The Cosmic Tree - The Vedas

No being is equal to you, God of nature, in sovereignty and power. No being is equal to you in courage. No bird can fly as swiftly as you can. No river can move with such force as you do. No mountain can stand as firmly against the raging wind as you can.
You are a cosmic tree whose roots are at the bottom of the deepest ocean, whose top supports the sky, and whose branches spread across the entire universe. And you also grow within each living creature.
You fashioned the sun, and you steer it through the sky. You give feet to those who are lame, and you bring peace to anguished hearts. You give the power of healing to a hundred thousand men and women. You ward off illness, and protect us from ageing before our time. You deliver us from the bonds of sin.
You set the stars in their places, to form constellations for all to see. Where do they go by day? You have made laws which are clear in meaning and purpose. At night the moon rides into the sky, displaying her beauty.
We praise you with sacred words, and we offer sacrifices to you, in the hope that you will bless us. God of nature, do not be angry with us. We strive to obey your laws; do not rob us of life.

The Embassy to Ayodhya - The Ramayana

Three nights halting in their journey with their steeds fatigued and spent.

Envoys from Mithila’s monarch to Ayodhya’s city went,

And by royal mandate bidden stepped within the palace hall, Where the ancient Dasaratha sat with peers and courtiers all.

And with greetings and obeisance spake their message calm and bold,

Softly fell their gentle accents as their happy tale they told.

“Greetings to thee, mighty monarch, greetings to each priest and peer,

Wishes for they health and safety from Videha’s king we bear,

Janak monarch of Videha for thy happy life hath prayed,

And by Viswamitra’s bidding words of gladsome message said:

`Know on earth my plighted promise, spoke by heralds near and far,-

He shall win my peerless Sita who shall bend my bow of war,-

Monarchs came and princely suitors, chiefs and warriors known to fame,

Baffled in their fruitless effort left Mithila in their shame,

Rama came with gallent Lakshman by their proud preceptor led,

Bent and broke the mighty weapon, he the beauteous bride shall wed!

Rama strained the weapon stoutly till it snapped and broke in twain,

In the concourse of the monarchs, in the throng of armed men, Rama wins the peerless princess by the righteous will of Heaven, I redeem my plighted promise––be thy kind permission given! Monarch of Kosala’s country! with each lord and peer and priest, Welcome to Mithila’s city, welcome to Videha’s feast, Joy thee in thy Rama’s triumph, joy thee with a father’s pride, Let each prince of proud Kosala win a fair Videha-bride!’ These by Viswamitra’s bidding are the words our monarch said, This by Satananda’s counsel is the quest that he hath made.” Joyful was Kosala’s monarch, spake to chieftains in the hall, Vamadeva and Vasishtha and to priests and Brahmans all: “Priests and peers! in far Mithila, so these friendly envoys tell, Righteous Rama, gallant Lakshman, in the royal palace dwell, and our brother of Videha prizes Rama’s warlike pride, To each prince of proud Kosala yields a fair Videha-bride, If it please ye, priests and chieftains, speed we to Mithila fair, World-renowned is Janak's virtue Heaven-inspired his learning rare!"

Spake each peer and holy Brahman: “Dasaratha’s will be done!” Spake the king unto the envoys: “Part we with the rising sun!” Honored with a regal honor, welcomed to a rich repast, Gifted envoys, from Mithila day and night in gladness passed!

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