124 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
Rama, an avatar or incarnation of the Hindoo god 
Vishnoo. Of this notable personage “ it is related that 
he was born near Agra, in the Tirtya Zug, or second 
age. His parents were, Jamadagni, whose name ap- 
pears as one of the Rishis,'* and Runeka. Jamadagni, 
in his pious retirement, was entrusted by Indra with 
the charge of the wonderful boon-granting cow, Ka- 
madenu, or Surabhi ; and upon one occasion regaled 
the Rajah Diruj, who was on a hunting-party, in so 
magnificent a manner as to excite his astonishment, 
until he learned the secret of the inestimable animal 
possessed by his host. Impelled by avarice, — or rather 
heart -hardened by the gods, who willed the Rajah’s 
punishment should appear to be the immediate result 
of that base passion, — the cow was demanded from the 
holy Brahmin ; and on refusal, force and stratagem 
were employed, which ended in the death of Jama- 
dagni, but without success as to the acquisition of 
the desired animal, which disappeared. Runeka be- 
came a Sati ; that is, burnt herself with her husband’s 
corpse, charging the Rajah with the guilt of the double 
murder, imprecating curses on his head, and enjoining 
their valorous son Rama to avenge the death of his 
parents by the condign punishment of the impious 
Raj s ah, whose measure of iniquity and oppression was 
completed by this final atrocity. 
“ The prayers or imprecations of a Sati are never 
inefficiently uttered ; the great gods themselves can- 
not listen to them unmoved. Vishnoo accordingly 
inspired Rama, who appears to have been previously 
The Rishis were seven celebrated penitents. 
