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to pay:

      And to Vaśishṭha, saintly man,

      In modest words this speech began:

      “Prepare the rite with all things fit

      As is ordained in Holy Writ,

      And keep with utmost care afar

      Whate’er its sacred forms might mar.

      Thou art, my lord, my trustiest guide,

      Kind-hearted, and my friend beside;

      So is it meet thou undertake

      This heavy task for duty’s sake.”

      Then he, of twice-born men the best,

      His glad assent at once expressed:

      “Fain will I do whate’er may be

      Desired, O honoured King, by thee.”

      To ancient priests he spoke, who, trained

      In holy rites, deep skill had gained:

      “Here guards be stationed, good and sage

      Religious men of trusted age.

      And various workmen send and call,

      Who frame the door and build the wall:

      With men of every art and trade,

      Who read the stars and ply the spade,

      And mimes and minstrels hither bring,

      And damsels trained to dance and sing.”

      Then to the learned men he said,

      In many a page of Scripture read:

      “Be yours each rite performed to see

      According to the king’s decree.

      And stranger Bráhmans quickly call

      To this great rite that welcomes all.

      Pavilions for the princes, decked

      With art and ornament, erect,

      And handsome booths by thousands made

      The Bráhman visitors to shade,

      Arranged in order side by side,

      With meat and drink and all supplied.

      And ample stables we shall need

      For many an elephant and steed:

      And chambers where the men may lie,

      And vast apartments, broad and high,

      Fit to receive the countless bands

      Of warriors come from distant lands.

      For our own people too provide

      Sufficient tents, extended wide,

      And stores of meat and drink prepare,

      And all that can be needed there.

      And food in plenty must be found

      For guests from all the country round.

      Of various viands presents make,

      For honour, not for pity’s sake,

      That fit regard and worship be

      Paid to each caste in due degree.

      And let not wish or wrath excite

      Your hearts the meanest guest to slight;

      But still observe with special grace

      Those who obtain the foremost place,

      Whether for happier skill in art

      Or bearing in the rite their part.

      Do you, I pray, with friendly mind

      Perform the task to you assigned,

      And work the rite, as bids the law,

      Without omission, slip, or flaw”

      They answered: “As thou seest fit

      So will we do and naught omit.”

      The sage Vaśiṣṭha then addressed

      Sumantra called at his behest:

      “The princes of the earth invite,

      And famous lords who guard the rite,

      Priest, Warrior, Merchant, lowly thrall,

      In countless thousands summon all.

      Where’er their home be, far or near,

      Gather the good with honour here,

      And Janak, whose imperial sway

The men of Míthilá1 obey.

      The firm of vow, the dread of foes,

      Who all the lore of Scripture knows,

      Invite him here with honour high,

      King Daśaratha’s old ally.

And Káśi’s2 lord of gentle speech,

      Who finds a pleasant word for each,

      In length of days our monarch’s peer,

      Illustrious king, invite him here.

      The father of our ruler’s bride,

      Known for his virtues far and wide,

The king whom Kekaya’s3 realms obey,

      Him with his son invite, I pray.

      And Lomapád the Angas’ king,

      True to his vows and godlike, bring.

      For be thine invitations sent

      To west and south and orient.

Call those who rule Suráshṭra’s4 land,

Suvíra’s5 realm and Sindhu’s strand,

      And all the kings of earth beside

      In friendship’s bonds with us allied:

      Invite them all to hasten in

      With retinue and kith and kin.”

      Vaśishṭha’s speech without delay

      Sumantra bent him to obey.

      And sent his trusty envoys forth

      Eastward and westward, south and north.

      Obedient to the saint’s request

      Himself he hurried forth, and pressed

      Each nobler chief and lord and king

      To hasten to the gathering.

      Before the saint Vaśishṭha stood

      All those who wrought with stone and wood,

      And showed the work which every one

      In furtherance of the rite had done,

      Rejoiced their ready zeal to see,

      Thus to the craftsmen all said he:

      “I charge ye, masters, see to this,

      That there be nothing done amiss,

      And this, I pray, in mind be borne,

      That not one gift ye give in scorn:

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