340 THE FOREST. as he was, was so' utterly overwhelmed with love that his state, Bhaváni, was beyond all description. He could not see his way either in this direction or in that, nor remember who he was, or where he was going ; at one time he would turn and go back, at another would dance and sing songs of praise. The saint's love and faith waxed yet more vehement as the Lord watched him stealthily from behind a tree. Then Raghubir, who removes all the troubles of the world, after witnessing his exceeding devotion, manifested himself in his soul. The saint was struck motionless in the middle of the road, and his body bristled like the jack-fruit with every hair on end. Then Raghunáth drew near, rejoicing to witness the emotion of his servant, and tried many ways to rouse him ; but he neither awoke nor derived any happiness from the vision; till Ráma doffed his kingly guise and mentally revealed himself as the four- armed god. The saint thereupon started up in alarm, like a poor snake that has been robbed of its jewel; but seeing before him the dark-hued Ráma with Síta and his younger brother, the abode of delight, he fell like a log at his feet, drowned in love and supremely happy. With his strong arms he took and lifted him up and clasped him to his bosom with the utmost affection. As he- embraced the saint, the All-merciful showed forth like a tamála tree clasped by a tree of gold : and the saint as he gazed on Ráma's face stood so still that you would take him for a figure painted in a picture. Dohá 7. At last the saint growing bolder at heart, after again and again clasp- ing his feet, conducted the Lord to his hermitage and did everything in his honour. Chaupái. Said the saint : " Hearken, Lord, to my supplication; but how can I hymn thy praise ? Thy greatness is immeasurable and my wit is scant, as ineffectual as a fire-fly in the presence of the sun. divine Raghubír, with body dark of hue as a string of lotuses, with his knotted hair for a crown and an anchorite's dress for his robe, with bow and arrows in hand and quiver by his side. A fire to consume the dense forest of delusion, a sun to animate the lotus growth of the saints, a lion against the elephant herd of demons, a hawk to scatter the birds of metempsychosis, may he ever protect. us with eyes bright as the lotus; apparelled with glory ; the moon of Sita's partridge-like eyes : the swan in the lake of Siva's soul; the broad-chested, strong-armed Ráma, him I adore. A Garur to devour. the serpents of doubt; the I adore without ceasing the
