To bathing rites themselves addressed,
    And breathed the holiest prayer. 
    Their morning task completed, they
    To Visvamitra came,
    That store of holy works, to pay
    The worship saints may claim. 
    Then to the hallowed spot they went
    Along fair Sarju’s side
    Where mix her waters confluent
    With three-pathed Ganga’s tide. 
    There was a sacred hermitage
    Where saints devout of mind
    Their lives through many a lengthened age
    To penance had resigned. 
    That pure abode the princes eyed
    With unrestrained delight,
    And thus unto the saint they cried,
    Rejoicing at the sight:—­
    “Whose is that hermitage we see? 
    Who makes his dwelling there? 
    Full of desire to hear are we: 
    O Saint, the truth declare.” 
    The hermit, smiling, made reply
    To the two boys’ request:—­
    “Hear, Rama, who in days gone by
    This calm retreat possessed—­
    Kandarpa in apparent form,
    (Called Kama by the wise,)
    Dared Uma’s new-wed lord to storm
    And make the God his prize. 
    ’Gainst Sthanu’s self, on rites austere
    And vows intent, they say,
    His bold rash hand he dared to rear,
    Though Sthanu cried, Away! 
    But the God’s eye with scornful glare
    Fell terrible on him,
    Dissolved the shape that was so fair
    And burnt up every limb. 
    Since the great God’s terrific rage
    Destroyed his form and frame,
    Kama in each succeeding age
    Has borne Ananga’s name. 
    So, where his lovely form decayed,
    This land is Anga styled:—­
    Sacred to him of old this shade,
    And hermits undefiled. 
    Here Scripture-talking elders sway
    Each sense with firm control,
    And penance-rites have washed away
    All sin from every soul. 
    One night, fair boy, we here will spend,
    A pure stream on each hand,
    And with to-morrow’s light will bend
    Our steps to yonder strand. 
    Here let us bathe, and free from stain
    To that pure grove repair,
    Sacred to Kama, and remain
    One night in comfort there.” 
    With penance’ far-discerning eye
    The saintly men beheld
    Their coming, and with transport high
    Each holy bosom swelled. 
    To Kusik’s son the gift they gave
    That honored guest should greet—­
    Water they brought his feet to lave,
    And showed him honor meet. 
    Rama and Lakshman next obtained
    In due degree their share—­
    Then with sweet talk the guests remained,
    And charmed each listener there. 
    The evening prayers were duly said
    With voices calm and low:—­
    Then on the ground each laid his head
    And slept till morning’s glow.

CANTO XXVI

THE FOREST OF TADAKA