AYODHYL. 303 request, and then do as you think proper. I have brought with me all the requi- sites for the coronation ; if you approve, my lord, have them brought into use. Dohá 258. Send me and my brother into the woods and give the people back their king; or else let Lakshman and Satrughna return and let me accompany you ; Chaupái. or all three brothers go into the woods, and only you and Sita return. merciful lord, do whatever is most pleasing to yourself. You have cast the whole burden upon me, sire, who am unversed both in politics and theology; 1 make all my proposals on the ground of wordly interest; but when a man is in distress he cannot reason. A servant who hears his master's orders and answers him is one that Shame herself would be ashamed to look at : and yet, though I do this and am a fathomless ocean of faultiness, still my master in his kindness praises me as good. Now, O merciful one, that plan best pleases me which wil cause my lord's soul the least vexation. By my lord's feet I swear that I speak the truth; there is only one scheme for securing the world's happiness. O most Dohd 259. If my lord cheerfully and without reserve will only give each one of us his orders, they will be reverently obeyed, and all this trouble and perplexity ' will be at an end." Chaupdi. On hearing Bharat's guileless speech the gods were glad of heart and extol- led his generosity and rained down flowers; the people of Avadh were overwhelm- ed with uncertainty, and the hermits and all the dwellers in the woods were greatly rejoiced. Raghunáth maintained an anxious silence. Seeing his state, the whole assembly became disturbed. At that very moment arrived messengers from Janak. Saint Vasishtha on hearing of it sent for them at once. They made obeisance and looked towards Ráma. At the sight of his attire they were exceedingly grieved. The great saint asked the embassy the news : Tell me, is all well with the king of Videha ?" At this question the noble heralds with a deprecating air bowed their heads to the ground and with clasped hands replied : " Your courteous enquiry, sire, makes all well; ' Avareva, which I translate 'perplexity,' is explained by the Hindu oommentators a meaning the same as ghát or pench. The word is not given in Dr. Fallon's or any other Hindustani-English Diotionary that I have seen. Anat is for dnt.
- Janak's visit and the long disonasions that follow it, which ocoupy almost all the remainder of
this Book, are the invention of Tulsi Dáa, and find no oounterpart in the Banakrit poam.
