begot offspring upon the wives of the foremost of monkeys and bears.  And those sons equaled their sires in strength and fame.  And they were capable of splitting mountain peaks and their weapons were stones and trees of the Sala and the Tala species.  And their bodies were hard as adamant, and they were possessed of very great strength.  And they were all skilled in war and capable of mustering any measure of energy at will.  And they were equal to a thousand elephants in might, and they resembled the wind in speed.  And some of them lived wherever they liked, while others lived in forests.  And the adorable Creator of the Universe, having ordained all this, instructed Manthara as to what she would have to do.  And Manthara quick as thought, understood all his words, and went hither and thither ever engaged in fomenting quarrels.’”

SECTION CCLXXV

“Yudhishthira said, ’O adorable one, thou hast described to me in detail the history of the birth of Rama and others.  I wish to learn the cause of their exile.  Do thou, O Brahmana, relate why the sons of Dasaratha—­the brothers Rama and Lakshmana—­went to the forest with famous princess of Mithila.’

“Markandeya said, ’The pious king Dasaratha, ever mindful of the old and assiduous in religious ceremonies, was greatly pleased when these sons were born.  And his sons gradually grew up in might and they became conversant with the Vedas together with all their mysteries, and with the science of arms.  And when after having gone through the Brahmacharya vows the princes were married, king Dasaratha became happy and highly pleased.  And the intelligent Rama, the eldest of them all, became the favourite of his father, and greatly pleased the people with his charming ways.  And then, O Bharata, the wise king, considering himself old in years took counsel with his virtuous ministers and spiritual adviser for installing Rama as regent of the kingdom.  And all those great ministers were agreed that it was time to do so.  And, O scion of Kuru’s race, king Dasaratha was greatly pleased to behold his son,—­that enhancer of Kausalya’s delight—­possessed of eyes that were red, and arms that were sinewy.  And his steps were like those of a wild elephant.  And he had long arms and high shoulders and black and curly hair.  And he was valiant, and glowing with splendour, and not inferior to Indra himself in battle.  And he was well-versed in holy writ and was equal to Vrihaspati in wisdom.  An object of love with all the people, he was skilled in every science.  And with senses under complete control, his very enemies were pleased to behold him.  And he was terror of the wicked and the protector of the virtuous.  And possessed of intelligence and incapable of being baffled, he was victorious over all and never vanquished by any.  And, O descendant of Kurus, beholding his son—­that enhancer of Kausalya’s joy—­king Dasaratha