THE RÁMÁYAN OF VÁLMÍKI, VOL. III - Gujarat Knowledge Centre

160 THE Rj(M^7AN. Book III
White chouria waved around his head.
And he with gold and jewels bright
Shone like the glossy lazulite.
Ten necks and twenty arms had he
His royal gear was good to see.
The heavenly Gods' insatiate foe.
Who made the blood of hermits flow.
He like the Lord of Hills appeared
With ten huge heads to heaven upreared.
In the great car whereon he rode,
Like some dark cloud the giant showed.
When round it in their close array
The cranes 'mid wreaths of lightning play.
He looked, and saw, from realms of air.
The rocky shore of ocean, where
Unnumbered trees delightful grew
With flower and fruit of every hue.
He looked on many a lilied pool
With silvery waters fresh and cool,
And shores like spacious altars meet
For holy hermits' lone retreat.
The graceful palm adorned the scene.
The plantain waved her glossy green.
There grew the sal and betel, there
On bending boughs the flowers were fair.
There hermits dwelt who tamed each sense
By strictest rule of abstinence
Gandharvas, Kinnars,' thronged the place,
Ndgas and birds of heavenly race.
Bright minstrels of the ethereal quire.
And saints exempt from low desire.
With Ajas, sons of Brabmd's line,
Marlchipas of seed divine,
' Beings with the body of a man and the head of a horse.