The Ramayan by Valmiki — Read

The hours of night now waning fast On Sona's pleasant shore they passed. Then, when the dawn began to break, To Rama thus the hermit spake: "The light of dawn is breaking clear, The hour of morning rites is near. Rise, Rama, rise, dear son, I pray, And make thee ready for the way."

Then Rama rose, and finished all His duties at the hermit's call, Prepared with joy the road to take, And thus again in question spake: "Here fair and deep the Sona flows, And many an isle its bosom shows: What way, O Saint, will lead us o'er And land us on the farther shore?" The saint replied: "The way I choose Is that which pious hermits use." For many a league they journeyed on Till, when the sun of mid-day shone, The hermit-haunted flood was seen Of Jahnavi, the Rivers' Queen. Soon as the holy stream they viewed, Thronged with a white-winged multitude Of sarases and swans, delight Possessed them at the lovely sight; And then prepared the hermit band To halt upon that holy strand. They bathed as Scripture bids, and paid Oblations due to God and shade. To Fire they burnt the offerings meet, And sipped the oil, like Amrit sweet. Then pure and pleased they sate around Saint Visvamitra on the ground. The holy men of lesser note, In due degree, sate more remote, While Raghu's sons took nearer place By virtue of their rank and race. Then Rama said: "O Saint, I yearn The three-pathed Ganga's tale to learn."