The noblest of Ikshváku's line;

And every earthly joy was mine.

But Ráma left his royal home

In Daṇḍak's tangled wilds to roam.

Where with Sumitrá's son and me,

He lived a saintly devotee.

The giant Rávaṇ came with guile

And bore me thence to Lanká's isle.

Some respite yet the fiend allows,

Two months of life, to Ráma's spouse.