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Havinc said this unto that foremost of ascetics, I smitten with grief, began to weep. Thereat, after, reflecting for awhile, that reverend one said,—“Thy wings together with two smaller ones shall grow again; as also thy sight, energy, prowess and strength. And having heard of it, and also seen it through ascetic power, | know that a great deed is going to take place. There shall be a king named Dagaratha, increaser of the Ikshw4ku race. He shall have a son, named Rama, endowed with exceeding energy. And he (R4ma) shall repair to the forest in company with his brother, Lakshmana ; that one having truth for prowess, having been commissioned to that effect by his sire. A friend named * The passage is obscure. This is however, all the explanation that the commentator has to give.—T. + Ramanuya comments : “the confusion seized them as the sun was midway. They lost ail sense of direction. The faint suceceded.—T. 108

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Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, incapable of being slain by either the gods or the Danavas, shall carry off his /Rama’s) spouse in Janasthina. And albeit tempted by viands and objects of enjoyment aud desire, the famous and highly virtuous one, plunged in grief, shall not pertake of those things. And knowing that Videha’s daughter (hath been fasting for many a day), Vasava shall offer Vaidehi pédyaga like unto ambrosia, difficult of being procured even by the gods. Receiving that food, Maithili, knowing that it hath come from Indra,* took up a little of it from the surface, and dropped it to the earth for Rama. Whether my husband as well as his younger brother live, or they have attained godhead, let this food serve forthem.’ Rama's envoys, having been despatched thither,t shall come hither. Thou shouldst relate unto them all the facts connected with the queen of Rama. Do not by any means go hence; and in this case, whither, again, wilt thou repair? Do thou stay here for season and place. Thou shalt regain thy wings. I could this very day furnish thee with wings. But, by staying here in this condition, thou wilt be able to compass the welfare of the worlds. Even thou shalt do that act in behalf of those sons of the king, of the Brahmanas, of the spiritual preceptors, of the ascetics, and of Vasava. I also am desirous of beholding the brothers, Rama and Lakshmana. I do not wish to hold this life long. I would renounce my life.” That Maharshi, conversant with the nature of things, told me this.”’ * From the fact of the food not touching the earth, and other signs. It is humorous to read the explanation of the commentator as to thereason of Indra’s supplying Sita with food. “If Sita remained fasting, Rdvana would forego his attachment for Vaidehi, on seeing her altered appearance ; and thus his destruction could not take place. Further, if he saw Sit4 retaining her former loveliness, he could conclude that Sit4, as also Rama, were superhuman character, and that as such they could not be agents for his destruction according to the prophecy ‘Ravana shall be slain by a human being.” This inducing him to persist in his bellicose attitude tewards Rama, would bring down raia upon his head.”—T. + For going to Lanki.—T.