THE

HISTORY OF INDIA

FROM THE EARLIEST AGES.

BY

J. TALBOYS WHEELER,

ASSISTANT SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT.

SECRETARY TO THE INDIAN RECORD COMMISSION.

Author of "THE GEOGRAPHY OF HERODOTUS," &c., &c.

VOL. II.

THE RÁMÁYANA AND THE BRAHMANIC PERIOD.

LONDON:

N. TRÜBNER & CO., 60, PATERNOSTER ROW.

MDCCCLXIX.

[The right of Translation is reserved.]

JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS.

CONTENTS.

VOL II.

PART IV.

THE RÁMÁY ANA.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

THE CITY OF AYODHYA.

Opening scene of the Rámáyana at Ayodhya, the modern

Oude

Present appearance of the ruins

Ancient magnificence

Geographical position indicative of Aryan advance from Delhi

to Oude

The Raj of Kosala

Lack of family traditions

Rajas descended from the Sun

The Sun descended from Brahma

Earliest tradition connected with Dasaratha, the father of

Ráma

Commencement of the Rámáyana

Description of the Raj of Kosala and city of Ayodhyá

Houses, streets, temples, palaces, gardens, groves, and chariots

of the gods

3344o co co co co co co co

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The people of Ayodhya

The Brahmans and their three classes of disciples, viz.: Serv-

ants, Students, Brahmachárís .

The Kshatriyas

The Vaisyas

The Súdras.

Virtues of the people

Palace of the Maharaja

Temples and treasures

Throne of the Maharaja

Palace guards

Virtues of Maháraja Dasaratha

Virtues of his Ministers .

Eight special Counsellors

Two priests and preceptors

Review of the foregoing description of a Raj, a people, and a

Maharaja.

The Maharaja determines to perform an Aswamedha to obtain

a son

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Acquiescence of his Bráhman preceptors

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Delight of the three Ránís

11

Ancient prophecy that the Aswamedha was to be performed.

by Rishi Sringa

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Legend of the Rishi Sringa who had never seen a woman

Drought caused by the wickedness of the Raja of Anga

The Raja advised by the Bráhmans to marry his daughter to

Rishi Sringa

Refusal of the Raja's servants to bring Rishi Sringa from the

jungle

Damsels sent to entice Sringa from his father's hermitage

Gambols of the damsels in the absence of Sringa's father.

Sringa invites them into the hermitage

Sringa fascinated with sweetmeats, wine, and caresses

Alarm of Sringa's father on discovering what had occurred

Sringa carried away to Anga by the damsels

Rain falls on the approach of Sringa

Sringa married to the Raja's daughter Sántá

Review of the foregoing episode of Rishi Sringa.

Power of procuring rain assumed by the Brahmans

Indra, the Vedic deity who sent rain

Bráhmans assert a superiority to Indra

Brahmanical assumption in the legend of Sringa.

Unconscious immorality in the temptation of Sringa.

Narrative of the Aswamedha resumed

The Maharaja goes to Anga and brings Sringa to Ayodhya

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The gods pray to Brahma for protection against Rávana

Rávana, rendered invulnerable to the gods, had made the gods

his slaves.

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Vishnu appears upon Garura with Lakshmí upon his knees

Prayer of the gods to Vishnu against the oppression of Rá-

Brahma conducts the gods to the abode of Vishnu in the sea of

milk.

Vishnu promises to overthrow Rávana by mortals and

monkeys.

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The gods become incarnate as monkeys

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Apparition of an emanation from Brahma

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Presents a cup of son-producing páyasa to the Maharaja

Joy of the Maháraja.

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