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Hrearine the whole history, Rama, the discendant of Raghu, said to Agastya ‘‘O Reverend Sir, Riksharaja is the name of the father of Vali and Sugriva but thou hast not told me the name of their mother. However I] am curious to learn who was their mother where was their residence and how they had been named so— do thou favour me with the account.” Rama having said this Agastya said:—‘O Rama, I shall relate to thee everything in short of what I had heard from Narada when he came to my hermitage. Once on a time whilst travelling that highly pious ascetic arrived at my hermitage; I duly worshipped and welcomed him; and when I asked him out of curiosity, he,-seated at pleasure, said :—“ Hear, O great ascetic, the foremost of the pious; there isa mountain named Meru, higly picturesque, made of gold and greatly charming. The middle peak is much liked by the celestials, on which is situate the beautiful assemblage hall of Brahma extending over a hundred leagues. The four-mouthed deity, sprung from lotus, always resideth there. And from his eyes while going through the Yoga practices tears trickled down. No sooner the Patriarch Brahma, with his hands, wiped them off into the ground than a monkey originated from those tears. O foremost of “men, as soon as that monkey was produced, the high-souled Brahma consoled him in sweet accents and said—“Do thou proceed to that leading mountain where the celestials perpetually reside. O foremost of monkeys, living upon many a fruit and root in that picturesque mountain thou shouldst always live by me. And while thou shalt live in this wise for some time thou shalt be crowned with auspicious-

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ness.” Brahma having said this, O Raghava, the foremost of monkeys saluted that god of gods, placing his head at his feet and said to that Primeval deity, the creator of beings and the lord of the universe. “O god, thou art pla:ing me under thy behests—verily I shall follow them.” Having said this to Patriarch that monkey immediately went to a forest abounding in fruits aad flowers. There living on fruits and collecting honey and various flowers, he, every day, used to come to Brahma in the evening. O Rama, in this wise he used to make an offering of excellent fruits and flowers at the feet of Brahm§, the god of gods. Journeying in this way over the mountain he spent many long years. Some time having elapsed in this way, O Raghava,Riksharaja, the foremost of monkeys,being distressed with thirst, repaired to the excellent mountain Meru. There is a pond of pure water, resonant with the notes of various birds. Having shaken his manes with a delighted heart, Riksharaja saw his reflection in the waters. Beholding his own image there that monkey-chief, stricken with anger and anxiety thought—“What arch-enemy of mine is living in the waters ? I shall destroy the excellent abode of the vicious-souled one.” Thinking thus within himself, that monkey, out of fickleness, jumped down into the lake. And he again sprang up therefrom. And at the time of rising, O Rama, that leading monkey found himself metamorphosed into a female form, which was highly charming, — graceful and beautiful. Her waist was spacious, eye-brows beautiful and hairs were black and curling; her countenance was beautiful and smiling, | breast high and beauty matchless. And there appeared charming on the banks of the lake,lighting up all quarters that female, agitating the mind of all, and beautiful in the triple world like unto simple Sastz/atd, Ram4, without lotus, pure rays of the moon, Parvati more beautiful than even Lakshmi. At this time was returning by that way, Indra, the leader of the celestials after having worshipped the feet of Brahma.

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And the sun too journeying arrived there. They both simultaneously espied that female form and were possessed by desire. What more, their whole body, as soon as they saw her, was moved and the firmness of the mind shaken. Thereupon Indra begot on her a son named Vali for he originated from her hairs and the sun begot on her another son, who was named Sugriva for he originated from her neck. Thus the two highly powerful monkeys being born, Indra went back to his region having conferred upon Vali an un-ending garland of gold. And having engaged Hanuman, the Windgod’s son in the-service of Sugriva, the sun too went back to the sky. O king, the sun having risen after that night Riksharaja again obtained his own real monkey shape. Having thus regained his monkey form he made his two highly powerful sons,—leading monkeys, assuming shapes at will and having twany eyes, drink honey like nectar. Thereupon taking them, he came to the abode of Brahm. Beholding his son Riksharaja with his sons, Brahma, the grand-father of the celestials, consoled him in diverse ways. Then he ordered the celestial messenger saying—‘At my behest, O emissary, do thou proceed to the highly picturesque city of Kishkindha. That golden, big and charming city is worthy of Riksharaja. There live many thousand monkeys besides others assuming shapes at will. It abounds in various jewels, invincible, is inhabited by four Varnas, holy and sacred. At my command Viswakarma has constructed the celestial and picturesque city of Kishkindha. Do thou. place there Riksharaja, the foremost of monkeys, with his sons ; and having invited the leading monkeys and others and received them courteously do thou install him on the throne. On _ beholding this monkey-chief, gifted with intelligence they shall be all subject to him.” Brahma, having said this, the celestial emissary, with Riksharaja before him, proceéded to the highly picturesque city of Kishkindhad. And _ having entered there with the velocity of the wind, he, at the com-

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mand of the Patriarch, crowned the leading monkey Riksharaja as king. And being sprinkled according to the ceremonies of installation, and adorned with a crown and various other ornaments he, with a delighted heart, engaged in governing the monkeys. All the monkey, residing on earth consisting of seven insular continents and bounded by ocean, came under his subjection. Thus Riksharaja was both the father and mother of Vali and Sugriva. May good betide thee. The learned who listen to and make others hear this story, conducing to the enhancement of their delight, get all their desires and objects accomplished. I have duty described to thee at length all events and have recounted the stories relating to the birth of the Kings of monkeys and Rakahsasas.