Canto XLI. The Army Of The South.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Valmiki and Griffith, Ralph T. H. (Ralph Thomas Hotchkin)
He gathered next a chosen band
For service in the southern land.
He summoned Níla son of Fire,
And, offspring of the eternal Sire,
Jámbaván bold and strong and tall,
And Hanumán, the best of all,
And many a valiant lord beside,689
With Angad for their chief and guide.
“Go forth,” he cried, “with all this host
Exploring to the southern coast:
The thousand peaks that Vindhya shows
Where every tree and creeper grows:
Where Narmadá's690 sweet waters run,
And serpents bask them in the sun:
Where Krishṇaveṇí's691 currents flee,
And sparkles fair Godávarí.692
Through Mekhal693 pass and Utkal's694 land:
Go where Daśárṇa's695 cities stand.
Avantí696 seek, of high renown,
And Abravanti's697 glorious town.
Search every hill and brook and cave
Where Daṇḍak's woods their branches wave
Ayomukh's698 woody hill explore
Whose sides are bright with richest ore,
Lifting his glorious head on high
From bloomy groves that round him lie.
Search well his forests where the breeze
Blows fragrant from the sandal trees.
Then will you see Káverí's699 stream
Whose pleasant waters glance and gleam,
And to the lovely banks entice
The sportive maids of Paradise.
High on the top of Malaya's700 hill,
In holy musing, calm and still,
Sits, radiant as the Lord of Light,
Agastya,701 noblest anchorite.
Soon as that lofty-thoughted lord
His high permission shall accord,
Pass Támraparṇí's702 flood whose isles
Are loved by basking crocodiles.