Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

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148 Book XI. Rajya-Abhisheka (Rama’s Return and Consecration) [161] The real Epic ends with the war, and with Rama’s happy return to Ayodhya. Sita proves her stainless virtue by an Ordeal of Fire, and returns with her lord and with Lakshman in an aerial car, which Ravan had won from the Gods, and which Ribhishan made over to Rama. Indian poets are never tired of descriptions of nature, and the poet of the Ramayana takes advantage of Rama’s journey from Ceylon to Oudh to give us a bird’s-eye view of the whole continent of India, as well as to recapitulate the principal incidents of his great Epic. The gathering of men at Ayodhya, the greetings to Rama, and his consecration by the Vedic bard Vasishtha, are among the most pleasing passages in the whole poem. And the happiness enjoyed by men during the reign of Rama – described in the last few couplets of this Book – is an article of belief and a living tradition in India to this day. The portions translated in this Book form the whole or portions of Sections cxviii., cxx., cxxv., cxxix., and cxxx, of Book vi. of the original text. I. Ordeal by Fire [162] For she dwelt in Ravan’s dwelling, – rumour clouds a woman’s fame – Righteous Rama’s brow was clouded, saintly Sita spake in shame: “Wherefore spake ye not, my Rama, if your bosom doubts my faith, Dearer than a dark suspicion to a woman were her death! Wherefore, Rama, with your token came your vassal o’er the wave, To assist a fallen woman and a tainted wife to save, Wherefore with your mighty forces crossed the ocean in your pride, Risked your life in endless combats for a sin-polluted bride? Hast thou, Rama, all forgotten! – Saintly Janak saw my birth, Child of harvest-bearing furrow, Sita sprang from Mother Earth, As a maiden true and stainless unto thee I gave my hand, As a consort fond and faithful roved with thee from land to land! But a woman pleadeth vainly when suspicion clouds her name, Lakshman, if thou lov’st thy sister, light for me the funeral flame,
XI. Rama’s Return and Consecration - 149 When the shadow of dishonour darkens o’er a woman’s life, Death alone is friend and refuge of a true and trustful wife, When a righteous lord and husband turns his cold averted eyes, Funeral flame dispels suspicion, honour lives when woman dies!” Dark was Rama’s gloomy visage and his lips were firmly sealed, And his eye betrayed no weakness, word disclosed no thought concealed, Silent heaved his heart in anguish, silent drooped his tortured head, Lakshman with a throbbing bosom funeral pyre for Sita made, And Videha’s sinless daughter prayed unto the Gods above, On her lord and wedded consort cast her dying looks of love! [163] “If in act and thought,” she uttered “I am true unto my name, Witness of our sins and virtues, may this Fire protect my fame! If a false and lying scandal brings a faithful woman shame, Witness of our sins and virtues, may this Fire protect my fame! If in life-long loving duty I am free from sin and blame, Witness of our sins and virtues, may this Fire protect my fame!” Fearless in her faith and valour Sita stepped upon the pyre, And her form of beauty vanished circled by the clasping fire, And an anguish shook the people like the ocean tempest-tost, Old and young and maid and matron wept for Sita true and lost, For bedecked in golden splendour and in gems and rich attire, Sita vanished in the red fire of the newly lighted pyre! Rishis and the great Gandharvas, Gods who know each secret deed, Witnessed Sita’s high devotion and a woman’s lofty creed, And the earth by ocean girdled with its wealth of teeming life, Witnessed deed of dauntless duty of a true and stainless wife!
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The Ramayana Condensed into English
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4 III. Mother’s Blessings IV. Cit
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6 VIII. Indrajit’s Assurance IX.
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8 A Note on the Late Romesh C. Dutt
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Bibliography - 10 (Many English tra
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I. The Bridal of Sita - 12 Peaceful
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I. The Bridal of Sita - 14 Stalwart
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I. The Bridal of Sita - 16 ‘Known
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I. The Bridal of Sita - 18 Sacrific
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I. The Bridal of Sita - 20 VI. The
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I. The Bridal of Sita - 22 And they
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24 Book II. Vana-Gamana-Adesa (The
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II. The Banishment - 26 Dear to him
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II. The Banishment - 28 True to Law
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II. The Banishment - 30 Rows of tre
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II. The Banishment - 32 What alarms
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II. The Banishment - 38 Ask for oth
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II. The Banishment - 40 “Rama!”
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II. The Banishment - 42 Over fair K
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III. The Death of the King - 44 I.
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III. The Death of the King - 46 Bid
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III. The Death of the King - 48 [44
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III. The Death of the King - 50 “
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III. The Death of the King - 56 Fam
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III. The Death of the King - 60 Lak
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III. The Death of the King - 62 Old
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IV. The Meeting of the Princes - 66
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V. On the Banks of the Godavari - 7
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VI. Sita Lost - 88 Looked on Rama l
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VI. Sita Lost - 90 Fawn-eyed Sita f
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VI. Sita Lost - 92 Pardon if an eag
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VI. Sita Lost - 94 V. Ravan’s Com
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Page 100 and 101: 100 Book VII. Kishkindha (In the Ni
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Page 128 and 129: X. The War in Ceylon - 128 I. Indra
Page 130 and 131: X. The War in Ceylon - 130 Breathes
Page 132 and 133: X. The War in Ceylon - 132 Speaking
Page 134 and 135: X. The War in Ceylon - 134 INDRA no
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Page 172 and 173: Glossary - 172 CHANDAN, sandal-tree
Page 174 and 175: Glossary - 174 NISHKA, a coin, ofte
Page 176: Glossary - 176 TRIRATRA, a three ni
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Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

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