VISWÁMITRA’S REQUEST FOR RÁMA.
After the illustrious Viswámitra had heard the aforesaid unusually
lengthy speech of the lion among kings, his hairs stood erect with joy,
and he said (in reply).
2. This speech is worthy of thee, O best of kings on earth, and one
descended from a royal race, and guided by the sage Vasishtha himself.
3. Consider well O king about the performance of the act which I have
in mind, and support (the cause of) virtue.
4. I am employed, O chief of men, in religious acts for attainment of
my consummation, whereto the horrible Rákshasas have become my great
obstructions.
5. Whenever I betake myself to offer sacrifices (to the gods) at
any place, instantly do these nocturnal demons appear to destroy my
sacrificial rites.
6. The chiefs of the Rákshasas fling heaps of flesh and blood on the
sacrificial ground (before me), on very many occasions that I commence
my ceremonies.
7. Being thus obstructed in my sacrificial duties, I now come to thee
from that spot and with a broken spirit, after having laboured in vain
(for completion of the rites).
8. I have no mind O king, to give vent to my anger by imprecations,
which have no room in my conduct (of religious life).
9. Such being the sacrificial law, I expect to gain its great object in
peace by thy favor.
10. Being thus oppressed I have recourse to thy protection, and thou
shouldst protect me (from wrongs); otherwise it is an insult to
solicitors to be put to disappointment by the best of men (as thyself).
11. Thou hast a son, the beauteous Ráma, powerful as the fierce tiger,
and strong as the great Indra himself. He it is who is able to destroy
the Rákshasas.
12. Now mayst thou deliver to me that Ráma thy eldest son, having his
youthful locks of hair like the sable plumage of a crow, but possessing
the true valour of a hero.
13. Protected under my sacred authority, he will be able by his
personal prowess, to sever the heads of the malicious Rákshasas.
14. I will do him an infinity of good services, whereby he will in the
end become adored by the inhabitants of the three worlds.
15. The night-wandering Rákshasas cannot abide in the field before
Ráma, but must fly like stags in the wilderness before the furious lion.
16. No other man than Ráma can make bold to fight with the Rákshasas;
as no animal other than the furious lion can stand to fight with the
wild elephants.
17. Elated with their strength these vicious beings have become (as
deadly) as poisoned shafts in fighting, and being delegates of Khara
and Dushana, they are as furious as death itself.
18. They cannot, Oh thou tiger among kings! be able to sustain the
arrows of Ráma, but must set down like the flying dust under the
ceaseless showers of his arrows.
19. Let not paternal affection prevail over thee O king (to withhold
thy son), as there is nothing in this world, which the high-minded will
refuse to part with (to their suitor).
20. I know it for certain, and so shouldst thou know also, that the
Rákshasas must be destroyed by him; and (believe me) that wise men like
ourselves will never undertake to engage in an uncertainty.
21. I well know the great soul of the lotus-eyed Ráma, and so does the
illustrious Vasishtha, and all other far-seeing (sages and seers).
22. Should the sense of greatness, duty and renown, have a seat in thy
soul, thou shouldst deliver my desired object—thy son to me.
23. It will take me ten nights to perform the rites of my sacrifice, at
which Ráma shall have to stay with me and kill the Rákshasas, who are
obnoxious to my rites and enemies of the sacrifice.
24. Let the ministers, Oh Kákutstha! headed by Vasishtha join to give
their assent (to it), and deliver thy Ráma to me.
25. Thou O son of Raghu, that knowest the times (of religious
observances) must not allow my time to slip, so do as I may have Ráma.
Be blest and give not way to sorrow.
26. Even the smallest service appears to be much if done in good time,
and the best service is of no avail if done out of season.
27. The illustrious and holy chief of the sages Viswámitra, paused
after saying these words fraught with a virtuous and useful intention.
28. Hearing these words of the great sage, the magnanimous king held
his silence for some time, with a view to prepare a fitting answer;
because no man of sense is ever satisfied with talking unreasonably
either before others or to himself.