From Rishyamáka's rugged side To Malaya's hills the Vánar hied And to his royal chieftain there Announced the coming of the pair: 'See here with Lakshman' Ráma stands Illustrious in a hundred lands. Whose valiant heart will never quail Although a thousand foes assail;
King Das'aratha's son, the grace And glory of Ikshváku's race. Obedient to his father's will He cleaves to sacred duty still. With rites of royal pomp and pride His sire the Fire-God gratified; Ten hundred thousand kine he freed, And priests enriched with ample meed;
And the broad land protected, famed For truthful lips and passions tamed. Through woman's guile his son has made His dwelling in the forest shade, Where, as he lived with every sense Subdued in hermit abstinence, Fierce Rávan' stole his wife, and he Is come a suppliant, lord, to thee.
Now let all honour due be paid To these great chiefs who seek thine aid.'
Thus spake the Vánar prince, and, stirred With friendly thoughts, Sugríva heard. The light of joy his face o'erspread, And thus to Raghu's son he said: 'O Prince, in rules of duty trained, Caring for all with love unfeigned, Hanúmán's tongue has truly shown The virtues that are thine alone.
My chiefest glory, gain, and bliss, O stranger Prince, I reckon this, That Raghu's son will condescend To seek the Vánar for his friend. If thou my true ally wouldst be Accept the pledge I offer thee, This hand in sign of friendship take, And bind the bond we ne'er will break.'
He spoke, and joy thrilled Ráma's breast; Sugríva's hand he seized and pressed And, transport beaming from his eye, Held to his heart his new ally. In wanderer's weed disguised no more, His proper form Hanúmán wore. Then, wood with wood engendering, came Neath his deft hands the kindled flame.
Between the chiefs that fire he placed With wreaths of flowers and worship graced. And round its blazing glory went The friends with slow steps reverent.
Thus each to other pledged and bound In solemn league new transport found. And bent upon his dear ally The gaze he ne'er could satisfy. 'Friend of my soul art thou: we share Each other's joy, each other's care;' To us the bliss that thrilled his breast Sugriva Raghu's son addressed.
From a high Sál a branch he tore Which many a leaf and blossom bore, And the fine twigs beneath them laid A seat for him and Ráma made. Then Hanumán with joyous mind, Son of the God who rules the wind, To Lakshman gave, his seat to be, The gay branch of a Sandal tree.
Then King Sugriva with his eyes Still trembling with the sweet surprise Of the great joy he could not hide, To Raghu's noblest scion cried: 'O Ráma, racked with woe and fear, Spurned by my foes, I wander here. Reft of my spouse, forlorn I dwell Here in my forest citadel.
Or wild with terror and distress Roam through the distant wilderness. Vext by my brother Báli long My soul has borne the scathe and wrong. Do thou, whose virtues all revere, Release me from my woe and fear. From dire distress tby friend to free Is a high task and worthy thee.'
He spoke, and Raghu's son who knew All sacred duties men should do. The friend of justice, void of guile, Thus answered with a gentle smile: 'Great Vánar, friends who seek my aid Still find their trust with fruit repaid. Báli, thy foe, who stole away Thy wife this vengeful hand shall slay.
These shafts which sunlike flash and burn, Winged with the feathers of the *ern, Each swift of flight and sure and dread, With even knot and pointed head, Fierce as the crashing fire-bolt sent By him who rules the firmament, Shall reach thy wicked foe and like Infuriate serpents hiss and strike.
Thou, Vánar King, this day shalt see The foe who long has injured thee Lie, like a shattered mountain, low, Slain by the tempest of my bow.'
Thus Ráma spake: Sugriva heard, And mighty joy his bosom stirred: As thus his champion he addressed: 'Now by thy favour, first and best Of heroes, shall thy friend obtain His realm and darling wife again
Recovered from the foe. Check thou mine elder brother's might; That ne'er again his deadly spite May rob me of mine ancient right,
Or vex my soul with woe.' The league was struck, a league to bring To Sítá fiends, and Vánar king 1b
Apportioned bliss and bale. Through her left eye quick throbbings shot, 2b Glad signs the lady doubted not,
That told their hopeful tale. The bright left eye of Báli felt An inauspicious throb that dealt
A deadly blow that day. The fiery left eyes of the crew Of demons felt the throb, and knew
