particu'.ar hostility to man, and an appetite for human flesh.
1 I t]\e poetical mythology of the Hindus they ave descended
from Bralund through one of his wid-born progeny, the
S;ige and Saint Pulnsti/ct, but their numbers are every day
au.riiTented bj'^ the addition of the disembodied Spirits of
Vi'icked men, condemned to this form for a season, in punish-
ment of their crimes, and the class also comprehends sundry
deformed and hideous bands, Avho are especially attached to
the service of the God of wealth, and are supposed to keep
watch over his treasures.
The first and most celebrated of the posterity of Pulastya,
were Rdvana and his brethren.
' propago
Contemtrix superum, soevseque avidissima caedis,
Et violenta
C Iv^ )
The half brother of Kiivera the God of wealth, R/iunna, a
liakshasa with ten heads, dispossessed that deity of his
capital Lanka, in which he seated himself, and thence spread
terror not only over the world, but throughout the
heavens, compelling many of the subordinate Divinities to
perform the menial functions of his palace. To terminate
these violences and alarms, Vishnu was obliged to come down
to Earth, where he was born as Rama ov Rivinchandi a, the
eldest son of Dasaratha, a Prince of the solar Dynasty and
Suvereign of Aijodhya or Oude, by his wife Kausalijd. Other
portions of the same deity animated the sons of Dasnratha,
by his other wives Kaikeyi and ^SMj/i/^z-rt, the foi'mer of whom
gave birth to Bharata, and the latter to Lakshmana and
Sah-itghna — a number of the progeny of the minor deities,
and theattendant spirits of heaven, likewise assumed terrestrial
shapes, and in the form of apes and bears became the wai*-
riors and allies of Rama.
AVhilst yet a lad, the services of Rama were solicited by
the sage ViswdmUra to repel and slay the fiends by whom
the religious rites of himself, and other pious individuals were
interrupted. Rama accordingly accompanied him, destroyed
the Rdkshasi or female fiend Tdrukd, and slew or chased
other evil genii from the residence of the sages — on this oc-
casion Visivdmiira transferred to Rama and his descendants,
the command of the celestial weapons, or the power 'to wield
the elements' in war.
After these exploits Fishxhiiilra conducted Rama to MifMld
the kingdom of Jannka, whose daughter SUd now marriage-
able, was to reward the prowess of the prince who should
bend a bow, given to an ancestor of the Monarch of Mithild
C V )
by the God Siva. Rama alone succeeded in the attempt,
and snapt the bow asunder. The indignity thus offered to
liis tutelary divinity, aroused the wrath of Paras i/rchna,
a previous incarnation of Vishnu, still upon Earth, who
coming to Milhila to defy and exterminate Ramachandra,
was foiled by his junior, and obliged to return, humbled and
in peace, to the retirement Avhence he liad hastened on
hearing of the bow's being broken. Rdma received the
recompense of his vigour in the hand of Sila, and at the
same time Urmild her sister, and Mundain and Srutukirlli,
her cousins, were married to the other three sons of Dus^
araiha.
When Rama approached to years of maturity, his father,
by the advice of his ministers, and accortiing to the wishes
of his people, proposed to associate him in the government
as Yuva Raj a — Young King, or Caesar; a delegation of
authority that seems to have been constant under the old
political system of the Hindus, and traces of which have been
preserved to the present day, in the petty Hindu states to the
East of Bengal — Domestic intrigue however forced Dasa-
rutha to forego his purpose, and to change the elevation of
Rdma into exile. His second wife, Kaikeiji, instigated by
the councils of a female attendant, insisted upon the king's
fulfillment of a promise which he had formerly made,
and which like the pledge of the Gods of Oli/mpus, was not
to be recalled, whatever mischief might ensue. Dasarulha
•when formerly wounded dangerously in battle, was preserved
by the cares of Kaikeiji, in acknowledgment of m hich service,
he offered her two boons whenever she should demand them.
These she now claimed, the installation of her son Bliurata,
( vi )
and the banishment of Rama for fourteen years, and Ddsa-
ratlin v.'as forced to comply, although iipoii the depavturc of
his son, he expired witli gtief. Bhanttit reuised to arc; pt the
succession to the throne, and hastened after Bam i to bring
him baciv to the capital, but that prince, in veneration of his
fother's memory, determined to fulfill his injunction notwith-
standing his decease, and leaving Bharali regent diu'irig liis
absence, repaired to the forests of Souther,! India, accom-
panied by his wife, and Lakshmana his brother.
Conformably to current traditions, and the evidence of
names assigned to different places in the peninsula, /ir/??^a
passed from Aijodhyd to the South East, and first established
Inmself near tiie sources of the Goddveri in the Dundaka
forest. On his journey, and during his residence in the
thickets, he encountered and discomfited various members
of the Ruhshasa tribe, and amongst others maltreated iiur-
2)anahkd the sister of lidvuna, requiting the tender senti-
ments with which he inspired her, by cutting off her nose
and ears. — She first applied to her brother?, Khara and Diish-
«?m who guarded the forests with numerous bands of Rdks-
husos, to avenge her, but when they v. eve slain in the quarrel
by the sons of Uasaratha, she carried her complaints to fia-
vuna iu Lcmkd, and instigated him to resent the injuries that
had been inflicted on her person, especially by inspiring him
•with a passion for Sitd. In order to effect his j)urpose itw-
vaiiu repaired to Panchdvati, the residence of Udma, with
Maricha the son of 2\irakd Vfho transforming himself into a
deer beguiled Rdma from his cottage in chase of the sup-
posed animal — Lahslivmna by desire of Siiu going to look
for his brother, she was left alone, on wliich Jidvana approach-
. ( vii )
ing her as an old mendicant, then dhcarded his disguise and
carried her off. On liis Avay he was at first stopped by Ja-
iaiji.i, a mythological being, a chief of the winged tribes, and
a friend of Dasarafha, who was sneedily overcome, and left
mortally wounded, and Rdvana effected his retreat to Laiilcd
without further opposition.
On returning to his cottage, and searching for his missing
bride, lid/na discovered the wounded Jatarjus, and before he
expired learnt from him who was the Ravisher of S'lta, but
not his residence; in quest of whi.h, he plunged into the
forests in the central part of the peninsula, and by the advice
of a headless monster, whom he slew, repaired to the moun-
tain Rishyumuka at the sources of the Pumpd river, where
Sugi'ivu the monarch of the monkies held his court — On
arriving at this spot, he found the monkey monarchy dis-
tracted by intestine divisions, and Sugriva deprived of his
wife and shorn of his authority by his brother Bali. Rama
having formed an alliance with Sugriva, engaged and killed
Bali, and restored to his associate the supreme sovereignty
over the baboons, and the capital Kishkindha. Sugriva in
acknowlegement of this service, dispatched his principal
monkies in all directions to discover Sild, in which search
Hanumdn was successful — the party he accompanied, headed
by Angada, the son of Bali proceeded southward to the sea,
where they encountered Sumpdti the brother of Jatdijus, by
whom they were apprised of the site o^ Lanka a.nd tlie deten-
tion of Situ there by its ten headed king. Hanumdii under-
took to seek her there, and jumping across the arm of the
sea, obtained access to the palace nhere Sita was confined,
and an interview with that princess. Having thus ascertained
( viii )
the place of Iiev existence, Hanumdn after setting Lanhd
0(t fire, returned to Rama, and conveyed to him the informa-
tion which he had been sent out to procure.
On receipt of this intelligence, Rama accompanied by
Su^riva and an innumerable host of his monkey subjects,
advanced to the point of the Peninsula, opposite to the
northern extremity of Ceylon, where a passage across the
channel by which that island is separated from the Coro-
mandel coast was accomplished, by casting rocks and moun-
tains into the sea, and thus constructing a bridge, the vestiges
of which ai'e said to be still visible in the reef of rocks which
rend r the straits of Manar impassable to vessels of burthen.
At this point Rama was joined by VihMshana, the brother
of Rcivann who having in vain counselled the restitution of
Sitd, and incurred by his advice the displeasure of the sove-
j-eign of La7ikd, deserted his cause, and went over to the
enemy.
Having crossed the Sea and encamped in the vicinity of
the capital of Ruvana, the baboon army was encountered by
the monstrous bands in the service of Lanka, and a variety
of engagements ensued, which although attended with the
occasional discomfiture of the assailants ended in the utter
defeat of the Rdkshaaas, and the death of Ruvana by the
hands of Rdma. Upon his fall, S'lta was recovered, but be-
fore being re-admitted to her husband's embraces she was
compelled to vindicate her purity, by undergoing the ordeal
of fire. Having passed unhurt through the blazing pile,
and been further justified by the oral testimony of Brahma
and other Gods, as well as the spirit of Dasaratha her father
in law, she was once more united to Rdma, who installing
( ix )
Vibhishanu In the kingdom of Lanku^ over which he is sup-
posed still to reign, he vcturued to Ayodhja where Bharala
gladly restored the sovereignty to his Brother.
The incidents that immediately followed the return of
Rama to his Capit'il form tlie Subject of the Drama, and
therefore require no notice in this place : the catastrophe is
however differently broiiglit about in the Runiayana and
Ra^kuvrtns't, a poetical account of Rama and his race,
and closes in a dlflerent manner. Riona discovers his sons
in consequence of tlieir recital of the Rumayuna at his sa-
crifice, and Slid upon her innocence being recognised by the
people, is suddenly carried off by tlie God dess of the Earth,
and disappears for ever. This denouement is very judiciously
altered to her reunion with her sons and husband, in the play.
Rama died soon after the disappeance o^ Situ, and divided his
kingdom between his sons, but Knsa being the elder and
having established his capital at Ayodhya is regarded as the
coiitinuer of the line o? Raghu. 'I'he K(ich7vaha Rajputs,
affect to derive their descent from Kiisa, whilst another RnJ-
piil tribe, the Badkuja regard Lava as the founder of
their race.
UTTARA RAMA CHERITRA.
DRAMATIS PERSONjE,
MEN.
Rama. King of Ayodhyd.
Kusa, ■),.,. o
\.m% twin Sens.
Lava, J
Lakshmana. The brother of Rama.
Lhandraketiu The son of Lakshnia?ia.
VdlmtkL A holy Sage, the author of the Ramayana, and
preceptor of Kusa and Lava.
Janaka. The father of SiUi^ formerly king of M'Ukild, now
leading an ascetic life.
Samhuka. An ascetic killed by Rama, but appearing in.
his spiritual character.
Ashtavakra. An ascetic.
Suma?itra. The Charioteer of Chandralcetu.
Dunyiukhru An emissary employed by Rama,
Saudhatahh 1 ^^^ ^f Fa^msAi'. pupils.
Bhanddi/ana, J
A VidyddJiarU:^ A male Spirit of air.
WOMEN.
.SiVff. The wife of Buma.
Arundhati A pious dame, the wife of the sage VasisliCha
and guardian of Sitd,.
{ 2 5
Atrctfi. A pious dame, the wife of the sage Airi.
Kausahjd. The aged mother of Rdtna.
Vdsanii. The guardian spirit of the forest of Janast'hdna.
Tamasd. A River Goddess.
Murald. The same.
A Vidyadhari. A female Spirit of air.
Characters in the Scene in the last Act.
Gatigd. The Goddess of the Ganges.
Prithivi. 1 he Goddess of the Earth.
Celestial Spirits, guards, pupils, &c.
The Scene of the First Act is in the Palace of Rdma at
Axjodhyd, of the second, in the forest of Janast'hdna al ;ng
the Goddvcri~^in the rest of the piece, it lies in the vici-«
tiity of Vdlmiki's hermitage at Bithur on the Ganges.
An interval of twelve years occurs between the First Act
and the remainder of the play : the time of each Act is
that of representation.
UTTARA RAMACHERITRA.
A DRAMA
PRELUDE
Enter Manager.
Mnna. I bow to the feet of the illustrious \ioet Bhava-^
hhiiti* — By thus honouring the celebrated bards of old we
propitiate the Goddess of eloquence who is a portion of the
Supreme Spirit.
Thi.s being the festival of the glorioust Kalapriya Ndth
1 apprise you. Sirs, that we purpose representing the Uttara
Rama Cherifra, the composition of Bhavabkidi, entitled Sri-
Kanlha — of the race of Kcisyapa, and assimilated to an equa-
lity with BraJnnd by the favour of Saraswatt.% I enact a na-
tive of Ayodhya^ and a stranger approaches —
* This salutation must of the nime now given to a xvhole
course be the work of a later province or kingdom Awadh or
hand: the whole of lliis brief Oude. It was formerly confined
introduction is very peculiar. to the capital, the kingdom bear-
+ The Mdlati and Mddhava ing the designation of Kosald.
TPas composed for a similar fes- It was for many years the sove-
tival, as has been noticed. reigiity of the princes of the
+ The Goddess of eloquence Solar line. The remains of the
and wifs of Brahma ~\\\e aliu- ancient city are still to be seen
sions to Bhavabhuti's family de- at the town of Oude, situated on
scent have been explained in the the banks of the Ghagra 79
Jildlati and Madhava. miles from Luckuow and ad-
* ^yodhya is Vhe original of joining Fyzabad.
( 4 )
This is the season of the inauguration of the renowned
Rama, the threatening meteor of the race of Pulasiya;*
and the dinim of rejoicing, sounds unweariedly by night and
day — butj what should this mean — why are the public places
to day so silent and unfrequented. —
* Intending especially the Gi-
ant king of Lanka, Ruvana, and
his brothers destroyed iu the
war with Bdma. Ravana was
the son of the sage Fisravas by
Ndilcasi the daughter of Sumdli,
a demon, viho observing the
splendor of Kuvera, a son of the
sage bv his wife Irviru, directed
his daughter to propitiate the
sage thatshealso might havechil-
dren by him. Having succeed-
ed in obtaining the good graces
of Visravas, J\''aikasi had by
him Ruvana, Kumbhakerna, and
Vibliishana, and a daughter Sur-
panakhd.
Ravana was engendered
after the performance of a sacri-
fice with fire, in conseqnence of
which he was born of an uncouth
appearance with ten heads and
twenty arms — P'isravas his fa-
ther, was the son oi Pulaslya one
of the will begotten sons of
of Brahma — although therefore
a h()ly sage, he is often alluded
to as the progenitor of the Rdks-
hasaSy of which race Ravana and
his brethren vicre such distin-
guished members. Utiara Ra-
may ana and Padma Purana. The
Bhdgavat agrees nearly with
thembut names the mother of the
Rdkshasas, Kuvihlunasi.
A very different legend is
given in the Vana Parva of the
Mahdbhdrat. Pulaslt/a the son
of Brahma, begot Kuvera, who
who by paying great attenlioa
to his grand father was made by
him immortal and appointed the
God of wealth. His capital was
ian/c«, and the /JaA-sAflsa swere his
guards. His curryingfavour with
Brahma incensed his father, and
Pulastya assumed the form of a
holy sage named Visravas. To
propitiate this wrathful mani-
festation of his father, was Ku-
verd's next olyect and with this
view he gave him three Rdks-
hasisas handmaids, Pushpotkatd
Ruku and Mdlini-^hy the first
Visravas, had Kumbhakerna and
Ruvana, by the second Khara
and a daughter Surpanakhd,
and by Mdlint, ribhishana.
We have a different account,
again iu the Zinga Purana
'( 5 )
ENTER Actor.
Act. The monkey chiefs,* and friendly fiends, and all the
Warriors in alliance with the prince, have been dismissed to
tlieir several homes ; in their stead, the holy sages have ar-
rived from various realms, and their reception has been the
occasion of perpetual festivity —
Mana. True— and the mothers of Rdghava,f under
the guidance of Fasislhtha,X and with Anindhati^ to preside
in the sacrifice, have departed to the dweLing of their son
in law.—
Act. I am a stranger here you know — inform me who is
this son in law. —
(ch. 63.) Pulastya Iiad by flavilu,
the daughter of Ttinavindu, a
a SOD, named Visravas who had
four wives Devavarnini the
daughter of Frihaspati, Pusli-
potkata and Ruled (or Fdlcd) the
daughters of the demon Mdlya-
van, and Naikasi the daughter
of the Demon Sallaki: by the
fist he had Kuvera or Faisra-
vana, by the second Mahodara,
Prahastay Mahaparswa, and
Khara, and Kernanasi a daugh-
ter; by the third he hnd Trisiras
Dushana and Fidyujjihwa and
Syamika a daughter, and by the
last or Naikasi the virtuous
Fibhishana.
* Rama was accompanied on
his return to ^yodhyd by Fi-
bhishana the brother and succes-
sor of Rdvana and by the muu-
key chieTs,Sugriva, Jngada, and
Hanumnn — they assisted at his
coronation, nnd then returned to
their dwellings in the Bekhin.,
and Lankd.
+ Or Rama ; the term is a pa-
tronymic implying his being a
descendant of Rnghu. His mothers
are the widows of his father
Dasaratha — KausaJyd the mo-
ther of Rama ; Sumilrd the mo-
ther of Lakshmana, and the
youngest son 5fl/rKg/j«a, and A'crj-
keyi the mother of tiie third
son Bharata.
X The family priest of Rama's
race, Ihe son of Brahma in one
birth, and of Milra and Fdrmia
or the sun and the sea in ano-
ther.
^ Arundhati is the wife of the
Sage.
( G )
Maiia. The late king* Dasarat'ha had a daughter named
Santa, whom he gave to king Lomapdda to adopt, and whom
RisJnjasrhigaf the son of Vibhdndaka espoused^: — He
now holds the ceremony of the§ twelve years sacrifice, and
the elders have gone to assist as its celebration— leaving
with his permission, the daughter of ^Jana/ca at the capital.
But, come, time wears — let us go meet our friends at the Pa-*
lace as was appointed.
Act. But tell me, in your opinion, has the tit'e of Most
Ture been very judiciously granted by the king to his bride.
* Dasaralha the son of Jja
and father of Rama was a dis-
tingnished prince of the Solar
dynasty- Bifc/rana« supposes him
to have lived in the 15lh cen-
tury hefore the Christian era.
i Rishi/asringa the deer-
horned was born of a doe, and had
a small horn on his forehead,
whence his name.
^ These circumstanes are all
narrated in the Ramui/ana at
length. Book 1 Sections vii. ix. x.
Lomapiida was king of Anga.
^ This numher offers some ana-
logy to the visits of Gods to Ethi-
ophia's blameless race when ;
" Twelve days the powers in-
dulged the genial rite." JiTacrO'
bius however would read this,
twelve hours or the interval be-
tween Sun set and Sun rise,
when Jove as that planet is be-
low the horizon : it is true the
original leaves him at liberty to
propose such a reading as nei-
ther days nor hours are specified
in tills place. The return of the
deities however is more specific.
Twelve days were passed and now
the dawning liglit
The Gods had summoned to the
Olympian height.
The same critic conceives also
that some allusion may be made
to the signs of the Zodiac (Sat.
1. 23. Sonm. Scipiou. lib. 2)
The number has very possibly
somesecret import, astronomical
or mythological, both amongst
the Hindiis and Greeks.
H Janaka was king of Mithila
and a man of great piety and
learning. He was the reputed
father of 5i^
having found her an infant iu
the earth upon ploughing it for
a sac ri lice.
( 7 )
Mana. Mind your oAvn affairs— wliy talk upon improper
subjects— men are ever evil disposed towards the purity of
■words and women.
Act — Most maliciously— true — especially as the calum-
nies insinuated against Vaideki,'^ inconsequence of her resi-
dence in the dwelling of the Rdkshasa, were refuted by her
passing the fiery ordeal. t
Mana. Yet should such reports as are still current reach
the king they will cause him great distress.
Act. The sages and the Gods will provide for the best —
Where is is his Majesty (listening.) Oh, I hear, Janaka his
father in law has just left him to return to his own kingdom,
* 527a bears the patronymic being thus dissipated, he J03 fully
VaideM as the daughter of the received his bride. Utlara lldmd-
hmg of Fideha. ijana. AccotH'iwg lolhe Brahma
+ After the recovery of Kaivertta Purdna, Sila herself
Sitd from Rdvana, Rama wel- was not carried off by Rdvana.
corned her coldly, and after in- Her shadow or Chlidyd being
timating some suspiciuns unfa- substituted by ^gni for her siib-
vourable to her chastity, refused slance. It was this semblance
to receive her: on which Sita also that entered the fire in or-
determined to commit herself der to give Jgni an opportu-
to the test of Fire. Having nlty of restoring the original to
entered the fire prepared for Rdina. The Padma-Piirdna
this purpose in the presence of (Paldla Khattd) dispenses with
the Gods and of Dasaratha, the ordeal, but brings forward
the deceased father of Rama, it Jgni, Vdyu, Varuna, Brahma
proved innocuous, and Agni its and Dasaratha to swear to Silas
deity restored Rama his bride innocence. Brahma, further con-
unhurt, and declared her purified soles Rama l)y declaring, it was
by the ordeal she had underone. necessary Sita should have been
Dasaratha also bore testimony carried off by Rdvana, as his
to 5i7a'svirtue and iffl/Hfl's doubts rape of a virtuous woman
( 8 )
and the king has quitted his seat of justice to repair to the
inner apartments, and console the queen.
Exeiintt
ACT I.
SCENE FiaST.
THE PALACE.
Ravi a and Sitd, discovered.
Droop not dear Sitd ; our respected friends.
Have parted from us with no less reluctance
Than we have felt, but duty must be done.
To loftier claims must self indulgence yield.
And they who venerate their household fire.
Must bear the task such sacred charge imposes *
was the only cause of destruc- fire as in theother authoritiesC
liou to which he was subject, * The inaiatenatice of a per-
agreeably to the curse denounc- petual fire implies also the ob-
cil upon him by JVala Kuvera servance of all the occasions on
and the previous boon con- which sacrifices with fire are
ferred upon him by Brahma, offered, and all those duties
In the Utiara Khand of the which a householder is enjoiaed.
name Purana she enters into the
( 9 )
Sila. I know the trutli of this, my dearest Lord,
13ut stiil to separate from our uearjst friends.
And cherished kindred, euar.ot chuae but grieve us.
Jiam- ] rue, love —
But these, tlie sorro\vs of a feeling heart.
Are the sad portion of man's social life :
'Tis hence, the wise repair to caves and woods.
To que 1 desire by solitude and penance.
Enter Aiieiidant.
Raniabkadj-a — (Checking himself.) Maharaja.
Rcima. (Smiling.) j\Iy worthy friend: I better love to hear
The name of Rdmubhudra, from the mouths
Of those who were my father's followers.*
What is your message.
All. Ashtdvalra Avaits :
From Rishi/asn'nga's hermifage.
Sit. What should delay his entrance.
ENTEa the Ascetic Ashldvakra.f
Ash. Health and Peace to both.
* The mode here adopted of he rather neglected his bride,
delineating Rdma!s kindly dis- when far advanced in her prog-
position is very Shakespearian. nancy, and was rebuked for his
+ Ashtuvakraxa, the hero of a conduct by his son yet unborn— <
curious legend in the Mahahhd- the lather indignantly pronounc-
rat. Kahora his father was the ed, that he should be born crook-
pupil of lArfrfa/fl/ifl and married cd in punishment of liis inipertin-
his preceptor's daughter— he was ence, and lience his name Ashta
so much addicted to study that eight (^liuibs) and Fafira curved.
C 10 )
Rdin. rtespect await you venerable Sii'—
Be seated.
Sit. I salute you with respect ;
And hold me highly honored to receive
The pious kinsman of my sainted Sister.
Ham. No cares disturb my brother's holy peace,
Nor my respected sister's.
Sif. Dwell we ever in their recollection.
Ash. Assuredly — They are well — Lady, to you.
The sage Faslsld'ha thus addresses him.
Thy mother is the all-sustaining Earth;
Thy father is a king of no less fame
Kaliora went to the great sacri-
fice of Janaka k\n% of Milhild
soon after the hirlh of his son —
to that festival came a seeming
Bauddha sage who overcoming
all his competitors in argumeat
had them thrown into the river.
Kahom venturing to encoun-
ter him, suffered this fate.
When AshlAvakra was in his