NEGARA KERTAGAMA CANTO 50-54

NEGARA KERTAGAMA

CANTO 50-54

[Canto 50]

1. To be described is the Illustrious Prince, making a tour, going to, the hunting-grounds. He departed with weapons, with retinue, on the other hand wagons and horses, towards the Nandaka-forest there, a wilderness, very heavy going, its growth very wonderful, kasha (glagah, Saccharum spontaneum), munja (sword-grass, alang-alang, Imperata), in great varjety.
2. Making a ring now were the Royal servants, deploying. Finally they were hemming in, in company with carts, ready, closing in, linked up. Encircled was that wood; its monkeys took fright, afraid. In agitation were the birds there, they took the course to go away, alarmed.
3. The shouts of the retinue were confused, setting fire everywhere. Booming, of the kind of the roaring of the sea, thundering, were the flames of the fire there, reaching the firmament, manifestly the Khandawa forest, (burned) by the holy Agni (Firegod), in the past.
4. To be observed now is the game, running, not knowing its surroundings (any more), stirred hither and thither, (though) trying to be the foremost, they remained even. For, if fleeing, dispersing, their awe was frightful; that was a reason for them to crowd together, making for the centre, accumulating.
5. Their multitude had the aspect of wild cattle (Bos Gavaeus, banteng) in a corral, immeasurable, the aspect of cows in a bull's compound, filling it up, of all sorts: wild boars, does, wild cattle, (wild) buffaloes, porcupines (landak), cihnas (chevrotains), iguanas (slira), monkeys, wild cats (kuwuk), gandakas (civet cats) etcetera.
6. The animals, whichsoever, all there were in that forest, were trapped. Equally tractable were those hearts, none was opposing. As if they were sitting in conference, was taken for their chief now the game-animals' Monarch. There at his side was the jackal, entering into the Presence, not frightened.

[Canto 51]

1. To be pardoned is the question of your servant to the honoured game-animals' Monarch-Overlord. The Prince's design is to hunt through the forest; now, which policy should be adopted? Whether to wait only, to die where one stands, or to run, or (another possibility) to resist? Concerning this, it is to be compared with a crab that, being attacked, does not give way.
2. Of a kind like this were the words there of the jackal, entering into the Presence. The does there, black antelopes, deer, cihnas (chevrotains) spoke soon: As to what concerns your slaves, there is no further policy that might be adopted, other than running, in order to try to find (a place) where one could make for.
3. Those wild cattle, buffaloes, bulls and also taraksas' (wild dogs) said: fie! wrong you are, beasts, verily indeed being (nothing but) game, mean, base. Now, it should not be the conduct of the valorous to run, or even to wait. But fight! Keep to the Law! Trying to find what is right.
4. The game-animals' Monarch answered: of both of you equally the words are worthy to be adhered to. But then, that one knows how to make a difference between good and bad people, that is the thing to be minded. If it concerns bad people, wahya (worldly) should be the conduct: run or struggle. For without fruit is it, should the body be killed by their acts, for that is purposeless.
5. Verily, though, if it concerns the honoured tripaksa (three denominations), resis (friars), Shiwaites and Buddhists too, to run only will be gratifying in order to show respect for Them, being panditas (scholars). Concerning the case, though, that you should be found by the activity of the Prince, hunting, simply await death, offer your life, do not be reluctant.
6. For a Prince is proper to be an instrument to take away life of creation. Lord Giripati (Shiwa) is incarnated in Him, being the paramount Prabhu. It is clear that shall disappear the evil (the sins) of anybody who will die by His killing. That is more than the excellence of throwing oneself into the honoured Holy Mountain-lake.
7. Whosoever he may be, he shall be my enemy in the world, if he is an equal on earth. But in the case of the worshipful tripaksa (three denominations), I turn away, retiring quickly. And my lord, if he should be met, certainly I shall offer him my life. No more animal births coming, that is the fruit of death by Him.

[Canto 52]

1. It was as if he said: considering this you, united, till the end together, should abide the moment of entering into the Presence. Royal servants, followers on foot, with arms, were too hasty in their hunting. Hit by the horn-bearers they turned, running.
2. Now to be mentioned are those who brought dogs, hunting together. Aimed at by them were the wild boars at the time of their uniting. Pitiable were their sows, several being killed, attacked in company with their young, wholly powerless.
3. Showing fight then their boars pressed onward, in fours and fives, frightful, big, high. Foaming then were their mouths, they were red in the eyes, equally atrocious those tusks, comparable with daggers.
4. The dogs then rushing upon them, pierced by them, died. There were some whose ribs were cut, whose necks were broken. Attacked again they inflicted losses and suffered losses, in turmoil. Their collision had the form of a battle, atrocious, confused.

[Canto 53]

1. To be mentioned are now those hunters who followed the does, the deer, shouting one to another. One was attacked, pierced by a tusk, he was exhausted, slowing down was that one's going, for he was hit in the thigh; the blood flowed thickly, he feit disgusted. Another case was the wounded man who was hit in his foot by a foot, severely, and dropped.
2. Came to the rescue then the Royal servants, noisy, with lances, powerful, striving onward. Lying dispersed were those beasts together with the deer, the losses there were numerous. Came to the rescue then those horned beasts, wild cattle etcetera, savage animals. Scattered ran the Prince's servants, frightened, suffering losses, furiously assailed.
3. There were those who made for ravines with weeds, taking shelter behind big trees. Otherwise did those who climbed towards the branches, trying to be the highest, dangling in bunches. Pitiable were those who, making for a tree, scrambling up, slipped back. Nearly hit were their calves by the horns; being frightened they squirmed.
4. After some time common mantris (mandarins), several, with conveyances, pressing onward, came to the rescue, piking, spearing, thrusting, javelining, throwing stones, knocking. As the horned beasts ran their uproar was thundering. They were followed, gone at, pursued; the losses there were in great number. They were annihilated in the attack.
5. Wiku-hajis (King's priests), Shiwaites, Buddhists were there taking part in the lancing, hunting. Snarled at by the taraksas (wild dogs) they ran, being followed they made off quickly. They neglected helpfulness. Certainly that was not virtuous now, indeed. Taking part in the practising of wahya (wordly) activities, they forgot that they were already Kertawara (distinguished).

[Canto 54]

1. To be described is the Illustrious Prince, already mounted on the cart, blameless, splendid, infinite its height, in good condition the oxen there, drawing fearlessly. He made for the centre of that innermost wilderness, following the game, whichsoever caused fear. Therefore they tore off, breaking through the Royal servants, they went far away now, the horned beasts, running.
2. Staying behind were the wild boars, the black antelopes, the deer, the cihnas (chevrotains), were the most excellent of them, continuously in fear. The Illustrious Prince's proceeding was, having for conveyance a horse, to follow them, noisily running. Mantris (mandarins), tandas (headmen), bhujanggas (officers of the clergy) equaIly, the honoured on es who had their places with the horses, took part in the hunt. Exterminated were the animals, thrusted, lanced, cut, crissed, dying without a gasp.
3. Very vast, flat was the ground, though the wood was thick, underneath it was clear. Therefore the does, wholly powerless, however fast, were followed by the horses. Well pleased was the mind of the Prince, to rest and to eat. Mantris (mandarins) and bhujanggas (officers of the clergy) entered into the Presence. He told all His feats in obtaining all that booty of His, causing laughter.