The Lineage of Raghu 3.35

3.35

tataḥ prajānāṃ ciram ātmanā dhṛtāṃ nitāntagurvīṃ laghayiṣyatā dhuram
nisargasaṃskāravinīta ity asau nṛpeṇa cakre yuvarājaśabdabhāk //

The deerskin next he donned, and from his Sire
The spell-ruled weapon's use he learned: the King
Not only was sole Emperor, but in skill
Excelled all archers bold. As bull's estate
A steer attains, or elephant's the calf,
So Raghu passed from childhood up to youth,
110And bore a form of gracious majesty.
His tonsure o'er, forthwith the careful King
Procured him worthy brides, who lovely shone
As Daksha's daughters wedded to the Moon.
With arms like beams, broad shoulders, mighty neck,
A chest like portal wide, though Raghu seemed
In strength above his Father, modestly
He took rank lower. But the King, who long
Had borne the weight of rule, conferred on him
The state of Sociate-King, by nature meek
120And training, to bear half the heavy charge.
So goddess Fortune, loving aye the best,
Had left the King, who long had been her choice,
And sought the Heir,—as leaving parent flower
For opening bloom. As Fire grows, fanned by Wind
His charioteer, or Sun when cloud-banks break,
Or elephant when love-streams bathe his brows,—
So did the Son enhance his Father's state,
Till then unmatched.
Till then unmatched. At length, in season due,
With princes for his comrades, that high Prince
130Was set as guard to keep the sacred horse,
While King Dilipa, Indra's peer, performed
Save one a hundred sacrifices pure.
But Indra, all unseen, drove off the horse,
Set free to roam, to keep the rite unflawed.
Amazed the guards looked on; that princely host