Canto XXIV: The Spells

Vaśishtha thus was speaking still: The monarch, of his own free will, Bade with quick zeal and joyful cheer Ráma and Lakshman hasten near. Mother and sire in loving care Sped their dear son with rite and prayer; Vaśishtha blessed him ere he went, O'er his loved head the father bent-- And then to Kuśik's son resigned Ráma with Lakshman close behind. Standing by Viśvámitra's side, The youthful hero, lotus-eyed, The Wind-God saw, and sent a breeze Whose sweet pure touch just waved the trees. There fell from heaven a flowery rain, And with the song and dance the strain Of shell and tambour sweetly blent As forth the son of Raghu went. The hermit led: behind him came The bow-armed Ráma, dear to fame, Whose locks were like the raven's wing:-- Then Lakshman, closely following. The Gods and Indra, filled with joy, Looked down upon the royal boy, And much they longed the death to see Of their ten-headed enemy. Ráma and Lakshman paced behind That hermit of the lofty mind, As the young Aśvins, heavenly pair, Follow Lord Indra through the air. On arm and hand the guard they wore, Quiver and bow and sword they bore; Two fire-born Gods of War seemed they, He, Śiva's self who led the way. Upon fair Sarjú's southern shore They now had walked a league or more, When thus the sage in accents mild To Ráma said: "Beloved child, This lustral water duly touch: My counsel will avail thee much. Forget not all the words I say, Nor let the occasion slip away. Lo, with two spells I thee invest, The mighty and the mightiest. O'er thee fatigue shall ne'er prevail, Nor age nor change thy limbs assail. Thee powers of darkness ne'er shall smite In tranquil sleep or wild delight. No one is there in all the land Thine equal for the vigorous hand. Thou, when thy lips pronounce the spell, Shalt have no peer in heaven or hell. None in the world with thee shall vie, O sinless one, in apt reply-- In fortune, knowledge, wit, and tact, Wisdom to plan and skill to act. This double science take, and gain Glory that shall for aye remain. Wisdom and judgment spring from each Of these fair spells whose use I teach. Hunger and thirst unknown to thee, High in the worlds thy rank shall be. For these two spells with might endued, Are the Great Father's heavenly brood, And thee, O Chief, may fitly grace, Thou glory of Kakutstha's race. Virtues which none can match are thine, Lord, from thy birth, of gifts divine-- And now these spells of might shall cast Fresh radiance o'er the gifts thou hast." Then Ráma duly touched the wave, Raised suppliant hands, bowed low his head, And took the spells the hermit gave, Whose soul on contemplation fed. From him whose might these gifts enhanced A brighter beam of glory glanced:-- So shines in all his autumn blaze The Day-God of the thousand rays. The hermit's wants those youths supplied, As pupils used to holy guide. And then the night in sweet content On Sarjú's pleasant bank they spent.