.

accor-

* A nnme of
^\na^\.o\\\c
was

A>/.//w:

Hari Bans, Rukmini the daugliter f Bhishmaka

and was
soliiriiirriage

kinsmen carried her ofTto Difffraid: a hot jnirsiiit follower',

and an engngnient took place
in wliich

kins^of Knndina,
tited ^in

Rukmi was
liis

struck to

by Krishna

the ground by Kesava, but his

life

of

vhom

she

was

enamoured,

wns spared at

sislcr's in-

biit the

son of Bhiskmn, Riiknii

tercession and Krislma remained

jenlons of Krishnns fame and

bei:.g incensed

possessed of his prize.

riap;e

The mar7)jiyflrffAtf

by the dtalli of
to the

was solemnized at

Kansfh hisfriend.washostile
nKitch,andneg()riated his

sister's

and Rukmini remained the chief of Krishnfi's wives. He had ten

sons by her, of
en7ut

rn-^rriage with Sisupala king of

whom

Fradj/u-

C/ie<i*,likewi:;einimicnlly disposed

towards Krishva.
of India

All the kings

h the most celebrated, The Rape of Rukmini is also

narrated nearly in the same words
as in the //?/uaHs in the 5lh

were invited

to

the

weddin'".andain0ngstthem came
Krishna,

who

seeing

Rukmini
re-

Section of the

Vishnu Purana
the 10th

proceed lo

offer her

devotions at

and more

in

detail in

a temple, way laid her on her

Book of

the

Bhagar a I, ami^ia

turn, and with the assistance of

his

the Krishna

Junma Khanila of

brother

Balarama and

his

of the Brahmavaivcrllu Piiranu.

88
tease

>
me,

^lad.

(Sighing )

Why

Witli such vain hopes,

Buddh, Nay answer me.

Lav.

Those sighs
secrets of her heart.

Deep drawn, betray the

And
Mad.
'

give you plain reply.

\\liat

do you

tliink

of me.

He bought this body when he risked his own. And snatched me from the tiger I am his.
'Tis generously

L<tv.

and gratefully resolved.

saidi

Bud.

You

Avill

remember what you have now

Mad.

Hark, (drums wilhout.)

the second watch begun.

The drum proclaims

I

must disturb

my
at

friend,

and try

to soothe

Her indignation

my

brother's conduct.

And
(Goes

then to rest

why, Mulaiiasleep.
his face,

to the couch,

Makaranda shews

and

catches

hold of her hand.)

Hey who
Mak.

is this.
;

Fear nothing gentle maid

Let not that palpitating breast

distress

Your slender

waist

in

me, behold your slave

By your
Ll.v.

avov/ed affection elevated

To highest ecstacy.
{Holding up Maiayantikus face.)
lover.

Behold your

The

object of your hopes. Within the palace.

servants soundly

The

sleepthe night

is

dark.

Now
Mad.

shew

j^our gratitude, let us take off

anclcts,

Our tinkling

and depart.
co.

Where

should

we

89

Buddh. Where Mdlati has gone.

3i1ad.

What, has she

;

fled.

Buddh. She has

now

let

me

see

What

must think of you.

( Madayiiidika weejjs.)

(ToMnha.J Noble youth

My
Mak.

dear friend gives to you

herself.

This

is

glorious conquest, and to day T reap

The

harvest of

my

youth

upon whose
this dear
let

festival.

In p; oof of friendship, the fish-bannered god*

Presents

me

in his

bounty

maid.
fly

Come, by

this private

entrance

us

Our

nightly journey will not

that cool

want

its pleasui'es.

The breeze

and fragrant sweeps along

The
As

lofty terrace, or the palace top.

it

Reveals the joyous scenes

has surveyed.

with the camphory balm, and flowery perfume.

odours, redolent
it

And winy
*

blows.

Exeunt.
here directs

Kama
his

or Cupid

who

bears

The

original

upon

banner the Malcarnvin

their exit and the following lines

aquatic monster, something like

the sign of Ihe Zodiac, Capticuruus.

are supposed to the street,

be

spokeu iu

END OF THE SEVENTH

ACT.

ACT

VIIl.

THE MANSION OF KAJMANDAKI.

Enter
Whilst
I
-will

Avalokitd.

my

mistress has gone to the palace of Nundimrr,

seek Mcidhava and Malati. A\\, there they sit upon

the marble platform crowning the steps of the lake, refresh-

ing themselves after the heat of the day

I will join them.

Exit.

THE GROVE.
Mdlatiand Mddhava discovered

Madh.

Night, ever friend to love,

To them, Avalokitd now spreads its shades.

air

Faint in the east the gentle moonlight gleams

Pale as the Pahii's sear

leaf,

and through the

The
The

slowly rising breezes spread around

grateful fragrance of the Ketaki.*
shall I

How

win

this
;

maid

to confidence.

My
The

dearest Mdlali

whilst I retain

cooling influence of the evening bath,

are oppressed with heat
:

You
Steal

the trembling drops^

;

from
o'er

A^our hair,

and quiver on your bosom

And

your graceful form, the down erect

:

Profusely rises

whilst

you

suffer thus

Cling to
*

my

side, as

once you favoured me.

strong sceuted flower (Pandanus odoratissimus.)

91

Why thus

averse.

Let those confiding arms.

Upon whose

taper length the sudden

dews

Start with alarm, as if the living

gem

muon distilled its gelid moisture. Twine round my neck and if this may not be* Why may I not be blessed with your discoui'se.
Kissed by the

What,

if this

frame, long scorched by southern gales

And by the lunar beams, may not aspire To 3'our embrace yet, let mine ear distressed

By the wild Kail's song, be now regaled By your melodious voice, more musical
Than
Ava.
are the choirs of heaven.

(Advancing)

What

folly,

this

What

inconsistency

late in

my

presence

When Mddhava but a brief interval Had disappeared, you were most misei'able " Where can my lord And thus exclaimed
;

delay

Would he were come -that

With
eyelids never veiled,
I

might gaze upon him,

1

and a
fly

reserve

Discarded wholly,

might
arm->"

to him.

And And
Madh.

clasp

him in my

those were your words

^

now, what

contrast.

(Mdlati looks
{Apart.)
all

at her spitefidlij.)

The Dame's

disciples

Are

endowed with

clear intelligence.

And

eloquence of speech (aloud.)

How,

Mdlati,

Speaks Avalokitd the truth.

(Mdlati shakes her head.)

Or are you sworn to siience by Of those whom best you love

the lives

92

Mai.

(In a hesUa'ing mcmner.)

lord

How

should

know,

mj

(pauses)

Madh.

Delightful though unperfect

sounds but

see

steals Whet should this From those fawn eyes/ and gli.-tens on that cheeii Upon Avhose pallid hue the moon beams play. As if the lunar orb desired to quaff

meanThe starting tear drop

The
Aiw,

nectar of

its
?

beauty.

Why is this Why start these tears Mai (To her.) How long must
?

regret

The absence of
Not
Madh.

LctV'ii:g-kd

is it

possible to gather tidings 'of her

(To Avalokitd.) "What says

my

love.

Ava

You have
she
It
is

recalled the

memory

of Lavangikd^

And
Madh.

anxious for some news of her.

I

was but now,

ordered Kalah^insa

To go, and secretly collect intelligence. At Nnndana's abode We need not fear The plan that was to win my friend a bride
Cannot have
'Ava.
failed.
it.

Be

sure of

But tell me Madhava ;

You gave your life and

heart to Mdlati,

When brought again to consciousness suppressed By fear for Makaranda's h eeding wounds.
Now,
if

that friend beloved should Avin the maid.

And thus your happiness should be increased. What gift remains to speak your gratitude. To him who may impart the pleasing tidings.

93

Mad/i.

She

tells

me what

to do. (loolcifi^ at his bosom.)

This garland,

wove

Of the
Whose

sweet flowers of that beauteous

tree.

That graced the grove oi Madana, beneath

conscious shade I
first

saw Malali,
been prest

Shall be

my

free will-gift.

It has

Already

to her

bosom

from my

liands
;

Conveyed by her dear

friend Lavini.iJcd

And

in her error, thinking that she to

gave

The garland

Luvangikd again.
it

To From
Arm.

bear to me,
her,

came

to

me

once more
I

by whom,

all

that

prize
to

is

given me.

Molali

This garland ought

in

be

Something
It

your esteem be on your guard

into a stranger's hands.

do not pass

Mai.

You

counsel well.
'Tis

Madh.
Mai.
Is

(Looki?ig out.)

Kalahansa.

{Approaching.) Fate favours you and Madayantihd

won.

Madh.

(Embracing her.)

The news

is

ecstasy
it

Takes the garland from

Ava.

his neck
to

and throws

on Mdluti's

The charge consigned

:

Buddharakshitd,

Is well accomplished

Mai.

And

I see

Lavangikd again.

Enter
Lav.

hastily Kalahans^,

idat/a-iliku,

Buddharakshitd,

and Lavangikd.
Help, prince, the city guard have sto >ped midway
gallant friend

Your

he checks

piu'suit alone;

That we with Kalahansa might escape.

Kal.

And as we fled, we heard on

;

every side

The gathering tumult

Has joined
Ava.
Aias
the guard.

so that I fear fresh force

how sad a chance

for

Madh.
Is

One hour produces happiness and terror. Come Madaycmlikd, my dwelling

honoured by your presence
is

my

friend.

His prowess

we)!

known be
little

not alarmed

Dread

not, thou^'h singly as lie

he contend with multitudes^

To such

odds are of
his

moment
right arm.

He

noed-s

no succor but

own

Resistless as the Lion,

when

deliglitedly

He
The

rings his clashing claws,

elepha-it's

and cleaves asunder.

broad temples, from whose hollows

flows over the shattered cheek*

I'he trickling

dew

Am')it:ous to pursue the glorious path

A hero treads,
Aoa.

I haste to aid

my

friend.

Exit milk Kalahaiisa.

Assuredly these heroes will return]

Unhurt
Mai.

Do you

and BuddJiarakshitd
this

Apprise Kdmandaki of
iMvungikd, overtake

mischance
;

my

lord

intreat him,
us.

1 hat he and his brave friend will think of

And

shun

all

needless danger

go, be speedy.
Exeunt
the three,
slic

After a pause.

Mai.

Lavangikd delays
is

This
I will

a fearful interval

why comes dear

not

girl (to

Madai/antikd)

go forth along the road, and see

95

If any of our friends return

Ma J. My right
As
Kap.
31aL

eye throbs.*
is

(re('ireit)

Mdlali

goin^ enter Kapahhindald

Hold.
{Screams.) Ah!
terrijial.

Husband

(in

an under

tone

stops

Kap.

Yes,
is

call

upon him.

Where
The

your love

the murderer of the pious-^

girls.
if

youthful paramour of wanton

Let him

your husband save you

he can.

Bird of the wild, that tremblest to behold

The hovering hawk what

marked

canst

thou hope

long

My

prey. I bear thee with

me

to Srt Parvald

There

to consign thee to a painful death.

Torn piece meal

victim of my just revenge.

Carrier off Malati--'
I will

Mad.

C Coming forrvard.)

even follow

Maluli

Ha!
Lav.

Mdlali.
T,

(Enters.) 'lis

Livangikd.

Mad.
Lav.

How, have you

I

seen the Princes.

have not.

Scarce had

we

left

the garden's boundaries

noise, the

When hearing the int reasing

Was And
As
lost

youth

Sprang speedily away, and in an instant

amidst the throng
it
:

in vain I followed

thought

better to retrace

my

steps.

I returned, I

heard from every house

* Ad unlucky oraea in a female a lucky one la men.


95
and

I?pjTvct for Mciloraiida

his friend

Tlie citizens were grieving for their fate.

The

King, they said,

had been informed the youths

Had borne away the daughter of the minister^ And f.iriously incensed had sent his guards To seize the fugitives himself awaiting Upon the palace terrace their return. Mad. Ah me unhappy, I have heard my death,

Lov.

But where
She went

is

Mdlaii

-^

Mad.

to

watch

The road you should return I then pursued Her steps, but have not seen her since most likely

She has gone

Lav.

into the

garden

Let us seek her

Hold,

who comes

here.

'Tis Kalaha7iSit, quick,

your news.
^ Enter Kalahansa^

Kala.
I think I

We have
now

got well out of the scuffle

Oh dear me.'
but awful ap^
hostile force

see the glittering

gleam of the polished Sa-

bres flashing in the

moon

light

pretty

pearance
assailed

and then what

ii*resistible,

a tumult

from the

by the

merciless,

and active Maka<

with a

randa, they fled in dismay and

confusion,

clamour

which

filled

the whole space of heaven,

the tossing waves of Kalindi\

their course

by when they were turned from

like that emitted

by the mighty plough of Balardma

menace that wine had
dictated.;}:

in fulfil-

ment of

the

I shall not

* In the original Kalahansa

enters and tells Ihe story to the

connect
+ The

his

narrative with the

business of the piece.

Audience which
the plot.

is a very clumsy and Chinese mode of conducting

Yamuna

or

Jtimni.
paid

+ Balarama, having
visit to his friends

short speech or two

and rehiti.ms

has therefore been introduced to

at Gokula,

speut two

moalha

97

forget either the prowess of

my
:

master Mddhava

he soon
speed,
va-.

cleared the road

of the soldiers

they ran with no

little

those
rious

who could,

Avhile covering

the road with heaps of

weapons thrown away

in their flight,

from the concent

trated thunder stroke of his formidable

truly a regard
for merit

arm

The king has

as
after the

His eye

dwelt with complacency

on the lovely countenances o^ Mddhava and Makara?ida

they
affray

stood before

him on the

terrace

whither

was composed by the monarch's attendants they had

been respectfully conducted,

Having

heard their rank and

connexions from me, the youths received every honour, and

hismajestyturningto Bhunvasu and Nandana

who stood nigh,

not

their faces as black as ink

with rage and disappointment,

;

said to

them very condescendingly

How now are you

as the

content with kinsmen such as these, ornaments of the world,

new moon so saying he withdrew to the interior and Mudhava and Makarunda were dismissed, they are now coming

eminent in worth and descent, and handsome

and

have been sent on before

to carry the

tidings to the

Pious Dame.
Lav.

(To

Mad/vjuntiku ) Delightful news for you, nor

less acceptable

To

our dear Mdlati

let us

haste to find her.

Exeiait
there chiefly iu
the
society

severally'.

of

Jieing elevated
lie

with wine vowed

her,

the Gopis or nymphs of that dis-

would compel

and accordwilli

trict on

one occasion,

heiiig

diiigly

dnigged her to him

desirous of bathiug in the Jh/hma,

from which he was a

remote, he

little

w:iy

plough share, the weapou he usually wielded, and only let

his

summoned

'the river

the

river

go again, upon the

x. 65-

to his presence.

VaniundTefas-

promise of future good behavi*

ed to come, on which Balaruma

outBhasavut

08

Enter Madhava and Makaranda.

Madh.
I

cannot chuse but marvel at thy prowess

So more than mortal

breaking thy way

;

resistless

Througli uU opposing- ranks

scattering the timidj

And

levelling the fiercest with thy arm.

On

either

hand the frightened troops

retired.

As forced my friend a path amidst the wave Of battle, tossing with innvimerous heads.
Mak.
I

do foresee the valiant wi

their fair

lose credit

With

nymphs, who

in these festal nights,

Irradiated with the lunar beam.

Pledge deep the wine cup, and impatiently

Court amorous dalliance from their lords returned.

They

will declare that

When
To
Madh.

they shall find

men are pithless grown, how ill the limbs are tuned

love

crushed, bruised, and mangled by thy vigour.

be unmindful of the clemency
displayed,

We must not

The king

whose favour overlooked

So readily our offences

come

long

To hear the story Kalaliansaka Has told, I know full well, to both the damsels. You must prepare to tell ihe tale again.
Whilst Madoyaniikci declines her head.
Veiling her eyes with modesty, afraid

To meet
Here
is

the sidelong smiling glance o^Malaii.^

the garden gate.

* Laughing at
say the

MadmjanULd
as

text and

comment wllh

regard to
pre-

conimeiiljitors

the

tliespeakers of this and the

causeofso much disturbance

there
is

ceding speech,

some confusion

in the


99

They enter
Mitdh.
Male.

Howall

deserted.
at hearing our return

Alarmedj no doubt,

Was intercepted, tliey must have dispersed. And hid themselves amid the garden shades.
Search we about.

They
Lav.

search,

and

enter

Lavangikd and Madayanlika,

Ho

Madayantikd.

Here's Mdlat'i

Ah no yet fate
is

is

favoui'able

,;

The
Blak.

princely youths return

Malati.

and Madh. But where

AVhere Malati

Ldv.

alas,

we thought the

tread

Of feet, bespoke
Madh.
]\Iy

her here.

]My heart misgives me

intent

mind on

that dear
all

maid alone

Desponds, and

my

inmost soul gives way.

]My

left

eye throbs

and then these wordsah me

me
for ever.
left us,

What hope
Mad.

remains, she's lost to

When

you had

Malati dispatched

The Dame's

attendants to their pious mistress

Lavangikd, she bade, convey her prayers

To her

loved Lord, to shun

for

all

needless peril-

Next anxious

your tidings, she herself

Went

forth to

watch the road

even

and siuce

that time

I saw her not

-we were

now engaged

In quest of her, amidst the shady groves^

When we
Madh.

encountered you

My dearest Malati.
crowd
spirit

How many thoughts of evil omen

Upon my

if 'tis in sport

thou hidest.

lOO

Forego the barbarous pastime, Behold

if in

anger.
try

me humbledif thou wouldst

is

my

love.

The
Women.
Mafc.

test

undergone: oh, yield reply

My heart
Oh
(to

can bear no

more now
where

thou art cruel.

dearest friend

art thou.

Madhavu.)

Do not yield
loss.

Thus
Madh.

to despair

uncei-tain of her
safety.

Oh

think what agony she must have suffered.

for

In terror

my

Mak.

That may

be. to seek.

But we have not yet thought

The
Wome?i.

venerable priestess.

Let us

fly to

her.

Madh.

Yes

let us haste.

Mak.

C Apart.)
dame,

If

we

should find the damsel

with the

'Tis well:

if

not, I tremble for her life.

is

Alas, too often

the happiness.
taste, as brief

That Kindred, Friends or Lovers,

As

Lightning's transient glare.

is,

* So Sha kespeare says of the happiness of Lovers, it

" Brief as the lightning in the collied night"

And
JuUet'\i

again,
is,

of the interchange of vows betweea

Romeo and

"

Too

like the lightning

it

which doth cease to be

Ere one can say

lightens."

END OP THE EIGHTH

ACT.

ACT
Enter
* From the
tall

JX.

THE VINDHYAN MOUNTAINS.

Sauddmiin.
Sri Saila,
I,

mount

Sauddmitii,

Have sought

the royal city Padmavati,

And now
Unable
to

the steps of

Mddhava pursue.
late

endure the scenes where

lost

His Mulati was

the youth
paths,
Alights.

is

wandering.

Attended by

his ever faithful friend.

Amidst these rugged

and rocky vallies.

How wide the prospect

Towns,
villages

spreads

mountain and rock.

glittering streams.

and woods and

There, v^here the

* This
style of
is

Par a and

the Siiid/m wind

less

precisely in the

however
Grecian,
ters

ir/miile

than

the

one of the Prologues

who makes

his

chnrac-

of Euripides,
serves,

who
it

as

Brumoy

oh-

not only

introduce thera-

thought

expedient that

selvesbut their connexions to the

a leading character should an-

audience. The Chinese historical

Bounce himself to the

according to Boileau,
declarat son
suis

audi-

Drama

offends

I)y

the same

self-

ence as speedily as possible, or

Qic"
il

enunciation of the person

and

purposes of the character,

much
con-

nom. Et

Oreste on

dit, Je Men ^gamem-

more extravagantly and

slantly than the Hindu.

non.

The Hindu

writer

is,

102

The towers and

temples, pinnacles and gates.

And

spires of ^Padmuvati, like a city

Precipitated from the skies, appear.

Inverted in the pure translucent wave.

There flows the Lavana's

frolic stream,

whose groves.

By

early rains refreshed, afford the youth

Of Pudniavati, p'ea^ant haunts, and where Upon the herbage brightening in the shower The heavy uddered kine contented browze Hark, how the banks of the broad Sindhu fall.
Crashing, in the undermining current.

Like the loud voice of thunder laden clouds.

* Padmavati as his he"n noticed
is

conceive

how

that could

hare

idenliiied by
(p.

llie

poelwith

united with the Sindh. \(h\ that

river the Kali Sindh o( the pre-

TJjjayin

5^) but the city must

liave been situated

much
lliin

nearei*
:it

sent day he intended.

The only
of

to the mountains
sent

pre-

confluence in the
Oiigeiu

vicinity

from

tlie

description
city

here

now

is

that of the SeenriA.

given.
lay

The old

however

rcuply

(Saraswali)
Sindh

Sipra

two miles north of the present, according to Sir J. Malcolm, Dr. Hunter says one, and
there

about

five miles to the

south
the

the Chota

falls into

Sipra a long way to the north,

must consequently have

still

and
tjie

tiie

larger
It

Sindh flows into

been a

older

Ougein
if

in

Chumbul.

seems most pro-

more more
ra,

southerly direction
lo the East also.

not

bable that Ougein stood

the South East than
it

more

to

and the

The PaMadhumati named

now

does,

below, appear to be the same, as

and nearer to the sources of the Sipra and the Sindh, in which direction

each unites with the Sindhu or

Sindh. If either or both the Sipra, the river
th;it

we have

also a

range of

intend

mountains which may be those

alluded to ia
llie text.

now

washes Oujeiu,

it

is

difficult to

103

The sound extends, and like Heramha's* roar. As deepened by the hollow echoing caverns.
It floats reverberathig

round the

hills.

Those mountains coated

Avith thick clustring AA''oods

Of fragrant Sundalf and

That southward
Impetuous
stretch,

the ripe MdUiru.X

iJecall to recollection the tall hills

where the Goddveri

flashes

through the dark deep shade

>

Of skirting forests, echoing t her fury Where meet the Sind/tu and the Madhianuii, The holy fane of Swernavindu rises.
The
lord of Bhasavati, Avhose

famed imaffe
all hail
;

Is not of mortal fabric,

(bowing.) Hail,

Creator of the universal world

*

Bestower
marked
variety of

iiarae of
is

Ganesd who havsupposed to have

strongly

ing the head

the Malabar Sandal tree.

Flora

the voice of an elephant.

Indica 2.464.
in

The
is

tree

specified

the

'X

fruit

tree

commonly

text
ally

the Chandana which usu-

called Bel. ( .'Egle marmelos.)

\ This

signifies

Sandal,

but the

was likely to be a Lin-

commentators

iiiliniate,what Dr.

ga, for which form of worship,

Roxburgh {Flora Indicd) confirms

dal,

Ugcin was particularly celebrated about the period of the

that the white or true Sanonly grows

Mo-

on the moun-

hammedan
l:\r

invasion, and proba-

tains of

Malabar or the Malaya mountains The commentators

suppose the Rakla

bly long before.

deity or

Of the parlicuLinga howeverhere

Chandana

alluded to, no mention elsewhere

has been traced, nor are the Pun.
dils

may

be the red Sanders (Ptero-

carpus Sanlalinus) but perhaps

the tree intended
tnliim

acquainted with any legend

it.

may

be the San-

relating to

The name

implies

or Syrium

mijrlifolinm
cir-

the drop (I'indu) of gold (^werna.)

which grows in the northern

cars and

which Dr. R. considers

104

Of all good gifts Source of the sacred Vedas / God of the crescent crested diadem Destroyer Of love's presumptuous power Eldest Lord

And teacher

of mankind,

all

glory be to

thee

Guhig.

This mountain

is

in truth a grateful scene.

The peaks

are blackened with neAv dropping clouds.

And

pleased the peafowl shriek along the groves.

the tangled bowers.

The ponderous rocks upbear

Where
The

countless nests give brightness to the gloom.

inarticulate

whine of young she-bears.

hills
;

Hisses and mutters through the caverned

And

cool,

and sharp, and sweet, the incense spreads.

Shed from the boughs, the elephant's tusk has sundered

Looking.
'Tis

noon
the

the

*Lapwing

for the tCassia's shade.

its

From
*

XGamhhdri wings

way. The Pelicanf

Purtiilcd

The

Koi/ashthiJca which as
is

The

which

is

con-

Ihe commentators say

i.ime of the

asyno-

sidered by

some

to be the

same

Titima

or Lap-

with the

Parukauri which ac-

wing.-It

is

also

said to

imply
tiic

cording to Buchanan as quoted

in Carey's Bengali Dictionary is

the Koitui
"'''''^-

moaniii- perhaps

kind of Pelican (Pclecanus

The Cassia Fistula. + The Gamhhnri is a

fnsicollis.)
tree,

(Gmelina arbor ea.)

In the Vocabularies itappears as a synonirae of 7\ iuckinnd or the the Cleft-nose

'

103

Whose beak
The

has sipped the acid fruit* beside

sti-eam, hastes

now

to plunge amidst

its

waters.

The Gallinule creeps panting to the hollow The t Tinisa presents, and lower down. Amidst the woods, the wild fowl make reply. To the soft murmuring of the mournful Dove,
As
in her nest she

pours her frequent song

to the youths,

Enough I now
Such consolation

Avill

and

ofFer

them
\_Exit.

as I

may.

Enter Mddhava and Mahurunda.

Muk.

How

deary

is

the

state,

when nor

the

miud

Dare

cherish hope, nor

may

indulge despair

Like helpless brutes fate whirls us round

And
Madh.

ever plunges us in

new
ere

misfortune

at will

Ah

Mdlati where art thou

how so soon
truth

Couldst thou desert

me

my

was known.

Remorseless maid, relent

behold my sorrows.
I

How
Once

canst thou prove thus cruel to that Mudhava.

so beloved,

behold me
wliat

am

he,

commonly Nakchhali. But

bird
is

Hog
/us,

plum.

It is also

a Synonime

inlciiiled
is

by that appel-

of firana, Andropagon vuirka-

lation

not

a kind of

known unless it be Toucan or Horn, bill

and of other plants, hut that

is

intended by the author

a legu-

according to some authorities Purnika is considered synoni-

mous
the

with A'M/^/ti''" makshiku, Crocodile

fly

commonly

minous plant as the bird is said to have tasted the Simbi of the plant, the Pod or legume. Another Synonime is the Sinsapa or
Sii>n,J)all)crgiaOugeiniensis.

Pankhi or

Pulavingaa, largu

moth or Butterfly * The name in the

Asvianlaka which
is

text

is

t The Tinisa is a tree the name of which has not been ascertaiiied
:

one Syno-

carriage wheels

are

uime of Spondida Mangifera or

made

of

its

wood.

106

On whom
Conferred
Alas,

thy liand, bound with the golden thread,*

in otlier

days embodied
in the

bliss.

my

friend,

where

world again
1,

Shall equal tenderness be found

long.

Endured with withering

limb, like drooping flowret*^

till

The

feverish pangs of love,

in the end.

Unable further

to sustain the conflict,

I was content to cast

away

my

life

Like worthless grass

What

then remained for me.

But

to secure

with gentle violence.

Before the marriage
rite.

That precious hand.

Ere

had dared to hope, you

may

recall

My

still

encreasing passion, sealed with tears.

Emaciate limbs, and heart distracting anguish.

Such

as I was, I

am, and

still

my mind
it is. ;

Is tossed with agony.

How

strange

This heart that sorrow lacerates does not break

This frame that sinks with anguish, cannot lose

Its conscious

being

on my
my

vitals

preys
;

A burning
]\Ia\:

fire,

yet turns them not to ashes

bliss

Fate piecemeal tears

yet spares my

life.

As

fierce as destiny, the

ill

flaming sun,

Accords but
Let us here

with your exhausted strength

rest aAvhile

upon the marge

whose shallow waters.

Of this wide

lake-^-across

Cool with the spray, and fragrant with the odour*

Gleaned from the yet young

lotus,

gently blows

The

fresh

and friendly breeze

It will revive

you.

* Tart of (he innrriiige cere-

or thread round the wrist of th

bride.

luony

coiiiiuls in

tying

a string

107
sit.

They

(Makaravda continues
(Aloud)

to himself.)
liis

I will endeavour to divert

JVIy friend, a

thoughts
interrupt your tears.

moment

Behold awhile the beauties of this lake,

Where

on

its

slender stem, the lotus trembles.

passing-

Brushed by the

Swan,

as

on he

sails^

Singing his passion.

Mddhavajumps
Mali.

tip.

He

heeds

me

not,

and now would hence

myfriend

One
That

instant pause
o'er the

taste the delightful

perfume
scatters.

wave the bending Bay as*

Or tJasmine
Observe,

clustering round the flowery shore.

how

smile the mountains, thickly set

With budding

Kutajaa,^ up to the very peaks.

Where

stretches dark the

canopy of clouds.

Inspiring rapture in the dancing peafowl.

Thick on the

hill's

broad bosom the Kadamha^

:

Shews

bright with countless blossoms

on the summit.

Rest the black clouds in lengthening

line: the streams

Descend through rows of budding

* The Bayas or Bent a kind of
tal tree.

Ketukas,\\
corollels

The

of

tlie

cane (Calamus Ilolan.;

+
luine

Flower are numerous, forming a

large peifeclly globular heautiful

Yulhika great flowered Jas-

(J grandiflorum.)

It is

orange coloured head, with

name of a creeping kind of Jasmine. (J auriculatum) + The Kuluja is a small tree

also a

the large white clubbed sligmas

projecting /"/or.
|1

/nf^tcrt

'2.

121.

The Kelaka or Kelaki has

(tFrighlea unlidyisenleiica.) k The Kadamba has been l)efore alluded to

as

been already noticed as a flower

with a strong odour. (Pandanwt

the

Naudea

odora lUsimuii.)

Cadamka, a large aud uruamcu-

108

And
With
Madh,

fill

the waving

woods now laugh emblazoned

woods present

the "^SUindhra and the Lo(lhrn\ flowers.

I

mark,

my

friend, the distant

beauteous sight, but what of that

Ah me.
in the breeze

What

else should thought suggest the days approach

AVhen the long

line of clouds shall

shed on earth

Their amaranthine drops

trembling

That from the

east

comes powerful, and embued

and Arjuna

With the

rich odors of the SdlX

Those days

that boast the grateful interchange

Of heat and
The

moisture, and the fragrant breath

earth bestows, sprinkled with gonial showersMdlali,

Ah

how

can I bear to contemplate

The young \\Tamdla bowed beneath the Aveight Of the light rain the quivering drops that dance
;

Before the cooling gale; the joyful cry

That echoes round,

as pleased the

peafowl hail

The bow
Mak.

of heaven propitious to their loves. (Faints)

hapless
is

How

the state of

my

dear friend
feel
'

My

heart of adamantine mould could

Some taste of pleasure now alas all hope For Mddhava is lost. How void of sense

He

lies

Ah!

Mala/'/,

how

canst thou be
is

* The SHindhra is name of which is not

a tree the yet to be

% The Sal

a vahiable timber,

tree (Shorea robusta.)

^

found
+

in

Botanical works on In-

A
A

kind of tree (Pentaptera

tree

diiin plants.

t4rjuna.)
is

The Lodhra or Lodh

l):uk

j]

remarkable for black

pictori-

tree (Symplocosracemosa) the

flowers
ns.)

(Xanlhocymus

astringcnt

of

whicii

is

used in dying and in making ink.

109
for

Thus unrelenting
Your

once

him you scorned

friends and ventured boldly He has done No wrong to thee, then why this stern desertion. He does not breathe Fate ro!)S me of my happiness. My heart is rent my fibres fall apart.
is

The world

blank

I burn Avith inward

fires

My

soul sinks plunged into the glooms of hell.

And dim

obscurity veils every sense.

What shall I do .The gentle source of pleasure To friendship's heart the orb whose radiance shed
;

Ambrosia on the eyes of Mdiali

the happiness
me

Of Makaranda, the bright ornament Of all the world, now perishes alas

My friend my Mddhava ihon wast to

The Sandal of my
form, the autumnal

moon

Of these fond eyes and rapture to my heart. Now am I slain untimely fate uproots A life that knew no other wisli than thee

Remorseless, deign to smile upon thy friend.

Speak

to

me

if

but to say dost thou not ku-ar

The anguish

of your old companions's breast.

to recover.)

(Mddhava appears

Delightful shadows shedding on the world

New

life

the cool refreshing drops that

coerulean cloud* revive
is

fall

From yon

my

friend.

+ The expression

Achira

plies a light

ami clear bine, I)iit

dhaula Rdji pattariichirachhavi why does not appear. The liajd Shades of the lint of Rujii palla palta is properly a royal fillet or
which has not loncj been cleaned:
this the
tiara.

Jagaddhara says

it

means
it

commentators say im-

Kheti, and

MalanUa

explains

UO

Madh.

(Recovering. J
to find

Where

in this thicket

may

hop

An

envoy

to

my

love

ha,

yonder winds
;

Around
Black

the mountain's brow, the gathering cloud

as the tall
it's

Tamula
it

As
pours

it

stoops

From

high course,

its

tribute

dowu

Into the river bed, that gliding laves

The ebon Jamhu groves

laden with

fruit.

(Rises and hows.)

Thy form the lightning lovingly entwines Thy coming, thirsty t6'A^//irt^ proclaim,
Rtiyutipraslara or

R ay all 9,\oi\c.

JVer mil each wanderte, mil euch

schiffte,

Imt neither of these words are fouiul ill any Dictionary, Hindi
vv Bengali, nor can the Pnndils
explain Ihetn.

Gritssct

mir freundlich mein

Jugcndland.
Ich bin grfangeii, Ich bin in Ban-

* An address to

a cloud as a

den,
t/icli

messenger to a beloved ohject

is a

ich

habe''

kein

andern ge-

standin;^ rule in IliiuUi poe-

adnlen

Irv,

lengthened sn|)plicati()n
1

Frey
Ihr

in L'uj'ter is
scs/d nick

cure Balm

cfsncha character
to the public in the

have given
Diila

dieser hiiniginn

Megha

untcrlhan.
Light clouds, ye l)arks of
air,

orClond Messenger, the celehrity of which poem probably made

such kind
inon place. of invocation com-

Who
My

with ye

sails

or flies?

To my

youth's home, oh bear,

We

have however a

hearts recordinj; sighs

I

similar address in a poet of ino(lern

In captive bonds

lonely pine
is

Kuropeand although Bha-

Nor other envoy now

Save ye,

mine.

rahhnli

may

have

borrowed

who

freely track

your

from Kalidus we cannot suppose

Schiller WAS under a similar ligation
ol)-

way And no tyrannic queen

+

obey,

when

in

hisMariaStuart.
the
clouds.

bird which
rain.

is

said to drink

Mary addresses

no water but

Eiltnde wolheti, Seglci der Lvflc

in

>

The e.ast wind

fans thee with

its

gentle bi-eath

And
Hark

India's
;

bow

irradiates

thy course

with deep voice, he answers, and the sound

INIixed with the Peacock's raptured cry, reverberates

Along tha

eclioing caves.

He

bids

me

speak,

Majestic cloud

if haply as thou roamest

Free on

thj"^ aii'y

path, thou shouldst behold

My

love

allay the conflicts of her

mind.

Tell her her M/idhava'x distress

but heed.
life.

You do

not snap the slender thread of hope

sustains her fragile

That now alone

He onward bends
Mak.
Is clouded

his course. I too will hence, {'going.)

Alas, the reason of my noble friend

by insanity

Pious dame
of

Observe

his state,

and h nd thy guardian aid

Madh.

How now the beauty

my

love

view

her eye, the deer display. stolen her gait her grace The Elephant has The waving creeper shews she has been
In these young buds
slain.

And

all

her charms are scattered through the wild.

faints.)

My
MaJc.

my Malati (he Obdurate heart wliy break'st thou

love
affliction as

not, afflicted

^y Mdhhavn's
The The

my

friend.

shrine of all desert, lord of

my
Jiis

life,

fellow of my childhood's sports

in

youth

My
Nal.

fond associate, thus laments

love.

(Sighing and rising.)

Such

close similitude the

hand of Brahma.
Creates but sparingly
Ho', ye,

it

must be so.

who

tenant these high toAvering rocks.

And

Ijafy Avood* I call to

you

a while

112

Grant

me

attention* Tell

Amidst

these wilds a

me have you seen nymph of lovehest beauty.

Or know ye where she strays I will des ribe Her charms Love rages tyrant in her bosom.

But

lavishes his bounties

on her form

cry

Alas, the peafowl as he dances wild

With
With

rapture,

drowns

my

sorrows with his

rolling eyeballs the Lliakorai flies

After his mate

the Ape

in sport

besmears
I

His cheeks with flowery dust

whom should
;

sue to;

Vain the request imseasonebly proffered

There, leaning on the Rohin's% hoUoAV stem, the elephant

Wearied supports

his

trunk upon his mate

With

the sharp points of his vast tusks he rubs

The corners of lier eyes he fans her form With his broad ears, and thrusts into her mouth
The broken fragments of
the incense bough.

How

blest the master of the forest herd-

But yon dejected animal bewails

His absent female.

To

the muttering clouds

He breathes no murmured echo from the lake He gleans no grateful fodder, and he roams
With humbled brow, where
silent sits the bee.

Deprived the nectar of the frontal juice.

Enough
*

of this despondence

I will hence.

enough
It

The commentator is prosaic to assert Mudbava ad-

of the

soil

and the

forest, to the
prt-side

Faun

and Dri/ads who

red

dresses the animals of the forest,

over llieniounlain and the wood.

+ The
legged or

may besojbullhe Hindu system

Greek

authorises an appeal lo the ^ihala

Partridge {Tctrao rvfus.)

;}:

Devalas and Vana JJcvatas, Ccriii

livt{^tidt'riouia Rohitaka.)

113

This

is

indeed

tlie
:

proud
his

exultin<T

monarch
invites

Of the huge herd

The

mighty roar
;

Grateful his willing mate

down his broad

cheek.
.

viscid fluid sheds such cooling odour,

tlie

As from

newly ripe Kadamha breathes.

He rends away the lotus leaf, and stem. And roots, and filaments, as in the lake He madly plunges, frightening from their
1 he osprey and the heron,* and

nestg

to the tune

Of his ferocious love, Waved dancing, lash

his

ponderous ears
"

the water into foam,

I will approach him. Sovereign of the wild.

Thy

youthful prowess merits praise no less

thine ingenious fondness for thy mate.

Than

With water

fragrant with the rich perfume.

Drawn from the flowery lake, thou washest down The savoury morsels of the lotus stalk.
With
wiiich thou erst hadst fed her

then

in sport

Thou

scatterest with thy trunk the silvery spray

Upon

her brow

ah shame why wav'st thou not

lotus over her, as a shade

Tile straight

stemmed

Against the sun

Ah meupon the
I

brute,

I waste the hours due unto

my friend.
would
I taste

Yet Malcaranda
In
this, I

lament the most

grieve alonenor

Of any

pleasure that thou couldst not share

is

Perish the day that

not spent with thee.

And

with

my

Mdlati. False are the joys.

That spring
* Or

for

any source but her and

thee.

more

correctly the Siiras or Indiaa Crane.

>

114

Male.

Alas, amidst his wanderings he recalls

The fervour of his friendship and some chord. Awakes his love, though reckless of my presence. C Advances.) Behold me here your faithful^ sorrowing, friend.
JMcidh.

My

friend, can

il

be true

oh

let

me be

Convinced by thine embrace -alas,

1

I die.

have no hope

Mak'

my Mdlaii (faints.) The consciousness that my Alas (Looking.)

is lost

em-<

brace

Had

waked, again has flown

wliat

hope

is left

me.

Alone, the sad conviction

now

survives

]My friend
I

is lost

to

me

ah

Mad/iavu

now may
its

banish

all

those needless fears

For your
-Has in

tranquillit}',

my

anxious heart

love unceasing entertained

Ah, happier were the moments of

dit^tress
is

That

still

evinced perception. All

this

over.
;

And now,
Life
is

body

is

a barren load

congealed

the faculties are dim.

And

all

the world a blank

Time
now

is

the source

Of ceaseless

anguish, and the living world.

that thou art gone.

Cold, dead, and cheerless,

Now

what have

I do,

beholding thus

The fate of Madliava it shall be so From this tall mountain summit, will
Into the stream

plunge

the herald of my friend,

at

And

glad precede him to the shades below*

(Approaching and looking

t Allhougli
this csprcssion

Mddhava.)
the Hindu

not
is

in the

text

lifiable for

mylho"

i-crfccllj jus-

logy accords precisely with the

115

Is this the Insatiate

.

form

have so

oft

embraced

and wliose grace the eye of Mdlali,

till

Bewildered with a love

Delighted drank

then unknown.

how wonderful, combined

years
fills't,

Such

countless merits witli such early

Upon

the world's tiara didst thou shine

Tile glittering

gem, and now thou

full

prey

like the moon to Rcihu's jaws Consigned or like the volumed cloud, thin scattered
To
death

Before the driving breeze, or like the

tree.

That

ere

it

puts

it

goodliest blossoms forth.

Consumes
Let

to ashes in the forest's blaze.

me

once more embrace him, and address

"My

last farewell to

my

expiring friend
;

Shrine of pure knowledge, and of noblest wortli

Reflexion surpassing loveliness Divinity Of Of female hearts Autumnal moon that swaj'ed
Lord of the
ail
life

of Mulaii

The tide of friendship's main and charmed O? Mafcaranda and the pious priestess

the days

My

friend,

my

Mi'ulhava

accept

this

lasf'.

This fond embrace

from him whose

who now
little

life

began

Before thou wast, and

terminates

His blighted days.

while he lives

And

do not thou forbid his fixed design

life I

Through

have partaken of thy fortune,

;

And
Greek
in

drank in childhood of thy mother's milk

sending the souls of

judge, they are thence conveyed

to Tartarus or Elysium, to JVa-

the dead to receive judgement

in the infernal regions, and ac-

cording to the sentence of their

raka or Suerga, according to their evil or good deeds.


116

It

must not be, that thou

slialt

quaff alone.

The sad

Kbations of thy sorrowing kin.

{^Leaves

him and

retires.)

Deep iniderneath
Flows rapid
Grant

the precipice, the stream

hail

Mighty Lord of Gaarl

life, I

me

with Mddhava such future birth.

again

That, as in this
In that to come

may

be.

his follower

and friend

(Going

to precipitule

himself is withheld hy Saudamini'y

Forbear

Mak.
Sand.

my son forego your desperate purpose And who art thou that seek to stay my will.
'st

Art thou not Muharanda.

Mak.
I

Let

me go me
behold.

am

that luckless wretch.

Sand.

In

The mistress The

Mak.
^Saud,

of supernal power,* and see

vestiges of Mdhitt

(shews the Bakula garland.)

what insanity
to

How lives she. Do not fear but

is

Is this,

and how unwelcome

he.

your friend-

Where
Mak.
Madh.
I left

With

despair o'ercome, even

now

him let us seek him haste

(Recovering.)

Who

wakes

My soul to

sorrow once again

the wind.
laden clouds.

Scattering the

new and heavy

Regardless of
Male.
+ Or
I

my woes,

has broke

my

slumbers

Blest sight

my friend revives
one who by the pracllce of the Fogd

am

Yos;ini

has acquired supeiiiiitural powers


117

(
Sciitd.

(Looking al
both

Mddhava then

npar(,)

The forms

of

These youths

Maih.

has Mdluti with truth described. Hdil eastern Gale disperse the drooping clouds^
disappoint the longing Chdtaka

And

Silence the peafowl's cries, and turn to stone

The blossoms of the Keiaki The absent lover lost to sense

His misery
;

aAvhile
forgot

thou again hast called his soul

To
Male.

conscious agony: what wouldst thou

more

The

all

pervading wind diffuses

life

To
JSIuih.

creatures animate
Celestial breeze,

Bear, with the fragrant odors thou hast

wrung

From the A'f/a?6a blossoms, to my love. The life of Mudhava or rather breathe From hei, impregnate with the cooling perfume Of her delicious form thou art alone

My hope.
(Bows wUh joined hands
Saud.
1 his
well
is

applied to his forehead.^ ^

the season to present

garland.
I

The
Madh.

known

(Throws

it

over his hands.}

Hathe wreath

wove

Of Baknla flowers, amidst the sacred shades Of Kama's temple, and long fondly worn Upon the bosom of my best beloved
It
is

the same

this

is

the part
ed laterally to the middle of the forehead, so that the tips of the tiiunibs only are in contact with
it.

S In Ihe

Jnjali or
p.ilins

respect-

ful obeisance, the

headisslighUy
of the hauds
rais-

bowed the

are brought together, and

118

Lavangikii was pleased to hear ray Malali

Pretend was strung awry

a mere pretext.

To

veil the irrepressible delight.

Her

radiant countenance too p'ain revealed.

(Jumj^s up )

Now

Malati behold

ah no, you heed not

is

My hapless state my parting breath escapes,

ISly heart

desponds

my body

on

fire.

And darkness

spreads around

me oh

be quick

You need not mock my soitoav cast upon me One bliss^diffusing glance oh, be not pitiless.
{Looking
rojind, then at the

garland-)

ilow did she give me

this

welcome dear wreath

v/elcome, most Avelcome

The

favourite of my love

and long her friend

the scorching flame
all

Oh whence soever borne, When on that gentle form,

Of love
resistless

preyed, and

her maidens

DespaH-ed

thy grateful succor saved the days Of Malati she clasped thee her bosom.
to

And dreamt
Well

she pressed her lover to her heart.

I recall

thy various passages

neck, and that of

Between

my

my

beloved.

Engendering tenderness, exciting hope

And animating
Male,
llevive

passion's

glowing

fires.

(Puts the garland

to his heart

andfaints.)

my

friend
I

{fanning him.)

Madh.

Ila

Maharanda

Didst thou not

see how

i\Mfl//V affecff on

Was

sealed with her f lir

hand how

chanced

it

say-

Dost thou not knoAv.

119

Mai.

This holy dame has brought

tidings of the maid.

Some
Madh.

( Boiling.) With favouring ear

Receive

my prayers --oh
live.

tell

n\Q--Mdl(Ui

Say, does she

Saml
She

Be

of good clieer

my

son

lives.

Madh.
Sand.

How where oh speak.

Some while ago
at
it

chanced,

Aghora ghanta
Fell by the

Kardld's shrine
in rescue

arm oi MduJiava,

Of his fair maid. Madh. Enough I know the

whole,

Mah.

How
Is
it

so.

Madh.

Kapcihdundald
e'en so

his partner.

Mak.
Saud.
MuJc.

My
Alas

son conjectures

riglitly.

how beauteous did the imion shew

moon
light,

Of the
1
ill,

bright

and the lotus bed,

like a

dark unseasonable cloud.

Fate frowning came to intercept their joys.

Madh.

Into

Avliat

dreadful hands has Mdlali

Now fallen to what exposed oh lovely maid How couldst thou bear the grasp unpitying
Of the
fierce fiend

like the pale struggling moon

By hideous
jMalign,

meteor seized. Kdpalakundald

Respect her tender form

and learn benevolence

repress thy the flowret

spirit

By

nature delicate, should not be crushed

AV^ith blowS;,

but gently twined around the broWt

120

Sond.

Enoiif?h Tie
flares

She

not

calm remorseless as she Is, harm the maid I will prevent

{Ixming.J Accept our

her
say,

Mctdh. and Med:

to

thanks oh

what we owe
friendly care.
It is enouj^h at present.

Thy
Saud.

To learn, that in yom* cause 1 will exert The powerful knowledge, mystic rites and
Devout observance and a sainted teacher.

prayers,

Have armed me with come Mddhava attend mei (Takes hdd of Mddhava, and they disapj)ear.J
Mak.
Astonishing reverse

the fearful gloom

7

Yields to the lightning flash of hope, and instant

The cheated eye resumes its wonted faculty

(Looks
0iind.)

How now my
The dame
But
this
is

friend not here

wliat can this be

rites.

powerful in her magic

alarms

me from
to agitate

one fear escaped

heart.

Another comes

my

My mind
I'll

is

tossed amid.it delight

and dread.

And doubts
Is

one moment caused, subside the next

seek the priestess,

who amidst
and

the woods

roaming with her

friends,

to

her ear

Impart these wonderous chances*

Exit,
rAJ>

OF TirE KJNTII ACT.

ACT

X.

ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST.

Enter Kdmunduli,
Kujn.
Dlr/duT/cmtlkd
child,

mid Lavangikd.

My

pride,

my

my

Mdlali,

where

art

thou

Oh

yield

me

a reply

your

countless graces.

Your modesty, your

Rise to

elegance, your gentleness

my memory, consume my And rend my heart asunder. Oh,

I well recall

frame.
ray daughter,

your

infant countenance.

Your

pleasing prattle, and the transient tears.

smiles,

And

that

shewed the young teeth budding

forth.

Mad. and Lav. Oh

dearest friend,

more radiant than the

moon.

Ah
As

whither hast thou flown

can fate assail

Remorseless thus, thy form as delicate

the Sirisha blossoms, and pursue thee

Unfriended and alone.

Oh Mddhava
embrace

Thy promised joys

Kam.
Alas

are blighted in this world.

my

children, in your fond

And new
That
fells

delight, fate, like a rising gkle.

the tree and tender vine together,

122

Ha-; strudv ye to

tlie

ground.

Lav.

Oh cruel maid^ How can you punish thus the stony

cease to beat with hope.

hearts

That

Mad,
Lau.

Nay do
Alas, vny

not yet.

Yield to despair.
life is

turned
will not leave

To adamant, and

me.

Kam. My ; From birth, Lavanglkd was dear

dear child

to thee,

Anddojt thou
Disdrinlng
life

not compassionate her now,

Deprived of

thee, her

days

Are fading
Knmnnduki

into gloom, as fluttering sinks

oil

The lamp no
\\

supplies

How canst thou quit

ithin

whose garb enfolded.

Thy infant limbs to health and beauty gi'ew. From the maternal breast, v/ast thou confided

A*
At

delicate plaything to

my

guardian care

first to

ply thy sports, but more advanced

U'o l::arn the duties of

thy state

now grown
all

To

vears mature,

have beheld thee wedded

the world,

a loved husband, picked from

Blorethan a mother's claims upon thy love.

Have I~Ingrate

thou
1

leav'st

me

to despair.

Ah
Or
*

me,

vainly hoped I should behold

at

A beauteous boy, hang fondly

sport

thy breast.

upon thy
an
ivory

ip,

his

brow and forehead

;

Literally,

doll;

Dnnlii panchdlihd

Danla

Iiere

sncauiiig the tooth of the

Elepliant.

J23

White with protecting

flour,*

liis

lovely face

Brightened with causeless smiles.

Lav.

Most holy dame,

no more endure
this load of life
:

I can

This precipice relieves

me of

the burthen:
in after life

Grant
I

m->

your blessing that

may once more behold my

^ly daughter.
is

friend.

Kayn.

Life

alike

unwelcome

to

my bosom.

Deprived of
Invades

my

dear chihu-en, and defspair

my

heart, but different merits claim

different birth,

and

if

we should
life

not gain
co.i e.

Reunion with our

friends in days to

Abandonment of present

would yield

No
Lav.

fruit

but vaia repentance.

so.

Be

it

Kavu
Mad.

Daughter, Maday^intikd.

Your commands

If they direct

me

lead the

way

to deathj

Behold
Lov.

T am

prepared.

Dear friend

From
Mad.

self-destruction
I

refrain Keep me in your memo'y.

not subject to your will.
is

Away,

am

Kam.

(Apart.) Alas! there

no hope.
of the s.ime with

* The powder of white

tartl is

r.iiis-

itiixtiire

nil

nnd

applied to

the toj) of Ihe

rice

i^

scatlercj about in every

headaiul Iheforelieaii, and other

parts of a

quarter upon the rommencenient

new

l)oru

child, as a
spirits.

of a sacrifice to keep off gliosis

prolGclion against cyil

and

fiends.


124

Mad.

Jpart.) Dear husband, fare thee well.

'Jhis
is

Law
.

the loftiest point,

and

far

below

The Madhumati
Kam.

twines

its

glittering zone.

Enough

aur pirpose brooks not of delayj

the fearful glooii*

(Thetj are about to casl Ihemselves dotvn.)

JFithoul.']

Asionishiiig reverse

Yields to the lightening flash of hope.

Kani.

Who

comes,

Mi'Jcuranda,

My son.
Enter
Say how
is this.

Mah.

(lame of

more than mortal powers has

usedi

Her

art in

our behalf.

\JVHh(Ad.~\

A fearful
life,

crowd

is

gathered

BhurivusUy

Desp'sing

and spurning worldly hopes.

Since he has learned his daughter's death, repairs,

To cast himself into the raging flames At Siveniav'mdu's shrine Alas, we all.
Shall

mourn

his fate.

Lnv. and Mad.

How

short an interval

Rejoiced those lovers in each others sight.

Earn, and Male.
events

Tis most miraculous

what

strange

This day alternate; drops of fragrant sandal

And sharp edged swords in the same shower commingle; And sparks of flame, and streams of heavenly nectar.
Descend together from unclouded
skies.

The

life

restoring drug with poison blends

And

light

and gloom; and destiny entwines

lunar rays together*

The thunderbolt and

125
father

Mai. (W'dhout.)

Dear

hold oh,

let

me view
again.

The

lotus of thy countenance

oh turn
brillian

Thy

gaze upon thy child

liow, for my sake.

boast

Canst thou desert thyself, the

Of an an:picious
Both
eartli aiid

race whose fame pervades

heaven

is

ah,

wherefore purpose thus.

Again
Kuni.

to

plunge

me

into bitterest woe.

this
:

My

daughter

how

art thou redeem^ed

peril
;

From death, once more to be exposed to As lurk the demons of eclipse to seize
The
JL,av.

feeble

moon

scarce struggling out of darkness.

Behold our friend

i\I('il.ii

Enter Mudhava
Mudh.
Fear
Alas
!

carrying

senselesS'

from danger rescued, has again

fallen

upon thee

v.'ho shall

bar the

.^ate

To
liak.

shut out adverse destiny.

IVIy friend
is

Where

the dame.
Ave hicher speeded.

Madh. With her

Swift from Sri Pdrvaia, but wiien Ave heard

The news
I

the foresttr imparted to us

missed her suddenly.

Kam

and Mul-.

Befriend us

still

Oh Dame of power why hast thou disappeared.

;

Mctd end Lav.

i\Iy Mdlati, I

speak to thee, thy friendis

Priestess, preserve us, still she

insensible;
is

She does not breathe, her heart

cold. Alasj

The

sire

and daughter are

to each other

196

111

turn, the instrument of death.

Kam.
Madh.
]\I(ik.

My deav child. My Love. My friend.

(Looking up.)
fall

Katn.

What we'come drops

to aid us.

are these

That
Mcidh.

from heaven

She revives
sighs relieve her hibouring breast, her hei rt
its

Long

Resumes

pulse

her gentle eye unf.)Ids,

stillness that

And
The

from unconscious

dear face

Once more expands,

lotus bares
its

as at the

dawn of day
and the prayers

bosom

to the sun.

(Behind.)

Deaf

to the king's entreaties,

Of Nandatia, though humbled at his feet. Upon the flaming marge, the minister

By m^ iias been To life and joy.

heaven,

prevented, and recalled

Madh, and Mak. (Looking up.) Mark, ho!y dame

TliC kind m.ngician pours

From

upon ouv

hearts-,

Th?
Kam.

nectar of her tidings: they surpass

1 he virtue of the ba
Blest news.

my

shower.

AIL

Our happiness

is

now

secure.

Kam.
Mai.

My

ihildl

'Jhe priestess!
at her feel, Ki'imandaJd raises

(FaUs
Ka?n.

and cmhraca her.)

Restored to
friends,

life

my

cliiid,

to life restore

Your

and with your fond embraces, cool

(
As lunar
In those

127

rays^ reanimate existence.

who

live for

you.

Madh.

(To Makannida.) My faithful friend; This breathing Avorlcl may now be well endured.
In sooth
it

I^Jak

may.

Mad. and Lav. Dear Malati confirm

The happiness we
J\//.

see,

by

3'our embrace.

My

valued friends. (Embraces them.)

Kant. Tell m?,

my sons, how chanced

revenge inspired
toils,
;

these strange events.

Mad.

Our

past misfortunes were the wrathful

work

Kfipaluhiiiidald's

And that we
To
Kam.

'scaped her

our thanks are due

this propitious

and

all

pov/erful friend.

Aghoraghantas death was then the source

these mischances.
vicissitude:

Of

Mad. and Lav. Strange

After repeated

trials,

adverse fate
its

In kindness terminates

chequered course.

Enter
Fan.

Saiiddmiui.

(To Kdmanduki.)

Hail holy

Dame

your

scholar

pa)s your homage.

Kam.

Sauddmvii - most wel come.

(dh.

aid Mak. Then we owe

to the priestess
clear.
:

Our succour
Disciple,

this,

her

first

all is
is

Knn.

This

well done.
a
life

And many
And
let

preserved has sanctified thee.

met, dismiss this reverence^

'Tis long since

we have

me

grateful press thee to

my

bosom.

Etnhracing

her.

Thou

hast deserved

tlie

praises of the world,

"Whose

lofty powers^ the harvest

of the seed

By early
Mad.
Mul.
n7)d

study sown, are shewn by deeds

*

That shame the mightiest masters

Lav- Is this Sauduminu
is
:

It

by

her,

'Jhe friend and pxipilof my pious j^uardian.

The

fierce Kap:'il ikjouhila

was

foiled.

She bore

me

to her dwelling,

and there leaving

me

Secure, conveyed the wreath of Ba'cula flowers.

To

snatch you from despair.

Lav.

Mod. and
Been

She has indeed,

scarcely less propitious to us, than our old

And

reverend preceptress.

Madh. and Mah. The bright gem,

That grants whatever h
desired,

demands

The
Sau.

suppliant's prayer

the Dame's assistance

came

All unsolicited.

(Apart.) These thanks oppress

me
I

Respected mistress, from the king

bear

A letter to the youth

*

it

was inscribed
the assent

With Nandanas concurrence, and

The expression
is

nilheisiu-

ever in harmony \Tithlhe characier of

tity

<rnlar,
7tv;"

"exceeding a BodhisaljiioU'i

Kdmandaki-nhQie

sanc-

person

endowed

and the respectful allusions

Bauddhas, shew Ihal Ihe

villi
is

iniracnlouspowers,and

who
how-

to

the

considered as an inferiorincar-

play was
decliue.

composed before

their

nation of

Buddha il

is,

O^ Bhurivasu.
Kam.
''

(gives her a letlcr.)

(Takes

if

and reads.)

Unto

all,

be health

" The King commands

We are well pleased to greet

;

"
''

Son

in

you

of noble race descended

Amongst

the worthiest eminent, and late

and more ; " In love and grace to you, we do permit " Your well loved friend, to wed the youthful maid^ " Whom first affection yielded to his hopes"

" From great calamity redeemed

You
Mad.
Mai.

hear

my

son.

I do,

and

all I

wished.

Thus hearing, have obtained.

The lingering dart Of fear is now extracted from our hearts. Lav. The loves of Mdlaii and Mudhava Will now no more be thwarted.
See,

Mak.

where come

Our

other friends,

and

faithful

Kalahansd.

Enter

Avalokitd, Buddharukshild,

and Kalahansa.

All (botving) Glory to

Perfector of
all

Kamandaki
:

the sage
Mddhava

aims

glory to

The IMoon

that sheds delight

on Makaranda.

Now Fate propitious smiles. Lav. Who does not share

This general
J03'.

Kam.

Our

interesting story
is

Full of strange varied incidents,

closed,

'

ISO

There
Sail.

still

exists cause for congratulation.

And

Devardta and

his ancient friend,

Will see with joy their children

now

are joined.

In that

affiance

they so long projected.

is this.

Mai

(Jpart.) Hey how

discourse

Male, and Madh.

{To Kumandaki. )

How

sorts the

Dame's

With
Lav.

past events.
to

{Apart

Kam.) What's

to

be

said.

Kam. (To
His

her.)

We

need no longer fear

Ave obtain

The wrath of Nandann, now

sister's

aid (aloud-) 'Tis even as

I

you have heard.

Whilst yet

taught your fathers, they agreed,

That when

their children

came

to years mature.
left

Their hands should be united, and they

Saiidamim and me, to take those cares

That might secure your union, hoping thus

To shun
Mai.

the anger of exalted rank.

C Apart.)

What
It

marvellous secrecy.

Madh. and Mat.

moves our wonder.

illustrious,

Yet must the schemes of the

planned

For virtuous
Ever enjoy

ends, and prudently conducted^

success.

Kam.

My son, what

more remains.
was your
earliest

The happiness

that

hope

By my devotions, and Of my disciples, is at last ensured

The king and Nandana approve

the skilful pains

you.

the suit

Of your

dear friend, and hence no fear prevents

131

>

His union with his

love. If yet there

it,

be

A
Mad.

wish ungratified, declare

speak.

(Bowing.)
I

My happiness henceforth is perfect: all

is this,
it

The wish
Still

cherish more,

and may

Your favor, holy Dame, grant

fruition.

may

the virtuous be exempt from error

And fast to virtue cling may monarchs merciful. And firm in equity, protect the earth May in due season from the labouring clouds
The
fertile

showers descend, and

may

the people

Blest in their friends their kindred, and their children

Unknowing

Avant, live cheerful

and content.
^Exeunt
all.

The preceding Drama requires

culiarity in national

less

allowance for any pe-

manners than most of the specimens

It offers

of the Hindu Theatre.

fastidious delicacy,

nothing to offend the most

in
this

and may be compared

respect,

advantageously, with

many of the dramas

is

of modern Europe,
its

which

treat of the passion that constitutes

subject.
is

The manner
of observation,
influence

in

which Love
as correcting

here depictured

worthy

a mistaken notion of the

which the passion exercises over the minds of the

Natives, of at least one portion of Asia.

thcgfeeling,

However

intense

and

it

is it

represented as sufficiently powerful to

partakes in no respect of the impetu-

endanger existence,
osity,

which

it

has pleased the writers of the

West

to attri-

bute to the people of the East;

132

The barbarous nations, whose inhuman

Is

lore,

wild desire, fierce as the Suns they feel.

The

fierceness

of their Suns

is

a very efficient

cause for
children

the gentleness of their passions, and

the

hardy

of the north find their complicated system of social restraint.

insufficient to

curb those impulses

which they derive from

spirit.

less

enervated frame and a more lofty

If however the love of the

Hindus be less vehement than that

uncivilised days,
it is equally

of the Goth, Dane or

Norman of

remote from the extravagance of adoration which

later times

have learnt from those who never taught the

rors of Chivalry,

lesson, the mn*-

who were

equally
is

vowed

to the service of

God and

the Ladies.

There
that of

no reason

to think their love

was a whit purer than

any other people or time, but

the fancy was fctvourable to poetical imagination, and has un-

doubtedly influenced the manners of modern Europe.

heroine of this drama
is

The

loved as a

woman

she

is

no goddess

in the estimation of her lover,

and although her glances

or

may

inflame, no hint

is

given that
is

frowns can

kill

At the

same time Mudhava's passion

as metaphysical as

need be, and

Malati alone,
Heard, felt, and seen, possesses every thought.
Fills

every sense, and pants in every vein

is

The

passion of Mdlati

eqvxally intense

with of

Juliet

but

her unconquerable reserve, even to the extent of denying her

utterance to

him she

loves

more than

life,

is

a curious pic-

ture of the restraint to which the manners of

Hindu Women

were subjected, even whilst they were

in enjoyment, as appears

from the Drama, of considerable personal freedom.

(133

The

fervour of attachment which unites the difierent per01 the

tlie

sonages

Drama
had
less

soindisso'.ubly in

life

and

vU-r.th, is

cre-

ditable to

national character. Unless instancesof such disexisted, the

interested union

Author could scarcely have

it.

conceived,

much

depictured

There

is

no great discrimination of character

be well expected as the business
is

in the piece, so

nor could
It
is

it

limited.

not however wholy wanting

and Makaranda and

lovers than

Madayantikd are

much
cautious,

less

mere

Mudhava
benevo-.

and Mdlali. The

though devoted, perseverance of

Kdmandaki
lence

is

well maintained throughout, and the

is

of Sdudamini

well contrasted Avith the malignity of

Kapdouknn dald.

The

incidents of the story

are varied, and

some of them

are highly drarnr.tic

they

are rather diffusely spread out,

but they are

all essential to

the denouement, the concurrence

of ill parties in the union of the lovers.

There

is

more passion

in the

thoughts oBhavabhuli than

'1

in those o Kail Ids a but less fancy.

here ar3
is

few of the
and
tliere is

elegant similitu les in .iiichthe latter

so rich,

more, that
obscure.

is

common

plac;>,

and much

that

is

strained ar.d
in;.!;.?

In rone of his

dr.-.i^iias

does BhcvdJit:!'!.
in

nnv

attempt st wit, and

we
tiie

Lav.,'

no charact(;r
J^i

eitlier

oflsis

three dramas approaching the

precediii^- pieces

inshaka of cither of the t-vo

on
:

otherhaodhe expatiates ?-norelar;;e-

ly in the d. c

"

-tic

of p cturesque scenery, and in the ree:notici:

i

presentation

i*f i}u'i)an

anu
as a

:sppr!:;!ps ei
..

>

even a higher

])\:xce, thr.

Lio

.v;;!,

VTTARA RAMA CFIERITRA,

CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF RAMJ,

A DRAMA
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL

SANSCRIT,
BY

Horace Hayman Wilson, Esq.

Society of Bengal, Secrelary lo the Asiatic
Sjc.

CALCUTTA
y.

HOLGROFT, ASIATIC PRESS.

}^Q. 3,

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182G.

UTTARA RAMA CHERllRA,

OR

CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF RAMA.

The
tory of
vabhtUi,

Uttara Rihiia Chcrilra, or Continuation of the His-

Rama,

is

one of the three Dramas attributed to Bha^

and the internal evidence of the composition fully

the traditional appropriation.

corroborates

The

style

is

equally vigorous and harmonious as that of Mdlati and

Mcidhava, several of the sentiments found in that play recur

in this,

and the ^neral character of the two Dramas notoffers

withstanding the difference of their subjects

analogies.

many

We
,

have the same picturesque description, and

in both.

strong pathos

The

subject of the Uttara

Rdma

Cheritra

is,

as

the

name

impl'-es,

a continuation of the history of

Rama, the prince of

Rdmayaiia.

AyodJujn,
to the

and comprises the events that occurred subsequent

constitutes the subject of the
last

war which

It

is

taken from the

or supplementary section of that

poetical

poem, one of the two principal

be included in the Epic

works of the Hindus

not wholly mythological, and which have some pretensions

to
class.

It is

however moi'e

correctly speaking a continuation of a play author, the Vira

by the same
dramatised.

Rama

Cheritra, in

which the martial exploits

are

of

Rdma

as described in the

Rdmdyana

The

date at which the Uttara

Rdma

Cheritra was composed,

cannot be deduced with certainty from any thing that occurs

in the course of the play.
It offers

nothing however that

is

is

incompatible with the period, at which the author

said to

liavo flourished,

or the eighth centur}^ as noticed in the

introdiiction to Mdlali

and MacJhava.
is

The

style is classical^

and although
finement.
celt'^,

elaborate,

not deformed by extravagant re-

The

thouglits are pure,

and undisgraced by conto the era of

and altogether the composition belongs

taste in

good

Hindu
ea;*ly

writing.
is

But the most decided

ritual

evidence of an
Vedas_,

date

furnished by the allusions to the

and

to

some parts of the Hindu

is

which are not

now familiarly known, and which there

long fallen into disuse.

reason to think have

The

condition of the

Hindu

religion

must have been very different, v/heu this Drama was compos?:!, from any under which it has been observable for some
centuries past.

The

story of

Rama
as

has been communicated to European

readers so fullv\ in the writings of Jones, Wilford, IMaurice,

Ward, and Faber,

well as in the

Hindu Pantheon of
first

JMoor, and in the translation of the

two

books of the

Humdyana by
of the whole

the Revd. Messrs.

Carey and Marshman of

this

Seiampore, as well as probably by

time in the translation

events
will

poem by Augustus
of those
it

Schlegel, that the

which precede the action of the following Drama,

familiar to

be

many

who may

peruse

it.

In order
the story

however

to render

intelligible to those to

whom

may be unknown,
ventures of
its

a brief recapitulation of the previous ad-

hero

may

not be superfluous.

The author

himself has not thought a preparation of this kind unnecessary

even for a Hindu audience, as he has introduced, with some

ingenuity, a

summary sketch of the leading

incidents of

lliimds previous career.

A reference to
will

the notes accompafully explain the

nying

tliat

part of the

Drama

more

iii

circumstances there alluded

to,

and supply some particulars

of llamas adventures not comprised in the following brief

narrative.

'Ihe Deities of tho

Hindu Pantheon by no means enjoy

divinitj',

undisturbed possession of

and they are obliged to

contend for their own supremacy, or for the protection of

I'^e

world, with various formidable races

known

as

Asuras,

Dailijos,

Divavas, and Kdlcshasas, ox different orders of Tita-

nic arid Gigantic beings of super

lity,

human

strength and vita-

who from
Extruc':'e

tlic earliest

periods,

monies ad

sider?,

sumnia parabant,

Et magnum

bello solicitare

Jovem

Of these,
racter,

the Rukshasas bear the least of a celestial chabL'long to the

and

malignant creations of ancient and

m^tderii fable, wJio to gigantic strength

particu'.ar hostility to
1
I

and stature
for

xiriite

man, and an appetite

human

flesh.

t]\e

poetical

mythology of the Hindus they ave descended

his

from Bralund through one of

S;ige

wid-born progeny, the

and Saint
bj'^

Pulnsti/ct,

but their numbers are every day

au.riiTented
Vi'icked

the addition of the disembodied Spirits of

to this

men, condemned
crimes,

form

for a season, in punish-

ment of their

and the

class also

comprehends sundry
to

deformed and hideous bands, Avho are especially attached

the service of the

God

of wealth, and are supposed to keep

watch over

his treasures.

The

first

and most celebrated of the posterity of Pulastya,

his brethren.
'

were Rdvana and

propago
caedis,

Contemtrix superum, soevseque avidissima

Et

violenta

Iv^

The
capital

half brother of Kiivera the

God of

wealth, R/iunna, a

liakshasa with ten heads, dispossessed that deity of his

Lanka,
not

in

which he seated himself, and thence spread

over the world,

terror

only

but throughout

the

heavens, compelling

many of

the subordinate Divinities to

perform the menial functions of his palace.

these violences and alarms, Vishnu
to Earth,

To

terminate

was obliged to come down

ov Rivinchandi a, the

where he was born

as

Rama

eldest son of Dasaratha, a Prince of the solar

Dynasty and

Suvereign of Aijodhya or Oude, by his wife Kausalijd. Other

portions of the same deity animated the sons of Dasnratha,

by

his other

wives Kaikeyi and

^SMj/i/^z-rt,

the foi'mer of whom

to

gave birth to Bharata, and the

Sah-itghna

latter

Lakshmana and

a number of
of Rama.

the progeny of the minor deities,

and theattendant spirits of heaven, likewise assumed terrestrial

shapes, and in the form of apes and
riors

bears

became the

wai*-

and

allies

AVhilst yet a lad, the

services of

Rama were

solicited

by

the sage ViswdmUra to repel and slay the

fiends

by

whom

the religious rites of himself, and other pious individuals were

interrupted.

Rama

accordingly accompanied him, destroyed

the Rdkshasi or female fiend Tdrukd, and slew or chased

other evil genii from the residence of the sages
casion

on

this oc-

Visivdmiira transferred to

Rama and his

descendants,

the

command

of the celestial weapons, or the power 'to wield

the elements' in war.

After these exploits Fishxhiiilra conducted

the

Rama

to

MifMld

kingdom of Jannka, whose daughter SUd now marriagewas

to

able,

reward the prowess of the prince who should

to an ancestor of the

bend a bow, given

Monarch of Mithild

by the God
and
liis

Siva.

Rama

alone succeeded in the attempt,

snapt the
tutelary

bow

asunder.

The

indignity thus offered to

divinity, aroused the

wrath of Paras i/rchna,

still

a previous incarnation of Vishnu,

upon Earth, who

coming

to Milhila to defy

and exterminate Ramachandra,

to return,

was

foiled

by

his junior,

and obliged

humbled and
on

in peace, to the

retirement Avhence he liad hastened

hearing of the bow's being broken.

Rdma
Sila,

received the

recompense of his vigour

in the

hand of

and

at

the

same time Urmild her

sister,

and Mundain and

Srutukirlli,

her cousins, were married to the other three sons of Dus^

araiha.

When Rama

approached to years of maturity, his father,

his ministers,

by the advice of
as

and accortiing

to the

wishes

of his people, proposed to associate him in the government

Yuva Raj a

Young

King, or Caesar; a delegation of

authority that seems to have been constant under the old

political

system of the Hindus, and traces of which have been

preserved to the present day, in the petty

Hindu

states to the

East of Bengal

Domestic

intrigue

however forced Dasa-

rutha to forego his purpose, and to change the elevation of

Rdma

into exile.

His second wife,

Kaikeiji,

instigated

by

the councils of a female attendant, insisted upon the king's

fulfillment

of a

promise which he had formerly made,

and which

like the pledge of the

Gods of

Oli/mpus,

was not

to be recalled, whatever mischief

might ensue.

Dasarulha

when formerly wounded dangerously in battle, was preserved

by the
he

cares of Kaikeiji, in

acknowledgment of m hich

service,

offered her

two boons whenever she should demand them.

installation of her son Bliurata,

These she now claimed, the

vi

and the banishment of

ratlin v.'as forced to

Rama

for fourteen years,

iipoii

and Ddsa-

comply, although

the depavturc of

his son,

he expired

witli gtief. Bhanttit reuised to arc; pt the

succession to the throne, and hastened after

Bam

to

bring

him

baciv to the capital,

but that prince, in veneration of his

to fulfill his injunction notwithdiu'irig liis

fother's

memory, determined

standing his decease, and leaving Bharali regent

absence, repaired to the forests of Souther,! India, accom-

panied by his wife, and Lakshmana his brother.

Conformably

to current traditions,
to different

and the evidence of

/ir/??^a

names assigned

places in

the peninsula,
first

passed from Aijodhyd to the South East, and

Inmself near
forest.
tiie

established

sources of the Goddveri

in

the

Dundaka

On

his journey, and during his residence in the

thickets,

he encountered and discomfited various members

of the Ruhshasa tribe, and amongst others maltreated iiur2)anahkd the

sister

of lidvuna, requiting the tender sentioff

ments with which he inspired her, by cutting

her nose

and

ears.

She

first

applied to her brother?,

forests

Khara and Diish-

?m who guarded the

with numerous bands of Rdksv.

husos, to avenge her, but

when they

eve slain in the quarrel

by the sons of Uasaratha, she

had been
inflicted

carried her complaints to fia-

vuna iu Lcmkd, and instigated him to resent the injuries that

on her person, especially by inspiring him

In order to
effect his j)urpose itw-

with a passion for Sitd.

vaiiu repaired to Panchdvati,

the residence of

Udma, with
into a

Maricha the son of 2\irakd Vfho transforming himself

deer beguiled

Rdma from
was
left

his cottage in

chase of the sup-

posed animal

Lahslivmna by desire of Siiu going to look

alone,

for his brother, she

on wliich Jidvana approach-

vii

ing her as an old mendicant, then dhcarded his disguise and

carried her
iaiji.i, off.

On

liis

Avay he

was

at first

stopped by Jatribes,

a mythological being, a chief of the

winged

and

a friend of Dasarafha,

who was

sneedily overcome, and left

mortally wounded, and Rdvana effected his retreat to Laiilcd

without further opposition.

On

returning to his cottage, and searching for his missing

bride, lid/na discovered the

wounded

Jatarjus,

and before he
S'lta,

expired learnt from him

not
his

who was

the Ravisher of

but

residence;

in quest of whi.h,

he plunged into the

forests in the central part of the peninsula,

and by the advice

to the
river,

of a headless monster,
tain

whom

he slew, repaired

mounwhere

Rishyumuka

at the sources of the

Pumpd

Sugi'ivu the

monarch of the monkies held

his court

On
dis-

arriving at this spot, he found the

tracted

monkey monarchy

by

intestine divisions,

and Sugriva deprived of his

wife and shorn of his authority by his brother Bali.

Rama

having formed an alliance with Sugriva, engaged and killed

Bali,

and restored

to his associate the

supreme sovereignty
Sugriva in

over the baboons, and the capital Kishkindha.

acknowlegement of
monkies

this

service,

dispatched his principal

in all directions

to

discover Sild, in which search

Hanumdn was

successful

the party he accompanied, headed

to the sea,

by Angada, the son of Bali proceeded southward

where they encountered Sumpdti the brother of

Jatdijus,
tlie

by

whom

they were apprised of the

site

o^ Lanka a.nd

deten-

tion of Situ there

by

its

ten headed king.

Hanumdii under-

took to seek her there, and jumping across the arm of the
sea,

obtained access to the palace nhere Sita was confined,

that princess.

and an interview with

Having thus ascertained

viii

the place of
0(t fire,

Iiev

existence,

Hanumdn

after setting

Lanhd

returned to

Rama, and conveyed

to

him the informaaccompanied by

tion

which he had been sent out

receipt of

to procure.

On

this intelligence,

Rama

Su^riva and an innumerable host of his monkey subjects,

advanced to the point of the

Peninsula,

opposite

to the

northern extremity of Ceylon, where a passage across the

channel by which that island

is

separated

from the Coro-

mandel

coast

was accomplished, by casting rocks and mounand thus constructing a bridge, the vestiges
be
still

tains into the sea,

of which

ai'e

said to

visible in the reef

of rocks which

rend r the

straits

of

Manar impassable

to vessels of burthen.

At

this point

of Rcivann
Sitd,

Rama was joined by VihMshana, the brother who having in vain counselled the restitution of
his advice the displeasure of the sove-

and incurred by

j-eign of La7ikd, deserted

his cause,

and went over

to the

enemy.

Having crossed the Sea and encamped

the capital of Ruvana, the baboon

in the vicinity

of

army was encountered by

the monstrous bands in the service of Lanka, and a variety

of engagements ensued, which although attended with the

occasional discomfiture of the assailants

ended in the utter

defeat of the Rdkshaaas, and

the death of

Ruvana by the

hands of Rdma.

Upon

his fall, S'lta

was recovered, but beembraces she was

fore being re-admitted to her husband's

compelled to vindicate her purity, by undergoing the ordeal

of
fire.

Having passed unhurt through the blazing

justified

pile,

and been further

by the

oral testimony of

Brahma

and other Gods,

in law, she

as well as the spirit of

Dasaratha her father

installing

was once more united to Rdma, who

ix

Vibhishanu In the kingdom of Lanku^ over which he

is

sup-

posed

still

to reign, he vcturued to

Ayodhja where Bharala

gladly restored the sovereignty to his Brother.

The

incidents that immediately

his
Capit'il

followed the return of

Rama to
however

form

tlie

Subject of the Drama, and

:

therefore require no notice in this place

differently
broiiglit

the catastrophe

is

about in the Runiayana and

Ra^kuvrtns't,

poetical

account of

Rama and
Rumayuna

his

race,

and

closes in

a dlflerent

manner.

Riona discovers his sons

at his sa-

in consequence of tlieir recital of the

crifice,

and Slid upon her innocence being recognised by the

is

people,

suddenly carried
for ever.

off

by

tlie

God dess
is

of the Earth,

and disappears

This denouement

very judiciously

altered to her reunion with her sons

and husband, in the play.

Rama died

soon after the disappeance o^ Situ, and divided his

his

kingdom between
coiitinuer of the

sons,

but Knsa being the elder and

at

having established his capital

line

Ayodhya
'I'he

is

regarded as the

o? Raghu.

K(ich7vaha Rajputs,

affect to derive their

piil

descent from Kiisa, whilst another RnJas the

tribe,

the

Badkuja regard Lava

founder of

their race.

UTTARA RAMA CHERITRA.

DRAMATIS PERSONjE,
MEN.
Rama. King of Ayodhyd.
Kusa,

),.,. \.m% twin

J

o Sens.

Lava,

Lakshmana. The brother of Rama.

Lhandraketiu

The son of

Lakshnia?ia.

VdlmtkL

A holy Sage,

the author of the Ramayana, and

preceptor of

Kusa and Lava.

Janaka.

The father of SiUi^ formerly king of M'Ukild, now

life.

leading an ascetic

Samhuka.

An

ascetic killed

by Rama, but appearing

in.

his spiritual character.

Ashtavakra.
Suma?itra.

An ascetic.
Charioteer of Chandralcetu.

The

Dunyiukhru

An
1
J

emissary employed by Rama,

Saudhatahh
Bhanddi/ana,

^^^ ^f Fa^msAi'.

pupils.

VidyddJiarU:^

male Spirit of

air.

WOMEN.
.SiVff.

The

wife of

Buma.
dame, the wife of the sage VasisliCha

Arundhati

A pious
Sitd,.

and guardian of

Atrctfi.

pious dame, the wife of the sage Airi.

Kausahjd. The aged mother of Rdtna.

Vdsanii.

The guardian spirit of

the forest of Janast'hdna.

Tamasd.

A River Goddess.
A female Spirit
of the

Murald. The same.

Vidyadhari.

of

air.

Characters in the Scene in the last Act.

Gatigd.
Prithivi.

The Goddess

Ganges.

1 he Goddess of the Earth.

Spirits, guards, pupils,

Celestial

&c.

The Scene of

the First Act

is

in

the Palace of

Rdma
the

at

Axjodhyd, of the second, in the forest of Janast'hdna al ;ng

the Goddvcri~^in the rest of the piece,

tiity

it

lies in

vici-

of Vdlmiki's hermitage at Bithur on the Ganges.

of twelve years occurs between the First Act
:

An interval

and the remainder of the play

that of representation.

the time of each

Act

is

UTTARA RAMACHERITRA.
A DRAMA
PRELUDE
Enter Manager.
Mnna.
hhiiti*
I

bow to

the feet of the illustrious \ioet

Bhava-^

By thus honouring the

Spirit.
festival

celebrated bards of old

is

we

propitiate the

Goddess of eloquence who

a portion of the

Supreme
Thi.s

being the

of the glorioust Kalapriya Ndth

1 apprise you.

Sirs, that

we purpose representing

the Uttara

Rama
lity

Cherifra, the composition of Bhavabkidi, entitled Sri-

Kanlha
tive of

of the race of Kcisyapa, and assimilated to an equaAyodhya^ and a stranger approaches

must
of
the

with BraJnnd by the favour of Saraswatt.% I enact a na-

* This salutation
course

nime now given

It

to a xvhole

be the work of a later

lliis

province or kingdom
Oude.

Awadh

or

hand: the whole of

introduction
is

brief

was formerly confined

very peculiar.

to the capital, the

kingdom

bear-

+ The Mdlati and Mddhava

TPas

ing the designation of Kosald.

It

composed

for a similar fes-

was for many years the soveof the princes

tival, as

has been noticed.

reigiity

of

the the

+ The Goddess of eloquence

Solar line.

The remains of
still

and wifs of Brahma ~\\\e

aliu-

ancient
at the

city are

to be seen

sions to Bhavabhuti's family de-

town of Oude, situated on

of the Ghagra 79 from Luckuow and ad-

scent have been explained in the

Jildlati

the banks
miles

and Madhava.
is

* ^yodhya

Vhe original of joining Fyzabad.

This

is

the season of the inauguration

of the renowned

Rama,
day
to

the threatening meteor of the

race of Pulasiya;*

and the dinim of rejoicing, sounds unweariedly by night and

butj what should

so silent

this

mean

why are the public places

Utiara Ra-

day

and unfrequented.
guished members.

* Intending especially the Gi-

ant king of Lanka, Ruvana, and

his

may ana and Padma Purana. The

Bhdgavat agrees nearly with thembut names the mother of the
Rdkshasas, Kuvihlunasi.

brothers

destroyed

iu

the

war with Bdma.

Ravana was

the son of the sage Fisravas by

Ndilcasi the daughter of Sumdli,

very

different

legend

is

a demon, viho observing the splendor of Kuvera, a son of the

sage bv his wife Irviru, directed
his daughter to

given in the

Vana Parva of

the

Mahdbhdrat.

Pulaslt/a the son

of Brahma, begot Kuvera,

who

propitiate the

who by paying

great

attenlioa

sage thatshealso might havechil-

to his grand father was

dren by him.
ed
in

Having succeedJ\''aikasi

made by him immortal and appointed the

obtaining the good graces

God of wealth.

His capital was

of Visravas,

had by

ian/c, and the /JaA-sAflsa swere his

him Ruvana, Kumbhakerna, and

Vibliishana, and a daughter Sur-

guards. His curryingfavour with

Brahma

panakhd.

incensed his father, and Pulastya assumed the form of a

Ravana
fice

was

engendered

holy sage
propitiate

named Visravas.
this

To
Kuthis

after the performance of a sacri-

wrathful mani-

with

fire, in

conseqnence of

festation of his father, was

verd's next olyect and with

which he was born of an uncouth

appearance with ten heads and
twenty arms
ther,

view he gave him three Rdkshasisas handmaids, Pushpotkatd Ruku and Mdlini-^hy the first
Visravas, had Kumbhakerna and Ruvana, by the second Khara

P'isravas

his fa-

was the son oi Pulaslya one

begotten
sons of
therefore

of the will

of Brahma a

although
he
is

h()ly sage,

often alluded

and
and

a by

daughter
Mdlint,

Surpanakhd,
ribhishana.
account,

to as the progenitor of the

Rdks-

hasaSy of which race

his

Ravana and

We

have a
iu

different

brethren vicre such distin-

again

the

Zinga

Purana

'(

ENTER
Act.

Actor.

The monkey
homes

chiefs,*

and friendly

fiends,

and

all

the

Warriors in alliance with the prince, have been dismissed to

tlieir

several

in their stead, the

holy sages have ar-

rived from various realms, and their reception has been the
occasion of perpetual festivity

Mana.

True and

the mothers

of Rdghava,f under

the guidance of Fasislhtha,X and with Anindhati^ to preside

in the sacrifice, have departed to the

dweLing of

their son

in

law.
Act.
I

am

a stranger here

you know

inform

me who

is

this son in law.

(ch. 63.)

Pulastya Iiad by flavilu,

key chieTs,Sugriva, Jngada, and

the daughter of Ttinavindu, a

a SOD,

Hanumnn they
their

assisted at his

named Visravas who had

wives

coronation, nnd then returned to

dwellings in
the Bekhin.,

four

Devavarnini

the

daughter of Frihaspati,

Pusli-

and Lankd.
+

potkata and Ruled (or Fdlcd) the

daughters of the

Or

Rama

the term
his

is

a pa-

demon MdlyaSallaki:

tronymic implying

being a

van, and Naikasi the daughter

of the
fist

Demon

by the
Faisra-

descendant of Rnghu. His mothers are the widows of his father

he had Kuvera or

Dasaratha
ther of
ther of

KausaJyd
;

the

mothe
A'crj-

vana, by the second Mahodara, Prahastay

Rama

Sumilrd the mo-

Mahaparswa,

and

Lakshmana,
of

and

Khara, and Kernanasi a daughter; by the third he hnd Trisiras

youngest son 5fl/rKg/ja, and

keyi the mother
son Bharata.
tiie

third

Dushana and Fidyujjihwa and Syamika a daughter, and by the

last

or

Naikasi

the

virtuous

Fibhishana.

X The family priest of Rama's Brahma in one birth, and of Milra and Fdrmia
race, Ihe son of

Rama was accompanied on

^yodhyd by Fithe

or the sun and the sea in another.

^

his return to

bhishana the brother and successor of

Arundhati

is

the wife of the

Rdvana and by

muu-

Sage.

Maiia.

The

late

king* Dasarat'ha had a daughter named

to adopt,

Santa,

whom

he gave to king Lomapdda

the

and

RisJnjasrhigaf

son

of

Vibhdndaka

espoused^:

whom He
and

now

holds the ceremony of the twelve

years

sacrifice,

the elders

have gone to

assist as

its

celebrationleaving

with his permission, the daughter of ^Jana/ca at the capital.

But, come, time wears
lace as

let

us

go meet our friends

at the Pa-*

was appointed.

Act.

But

tell

me, in your opinion, has the

tit'e

of Most

Ture been very judiciously granted by the king

* Dasaralha the son of Jja and father of Rama was a distingnished prince of the Solar
dynasty- Bifc/rana supposes
to have
lived in the

to his bride.

original leaves

him

at liberty to

propose such a reading as neither days nor hours are specified

in
tills

him

place.

The
is

return of the

15lh cen-

deities

however

more

specific.

tury hefore the Christian era.

Twelve days were passed and now

the dawning
liglit

Rishi/asringa

the

deer-

horned was born of a doe, and had a small horn on his forehead,

The Gods had summoned

to the

whence

his

name.
all

^ These circumstanes are

Olympian height. The same critic conceives also that some allusion may be made
to the signs
1.

narrated in the Ramui/ana at

length.

of the Zodiac (Sat.

Scipiou.
lib.

Book

Sections

vii. ix. x.

23.

Sonm.

2)

Lomapiida was
^ This

king of Anga.
offers

The number has very

possibly

numher
visits

some ana-

somesecret import, astronomical

or mythological, both amongst
the Hindiis and Greeks.

logy to the
"

of Gods to Ethirace

ophia's blameless

when
in-

Twelve days the powers

rite."

dulged the genial

bius

JiTacrO'
this,

however would read

H Janaka was king of Mithila man of great piety and learning. He was the reputed
and a
father of
5i^<i

twelve hours or the interval be-

the wife of /Jama

infant iu
it

tween

Sun

set

and Sun

rise,
is

having found her an

a sac ri lice.

when Jove

as that planet
:

be-

the earth upon ploughing

for

low the horizon

it is

true the

Mana.

Mind your

oAvn affairs wliy talk upon improper

evil disposed

subjects men are ever

towards the purity of

words and women.

Act

Most
in the

maliciously true
Vaideki,'^

especially

as the

calumresi-

nies insinuated against

inconsequence of her

dence

dwelling of the Rdkshasa, were refuted by her

passing the fiery ordeal.

Mana.

Yet should such reports

as are

still

current reach

the king they will cause him great distress.

Act.

The
is is

sages and the

Gods

will provide for the best

I hear,

Where

his

Majesty (listening.) Oh,

Janaka

his

father in law has just left

him

to return to his

own kingdom,

* 527a bears the patronymic

VaideM

as the daughter of the

being thus dissipated, he J03 fully received his bride. Utlara lldmdijana.

hmg
+
Sitd

of Fideha.
After
the

recovery

of
wel-

AccotH'iwg lolhe Brahma Kaivertta Purdna, Sila herself

from Rdvana,

Rama

was not carried off by Rdvana.

corned her coldly, and after intimating some suspiciuns unfa-

Her shadow or Chlidyd being substituted by ^gni for her siibslance.

It

vourable to her chastity, refused

to
receive her: on which Sita

was

this

semblance

also that entered the fire in or-

determined to commit herself

to

der to

give

Jgni an opportuPadma-Piirdna

the test

of
fire

Fire.

Having

nlty of restoring the original to

entered the
this

prepared for

Rdina.

The

purpose in the presence of

the

Gods and of

Dasaratha,

(Paldla Khattd) dispenses with the ordeal, but brings forward

the deceased father of

Rama,

it

Jgni, Vdyu, Varuna, Brahma

proved innocuous, and Agni

deity restored

its

and Dasaratha to swear

soles

to Silas

Rama

his bride

innocence. Brahma, further con-

unhurt, and declared her purified

Rama

l)y

declaring,

it

was

by the ordeal she had underone.

necessary Sita should have been

carried off by

Dasaratha

also bore testimony

Rdvana,
virtuous

as

his

to 5i7a'svirtue and iffl/Hfl's doubts

rape

of

woman

and the king has quitted

his

the seat of justice to repair to

inner apartments, and console the queen.

Exeiintt

ACT
SCENE

I.

FiaST.

THE PALACE.
Ravi a and
Sitd, discovered.

Droop not dear Sitd ; our respected

friends.

Have

parted from us with no less reluctance

Than we have felt, but duty must be done. To loftier claims must self indulgence yield. And they who venerate their household fire.
Must bear
the task such sacred charge imposes
fire as

was the only cause of destrucliou to which he was subject,

agreeably to the curse denounccil

in

theother authoritiesC

The

inaiatenatice of a per-

upon him by JVala Kuvera and the previous boon conferred

petual fire implies also the observance of all the occasions on

which
offered,

sacrifices

with
those
is

fire

are

upon him
Utiara

by Brahma,
the

and

all

duties

In

the

Khand of

which a householder

enjoiaed.

name Purana she enters into the

<

Sila.

know
stiil

the trutli of this,

my

dearest Lord,

13ut

to separate

from our uearjst friends.

And
Jiam]

cherished kindred, euar.ot chuae but grieve us.

rue, love

But

these, tlie sorro\vs of a feeling heart.

social life
:

Are the sad portion of man's

'Tis hence, the wise repair to caves

and woods.

To que

desire

by

solitude

and penance.

Enter
Raniabkadj-a

Aiieiidant.

(Checking

himself.)

Maharaja.

Rcima. (Smiling.) j\Iy worthy friend: I better love to hear

The name of Rdmubhudra, from the mouths Of those who were my father's followers.*

What
All.

is

your message.
Avaits
:

Ashtdvalra

From Rishi/asn'nga's hermifage. What should delay his entrance. Sit.

ENTEa
Ash.
* The
the Ascetic Ashldvakra.f
to both.

Health and Peace

mode here adopted

Rdma!s kindly
is

of
dis-

he rather

neglected

his

bride,

delineating
position

when

far

advanced
his

in her

prog-

very Shakespearian.

nancy, and was rebuked for his

+ Ashtuvakraxa, the hero of a

conduct by

son yet

unborn

curious legend
rat.

in the

Mahahhdwas the

the lather indignantly pronounced, that he should be born crook-

Kahora
of

his father

pupil

lArfrfa/fl/ifl

and married

cd

in

punishment of

liis

inipertin-

his preceptor's

daughter he was

ence, and lience his

name Ashta

so

much

addicted to study that

eight

(^liuibs)

and Fafira curved.

10

Rdin.

rtespect await
seated.

you venerable Sii'

Be
Sit.

I salute

you with respect

And

hold

me

highly honored to receive

my sainted Sister. disturb my brother's holy peace, cares No Ham. Nor my respected sister's.
The pious kinsman of
Sif.

Dwell we ever

in their recollection.

Ash. Assuredly

They are well Lady, to you.

The sage

Faslsld'ha thus addresses him.

Thy mother is the all-sustaining Earth; Thy father is a king of no less fame
Kaliora went to the great sacrifice of Janaka k\n% of Milhild soon after the hirlh of his son

declared himself to he the son

of f'uruna the god of

ters,

tlie

waa
si-

who had commenced

came a seeming Bauddha sage who overcoming all his competitors in argumeat
to that festival

milar sacrifice with that of Ja-

naka, at the same time, and to

secure the attendance of learned

had them thrown into the river. Kahom venturing to encounter

Brahmans, had adopted the expedient of sending his son to defeat

him,

suffered

this

fate.

them

in

disputation, and

When AshlAvakra was

twelfth
his
father's
it,

in

his

give them a suhsequent duciuag

year, he first heard of

the

ohject heing effected, they

mischance, and to

were dismissed with honour, and

the parlies separated mutually
content.
father's

revenge

setoiTfor the yet un'

it

finished sacrifice,

heingone of
as

Ashtavakra
river,

by

his
in

those

already

noticed,

of

instructions bathed

twelve years duration. Although

the

Samangd

and by so
perfectly

young
father's
sisted

in

age the Saint was ma-

doing was
straight.

rendered

ture in wisdom, and overcame his

MuhubMraty

Vava

conqueror; when he
his hcing

in-

Farva.

He was

married to the

on

thrown into

daugliler of the sage

Vddanya.

the river, the supposed disputant

Dana Dhevma.

11

Than

the primjeval patriarchs

thy Lord

DraAVs his proud lineage from the King of day.

And
Our

his illustrious
spiritual

house have ever owned

:

guidance

what alone remains

offspring to inherit

That from thee spring an

The
Rama.

conjoint honors of each giorious race.

I thank the sage. In this imperfect woi'ld,
afcer things foregone
;

Man's tardy speech lags

But with the

Ash.

saints,

the thoughts their lips express,

Precede, and presage sure, events to come.

Arundhali and

all

the holy dames.

And

Santa

bid thee well consider this

it.

If thou have hope of heirs, v/hat must be donc^

Must be
Ram.
Ash.

effected speedily.

Declare

What must be
Let the fair

done.
tells

This Rishynsringa

me to

impart.

*Queen

repair imto the forests.

happiness,,

Such separation gives to Rimia

And

I shall see her bearing

on her lap

A
Ram.
Ash.

smiling progeny.

So

let it be.

Is there

aught

else VasishVha's wisli ordains*

Attend.
sacrifice

The holy

absorbs our care

And you, my
Remember
* Or
in the text

son, are 3'^oung in years

and power.

therefore that a king's true wealth,

Kathoragerhhd,

in

reference to her protract-

ed pregiiaucy.

12

His real glory,

is

his people's welfare.

:

Ram.

So ^Maitnlvuriini has ever taught us

I

And
Nay
Sil.
J?7rt.

am

ready, pity, pleasure, love.

even SUd, to resign, content.

If it be needful for the general good.

In

this,

my

Lord, does honor to his race.

Who

waits.
cl,

Attend upon the sage.

cumamhidate^ them )
[_Exit.

Ash-

(Bises and

Behold the Prince.

E.ntlr hakshmana.
Lalcsh.

Glory to Bdma.
Brother, on these
Avails,

Come my most noble

Behold a

skilful aitist has pourtrayed,

Your

story as he learnt the tale from

me.

Ram,

You have

the

skill.

To
Laksh.

dissipate our queen's

uneasiness-

How

far proceeds the tale

good Brother.

To where the Queen Was purified by flame. Ram. Most pure by birth,
She needed not the consecrated wave.

Nor sacred

fire, to

sanctify her nature.

Laksh. Daughter of

sacrifice,

respected Siid

Secure of a devotion that will cease

With

life

alone

forgive me.
;

Ram. The base herd.

Of men, may
*

censure rank and worth unheeded

A name

of rasishtha, the son of JllUra and Faruna.

)3

JBut

tlieir

foul calumnies do not deserve

By

thee to be repeated.

The

flower that breathes

With

nature's fragrance^, on the bro^v should blossom,

Nor with contempt be trampled on the ground.*

Sita.

Come

let

us see these pahitings-

{Thcy

iic

and Exeunt.

SCENE SECOND.

THE GARDEN OF THE PALACE WITH

A PAVILION,
Enter
Laksk.
Sita.

Lakslimana, Sitd and Rama.

Behold the picture.

What are

these that crowd

to

Around my Lord and seem

* This idea occurs in Malati a d t

hymn

his praises.

provinces to meet with a kind

Mdlhava

see pige 119.

of fresco painting upon the walls of ;2;rtrdens,orenclosiiresof tanks:

a favourite subject for this kiud

long scroll in compartapparently fixed aj^ainst

raents
a wall.

Such pictures, heing pa-

of erulieliishmeut about Malhura and T^rindavan was the repulse

uoriuiiic representations of holy

place usually, are

still

not un-

of

the
in

British

before
will

c p.mion, whilst the M/i/z/y/,'araf

Bharatpur

1805*

They
the

and llumayana in illuminated and emhellished portahlo scrolls

are very frequent.
It is

now, probably (1826) be tflaced,

to

make room
its

for

ileUue-

notun-

atioa of

capture.

commoa

also

in

the westem

Lalcsh.

They ate the heavenly arms, that Viswumltra,^ The holy sage from Kusa sprung the friend

Of all mankind, obtained from great Krisdsnm,^' And gave them to the Prince to wage the fight
*
prince in the

Viswamilra was born a and not impossibly the Greeks, Lunar dvnasty. triumphed hy their means. Vis-

Accordin^ to the

Rdmdyana he

wamitra was born a

s.ige in

con-

was the
biil the

f'dirtli

from Praiapati

Bhagnvat makes him

sequence of his mother parlaking of some charmed food prepared by

the

the fifteenth from

Brahma
him the
to

Muni Richika

they a<rree

in

calling

for his wife, her daughter.

Son oT
the

Gfidlii

who according

After' observing the superior might of

the Brahmans,

first

was

tiie

son of Kusand-

he engaged
rise

in

i;ja,and

according to the second,

course of austerities to
the martial

the Son of

Kusamba two

differ-

order in

from which he

ent sons of Giidhi.

Fiswdinitra

was born, to that of the sacerdotal, and ultimately compelled Brnhmii to grant him that ele-

was sovereign of Kanoj, and engaged

in

war with the snge

F'a-

sis^i/m for the possession of the

valion.

Rumuyana

1.

Sect.

41-

aU bestowing Cow. In this con- 52 Jllahabharat. t4di. Bhagnvat ix. 1 5. &ca. test the Cow produced all sorts of
forces,

Porva.

particularly

MIechhas
of

Two

Sovereigns of the

name

or barbarians, by whose aid f^asishtha overcame his adversary,

Krisuswa are traceable, one a king of Jyodhya the other of

F'isald.

There can be
this

little

doubt that

The

position of the for-

legend

is

a metaphorical

nier in the solar genealogy stand*

account of a real transaction, and that by the Cow we are to imdersland India, or the most
valuable portion of
it,

thus in Buchanan's authorities;

Bhdgavat

Vansa Laid

Hari Fanst
Neliumbha
Krisaswa

NikHinbha Nikumbha

for the

Vdrhanaswa Vurhandswa Sanghatdswct

Krisaswa
Sennjit

sovereignty of which either two

princes, or

Krisdstea

two

tribes, the

Brah-

Yuuanaswa

Prasemjit

nians and

^s/iefrryas, contended,
parlies calling to their

Yuvanniwa

Vuvandswa

oneof the

But the Fishtiu

Purana goes

aid the barbariaus, the Persians,

from A'ikumbha to Prasenajil

C
With,
11(1771.

15

tliat

malignar.t

demon

Ti'irakd*

Pay reverence

Situ to the

arms divine.

The ancient sages deemed themselves most blest To view them for a while ; and painful toils.
Thousands of years endured, by Gods
Obtained these weapons
at once, omilting the for the

themselve.?.

wars of heaven.t

two

inter-

or Dcvarshi
tied

mediate princes.
Krisdstva
f'isala
is

Ihe

sovereign of

is said to hnve martwo of tlie daughters of Daksha, J ay a and I'ijayd ac-

the son of

Samyama

cording to the Rdmuyana, but

and father of Somadatta accorA'\\\g

^rchi and Dhishaud

gavat.

ii\

tlie

Bha-

lo ihe

Bhdgaval nnd Fansa

is

He

is

also said to

have

Lata.

Buchanan

mistaken in

been a writer on dramatic represen tation

supposing the former interposes

whence an actor or

him and dancer is termed in the Amera Devaja or Devaka Kosha Krisaswi nothing furSamyama. with ther of him has been ascertained. is the son of Samyama,
a Sahadeva between

Krisuswa
mistake

or his
arises

brother the
consider-

female fiend the daugh-

from

ter of the

ing Saha^ with, as part of the

wife of the Daitya Sunda.

Yaksha Suketu andShe

name the

text has

Samyamad
;

was changed into the form of a

dsit Krisdsiua

Saha Devaja

ex-

Rdkshasi after the death of her

comment, Dewajena or Devakena Sahita. Buchanan places the .^^orfZ/j/a

plained by the

husband by the curse of the

s;ige

Jgasfya.

H iving

devasla-

led

the flourishing districts of

prince in the 18lh century before

Christ and the Sovereign of f^is-

Malaja and Karusha

structing
sages,

and

ob-

the

sacrifices

of the
to

ala in

the

14th the

latter

is

I'iswdmitra

applied

therefore

made subsequent to lldma who is supposed by him

to have flourished in the 15th.

Rama
ay ana

for aid, and her destrucfirst exploit.

tion was his

1.

Riimar

23

25.
Some

Neither of these persons however appears to hQ\\ie Krlsdsiva

i These weapons are of ave*ry unintelligible character.

of the text

who
so

is

more proba-

of them are occasionally wielded

as missiles, but iu general they

blyasage one

named, ail/ j<Hi

10

Sila.

f Bowing.)

Receive

my

adoration

Rum.

They
I

will aid

Thy
Sit a.

chihh-en.

am
'I

grateful.

Lak,sh.
Is

here, the scene

to

changed

Mil

hild.*

Sita

-Yes,

I see

my

Lord.
is

Dark

as the

deep blue lotus

his hue.

And strength
With

and grace

in every

limb appear-
fiice.

The dazzled eye

shrinks from his lovely

off,

graceful curls set

whilst high disdain

Swells every feature, as with force divine,

appear to be mystical powers,
exercised by the iniliviclual, such
as those of paralysing an
iniiul,

render

me assistance. They

then

circumambulated
said, So

Rama
it,

enemy,
in

and having

be

re-

or locking

his

senses fast

ceived his permission to depart,

sleep, or bringing

down storm

from heaven. In the usuil strain of the Hindu

and rain and
fire

and went whence they came.'' The RdnuiT/ana calls tliem also the Sons of Krisdswa and the
sons

assume
wilh

mythology they are supposed to celestial shapes, endowed

of Jai/a

and Vijaya the

daughters of Priijdpati.

Rdma-

human
The
is

faculties,

and

in this

yara.
*

I.

Sec.

20 2G and 42.

capacity are alluded to in the

text.
list

of Iheui, one hnnfirst

Ganges between
and
the

The country north of the the Gandaki

dred,

given in the

book of

the

Rdmdyana, and

there also

A'osj rivers comprehending modern provinces of Pura:

they are described as embodied,

niya and Tirhnt

the remains of

and address /?a?na saying--" Command us Oh Rdghava of mighty

the capital founded by

Janaka

and thence
are
still

termed Janakipur

arn> Here we
for thee.

are,

Oh

chief of
shall

to be seen according to

men, command
do
replied; Depart

us,

what

we

Buchanan, on the northern frontier;

The Son of
all

/fg-//M

at the

Janickpoor of the

of you, and in

maps,

lime of ueccssilv wheu called to

17

He
JLaksh.

snaps asundev the celestial bow.*

See where V asishlha

a.n({i\\e\\o\y %oxi

Of Gaulama,
Concur

the priest of Ja!iida,i

in approbation of the nuptials.

;

Ram

No wonder

for the alliance that united

Raghu with Janaka, could

to

none

Be else than pleasing, and Avhere Viswamltra " Himself was donor and receiver.
j

^ita.

solemn scene, where

gifts of kine secure

Auspicious destiny, and four bright youths

Are

knit in marriage bonds with four fair

I

maidsj

Ah well

know

its

import

there and then.

me bestowed
it

My
Ram.

happiness began.

Nor

less

the boon
;

That ever cherished day on

When the
* This

sage son of Gautama, thy hand

begirt, as if

With golden bands

were
so:\

Bow origiiiKlly belongwho

wielded
it

+ Sutnnanda,\\iQ

of Gaii-

ed to Siva

victo-

tama and Ahiilyd and family

priest of the king of i!/gf/t7a.
:{:

riously against

the other gods

at Z)rt/vs7ia'ssacrifice,hut without
success, against /^VsftrtM, on

The Sons

which

were

H ana,

of Dasaratha Lakshmana, Bha-

he
to

"-ave

it
s

to

Dcvarata one of
subsequent
in the fa-

raia, and 5a<rz/^/ja: at the time

Janaka
niily.
it

ancestors,
it

that 5// was married to the for-

whom

remained

mer, the other daughter of Ja.

Like the bow of Ulysses

strength
his

naka,

Urmila,

was

given

to

w^s employed by Janaka to

of
the
for

Lakshmana, and the two

i)r()thers

other

ascertain the

were married to Mdn-

candidates

daughter's

davi and Srutakirtli the daughtersof A'srt.rta;a'ja,thesovereigrt

hand, none of
to bend
it,

whom
it

were

ai)le

but

was broken

of

^flw/lrttsj/fl,

or according to the

with ease by /Jama. Ildmui/ana

B.
I.

Sec 32, 53

&

0'2.

JgniPurana, of Kdsi or Benares, and brother ni' Janaka.

18

The
Lalcsh.

festival

embodied, placed in mine.

this is

Beho'd the princess, and

Sriila/iiiii.

Mdndavi

This
Sita.
Lci/csh.

And

the fourth.

Why

ask

me

You know
But here
Sita.

that this

is

Unnild.

direct

your eye

'tis

Bhdrgava.*

His look alarms me.

Ram.
Lalcsh.

Reverence

to

the Saint.
;

You
e!se

should observe him

for this hero

vain

Ham.

(internipling.)

Much
Siia.

remains that moi'e deserves attention.

full

This modesty

well becomes

my

Lord.

Lalcsh.

Here we

are in Ji/odht/d-

Ram.

Happy days
yet an honoured Sire was alive.
o'er

When
When
Fair

Whilst yet a mother's love watched

all

our being;

was joy

See here the youthful bride

:

S'ltn

wins maternal admiration

Her

smiling countenance resplendant shines

* The descendant of Bhrigii,

Parasurdma, who was an

nation

incar-

the

of T^ishiui for Ihe de.-

him forbrcaking He was compelled however to acknowreturn to punish

bow of
the

that deity.

slruciioii of the Kshelriijas

he

ledge

superiority

of

the

was the son of J amadagni, the

son of Ekhika,
the
son,

younger warrior, and

of

after de-

of

precating his anojer, retired to a

life

Bhrigu-, according to

some and
others.

devotion

on
I.

mount
"2. In

grandson

according to
disciple

tMahendra.
arrows at
senseless.

Ramdyana
aud

Being

of

Siva
at

he
the

the Mahabharal,
hira,

Rama

shoots

was

hifjhly

incettsed

strikes

him

presumption of Rdmacharidra^

and intercepted

him

ou

\m

'(

19

With youth and

Teeth white
as

loveliness

her

h'ps disclose

Jasmine blossoms

silky

curls

Luxuriant shade her cheeks, and every limb

Of slightest
Laksh.

texture

moves with natural grace,

air.

Like moon beams gliding through the yielding

Here

is

the wretched MuntharH*

Ram.

Dismissed

Unnoticed see the groves o^ Srin^avera^:,

Where from

ihs

monarch of the

forest tribes

We
Laksh.

met

a friendly welcome.

(J pari.)

He

omits

Wliat chanced between. |

Sila.

And now

behold assumed.

The
Laksh.

braid of penance

Yes: the task severe,

elders of our race, their state deposed.
of their

The

In favour
*

progeny adopted,^
ried

The

ronfiilential attendant

over to the Soulh bank of

of Kaikeyi, the second wife of

Daa.iralliii, by wliose instigitions

the Gauges, a day's march above

its

junction with the Jumna,

that princess
accession
ijisisted

opposed
the

lidmas and
on
the

:{;

Or the circumstaaces of his

to

throne,

exile, ^ The Jutd or matted hair assumed by Rtlma and Laksh' 7Hana on dismissing the royal

on hi> exile.

+ Srins^avera

was

city

the Norlb

l).i,ik.

of the Giiiges, or
\illiige, as

more

properly a

chariot at the vijhige of 5r/^tt-

coimlry on

both sides

of the
inha-

vera to indicate

tlieir

entering
life

Ganges was here

of

a forest,

upon a

forest or ascetic 40.

bited by Aishadas or wild tribes

Ham.
It

II.

whom Guha
whose

was the chief,

It

appears to have custo-

by

assistance

Rama
fer-

mary

for the ancient princea

of

Lakshmana

and Siia were

the Hiudus,

wheu eafeeblcd by

20

Was here by youth

Sita.

sustained

and opening

life.

Content to languish in the forest's gloom.

Beliold

the Bhagii'athi-*
beiiign^,

Ham.

Goddess

Avho oer the race of Raghie

Thy guardian care extendest, I salute thee Thy downward path Bhagiratlis prayers propelled And thy pure waves redeemed his ancestry.
Reduced
to ashes

by the wrath o^ Kanila, Sagaras

as

As through The

the bowels of the earth they sought

sacrifice.t

steed escaped from

years to transfer the crown to

a sage,

whom

the

Sons

of

the successor and retire to a her-

milage.

Sagara challenged as the tliit-f of the horse. Kapila incensed,

reduced them
blast
all

* The Ganges, so named from

to ashes with a

having been brought

Bhagiralh.

down

to

from

his nostrils- Ansuinuti

earth by the devotions of king

the son of .^samawjas, theson of

Sagara by
purposing to perform
sacrifice of a

his other wife Kesitn\

S'ffgara

afterwardsdiscoveredlhereliques

an Aswamedha or
horse,
set,

of his uncles, and

as

an

essential

le:iriied from Garura, their uncle, Ihil the

part of the ceremony, the horse at liberty,

waters of the Ganges were necessary to procure to heaven.

his

who was

carried

off

them

adinission

by one of the Serpents of

la.

Pa/rt-

Neither Sahara nor

The king
his wife

directed his sons

successors

Ansumdn
this

and
l)eing

by

Sumati, sixty thou-

Dillpa were
descent
<

able to
Gaiiga,

effect the

sand in number to recover the

steed.

Their efforts although un-

availing

were enough to alarm

reservedfortheSon and successor of Uielatte<-,C//a^s^i?-a//j. Theausterities

Ihe gods and de mons, and to ensure their

of this prince successive-

own

destruction.

Af-

]y propitiating

Brahma, Umi,

ter penetrating deep towards the

subterraneous regions, they

came

anA Mahkdeva, the Ganges was by their power compelled to

flow over the Earth, following
lihas'tralha,

near ^apjYa, aaiacarnationot>7*/zw?<

upon the horse grazing

to

ihe

Sea,

and

21
to

Deign heavenly mother

bestow thy care

On
Laksh.

this tliy

daughter, and with emulous love.

Like chaste Arund/taii

See

her days defend.

sable tree
l)orders-

*Bhurudwajas hermitage the road

Jiiid tlie

To
Sita.

ChilrakutaA

That ghades KdUndtsX

Does

my Lord
memory.
it

Recall these scenes to

Ram.

Could
I

be,

That
I see

should ever cease to recollect them.

as

you now,
in

on

my

breast reclined

And

my

arms sustained, that delicate frame.

Exhausted with the long and weary way,

thence to
Pdlula

where

the
lav-

and the father of Drona the

military preceptor of the
Pall-

ashes of his ancestors were

et by

its

waters.

The Ganges
honour

dava and Kaurava

is

princes.

He

was

called Uhdgirathi in

also the parent of

Arundhali

ofthe king, and the ocean term-

tlie

wife oi fasishUia.

ed Sdgara
35.

in

commemoration
his Sons.

A mountain

not far from

of Sagara and
I,

R&ma
indi-

the south bank of the Jumna,

Rdma^i
tliis

Qrst residence in his exile

to the

* Tlie accounts of

and according

Rdmayana
of falmi-

vidual are rather obscure, but

at that time the seat

he was a Muni and expounder

of the f^edas.
la

kis

hermitage.

Many temples
spot,
it is

some

places

and establishments of Faishnava

ascetics exist

he

is

called the

Son of
been

T^'rihas-

at this

now

pail,

and
to

in

the Tlari vans\%

called C/tiVrrtAro/e,

and

at dif-

said

have

adopted

ferent seasons a
resort.

place of great

by Bharata as king of Prntishtliana. In the Rumdi/ana he

appears as a Sage residing at

^ The Kallndi
river,

is

the

Jumna

the daughter

of Knlinda,

Praydga or Allahabad where a a name of the sun. The tree temple dedicated to him still should be the imperishable Ber exists. \n.i\\Q Mahubharal he is tree, which has long been famed
described as residing at Haridwar
at

Allahabad,

and

Trbich

is

22

Sinks in oerpowering slumber.

Laksh.

Behol.l Virddha*
+Fjrf//_y a'* thickets.

who

denies admission

To
Sit a.

He

is

too horrible

IMark where

my Lord
to

collects the

broad Palm leaves

the sun.
forests.

And weaves
Ham.

a shade to screen

me from

We

come

where amidst ihe Southern

By mountain brooks the holy sages dwell. And here they spread their simple stores,^ and cheer
The
Lahsh
stranger guest with hospitable
rite.

From craggy
fall

precipices start the streams.

And

like rushing rains into the channel.

Where amidst hanging rocks, and chasms deform,

slill

represeoled hy a williered
in the

on which
venerated.

it is

now

traditionallj

stem

cave of P&tula puri

Ufidergroiind,l)iilit

shouldappear
it

A Demon

of formidable size
son of A'a/a and

from the text thul

light,
certeti

grew

in

day

and aspect,

tlie

and the play probably preIbe coiistriiclion of the ca-

Salahrudd
rfl?/,yrt

residi

in

Dandnkd'

and encountered by liana

VfM)

there was nodonbt a very

venerable Fig tree

on

his leiving the

hermitage of
5i/a,

aiiciriitand

Atri.

Hiving seized

and
:ind
B.

at A'.fih ihad. perhaps for

some

threatened to devour the princes,

centuries, for

it is

alluded to in

he was altackcd
shiin

I)y

lliem

various vocabiilnries, as Medhii

by
7.

Edna Udmui/ana
8.

&c.

it is

also descril>ed

in

the

Sect.

Kasikhayida and

Kunna Parana
is

Tbe

Vindhva
out

inountaiiis
India,

the
4'2.)

first

notice iu)wever

in

extead

across

central

the Jfdwdi/ana (B. 2

Sect 41

&

and
hind

throw

branches

be-

liana wilh his wife and

aftcrcrossing the

brother resting tinder the shade

Agra and Debli to the North, and on tlie South to the

extremity of the Peninsula,
:}:

of

it,

Jumna,

so

that not only was the tree in the

Or, dres a handful

rice,

of the

open

air.

but

it

was on the op-

Nivara or wild

posite side of tbe River to that

'(

23

And
Ram.

clustering thickets closed against the day.

tlie

Winds

Godaveri her arduous course.

Recali'st thou love our

humble happy dwelling,

Upon

the borders of the shining stream.

Where every hour in fond endearments wrapped. Or in sweet interchange of thought engaged.

We
Laksli.

lived in transport, not a

wish beyond

Each

other, reckl, ss of the flight of time.

See*

Punchdvati next, and here behold

Surp'iiiokhd.f

The demon
Sita.

Ha,

my

dear Lord.

Behold

(as if (lUn-med.)

Ram,

How now afraid

I

of separation,

Tis but a picture love.

Sita.

tannot chuss
suffer terror at so vi'e a presence.

But

Ram.

The

sad events that Janasthuna* witnessed

true'iy traced.

Are here too

Although gone by

The cunn ng
1 hat robbed
*

of the fiend, the frowns of fate

me

of

my

dearest treasure,

still,

The

forest

along the Goda-

maraa by his brother's

commands

ireri.

cut off her nose and ears.

sister

She
Sect,

+ The

of

Ravdna a

fe-

fled lo

her brothers

Khara and
III.

male

fiend of hideous

form and

i)ws7/fln</,

and inrited them to reItdinay. B.

sunfnin-.iry propensities.

Having

veiig:; her.

seen liUma on the banks of the 23. Godaveri she offered herself as a
bride to him, and on his refusal

24.
:}:

According to the comment,

in
tlie

this place

present

age

is

to Lakshmana, but both rejecting her advances, she attempted

to destroy Sita,

called Nasik, situated on the

Go-

daveri, not far

from the western

ou which Laksh-

Ghats, and a place of pilgrimage.

24

Are anguish to my heart. Here^ lonely left. The forest saw my griefs, and senseless things.

The rugged rock

S'da.

the eternal adamant,

Disolved in pity of my lorn complainings.

Nor grieved my Lord alone, my every joy Was dashed to earth when I behel d myself
tliy-

Torn from
Laksh.

arms.

Let us avert our thoughts.

To, subjects

more auspicious

here, observe

Displayed, the valour of the great Jutayii,

'Jhe ancient monarch of the winged tribes

Of days coeval with a Menu's reign From Kasyupa descended* Here, extend.
The
The
forests of the west,

where from the gloom

headless spritet our devious path arrested.

n:i-

* Jatayu a bird of divine

+ This

Kabandha or Headless
possibly the original

lure and descent, and preteriialiiral

Monster
of
the

is

longevity, the son of

Ga-

riira, the son of was the friend of

Kasyapa.

He
;

Anthropophagi of the East, and the "men whose heads

Dasaratha and

do grow beneath

their shouUlers."

on one occasion saved his life that Prince having gone to the
ccliptic

He
out

is

described as

vast as

inoiintaiu, of a sable hue, wilhlegs,

to rescue

llohini

from

but with arms a league

the hands of Sani, his carriage

long, a formidable
belly,

mouth

in his

was consumed by a glance from

the eye of the latter. Dasaratha
falling

and a single eye of vast dimensions in his breast. He

seized

was caught and sustained

with his long afms both

by

Jatayu
by

on

his

expandfd

Rama

and Lakshmana with an

to

wings.
fl"

When
/fttra??fl,

S'lla

was carried

intention

devour them, but

extricated

Jfl<^M attempt-

the princes

themarms,

cd to stop him, but was slain by

the Rdhshusa.

selves by cutting oiF his

The

monster

then

enquiring

25

)
see,

The mountain *Rhhi/amulca The dwelling- of Malanga.f

and here
:{:dame

This, the

Whose
who
they

life

of penance
and
being

now

obtained reward.
neighbourhood of
disgrace-

were,

lations in the

informed of their names, and

lineage,

Ahagundi a

part of the Dekhiii

rejoiced in his niutila-

the maps of whicii are

fully defective.
itself

ti"n

;ts llie

from

means of freeino^ him form to which he had been

The

mountaia

was the

residence of the

inetninorphosed from that of a

hatidsoino J)dnava,ihe grandson

deposed monarch of the Moukies

Sugriva.
It

comprised of course
the

of

Danu one

of the wives of

the whole of the tract about

Kas7/apa, in consequence of the

imftrecaliou of a Rishi

sources of the

Pampa, but ia
passes
to the
chief.

named

Sthufa Siva as a punishment for

his frightening the

Rumdyana, Rdma them before he comes

the

Ascetics by

dwelling of the
t

monkey

assuming hideous shapes.

effects of the curse

The
in

On

the ascent to the

moun-

were produc-

tain occurs the forest of Matari'

ed

l)y

his defying Indra,

who

ga or the Meghaprabha wood,

in

the contest struck off his head

which the

trees

never wither

and

legs with

his
kill

thunderbolt

and the flowers never fade. The

Saint and his disciples had

but could not

him, as he

long
to

boon of The longevity from Brahma, appearance of Rama was the term of his transformation, and
had
obtained
the
his

disappeared, but his hermitage

had
the

remained

inaccessible

noxious or inimical beings, and

cooking

utensils

left

by
the

body being burnt by

his

de-

him awaited

in perfect order

sire,

he recovered his original

arrival of Riima, being destined

shape and returned to Swerga

previously directing

to

for his accommotlation.

:|:

Rama

Savari or female forester

seek the residence of Sugirwa.

Ramayana.
83. 84.

Aranyakaiida

82.

named Sravanu who had attended on Malanga's disciples, and

whose ascension
as guide to

to

Swerga was
acting

* This mountain and the scenes

in its vicinity alluded to are said

to be the reward of her

Rama.

to be

known by

the

same appel-

2G

Heve

are the source? of the Pampci,*

where

The grief of i2OT boke bey end

restraint

And

fast

descending tears at intervals.

Concealed from view the beauties of the scene.

Here, mark the Son of

air,

the

monkey

chief.

Of strength resistless, and wide wasting

Tlie guardian of the woild

wrath.

the firm ally

Hanumim

Of Raghu's
Ham.
Here
Laksh.
let

race

illustrious

Reverence and glory to our hero friend.

us pause

for every scene suggests

incredible, the

Heart rending recollections.

But

moment
hands
warriors in their rage achieve
triumph;!:

Regard the deeds

Of Monkey
Here
S'tla.

view our
to

^ Now we
it

close the scene.

]\Iy dearest

Lord

this picture
I
it

has inspired

A fo( lish fancy may

T.am
S'Ua.

give
love.

utterance.

Fear not
I

speak

long once more to wander through the shades

Of

the

brown woods, and plunge amidst the wave

/?/.s7(^

O^Bhftgirathl's cool translucent stream.

* A river rising in the muka mountain and
into

5
and

few

exchmatory
of

sen-

flowing

tences are henceforward omitted,

the
is

the

Tungabhadra

below

description

the

Anaghondi
tiating

Picture
^

compressed.

+ Not however hefore expa-

Sita's

exposure

required
the

upon
least

them
in

at

great

her

own concurrence which

It
is is

length, at
2)ana.
tioii-

the

Ramasec-

desire she has just intimated affords.

Jninyakaud

last

also

ominous of

what

to follow.

X The death of litivana, and troops, with the capture oi Lanka.

defeat of his

27

Ram.
Lciksh,

Lakshmana.
I understand

you

and will order forth

;

The

easy rolling car -without delay

desires the learned

As such

have declared

Should speedily be

gratified.

'*

Exit.
Sila.

But you
Cruel
:

will sure be with

to ask

me my good Lord
this.

Ham.
.

what need

your Lidma

Come,

let us

enter this pavilion, love.

Sita.

J\Iost

villingly

unusual lassitude
and wooes me
to repose.

Creeps oer
Ravi.

my frame,

Recline, on me, thy couch

and round my neck

the

Throw those dear arms, more lovely than Of moon gens melting in the lunar ray.

band

As start the pearly drops. What can this mean a sudden

it

transport glows

In every nerve
I

shedding such strange emotion.

be pain or pleasure
have quaffed

know

not whether

If poison parch
In
Sita.

my

veins, or I

The maddening wine cup

this fair
It
is

can such magic hid

No
charms of mine.
languid blossom
;

touch

thus overcome my nature.

life's

thy constant love.

Ram.

Thy
comes

tender voice revives

And
It

wliilst its

sound subdues each softening sense>

on the
ear.

like heavenly nectar

its

And
Sita.

poui's

balmy medicine on the

soul.

Dear

flatterer cease

here

let

us taste repose

The term Dohada

usually signifies the desire of a pregnant

woman

or longing to y?hich the Hindus attach equal importance as

did the nations of Europe.

28

Looking round.

Bam.

Wiiat seeks

my

Slid.

Be these arms thy pillow^

Thine, ever since the nuptial knot united us.

Thine, in the days of infancy and youth.

In lonely thickets, and in princely palaces.

Thine ever
Sila.

thine alone.

True

true my ever
latest

kind and cherished Lord.

(Sleeps.)

Ram.

Her

waking words are words of love.

but
is

And nought of her

most dear to me.

Her presence is ambrosia to my sight Her contact fragrant sandal hor fond arms
;

Twined round my neck

are a far richer clasp

Than
Oh,
I

costliest

gems, and in
of

The guardian goddess

my house she reigns. my fame and fortune*

could never bear again to lose her.

Enter
Alt.

Attendant.

Ram.
Alt.

My Lord Who ?
He

there waits

Your personal attendant DurmuJcha.

brings

Ram.

me word
citizens

of

what reports are spread

enter.

Amongst the

go bid him
T>iirmuk'ha.^

{Exit Attendant,

Enter
Dur.

(To

himself.)

How

can I venture to communicate

The
Sit a.

idle

rumours of the giddy people

rae.

"Would that the task had never been assigned

(In her
sleep.)

Where
I

art

thou dearest Rama.

her

Ram.
* Tlie
fittest

She dreams that

have

left

or the view
Brahmaa
is

Kanchuld or chamberlain; aa

old

the

person,

29

Of our pourtrayed

adventuves has disUivbetl

Hti gentle slumbers

ah how blest

is

he.

Who

ever dwells in long confirmed affection.

Alike in pleasure or in pain, whose heart

Reposes tranquilly

m every fortune.
life,

And on whose
Love constant

waning, as his budding

waits

Oh hoAV can fate be won.

To
Diir.

grant such happiness.

Hail to the King.

lidm.
Diir'
Is,

What

hast thou to report.

are
ill

The people

pleased

the general cry

Riimabhadra disregards

his subjects.

Ram.

What

reason have they thus to think of me.

Declare what fault they chai'ge

Diir.

me with.

Tis thus they talk {whispers.)

Rum.

Shame on

the vile traducer

who

assails.

Domestic happiness

no common means
the former scourge

Redeemed* VaideM from

Of foul
Like a

calumnious tongues

yet scandal foams

o'erHowing venom.

mad hound
to be

with
alas

still

What's

done

what choice remains.

To
that.

The

general good must be preferred.

father sacrificed his son
I

My
And
As

his

life

must do

my duty Now it

chances.

by the sage Vasishiha 'twas foretold.

noble ancestors

My

the lofty race

their sire,

That boast the sun

have bequeathed
;

A spotless reputation to
And how
shall I

my

keeping

deserve the glorious charge.

If calumny attach to aught that's mine,

* Sila.

30

DaugbAter of sacrifice

Fair child of Earths;

Glory of Junakas exalted race

The

loved of Sages and their sainted dames

;

Casket of Rama's being

Cheerin:^ light

Of the dark forest dweUing Utterer Of tender eloquence Alas, what cause
Has rendered
destiny thy ruthless foe.
ill

All thy good deeds di-torted turn to

All thy munincence awards thee shame

And

whilst thou art about to give the world

-

A worthy Lord
D'lrmul'hn go
"[I'o

that world, ingrate, condemns;,

1 hef, to a widowed solitary home,

bid Lakshmana attend,

lead the queen to exile.

Dm:

How

so

my Lordmust
;

she whose spotless fame

The

flame has evidenced

in

whom

there live

The hopes

of Rughu's line

be banished hence;
but adverse destiny

To
Ratn.

please a tliankless

and malignant people.

Nay

blame them not no lack of love or honour

liouse,

Towards the royal

Instils these

they witnessed not the act truimph and their doubts wondrous virtue's Of
thoughts

Are

venial

go

yerform our bidding.

\^Exit,

Dm: ham

Alas poor queen.

Cruel task
T

have become a Savage

The

wife whose every day has passed with

me

In tenderness and confidence, I yield,

Like a domestic
bird, to sacrifice.
shall

Wretch tliat

am why

my

touch impure
let

Pollute these charms hold me not thus

loose

Your tender

grasp, dear SUd, from a

man


31

Whom every
Around

crime degrades.

You
go

think,

you

cling

the Sandal's fragrant trunk, and clasp

The

baleful Poison tree

let

thus thus
rises.

Detaches himself and

What now
Where
Only
can

is life

a barren load the world

wild

A drearyarid solitary
I

hope for comfort

conscious of

sense was given me

affliction.

to

make me
sires

And

firmly

bound
^

in an unyielding frame.

Departed

prophets and sages all

Whom I haAe loved and honoured,* and all ye. Who have shewo honour and regard for Rama ;
Celestial flame

auspicious parent. Earth

my
solicitation

To whom amongst ye, dare I raise my voice. What name may I invoke, nor wrong its sanctity.
Will ye not shrink from

As from an outcast's touch fi-om me, who

chase

My

wife, the

honour of

my

house, away.

And doom

Katoragerhhd\ to despair.
offering to infernal fiends.

Like a dread

Bows
Adored Vaideki

doivii to Sita'sfoet.

for the last

last

time

Thy
Without.

lovely feet exalt the head oi Rama.

Help

help

for the

Brahman Tribe

Ra7n.

How

noAV.

Enter
Mess.
*

Messenger.
the Yajnunu's bank,
their incurring

The assembled Sages on

is

The term
of

Abrahmanyam
implying
llie

Brahmans, and

Abrahmavyam
absence

some

dis tress,

protection to

the

+ Sila,

32

Disturbed amidst their

ritual

by Lavand*

The demon, Ham.

Still this

fly to

Ruma

for protection.

profane intrusion I will send,

fScdruglma, to chastise this impious son,

O^ Kumhhinasi.
Alas

{Going, looks back.)

my

queen

Goddess

divine, all bearing

what will become of thee. Earth protect

the solemn rite.
:

This, thine

own daughter at

By

thee brought forth

sole

the only stay of JanaJca,

The
Sita.

remaining hope of Raghu's race.

\^Exii.

(Waking.)
evil

Oh my loved husband Ah deceived

I call

By
I

dreams

on him.

Left

me alone asleep

well well

How gone
;

Avill

be very angry with thee, Rama.

I will henceforth be mistress of myself.

Suppress

my

foolish fondness,

and

will learn

Henceforth to chide thee

who attends how now

Enter DurmuhlKU
Dur.
Prince Lakshnana requests you will be pleased
his chariot.

To come and mount

Sitd*
I will

come

But gently
* The

my
the

good

friend, the pleasing load

-weapon.

Son
by

of

Asura

Kumbhinasi the daughter of Visravas and sister of Rdvana. He inherited from

Madhu,

of

Lavana was sovereign Mathurd to the government

of which his conqueror succeeded.

his father,

a Trident presented

called

Mathura was Madhuvana

previously
or Madhiicity

by Siva to Madhii the holder of which was invincible. Salru-

puri the grove or

of the

ghna subdued and slew him by

surprising

demon Mudhit. t The youngest of

thers.

his

Bro-

him

without

his


33
)

hew, retards

my steps Accept my homage,

all

G( di of the race of Ragliu and of Janaka,

Feet of my honoured Lord, and

Propitious Saints.

\Exit,

END OF ACT

FIRST.

ACT
Enter

II.

SCENE JANASTHANA FOREST.

* Alreyi a female
ascetic.

I see the genius of these groves approach.

She bears her flowery tributet

Enter
Vas.

Vdsaiiti

the

Dryad of Janaslhuna with

presence
brings;':

flowers nhich she presents.

Hail holy
all

Dame thy

Delight to

our groves and springs

Thy

blessing and thy prayers be

mine
thine..

These fountains and these bowers are

Here, in the
tall tree's

shade repose

Where

cool the limpid current floAvs,

And
more

feast

upon the blameless

root,

* The wife of the sage ^h'j,

usually termed .4nasuyu,

X The conversation of Mythologiciil

personages

is

so
I

little

the daughter of + She comes

Kerdama
witli

Hishi.

attractive in general, that

have

an ^4rghya

attempted to give
lliis

it

relief in

a present indicative of respect

to a superior.
It

Drama

hy a lighter

mea-

matters not

sure, at

the expence soraelinies

fidelity,

of what
case
is

it

consists,

and

in

tliis

perhaps of close

appropriately of flowers.

34

)
fruit.

Or pluck
The
In
silent

ilie

overhanging
of those

fitting fare

who

dwell.

grove and hermit

cell.

And
Atr.

consecrate the calm retreat.

sweet.

With pious thoughts and converse

(Takes
the present)

Kindness of heart, and gentleness of speech

JModest demeanour

innocence of thought

Unsullied natui'e 'and devout associates

These are the charms and mystic pov/ers of virtue.

And
The
Vas.

with sincerity united, hallow

grossness of existence.
[["Sifi^.

Tell

me

venerable
art,

Dame

Who
Atr.

thou

and what thy name.

the wife of Alri.*

Behold in
Tell

me

Vav.

me Partner

of the Seer,

What thy
Atr.

holy purpose here

forests dwells the great

Amidst these

Agastya,f

And many other holy teachers here With him reside from them, I come, The holy Vedas, having lately left

to learn

The

lessons of Valmiki.X
India,

* One wf the will-born sons of Brahvui, and progenitor of

the raoon.

to

Koliipur,

where

he

continued to reside, and appears

to h;ive
ta]

been mainly instriimenintrodnchig the

Agalya was the son of

in

Hindu

M'Ura and J^'artina conjointly Religion into the Peninsula, The author of the lidmdand born in a water J;ir along "Vfiih F'asishtha. Having com- J/an a se\llnd nt Chit rakuta withe mandcd the flndln/a monnlaiu time of Rama's exile but at this
:j;

to

lie

prostrate

till

his retiun,

\im<i

BUhur.

he repaired to the

South

of

35

Vas.

Yet wise,* Prachcfas' son

his mind

The

deepest, darkest, truths can find.

And on him

other sages wait.

ftite.

Familiar with the laws of

The book of Brahm were

there

made

clear

Why
Air.

then this weary journey here.

thee Spiri;

I'll tell

In Vdhmk''s bower
infant children,

What causes were there of delay and hindrance To interrupt the weiglity task Attend.
Borne by some Deity, two

Of more than common

Arrived, and from

natures, at the hermitage

studies whiled

tlseir Iioly

The
Vds,
A:r.

gravest sages

nay th^ very animals

Confessed the same surprising fascination.

'S

heir

names

Kiisa

and Lava were the names assigned

ce'estial

By their
They

guardian, and in pi oof

Avere rot of

mere mortal

race, they

brought

Along with them

ihe arms of heavenly fabric.

;

Tha

sage received them

and with care paternal

VdlmlLi rears them

in their earliest years

Rama
in

* J^ulmiki was Ihe son of Faruna,

tlie

reversed or Mara,

Mara,

regent

of the water
is

the inaudible repelilion of

one of whose names

tasjKff
:i

Prache-

which he remained immoveable

for Ihon sands

Accordir^ to the AdhyutiTftmaywwa, the sage, although

of years, so that

^vhen the Sages returned to the

Ijrahnian
his

by bith, associated
with foresters and

same

spot,

they found him

still

ill

youth

there, converted into a /^fl/7H^/^

robbers: attackir-r on one occasion the seven

liisliis,

or ant

hill

by

the nests of the

his

\hey ex-

Termites, whence

name of

postnlated witlihim successfully,

fdlmihi'

and taught him the mautra of

sa

The

use of anns Avas their especial study.

ten summers, he invested

But Avhen they saw

them

After the kingly fashion with the cord/

And
The

placed the

hoy

VetJas in their hands.

Scicii is their

aptness, they have far excelled

oldest scholars,

whose

less active intellects,

Ti)il after

them

in vain
is

The mind alike.

its

Vigorous or weak,

capable of culture.
nature

But

st'.ll

bears fruit according to

'Tis not the teacher's skill that rears the

scholar

The sparkling gem

gives back the glorious radiance

It drinks from other light, but the dull earth

Absorbs the blaze, and yields no gleam again.

Vas.
'Tis justly urged,
feet to seek

and this compels

cells.

Thy
Ah'.

our saintly

Another cause disturbed our pious studies

in his walk,

The sage Valmikl

where Tamasd,f

placid current glides, beheld a fowler

Strike to the ground, one of a gentle pair

Of birds,
The

that

murmured

love

upon the bank.

Filled with affliction at the piteous sight

sage gave utteiance to his wrath, and prompted

the inspiring goddess. ,:|: thus proclaimed

By
*

thread

worne

by the

thread of

tlie

military class is

three fust orders of the Hindus

nuule of

fliix,

and should he put

over the

left

shoulder and under

It
is

on iielweeu the ages of tea and

twei\ty two.

the right arm.

imposed

with
tlie

much

solemnity as part of
>f

+
kole
1^

small river near

called

Chilra-

ceremony

regeneration,

commonly

th^ To/^s^.

whence Ihethreecaslesare termed Dwijas or twice-born.

Saraswali or P^dni ihe god-

The

dess of speech and eloquence.

37

His thoughts

in unprenieditated verse.

" Hope

not. Barbarian, length of

days to

know

" Whose hand could deal so merciless a blow,

" One of a harmless

" Consigned
Fas.

pair could thus destroy,

to death,

amidst the thoughts of jo}'."^

ilr^t

'Twas genius spoke, and

heaven descended
art

on tarth

A
Atr.

had

birth.

The

verse Avas scarcely uttered

sage,

when

\o

Brnhmci,
;

Appeared before the

and thus addressed him

" Thy Spirit is awakened now thou feelest "The present God, whose soul is eloquence.
" Complete thy task
*'

declare in lofty strain

The deeds

of Ruiua to the listening world.

" This day, the new born ray of heavenly knowledge

" Breaks on thy sight

This said he disappeared

First Poet amongst men." the sage obeyed

And
The
Vas.

first

of mortals, clothed in measured lanffuage.

actions

and events of human beings.

To all

the world the sacred tongue

Veds, shall hence belong.

Of gods and
Atr.
'Tis true,

and thus on our

retired studies

Profane intrusion may be apprehended.

Enough I now have rested Friendly spirit Show me the way, to great Agastya's dwellino-.
Vas.

The road through Panchavatl

leads;

And
*

here across the stream pi'oceeds.

here
i,isnr!s

The
18.

original

The

literal

expression

is

the Stanza of
I. 2.

llie
is

Rdmai;ana,
there
also

Ilanta, Pandita Sansdrax\ha,

the world
is

which
be the

learned,

stated to

first

Sloka or

Stanza ever coinposed.

38

Air.

The
This

clear Goddvari

yonder extends
;

Prasravuna, whose high tops touch the clouds

is

the sacred forest, Janasthdnu,

Vasanli.

And thou if I mistake not art You speak my name. Vas.

Atr.
]\Iy

These scenes suggest most painful recollections.

poor child JdnaH, t^vas here thy fate
thee,

Once placed
Although,

and

think I see thee

is all

stilly

alas,

thy

name

that's left

Of one who was so dear to me. Vas, How say you does aught ill
The
Air.

attend.

fortunes of

my

dearest friend.

Not

evil fortune

only

evil

fame (whispers.}

Vas.

Alas, alas, relentless fate.

Is there

no limit

to thy hate, (faints.

Air. Vas.

Revive

my

child

be comforted.
beauteous queen.

Such gentle
der.tiny

Silci,

Thy

hath ever been.

but I will not chide

Ah Rama !
Befell

Declare Atreyi, what beside.

my

hopeless friend, conveyed

to forest shade.

By Lakshmana
Atr.
Vas.
It is not

known.

But where

oh where
divine.
;

Was then
And
all

Vasishihas guardian care:

Where was Arundhali

the chiefs of
TJie ancient

Roghu's hne
all

Queens

Were

content.

To murk unmoved
Air.

such sad event.

The

elders of the race

had

all

repaired

39

To

Tlishi/asringa' s

hermitage
is

but

late,

The twelve years rite They quit the hermit

finally effected.

but Arundhaii

Returns not to Ayodhjd whilst deprived

Of SUa, and with

Should

her the Queens agree.

'Twas therefore by Vuslshtlm counselled, they

for a while

be tenants of those grove?^^

pupils dwell.

Vas.

Where wise Valmiki and his And what doth Rama,

Pie prepares

Air.

shares
fear

Vas.

An* Asivamcdh What female

The solemn rite I

'J is idly said.

him Aved

To some new Queen.

Air.

A golden image of his

The
Vas.
sacrifice partakes.

cherished Sitd

'Tis well.
his faith

He holds
Such

Men's hearts

yet hard io the purest comprehend

tell

contradictions,

and can blend

The The
Air.

force to bear, the

power

to feel.
steel.

tender bud, and tempered

Already the pure steed, oer

whom

the charms

By Vdmadeva
Is loosed to

spoken, are pronounced.

at Avill

roam

his

guards attend

According

to the ritual.

By

the son

0 Lakshinana,
Arrayed

the noble Chandrakeln,

in mail,

and with bright weapons armed,

sacrifice

* The soleraa

of a horse.

40

From heavenly
His
son's

arsenals^ the

bands are led

lo,

Scarce Avent they forth,

when

Brahman brought

dead body to the palace gate.

And

called for succor to the

Reflecting,

Brahman when unseasonable death

tribe.

Afflicts his people, that the

monarch's faults

Must be

the cause, full sorely

Rama

grieved.

When
One

to console

him came
forth,

a voice from heaven

Commanding him go
In pious penance

and seek Samhiika

of an outcast origin, engaged

he must

fall

by Rama,

And

then the Brahman's son will live again.

This heard the king assumed his arms

ascended

His car

celestial,

and he traverses

Even now
Vas,

the realms in quest of this Ascetic.

Speed

Rama speed the

:

foe inhales

In these deep shades the healthful gales.

His only sustenance

but now.
his

Thy coming terminates

vow ;
ground.

And
Atr.

thy blest steps shall spread around.

New glories
Vas.
I

on

this sainted
spirit,

Come friendly

haste

we

hence.

lead the sun with glow

intense.

Shoots through the sky, and drives to shade

The silent

songsters of the glade.

loftiest

Alone amidst the

boughs.

The dove

repeats her tender vows.

By tangling branches
Where

overhead
is

A cooling gloom beneath

spread,*

rests the elephant, reclining

'il

Against the ancient tr'.nk, or twining

His tusk avo'ind the branchy bower

He

scatters roiind a leafy shower.

Of flowery

buus, that falling seem

An

offering to the sacred stream.

Whose

crystal Avaters pUicid flow

Along the verdant shore below

\^ExeunL

Enter Rdma
(With

in his car.

his swoi i

drawn.)

Hand thou hast done thy duty, and let fall The sword of vengeance on the Sudra's head.

To

grant existence to the Brahman's son.

This act was worthy him of whom thou'rt part

Kot such

thy deed,

when

thrusting Sit a, forth

TobeaY her burthen

Sam.

to the lonely

woods.

Enter* Sumbuha

as a celestial spirit.
terrific

Glory to Kama, death's

king
life

Awed by

thy prowesp, renders back to

The Biahman's son the youth is with Thou art the benefactor of mankind. To tliee I owe the iionours that attend
JMy present
state, to

his

sire-.

be obtained alone

By

acts of piety, not

bought with gold.

Ram. Long may your happiness endure ; Long may you live a tenant of those realms To which yuur penanc:s have raised you where The pure and ur impas^ oned sages dwell.
;

And
deificaiioii.

taste the bliss that

recompenses

virtue.

* "Hnving been killed bj diviae hands he of course obtained

42

Sum.
I

Not owe

to

my

penance, but to thy benevolence

;

this exaltation

yet I

wrong

Tlie force of

my

devotions which have brought thee

I.

In quest of such an abject woi'm as

Thou

shouldst be sought out

by the world,

its

great

And
To

powerful defence

yet tiiou hast

deigned

quit

Ayodhya

for the

Dandak

forest.

And hither bend thy steps in Ram- And is this Dandaka : do

Behold the
vast, the

search of me.
I

once more

venerable shades.
trees,

Awful and dark with aged

and echoing
hills.

With roaring torrents from surrounding

The haunt of pious

Sam.
This
is

seers,

and holy pilgrims.

the scene of thy triumphant prowess

Where

countless

demons

fell

beneath thy sword*

Hence Janasthdna's timid denizens

Pass their calm days in undisturbed devotion.

Ham.
Sam.

Lies Jimasthana here.

Towards the South,

bounds

It skirts these thickets, through whose spacious

Wander
Or

at will the monsters of the wild.

Fierce o'er the mountain stalks the ravenous Tiger,

lurks in

gloomy caves

through the thick grass

Curls the vast Serpent, on whose painted back

The Cricket

chirps,

and with the drops that dew

profound

The

scales allays his thirst. Silence

Enwraps

the forest, save where babbling springs

rock, or

Gush from the

Give back the

where the echoing

hills

tiger's roar, or

where the boughs

Khara, Dushana aud

* Or in the 14014 text Rdkshasas besides the three

principal,

Trisird,

'i3

Biirst into crackling flame,

and wide extends

The
Ram.

blaze the dragon's fiery breath has kindled.

I recognise
t!ie

scene,

and

all

the past

Rises to recollection

these drear shades

to

Appalled not Shu, well content

brave

The

forest

gloom with Rama

at her side.

SucJi was her wondorous love, that cheerfully

She trod the wild. What wealth need man

dciire,

Who in the fond

Has

companion of his

life.

one, that shares his sorrows,

and disperses

The thought of piiin with

exquisite deliglit.

Sam. Dismiss such melancholy thoughts; observe The peafowl's glorious plumage, as he lights
Beneath yon copse

behold, through tufted grass

deer,
:

Where come the trooping Nor fear the gaze of man

;

bounding

to covert^

there cooling fall

The sparkling torrents as they flash beneath The overhanging willows, or the boughs
Laden with
fruit declining to the stream.

And
The

vocal with innumerable choristers.

she-bear growls along the flowei'y brinks

incense bearing tree, the elephant
all its

And from the

Snaps the light brand), and

gum

exudes.
air

And breathes rich perfume

I quit thee

through the balmy

Lord

to visit with thy leave.

cell

Ere

ascend to heaven, Agaslyas

propitious.

Ram.

Be thy path

\_Exit

Samhuka,

'T was here that long and happily

dwelt.

Ere other

duties,

and the cares of empire

'(

44

Disturbed

my

tranquil joys

but such our

lot

Each various

station has its proper claim

The hermit's cahn suits not the rank of king, Nor kingly state the peaceful hermitage.
Scenes of repose, with lavish nature graced
;

Haunts undisturbed of timid birds and deer

Streams decorated with the untrodden fringe

Of flowery
I

blossoms, and luxuriant creepers,

well.

know ye

Yon

distant

wavy

ridge.

Like

a faint line of low

descending clouds,

Defines Prasruvana, whose lofty crest

Was And

once the vulture king, Jutayus, seat

from whose

sides precipitously falls

The broad Goddvcri

At the

hill foot.

And on the margin of the stately wood. Where tlie dark trees upon whose branches, bowed
Into the broad Godaveri, the birds

Sang sweet and

oft,

our leafy cottage stood.

And here is Panchdvali, long the witness Of our contented stay, and the abode Of Silas dearest friend the fair Vasanti
The kindly genius of these ancient Shades. Sad I pine Alas, how changed my fortune In lonely widowhood afRiction sheds

deadly venom through

my
in

veins

despair
wound.

Like a barbed arrow shot into

my

heart

There
Let

sticks,

and rankles

its

cureless

me

beguile the hoiu', and try to lose

of

The memory

my

sufferings, as I
:

gaze
yet even they

Once more on these dear scenes

45

Are not unchanged

-where once the river flowed

trees,

verdant bank extends, and where the

Close wove, denied admittance to the day.

An open

champain bares

its breast:

to

heaven
still

Scarce could I

deem the

spot the same, but

The mighty landmarks tower aloft, and round The same tall mountains mingle witl; the skies.
\_Scnnb{ika returns,

Sam.

Al! hail to

Rdmatlwxs A^astija

wills

His glorious spouse the tender Lopaviudrd,*

And all his pious household having heard Thy presence in these wilds, they pray to see
Ere thou reseek Ayodhyd.

thee

Ram.
The

Be

it

done.

Bear with me, PaJichavall, that obeying

pleasure of the sage, I
still

presume

To
Sam.

trespass

on thy

confines.

Here

lies

our path

3'onder
the

is tall

Kraunchdvat
sides,

Amidst the dark glens of whose wooded

* Agastya having seen
ancestors
lieeis in

his

She was named Lopamudra from

distinctive beauties

suspended
pit,

by their

(Mu-

was told by thciu

only
be extheir

dra) of animals, as the eyes of

deer &ca.
Joss

that they
tricated
his

could

being
in

subjected to her
superior

from

position by
In

(Lopa)

beo'etting

a son.

order

charms.
4gasti/a
father,
agiiinst

When
and
liis

marriageable

to obtain a wife
pose, he

for this purgirl

demanded her of her

although
sorely
will,

made a

of the

most graceful

parts of the ani-

the king was

nials of the forest

and gave her,

obliged to consent to her be-

without his privacy to the king

of Fiderbha to be his daughter.

coming the wife of the Sage. Mahubhdrat Vanu Parva.

45

Tlie

Raven numerous shrieks, and hoots the Owl,

And whines through whistling caves the shrilly breeze. And coi.mtless Peafowl, with discordant shrieks.
Chase into sapless trunks, and time worn
trees.

The The

frightened snakes.
lofty

Far

to the

South extends

range of

hills,

whose towering peaks

Are diademed with clouds

whose central caverns

as

Roar loud with mighty waters,

from the earth

The

springs of the Goddveri burst foith.

at

And

whose

base, the sacred conflux blends

In one broad stream, the loud encountering torrents.

END OF THE SECOND ACT.

ACT

111.

THE DANDAKA FOREST CONTINUES.

Enter Tumasd and Murala. Two River Goddesses.
Tarn.

How
By

now,

sister,

whither btnt.

Mur.

the holy Mati'on sent,

Lopanmdra, charge of care

To

Goddveri I bear.
the

Thus

Matron bids me

say.
clay

Rama still
Though

through many a

exterior calmness screen

his

His sorrow, deeply mourns

queen

And his

declining form declares

that his

The anguish
For soonest
That

bosom

tears

shall the soft heart pei'ish.

loves a secret grief to cherish.

As gourds with
Brooding

coat of clay encased

Earliest into ripeness haste.

o'er his

bosom's woes,

Rama
Every

now desponding goes

the forest confines, where
object

Through

wakes despair.

Fond, he lingers on each spot.

Speaking of a happier
lot.

When

delightedly he strayed

48

With

his Sita,

through the shade.

Happiness

for ever flown.

Now he
And

weeps, and weeps alone.

such sad despairing mood,

solitude,

Nursed by gloom and

Slay to fierce distraction gi'ow.

And

the firmest

mind

o'erthroAV.

Lest such iiapiess chance befall

Thou

i)!S

sinking- sense recall.

Moistened by thy geiid spray

Ciooling breezes

round him play

Balmy with
So
tliy

the lotus bloom

its soft

Shed the breeze

perfume;

friendship shall dispense,

Freshre.'S on each fading sense

Tam.

'Tis kindly done,

its

but mightier

art

To day performs What art. Miir.

Tam.
Attend:
'tis

surer part.

not

unknown

When
Her

8ita Ixelpless and alone.

Left by Lakshmana, deplored

hapless fate and cruel lord;
throes of nature

The suddf n

came

Distracting, oe'r her tender frame.

And
Her
Mnr.

wild with agony she gave

beauties unto Ganga's wave.

'Tis true,

and

in the

xnoment bore.
to the shore

Two
'i

lovely boys

whom

Beneath the wave, the realms of shade,

he Goddess of
tlic

Stream conveyed

49

And
The

there with Earth's great goddess, tended.

With

pious pains,

till

time liad ended.

first

and fond maternal care

took the nursling pair.

Whea Gangu
To

wise Valmiki's hermitage.

And

gave them

to tlie assenting sage.

Now grown

in strength

and

sense, appears.

Each youth beyond

his childish years.

Worthy his high imperial line. The holy Sage and nurse divine.
Tam,

And now, throughout

the regions

flies.

The

fame, the fierce ascetic dies.

In Janasthdna's drear domain

By Rdmahhadra's falcliion slain; And Lopamudru, Ramus grief

To Ganga
sends
his sure relief

The Goddess brings

she comes

in haste

embraced To see Goduvari Some fair pretext, she hither speeds. And with her lovely Sitd leads.

Mur.

'Twas wisely thought

empire,

amidst

affairs

Of
Are

Ramas

private cares

scattered

but whilst thus he wends.

And grief alone his steps attends. He feels his loss but what device To Rama shall his ({ueen entice.
Tam.
'

lis thus

contrived the Queen of floods

Sends Sitd to these ancient woods,

'J'o

gather flowers, and with them pay

Devotion to the

God

of day,


50

From whose bright loins the glorious race Of llaii/in their high Hneage trace.

And homage
This day

therefore should be done

to their great Sire, the Sun,

For that the lucky knot* has told.

Twelve years

their rapid course

have rolled,

Since, from the daughter of the Earth,

Kiisa and

Lava drew

their birth.

Go

forth,

exclaimed the Queen,

my

child

Nor

fear the monsters of the wild,

Hy my command,

the forest train

thall maintain;

A
By

guard around thee

her behest too,
I

attend

Her

tender pupil to defend.

From aught of harm, and hence am found

JSIur.

To day upon this holy ground. To Lopaniudra I depart,

Tlie blissful tidings to impart.

But "who comes here

Tam

"i'iriSild:

mark
tresses

IIow lovely througli her

dark

And

floating loose, her fixce appears.

tears.

Though pale and wan, and wet with

She moves along
like

Tenderness
;

Invested with a mortal dress

* The
literally

Mangala

GrantJd.

year

of a person's

life,
is

in the

rendered in the text,

alludes
to the

string or thread

which
scroll

wound

The

cxpri'ssiou

round the paper

on which

prutlicc

still i" list;

amongst the

the caleiihitions of his nativity

Hindus, of making a knot every

are itiscrihed.

51

Or
Mur.

like

embodied Grief, she shines^

in absence pines.

That sad oer love

Bowed down by

anxious tliought, she droops^

Like the
Its head,

soft lotus as it stoops

when some rude hand

has broken

The

slender stem

those sighs betoken

is

labouring heart, and withering care

wasteful hand

With

busy there
.

For every limb more

fragile shows.

So when the sun of autumn glows.

The

tender

leaflet

languid

lies.

Shrinks in the scorching blaze, and

dies.

\^Ex'U

Mvrald.

Enter
Sita.

Sild (as described)

iv'Uh flowers.

'Tis very strange

methought

heard the voice

Of my

dear friend Vdsanii once again.

Voices in the wood.

The elephant is Silas, whom the Queeu With her own tender hands is wont to feed ;
he perishes

And now

as to the stream

He with
SitU'

his

mate

repairs, a

monstrous elephant.

Wild from

the woods, approaches to assail liim.

Ah my

dear Lord

My

favorite

from destruction

haste, haste thee preserve ah; the view

to

Of these

familiar scenes, suggests to

me
(faints.)

Phrases alike familiar once

but now

Ah me unhappy
Re-emter Tamasd.
Tarn.

Revive

my
)

c\n\(S.. {recovering hei .)

Ram.

(Without
our

Here guider of the carhere

stay

coui"se.

'

52

>

Sita.

What

voice

was that oh

it

comes

o'er

my

soul.

Like the low muttering of the thundercloud.

That promises refreshing dews

to earth.

And
Tarn.

calls

me back

to life.
:

What means

this i-apture

Why
Sila,

such delight from inarticulate sounds

Chance uttered
Inarticulate, saidst thou
:

To my

enraptured ear

it

seemed

My
Tarn.

dear lost Lord had uttered the blest sounds.

It

may be

for

'tis

noised amongst mankind.

The
Sita.

subjugation of the ascetic Sudra,

this ancient forest.

Conducts the hero to

Thus pays he
by
again behold

faithfully the lofty

dues

Do

but he comes yes he His gait declares him but how pale and thin.
Ejfactcd
I

his station

him

'tis

Like the

fast

waning moon

in

morning

skies.

Oh support me
Rain.

{throws herself into the arms of Ta:na\u.)

(Rushing in. )'^ Goddess adored

Celestial daughter of
Sita.

Ah me illfated see his lotus

me

FiJchas kings, f fulls fainting.^

eyes

Close at the sight of

his

deep distress
!

O'ermasters every sense

Oh save him

save him

\^To Tamasd-

Tarn.

Dismiss your terrors

you can best restore him

to
life.

That gentle hand can bring liim back

*

la the original
to
fill!

Rama

is

when they
Enter

are again discovered,

supposed

behind

the

or in the langniige of the text,

scenes and Sila goes out to him,

Rama

fainted.

^^^

Silu.

Say'st thou

{Kneels; takes one of Rama'.i handa in one oj hers, and

applies the other to his forehead.)
'Tis so

his

spirits are recovering.

:

Ram. Whatshouldthismcan the heavenly balm that wakes

The dead to Hfe is poured into my heart Or from the moon, ambrosial dews descend. Drop on my soul, and rouse me to existence. Such is the power that well known touch possesses.

To change insensibility to life. And cheer the chill of dark despair with hope. (Withdraiiiii^) Oh this is much for me. Sita.
Ram.
.

Why
SUc'i

was

it

not

My

that restored

me.
seeks

Sita.

Ah my

lord

now
I

me

Ram.
Sita.

I will searth.

(To Tamasd)
vincalled

must not meet

His gaze

He will be angry
will,

That

approach him thus unbid,

Tam.

Fear not
Bhaguvati's powerfuU
enshrined.

By
Ram.

You walk
Sita

unseen, even by the sylvan deities.

is it

WJiere
Oft has

art

loved Sita no she or was thou

flovv^n

not here.

but a dream.

my

fancy anxiously explored

retreat,

]My Jdnaki's

and noAv,

illusively.

It finds her in these shade?.*

A few

speeches that f .'How

also left out, as injurious to the

ftitcrest

are here

on.iltetl,

ami several

of the scene.

fiubsequeut passages have been

54
)

(Behind.)

Help Help
will

Or Silas elephant
ham.

be destroyed

My Sita's
Rises,

favorite

who dares molest

The animal

she loved.

and

is

going, Enter Vdsanli.

in these

Vas.

The pride of Raghu

honoured groves

Hail, prince
Sita.

My
Do

friend Vasanli.
I see

Rum.

My
Vas.

Silas dearest friend.

:

The same but speed To save the elephant cross the Where SUd's name gives virtue
Alas, Jaluyu
forest
is

Goddveri
to the ford.
right.

Leaving Jatuyiis mountain on the

Sila.
;

The
Ram.
Vas.

a Avaste deprived of thee.

recollections

How many
recall.

do these names

Sadly

No more

delay

quick

follow

me
[^Exeunt.

Sila.

Tell me, dear Tamnsd, cannot in sooth

see

The wood nymphs

Ta7n.

me.

V/hat should you doubt

far

The might of Gungd

exceeds the power

Of every
Sila.

deit}'^.

Then

let

us follow

My lordj

and

my

dear friend.
^^Exeiini.


55

THE BANKS OF THE GODAVERI.

Enter Kama and
Ram.
Vas.

Vdsanti and ajlcnvurds

Goduvcr't.

Silci

and Tamasd.

Glory Xo

Now,

Prince, secure

The victory to him, w iiom as a child Thy princess fondly cherished.

Ram.
J^ns.

Live and conquer.

'Tis

even thus

he triumphs

o'er his foe.

Ram.

Fate, Sild, has obeyed thee, and the elephant.

sportive frolic pilfered from thine ears.

Whose
With

blithe

and slender trunk, the

lotus fibres.

Their fragrant pendants

Defies the mighty

now in earliest youth.

prowess Mark

monarch of the woods.

Nor
The

less his

tenderness than

arts

he practises to gain the favour

Of his

loved mate

as he imbibes the wave

Perfumed with lotus buds, and with his trunk.

Sprinkles the fragrant dews upon her form.

Or
Sila.

rears the broad leaf of the lotus, high

to screen her

Above her head,

Well pleased,

from the Sun

I

my

Tamasd,

view

this child

Of my

affections, but, alas, the sight

Recalls the

memory

of far dearer sons.

How fare my boys

Tarn.

In him, you may behold them

as are his, are theirs.

Such strength and courage

Slid.

Ah

me, unhappy

not alone condemned

it.

To separation from my lord, but dooxned To live divided from my children.

7fl7.

Fate has so

v/illed

(
Slid.

56

How have

deserved

A doom

so harsh

what

sins

have I committed.

That the sweet faces of ray love'y boys,

Sliaded Avith curling locks, and bright with smiles,

Where
Tcnn.
Sita.

the red lips the

budding teeth

display.

Should never knoAv the kisses of a father.

If fate be gracious, they

may know them

yet.

As they

recur to memory,

my

bosom.
their sire

Swells with a mothers passion Full in

and

my

gaze, I

seem once more

to live

Blest amongst mortals.

Tewi.

Truly

it is

said

The

love that children waken,

is

the bond.

That binds

their parents strongest to their faith.

And even when the wedded pair are held By fond affection, still there needs this tie
* To make
t^as.

their happiness

compleat and

lasting.

Be

seated Prince

here in this plantain grove

in happier

Behold the marble which

Supported thee and
Siici

days

here she

sat.
'

And
Ram.
Fas.
I

from her hands gave fodder

to the deer

That boldly crowded round

their gentle mistress.

it.

cannot bear to look upon

(weeps.)

f Aside.) Oh, that

my lovely friend, could now behold

The
*

altered state of her once beauteous Lord.

length in
as
tlie

few speeches of the dia:ire

original, especi;illy

logue

here,

and

iu

some

the

speeches

of Sitd

and
the

following passages, omittetl, merely to

Tamasd sometimes suspend

conversation of

compress a scene which

is

Rama

and

being devoid of action

ex-

fduniti through aa iucouveuicut iulcrval.

leuded

to

diproporliouate

57

His manly form, whose graces ever new

Were once the grateful

objects of her

siglit.

Now shrunk and withered, Now paie and haggard liis

and by

ceaseless grief

once blooming cheeks.

Aloud. Put forth your brightest fruits and flowers, ye trees;

Ye breezes breathe the perfume of the lotus ; And ye soft choristers pour all your voices In sweet continuous song, for Rama comes.
Once more he Ram.
Vas.
visits his erst

loved domains.

Here
Permit

let

us rest awhile.

me

ask

How
Ratii.

fares the Prince brave Lalcshn ana.

her, apart,)

(Not hearing

Twas

in these scenes.

The gentle Maiihili delighted fed The innocent animals confiding round
Where'er
I turn,

her..

sad recollections

rise.

And
Vas.

all

my

heart resolves itself in deAV

dost not speak of Lalcshmnna..
*

The Maharaja

Ram.

(Apatl.) Her cold respectful manner, and her voice

starting tears,

With
I

broken and

indistinct,

comprehend she knows the tale:

(weeps.)
these tears.
is

(io her) the Prince;

Is well,

Vas.
Sita.

Then why
Vdsanli

this
who

cr

uel
all,

My Lord
From
Vas.

demands respect from

love me.

and most

those

How

hadst thou the heart.

To

drive "that gentle being from thee once

^^^

She was tby

love,

thy

otiier,

dearer

life

Light of thine eyes, and nectar of thy

soul.

How
limn.
Vas.
licim.

can u-h deed be credited of

it.

Rama.

Tlie wox'ld com[:el,ed

Why. It knew

ro cause.
to

Vas.

Obdurate man,

heed the world's reports,

tlie

Alone, nor reck the scorn that waits

Ila-t thou forgotten,

cruel.

what

disastrous fate,

Befel the fawn-eycd SHd,

when

she dwelt

Before

in lonely w')ods

Avhatthen occurred,
fcince

May make thee

Ra7n,

tremble for whtt

has chanced,

What horrible suggestionsyes,

dila,

I see.

My
In

once again, the spoil of fiends

vain, her slender

form and lovely looks

tliose

Demafid compa'^sionvainiy do

eyes

Roll wild with terror, fearful as the glance

Unsteady, of the yearUng fawn, and vain

The tender burthen that she To move the savages to pity

Oh, Avhere, abandoned
Siia.
Stt'i,

graceful bears,

where
art thou
'

now.

My Lord, my honoured
(Her
ITow now

speech ceases in commlsive slmggles.)

child.

Tarn.

my
tii^;

Nay

give thy sorrows way, sufferers should speak

1 heir griefs

bursting heart that overflows

;

In words obtains

relief

the swelling lake

Is not imperilled; wiien its rising waters

o9

)
tlieir

Find ready passage through

wonted channel.*

Mark

Rdmdhlt.ii'rn
rnankin;],
tiieir
ill

little

cause has he
to his dnty.

To thank

yet

faitlti'ul

He

labours for

good,
hini;,

who
and

oft

have been
aHiiction
life.

The

source of

to

sti;l

Unceasing

for thy loss preys

[;ar

on his

As

scorching .Mimmers

h the

fragile flower.

He knows
Of social

no pieasure?

norjiartakes the joys

the recreation
tears.

converse

all

He
Ham.

covets

solitude,

and sighs and

The haunts of populous life, are not for Sltci; Her home I, know_, is some sequestered shade.

Where

she

And
Be
Vas.

all

may mourn neglected but by me who pine in misery, her loss

satisfied

is felt

is f.Jt

most bitterly
I will divert his

{Aside. )

He is much moved,

thoughts.

To

other objects

Look

around you. Prince,

And mark the

Behold the

scenes that Janasthdna ofTtrs.

spot, Adhere in

your shady bower

Of twining creepers wove you often sat?. To watchj impatient Situs homeward course,
* Lit

"By

those wlio are in sorrow th^ir sorrows should be

is

uttered, as the heart in the agitation of griof

upheld by wurds."

The sentiment
Richard the
Eliz.

is

faniiliar to the

Dramas of

Shakesi>ear.

Thus

in

3rd.

Why

should calamity he

ful]

of words.
tliey

Duch of
and
in

York. Lfttheni have scope, 'hough wh:f

tise,

do impart

Help nothing

yet do Ihcj cise the he;nl.

Macbeth.
Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak
Whispers the o'erhuught heart, and makes
it

break.

60

From

the Godaveri's pure stream,

and

she.

Who
As

conning

marked remote your fond

rebuke for long delay

anxiety.

fearful of

Bowed
Sita.

sportive!}'

her head^ and with closed palms.

deprecate your anger.
unmerciful.

Touched her

fair front to

Cruel Viisanli

this

is

Thus with heart piercing shafts, incessantly.

To wound
Ram.
I

the

bosom of

my

Lord, and mine.

Relentless Jdnuki where'er I gaze,

vain, for thou my vigour me. The world a wide desart am burnt deep, deep, thickest glooni. With inward My soul plunged and night around me,
view thy charms
is

in

art pitiless.

]My heart

bursting

all

flies

is

fires

in

is

all is

(faints.
Sita.

Alas, his senses fail

to

him

as his

thoughts

Revert

me, unhappy
of all,
not,
is

his existence

The hope
Tarn'

thus again endangered.

Fear

your hand revives him.

(Situ

ads as

before. J

Vas.

He

recovers.

Ixam.

Once more, ambrosia.

o'er

Spread

each limb,

b}^ that celestial

hand.

Restores
]\Iy

my

parting spirit, and converts

sorrows to ineffable delioht.

Joy, joy, Vusanti, thou wilt share ray joy.

Vas.

Whence
S'du

is

this transport.
is

Bam.
Fas.
llwii.

she

found.

Where.

Here

before us

do>i thou not see her.

Gl

>

Fas.

Why
I

naock

my

sorrows^

why

thus rend a heart

Already broken by
R(Wi.

my
I

Sifuv

loss.
;

mock thee not; Too well I know the

could not be deceived

touch of that dear hand.

placed in mine

The maiTiage

rite first

even now.

Cool as the snow

drift to

my

fevered palm.
it

And
CB^
Sita.

soft as

Jasmine buds

I grasp

here

a sudden effort he catches hold ofSitcVs hand.)

Alas, I yield, (struggling.)

Ram.
'Tis

Vdsanti

it is

real

This rapture

is

too

much

it

quite

unmans me;

no delusion touch, and be convinced.

Vas.

Alas
'

he raves.
gone again
is
ill

(Sita gets away.)

Ram.

ris

I feared it.

The world
Trembling

rotten at the root

my grasp.
;

held the tremulous prisoner.

And it
Sita.
I

has slipped

away

what
live.

no where

speak.

Pitiless Vaidehi.

am

rightly called.

To mark this agony, and

Ram. Oh wliere Where art thou
dearest

hear my
fly

call

appear.

Be

not unmerciful

oh,
seeii

me

not.

'Tis strange

it

must be phantasy,
her

or else

Vasanti would have

do

dream-

Does Rama

sleep, or

doth the mighty power

oft delights

That framed the universe, and

To To
Sita>

spread delusion, fabricate a phantom,

cheat

me

of

my

senses.

Nay, loved Rama,

62

'Tis I

who play

a phantom, and deceive thee.

Ram.

My friead

rdsanli -those

who Jove me

ttitl.

Can

gatlier little pleasure

from iny presencetliy tears to flow.

Why
Sif'i.

should I longer cause

Forgive

me let mc

hence.
I l'>?e

(To Tamcisd.) Again

Yield not to despair

him.

Tnio.

seek we the feet

Lava win

Of Bha

avail, to perfect the rites.

Ku.<^'i

That wiUfar

and

for

Auspicious days to come.

Sila.

Oh,

let tne

look,

A little moment longer,

1

on a form,
again.

never, never,
I

may behold
now,

Ham.
I
Sila.

go

to finish,

my

Aswamedha,

have

my

bride.

What

is it

that I Iiear.

Ram.

The image of my

Sitd
will grace the festival.*

Wrought of pure gold

Sila.

Thou

art indeed the son of Dasavdt'ha.

I\Iy pa=t affliction all is

Thrice h-ippy she,

now effaced whom my loved Lord

and
is

reveres.

Who glads
* Thus
rtpides,

his heart,

the hope of nations.

spirit with

in the .4lcest;s of Eti-

The

which

Rama
!

J dmelus\aordhv to conloss of

has the iinygH of "^a Torsne

is

sole himself for the

his

much more woi Ihy of

and Ling: hi
deed he
?e<s,
is

a hero
in-

spouse declares,

ihi!.

nil his

conduct

By the
framed.

huiul of skilful artists

vnsily sunfiiorto ^4din

and

the dcrme;iiioii of
si-

Her image
niy couch.

shall

he placed upon

a situation in some respects

mihir the Hindu poet
is

equally

superior to Ihe Grecian.

63

Tarn.
S'lta.

You

speak yonr

own

eii'cgium love,

Forgive

mc

(seems ashamed)
\veakrxess

You must
Tam.
Situ.

c't'?pise this

Let us depart.
I follow you.

Tam.

But with averted

f<-i

eye,

Casting

languid looks, not to the path

The
Siia.

feet should

tread the painful

effort strives,

In vain to overcome the strong

I bov.' nie to the feet

attraction.

of

my

dear Lord,
(fainting.)

The
Tam.
Sit it.

source of every blessing,

Be of coui-age.
Alas, hoAv long

am

condemned

to watch.

The pale moon struggling through contending Tam, How manifold the forms affection takes.

clouds.

And

yet

is

one unchanged, as water, seen

is

In bubbles, eddies, billows,

Unaltered element.

the same

Ranu

(In

his car

lo the charioteer.)

7his way, direct

my
AH.

rapid car.

(Addressing miiiually each other.) iMay holy mother

Earth,

The empress of the

floods, the

Bard

inspired,

Tii8 sage Vasishlha,

and

his pious

dame.
'

Protect your path, and guide

you unto happiness.

END OP THE THIRD ACT.

ACT

IV.

THE HERMITAGE OF VALMIKT.

Enter
Bhan.
SaucUidtaki and Bhdndayana,

Two

Ascetic Disciples.

Behold, Saudhatahi, our humble dwelling*

Vdhmhi's holy hermitage, assumes

The

face of preparation

he expects
:

Unwonted

guests to day

the wild deer feed

Upon unusual
Sail.

fragments, and the air

Is filled with savoury odours.*

There must be
cause, to

Some wondrous
Bhan.

make our grey beards

lay

Their lectures by to day.

There

is

a cause.

And
Sail.

that of no

mean

import.

Tell me,'T pray you.

expect.

What venerable ox may we To visit us.

Bhan.
.

For shame;

refrain fi'om jests

The

great Vasishlha hither brings the queens

Of

Dasaratha, with Anmdhati,

tleais
is

* The text

more

in par-

the air

is

charged with the

sraell

ticulars; the deer

said to drink

of ghee, boiled rice aud vegetablcs,

the

scum of

the water in which

mixed with the

in

fruit of the

the ordinary sort of rice as well

as wild lice has been boiled and

Jujube

the course of culinary

preparation.


65

From
JSan.

R'isJiyasrhis;a, to
is it.

our master's dwelling.

Vasishtha

Bhan.
Sail.

The same.
I crave
iiis

pardon

had thought
should look

at least

It

was

a wolf or tiger

we

for.

Bhan.
Smi.

How so. Why else,

was there provided

The
Bhan.

fatted calf for his regale.

Why know
Vcdas,'*

you not

The

which enshrine our holy law.

Direct the householder shall offer those

Who

in the

law ire

skilled,

the honied meal.

or goat.

And with it flesh of ox, or calf, And the like treatment shall the
*

householder

Receive from Brahmans learned in the Vedas.^r

He quotes

the

text

Sa-

"

He

wlir.

ents
is

animils

which

viunso

Madhuperka, a

ratlier

raay he

eaten

not defiled by
of the act,
eaten,

extraordinary liberty in such a

plare.

the daily pr.ictice

for animals which

may be

Some

lexis of

Menu would
seasons, oh-

and those who eat them, were

alike created by

seem to authorise the ealing of

animal food at
all

Brahma.

5.

30.

He
food

admits also that

lias

animal

serving merely the preliminary

been used by ancient

ceremony of offering a portion of it to the Gods or Manes, like

the heroes of
a sacrifice
is

sages, even as

nourishment withsacrificial

out regard to
cration.

conse-

Homer with whom

" Deer andbirds were

sacri-

only the prelude to

killed
fice
;

by Brahmans for
also

a feast, thus.
"

for the nutriment of

as

Having l)onght
it it

flesh

himself,

dependants,

was

formerly

or obtained

by aid ofanolher,
after worshipping

done by
ever,

^gasli/a.'"

5. 22.

How-

he who eats
the Gods or
sin"

Menu

prohibits the expen-

Manes commits no
5.

diture of life for the gratification

Aleuu

32.

of

the appetite,

and

restricts

C6

San-

You must

mistake.

Bhan.
Sau.

How

so.

Admit

the meal of flesh

Was
'Yo

for Vasishtha dressed

why was

it

not

Alike provided for the royal sage.

Janaka were curds and honey given;

flesh.

No
Bhan.
llie tise

'lis true^ for

though the sages use

Go^/mff or
7.

of animal food to the

Sacrifice,

Cow

killer" A. Res.

Madhuperka
iiigs

and

offer-

289.

Flesh was also distribut-

to Ihe

manes and
be killed

to the

ed on

public occasions

when
pos-

gods.

"..c?zM has declared that

Z?rfl//7nflns

were assembled, thus,

niiimals
ii

may

in offer-

YudhishlJiira
session

on

taking

gs to thegods in

s:icrifice

and

of the splendid hall

of

the

Madhuperka but not on any other occasion." The Jladhu-

audience, constructed for him by

Maya Dunava,

fed

many
all

thousorts

jierka
ful

here, implies the respectof curds and honey

Asthe ceremony

snnd Brahmans with

reception of a guest wiiich

of viands, including the

bears and deer.

flesh

of

included the presentation of a

The greatrepug-

mixture

nance to animal diet that now

exists

(Madhu honey and Perka

persion^ this
is

alluded to in the text

andagree:

ahly to the law of

Menu meat

was added to the offerings, conformably to the text "Let him

olfer to

amongst the Hindus ia some provinces, must iiave heeii of comparatively modern origin we may be satisfied from the above that the Brahmans selexcuses for partakit,

dom wanted
ing of

the

Brahman versed in Vedas a large Ox or Goaf

a
p. 48'

and the other castes

were not likely to be more scrupulous. In fact, the Kshelriyas

Mituk

Mr. Colebrooke

observes that "It seems to have been anciently the custom to

slay a

were
use
it,

especially

authorized to

and never hesitated to

Cow on this

occasion, and

avail themselves of the permis-

the guest was therefore called a

sion,-thus

Rama

in his

peri-

67

To

eat of flesh, yet

Janaka foregoes
for his daughter's fate.

The

practice.

Sorrowing

He leads an anchoret's abstemious life. And in the woods of Ckandradwip has

Long
Sate.

spent.

years of solitude and self denial.

^Vhat brings him here,

Blum.
Is

To see the sage Vdlmiki ; and Kausali/d summoned by Arundhati to meet Her ancient friend Vaideha.
Let us leave
to themselves,

Sail.

These elders

and join the youth.

Who make
Bhan.

the utmost of their holiday.

Agreed.

See from the dwelling of FaLtAki comes

The

royal sage

a deep and ceaseless sorrow.

fire,
/^tt///fri

Preys on his heart, like a destroying

grinationsisdescribedby
as catching killing

the dinner of his

himself.

Spouse and

and cooking

Their

thirst alhiyed the princes ply the chr.se,

falls

And

a fat stag soon

beneath their arro\^s.

fire

they kindle next and dress their prize

With

Then, offering to the gods and manes made, Rumayana B. luSec. 40. Situ they the social banquet share.
Mahd'jliarat

The
lias in

however

food, placing chariness of

life

some

places a leaning to

amongst the
at least
in

first

of virtues, a
or

the opposite doctrine, and in the

doctrine adopted apparently

Ddna Dhernia
expatiates to

section,

Ehhlxma
the

more

rigidly

professed,

Yudhishlhira at

order to compete

upon

aa

considerable length

npon

equal

footing with

the Baud-

merit ef abstaining from animal

dhas and Jains,

68

That lighted

In the

trunk of some
sap

tall tree.

Consumes unseen

its

let us withcbaw.
[^Exeunt.

Entur

Janaha.
corrodes

My anguish, like
Incessantly

a sharp toothed saw,

Upon

iTfiy

my heart whene'er I think child, my sorrows freshly flow

river.
it is,

Like the continuous current of a

How

hard

that neither age nor grief,

Nor penances

austere, release

my

spirit

From this consuming frame nor dare I loose The vital spark myself, for deepest hell Where
the

Sun never

shines, awaits the wretch.

Who

lifts

his

hands against his own existence.

every hour renewed.
j'ears,

By recollection
Alas,

In spite of fleeting

my
all
still

griefs survive.

my

Siia,

could not

thy virtues
to

Avert

this

heavy doom

my memory

Recur thy

infant charms, thy lotus face.

tears

Chequered with smiles and

thy
alas.

first

attempts

To

give articulation to thy speech.

sacrifice

Daughter of

what now,
all

Is thy sad portion

Earth,

mighty goddess.

And

thou bright sun, the god of llaghu's race.

saints, who should have been why left ye SUd to her fate.
;

Sages and
Cruel,

her guidance.

Anindhali approaches

with her comes

The queen
Kautnhjd.

of Dasciral'ha,

my

dear friend
life.

Who

shall

put his trust in

Once

in the royal

mansion did she shine

G9

The goddess

of prosperity

shame her

By
To
The
As
Arun.

such comparisoQ
tja'ant destiny,

yet,

now, she bows

in

and pines

anguish-

Why

should I heed

my

sufferings, Avhen I
;

mark

sad reverse she feels

bliss, is

alas her sight

That once was

brine to a raw

now wound

as painful to

me

Enter Kausalya, Amndhati, and Attendant. You must compl)'. The sage commands you come
the king

To meet

he

is

already here

Why
Allen.

this reluctance

Lady.

Be

advised.

Arouse your firmnes, madam, and obey

The
Kail.
,

orders of the sage Vasis/d'ha*

I obey. to face

Yet hard the task

mine ancient

friend.

His grief and mine are one, and mine already

O'erpowers,

my
is

heart

its

fibres

must give
griefs,

Avay.

Arun.

Such pain
feels

unavoidable

the

Man

when absent from

a faithful friend.

Renew
Kan.

at his encounter,

and again

Extend, and deepen through a thousand channels.

Alas,

how can

meet

his gaze, deprived

Of his
Arun.

beloved child.

Think, you behold

;

In him a venerable relative

To whom
*
Tlifi

the great preceptor oft his race,

t Yajnayu^alk-ya a saje and
legislator

attendant has one or

two speeches
omitted

more

whicli are

and leachcr of
llie

one

iu tlie translation.

portion of

Yajiir Feda.

70

The
Kan.

sacred knowledge of the Feds has given.

I see in

him a

royal sage, the friend

Of an illustrious sovereign^ and the sire Of her I called my daughter ah, I dream. Of other days and joys, that destiny Has now alas unsparingly destroyed.

Jail.

All hail, Anmdhali, to

twilight bends
its

whom

the earth
in

At

wavuig head

homage

Whom
The
Anin.

the three worlds revere, and

first

who
pure

enjoyest

love of him, of sages

and

best.
light.

Who

lives the source exhaustless of

May

light

supreme illume thee

may the sun

*That shines
Ja?i.

eternal, hallow thee.

IMy friend
fares the noble
(faints.
this.

How
Kan.
Jan.

mother of the king.

Alas,

What's

Arun.

Your

sight too well recalls

Her lord her children, and the long past days Of happiness now gone the fond remembrance

O'ercoraes her strength

the matron's heart

:

is still

As
Jan.

soft

and delicate

as the tender flower

Alas, that I should be the cause of suffering

* The salutation
are both
is

and

rc|)]y
first

text oi Janaha's speech

is

cor*
is,

very curious; the

rupt, but Arundhati's reply

a httle uniulcUigihle,

bulboth

Param Jyotis
Ai/ani
ttsiiim

te

prakdsaldm.

are precisely in the spirit of the

GUyalri or sacred verse of the

I'edas,

Raja ya
supreme

eshah
light

jmnutu Dtva Paro tapatiSAnj

enlighten
lij^ht

and

iiidicate a system,

thee,

very different from the comnion Iliadu polylliL-ism.

may

this

divine

who

glows,

The

purify thee.

71

To one I have not seen so long, the wife Of my still cherished friend united witli me
In
closest
as

bonds

dear as my heart, my peace.

my
life itself.

Dear

my

person, or

The

present fruit and object of my being.

else

Or whatsoever

were dearest

to
I

me
give

And
Her

is

not this his

wife and can

pain, that does not equally

for she

afflict

My friend,
To
Kan.
I

was ever one with him,

In joy and sorrow

blame, then
let

Fate
me, as

is

here alone.
think of him.

Forbear to agonise her sinking heart.

Where art
still

thou, dearest JoHo/a* methinks

behold thy graceful limbs, as light

As

lunar rays, and

mark thy

lotus face.

Budding with

playful smiles, and shedding pride

And

fortune on thy marriage celebration,

As the

delighted monarch, cal.ed thee child.

sit

And

bade thee

upon

his knee,

and termed

thee,

lihehYideo^ R a glm's

loftiest

hope, the bond

0 Jdnaka's
Jan.
"Within

exalted house, and his.

Imperial Dasaral'/ia, every

way
is

my

heart, thy
life

memory

secured.

Fathers in social

but rarely prize

Their daughters, and confine their fond regard

To

those

who wed them but not

was

thus didst thou.

For

Sila ever

to thee a daughter.

And And
"Fie

cherished as thy child

but thou
now
a

art gone.

the dear seed of our alliance blighted.

life

upon

the world

is

hell.

72

Kau.

Jsly cliild,

my

Januki, in vain I

mourn

thee^

Nor
Arun.

will

my

lift',

enfeebled by despair.

Yet bound

in chains of

adamant, release me.

respite^

Take comfort Princess, give your tears some

prophesied at Rishyasringa's dwelling.
yet descend.
life.

Recall the words your pious teacher uttered.

Who
And
Kau.
Aran.
I

The dews of happiness would

have no
relish,

cheer the last days of your closing

now,

for worldly happiness.

You

cannot doubt the seer's prophetic sight

said, will surely

Trust me, what he hath

be

Whate'er

is

uttered by the holy Brahman,

Who

is

the light divine

to pass

made

manifest.

Must come

the blessing which

lite.

invoked

Propitious Lakshmi to the nuptial

Was
Jan,

not unmeaning, nor pronounced in vain

A
The boys amidst
their sports.

noise behind.

Kau.

Little suffices to the joys of youth,

is

{looks out)

But who

yonder strong, and

light,

and

active.

He
Arun.

bears the noble port oi

Rdmabhadia
sight.

Who
To
Jan,

should this be

that he so charms my
should
it

(Apart.) This must be one that

m.e in secrecy
or

-BAg-2>ar/"

named

which

be

Kusa

Lava we
locks,

will ascertain.
:

In sooth, he bears a strong similitude

His parted

dark

as the lotus leaf.

Denote the warrior

tribe,

and 'mongst his

fellows,

He

shews a proud pre-eminence

it

seems

That Rama once more has become a boy

73

Who is
Anin.

this

youth that thus delights our

sight.

Some

Kxhctriya lad,

who here awhile

pursues.

Hi? sacred studies.

Jan.

You have
:

rightly

judged
eitJier

His birth

for see,

on

shoulder hangs,

TJie martial quiver, and the feathery shafts

Blend with

his curling locks

below his breast.

ashes,

Slight tinctured with the

saci-ificial

TLe

deer skin wraps his body: with the zone

Of Murvd

bound,

tlie

madder

tinted garb

Descending

vests his limbs

the sacred rosary

Begirts his wrist, and in one hand he bears

The Pipal
Arunclhati,

staff,

the other grasps the bow.**

he.

whence comes

Arun,
I

You

forget

came here but to-day

(Tothe
altendanl.)

Jan.

My

worthy

friend.

Go

to Vdlmiki,
is.

and of him enquire

Who
Alten.

this

boy

and

tell

the boy himself.

Some

aged persons wish to talk with him.

As you command.

* These iiisiguia of
tary

llic

mili-

to the

5'flt)a
:i

faith.

T\\q Pipal

student are according to

staff

is

staff

made of

the

wood
tree.

Menu, with the addition of the

ashes of the fuel used in sncrifice,

of the

P//>flZ

or Holy

Fig
is

The zone
iiig

of Mttrva
hi[)

a girdle
h.iiig-

and the bracelet or rosary of the

seeds of the Elneocarpus, wliich

fastened over one

and

loosely over the other,

made

are not indispensihle acconii;iniuients,

of the fibres of a kind of creeper,

and

iiuiicate

bias

Sunsevicra zeylaniea.


74
)

Kail.

Arlin.

What think you will he come. What busy fancies has his sight

suggested:

Dismiss them
Kail.

they are

idle.

(^Approaches-) Thenaturalgi'acesofexpanding youth.

lost to fools, familiar to

Though
Jan,

the wise.
resides.

Shed not the virtue that in him

As

lie

advances, he attracts
it

my

mind,

Fii'm though

be, as

sways the slender rod

ponderous
iKiass

Of magnet
Lava.

force, the

of iron.

ENTEii Lava.

To talk Avith me and yet I know them not. How am I to address them ignorant What claims their birth, or tribe, or namemay give them

To my respect
At least
is d\ie.

yet, to the

aged

this.

(approaches.) Conceive the

brow oiLava,

Has bent
Kan.
Aniiu

to

do you reverence.

Aran, and Jan.

Long

life

await you,
child.
;

Long be thy days* my

Come hither

child.

( Embraces him

then apart.)
fulfills

This dear embrace

Present and past desiie.

Kau.

Come

hither youth, (embraces him. J

He

is

indeed
like,.

most

Not only

in his stature, nor in

hue

As jetty as the sable leaves that float Upon the stream, nor in his mellow voice. Deep as the wild duck's cry when gathering

pleased

The

fibres

of the lotus Stalk

is

but most
to the touch
ri}' life.

His firm
*

flesh

like

Rama's

The

beut'diction

literally

Lonjj be


75
)

Hard

as the seed

tup of the

watei* hly
I

Then

in his countenance
it

there well

seeIiis

Dost thou not note

fto Janaka.) in

eager gazej

The
Jaii%

animated, speaking glance of Sitd.

mark

it

weli.

Kan.

j\Iy heart

misgives

me

hast thou a mother, child.

Or
Lav.
Kan.
Lava.

lives

thy father in thy recollection.

Neither.

Whose
Wise
Say on.
I

art thou.

Vdbniki's.

Kau.
Lava.

know no more
'tis

(Behind.) Warriors take heed,

Tliat

Chandrakc{ic\iovdeT,

none disturb the holy hermitage.

prince
is

Arun.

The

here, he leads the martial escort

haply Fortune smiles upoii We Kau. The dear son o{ Laktionana

That guards the consecrated steed

may behold him

is

us.

This

indeed a happiness.
Sir, Avho is this Chaiidrakeiu.

Lava.
Tarn.

Reverend

Hast thou ever heard, brave youth.

Of Rdina and of Lakshnana. Lava. The heroes Of the Rumdyaiia Jan. The same. Lava. I know them.
Their names and actions are familiar to me.

The son of Lukshmana is The son of Urmildy the Lava. Of Mithilas pious king.
Jan.

Chandrakclu.
other daughter

C
Jriifi.

7^

>

He knows the
Since you
us,

history.
tliis,

Jan.

are so well skilled in

clear

boy^

'J'ell

what other oiFspring had the sons

0 Dasaratha. Lava. So much of the

Is not yet taught us.

tale^,

Jan.

Is

it

not composed.
is,

Lava.

It

but not imparted

save a portion

For Bharala, the master of the Drama,

To
Jan.

be performed, prepared, and by the Sage

Himself, transcribed, for an especial purpose*

Whatpuipose.

Lava.

To be

taught by Bharata
it

To
Ja7i.

the* Apsarasas, that they enact

Before the kiuff of Swerva.

This we would

see.

Lava.

It is not in our dwelling.

The

part I mention was conveyed from hence

class,

By
Kau.
Lava.

some, the chosen of the

and with them>

Their guide and guard, in arms

my brother went

Hast thou a brother

I have, his

child.

name

is

Kusa.

Kau.
Lava.
Jan.

Is he the elder.

In that his birth had just the start of mine.

Twin brethren are you

Grave
Tell us,
sir

then.

Lava.
Jan.

we

are.

how

far the tale

of Itdma comes.

Lava.

To Lahshmana' s

return, Avhen he

had

left

* The nymphs and actresses of Indrat paradise.

77
)

The

delicate Situ in the pains of travail,

Amidst the

lonely woods, deserted thus.

To still
Kau.

the foul aspersions of the people.

Alas,

my luckless

child,

how

shall thy

frame

Of tenderest mould, support such trying pangs.

Remote from human
Jan.
aid.

Poor helpless queen.

Disgrace, the forest terrors, and the pains

Of chill birth,
The
fiends

all,

at

once

assail

thy

life

impure

close

round

their fated pre}'.

Nor cm thy Sire pronounce the spell of power To chase them baffled to their haunts again. Lav. Dame, who are these (lo Arundhati.)*
Arun.
Jan.
Janakct and Kaiisalyd.

Shame on
cruel

the thankless race that

wronged thy fame.

And Rama's haste

The
Arouses
all

to listen to their calumnies

blow that has o'erwhelmed

my

child

my

soul,

and tempts

my

wrath.

To
Kau.
Arun,

deal with arms, or direr imprecations.

Destruction on

my

Situs persecutors.
the royal sage.

Preserve us

Dame appease
still

Such expiation
all

must be performed

By

whom

public calumny assails.

Remember

Rilma

is

thy son: he claims

Thy love the

Jan.
I indulge

subject race, alike, demand,

A king's compassion.
no hate
ever
is

To
*

either

Rama
German

is

m}' son
-.

The

stage direction here

t'lon

Lava

surveys

them with

expressed

with

preci-

respectful and painful curiosilv.

7'S

And

fov the citizens, I call to

mind,

"Women and

children,

men

infirm with years,,

And
r.:f.

sacred Brahmans, form the varied throng.

Enter
The horse,
of,

Pupils.

the horse

so often

in the

Vedas

Read
I^dv.

unseen, comes living in our sight,

The

horse

the

horse

the mighty beast of war-

he tell
me.

The
Fup.

beast of sacrifice how looks

With

four firm hoofs he spurns the ground

Erect

lie bears his arching neck

behind he lashes
his course

His

flov/ing tail,

and

scatters Avide the grain.

Ai distance warlike troops observe

Come and
La7}.

behold, (lay Jioldof Lciva.J

Elders

they drag me from you

liim,

Jfrnn.
Ku:i.

Follow your pleasure. Let us accompany

but in his sight.
defies

I live

un.

His speed
trirdy

Our
So

stepswe cannot keep

in vieAV

fieet a

runner.

Enter
Bless.

Mtendarit,

have seen VahnVci your questions thus

is fit

Aiid

to

replies the Sage^

Taat which
Shall be
Ja.i.

for j^ou to

know,

in time.

made known.
is

Hi.s

answer

mysterious
friend
;

Come matron and my

The venerable
sage.

seek we, ourselves,

^Exeu7it.

70

ANOTHER PART OF THE GROVE

Enter Lava and
Pup.
JLav.

the Pupils.

See prince
I see,

is it

not Avonderfiil.

And recognise
Pup.
Lav.

the Aswamedhih steed.

How know

you him.

Have you not read

section that describes

The
In
If

him-see his

guards

mjiil arrayed,

with spears and maces armed.

you

Pup.
Lav.

believe me not, go ask of them. Ho Soldier tell, why is this steed

so guarded.

(apaii)

The Asrvcmicdha

is

the glorious rite

Of all victorious monavch;^ they who bend The haughtiest Kshctrii/as to their power, and reign The greatest of the great.
Guard.

The

liorse,

brave youths

upon the banner look

seven fold world.*

Or hsten
Is his
:

to the warriors cry

The steed

who triumphed
prince

o'er the

Lav.

Oh, these are animating sounds,

Fup.
Is

The

wisehe

rightly said

hark; what a noise.

\_Shouls without.

Lav.

What

ho,

there no Kihetrii/a on the eavth,

That such insulting clamours vex the heavens.

Gud'd.

Where

lives the Kshelrija that

should dare oppose

The

I\jalidr''!ja.

Lav

Despicable babbler?.

If such there be, they are, and will disdain

Tliis
*

weak attempt

to teach

them fear enough

The

uuiversCj consisting of seven coiiliiieals.

so

Away
With

with idle words,

foi- I,

even

T,

Will bear away the steed, though th'ckly liemmed

fierce

opposing shafts

hear me my friends.
oj^.

And
With

fellows of my sports, drive off the horse.

clods of turf,

and

let

him scamper hence,

1 o gambol with

the deer, (the Boys rim

ENTER

a Soldier.

How
Away
To

noAV,

imp of

mischief,

what would you do;

advances

a
to

line of ruthless troops

punish such

mad

pranks

the Prince observes you.

thicket.

Watching with ready bow, the neighbouring

Quick
yon grove.

The Boys
(_To

return.

Lava.) 'Tis done

as

you

desired.

The

Soldiers raise their bows, and point their shafts

Against you

and the hermitage

fly
fall,

is

still

Remote
Lav.

Fly

wiih the speed of deer.

(bending his bow.)

[^iwi oJ\

Let the shafts

Oh,

this is glorious: the

bud rattling bow

yawning mouth,
lExiL

Rings with the clang of thunder clashing clouds.

And

wide expands,

like Ya7na's

Opened to swallow nations.

END OF THE FOURTH

ACT.

ACT
Hoj
Soldiers haste, or

V.

Behind.

we

are put to shame

:

See hither speeds the Prince

his charioteer

Urges the

fiery steeds

Sumanira whirls
the head

The lash, and on they bound, whilst o'er Of Chandrakelu^ his red banner floats
Loose to the breeze.

Enter Chandraketu Chan. What marvel's

Thus from

in his car driven hy Sumatifra.

this,

Sumantra, what brave hera

his ceaseless-sounding bowstring rains

shafts

shower of countless
crest

upon our host

battle

Like a bright

upon the brow of

The warrior shines, and as the mantling glow Of scorn and anger kindles on his cheeks. He wears a more than human loveliness.
Strange, that a lad, the son of some recluse.

Or holy

sage, should with such desperate valour

Singly defy a multitude of foes.

As if he were a sciou yet unknov/n Of Raghu's stock he gratifies my coming.

:

With

fiery darts that roar

along the sky.

cries

Like some wild elephant, that

with anguish.
falls.

When
SwH'

on

his front the cleaving falchion

his person
;

Like thine

and

his lofty bearing.

I

Defies both

Gods and demons as

gaae on liim.

82
)
in

I call to memorj'^,

Rama, when

youth.

He
'1

aimed

his

arrows at the host impure

hat harassed Kusiku's exalted son.

CJum.

I feel abashed when I observe his prowess. Unmoved he stands, though round him madly rages. The storm of battle through the murky air

With

clouds of dust obscured, the whirring sword

Flashes like lightning

rattle

the rushing cars.

;

With jangling

bells harsh pealing

onward

roll

Like thunderclouds the ponderous elephantSj

Dark laden with the tempest of the war.

He

shouts defiance, and his battle cry

Is heard above the rattling

drums

more loud.

And more

reiterated,

than the din

Which mountain bowers reverberate to the roar Of the wild elephant: they press upon him The clustering heads are tossed with rage and terror He draws his bow fearful as Ymnd's mouth

That gapes

to

swallow multitudes
;

they

fall.

They
Sum.

break, they fly

I

haste

onward to their rescue.

together.

(Apart.)

dread to bring these daring youths

Should Chanch akcHu

fall

and yet his birth

Demands the danger if Ikshwdku's heir Be wanting in the hour of peril, where
Shall

man

expect protection.

Chan.

On
His

every side the cowards yield

oh shame,
hail.

Sum.
Chan.
Suvi.

Prince,

we

are

now

within the hero's

name

Is Lava.

83

Chan.

Lava

herohear.
unworthy-here am I
satisfy its craving.

Foi-bear these foes

On me

exhaust thy daring, as on thee

My
Sum.

prowess longs to

He

hears you Prince, and for a noble

))ursuit

enemy

Suspends

e'en so the

lion's

cub
brave

Foregoes the timid deer, and turns

to

The
Lav.

falling thunderbolt.

Enter Lava.
Hail valiant Prince, your words proclaim you worthy
lofty lineage,

Your
See

and of my encounter
(noise without.)
field.

I obey your
Princes are

call

"What, do the slaves, once scattered from the

Return

to seek the fight

shall they intrude

When

my

foes

well be

it so.

Though
Drive

louder Avere their shouts than ocean's roar.

the wreck of worlds, the blasts of fate

When o'er
his

tumultuous waves, their clamours yield

to

Fresh fuel

my

wrath, whose rising

fires

More uncontroulable and fiercely glow. Than the dread flames, deep caverned in

the Earth,

And fed
Chan,

with splintered rocks.

thein not.

Regard

Esteem me

as tliy friend, for I

;

admire
as thine

Thy

merits

and consider thou

Whate'er to

me

belongs. Thine, are these troops.

And
LuiK

should not

move thy anger be thy prowess

;

Tried by the

test of mine,

and mine
is

alone.

(Turninii hack) This

indeed an honor, to receive

Such high encomium from

this royal youth.

Si

7 he bravest of the children of the sun.

Why measure him

Defy

with these

yet can
shame.

bear

Tliese clamorous menaces, that from the

crowd

meno I

thus efface

my

\yushes out,

Chan. Behold him, where he speeds: with high disdain

He

draws

his

bow

against the crowds hi front.

his rear

Whilst others press

so central gleams.
we
thus be shamed

The bow

o Indra, midst divided clouds,

Tossed in dissevered masses by the gale.

Ploa warriors hear me

shall

By

such unequal fight

shall valiant

men

Attack a slender youth

shall plaited mail

to crush

Oppose the deer skin

and the rattling car.

this

And

horse,

and elephant, combine

A
Lav.

single foeman, as
(Retia'tting.)

on foot he braves ye.

!

He pities me Indeed

waste of time

Shall cease

with heavenly arms I fight

more impede me.
f Stands
ill

And they no
Chan.

the altitude of meditation. )*

What
shouts

is

this

The
Lav.

ai-e stilled.

So much
This
is

for these revilers.

Sum.

no

common
for see,

deed: the youth must wield

Celestial

weapons.
true
;

Chan.
* This

It
is

is

a specimen

of the

ployed

is

the

Jr/wji/zfl/ira

or that

use of Ihe heavenly

aims of
in the

which

causes
is

drowsiness

its

which mention was made

first act.

influence

the result of

Dhydna

The weapon here

era-

or meditation.

85

In fearful change that equal pains the eye.

Alternate gloom to flasliing lightning, yields.

How like a painted

As
the resistless

army, stands our host.

their senses

charm subdues

And now along

the sky, dark vapours float

as the

In masses, ponderous

peaks of VUidltya,

And

blackness, gathered from the caves of hell.

fits.

Like molten brass, red sullen flames, by

Glow through the gloom, and loud the breeze awakes As 'twere the wind of final dissolution.
Suvi.

Chan,

Whence could he From whom.

Not
his the gifts

gain such power.

But
lium.

his great master, wise Prachetas son.

:

Krisdswas progeny
bestowed.

By him, on Viswamilra were And he to Rama gave them.

Chan.
Yet, perchance,
Others,

who

equally the light of truth

possess,

Within themselves

may

of themselves.

Obtain possession of these selfsame powers.

Sum
Chan.

Enough. Be on your guard: he comes,

S)-

Lav.

( Together)

'

1 is

strange

Some hidden
At
Is

cause

my

heart with rapture

fills.

sight of this fair youth

is it

the hope

Of futui-e
it

converse

is it

his lofty

worthtie

the fond transmission of regard

Felt in a former being

or does some

Of kindred
8um.
Such
is

undiscovered wake delight.

the sympathy that ever binds
:

Congenial excellence

the world's report,

'SO

The

aspect of the stars, the eye's caprice,

Oft lead to love ere merit wins regard.

The sudden The

friend exacts

no pledged

requital.

spirit that

pervades his inmost core.

Is that of 'pure attachment.

(LooHii^

at

Lava, then

aside.)

Can

it

be

Ah no fate
The lovely

in the

germ destroyed

plant

the parent stem cut down.

What
Chan.
iium.
I

flower shall blossom more.

quit the car.
so.

Why
do a

Chan.

To pay my homage
soldier's

to this valiant youth.

assail
^

And

duty

to

At such
Sim.

advantaije, one Avho fis^htson foot

forbids.
shall I

The God of arms*

(Apart )

What
is

do

The

Prince's will

worthy of his race.

And must not be opposed yet can I bear To witness such a conflict. Chan. What will you say, When men shall ask my fatherr's honored friend.
If Chandrakctu did his duty.
Sinn.

RIglit
Is

War

the Kshetriya's duty, and thy race

then, proceed,

Has never shrunk from contest:

tAnd shew
* The
ally rendered in

thee worthy thy Illustrious sires.

heya be intended,
+ Several speeches of little iutercst are here oniitled.

Sasira Devala, literthe text

l)ut

the Hindu Pantheon recognises

110

such personage except Kurti'

S7

Lav.

What mingled
offers

feelings rise, as I approach him.

Dear

to the night flower as the rising

moon
;

His presence

rapture to

my

sight

But

as I grasp the

heavy clanging bow,

figlit

I fe'l

And
Chan.

all

my ardour for the my soul on fire. my

friend.

revive

(Descendhig from the car and hon'ing

to

Stimanlray

Accept

The lowly reverence of

Born of a race
Sun.
I\Iay

Chandralcctu

that boast the

Sun

tlieir Sire.

your great Sire defend the sons he loves

In the dread hour of battle

All mighty and
etei*nal,

may

Varaha*

grant you fame,

till

And

victory,

and

virtue,

you equal
the great Sage
the gods

The + founder of your house may Your race's guardian aid you may
:

Of air, and

fire,

and heaven, and may SaparnaX

infuse into thy heart

And

Vishmis

self,

Their own

daring Be the clang. Of Rama's bow string, and of Lakshmatia's, The charm of potency to Avin thee victory.
celestial

Lav.

Prince, you well

glittering

become
exceeds.

The
Chav.

car this courtesy

Bo you

then mount

An
Lav.

equal chariot.
Sir,

(To Sumantra.) Honoured The Prince to keep his seat.

persuade.

* The incarnation of J'ishuu

giralh and father of

Uaghu

asaBorr.
+ KakutHha the son of Bha-

X Ca/'wra the n;o;iarch of the

bird*.

88

Svm.

So you assent.
Chandraketu's wishes.

To
Lay.

That would

do
are foresters,

Most cheerfully but we

The untaught tenants of the wood, and want The prmcely skill to guide the c^r of battle.
Sum.
It is

more strange

that

you

so well are skilled

In dignity and courtesy

trust

me youth
thee-.

Could Rdmabhadra but behold thee thus.

His heart would melt with tenderness towards
hav.

His fame has reached me, and

honour him.

And
The
I feel

though

have presumptuously disturbed

less,

royal sacrifice, yet not the

deep reverence

for the pious chief.

His Taunting followers alone provoked me.

To wipe away

the infamy they heaped

On
Chan.

all

the Kshetriya tribe.

Is it so hard.

To own
hav.

a Sire's pre-eminence.
so:

Not

But knows
Sum.

the Prince the duties of a Soldier.

You do not know

of

the mighty

Rdmachundra^
boast
'tis

Then speak not

him you may

'^

true
;

You

mastered feeble hearts like those, in fight

foe like

But when a

Jdmudagnya, bends.

Beneath your arm, then you may vaunt your prowess*

iv.

mighty triumph truly

is it

not granted

A Brahmin's weapons
He

are his words,

and when

wields a warrior's arms, his inexperience

* The SOQ o{ Jamadagni, Parasurdma.

8D

Bears them inert

to

conquer such a champion.

And
Ckan.

such Avas Jdmada^nT/ah methinks

for a liero's praise.

But scanty matter

Descends on

Enouo-h, enough, what liero heavenly

earth, to hold in disesteem.
lie

bom

The

son of Bhript,

whose

fatal

arm

Had
His
Lav.

desolated worlds, but pity stopped

all resistless

sword.*
tone.
)

{In an ironical

I knoAv the deeds

long may he enjoy His well earned honours long may

O? Raghupali
Admire
Still,

listening-

worlds

the tale of his hero'c exploits.

glory Avait upon the oveithrow

;

Of a weak woman

the advance that shewed

felt his

No
Chan.

sign of fear

when Khar a

valour ;

And the

bold scheme that conquered Indraj'U.f

is vast.

Injurious youth thy pride indeed

* Hedestroyed the Ksheln't/a

or military raceexceptjitiss.iid in

ordinary tenor of the story, which

represents him as externiinutiiiff them twenty one times, a sncctssion of destructive feats he couid

some accouuts, those

he exterminated
of the females,
all

in the

Sohir

line; other statements aver that

except some
iiiarri-

scarcely have achieved, unless

lie

who were

sevea
slain."

times, "thrice

dew

the

ed to Brahmans, and thus continued the warrior tribe. As however

solar

The destruction of
is

Tara/irw,

many Piinces of holh

and
lunar

the

the disturber of the sacrifices of

dynasties are

flswamilra
first

rehited

in

the

long subsequent to i'arasardjua,

hook of tlie y/a/^aHfl, and

is

we must

understand his exler-

the deatii of a woiu ui

forbid-

mination of ihe Ksheln'i/as \i\lh This is a certain reservation.

evideutly
necessary,

den to a soldier.

The backit is

wardness of Rii/na, or as

de-

from

the
isi

scribed in the onjjinai, the three


90
)

Lav,

Away,

great Prince, I do not heed thy frown.

is

Sum.

They

burst with rage, and every limb

shook

With

furious

passion glows each sanguine eye

lotus

Like the red

the discoloured cheek,

moon
lily.

And

agitated brow, are like the

Stained with strange spots, or like the water

When
His
Lav.

o'er its ruffled leaves

the black bee spreads

fluttering wings.

&

Chan,
were not

(iogdhcr.)
in

^tlence to the field of fight.

steps that

advance,
ordi-

proved
result

fatal

to

hiin

was the

does not so occur

in the

of p'ibhUhana's advice, a prophecy

that vvho-

nnry copies of the Rdmayana, and the passage may have under-

who was aware of

anounced hy Brfl/imd,

gone some modification as deroNothing gatory to the hero.

about

ever should interrupt by force

of urms a certain sacrifice coinnienced by that cliieflain would

Ramus

retiring

three

paces has been met with in that

part of the

provehisdeslroycr

fndrnjUvras

Rumayana which engaged in tiie rite, wlien by the describes the death of Khara in recommendation of Jibhishana, the Aranya Kdnda, but it is Lakshmana and a party of Rdadmitted that Ruma felt alarm, ?n's host were seat to attack the upon the approach of a mace Rukshasas who guarded him.
hurled at hina by the Rdkshasai

The latter were routed

abandoned the

Indrajit
ce-

"Seeing that weapon like the

unfinished

mace of death approaching,

that
Its

the

Prince was alarmed, considering

flight

remony to come totiieir rescue, and was ultimately slain by

could

not be

Lakshmana the
fore added

exploit therethe glory of

in the

equalled nor opposed by com-

little to

mon

arrows, the inace of the

Rama

as

he took no part

demon being of celestial origin." The attack upon Indrajit which

conflict,

and as

its

result

was

predestined.

END OF THE FIFTH ACT.

ACT
Enter
M'

VI.

a Vidycidhara and F'uli/ddkart

their car.

(a Male and Female Spirit of air) in

:

Sp. A fearful fight less fierce the blows When Gods and Titans meet as foes.
See,

Love

what bright achievements grace

bow
is

The The

warriors of the Solar race.

bentj

Strained to each breast the

shaft unintermitted sent.

bells incessant ring.

The jangling

And
Is

frequent twangs the rattling string.

Whilst an alarum, long and loud.

sounded by yon thunder cloud.

Inflated

by supernal power.

In honour of such battle hour

Quick, on each youthful champion's head,

shower of heavenly blossoms shed.

Culled from the nectar breathing tree.

Of youth and immortality.

F. Sp.

But

Avhat

is

this

o'er

all

the sky.
fly.

The sudden

streaks of lightning

M.

Sp.

'lis

Makddeva's eye of flame,

this battle

That opens on

game.

And from between

Terrific in
its

the awful lashes

glory, flashes.

Such

sparks, as scattered

from the sun

92

On *Trvashtras whirling circle Ah no, see the fiery blaze^t

I

spun.

'J'is

Chandruketu's
car,

arm

displays

Around his

wiih banneret.
set.

And
The

spears,
fatal

and waving chowries

radiance rapid dances.

chieftain's

And
The
The
'Tis

on the

armour glances^

warrior glows Avith yellow light.

car
all
is

pale with ashen white

flame

the

God

of

fire

Puts forth his dread

resistless ire.

And

crackling, sparkling, roaring, strong.

furies curl along,

His lambent

IS'ow with the force of falling thunder.

They
'J

rive the firmest rocks asunder.

is

he

air

parching, love

beneath
peril's past
:

^ly mantling robe more coolly breathe.

F.

And let us to a Sp. No further

The
The
clouds

distance haste.

need the

scorching vapour glows no more.

distil their

ge'id store.
float..

And

ponderous through the ether

as the Peafowl's throat,

As murky
* Twashtra

tlie artist

of the

in order to

temper
oii

his fierceness,

Gods, the svme with

Jcarina

I'iswa-

jmt

tlie

planet

the "grindstone,

the

fulher-in-law

of

and took
r;iys.

off the

edge of

his

Siirya

when
his

Sanjna unable to
<if

endure the splendors

fled

her lord,
tlie

The ^^gneya weapon, one

from

emhiaces,

sun

of the celestial armoury or the

had recourse

to her father,

who

weapon of

lire.

93

Save where along

tlieir skirts

entwine

The

Lightniiigs like a

wavy

vine.
arrest

M.

Sj).

The

shafts of

Faruna*

In Lava's hand the

fiery pest.

Yet

still

in vain

for

now

the

wind

From

eveiy quarter nnconfined.

sw^eeping forth^ as t'would displace
off its solid base.

Comes

The world from

And
The

swift along the tossing sky

clouds before

its

fury

fly

'Twas wisely done, with

f'di/u'sf force

To stem

the torrent's gathering course.

And
Back
F, Sp.

scatter thus the

gloom of night

to the parent source of light.

But who

is this,

that from his car.

Alights to intercept the war.

And
The

with his gentle speech,

controulsi.

fury of these daring souls.

'Tis RaghtipatiX
fierce ascetic,

M.

Sp.

he has

slain

The

and again

He seeks And cast

Lava
is

his

realm

his roice they hear

sword and spear

aside the

calm

and lowly bends

as the gi'eat chief descends.

The

pi-iiice,

May

fate conclude, as

now begun.
and son.
[^Exeunt.

This meeting of the

sire

* Tiie deity of water which

element
flict.

is

wielded in the con-

ment opposed to that of water, % The Lord or chief of Ihe howsQ oiRaghu: Rdma.

+ Thedeityof wind-the

ele-


P4
)

Ram.
Chan.

Entek Rdmrty Lava, and Cliandralcctu. Come Chandrakela to my breast^ and cool
heart.

With thy embrace the fervour of my

Receive

my humblest homage.
to wield celestial arms.

Bam.

Fate, assuredly.

That gives thee power

Auspicious smiles upon thy course.Chan.

My sire,
this,

In

does Fortune smile, that T have found

this

A friend in
Behold

brave youth

may Raghu's
eye.

Lord,

liim with the

same complacent

He
Ram.

turns on me.

This

is

indeed a jiresence
promise, active and robust.
fulfill.

Of loftiest
As made

a soldier's duty to

To guard religion, and protect mankind. Nor is there vigour only, lighter graces
Are
there concentered, and apparent virtues.

As if each excellence the world admires. Assumed a visible and human form.
Lav.
(Ajxiii.) Is this the

mighty

chief, the friendof virtue.

The The
Ili-s

stay

and

trust of

men, the

comfortei'.

living shape of wortli

embodied excellence:

me all my enmity At once subsides anew and strong affection Grows in my bosom all my pride is gone, And shame o'ercomes me First of the first is he
sight subdues

As
Ram.

holiest shrines

have

oft a holier still.

'Tis strange, a single glance should soothe

my sorrow

And fill my

breast with passionate regard.

05

What

should the cause be

for without a cause.

be engendered.

How should affection ever When no exterior motives

Some
Such
secret spring

can be traced.

must influence the heart.

are the sympathies that nature prompts.

When to the rising sun, the flower expands, And melts the moon gem in the lunar ray.*
'

i'j.

Instruct me, Prince,

who is

this glorioua chief.

Chan.

The

elder of our house.

Lav.

How, Baghunddia

to the feet

Blest be the hour that I behold this deity.

(Advances and bows down

of Rama.)

Accept the veneration. Prince, o Lava,

The lowly
Ram.

scholar o?

P racket as

son.

Arise, brave youth

find

forego this prostrate homage.

And
Lav.

an equal welcome in ray arms.

(Embraces him.)
I merit not su

ch graciousness

the

less.

That blind presumption led

Forgive,

me here in

enmity.

my

Sire, the foolishness

of Lava.

Ham.
Lhaii.

What

faults require forgiveness for

my

son,

Those of his native valour, for disdaining

followed

The proud pretensions of the guards who The sacrificial steed he has displayed

The

doctrine of sympathies

the

ohjects

whence
is

tliey

are

was once very faiuirnr to the

philosophy of Europe. The Moonstone, Suuslone,

named

the latter

Ihe mn.gnet,

the other two are fanciful, but

and Ironstone,

probably the idea of them

is

are three gems according to the

derived from some natural substance.

Hindus, the properties of which

are analogous to the nature of

96

Himself a hero.
Jiavi.

It

was bravely done

And
The

like a Kshelriya

the true warrior brooks not

:

vain assumptions of superior glory

Fierce as the sun

may

dart his rays, he finds

fire.

The sun

stone give them back in fiercer

Chm.

His brave disdain

approves my friend a Kshetriya /

But more he wields no common arms ; observe. Our troops are motionless, struck thus by him.
liayyi.

(To Lava )

My son, undothe charm, and Chandruketu^,

Go forth and range them in array again. And soothe their disappointed valour.
Chin.
I

obey.

\_Exif.

L"v.

( '4jter med'daiing.)

The weapon

is

withdrawn-

Ram.

My son, these arms.

celestial origin

Are of

their use

A
By

mystery

the gods themselves obtained them.

and endowed with Avondrous
virtue.

ages of devotion, and the Rishis

Of

primal days and powers supernal, saw them,

Self-radiant

The
The

holy texts that should enforce their service

great Krisdsrva penned,* and 'twas the toil

Of full

ten centuries

He,

to Viswumilra,
lore.

His pious pupil taught the mystic

And
*

from him received the sacred weapons,

Literally,

"he

declared to

staiuUheemployinentof charms,

J^hwamitra the Upanishad containiug the

and

tlie corain;iiid

over the ele-

Mantra"

it is

clear

ivieiits

with which we are famithe Magic of all countries,

therefore

that by

the

use of

liar iu

these weapons,

we

are to under-

97

Boimd to attend for ever on iny race Then tell me. Lava, by what potent means.
Whence, and from whom,
Lav.
didst

thou obtain these arms

for,

Of

themselves

uncalled unsought

did they

come

To me and to my brother^ Ram. Thy brother

Chan.
JRam.

We

are twin.
is

Where

he.

Kusa (heJdnd.)

What
With

say you. Lava

is

engaged alone

Chandrakclii's train: then shall to-day,

The

pride of empire set in ignominy.

The towering crest of Kshetriya shall be humbled. Ham. Whom have we here of deepest jet his hue.

And at
Starts

his voice, each hair

upon

my

body

up

erect

like flowers that lift their heads^

tell

When hollow murmurs

Lav,
'

the coming storm.

Tis even he

my elder brother Kusa,

Returned

fi'om Bharata's abode.

Ram.
Lav.
I

My

son;
hither.

Invite

him

obey behold him

Enter

Kusa.

This bow whose string emits such vivid radiance

As gleams from heavenly arms, is fit for combat With any of tl;e mighty chiefs that trace
Their royal lineage, through the high descent

Of Menu,

Vuivaswata^ from the sun.

to protect the gods.
It

Although of prowess

98

And tame the fiercest of the foes of heaven. Ram. What lofty daring does this j-outh display ; What brave defiance sparkles in his eye. He seems to hold confederated worlds
As
grass to trample on
;

he shakes the earth

years.

With his proud tread, and though of tender

He

shews of mountain stature

it

Is

he mortal,

Or is

the spirit of valour that assumes

A mortal form.
Lav. Glory to your arms.
Kus.

Rather to thine

How now I
Lav.

hear glad news

what's

this

war
come

M^ar.

Restrain this swelling poit, and hither

With due
Kus,
Lav.

humility.

Why

so.

The god

like

Lord
welcome*

Of
Kits.

Raghu's lineagCj deigns to give j'ou

The godlike hero of our

masters' verse.

The guardian of the Lav. The same.

Ktis.

universal

world

How may

I dfre approach such majesty

His presence awes me,* justly has the Bard

That sings

his deeds, entitled

him

divine.

Great Sire the scholar of Prachcias, Kusa,

Bows
Ram.

thus in veneration.
\Jo

Rama.
most

Rise

my

child.

And
*

yield

me thy

embrace, {emhraccs htm.) It

is

strange:

A few

short speeches of no importance are omitted.

99

Alike from either of these youths, the touch

Spreads rapture tlirough

my

frame ; from every pore

The dews,

affection born, distill, as if

External consciousness were manifest

And as my
Lav.

heart dissolves with ecstacy,

to float.

BIy form in Avaves of nectar seems

Please you. Sire,

lo rest

beneath the shelter of this

is

tree.

The sun

high, and on

my

father's brow,.

Darts fiercely.

Ram.

As you will (//(cy

sil

under, a tree.)
act^ these

(Apart.) In eveiy look cind

youths display

The majesty

thjit

would become an empire.

Upon

their forms, has nature set signs.

Like rays of light within a costly gem.

Or drops of nectar on As should alone Dark

a lo\ely lotus.

That indicate such glorious

to

destiny.

Raghu's sons pertain.

is

as the Dove's blue neck,

their

deep hue

Such shoulders has the monarch of the herd

Their dauntless looks are like the angry Lion's
;

And like the deep toned music Of holy sacrifice, each mellow
I see in each,

of the drum,
voice.

And not

my own similitude. alone my likeness but in

much.
Sitd.

They wear the lovely semblance of my The lotus countenance of Jdnaki,

Is even novv before

me such

those teeth
lip^

Of pearly whiteness The taper ear, and such

such the pouting

the expressive eye

100

Although

'tis

tempered with a manly

fierceness.

Their due, ling in these groves

the very

same

Where SHd

-".vas

abandoned, and so like

And
That

then the heavenly weapons

as the sages say,

self presented.
distract

would never quit

Our

line without

due cause

Burthened with promised joys

]\Iy heart,

my queen's condition, these thoughts

tei'ror.

and

fi.l

my

soul with hope and

How

can

learn the truth

how ask these youths

that sheds

The history of their birth. Lav. What should this be the countenance
:

Delight on

all, is

now

suffused with tears.

Like the bright lotus stained with drops of dew.

Kits.

Remember, brother

of

his

queen bereft
sorrow,

The mighty Rama cannot chuse but

'lorn from the heart beloved, the world becomes

A
Is

dreary waste, and this sad separation

doomed to know no term how could you

ihe song of

utter

Such simple doubts, Avho know

Rama'

Rum.

am

afr.dd to ask the;n

let me
let

hush

These fancies

my emotion has excited Their notice and pity me be

their

firm.

Have you
1 fain

perused,

my

sous,

Vdlmikis verse,

would hear something of his descriptioa

bright glories of the solar race.
die poem.
I retain

Of the
Kus.

We have perused
Let

Some passages;
Ram.
Kus.

please you, I will repeat them.

me

hear them.

" She formed for love; and Rama's tender breast

love, thg

To

Prince was

now supremely

blest;

101

Nor less her Lord

did SUd's thoughts inspu-e.

desire."

And
Bam.
Alas

mutual passion crowned each heart's

I cannot check

my tears so

true this strain.

Striie

the uses of the world are now and unprofitable a disordered chaos
happiness, on which our hopes
is

Involved in care^ and closed by separation.

Where is the

May

rest

with confidence: where

:

the worth

That mutually delights where

is

that firm

And lastiiig

union of two lovingp hearts

joj'

Inseparably one, in

and sorrow.
it.

Life ever blooms, but error ever blights

Blest be the vei'se that calls again to mind.

The
I see

least of all the

thousand excellences.

That time, the foe of memory, would rob

me

of.

my

Sild nov/

when budding youth.

my
heart.

Expanded day by day into the bloom Of woman, and when full blown beauty joined
"With ardent passion, to subdue

And
Lav.

animate

my

every thought with love.

'Tis past

how
lost in

wonderful.

C Sinks into meditalion.')

How

thought he seems

not even a sigh

Steals forth, a sign of life: so silent lies

Some

sacred statue

iii

its

holy shrine.

Behind.

The Sages
Alarmed

of the hermitage

the Queen
to leave

Of Dasarat'ha, and
Have

Arundhati^

to hear the violence, the youths

offered to the steed

all

prepare

These solitudes with

the speed they may.

102

Yet slow

their progi'css

age retards their

J (maka,
Iiere

flight,

Their limbs are feeble though their minds are firm.

Riun.

What, are Arundhati and

and

rasis/it'hci
( llising

my

honoured mother

and looking out )

Yes, I behold the monarch Jdiialca

like a thunder bolt

to recall

His sight

affects

me

with the holy Priests

;

Who joined
The hopes

our hands
all

with so

much
;

that

have perished

thus to meet him

What task

remains for

Rama

to perform.

Behind.
Alas, the unexpected sight of

Rama

O'er comes the aged king

and now the Queen

Hastening

to aid her ancient friend, beholds

falls.

Her
Ram.

son,

and senseless

Revive,
Sire
live.
is

my dearest mother, To see thy son behold him he Kusa Laua This way This
My
Si

here

Avay.

\_Excunt rapidlt/.

END OF THE SIXTH

ACT.

ACT

VII.

AN AMPHITHEATRE OS THE BANKS OF THE GANGES.*

Enter Lalshmana.
I have obeyed the Sage,

and have arranged

A theatre to hold this vast assemblage.

Of
The
Gods, and men, and Spirits of Earth,
Serpent deities, and
all

air,

ocean.

the

Forms
Fdlmiki,

That move and breathe

called hither by

On
His

Gangn's sacred banks

that they may hear

Indrn's heaven.

inspirations, with dramatic art.

Recited by the
All
is

nymphs of

prepared, and the assembly waits

the Prince,

And
The

lo,

who

in his palace bears

hardships of the Anchorite, approaches.

Enter Rama.
Now, Lakshmana,
For
Laic.
this
is
is

the assembly gathered

performance.
ready.

All

Ram.
*

Be

the youths,
is

play in a play

a device

essential to the plot

this,

however as
Hamlet, both

familiar to our theatre

that

in

and the play

in

Hamlet need scarcely l)e menBeaumont and Fletcher go further and combine Four riays in one They are not so
tioned.

which

representations indicate
l)v

the opinion entertained

the

authors of

tiie

moral

eflicacy of

such performances.

104

Lava and

Ktisa, stationed

with the Prince

Your
Luk. This

son.

Your wishes
is

are foreseen

they

sit

together.

the royal seat.

Ram.

(Silling.) Let

them begin.

Enter Manager.
The
sage Prachetas son

the oracle
commands
:

Of truth,

thus issues his

let all

Assembled

here, attend to the high tales

related,

Of wonder, and of holiness,

As by
Ham.

the eye of saintly prescience seen. the Kishis are

all

Enough we know
is

holy

Their wisdom

exempted from the

with immortality

stain

Of passion, and
Impregnate

and their words can never

attention.

fail

Our reverence and

Alas, alas,

(Slid wilhin.)

where

art

thou dearest Lord,

Brave Lakskmana
Press round

where thou the Beasts of prey me to devour me me alone.

I

Unsheltered, undefended, in the forest.

What
]My
JLal'.

dreadful pangs

This agony
life to

can no more sustain these fears I will devote

earth, thehapless queen.

Bhdgiralhi.
piteous.

This

is

The Manager. The daughterof the

Her Lord abandons

to the lonely

woods
\^F.viL

Now,
Earn.

as the pains of travail agonize her.

Consigns herself to Ganga's sacred wave.

C^larling up.)

Dear

love, forbear

105

>

I fly to thy asoi stance.

Luk.

Does

my Lord
is

Remember^, what he views,

but a

fiction.

Ham.

Alas, that such a portion should have been

Tlie gift of

Rama

to his tender bride.

The
Lak.

dear companion of his forest dwelling.

Suppress these thoughts

I

let us

attend the story.

Ram.

am armed

picrceless as adamant.
\_sits

down.

E.VTEU Slid supported hu Prilhivi

(the

(iJie

Earth) and Gunga

child.

Ganges) each bearing a new horn

I

Ram.

Lakshmana

am

lost,

my
is

senses stray

In a bewildering maze

support me.
now
thy friend.

Ga iga.

Revive Vaidehi. Fate

Amidst the waves

Tw^o hopes
Sita. to

in safety hast
line.

thou given,

Raghu's

Can

this

be true.
loved Lord.
child
[fainting.

Are these
Ganga.
Sita.

my infants ah my
tliy fortitude,

Resume

my

revive.

Who

art thou.

Pri.

Tis Bhd^irathi, the protecting goddess

Of your
Sita.

Lord's
to

line.

(Bowing

Ganga.)

Receive

my

adoi-atlon.

Ganga.

May

the reward of virtue ever wait thee.

Behold thy mother

Sita.

reverend Goildess Earth.

tlice.

Am
Let

I so blest.

Pri.

this

embrace assure
is

Luk.

The queen

fondly cherished by the Deities.

Ram. Their

love for this, their child, o'ercomes their spirits.

sou!, the

This passion of the

common attribute

106

Of sentient
The end
Sita.

belng-s, is the

knot that binds,

Tlie cord that hokls the universe,

and

till

of all, perpetuates the race.

Oh

were happy now, could

but think

I held a place in

my

dear Lord's remembrance.

Pri.
Sita. Ga?i.

Thy Lord
Queen,

who should he be hast thou a husband Why need name him weli my parent knowshim.
I

reflect (to Prithivi)

Thou art the The passions

stay of all

and

shalt

thou share

of the ignorant: consider.

What he
The

has done, the honour of his race.

Avilled
;

Imperatively
stain

for

wide and

far
:

upon

his

name was spread

the

test

In Lanka undergone, not elsewhere witnessed

Was

little

credited

and

it

has been
royal race,

The triumph of his high and

To claim the homage Of all the world what

free,

and unreserved.

then remained for

Kama

In this dilemma,

else,

than to pursue.

The
Prl.

course that he has trod.

I hear.

Goddess,

Your censures with

Controuls

delight, but strong affection

my thoughts

and language.

Well

know

The
For

love of
loss

Rama, and the

grief he feels
still

of this dear child, yet

he

lives.

For the

sole benefit of his subject tribes.

For which,
^lla

in other worlds,

rewards await

hira.

Oh,

let

my

mother take
her bosom.

And
Can.

hide

me

in

Child, forbear.

107

Yet many years thy presence

Delight upon mankind.
Pri.

shall dispense

And

for the present.

These infants claim thy care

Sit a.

"widow

I.

Pri.
Sila.

How shovild this be,

Have
I a

whilst yet thy

husband

lives.

husband.
disdain.

Pi it.

Can you then

The
JmIcs.

benefactor of the world, with

united,

whom.
you.

Again

fame and

bliss aAvait

Heard you
all

the Queen.

Ram.

Let

the world receive

This testimony

(a

?ioise ivllJiout)

hark, what "wonders

more.
Sita.

The heavens

are overcast.

Can.

'Tis true; observe

The heavenly arms

are visible, the ministers

O? Rama, from 7\ViiY76'/yrt first descended. To Viswamitra next, and last to him.
Behind.

Great Queen,all hail

Behold the

faithful servants of thy erst to thee

children

As Raghupati
Sita.

announced.

His servants we, the servants of thy sons. Oh,

all

am

blest,

the

weapon gods appear

In Gan.

their glory.

Hail, celestial ministers.

to the race

Devoted

of

Raghu

still
*ill

to

work

The

will of his descendants

hail,

liail.

They

disappear

now

daughter turn thine eye.

103

On
S'da.

tliese infantine pictures

of thy Lord.

Ah, who
birtli

.shall

minister the holy rites.

Vaiishtlui's care.

Their

demand?, that great

Has
Gan.

ever solemnised for liaghu's race.

This, daughter, need not dwell

upon thy thoughts.

bower.

When

they no more exact a motlier's charge,

Wc

will

convey them

to Valmiki

Pradieias son, equal in power and knowledge.

To Angiras
Become
'J

or to Fusishlha, shall.

their

mighty master, and perform

rites their

he ceremonial
'j'his

years require.

Ham.
Luk.
In

Avasweil thought.

Does not the Prince perceive.

this,

the birth of

Kusa and o? Lavct,

Is covertly apprised him

from their infancy.

of the heavenly arms;

Have they been masters

They have received

eacli sacred

ordinance

From

great Valmiki, and their vigorous youth,

Kumbers
Since the

the years that

fair

now have
I

passed away.

Queen was sentenced tothewoods.

cannot speak

Ham.
Vri.
Sit.

My heart beats high.

my

thoughts.

Come, Daughter, with thy presence hallow Earth

Most gladly I am weary of the

Discharge thy dues

Avorld-

Pri.

maternal 'when these boys.

No more
S'lla.

require thee, thou shalt be contented.

Let

it

be

so.

\_Exen)if Slid,

Gcmgu and Prifhivu

Ram.
Laic.

Gone-

fhe

is

gone

for ever,

(faints.)

All wise Valmiki grant us thy protection

tlie

For, suili

purpose of thy sacred poem.

100
Behind'

Remove
All

the Instruments of

harmony

and

let

pres(Mit,

mark

the marvels that are wrought.

By
L'l/t.

great Vdlmiki's yviU.

The waters of the Ganges are upheaved, With sudden agitation all the sky
crowded with
rising
divinities

Is

behold
:

Where

from the depth, the Queen appear?.

By

Gan2;u and by Prifhivi supported

Hither she comes rejoicing

Behind.

Jrun.

Receive from us, the pure and faithful wife.

Sila.
:

Unspotted
Laic.

Prince, behold these Avonders

still is

Alas, he

senseless.

Enter
Ai un.

Arundhaii and Situ.

:

Why

thus bashful

Haste thee

my

child,

and

let

the consciousness
life.

Of
Sila.

that dear hand, restore thy lord to

He

wakes.

Ham.

(Reviving.)

My queen, my
and the pious

love

My

honoured

mothei-,

pure Jnindkati
Siintd

With
Anin.

Rishi/asiinga

All here all happy.

Prince, awhile attend
;

The goddess of thy race in favour speaks.

Ganga
without.

Lord of the world remember thy appeal.*

* See the
first

Act.

no

Thou
That

hast invoked
as a

my

caves for this, thy queen.

mother

should guard her ever,

As
I

if

she were Arundhati. Behold.

-will

have obe3'ed thy

my debt

is

paid.

Arun.

Again attend, thy mother Earth, addresses thee.

Prithivi withortt.

Lord of the world

remember thy
Silci to
[

appeal

Thou

my charge. And called updn me to rotect my child. 1 have obeyed thy will my debt is paid.
hast

committed

Ram.

(Prostrating himself.)
J,

How have
Aru7i.

sinful as I

am, deserved.
\

Such heavenly favour.

People of Aifodhija
;

Receive your queen,

whom

the great goddesses

Gangd and

Prithivi, thus highly honour.

And now by me, Arundhati, presented you. The Gods themselves have testified her purity.

And

Fire borne witness to her spotless virtue.

Sacrifice she

From

draws her birth,* and reigns

Wife of the

greatest of the sun's descendants.

Recall these things

and yield her veneration.

:

Lak.

They

feel the

matron's censure

all

the crov/d

Is bent in prostrate

homage

to the

Queen,

Whilst from above, the guardians of the spheres.

And

rulers of the planets, shed delighted,

A
Arnn.

shower of heavenly flowers.

Lord of the Avorld imperial Bdmuhhadra,

iSitd

In place of her similitude, be

* Slta was bora of the earth at a sacrifice performed by Janaka.

111

Herself, the partner of your Scicredrite,

Ram.
Lak.
Is
Sila.

Most

joyfiill}'.

( To Sitd. ) Lady and Queen, the shameless Lakshmana; bold enough to offer you his homage.

IMay length of days reward such worth as thine.

Aran.

Now may
This
is

the Sage lead forth the lovely twins,

Kiisa and Lava, to embrace their parents.

Ham.
Sila.

joy indeed.

Where

are

my

children.

Enter
Val.

Valmiki with Kiisa and Lava

BehoLl your Parents, children; the Prince Lakshmana,

And
Sit a.

there you grandsire

this your father's mother.

]\Iy

dear father too.

Kits,

and Lav.

Dear father dearest mother.

)

Ham.

(Embracing them

This

is

a recompense for

all

our

sorrows.
Sita.

hither Lava come Embrace your mother now indeed restored

Come
hither

Kusa

To
Sita.

life.

Kusa. and Lava.

We

are

most

blest.

Lord
May

I salute thee (to Vdlniiki.)

Val.
Sita.

thy days be many.

dear father
I

My

thus,

Avith all I love

encompassed

How
Val.

can

bear so vast a weight of happiness.

A
(Looking out.)

noise behind.

The Prince of Madhura advances

All.

The demon

Lfl?)a

is slain,

and here

Lak.

Conspires to

make our happiness complete

can credit what
I

Ram.

I scarce

see

yet thus

n2

Does
Val.

fate oppress the prosperous.

Rama

else that

Is there ought

may
but

require our aicL

, :

Rain.

Nought, holy

Sire,

thi

May
This

that inspired strain,

tale,

whose

lines

impart

de ight and purify the heart

all:-

As with

a mother's love, each grief

And wash like Ganga's wave, our sins avv,\y. And may dramatic skill, and taste profound,
Pourtray the story, and the verse expound.

So that due honour ever

shall

belong

To

the great master of poetic song.

loftier

Alike familiar with a

theme.

The

sacred knowledge of the

one supreme.*

This

Drama

labours under the disadvantage of a subject

drawn from

national mythology, and although the

more

in-

teresting on that account to those to

whom

it

was

originally

addressed,

it

must

lose

much

of itsmeritinthe eyes of those, to

is

whom
is

the mythos of the Hindus

unattractive or

unknown.

Another defect consequent upon the choice of its subject

the want of action
:

theincidents are few, and although not

xniconnectedwith each other, nor independant of the denoue-

ment,

th'jy

occur abruptly, and are separated by intervals of

little

time and place, which trespass a

too strongly

upon dra-

matic probabilities, and impair the interest of the story.

* The Poet acquainted with the

uiiciealed I'cdas as iJenlifiable with

Brahma Sahda^ the inspired and Brahma or the Supreme being.

113

Apart from these

to

defects,

however, the Drama has

much
The

recommend

it,

and has more pretension

to genuine pathos,

than perhaps any other specimen of the Hindu Theatre.

mutual sorrows of

Rama and

IS'itu

in their state of separation

are pleasingly and tenderly expressed, and the

meeting of

the father and his sons

similar scenes, with
cal

may be compared advantageously with

fictions

which the

of

Europe both

poeti-

and dramatic abound.

Besides the felicitous expression of softer feelings, this

play has some curious pictures of the beau ideal of heroic

bearing, and of thedutiesof a AVarrior and a Prince.
elevation can scarcely be selected for either.

higher

The

true spirit

of chivalry pervades the encounter of the two young Princes,

and the quiet devotedness with which

Rama

sacrifices his

wife and domestic happiness to the prosperity of his subjects,

is

a worthy counterpart to the immolation of natural affectiinterests,

ons to public

which

is

so frequent in the early his-

tory of Greece.

The

characters of the

Drama

are individualised

by the

features just noticed as belonging to those of the heroic class,

and by the sentiments of piety and the tone of authority, whi. h

animate the religious personages introduced upon the scene,

amongst whom, that females bear

so important a part,
culiarity.

maybe

regarded as another characteristicpe

The

incidents,

as already noticed to, are not numerous, but they are dramatic

and

interesting,

and upon the feelings of a Hindu must have

influence.

exercised
all

a powerfid

To a

belief that vivifies

rivers divine

objects,

and gives to mountains and

forms

and

sentient natures, the representations of this play

must

have been awful and sublime.

The most

inferior

of the

!14

personages exhibited are the Spirits of

the flood,

air,

or of the forest or

who mingle

fumiiiarly

and

affectionately with

demi-

gods and

deified Sages.

Earth the mother of all beings, and

Gangd
and the

the river of the three worlds, are introduced in person,

final

reunion of

Rama

with his family

is

witnessed, not

only by the people of Ayodliya, and the elders of either race,

but by the congregated

deities of

Earthand Heaven.
existence
is
is

The language of the beings of fictitious

the latter picturesque. That, of the

either
in

narrative or descriptive, and in the former

simple, and
is,

human

characters,

as

usual with our author, rather passionate than poetical, but

some brilliant thoughts occur, the

are not surpassed in

justice

and beauty of which

any

literature.

The comparison

of

Ckandraketu to a Lion's cub turning to brave the thunderbolt

is

one of these, and another

is

the illustration of the effects of

gifts.

education upon minds possessed or destitute of natural

It
is

needless to specify other passages.

is

The

general tone of
it is

the piece

imaginative and elevated, and

entitled at

least to the designation of

a Dramatic Poem.

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