Gods of sky in shape of Vanars helped the dark and cruel deed, Girdling round the Discus-Wielder in the battle's direst need! Well I knew, when Khara, Dushan, were by Rama's prowess slain, And I prayed, the faithful Sita might unto her consort go, Gone the days of joy and gladness, Mandodari's days are done, Weeping queens and sorrowing Rakshas round their fallen leader stood, Piously the good Bibhishan lighted Ravan's funeral pyre, BOOK XI RAJYA-ABHISHEKA (Rama's Return and Consecration) THE HE 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 aërial car, which Ravan had won from the Gods, and which Bibhishan 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 For she dwelt in Ravan's dwelling,-rumour clouds a woman's fameRighteous 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, As a consort fond and faithful roved with thee from land to land! Silent heaved his heart in anguish, silent drooped his tortured head, And Videha's sinless daughter prayed unto the Gods above, |