CHAPTER CXX. Description of Various objects on all sides.
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Valmiki and Mitra, Viharilala
Argument:—Prolusion on the winds and the forest trees and wild bees; then on celestial nymphs, birds &c.
The companions continued:—Thus the loving pair after taking to one another in the aforesaid manner; began to sip their delicious wine. And now attend, O lotus eyed lord to the other things of things of this place.
2. Lo, there the winds, shaking the plantain leaves and clusters of their flowers, and blowing to all sides, with the dust of various sorts of flowers, with which they have adorned themselves.
3. There the breezes are blowing, loaded with odours exhaled by the flowers of the forest; and there the gentle zephyrs are wafting the perfumes, which they have stolen from the locks of their favourite fairies.
4. Here are the blasts blowing from the salt sea on the south; and driving as fastly as the stern lion rushes into the fastness of woods and mountain caves; and as forcibly, as the fierce giants attacked the gods on the top of Mount Meru.
5. Again there is the high wind playing and shaking with the high tamála, tála and other palma trees; while the gentle gales, are softly gliding over the waves, and wafting their moisture to the tender plants below.
6. There the soft breezes are wheezing, with the dust thrown out by the flowers; while gentle zephyrs are moving about as princes amidst the bowers and flower gardens.
7. There the god Aeolus plays his sweet sylvan pipe, in the holes of the hollow bamboo; in the manner of the female sweet musicians, tuning their reeds in the city of Pándu or Hastinápura. (Here is a palpable anachronism with regard to the anterior of prince Pándu).
8. Here every plant is fraught with bees, except the karnikara flower; which is avoided by them, on account of its disregard of the god of air, by withholding to pay him the tribute odour and farina.
9. The tála or palm tree, that rises as high as a column but yields no fruit nor flower to the hungry passenger, owing to its inaccessible height, is as disgraceful in itself as the uncharitable rich man.
10. Ignorant and unworthy people, build their pride on outward show, as the kinsuka flower displays the beauty of its colour to view, in absence of its fragrance.
11. Look at the Karnikara flower, blooming only to decay; because its want of fragrance makes it as worthless and despicable, as unworthy and ignorant men are disregarded by all.
12. So the tamála tree with its blushing blossoms, beguile the thirsty chátaka by its false appearance of a rainy cloud, so the fair outside of the foul, deceives the unwise by his inward foulness.
13. Look at these robust, woody, shady and cloud-capt hills, which afford shade and shelter to others; and are possessed of many more qualities, befitting the kings of men; are standing in the manner of lofty bamboos (having all these qualities in them).
14. Look at yonder cloud on the mountain top, resting as it were upon the seat of its table land of bright gold, and twirling its yellow mantle of lightnings; appearing as the god Hari clad in his vest of aureate yellow.
15. Look on the blooming kinsuka flower, with the flutter-bees and birds about them appearing as a fighting warrior, pierced by flying arrows, and besmeared with crimson blood.
16. Lo the golden mandára flowers, touching the amber-coloured clouds of heaven; appearing as the giddy Gandharva lads, lying on the top of the Mahendra mountain.
17. Behold the weary wayfarers, laying and lulling themselves to rest, under the shade of the Kalpa trees in the garden of paradise; while the siddhas and Vidyádharas are sitting there at ease, and singing their songs to the tune of their stringed instruments.
18. Behold also the celestial nymphs, stretched there at ease, tittering and singing in the groves-bowers of the Kalpa arbour of Eden.
19. There is the silent abode of the great sage Mandapala, famed in the legends; and the cave of the celebrated vulture said to be his wife.
20. See there the line of hermitages of the ancient sages; where the envious animals forget their mutual animosities, and ＜live＞ together in perfect concord and amity.
21. There are the coral plants, growing with other shrubs and bushes, by the side of the sea coast; and the drops of water trickling upon them, glisten as gems by the solar rays.
22. The waves are rolling with precious gems, on the bosom of the ocean; like playful damsels rocking on with their ornaments on the breasts of their lovers.
23. Here the jingling noise of the jewelleries of the celestial nymphs, sauntering from the celestial regions, to the infernal abodes of the serpents through the midway skies.
24. Here those hollow mountain caves, whistling with a sound resembling the buzzing of wild bees, falling down giddy with drinking the ichor exuding from the forehead of elephants.
25. Lo the sea ebbing with the waning moon during the dark fortnight of the month; and the receding tides describing and leaving the linear marks of their regression upon the sands on the shore.
26. Lo the woodland decorated as a beauty, with clusters of flowers hanging as wreaths and garlands on every side; breathing fragrance all about, and attired in the robe of its cooling shade.
27. The variegated foliage from its party-coloured dress, and the waterfalls seem as its sweet smiles; and the flowers strewn about, appear as the flowery bed of the happy woodland dame. (The word vana means the vana-devi or woodland goddess, corresponding with a dryad, sylva or Flora).
28. Here the high-minded sages and hermits, are as highly delighted with their quiet sylvan retreats; as the celestials are joyous in gardens of Eden. (Eden and Udyána are both the same).
29. The placid and indifferent minds of sages, are equally delighted with these solitary woodlands, as the restless and impatient minds of lovers and worldly people.
30. The waters of the sea, whether running into the land, or washing the foot of the rock on the sea-shore; are equally shining and sounding as their tinkling ornaments or anklets (nupurs).
31. The punnága flowers blooming on mountains, appear as golden mines upon them; and the goldfinch birds flying over them, look like winged angels in the aerial course.
32. The mountain forests appear to be in a conflagration, with their full blown champaka flowers blazing as fire, and the bees and clouds hovering over them as smoke; while the current winds are spreading above their dust and petals like the sparks of fire.
33. Lo the kokila swinging and singing, on his seat of the topmost stalk of a karavira tree; when his mate comes and embraces him there, and sings responsive to his songs with her clamorous chattering. (It is a sarcasm on pettish wives, that often interrupt the silent musings of their consorts with their tastelessness).
34. See the salt waters of the briny ocean, roaring aloud against shore; but the coast-lands are kept in subjection under the hands of their able masters. (The rule of kings stretched to the seashore).
35. O lord! deign to make this earth (i.e. the continent of Jambudwípa or Asia), stretching to the four seas on the four sides, as thy footstool; and establish thy rule over the remaining potentates, that escaped the brunt of thy valour; appoint rulers over all the provinces on all sides; and provide them with proper force and arms, which are necessary to keep them in order; and continue to govern thy realms with mercy and moderation.