I have read Mr. Ganesh Janardan Agashe's poem in Marathi, called the "Rajyâ-Rohana" i. e. coronation of King Emperor George V. The argument of the poem given in English describes the con- tents of the introduction, and of each of the five cantos which make up the poem.
A Marathi reader will be struck to note the similarity in the ideal of a King in the West and in the East, and in the religious observances attendant on the coronation of a King.
The early cantos describe the coronation of Indra (the God of gods), Râma (the great king of Ayodhya-now deified) and Yudhisthira (the eldest of the Pandavas who overthrew the Kauravas). The next canto describes the ceremonies at the coronation of King George V. at Westminster.
In the last canto which deals with the Delhi Durbâr, Mr. Agashe has laid stress on the creed of the late Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ranade- that it is through divine dispensation that India has been brought under the ægis of the British rule and that it will be fitted to take its proper position among the civilised nations of the world, only by the training it will receive under the eye and direction of Britain. The poet has in these two last cantos done ample justice to the noble qualities of Queen Victoria the Good, and of King Edward VII-the Peace-maker-and to the sympathy that the King-Emperor George V. has shown, even from his first visit as Prince of Wales, for his Indian subjects, whom he would treat as his other subjects. The deep loyalty stirred in the hearts of Indians by the King's visit is well described. The splendours of the City of Canvas and of the Procession, and of the Durbar are adequately treated. The poem concludes with a benediction for long life and prosperity to the King-Emperor in which all will join.
The poet sums up the thoughts of the Indian people at the time. of the King's visit, the beneficial results of which will be lasting.
The poem is written in classical Marathi. Following the prece- dent set by Sanskrit poets Mr. Agashe restricts each canto except the last to one metre.
The poem is sure to be well received by the public.
VISHNU M. MAHAJANI.
