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

' With
Canto XI. TEE R^MJ'YAN. 47
Still farther, bending southward, by
The thicket's edge thy course must lie,
And thou wilt see, two leagues from thence
Agastya's lovely residence.
Set in the woodland's fairest spot,
All varied foliage decks the cot
There Sltd, Lakshman thou, at ease
May spend sweet hours neath shady trees.
For all of noblest growth are found
Luxuriant on that bosky ground.
If it be still thy .firm intent
To see that saint preeminent,
mighty counsellor, this day
Depart upon thine onward way.'
The hermit spake, and Rama bent
His head, with Lakshman, reverent.
And then with him and Janak's child
Set out to trace the forest wild.
He saw dark woods that fringed the road.
And distant hills like clouds that showed.
And, as the way he followed, met
many a lake and rivulet.
So passing on with ease where led
The path Sutikshna bade him tread,
The hero with exulting breast
His brother in these words addressed
' Here, surely, is the home, in sight,
Of that illustrious anchorite
Here great Agastya's brother leads
A life intent on holy deeds.
Warned of each guiding mark and sign,
1 see them all herein combine
I see the branches bending low
Beneath the flowers and fruit they show,