1852.] Analysis of the R a ghu Vans' a. 461 



rivalled Kama, Kuvera and Varuna, and the sun in splendour.* Neither 

 the delight of hunting, or gambling, or wine sweet as the lunar rays, 

 withdrew him from business. Towards transgressors his heart was of 

 iron. He conquered the ocean, whose waves like drums resound in 

 lofty sounds the tidings of his victories. Hundreds of captive mon- 

 archs in their prostration illuminated his feet with the diamond rays 

 that flashed from their diadems which dispersed them as rapidly as 

 *' Sol the water by his rays.'* His horses refreshed themselves on the 

 banks of the Sindhu ; the people of Kamboj were as little able to stand 

 his charge in battle as the Akshodh tree to resist the elephant's mighty 

 force. The descendant of Raghu ascended the summits of Gauri's 

 parent (Himalaya) which seemed loftier from the clouds of dust raised 

 by the march of his troops ; the winds whispering through the reeds 

 wafted drops of Ganges water : the herbage at night by its brilliancy 

 served the soldiers instead of lamps. In his battle with the mountain 

 tribes, fire flashed from the concussion of spears and arrow heads. 

 At the close of the sacrifice he soothed the Khetriyas, grieved at the 

 great slaughter, by giving them high honours and allowed them 

 to return to their wives languishing after long absence, the Khetriyas 

 having prostrated themselves at the feet of the king, not to be touched, 

 but as an act of grace, proceeded to their homes. 



But Das'aratha amid all prosperity did not enjoy that light called a 

 son, which destroys the darkness of sorrow ; in expectation long he 

 dwelt like ocean before its churning, the production of gems not hav- 

 ing yet taken place ; as travellers tired with heat seek the shelter of a 

 shady tree, so resorted the gods, vexed by Havana, to Vishnu, who sat 

 with eyes like the opening lotus, with garb dyed in the rays of the 

 rising sun, like an autumnal morning soothing to the eye. With eyes 

 brilliant after the slumber of religious abstraction had been over, 

 Bhrigu and the other Rishis in songs of praise addressed the con- 

 queror of the Asurs : — " Hail in the threefold form of creation, pre- 

 servation, and destruction. As celestial water which has only one taste 



* It is singular how a radiant light has been associated by the writers of anti- 

 quity with the bodies of illustrious men, here with Das'aratha. The Arabic writers 

 connected a brilliant light with Muhammad. 



Scripture states that the bodies of the righteous shall shine in heaven like the 

 sun. 



3 N 



