The Great Epics of Ancient India

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J.M. Dent, 1900 - 384 pages
Abridge version of Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and Mahābhārata

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Page 372 - Yet I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs, And the thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns.
Page 162 - If in act and thought" she uttered, " / 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...
Page 41 - For my mother often taught me and my father often spake, That her home the wedded woman doth beside her husband make, As the shadow to the substance, to her lord is faithful wife, And she parts not from her consort till she parts with fleeting life! Therefore bid me seek the jungle and in pathless forests roam, Where the wild deer freely ranges and the tiger makes his home, Happier than in father's mansions in the woods will Sita rove, Waste no thought on home or kindred, nestling in her husband's...
Page 2 - INDRA'S city, — tower and dome and turret brave — Rose in proud and peerless beauty on Sarayu's limpid wave ! Peaceful lived the righteous people, rich in wealth in merit high, Envy dwelt not in their bosoms and their accents shaped no lie, Fathers with their happy households owned their cattle, corn and gold, Galling penury and famine in Ayodhya had no hold...
Page 27 - Young companions grow in friendship, and our ancient legends tell, Weeds protect a forest monarch which the woodman's axe would fell, Crowned Rama unto Lakshman will a loving brother prove, But for Bharat and Satrughna, Rama's bosom owns no love, And a danger thus ariseth if the elder wins the throne, Haste thee, heedless Queen Kaikeyi, save the younger and thy son! Speak thy mandate to thy husband...
Page 1 - ... to the Epic, Dasa-ratha king of the Kosalas had four sons, the eldest of whom was Rama, the hero of the poem. And Janak, king of the Videhas, had a daughter named Sita, who was miraculously born of a field furrow, and who is the heroine of the Epic. Janak ordained a severe test for the hand of his daughter, and many a prince and warrior came and went away disappointed. Rama succeeded, and won Sita. The story of Rama's winning his bride, and of the marriage of his three brothers with the sister...
Page 72 - If assuming virtue's mantle I should seek the sinful path, Gods who judge our secret motives curse me with their deepest wrath, And thy counsel helps not, rishi, mansions of the sky to win, And a king his subjects follow adding deeper sin to sin! Sweep aside thy crafty reasoning, Truth is still our ancient way, Truth sustains the earth and nations and a monarch's righteous sway...
Page 33 - Wealth or treasure, gem or jewel, castled town or smiling fields, Ask for other gift, Kaikeyi, and thy wishes shall be given, Stain me not with crime unholy in the eye of righteous Heaven!" Coldly spake the Queen Kaikeyi : "If thy royal heart repent, Break thy word and plighted promise, let thy royal faith be rent, Ever known for truth and virtue, speak to peers and mo'narchs all, When from near and distant regions they shall gather in thy hall, Speak if so it please thee, monarch, of thy evil-destined...
Page 102 - ... said ! Help me, ever righteous Rama, duty bade thee yield thy throne, Duty bids thee smite the sinful, save the wife who is thy own, Thou art king and stern chastiser of each deed of sin and shame, Hurl thy vengeance on the Raksha who insults thy faithful dame ! , / Deed of sin, unrighteous Ravan, brings in time its dreadful meed, ! As the young corn grows and ripens from the small and living seed, For this deed of insult, Ravan, in thy heedless folly done, Death of all thy race and kindred thou...
Page 42 - If toy elder and his lady to the pathless forests wend, Armed with bow and ample quiver Lakshman will on them attend, 'Where the wild deer range the forest and the lordly tuskers roam, And the bird of gorgeous plumage nestles in its jungle home, Dearer far to me those woodlands where my elder Rama dwells, Than the homes of bright Immortals where perennial bliss prevails...

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