Page:The Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás.djvu/421

 THE FOREST. 361 kathal, the dhák and the mango. Every tree had put forth its new leaves and flowers and was resonant with swarms of bees. A delightful air, soft, cool and fragrant, was ever in delicious motion, and the cooing of the cuckoos was so pleasant to hear that a saint's meditation would be broken by it. Dohá 35. The trees laden with fruit bowed low to the ground; like a generous soul whom every increase of fortune renders only more humble than before. Chanpái. When Ráma saw this most beautiful lake, he bathed in it with great delight and then with his brother sat down in the shade of the magnificent trees. There all the gods and saints came once more to hymn his praises and then returned each to his own home. The All-merciful rested in supreme content and address- ed his brother in edifying discourse. When Nárad saw the Lord God thus sorrowing for the loss of his beloved, his soul was much disturbed. mission to my curse Ráma endures all this weight of woe. I must go and visit so noble a lord, for I may never have such an opportunity again." Having thus reflected, Nárad with his lute in his hand approached the spot where the lord was sitting at ease. ing upon them in all detail. As he prostrated himself, Ráma took and lifted him up, and again and again clasped him to his bosom and asked him of his wel- fare and seated him by his side. Then Lakshman reverently laved his feet. « In sub- In dulcet tones he sang his acts, affectionately dwell- Dohá 36. Perceiving that his lord was well pleased, Nárad made much supplication and clasping his lotus hands addressed him in these words : 1 The champa, or champaka, is the Michelia champaka, a handsome tree with sweet-scented golden flowers. The málsari, called in the text by another of its Sanskrit names, vakula, is the Mimusops Elengi. Its fragrant star-shaped flowers are much used by Hiudus for garlands and supply the native silver- smiths with a very favourite pattern. The kadamb is the Nauclea cadamba, a large and handsome forest tree, which grows wild in the Mathurá district and figures in many of Krishna's pastoral adventures. Thọ tamála is a tree with dark bark and white blossoms. The patala is the Bignonia or Steroospermum suaveolens, a largo tree common in South India, with dark dull-crimson, exquisitely fragrant flowers. The kathal, called in the text by its Sanskrit name panasa, is the Artocarpus integrifolia, or jack- tree. The fruit is an important article of food in South India and Ceylon. Sanskrit name palása, is the Buten frondosa, a tree with scarlet The dhák, called in the toxt by flowers, which precede the now lenves, and when in full bloom make a striking sight, like a fire on the horizon. Hence the vernacular name, dhák, from the Sanskrit dagdha, 'on fire.' 3 Nárad is the reputed inventor of the vína, or Indian lute. 91
 * For the explanation of Nárad's curse seo Book 1, chaupdi 143.