Kausalya' gained a child, a lovely star, To chase the shadow of the night afar : A babe so bright, that every torch grew dim In the Queen's chamber, when it shone near him. They named him Rama, for the child shall bring Then the young mother, languid, pale, and worn, And Queen Kaikeyi bare a noble child, Named Bharat, beautiful, and meek, and mild: To be his mother's pride and ornament : Kausalya was chief of the three queens of Dasaratha. 2 Rama is derived from the root Ram to sport, take pleasure. The babes were born: then sin and sorrow fled, And Heaven came with him as he came to earth. Were cheered with breezes pure from dust and stain, But Ravan's Glory poured her sorrows down Graced with the holy rites, and nursed with care, As the babes strengthened, fairer and more fair, B So with their growth increased their father's joy An elder brother to each darling boy. Modest by nature, gentle nurture's aid More modest still the youthful princes made : As when, at summer's close, dark clouds arise, Raghu, the great-grandfather of Rama was one of the most celebrated of the Solar dynasty and has given his name to the family. 2 At the Churning of the Ocean the moon with other buried treasures was recovered from the Ocean, by whom, therefore, it is still regarded with parental affection. So the fair children won the people's hearts Men deemed that Duty, Profit, Love, and Bliss THE HEIR APPARENT. "Dasaratha now made preparations for the public acknowledgment of Rama as destined to be the next king in regular succession, and as permitted during his father's lifetime to share with him the honours and fatigues of royalty."- MRS. SPEIR, Life in Ancient India. But best and noblest of the noble four, Good as the God whom all the worlds adore, Lord of all virtues, by no stain defiled, The King's chief glory was his eldest child. For he was gallant, beautiful, and strong, |