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Vaus, ranging on the verge of death, casting his looks arounds and sighing faintly, espied his younger brother Sugriva before him. Welcoming that lord of monkeys with clear accents, Vali addressed him affectionately saying :—“'O Sugriva, do thou not take to thy heart the improper conduct Ihave shown towards thee, being attracted by inevitable foolishness, subject as I was to sin. Methinks, O brother, it is not our fortune to enjoy at the same time the double bliss of fraternal affection and the enjoyment of kingdom, or else why has it happened otherwise? Do thou acquire to-day this kingdom of the forest-ranges and know me as one who hath departed to the abode of Death. Soon shall 1 renounce

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my life, kingdom, my exquisite grace and my blameless fame. It behoveth thee, O hero, O king, to perform what I shall speak unto thee in this plight, however difficult it might be. Do thou behold Angada fallen on the ground with tears in his eyes—a little boy, incapable, brought up in luxury and deserving happiness. Do thou maintain this my son, dearer than my life, like unto thy own son, born of thy loins, satisfying all his wants in my absence. O best of monkeys, like unto me, thou art his father, protector, cosferrer of gifts and remover of fear. This graceful son of Tara equals thee in prowess and shall precede thee in the destruction of Rakshasas. This youthful Angada, Tara's son, gifted with energy and strength, shall perform befitting exploits displaying his prowess in the battle. Surasen’s daughter is wonderfully expert in ascertaining subtle things and giving counsels in the time of danger. Do thou, without the least doubt perform what shall the chaste lady instract thee to do; for Tar&’s advice never goes without effect. It behoveth thee to perform Raghava’s service fearlessly or else thou shalt be visited with sin: on his being insulted thou shalt be injured. O Sugriva, do thou put on this celestial golden garland—herein dwelleth the bounteous Sree whe shall renounce me after my death.” Having been accosted thus by V4li, out of fraternal affection, Sugriva renouncing joy again became pale like unto the Moon possessed by Riba. Renouncing his inimical feelings, being thus addressed by Vali and carrying out his words energetically Sugriva accepted the golden garland as ordered (by him). And coaferring (upon Sugriva) that golden garland and beholdiag his son before him, V&li, resolved upon death, spake unte Angada, saying: —“Do thou place thyself now under the control of Sugriva, ascertaining time and place, putting With misery for thy welfare and injury. O thou having loeg arms, Sugriva shall not regard thee much, if dost thou remaia inthe same wise in which thou hadst been brought up by:

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me before.* O slayer of foes, do thou never mix with Sugriva’s enemies, and place thyself always under Sugriva’s control, having subdued thy senses and being intent upon thy master’s (Sugriva’s) welfare. Do thou not cultivate too much of friendship nor be wanting in it—for both of these extremes are sources of disasters. Do thou therefore follow the golden mean.” After he had said this, his eyes became expanded, his teeth were opened and his appearance became ghastly. And greatly pained by shafts he breathed his last. And thereupon, the monkeys, the foremost of those who go jumping, having lost their chief, bewailed and cried. On that monkey chief’s departure to the land of celestials, Kishkindha was divested of her lord, and gardens, hills and woods were all rendered lonely. That best of monkeys, who fought a dread- - ful battle with the high-souled Gandharéas, being dead, all other monkeys became of pale countenance. ‘Vali entered into a terrible conflict with the mighty-armed Golava and fought for ten years and five, for nights and days without respite. And on the sixteenth year, Golava was killed. Bringing about the destruction of that wicked Gandharba, Vali, having terrible teeth, saved us all from fear. How hath he been killed to-day ?” Like unto kine, incapable of enjoying peace in a mighty forest filled with lions,their chief being dead, these forest-rangers could not attain to felicity on the demise of that lord of monkeys. Thereupon, Tard, sunk in the gulf of disaster, eying the countenance of her deceased lord, fell down to the ground embracing Vali like unto a creeper : Clinging for its support to a mighty but broken tree. . * The significance of the passage is as follows :—Thou wert a mere child . while I brought thee up. But now thou art a grown up young man and this is ” the time for thee to serve thy elders. Do thou therefore serve Sugriva.—T. 95