We had seen the conversations within the assembly of Ravana in the last post. There are many voices opining that the impending battle with Rama can be easily won by the Rakshasa kingdom headed by the seemingly invincible Ravana. All the men in the assembly think very highly of their king's powers, recollecting the incidents from the past and assumes the threat can be easily defeated along the same lines. If Ramayana is the divine journey of Rama, highlighting unmatchable attributes of an ideal man, there is another journey of a demon of Himalayan stature, Ravana which transpired in the same period. The rise of Ravana and his journey till he crisscrossed with Rama and Sita is a story in itself. It is a story of immense boons bestowed upon the demon king and gifted with no death from all higher forms, powers, Gods, other demons but of lowly humans, he ignored in arrogance. He defeats everyone and terrifies the world rising to the stature of heralding 'demonic oppression of the virtuous in the world.' It is looking at these boons, immense strength and many past victories in an unrivaled journey; the contingent of Rakshasas in the assembly thinks very lightly of lowly human, vanara forms coming in a tussle with them.
Many years back demigods approached Brahma with concern since Ravana was causing harm on Earth. Lord Vishnu appeared and gave blessings that he will incarnate as a human (Rama) and kill Ravana since his invincibility boon did not include humans. Thus, in a way the story of Ramayana has started to end the journey of Ravana. Hence the epic ends when this purpose is achieved and this Yudha Kanda is seen as the last Kanda of Ramayana or the fulfillment of Rama avatara. This is the true essence of Rama in the world around us. The good and virtuous take control while taking down the evil and wicked. This is the true reflection and precedence for the emergence of Rama’s rule – the end of evil. When we hear, listen, read and celebrate Rama, we are nothing but celebrating the presence of his rule and aura around us. We can also firmly believe the present world is in this state with all that is happening around us. The rise of evil to the heights of projecting arrogant invincibility by indulging in wicked acts sets the precedence for the rise of a ‘Rama’ and defeating that form and the pervading environment in a battle is seen as a mere symbolic representation. Everyone including Sita are mere instruments in realizing the bigger objective. The precedence has been set; the two rivals have germinated and reached heights of representation of their innate nature; the groundwork and platform has been set in place through the evolving story in 5 Kandas and the stage is set for a grand battle of all time. We can look at the lengthy but interesting battle henceforth in hundred plus chapters.
Let us look at the continuing conversations within Ravana’s assembly in the following chapters.
In chapter 12, Ravana instructs Prahasta, chief of his army to defend the city of Lanka carefully. Ravana then narrates how he brought beautiful Sita to Lanka from Dandaka forest, because of his growing infatuation for her. Ravana asks his companions and relatives gathered there, to suggest ways and means to kill Rama and Lakshmana. Then, Kumbhakarna, Ravana's brother first accuses Ravana of his unworthy act but assures him that he would neutralize that dishonor by killing the enemies.
Ravana beheld those assembled and said, "All of you know of some of the happenings in this country, except by brother Kumbhakarna. He has been sleeping for the past six months, but now he too is here. I have brought Sita, daughter of Janaka and cherished wife of Rama, to Lanka. Despite my deep love for her, she refuses to even look at me. There is no woman more beautiful than her in all the three worlds and her beauty drives me senseless. Hoping that Rama might come she has asked me for a year's time and I agreed, but now pining for her I have grown weary. Will Rama and his armies ever come to Lanka? If one monkey can cause so much havoc, what will a whole army not do? We have won many wars against the suras and asuras. Now think of a way of slaying Rama and Lakshama without giving up Sita."
Kumbhakarna was angry. He said that Ravana should have consulted them before bringing Sita and that by stealing her he had committed the most foolish and dangerous of acts. "We are fortunate to be still alive and not killed by Rama. Now I alone can save you from your blatant mistakes and kill your enemies. Even before Rama can shoot his second arrow, I shall be drinking his blood and devouring the vanaras. Wine, dine and revel as you please, soon with Rama gone Sita will be forever yours," concluded Kumbhakarna.
In chapter 13, Advised by Mahaparsva to take charge of Sita by force, Ravana expresses his inability to do so, because of a curse pronounced against him by Brahma (lord of creation) in the past. Ravana then boasts of his own prowess.
To soothe Ravana of the sting of Kumbhakarna's words, Mahaparsva said, "When you are Eswara himself, who can question you? Revel with Sita with or without her consent. Even if Indra comes with his vajra, he can be subdued by Indrajit and Kumbhakarna."
Happy with Mahaparsva, Ravana said, "Let me share a secret with you. Many years ago, I happened to see the apsara Punjikasthala, who was on her way to Lord Brahma. Afraid of me and trying to hide from me she walked the skies radiant as a flaming fire. Bewitched by her beauty I forced myself upon her and finally my hapless victim grieving and limp as a lotus stem reached the abode of Brahma. Perhaps aware of the outrage I had committed, the lord creator grew furious and cursed me, 'from now on if ever you touch a woman against her will, may your head shatter into a thousand pieces.' Afraid of that curse, I have not even dared to touch Sita. Why does Rama provoke me. When even Indra cannot face me, what consequence is that mortal Rama?"
In chapter 14, Vibhishana informs the assembly about the strength of the monkeys, and about the power of Rama`s arrow. He also informs that no one on the demon's side can withstand Rama, in battle. Prahasta replies that they have no fear at any time to face Rama in battle. Then, Vibhishana reiterates the enormous strength of the fatal arrows discharged by Rama and requests the assembly to save Ravana by giving back Sita to Rama.
Vibhishana gently interrupted Ravana's boast and Kumbhakarna's roars. "Ravana, why did you ever bring Sita to Lanka and why do you desire her so? Give her up before Rama's arrows decapitate every rakshasa. Mahaparsva, you brag because you have not yet tasted Rama's arrows. No god or celestial can protect you from him who will find you whether you hide in the sky or in the ground." But the evil rakshasa continuing to flaunt his might asked why they should fear a kshatriya and a mere boy at that. Vibhishana, who wished for his brother's welfare was pained.
He replied, "Rama born of the dynasty of Ikshavaku is the most dharmic of them all. Against such divinity, that the world worships, do you court enmity? None in Lanka can withstand Rama. Ravana is thoughtless, passionate and slave to all seven vices. He embarks upon a mission for the destruction of the entire rakshasa race and you all who call yourselves his friends but are his enemies frolic before him. Those who have been enjoying endless benefits from their king should restrain him from wayward indulgences even if they have to drag him away by his hair. Ravana is in great danger. Like a volcano Rama is ready to spew fire and consume him. Save Ravana. My words will auger you, your kingdom and Lanka well. Above all, return Sita to Rama."
In chapter 15, Indrajit criticizes Vibhishana for underestimating the former`s strength. Vibhishana abuses Indrajit for his immaturity of mind and for his rash nature in underscoring the power of Rama`s arrows. Vibhishana further advises Ravana to give back Sita along with valuable presents to Rama and to live happily ever after in Lanka.
Displeased with Vibhishana, Indrajit asked, "How can you even conceive something so shameful? From where springs this fear? In this dynasty of the Paulastyas, you alone my uncle are a coward. When anyone of the most mediocre of rakshasas can kill Rama, why are you so afraid? When I could vanquish the devas and their lord, can I not subdue these Ikshvakus who are not only lowly mortals, but mere boys?" But Vibhishana would not give up. "My child," he said, "your youth and your inexperience induce this haste. It is like inviting your own doom. Ravana is about to lose his sons, his wives and his friends because of Rama and you, in your ignorance are condoning it. You who call yourself a son and masquerade as a friend are but his enemy. Since you are allowing his destruction, you are a murderer.
Young, arrogant and ignoramus, you rant recklessly. You may not be punishable, but are wicked, cruel and foolish. Every arrow of Rama is powerful and every one of them is death. Please do send Sita to him and send her with all due honor, robed and bejeweled divinely. Let us then live here in peace and without fear."
In chapter 16, Ravana refuses to hear the words of Vibhishana and rebukes him with harsh words. Vibhishana gets angry and sets off, to leave Ravana.
Ravana, impelled by a fate that dictated his death began berating Vibhishana, "One can live with a confirmed enemy or even with an angry serpent but should never befriend him who pretending friendship favors the enemy. I know the minds of men. They rejoice at the misfortunes of their kin. Untrustworthy and deceitful, the danger from relatives is the worst of all dangers. Vibhishana you are my kin and that is the reason you are so jealous of me. You who have enjoyed every comfort because of me, now try to harm me. I forgive you who deserve death because you are my brother. You are a disgrace to our race. Go away.
Vibhishana picked up his mace and leapt up into the sky with four other rakshasas. Away from Ravana and yearning for Rama's asylum, he grew radiant and from that radiance came his voice, "Ravana you are my older brother and worshipful like my father, but you no longer tread the path of dharma. I shall listen to whatever you say, but your accusations are unfair, untrue and unkind. I shall not forgive you for that. Thousands are those that flatter you with lips of sweet deceit, but few will speak the bitter truth and fewer will heed it. I shudder to think of the fire of Rama's arrows and grieve for the strong and mighty of Lanka who will perish. I wish you well. Protect yourself and Lanka. May you prosper and live happily after I am gone. My words may be distasteful to you, but those doomed to die disregard good counsel and so are already like the dead."
This concludes chapters 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of Yuddha Kanda where we had seen the conversation in Lanka continuing within the kith and kin of Ravana along the major heads of the Rakshasa kingdom. Ravana declares the reason behind bringing Sita to Lanka as her beauty which has driven him towards the mean act. Despite the infatuation, Sita doesn’t budge and now Ravana is afraid of what the vanara army can do when single Hanuman can wreak havoc. He also asks the gathering to suggest ways to slay the enemy without giving up on Sita. When the wicked act is listened to, supported and encouraged by everyone in attendance without opposition, there lies the nature of the kingdom. Kumbhakarna and Indrajit say they can easily kill the mere Ikshvaku boys. Mahaparsva goes a little further and asks why Ravana didn’t take charge of Sita by force. For this evil question, Ravana answers the secret that if he ever takes possession of a woman by force, his head will break into thousand pieces, as cursed by Brahma. Hence, he eagerly waits for Sita’s acceptance. Within this evil gathering, one sane voice prevails which is that of his own brother – Vibhishana. He tries to argue with everyone to know the power of Rama’s arrow, see the inevitable destruction, death of Rakshasa kingdom and return Sita. But this goes into deaf ears and moreover the gathering including Ravana feels offended by the truth. They give back retaliatory remarks which insult Vibhishana and make him leave the kingdom. He reaches the side of Rama and further deliberations on the side of Rama can be seen in subsequent chapters.
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