I from that hour will food abjure,

Nor life without my son endure.

Then it will be thy fate to dwell

In depth of world-detested hell.

As Ocean in the olden time

Was guilty of an impious crime

That marked the lord of each fair flood

As one who spills a Bráhman's blood.”[288]

Thus spake the queen, and wept, and sighed:

Then righteous Ráma thus replied: