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

Ctmto XXXV. THE RAMAYAN. 161
VaikhUnasas and Mdshas strayed,
And Balakhilyas '
in the shade.
The lovely nymphs of heaven were there.
Celestial wreaths confined their hair,
And to each form new grace was lent
By wealth of heavenly ornament.
Well skilled was each in play and dance
And gentle arts of dalliance.
The glorious wife of many a God
Those beautiful recesses trod,
There Gods and Diinavs, all who eat
The food of heaven, rejoiced to meet.
The swan and Sdras thronged each bay
With curlews, ducks, and divers gay,
Where the sea spray rose soft and white
O'er rocks of glossy lazulite.
As his swift way the fiend pursued
Pale chariots of the Gods he viewed.
Bearing each lord whose rites austere
Had raised him to the heavenly sphere.
Thereon celestial garlands hung,
There music played and songs were sung,
fhen bright Gandharvas met his view,
And heavenly nymphs, as on he flew.
He saw the sandal woods below,
And precious trees of odorous flow.
That to the air around them lent
Their riches of delightful scent
Nor failed his roving eye to mark
Tall aloe trees in grove and park.
He looked on wood with cassias filled.
And plants which balmy sweets distilled,
Ajaa, Mariobipas, Vaikhanaaas, Mdsbas, and Balakhilyas are
classes of supernatural-beiags vrho lead the lives of hermits.