458 Analysis of the Roghu Vans 1 a. [No. C. 



the solar orb newly risen. The heads cut off by arrows appeared as 

 fruits cut from the stalks ; the fallen helmets strewed the ground as 

 cups with blood bedewed, the battle field appeared a banquet of the 

 dead. Host encountered host, like ocean's swelling waves impelled 

 by winds in front and rear ; as smoke dispelled by wind, so fled the 

 troops of Aja Raja, but he stood firm as a fire inkindled, checking the 

 band of kings as a mighty boar the ocean's flood in the Kalpa Yuga. 

 "With royal heads he strewed the ground whose lips in anger bit retained 

 a reddened flush. His car with weapons pierced, he was only to be 

 be known by its top, as the dawn of day on a morning when the solar 

 orb has just arisen. Applying shell to mouth Aja blew the blast of 

 victory ; his coward soldiers heard the sound of the Raja who appeared 

 among conquered kings as the moon glittering in the midst of sleeping 

 lotuses. With arrows dipped in royal blood Aja wrote on the banners 

 of the conquered foe : " To-day by Raghu's son ye are bereft of glory, 

 but through his clemency not of life." Indumati's countenance freed 

 from fear of the enemy resumed its wonted brightness, as a mirror 

 when the vapour of the breath has passed away ; though full of joy, 

 yet overcome with shame, she addressed not her beloved herself, but 

 through the voice of friends, as the earth watered with recent rain 

 addresses the clouds through the cry of peacocks. Aja placing his left 

 foot on the necks of the kings, led away his bride to receive the salu- 

 tation of Raghu, who then retired to the forest ; for those of the solar 

 race when they find a prop to their family, no more remain in domes- 

 tic life. 



Then Raghu to his son who wore the marriage thread, delivered up 

 the earth. Aja's piety and military spirit united, resembled fire and 

 wind conjoined ; the long-armed king as a new wedded bride enjoyed 

 the rule of earth. Each citizen thought himself the special object of 

 the monarch's love, none felt himself neglected, as ocean receives 

 within his embrace a hundred rivers. In moderation neither too strict 

 nor too soft, he governed other kings, as breezes bend the trees, but do 

 not eradicate them. Raghu like Dilip's sons, designed, in dress of 

 bark arrayed, to seek the hermits' cooling shades, but Aja with pearl 

 encircled crown entreated him to desist ; but as a serpent his slough re- 

 sumes not again, so he his regal power ; entering the fourth order he 

 dwelt with senses subdued without the city's walls, his sun had set 



