Thus sat Rama, a very store-house of benignity, beauty and all perfection. Blessed are they who with profound devotion ever contemplate Him under this form. As he looked towards the east, the Lord observed the risen moon and cried to them all: "See the moon, like some dauntless lion,
that has its dwelling in a cave of the eastern range, pre-eminent in might, majesty and strength, rends asunder the darkness as it were the head of a wild elephant, and paces the plain of heaven, a lion-like moon. The stars scattered about the sky like pearls are the jewels of beauteous night. But," said the Lord, "tell me, my friends, each one of you, your opinion as to the spots on the moon." Said Sugriva: "Hearken, Rama, it is only the shadow of the earth that is seen in the moon." Another said: "When Bahu attacked the moon, its bosom became thus discoloured." A third suggested: "When Brahma fashioned Rati's face, He stole from the moon a part of its essence, and this is the hole that You see in the moon's surface showing the shadow of the sky." Said the Lord: "The moon has a great liking for poison, and has given it a home in its very heart; thence darting abroad innumerable empoisoned rays, it tortures parted lovers."
that has its dwelling in a cave of the eastern range, pre-eminent in might, majesty and strength, rends asunder the darkness as it were the head of a wild elephant, and paces the plain of heaven, a lion-like moon. The stars scattered about the sky like pearls are the jewels of beauteous night. But," said the Lord, "tell me, my friends, each one of you, your opinion as to the spots on the moon." Said Sugriva: "Hearken, Rama, it is only the shadow of the earth that is seen in the moon." Another said: "When Bahu attacked the moon, its bosom became thus discoloured." A third suggested: "When Brahma fashioned Rati's face, He stole from the moon a part of its essence, and this is the hole that You see in the moon's surface showing the shadow of the sky." Said the Lord: "The moon has a great liking for poison, and has given it a home in its very heart; thence darting abroad innumerable empoisoned rays, it tortures parted lovers."