{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/rama/ry371.htm","path":"hin/rama/ry371.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/ry371.htm","text":"Then in sweet accents low and mild\n The V\u00e1nar spoke to Janak's child:\n 'A noble king, by sin unstained,\n The mighty Das'aratha reigned.\n Lord of the warrior's car and steed,\n The pride of old Ikshv\u00e1ku's seed.\n A faithful friend, a blameless king.\n Protector of each living thing.\n A glorious monarch, strong to save,\n Blest with the bliss he freely gave,\n His son, the best of all who know\n The science of the bended bow,\n Was moon-bright R\u00e1ma, brave and strong\n Who loved the right and loathed the wrong\n Who ne'er from kingly duty swerved,\n Loved by the lands his might preserved.\n His feet the path of law pursued;\n His arm rebellious foes subdued.\n His sire's command the prince obeyed\n And, banished, sought the forest shade,\n Where with his wife and brother he\n Wandered a saintly devotee.\n There as he roamed the wilds he slew\n The bravest of the R\u00e1kshas crew.\n The giant king the prince beguiled,\n And stole his consort, Janak's child.\n Then R\u00e1ma roamed the country round,\n And a firm friend, Sugr\u00edva, found,\n Lord of the V\u00e1nar race, expelled\n From his own realm which B\u00e1li held,\n He conquered B\u00e1li and restored\n The kingdom to the rightful lord.\n Then by Sugr\u00edva's high decree\n The V\u00e1narlegions searched for thee,\n Samp\u00e1ti's counsel bade me leap\n A hundred leagues across the deep.\n And now my happy eyes have seen\n At last the long-sought Maithil queen.\n Such was the form, the eye, the grace\n Of her whom R\u00e1ma bade me trace.'\n \n \n He ceased: her flowing locks she drew\n To shield her from a stranger's view;\n Then, trembling in her wild surprise,\n Raised to the tree her anxious eyes.","title":"BOOK V: Canto XXXI.: Hanum\u00e1n's Speech.","type":"page"}