“Four sons, O Monarch, shall be thine,
    Upholders of the royal line.”

Among the offspring duly granted to Dasaratha is Rama, who is a typical Hindoo of the heroic type.  His fair wife, Sita, is carried off by the demon Ravana, who had assumed the form of a humble priest, or ascetic, in order to gain access to her.  He carries her in his chariot to Lanka, the fair city built on an island of the sea.  By the assistance of a large army of monkeys, Rama marches against Lanka, and when they stand helpless—­for the water separates them from Ceylon—­he then invokes the goddess of the sea, as Achilles did Thetis, and she comes in radiant beauty, telling them how to bridge the waves.  The monkeys bring timber and stones, the bridge is built, Lanka reached, and the battle begins.  Indra sends his own chariot down from heaven to Rama, who mounts it, and vanquishes Ravana in single combat, upon which Sita is restored to her husband.  E.W.

THE RAMAYANA

INVOCATION

    Praise to Valmiki, bird of charming song,
    Who mounts on Poesy’s sublimest spray,
    And sweetly sings with accent clear and strong
    Rama, aye Rama, in his deathless lay.

    Where breathes the man can listen to the strain
    That flows in music from Valmiki’s tongue,
    Nor feel his feet the path of bliss attain
    When Rama’s glory by the saint is sung?

    The stream Ramayan leaves its sacred fount
    The whole wide world from sin and stain to free. 
    The Prince of Hermits is the parent mount,
    The lordly Rama is the darling sea.

    Glory to him whose fame is ever bright! 
    Glory to him, Prachet’s holy son! 
    Whose pure lips quaff with ever-new delight
    The nectar-sea of deeds by Rama done.

    Hail, arch-ascetic, pious, good, and kind! 
    Hail, Saint Valmiki, lord of every lore! 
    Hail, holy Hermit, calm and pure of mind! 
    Hail, First of Bards, Valmiki, hail once more!

BOOK I

CANTO I

NARAD

Om.

    To sainted Narad, prince of those
    Whose lore in words of wisdom flows,
    Whose constant care and chief delight
    Were Scripture and ascetic rite,
    The good Valmiki, first and best
    Of hermit saints, these words addressed:—­
    “In all this world, I pray thee, who
    Is virtuous, heroic, true? 
    Firm in his vows, of grateful mind,
    To every creature good and kind? 
    Bounteous, and holy, just, and wise,
    Alone most fair to all men’s eyes? 
    Devoid of envy, firm, and sage,
    Whose tranquil soul ne’er yields to rage? 
    Whom, when his warrior wrath is high,
    Do Gods embattled fear and fly?