Introduction Invocation BOOK I.-- CANTO I.--Nárad [_Cantos II., III., IV., and V. are omitted_] VI.--The King VII.--The Ministers VIII.--Sumantra's Speech IX.--Rishyaśring X.--Rishyaśring Invited XI.--The Sacrifice Decreed XII.--The Sacrifice Begun XIII.--The Sacrifice Finished XIV.--Rávan Doomed XV.--The Nectar XVI.--The Vánars XVII.--Rishyaśring's Return XVIII.--Rishyaśring's Departure XIX.--The Birth of the Princes XX.--Viśvámitra's Visit XXI.--Viśvámitra's Speech XXII.--Daśaratha's Speech XXIII.--Vaśishtha's Speech XXIV.--The Spells XXV.--The Hermitage of Love XXVI.--The Forest of Tádaká XXVII.--The Birth of Tádaká XXVIII.--The Death of Tádaká XXIX.--The Celestial Arms XXX.--The Mysterious Powers XXXI.--The Perfect Hermitage XXXII.--Viśvámitra's Sacrifice XXXIII.--The Sone XXXIV.--Brahmadatta XXXV.--Viśvámitra's Lineage XXXVI.--The Birth of Gangá [_Cantos XXXVII. and XXXVIII. are omitted_] XXXIX.--The Son of Sagar XL.--The Cleaving of the Earth XLI.--Kapil XLII.--Sagar's Sacrifice XLIII.--Bhagírath ŚAKOONTALÁ Introduction Dramatis Personae Rules for Pronunciation of Proper Names Prologue Act First Act Second Prelude to Act Third Act Third Prelude to Act Fourth Act Fourth Act Fifth Prelude to Act Sixth Act Sixth Act Seventh POEMS BY TORU DUTT Introduction BALLADS OF HINDOSTAN.-- Jogadhya Uma Buttoo Sindhu.-- Part I Part II Part III MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.-- Near Hastings France The Tree of Life Madame Thérèse Sonnet Sonnet Our Casuarina-Tree THE BOOK OF GOOD COUNSELS * * * * * SELECTED FROM THE HITOPADEŚA [_Translated from the Sanscrit by Sir Edwin Arnold_] TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE A story-book from the Sanscrit at least possesses the minor merit of novelty. The "perfect language" has been hitherto regarded as the province of scholars, and few of these even have found time or taste to search its treasures. And yet among them is the key to the heart of modern India--as well as the splendid record of her ancient Gods and glories. The hope of Hindostan lies in the intelligent interest of England. Whatever avails to dissipate misconceptions between them, and to enlarge their intimacy, is a gain to both peoples; and to this end the present volume aspires, in an humble degree, to contribute.