“When Gods and Titans fought of yore,

Transfixed with darts and bathed in gore

Two boons to me thy father gave

For the dear life 'twas mine to save.

Of him I claim the ancient debt,

That Bharat on the throne be set,

And thou, O Ráma, go this day

To Daṇḍak forest far away.

Now, Ráma, if thou wilt maintain

Thy father's faith without a stain,