Ramakatha Rasavahini, Part 2, Chapter 7 (b) - The Bridge

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Part 2 - Chapter 7 (b)The Bridge

 

Ravana replied in dire anger and sheer bravado. He was trembling with rage at

the unpalatable advice that Prahastha gave him. Raising his voice to a wild

roar, he admonished Prahastha in a torrent of abuse. "Fool! Who taught you this

trickery? Whence did you derive such wisdom? They say, sparks originate in

bamboo clusters! You are born in my clan". Ravana gnashed his teeth wildly; he

shouted harsh and vulgar abuse; and, finally, he kicked Prahastha out of the

Hall. But, before going out, Prahastha clarified his stand condemning his

father and his overweening pride which had rendered him blind. Ravana, he said,

would be the cause of the destruction of the dynasty. He consoled himself that

for one who is

mortally stricken and is awaiting his last breath, no drug can be of any use.

"So my good advice appeared futile to my father", he told himself. He proceeded

straight to his mother and related all that happened. Both agreed that there was

nothing they could say or do, which would turn him on to the right path; So,

they sat together and were lost in the contemplation of Rama and his majesty.

The Vanaras put up a nice camp for Rama and Lakshmana on the Suvela Hill. They

prepared soft rests for them, heaping grass leaves and flowers, and made them

into nice beds. Rama appeared as soon as they had finished; He sat upon it, to

give them joy. A little later, He placed his head on Sugriva's lap and went to

sleep. Bows and arrows were kept in readiness on both sides of the bed. The

Vanaras were scratching their palms which itched, in anticipation of hitting

Ravana and killing him. They were holding back only because Rama had not given

them the 'go'. Hanuman, the lucky, and the Crown Prince Angada were

reverentially massaging the feet of Rama. Lakshmana was standing at the foot of

the bed, ready with his bow and arrow, observing the face of Rama with

one-pointed attention. At this moment, Rama looked out towards the East. His

eyes fell on the Moon, which was rising above the horizon. "Friends!", he said,

"Look at the Moon. There is a dark

patch on the Moon. Don't you see it?" he asked. Each one of them answered about

the patch the way he felt; but, Hanuman confessed, "Lord! I do not see any dark

patch on the Moon. I see it as the reflection of your face. So, I do not see the

patch you mentioned, or any other blemish."

That night Rama spent with the Vanaras until dawn, with delightful talk and in

pleasant companionship. When day brightened, He had His bath in the sea and He

performed there, on the shore itself, the rituals prescribed. He called

together the ministers of Sugriva and other leaders and gave them instructions

about the task ahead. Later, they met and agreed unanimously that Angada, the

son of Vali and the Heir-apparent of the Vanara Kingdom, be sent as an Envoy to

Ravana, before launching the siege of Lanka. Rama called Angada forward and told

him, "Son! You are strong and virtuous; you have to go on a mission from Rama to

Ravana and advise Ravana cleverly and cautiously, softly and assuringly, without

making him further enraged". He was given directions about the tone and contents

of what he had to tell Ravana. He took leave, after prostrating at the feet of

Rama. While departing, he said, "Master! Pray bless me with the auspicious look

of your

eyes. I am indeed fortunate that I am entrusted with this work. Whatever might

happen to me while executing it, I am ready to offer my very life to you".

Rama's heart melted with compassion when He heard these words of Angada. Rama

came forward, clasped Angada to his bosom and placed his palm on his head,

showering blessings on him.

Angada then moved into the City, with Rama installed in his heart and His Form

ever in his mind. He pushed aside every one who alerted and stopped him on the

way and displayed great self-confidence and courage. He encountered the son of

Ravana on the way. The Rakshasa Prince accosted him and inquired, "Here, o

monkey! Who are you and wherefrom?" Angada replied, "I am Angada, Envoy of

Rama". At this, the Rakshasa raised his foot to kick Angada. But, Angada was

too quick for him; he caught him by the foot and raising him aloft twirled his

body until he dashed him on the ground! The Rakshasas who witnessed this were

struck with terror; they realized that the monkey was of gigantic might and

kept discreetly away. News spread that the monkey that had set Lanka aflame had

returned and this created widespread confusion and fear. Angada noticed,

wherever he turned, panic-stricken groups of inhabitants were watching his

movements. He had no need to ask

any group to clear the path; they hurried out as soon as he was sighted!

At last, he fearlessly stepped into the Audience Hall of Ravana himself. One of

the guards carried the news of Angada's arrival in hot haste to Ravana. Ravana

directed him to bring the Envoy to his presence and, accordingly, Angada was

taken right before the Rakshasa Emperor. Angada saw Ravana as a conscious

mountain, black in colour. His twenty hands were as the branches of a giant

tree. He walked up to him with no trace of fear in his heart. But, everyone

present in that hall shuddered in their heart of hearts as they saw him enter

and proceed. They were in a state of stupor. Ravana asked Angada who he was.

Angada replied, "I am the Envoy of Rama". At this, Ravana asked him the purpose

of his visit. "O Ravana!" Angada began, "you and my father were friends of old.

Therefore, with your welfare in view, I have come at the orders of Rama to give

you some sound advice". Angada continued softly and persuasively, "You brought

away the 'Mother

of all the Worlds, the daughter of Janaka'; you were unable to withstand pride

or lust and greed. Well, let bygones be bygones. At least today, at this very

moment, if you realize the fact of your iniquity and act as I am telling you,

Rama will pardon you. Decide to do as I suggest, without delay. Or else, with

your own hand, you will bury in this soil your clan and your kingdom". When

Angada spoke thus, Ravana exclaimed, "O vilest of Vanaras! You are indeed a

fool. Perhaps you do not know that I am a foe of your 'God'. What is your name?

What was the relation between me and your father? Don't be blind to the

consequences of your speech".

Angada laughed outright at this outburst. He said, "O Monarch of Rakshasas. My

name is Angada; my father's name is Vali. There was friendship between you

two". Hearing the words that Angada spoke, Ravana was rendered stiff and

silent. But, he overcame the reaction soon and said, "True, true, there was, I

remember, a monkey of that name in older days. O, are you his son? Hello,

Angada! You seem to have been born in that clump as a spark of fire in order to

destroy it?" Angada laughed aloud at the excited reply from Ravana. He said,

"Ravana! Your days have come to an end. You will soon be reaching your old

friend Vali. He can tell you there the consequence of opposing Rama. Equipped

with twenty eyes, you are nevertheless blind; burdened with twenty appendages

called ears, you are deaf. Caught in the thick night of ignorance, you strut

about in

pride, proclaiming yourself great! The tribe you plan to save will be effaced;

that is the plan. Sinner! Vile barbarian! Villain blinded by pride! Demon!"

When Angada gnashed his teeth in anger and poured on his head the stream of

abuse, Ravana rose from his throne in a trice and shouted, "You monkey, you

destroyer of your own race! Since I know and recognize the rules of political

morality, I am bearing in silence your impertinence; beware. There is a limit

to my patience". Ravana stared at Angada in fiery anger. But, Angada was not at

all affected by that demonstration. He retorted, "O Rakshasa Monarch! I have

heard much of your righteousness, your virtues, and your political morality.

Consider what wonderful achievements your righteousness has effected.

Kidnapping the wife of another person, devouring the messenger duly sent by

your elder brother, Kubera; these are the highlights of

your political morality! You are boasting of these without a trace of shame. You

dare talk of your virtues and your morality! You set fire to the tail of the

messenger who came to your kingdom, and yet you proclaim without shame that you

are bound by rules. Such is the behaviour of Rakshasas. You have no right at all

to utter the word political morality, with your tongue. You are the vilest

sinner".

When Angada was replying, without break or hesitation, the courtiers who filled

the Audience Hall were aghast with fear, wondering what was in store for them.

Ravana resumed his talk. He said, "Listen, monkey! Is there a single hero in

your camp who can stand up against me in battle? Your Lord is broken down in

sorrow at separation from his wife. He is pining and pining every day. And, his

brother is affected and weakened by the sight of the agony. And, Sugriva? He

hates you and is opposed to you, since you are the heir to the kingdom. Like a

pair of birds fighting on the edge of a river, you will both drop into the

flood some day. Both of you have your eyes on the same Kingdom. How then can

you fight wholeheartedly and successfully against me? My brother upon whom you

seem to rely is a coward. Jambuvantha, another of your leaders, is too old to

be of any use. Nala and Nila (RRV-7a) are but engineers, unaware of the art of

wielding swords".

Angada interrupted this tirade and cut in with his own. "Ravana! One tiny monkey

entered your City and set it on flame. Did any fool believe that it was ever

possible? And, now, you who know it as true deny that the monkey is a valiant

fighter. I am not in the least affected by anger when you declare that there is

no one in our camp who can defeat you in battle, Yes. The texts on morality lay

down that either friendship or enmity has to be only with equals. Will anyone

praise a lion for destroying a frog? Surely, the attempt by Rama to kill you is

too low for his status and dignity. Killing such a mean contemptible foe is

something that will reduce His majesty. The rules that lay down the conduct and

characteristics of the Kshatriya caste to which He belongs are high and noble.

You are a vicious, vile, vulgar sinner, who must meet death

at the hands of mere monkeys only".

Ravana burst into desperate laughter. "Nasty monkey! You dance in glee and jump

shamelessly hither and thither, as the person who holds the rope tied round

your waist commands. You learn the tricks He teaches and repeat them whenever

He orders you, so that He may collect a few coins from the onlookers". Angada

could not put up with these sarcastic remarks. He ejaculated, "You seem to know

only about animals; you have not cared to know about the Lord, about God, about

Destiny and about Fate. Why, have not monkeys taught you more than you know?

They have demolished your parks, they have killed your son, they have reduced

your City into a pile of ash. Yes. They have to perform one more feat, yet.

They have to administer proper punishment to you. We have allowed you to escape

the fate that you must meet. I believed that your heart will be cured by

downright advice and harsh truth. But, no. You have no sense of shame. You have

no idea of

repentance. You have no trace of morality, no habit of rectitude. What a pity!

You are still gnashing your teeth in anger at Vibhishana and calling him names,

like coward and traitor. You are burdening the earth by the weight of your body;

the sooner you are eliminated the better. You are worse than the dogs that

infest your streets. They do not have the vices you suffer from. You will soon

realize that their lives are better than yours".

Angada poured abuse on Ravana regardless of convention and manners. Ravana could

not digest such fiery admonitions. "Angada! Know that I am the hero, the

redoubtable stalwart, who lifted the Kailasa peak by sheer physical power and

courage; this Ravana is the person who laid, not flowers but his own heads,

plucked by him from his body, as offerings at the Feet of Siva; this is the

devotee whose might has been acknowledged by Siva himself; this is the warrior

whose name strikes terror in the bravest, whose picture spreads panic; stop

your prattle praising yourself and your patrons". But, Angada was in no mood to

stop. He continued his onslaught. "O you conceited fool! Don't chatter away like

this; use your breath for some good purpose; sing some songs in praise of Rama.

Surrender to Him. Or else, the arrow of Rama will make your heads leap like

balls from the shoulder where they are now resting. And, the Vanaras will

gleefully kick them

about, as in a ball game. I happen to be the messenger from Sugriva, our Ruler.

I have, unfortunately, no orders from Sri Rama; and, I do not desire to deprive

them the chance, or else, I would have put an end to your life in a trice and

cast your carcass into the ocean".

Angada grew into a fierce phenomenon as he uttered this threat. Like the lion,

he slapped the ground with his palms. The earth shook so hard at the impact of

those blows that the crowns on Ravana's ten heads shook and fell on the floor.

Ravana rolled from his throne, but he recovered balance very soon. Angada

collected four of the ten, and threw them with such great force and sure aim

that they fell into the camp of Rama, right within the Presence. The Vanaras

there were struck with wonder at the strange articles and they described to

each other the excellences and beauties of the jeweled crowns. Rama knew what

they were; He said that, while coming over, they appeared like Rahu and Kethu,

which cause eclipses.

Meanwhile, Ravana commanded, "Bind this monkey; don't allow him to depart; eat

him up", and hastily retired to the inner apartments. Angada shouted "Shame on

you! Why all this boast of strength and prowess? Go, dip yourself in the depths

of the sea and hold your breath until you die. Woman-stealer! Fool! Lust ridden

lout! I shall pluck your tongue out of your mouth on the battlefield and throw

it as food for crows. Be warned". Angada was gnashing his teeth in hateful

anger, when Ravana turned back and called on the Rakshasas in the Hall, "Lift

him by the legs and throw him on the floor; splinter his head." At this,

Meghanada rose from his seat and holding Angada by his legs pulled him with

great force in order to make him fall. Many others rushed forward to help him,

but, however many they were, they could not move the feet even a wee

bit. They only rolled on the ground, full of humiliation and unable to decide

what to do next. Then, Devakantaka tried various holds to make the feet move.

He too failed ignominiously. At last, Ravana himself attempted the impossible

task. He held Angada by his legs and wanted to lift him and throw him forcibly

on the floor. Angada laughed at Ravana's foolishness. He said, "Ravana! no,

these are not the feet you have to hold. Place your hands on the Feet of Rama,

in the genuine gesture of surrender; that will liberate you from fear and

bondage".

With these words, Angada shook his feet in order to loosen the hold; the impact

of that gesture was so unexpected and so strong that Ravana hit the floor and

lost consciousness; his glory and splendour were destroyed. The sense of shame

spread over his faces and he looked like the moon in broad daylight, pale and

poor. Angada looked at his plight and felt that he should not continue his

dialogue with the coward. Rama, he remembered, had told him only to administer

some good advice to Ravana. "This fellow will not yield to good counsel, he

will not realize his error and correct himself. He sticks to his vicious

nature. War alone can give effective cure". Deciding thus, Angada left for the

sacred proximity of the Feet of Rama. Reaching there, he submitted a report of

all that had happened.

Ravana entered the apartments of the queens, overwhelmed by shame and fear.

Mandodari noted the pallid Crest-fallen appearance of Ravana; she said, "At

least, now, give up your foolish tenacity. To cultivate enmity towards Rama

will bring disaster to the kingdom itself. You could not step across the line

drawn by Lakshmana [RRV-3a]; how then could you hope to defeat them in battle?

Your powers and might are but dry leaves before them. Your followers could not

overpower the messengers they sent; can you ever hope to overwhelm them when

they invade this land in their billions? You could not stir Angada's feet even

a hair breadth, and yet, you hope to capture and bind billions of such Vanaras!

I am pained that, in spite of all experience already

available, you are still holding on obstinately to your resolution. Our son

[Akshayakumara - RRV-6a] was killed. Your city was reduced into a heap of ash.

Your parks were uprooted; countless Rakshasas were thrown up like balls and

killed by the fall. Where were your strength and skills at that time? Boastful

declarations can inflict no harm on these Vanaras."

"Lord", Mandodari pleaded, "Pardon me for these words. You are badly mistaken

when you consider Rama a mere man. He is the Master of the Universe; He is an

invincible hero. You are already aware of the extent of his might and valour,

aren't you? Recollect the facts related by Angada, quietly within yourself.

Remember! You were seated in the gathering of kings in the Hall of Janaka, to

exhibit your strength and skill; but you failed even to shift a little the

position of the Bow of Siva. Rama lifted it [RRV1-7c] as if it was a spurt of

playfulness and cast it aside in broken halves. This demonstration of might was

seen with your own eyes. If you still do not give up your foolish tenacity, it

is an indication that your destruction is imminent. What could you do when the

nose and ears of your own sister, Surpanakha, [RRV2-2] was sliced off? Are you

not ashamed to proclaim and boast about your strength and your heroism, after

all these experiences? Rama killed Vali [RRV2-4b] with a single arrow. Was Vali

an ordinary foe?... Rama has now come with his army of Vanaras and encamped on

the Suvela Hill. Rama is the very embodiment of Righteousness and Morality; or

else, why should He send an envoy to you, as He has done, to advise you how you

can still save yourself? This envoy has tried to turn your mind towards accord

with Rama. But you do not give up your sense of pride; you do not appreciate

the moral sense

that moves Rama; you do not understand the virtues that animate the supremely

sacred Person who has sent the envoy. And, you are causing the downfall of your

own kingdom! What could you do now to throw out Angada, the envoy, who entered

the Audience Hall? There are in their camp thousands, nay, lakhs of Vanaras,

mightier and more destructive than this one. Listen to my words; give up this

demonic passion; go and surrender to Rama". These words of counsel reminding

Ravana of happenings in the past, struck his heart like sharp arrows. [bhajan:

Sai Natha Dina Natha Brahma Rupa Sadguru]

Meanwhile, a new day dawned. Ravana entered the Audience Hall as the very

personification of Vicious Pride and installed himself on the throne. Inside

his head were revolving fast and furious the words of both Angada and

Mandodari. Plans, fears, schemes, and surmises rolled inside him, like the

earth and sky rotating round him. But, none of them was along right lines, for,

the day of destruction of the demon clan of Rakshasas was drawing near.

Ravana accosted a Rakshasa named Vidyutjihva, and said, "Fellow! Use your magic

skill, and bring before me the 'head' of Rama as well as his 'bow and arrows'.

Seeing them, Sita must believe them genuine. She must be plunged in grief!"

Vidyutjihva rose from his seat in a trice and moved out of the hall. He made a

correct replica of the 'bow and arrows' of Rama as well as of his head. Ravana

was pleased at the exactness of reproduction. With them, he himself proceeded

to Asokavana, where Sita was kept in confinement. Holding them before her, he

said, "O Sita! See, these are the bow and arrows, this the head of the very

person whom you are pining for and extolling, night and day. I have annihilated

the Vanara hordes; Lakshmana has saved himself by fleeing from the field. In

order to convince you that all this has really happened, I have brought before

you this head, this bow and these arrows. Look at them". With these words, he

placed them before

her. Sita was hit by grief for just one moment; but, she reminded herself that

there was no one, in the fourteen worlds, who could pluck that head; she knew

that this was a mean trick played to terrorize her and she brushed aside the

threats. She said "Ravana! Surely, your destruction has arrived. Or else, such

abominable thoughts would not have come into you. You have no courage even to

approach Rama; how then could you ever hope to kill him? Even in dream, you

cannot realize that hope. This is a dirty magic trick, which fails to deceive

me." Sita poured scorn and insults on Ravana. Meanwhile, loud exultant shouts

of 'Jai', 'Jai for Lord Rama', 'Jai for Lord Rama,' were heard from all around.

The Vanaras had entered the City from all directions! Ravana hurried back into

his palace and the Audience Hall.

The good woman, Sarama, wife of Vibhishana, then, came near Sita and consoled

and comforted her. She said, "Mother! This Ravana is a trickster and all that

he does is subterfuge. No one can dare hurt Rama; just now, he has triumphantly

entered Lanka with his Vanara hordes. Lanka is being shattered into shreds by

the very shouts of the Monkeys".

Bhajan Sung by Sathya Sai: Vahe Guru Vahe Guru Vahe Guru Ji Bolo

 

Ramakatha RasavahiniThe Sweet Story of Rama's GloryOriginal in Telegu written by

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai BabaRendered into English by Professor N. Kasturi

Source: http://www.vahini.org/ramakatha2/ch7b.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

 

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