Chapter LXXV: Section LXXV

After Savari had repaired unto heaven by virtue of her divine prowess, Rama with his brother Lakshmana began to ponder over the pious influence of those great ascetics. Thinking within himself about the divine authority of those great ones, the virtuous-souled Rama spake unto Lakshmana, devoted and ever engaged in his well-being.--"Beheld have I, O gentle one, the wondrous asylum of the pure-souled ascetics filled with diverse birds and tigers rambling friendly with antelopes. O Lakshmana, we have performed ablutions in the sacred waters of these seven seas and offered oblations unto our manes. Our misfortunes have ended and prosperity hath appeared and my mind is now filled with ecstacy of delight. Me-thinks, best of men, auspiciousness shall soon appear unto us; do thou come, therefore, we shall proceed towards the picturesque lake Pampa. Yon appeareth in view, at no distance, the mount Rishyamuka. Here dwells with four monkeys, the virtuous-souled Sugriva-- Suryya's son, in constant fear of Vali. I am in a hurry to behold Sugriva the best of monkeys, for my business--Sita's quest--is entirely at his hands." Unto the heroic Rama, speaking thus, Saumitri said.--"Let us depart soon, I am in haste too." Issuing out of Matanga's asylum, the mighty Rama, lord of men, repaired with Lakshmana to the lake Pampa. Exercised with grief, he arrived at the bank of that best of lakes, beholding (as he passed along), vaious trees and pools, the mighty forest covered on all sides with huge trees and flowers and resounding with the noise of lapwings, peacocks, woodpeckers and various other birds and rattling of the bamboos. Beholding, from distance, Pampa of sweet, cool and pure water, Rama performed ablution at the Matanga Sara (a portion of Pampa) and paced slowly towards the lake. Thereupon Dacaratha's son, stricken with grief, bathed in Pampa, covered with lotuses. It was adorned on all sides with _Tilakas_, _Asokas_, _Punagas_, _Uddalas_ and _Vakulas_. It was a lake girt on all sides with pictueresque gardens, having its waters undulating beautifully and transparent like unto crystal, and covered all around with soft sands. It was filled with fish and tortoise, adorned with trees on its banks, encircled with creepers embracing her like companions and frequented by _Gandharbas_, _Kinnaras_, serpents, _Yakshas_ and Rashasas. It was covered with trees and creepers of various kind, of cool water, and enveloped with beauty. It was, somewhere, of red hue, in contact with water lillies, somewhere white with _Kumudas_, somewhere blue with blue lotuses like unto a blanket of diverse hues. It was filled with white and red lotuses and encircled with blossoming mangoe groves and resounding with the music of the peacocks. Beholding Pampa, ornamented like a damsel with _Tilakas_, _Bijapuras_,[98] fig-trees, _Sukladrumas_,[99] flowery _Karavis_, blossoming _Punnagas_, groves of _Malati_[100] and _Kunda_,[101] _Vandhiras_,[102] _Nichulas_,[103] _Asokas_, _Saptaparuas_,[104] _Ketakas_,[105] _Atimuktas_,[106] and various others trees, Rama the mighty son of Dacaratha began to lament with Lakshmana. "There stands on its bank the mount Rishyamuka, abounding in various metals and covered with trees of varieagated flowers as mentioned before (by _Kavandha_). There dwelleth the famous lord of monkeys, Sugriva, the heroic son of the great Rikshyaraja. O best of men, do thou approach the chief of monkeys." Rama, having truth for his prowess, again spake unto Lakshmana, saying, "O Lakshmana, how shall I live without Sita, who have been deprived of my kingdom, who am poorly and have Sita for my life?" Having said this unto Lakshmana, who had nothing else in view, that best of Raghus, racked with sorrow and grief and oppressed by Cupid, entered the lake Pampa graced with lotuses. Proceeding slowly, observing the forest, Rama beheld and entered with Lakshmana Pampa, girt on all sides with beautiful woods and filled with a multitude of diverse birds.

[98] Common citron--_Lat. (Citrus-medica)_.--T.

[99] _Lat. (Symplaces racemesa)_.--T.

[100] Great-flowered Jasmine--_Lat. (Jasminum Grandiflorum)_--T.

[101] A kind of Jasmine:--_Lat. (J. Multifiorum)_.--T

[102] _Lat. (Memisa Sirisha)_.--T.

[103] _Lat. (Barringtonia Acutangula)_.--T.

[104] _Lat. (Abstenia Scholaris)_.--T.

[105] _(Pandanus Odoratissumus)_.--T.

[106] _Lat. (Gaertnera Racemosa)_.--T.

END OF THE ARANYAKANDAM

KISHKINDHA KANDAM.