CHAPTER CC. The Loud applause of the court on the sage’s speech.
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Valmiki and Mitra, Viharilala
Argument:—Narration of the plaudits of the assembly, accompanied with the showering of flowers and uproar of musical instruments, at the end of the holy sermon.
Válmíki continued:—Upon the termination of the holy sermon on Nirvána—anesthesia, there arose loud hubbub without the court house, which put a stop to the sage’s proceeding further in continuation of his discourse.
2. But the whole audience in the court hall, was immerged in a state of stead fast hypnotism, and settled intentiveness in the Supreme; and the faculties of their mind were quite clear, and their workings at rest.
3. The whole audience on hearing the lecture on investigation after intellect, became passengers on the raft of sat, and they all gained their salvation.
4. Immediately there arose a loud chorus of applause, from the mouths of the emancipated sages or siddhas, dwelling in the upper regions of the skies, and it filled the concave of heaven, with the acclamations of praise to the venerable sage.
5. In the same manner there rose shouts of praise also, from the holy sages seated in the assembly; together with the loud acclamation given by the son of Gádhi—Viswámitra, who sat at their head.
6. Then was heard a swelling sound, filling the face of the four quarters of the firmament; just as the blasts of wind filled the hollows of the withered bamboos in the forest, and make them resound with a sound with a soft sweet melody.
7. Next arose a flourish of trumpets from the celestials, mingling with the hosannahs of the siddhas; which rumbled together and resounded loudly, amidst the hollow caves of distant mountains and dale.
8. Along with the flourish of celestial trumpets, there fell showers of flowers from above, resembling the driving rain of snows, which blocked the faces on all sides of heaven.
9. The floor of the court hall was strewn over with flowers, and the fanfare of the drums and timbals, filled the mouths of hollow caves and caverns; the flying dust covered the face of the sky, and the rising odours after the rain were borne upon the wings of the winds to all sides.
10. Then there rose a mingled rumble of the shouts of applause, and the peal of heavenly trumpets; joined with the whistle of the hissing showers of flowers, and the rustling of the winds all about.
11. The courtiers all looked around with their uplifted faces and eyes, and were struck in their minds with wonder and surprise; while the beasts all about the palace and in the parks, remained amazed at the event with their pricked up ears.
12. The women and children in the inside, sat staring with their wonder stricken eyes; and the princes sitting in the court hall, looked astonished on one another with their smiling faces.
13. The face of the firmament became exceedingly brightened, by the falling showers of flowers from above; and the great concavity of the world, was filled with the hissing sound of the falling rains.
14. The showers of flowers and drizzling rain drops, with their hissing sounds, made the royal palace an appearance of festivity. (With the scattering of fried rice, sprinkling of rose water and blowing of conchshells).
15. Not only the palace, but all places in the worlds, seem to celebrate their festive mirth, with tossing of flower garlands, joined with celestial music.
16. The shouts of the siddhas and their ejaculations of joy, rolled and growled as high in the upper sky; as the rolling billows and rebillowing waves, howled in the depth of the ocean and sea.
17. After the hubbub of the heavenly hosts had subsisted, (in the lull of the rains and rackets); the following words of the siddhas proceeded from above, and were heard to be uttered in an audible and distinct voice.
18. The siddhas said:—We have erewhile since time erst began, listened to delivered thousands of sermons, in the assembly of siddhas or perfect beings, on the means of attaining liberation, (which is the highest pitch of perfection of the living soul); but never heretofore heard a lecture so impressive on the mind, as this last locution of the sage.
19. We see boys and women and the bending brute creatures, together with the creeping and crawling animals, are all enrapt by this soothing speech, which will doubtless enrapture its readers and hearers in future.
20. The sage has used every argument and example, for rousing Ráma to his beatification; such as it is doubtful whether he had ever shewn such affection to his Arundhatí or not.
21. Hearing this lecture on liberation, even the brute creation of beasts and birds, become emancipated from the burthen of their base bodies; and as for men, they forget altogether the trammels of their bodies in their embodied state.
22. Our draught of these ambrosial drops of divine knowledge, through the vessels of our ears; has not only satiated our appetite for wisdom, but renovated our understandings, and added a fresh beauty to our spiritual bodies.
23. On hearing these words of the heavenly host of siddhas, were struck with wonder, and looked upward with full open eyes; and then as they cast their looks below, they beheld the surface of the court-hall, to be strewn over with flowers and lotuses, falling in showers from above.
24. They saw heaps of mandara and other celestial flowers, piled up to the roof of the lofty hall; and observed the court yard to be covered over with blossoming plants and creepers, and with wreaths and garlands of flowers without an interstice.
25. The surface of the ground, was strewn over with buds and blossoms of Párijata plants; and thick clouds of Santanaka flowers, shadowed over the heads and shoulders of the assembled people in the court.
26. The saffron flowers of Harichandana (yellow sandal wood), hung over the jewelled crests of the princes; and seemed as an awning of rainy clouds, spread over the glittering chandeliers of the court hall. (Harichandana is a tree in the garden of Paradise).
27. Seeing these events in the court, the people all gave vent to the repeated shouts of their loud applause; and talked to one another of this and that, as was fitted to the solemnity of occasion.
28. They then adored the sage with the prostration of their bodies and limbs, and made him their obeisances, with offerings of handfuls of flowers.
29. After the loud peals of applause had somewhat abated; the king also rose and prostrated himself down and then worshipped the sage, with the tray of his presents and wreaths of flowers held in his hands.
30. Dasaratha said:—It was by your admonition, O thou Lord of Arundhati; that I was released from this my mortal frame; and gained the transcendent knowledge which filled my soul, and joined it with the supreme essence in perfect bliss.
31. We have nothing in this nether earth, nor is there anything with the gods in heaven, which I ween is worthy enough to be given, as a proper offering in thine adoration.
32. Yet I beg to pray you something in order to acquit myself of my duty to you, and to render my services to thee prove effectual to me, and hope you will not be irritated at this address of mine.
33. That I adore you myself with my queens and my weal in both worlds, together with all these dominions and servants of mine (all which I now offer humbly at your venerable feet).
34. All these possessions of mine are yours entirely at present, so my lord take them as yours, and make them as parts of your hermitage; please to dispose of these as you please, or use them as you like.
35. Vasishtha replied:—Know, O great king, that we Bráhmans are pleased, only with the mere obeisances of people; we are verily satisfied with receiving reverence of men, and these you have already done and shown to me.
36. You know to rule the earth, and therefore its sovereignty is suitable to thee; nor can you show a Brahmin to have ever reigned as a king, keep therefore what is yours to yourself and prosper therein.
37. Dasaratha answered:—What is this trifle of a realm to me, which I am ashamed to call and own as mine; it cannot lead me to the knowledge of its true Lord, therefore do so as I may clearly and truly know the most high.
38. Válmíki relates:—As the king was saying so, Ráma rose from his seat, and threw handfuls of flowers on the sacred person of his preceptor; and then lowly bending himself before him, he addressed him as follows.
39. Venerable sir, as you have made the king speechless, by telling him that you are pleased with mere obeisance of men; so I am taught to wait here, with my bare prostration at your venerable feet.