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

20 THE RA'MA'FAN. Book 111.
Away io heaven the conqueror flew.
Then Rama, Lakshman, and the dame,
To Sarabhanga nearer came,
Who sat beside the holy flame.
Before the ancient sage they bent.
And clasped his feet most reverent j
Then at his invitation found
A seat beside him on the ground.
Then Rama prayed the sage would deigj*
l!iord Indra's visit to explain ;
And thus at length the holy man
In answer to His prayer began;
'This Lord of boons has sought me here
To waft me hence to Brahma's sphere,
Won by my penance long and stern,
A home the lawless ne'er can earn.
But when I knew that thou wast nigh,
To Brahma's world I could not fly
Until these longing eyes were blest
With seeing thee, mine honoured guest.
Since thou, Prince, hast cheered my sight,
Great-hearted lover of the right,
To heavenly spheres will I repair
And bliss supreme that waits me there.
For I have won, dear Prince, my way
To those fair worlds which ne'er decay,
Celes'ial seat of Brahma's reign :
Ec thine, with me, those worlds to gain.'
Then master, of all sacred lore,
Spake Rima to the saint once more :
' I, even I, illustrious sage,
Will make those worlds mine heritage
But now, I pray, some home assign
Within this holy grove of thine,'