24 F. S. Growse — The Prologue to the Bdmdyana of Iklsi Das. [Ifo 1 



Doha 40-41. 

 Kama's perfect merit is like a strong fire to consume the dry wood of 

 schism and heresy, evil practices and worldly deceit, hypocrisy and infidelity. 

 His acts are like the rays of the full moon that give pleasure to all, but 

 are specially consoling to the souls of the pious like the lotus and the 

 chakor* 



Chaupdi. 

 All the questions that Bhawani asked, with Sankara's replies thereto 

 I now proceed to give in substance, with agreeable diversity of style. No one 

 is to be astonished if he should happen not to have heard any particular 

 legend before ; for a wise man on hearing for the first time any marvellous 

 act will feel no surprise, reasoning thus with himself : I know well that 

 there is no limit in the world to the stories about Rama, for he has in vari- 

 ous forms become incarnate, and the verses of the Ramayana are some thou- 

 sand millions in number ; his glorious acts are of myriad diversity and have 

 been sung by sages in countless ways. So indulge no doubts, but listen 

 reverently and devoutly, 



Doha 42. 

 Rama is infinite, his perfections infinite, and his legends of immeasur- 

 able extent ; men of enlightened understanding will therefore wonder at 

 nothing they hear, 



Chaupai. 

 Having in this manner put away all doubt, I place on my head the dust 

 from the lotus-feet of my master, and with folded hands making a general 

 obeisance, that no fault may attach to my telling of the story, and bowing 

 my head reverently before Siva, I proceed to sing of Rama's excellent glory. 

 In this Samhat year of 1631, I write with my head at Hari's feet, on Tues- 

 day the 9th of the sweet month of Chait at the city of Avadh ; on the day 

 when the Scriptures say Rama was born ; when the spirits of all holy places 

 there assemble, demons, serpents, birds, men, saints and gods, and there 

 offer homage to Raghunath, while the enlightened keep the great birth-day 

 festival and hymn Rama's high glory. 



Doha 43. 

 Pious crowds bathe in the all-purifying stream of the Sarju, and mur- 

 mur Rama's name, while his dark and beautiful form is imprinted on their 

 heart. 



Chaupai. 

 The Vedas and Puranas declare that sin is cleansed by the mere sight 

 or touch of this holy stream as well as by bathing in or drinking of it. Its 



