a son to be born to his benefactor.  In course of time, the son is born and the name Aja is given to him.  We are here introduced to Prince Aja, who is a kind of secondary hero in the poem, inferior only to his mighty grandson, Rama.  To Aja are devoted the remainder of this fifth canto and the following three cantos; and these Aja-cantos are among the loveliest in the epic.  When the prince has grown into young manhood, he journeys to a neighbouring court to participate in the marriage reception of Princess Indumati.[3]

One evening he camps by a river, from which a wild elephant issues and attacks his party.  When wounded by Aja, the elephant strangely changes his form, becoming a demigod, gives the prince a magic weapon, and departs to heaven.  Aja proceeds without further adventure to the country and the palace of Princess Indumati, where he is made welcome and luxuriously lodged for the night.  In the morning, he is awakened by the song of the court poets outside his chamber.  He rises and betakes himself to the hall where the suitors are gathering.

Sixth canto.  The princess chooses.—­The princely suitors assemble in the hall; then, to the sound of music, the princess enters in a litter, robed as a bride, and creates a profound sensation.

  For when they saw God’s masterpiece, the maid
    Who smote their eyes to other objects blind,
  Their glances, wishes, hearts, in homage paid,
    Flew forth to her; mere flesh remained behind.

  The princes could not but betray their yearning
    By sending messengers, their love to bring,
  In many a quick, involuntary turning,
    As flowering twigs of trees announce the spring.

Then a maid-servant conducts the princess from one suitor to another, and explains the claim which each has upon her affection.  First is presented the King of Magadha, recommended in four stanzas, one of which runs: 

  Though other kings by thousands numbered be,
    He seems the one, sole governor of earth;
  Stars, constellations, planets, fade and flee
    When to the moon the night has given birth.

But the princess is not attracted.

  The slender maiden glanced at him; she glanced
    And uttered not a word, nor heeded how
  The grass-twined blossoms of her garland danced
    When she dismissed him with a formal bow.

They pass to the next candidate, the king of the Anga country, in whose behalf this, and more, is said: 

  Learning and wealth by nature are at strife,
    Yet dwell at peace in him; and for the two
  You would be fit companion as his wife,
    Like wealth enticing, and like learning true.

Him too the princess rejects, “not that he was unworthy of love, or she lacking in discernment, but tastes differ.”  She is then conducted to the King of Avanti: 

  And if this youthful prince your fancy pleases,
    Bewitching maiden, you and he may play
  In those unmeasured gardens that the breezes
    From Sipra’s billows ruffle, cool with spray.