RAMAKATHA RASAVAHINI Part II (8)

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Om Sri Sai Ram

RAMAKATHA RASAVAHINI -PART II [8]

The Rama Story, Stream of Sacred Sweetness

As told by the Divine Lord Himself in the present Avatar as Bhagawan

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Chapter 7(a)

The Bridge

 

Looking at the sea, Rama questioned how it was proposed to cross it.

Many among the Vanaras suggested means and methods. At last

Vibhishana rose from his place and addressed Rama thus: " Lord! The

Ocean owes its origin to your forefathers, Sagara and his sons. It is

the family 'preceptor' of your line. If only you resolve that it

should be crossed, the Vanaras can easily go across " .

 

Meanwhile, Vibhishana sighted a messenger sent by Ravana and the

Vanaras bound him and took him to where Sugriva, their Ruler was.

Sugriva ordered that his limbs be cut off; when the Vanaras prepared

themselves for the execution of that order, the fellow raised a hue

and cry. He shouted in his pain, " O Vanaras! I swear by Rama! Do not

cut off my nose and ears " . Lakshmana heard his pathetic cry; he asked

that the Rakshasa be brought to his presence; he spoke softly to him,

and admonished the Vanaras for torturing a Messenger deputed by

Ravana. He wrote a letter and placed it in his hand, with the

words: " Give this missive to Ravana. And, repeat to him the words I

now utter: O, Demolisher of the fortunes of your own clan! Change

your heart at least this day, and fall at the feet of Rama. Rama will

pardon you. Do not decimate and destroy the Rakshasa tribe, in order

to prop up your wiles. Know there is no other means available to you

to avoid the Death that is imminent. " With these hard and heavy

warnings, the Messenger was sent back to his master! The fellow was

overjoyed that he could escape alive; he shouted " Jai to Lord

Ramachandra, " and fell at Rama's feet before he hied back home.

 

At the Court of Ravana, he related the events that had ensued and

started describing with uncontrollable delight the majestic charm of

Rama. He gave Ravana the letter Lakshmana had entrusted him with.

Ravana enquired about his brother, Vibhishana, and asked how he

fared. " Fie upon him " , he ejaculated, " his days are numbered; death

will swallow him soon. He is a pest, bred in this granary. He left

this Lanka and joined the camp of my foe. Misfortune will haunt him

until he dies " . He turned to the fellow and asked him, " Under this

pretext, you visited their camp. Did you not tell them of our

military might and adamantine resolve? Tell me also what you learnt

about their resources and capabilities " . The messenger, Suka, stood

before the throne with folded palms, and said, " Lord! I pray that you

extend some grace to me and listen calmly and with forbearance to

what I say. The very moment your brother sealed friendship with Rama

he crowned him Emperor of Lanka! Knowing that I reached their camp as

your messenger, the Vanaras caught hold of me and tortured me in

various ways. I swore in Rama's name and called upon him to save me;

therefore, they allowed me to come away unmutilated, with my nose and

ears intact. Had I a thousand tongues, I cannot describe the might of

those Vanara armies. What a galaxy of heroic warriors are they! There

are Vanaras of many different colours, of all ages and grades, of

gigantic stature and strength. One shakes in terror when one casts

his eyes at them; why, even to picture them in the mind or think

about them is a terror-striking experience. Imagine the night of that

one Vanara who killed your son (Akshayakumara, see RRV-6(a)) and

reduced the City to ashes! It is all the result of their being

reflections and echoes of the invincible might of Rama himself. Even

the tiniest brat among the monkeys becomes, by that token, a

horrifying monster. There are monkey warriors with various names, and

each of them is endowed with the strength of many herds of elephants.

Dwivida, Mainda, Nila, Nala, Angada, Vikata, Dadhimukha, Kesari,

Kumuda, Daja, Gavaksha, Jambavantha - these are the generals.

Everyone of them is equal in might and military skill to their Ruler,

Sugriva. And, there are hundreds of thousands more among them, who

are of equal might. Their number is beyond calculation. Their fury

and ferocity can destroy earth, heaven and the nether regions, as if

these were but heaps of straw. Lord, I heard that their number is 18

Padmas. And, each Padma has a valiant general at its head. Emperor! I

did not find a single Vanara, from the highest to the lowest, who

doubted their victory; nor was there anyone who had the least trace

of nervousness on the eve of the march. They are all tightening their

muscles to pound this City; they are only waiting for the signal from

Rama. They have not had it so far.

 

" Whether the ocean yields to them and gives the right of way or not,

they are determined to build a causeway of stones, and succeed in

their venture. They are baring teeth and gnashing them, boasting that

they would squeeze Ravana out of shape and reduce him into a handful

of pulp. Fear strikes everyone who listens to their exultant roar and

challenging call. The instant they hear the name Ravana uttered

within earshot, they get so enraged that they pluck giant trees root

and branch, and brandish them in angry demonstration of hate. They

are swaying and swinging, surging and shouting, in their eagerness to

consume this City. They have equally redoubtable bears too among

them. And, to crown all, they have Rama as their leader, capable of

overwhelming millions of 'Death-deities'. Hundreds of thousands of

Adi-seshas, each of which is blessed with a thousand heads and

tongues, cannot do full justice, if asked to describe the heroism and

military skill of Rama. With one arrow shot from his bow, he can dry

up even the Ocean. "

 

The reaction of Ravana to this report of the spy and messenger was a

peal of wild laughter. He said, " Fie on you. Giving ear to the

prating of the monkeys that surround him and of that arch coward,

Vibhishana, you are extolling that fool so high. It is sheer nonsense

to describe the strength and heroism of mere monkeys. Enough. Enough!

Can monkeys be ever so strong! I have heard enough, long ago, of the

power and might of this Sugriva; and, what can this poltroon

Vibhishana, who has become his minister now, do? Can he contribute

any wealth, victory or resources to Rama? "

 

The messenger could only pine within himself and bewail the lack of

intelligence that Ravana was exhibiting. He folded his palms in

obeisance and stood silent. Then Ravana tore the envelope of the

missive that Lakshmana had sent, and, after perusing it, handed it

over to his Minister. He said, " You are like the thithiri bird afraid

that the sky will fall upon its young fledglings! Poor thing! It

covers the little one holding its head over them as a cover! Can the

sky ever fall and kill the birds! Can these anchorites, these ritual-

ridden priests, who try to frighten me by a shower of words, ever

succeed? " Suka, the messenger, watched the heroics of Ravana for some

time. Then, he intercepted with the words, " Lord! What I have now

said is the full truth. Read well and carefully the contents of that

letter and act, without any sense of resentment or pride. Listen!

Give up the hostility you have developed. Rama is very tender of

heart and compassionate. He is the master of the three worlds. If

only you approach him, he will take you under his protection and

guard you from harm. He will pardon all your wrongs. Surrender Sita

to Him. Give heed to my prayer. " The envoy pleaded plaintively that

Ravana save himself from ruin.

 

While he was pouring out his pleas, Ravana's eyes reddened with anger

and shame. He roared in protest, " what! do you take me to be a

criminal! Did I send you, o fool, to go and surrender at the feet of

those prattling babies of the forest? Audacity and impertinence

cannot go further, " and, rising from the throne, he kicked the fellow

out of the Hall. The Rakshasa, Suka, fled to the camp of Rama and

sought refuge. But, the Vanaras seeing him again amidst them were

moved into revenge; however they restrained themselves, and awaited

the orders of Rama. Sugriva led Suka to the presence of Rama. Suka

prostrated before Rama and related in detail his story and fate. He

prayed that he might be accepted as Vibhishana was accepted, and that

his new Master might protect him. Rama, as the very embodiment of

compassion, called to his presence the leaders of the Vanaras, and

directed them to welcome their new brother, Suka. He too was overcome

by gratitude and he declared that his life had reached its goal.

 

Then, Rama directed Lakshmana to bring him the bow and arrow, and

when he brought them, Rama said, " Haughty persons deserve no

kindness; mischievously cruel persons deserve no softness; misers by

nature deserve no moral teaching; egotistic persons deserve no

advice, greedy persons cannot benefit from insistence on

renunciation; persons stricken with anger deserve no counsel on being

at peace; lust-crazy victims deserve no scriptural readings; saline

fields deserve no seeds of grain. So too this Ocean that does not

yield to soft request deserves no mercy. " So saying, he fitted an

arrow to his bow; at this, Lakshmana was afraid what the consequence

would be for the Ocean. The Ocean too was rendered hot at the mere

preparation to shoot the arrow into its depths. The denizens of the

deep suffered extreme agony. As if terror-stricken, the waves began

screaming. Wave after wave rolled towards the place where Rama stood

and, gently lapped his feet, as if praying for mercy. At that time, a

Voice was heard as if from the sky, " Lord! There are two generals in

the campus, Nala and Nila, who are targets of a curse pronounced by a

sage. That curse can now be used as a blessing. Listen. The story can

now be told " . The Ocean itself communicated the details of that dire

incident to Rama.

 

" There were many hermits living on a river bank in cottages. While

young, these two entered these hermitages; while the sages were

immersed in deep meditation, seizing the holy icons called Shaligram,

which they worshipped, they used to cast them into the waters of the

river. The sages were enraged at this sacrilege and they cast a curse

on them, in this manner. 'Boys! May all things that you throw on

water never sink; may they float instead. And, may they remain just

where you have thrown them, even if the waters flow fast in floods.'

Therefore, every rock they throw will float at the very place; have

your Name inscribed on every slab and rock. Your Name is light, not

heavy at all. Thus, even huge mountain peaks when thrown would float

and form a bridge. I shall also contribute my share of help, for,

when the search is for Truth, all Nature must serve the seeker. " Rama

decided not to let go the arrow he had fitted; but, since, his arrow,

once fixed had to find a target, he aimed it at a forest area in the

far distance and, as a result, it became a dry desert.

 

Rama called together the ministers and directed them to construct the

bridge across the Ocean. Hanuman said, " Lord! Your Name is the bridge

that can safely transport man across the Ocean of Life. Which bridge

can be stronger and safer than that? " Jambavan, the aged General,

said, " Lord! Your prowess, which is a raging conflagration, can dry

up this mass of water; it is sure to be filled to the brim again by

the tears of the women widowed in Lanka during the coming battle with

Ravana and his armies. "

 

Rama smiled at the simple sincere loyalty and valor of these

devotees. Jambavan reminded Nala and Nila of the assurance given by

the unseen source, which was no other than the Ocean itself, about

the use that can now be made of curse they had drawn upon themselves

while young. He directed them to install Rama in their hearts and

throw hills, hillocks, mountains and rocks into the sea. At this, the

Vanara heroes ran in all directions, and brought back entire hills on

their heads and shoulders, as if they were as light as balls used for

games. They stood in one long line and passed the hills from shoulder

to shoulder, all the while repeating aloud the name of Rama. Off and

on, they also uprooted huge trees, and passed them onward to the

bridge site, where Nala and Nila were casting the materials into the

water.

 

The whole of that day they worked without rest and with no thought of

food or sustenance. They built a length of 14 yojanas in one day.

Refreshed by a good night's sleep, they rose before dawn, during the

Brahma Muhurtha itself, and resumed work. They acclaimed with

cheers, " Jai to Sri Ramachandra, our Lord, " and hurried to the

various corners of the land in search of hills and mountains. They

brought them on to the shore and piled them there for being used by

Nala and Nila.

 

The second day, the bridge was extended by another twenty yojanas;

the next day, they were able to build it for a further length of

twenty-one yojanas; the fourth day saw the bridge extending over a

further twenty-two yojanas. And, on the fifth day, by constructing a

further twenty-three yojanas, they completed the 100-yojana bridge in

another successful spurt.

 

Thus, Nala and Nila, unconcerned with exhaustion or the need for

rest, intent on fulfilling the task assigned by Rama for the

completion of his mission, were able to announce in the presence of

Rama that the bridge was ready, because his Name and Form were ever

before those who toiled for its completion.

 

Rama was informed through Sugriva that the hundred-yojana bridge, he

had resolved upon was finished and ready to be used. Rama and

Lakshmana were pleased at the devotion and sense of duty of the

Vanaras, who finished the job so soon and so well. Rama directed the

Ruler of the Monkeys, Sugriva, to pass along the long line of Vanaras

the order that each one should deposit the hill he was transporting

at the time, at the very place he stood, and take a little rest

before returning to base. Sugriva conveyed the order to those who

were engaged in passing from shoulder to shoulder, the boulders and

peaks for the bridge. Hanuman was at that moment transporting a huge

hill from the far north. When he heard that Rama had ordered that it

be deposited, he cast it down, near Brindavana where he was at the

time. He was surprised to hear a loud wail from the fallen

peak. " Alas " , it cried, " I have lost the chance of service to Rama. "

It could not be consoled or comforted. When Hanuman brought its

condition to the notice of Rama, Rama smiled in appreciation. He

said, " Ah! Even mountains are yearning anxiously to participate in

this task! " He expressed joy at their enthusiasm. He told

Hanuman, " Go quick. Console the hill. Tell it not to be sad. During

the coming Dwapara Age, I shall hold that hill high on my palm, for

seven days and nights. On hearing this, the peak will be happy " . That

assurance made it the Govardhana Hill, which the Lord held aloft as,

promised in the Thretha Age.

 

On the fifth day, Rama sat on the seashore, and was delighted when he

saw the bridge. " 0 Vanaras! " , he said, " Your devotion and skill in

service are beyond description. By your sense of dedication you have

won my heart. " At that time, Vibhishana came into the presence and

said, " Lord! We have to enter Lanka tomorrow; so, I have a prayer to

place before you. " Rama replied, " What is it? Tell me. " Vibhishana

continued, " Ravana is a devout worshipper of Siva. He has intense

attachment towards that aspect of Godhead. Yet, it is certain he will

meet death at your hands. I pray that, to commemorate his devotion to

Siva, you may, on the eve of moving towards Lanka and entering it

through this bridge, install a Sivalingam here, so that in coming

centuries, when people enter Lanka along this route, they can worship

the Sivalingam and remember these events. They would indeed be

fortunate to have such experience. The Linga would be extolled by

them as Rama Lingeswara, the Idol installed by Rama. And, even when

the bridge is eroded and crumbled by time, the spot could be

identified by future generations by means of the Idol worshipped

here. " Rama was happy at the suggestion. He said, " I shall fulfill

your wish. You are the future Ruler of Lanka, and in order to please

you, I am ready to carry out your wishes, whatever is involved. " At

this, Sugriva directed the Vanaras to get all the requisites for the

installation; he procured an impressive Linga sending Hanuman himself

for the purpose. Rama performed the ceremonial ablution for the Linga

with water from the sea and invoked Vitality and Grace into It.

Rama's words had the effect of mantra or sacred formula; so, nothing

more was needed to sanctify the Linga. The Vanaras uttered hymns and

their ecstatic shouts echoed from the heavens. Amidst the Jai Jai of

the hordes standing around, Lakshmana and Sugriva helped Rama to

plant the Linga in position and to complete the ceremony of

Consecration.

 

Then, the Vanaras started marching over the bridge in regular

formation, with the picture of Rama in their minds and the name of

Rama on their tongues. The scene was inexpressibly sublime. Rama and

Lakshmana stood on the bridge and looked at the sea surging on both

sides. The presence of Rama, the Ocean of Compassion, raised the

spirits of the Ocean below. Waves rose to catch a glimpse of Rama;

the denizens of the sea peeped over the waters and frolicked in joy

at the sight of Rama. They discarded their natures and stared long

and hungrily at the Divine Form of Rama. The Vanaras had prepared a

camp on the Lanka end of the bridge; so, when the vanguard reached

the heights, the news spread throughout the island. Very soon, Rama,

Lakshmana, Sugriva and Vibhishana, who crossed at a slow pace, also

reached the main gate of the fort of Lanka. Accepting the orders of

Rama, the Vanaras plucked entire trees, and dancing in joy, they ate

the fruits and cast the branches and twigs over the battlements into

the City itself. They heaved huge boulders over the wall and dropped

them into the streets beyond. They sought out Rakshasas moving about

alone outside the fort; they teased and tormented them, threatening

to wring their necks. Such pranks of the monkeys could not be

restrained.

 

Very soon, news reached Ravana that the enemy was at the gate. Though

possessed of ten throats, Ravana was using only one throat so far to

communicate with others; but, now, he roared through all the ten, in

anger and hate. He did not remember that it was a bad omen to speak

through the ten throats! There was a curse laid on him long ago, that

when he spoke through all the ten his end would draw near. Within a

few seconds of the roar, he recollected the curse and was frightened

at the fact. But, however much he attempted to control the other

throats, his voice came out of all the ten. The Rakshasas who noted

this strange occurrence inferred that his destruction was imminent,

now that Rama and his Vanara armies had entered Lanka. They sat

amidst their wives and children and lamented that their lives would

end that day or the next. They decided to use the little time they

had at their disposal in merry-making and pleasure. When calamity

approaches, discrimination departs, says the proverb.

 

Even when he knew that the curse was coming true, Ravana dismissed

the warning, and told himself that nothing evil would happen to him.

He moved into the Queen's apartments, for, he was afraid the

Ministers might read from his fallen face that he was overcome by the

awareness of the curse. Ravana sank with himself through anxiety and

agony. " Will they, as when my sister fell into their hands, slice off

the noses and ears of my ten heads? Or, will they slice off the heads

themselves? " These fears haunted him.

 

He saw Mandodari, the Queen, in the apartment. Her eyes discovered

that Ravana had become forlorn. She decided to administer wise

counsel to him. She held his hands in hers and, in a soft, smooth and

sweet voice, she said " Lord! Please listen to me, give up your anger;

pay heed to my words. Think over them carefully. Those whom we can

win over by reverence and devotion, we should not plan to win over by

hatred and opposition. In such circumstances, we have to resort to

intelligent reasoning. It will not bring any good, if we oppose such

sacred persons. You cannot achieve victory if you encounter Rama; the

glow-worm cannot vanquish the Sun. Listen to me. Take Sita, at least

this moment, and, while returning her safe, prostrate before him and

pray for pardon. Do not ruin your life and destroy Lanka and

sacrifice the lives of its women and children. Persisting in your

resolve to fight is not in line with the devotion and dedication to

God that you are famous for. If you hold fast to this horrid

decision, even Siva, whom you have pleased hitherto, is sure to give

you up. Good deeds alone can win the grace of God; how can God reward

and appreciate such heinous acts? "

 

Mandodari spoke in this strain for a long time trying to mend his

ways and to save him from destruction. " Lord! You are as dear to me

as my own life. Pay heed. Rama is no ordinary human prince. He is the

very person who destroyed Madhu and Kaitabha come again! He killed

Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu. He is the Lord who trampled on the

head of Emperor Bali. He demolished the pride of the thousand-armed

Karthaviryarjuna. Then why boast of the prowess of your mere twenty?

He is worshipped by the entire world; he is of the most auspicious

form. A long time ago, you had yourselves told me that Brahma had

told you that God would incarnate as Rama in order to relieve the

earth of the burden of cruelty and vice. Do you not remember? Aware

of all this, how is it that you do not give up this path, and

recognize the truth? Return to Rama the Acme of Chastity, the Diadem

of the Virtuous, the Incomparable Jewel of beauty, Sita; then let us

crown our son as Emperor of this realm and spend the rest of our days

in peace and plentiful joy in the immediate presence of Rama. Ah! How

fortunate is your brother! He is moving in the cool shade of Rama's

grace. It is not too late. At this very moment, hasten towards Rama

who is at the very entrance of Lanka and fall at his feet, praying

for pardon " .

 

Mandodari was in tears when she spoke thus; she rolled at the feet of

her lord, appealing to him to be warned in good time and to take

immediate measures to rescue himself and his empire, his people and

his fame. Ravana raised her to her feet and wiped her eyes. He

said, " Dear one! Why are you agitated thus? Wherefrom all this fear,

this lack of courage? There is no one more powerful than me in the

world. The rulers of the eight directions have been defeated by the

might of my arm. Death dare not step near me. Do not yield to fear.

You are extolling that weakling Rama in my hearing unaware of the

depth and extent of my might " . With these words, he left the Queen

and entered the Audience Hall, where he promptly sat on the throne.

Mandodari noticed his movements and the trend of his thoughts; she

said to herself, " What a fool! This is the inevitable fate of persons

who do not give up their false pride. Good counsel cannot enter their

minds. When one is suffering from fever, sweet things taste bitter.

He is now having the poisonous fever of pride; therefore, nectarine

counsel is rejected by him, as if it is poison. What more can I do

now? " She pictured in her mind the calamities and sorrows that were

in store for Lanka. She felt that, before witnessing and sharing in

all that misery and grief, it would be better to end life itself.

With a heavy heart and with thoughts of Rama filling her, she went

into her room and threw herself on the bed.

 

Meanwhile, Ravana sent for his ministers and set about making

preparations for the battle that was imminent. " Rakshasas! " , he

accosted, " The Vanaras, the Jambavantha, and the men who are now

attacking us are not even a morsel for our maws. Do not lose courage,

hesitate or argue. Plunge into the fight. Get ready " , he yelled. But,

Prahastha stood up from his seat, and with folded palms, he

said, " Rakshasas! Let us not desert the right path. Lord! These

ministers of yours speak words that are in line with your desire.

But, that will not ensure success. One solitary monkey crossed the

ocean and coming into our City performed many a wonderful feat. At

that time, these ministers and these armies could not put an end to

his destructive antics. You say monkeys are but morsels for our maws.

Well, when that monkey was here, where were those maws? Did they have

no hunger? When it burnt the City into a heap of ashes, these

ministers had evidently no appetite to eat it! Lord! The words that

fall from the lips of these ministers might appear very pleasant to

you now but they will bring about dire calamities as time moves on.

Think about all this in the quiet hours. Rama has struck camp on our

Suneela Mountain; he came over the sea through a bridge they

constructed; he has with him an army of uncounted numbers of Vanaras.

Can such a person be a mere man? Give up that surmise if you believe

so. Do not prattle as the tongue, that is let loose, talks. Do not

welcome into your ears the rhetoric of these ministers. Do not also

condemn me as a coward, afraid of battle. Believe in me and in the

aptness and urgency of my advice. Take Sita with you now itself and

surrender her to him, praying for pardon. That step will save us and

save Lanka. We can then claim that we have rescued our tribe from

destruction. This is the triumph we can achieve. Or else, face defeat

and disaster. Get ready this very moment; your renown will last until

the Sun and Moon endure. Do not acquire a name that will be execrated

so long as the Sun and Moon endure " .

 

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 assuring, 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 your father and me?

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 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 splendor

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; 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

hairbreadth, 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 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 valor, 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 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, was sliced off? Are you not ashamed to proclaim

and boast about your strength and your heroism, after all these

experiences? Rama killed Vali 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.

 

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 " .

 

TO BE CONTINUED