In widowed woe, bereft of thee,

The land no more is fair to see:

The city, to my aching sight,

Is gloomy as a moonless night.”

Thus, with o'erwhelming sorrow pained,

Sad Bharat by the bed complained:

And thus Vaśishṭha, holy sage,

Spoke his deep anguish to assuage:

“O Lord of men, no longer stay;

The last remaining duties pay: