Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

V. On the Banks of the Godavari - 83
Stately Sal and feathered palm-tree guard this darksome forest-land,
Golden date and dowering mango stretch afar on either hand,
Asok thrives and blazing Kinsuk, Chandan wafts a fragrance rare,
Aswa-karna and Khadira by the Sami dark and fair,
Beauteous spot for hermit-dwelling joyous with the voice of song,
Haunted by the timid wild deer and by black buck fleet and strong!”
Foe-compelling faithful Lakshman heard the words his elder said,
And by sturdy toil and labour stately home and dwelling made,
Spacious was the leafy cottage walled with moistened earth and soft,
Pillared with the stately bamboo holding high the roof aloft,
Interlacing twigs and branches, corded from the ridge to eaves,
Held the thatch of reed and branches and of jungle grass and leaves,
And the door was pressed and levelled and the toilsome task was done,
And the structure rose in beauty for the righteous Raghu’s son!
To the river for ablutions Lakshman went of warlike fame,
With a store of fragrant lotus and of luscious berries came,
Sacrificing to the Bright Gods sacred hymns and mantras said,
Proudly then unto his elder shewed the home his hand had made,
In her soft and grateful accents gentle Sita praised his skill,
Praised a brother’s loving labour, praised a hero’s dauntless will,
Rama clasped his faithful Lakshman in a brother’s fond embrace,
Spake in sweet and kindly accents with an elder’s loving grace:
[85] “How can Rama, homeless wand’rer, priceless love like thine requite,
Let him hold thee in his bosom, soul of love and arm of might,
And our father good and gracious, in a righteous son like thee,
Lives again and treads the bright earth, from the bonds of YAMA free!”
Thus spake Rama, and with Lakshman and with Sita child of love,
Dwelt in Panchavati’s cottage as the Bright Gods dwell above!