Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

V. On the Banks of the Godavari - 78
Brightly blazed the sacred altar, vase and ladle stood around,
Fruit and blossom, skin and faggot, sanctified the holy ground.
From the broad and bending branches ripening fruits in clusters hung,
And with gifts and rich libations hermits raised the ancient song,
Lotus and the virgin lily danced upon the rippling rill,
And the golden sunlight glittered on the greenwoods calm and still,
And the consecrated woodland by the holy hermits trod,
Shone like BRAHMA’S sky in lustre, hallowed by the grace of God!
Rama loosened there his bow-string and the peaceful scene surveyed,
And the holy sages welcomed wanderers in the forest shade,
Rama bright as Lord of Midnight, Sita with her saintly face,
Lakshman young and true and valiant, decked with warrior’s peerless grace!
[79] Leafy hut the holy sages to the royal guests assigned,
Brought them fruit and forest blossoms, blessed them with their blessings kind,
“Raghu’s son,” thus spake the sages, “helper of each holy rite,
Portion of the royal INDRA, fount of justice and of might,
On thy throne or in the forest, king of nations, lord of men,
Grant to us thy kind protection in this hermit’s lonely den!”
Homely fare and jungle produce were before the princes laid,
And the toil-worn, tender Sita slumbered in the asram’s shade.
Thus from grove to grove they wandered, to each haunt of holy sage,
Sarabhanga’s sacred dwelling and Sutikshna’s hermitage,
Till they met the Saint Agastya, mightiest Saint of olden time,
Harbinger of holy culture in the wilds of Southern clime!
“Eldest born of Dasa-ratha, long and far hath Rama strayed,” –
Thus to pupil of Agastya young and gallant Lakshman said, –
“With his faithful consort Sita in these wilds he wanders still,
I am righteous Rama’s younger, duteous to his royal will,
And we pass these years of exile to our father’s mandate true,
Fain to mighty Saint Agastya we would render homage due!”