In the last post, we had seen how Ravana would not listen to any of his spies who try to appraise his wrong path - something which began with his own brother Vibhishana’s obedient counsel. Like how he treated Vibhishana and forced his departure, the spies are also met with the same fate. It can be understood Ravana is extremely over-the-top about his thinking on his own abilities and powers that he can afford to make mistakes, boast openly to his own people about the fallacies and get away with it, lure his people to fight a wrong battle and direct a kingdom on the path of misdeeds following his own actions. When the times are bad, the world will follow in the footsteps of a Ravana where righteousness and virtuous living takes a back seat and wicked nature comes to the fore. We can always observe this in any world we live in. The epic was written long back and many thousands of years have elapsed where people lived in different environments around them through these years. But the single truth pervades that a bad leader will herald negative forces to take over and create conditions for anarchic suffering and annihilation of common men. These vices will reach a crescendo before a Rama emerges to bring them to an end. Any good leader can herald his rule and set His example for everyone to follow. We all can hope that a great leader is calling shots in this world and heralding his rule where virtuous men rise to the top and wickedness is kept at bay.
Ravana is blinded by his gory acts of all these years preventing him from measuring his own strength and seeing the divine strength of Rama followed by a sea of vanara army at his doorstep. It is this overappraisal of the own self thinking of his boons and invincibility of the past, that he takes a mere human Rama lightly, despite numerous pleas. This giant of a demon is little aware of the giant of a Rama, which sets the tone for a needless duel of near equals but poles apart, implied by the lengthiest Kanda dedicated for this needless war. Ravana might have little fear as his tries to create an illusory death of Rama in a deceptive manner, characteristic of a Rakshasa. Sarama, a demon guard of Sita reveals the truth to Sita as she also tells about the arrival of vanara army along with Rama and Lakshmana. The last few episodes running up to the war are detailed in the following chapters where we can also see the pleas continue to flow to retract his actions and prevent the war, but Ravana continues to dismiss every naysayer.
In chapter 34, Sita asks Sarama to go secretly to Ravana and get to know what he is doing as well as report to her back about Ravana's decision about the matter of releasing her or continuing to keep her captive. Sarama secretly hears the conversation of Ravana with his ministers and reports to Sita that Ravana is not inclined to set her free. Sarama consoles Sita, saying that Rama with his sharp arrows will kill Ravana and take her back to Ayodhya.
Sarama's words drove away the mists of fear and misery that had haunted Sita regarding the illusory death of Rama. When Sarama offered to bring news of Ravana, Sita said that she would like to know what evil Ravana was planning. "He is not only evil, but mighty. A might so full of vice and deceit that he even cheats my weeping eyes. The very thought of him makes me faint with fear. Sarama went away quickly to bring news of Ravana.
Coming back she told Sita that Ravana's mother and one of his oldest advisors, Avidha, were pleading with him to give up Sita or perish. They also reminded Ravana of Hanuman who single handed had devastated the rakshasa kingdom of Lanka. Who else could have done such a thing they had asked, but Ravana would no more part with Sita than a miser with his money. Even if it meant death, he and his ministers had decided to fight. Ravana, doomed to die, had listened to the dictates of his wicked mind.
In chapter 35, With the sound of kettle drums and couches, Rama arrives to Lanka with his army. Ravana hears those sounds and calls his ministers to chalk out his further course of action. Malyavan, Ravana's maternal grandfather advises Ravana to conclude peace with Rama and restore Sita to him as he is perceiving adverse omens.
Rama arrived on the shores of Lanka and when Ravana heard the raging tumult, at first, he began thinking and then started hurling accusations at his ministers, "I know from you of the might of Rama's messenger, of his flying into Lanka and of Rama's invincible army. I also know of you who robbed of all enthusiasm and look at each other in silent fear."
It was then that Malayavanta, a renowned scholar and Ravana's great uncle, said, "A king who is a good statesman will rule the country for a long time. Ravana, make peace with Rama. Give up Sita who is the cause of our enmity. Even gods and celestials wish for Rama's victory. Brahma has created two ways of life, dharma for the suras and adharma for the asuras. When dharma triumphs over adharma it is kritayuga and when it is the other way round it is kaliyuga. During the days when you waged many wars in the many worlds, you let adharma flourish. That is the reason why the most dharmic of them all, Rama, is stronger than you. Forever encouraging unrighteousness, you have imperiled yourself and righteousness is now destroying us.
In chapter 36, Ravana turns his deaf ear to the words of Malyavan and even abuses him that the latter is exaggerating the strength of Rama. Ravana further says that he will not restore Sita to Rama and that Rama and his army will not go back alive, having crossed the ocean and reached Lanka. Then, Ravana assigns Prahasta and others to guard the four main gates of Lanka against the inroads of the enemy.
Ravana not only refused to heed good counsel, but vented his wrath upon Malayavanta. "Favoring the enemy and pretending interest in my welfare, do you want to deceive me? Give me one reason why you think that a mere mortal, a homeless hermit at that, with only monkeys for help is so great? And why I, lord of the rakshasas and fear of the gods, am inferior? Did I bring Sita from the forest to give her away to Rama fearing him? Soon you will see me slay Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva and their armies.
Will I, with whom even the devas cannot fight shirk to battle with Rama. I will rather break than bend. It is my nature, and I cannot transcend it. What is so great about Rama coming here? He will never go back alive." Realizing the futility of his pleas, Malayavanta took leave of Ravana. The rakshasa king planning the defense of Lanka retired to his palace, unaware of his impending doom and deluded into believing that he was secure.
In chapter 37, Rama, Sugriva, Hanuman and others assemble to take counsel together, upon reaching the precincts of Lanks. While they were deliberating on the ways and means for the success of their mission, Vibhishana informs that he has sent his counsellors as spies to gather information about the enemy's plans and that they returned after gathering the required news about Ravana's arrangements at the four gates of Lanka. After hearing Vibhishana's information, Rama orders Nila, Angada, Hanuman and others to storm the four gates and he decides to stay on Suvela mountain with his army.
As Rama and his armies stood on the isle of Lanka, the impregnable fort of rakshasas, Vibhishana said that when Ravana warred with Kubera, six hundred thousand as mighty and as wicked as Ravana himself had fought for him. He warned, "I am not mentioning this to frighten you, but to alert you. My ministers flying in Lanka in the form of birds have already seen how the city is being defended. "
Made aware of which rakshasa general guarded which gate of Lanka, Rama said that Nila would tackle Prahastha at the east gate. Angada was in charge of the south gate manned by Mahaparsva and Mahodara. Hanuman was in charge of the west gate guarded by Indrajit. Rama reserved the right to kill Ravana. He said, Lakshmana and I shall attack him at the north gate where he waits with his army. Jambavan, Sugriva and Vibhishana can penetrate into central Lanka. I forbid anyone to appear in human form on the battlefield. Only Lakhsmana, Vibhishana and his four ministers shall fight in human form.
In chapter 38, Rama expresses his desire to Vibhishana and Sugriva to halt on Suvela mountain for that night, and to envision the City of Lanka. Rama along with Lakshmana, Vibhishana, Sugriva and his army ascend the mountain and witness the beauty of Lanka. They halt on that mountain-resort for the night.
Rama decided to spend that night on top of the Suvela mountain from where they could see Lanka, home of the rich who had stolen Sita. Gazing at it, Rama said, "Impervious of dharma and defying every norm of decency, Ravana brings upon himself his own ruin."
Reaching the summit, the armies seeing each other exchanged noisy war cries and with the deepening of dusk retired for the night.
In chapter 39, Rama and the monkeys see the charming gardens and groves located in Lanka, viewing them from the top of Suvela mountain. Some of the monkeys, thrilling with rapture, enter the gardens and enjoy their beauty of flowers and birds. Some others went towards Lanka; located on the apex of Trikuta mountain. They see the city with its large mansions and seven storied buildings, including the thousand-pillared mansion of Ravana with a height almost touching the skies.
Rising with the sun, the vanaras were amazed at the ethereal beauty of Lanka. To view its emerald green groves and gardens, some among them wandered across with Sugriva's permission. The magnificent peaks of Trikoota glistened like gold; its lofty peaks soaring up into the sky seemed beyond reach of even birds. On that mountain, a hundred yojanas long and thirty yojanas wide was perched the rakshasa kingdom. In its midst was a thousand pillared edifice, tall as mount Kailash and jewel of Lanka, it was the abode of Ravana. Rama stood in awe of its splendor and its fortifications.
In chapter 40, Rama together with Sugriva and others mount to the top of Suvela mountain and see the city of Lanka. There, Ravana is seen at a distance and Sugriva battles him.
When Rama went up the Suvela mountain, he beheld a figure standing on the gate tower. It was Ravana. Sheltered by a pristine white canopy, anointed with red sandal paste, robed in red and gold, shimmering with gem studded jewels, he looked like a massive cloud tinged with the color of dawn. Even as Rama looked, Sugriva unable to control his fury jumped across to stand before Ravana with no trace of fear, lashing out, "Ravana, I am a friend of Rama, lord of the earth, and his servant. I shall now slay you by the power of his might. So long as you were out of my sight, you had a beautiful neck, but now that I have seen you, you will no longer have one."
A terrible fight ensued between the two from which both emerged battered and bleeding. When Ravana finally started showing signs of fatigue and before he could resort to his deadly magical skills, Sugriva bounded back into the vast blue skies to the delight of Rama and the vanaras.
Rama, though happy and proud of Sugriva, cautioned him about taking risks that even kings did not entertain. "Of what use is Sita, Bharatha, Lakshmana, Satrughna or even my own body if any harm befalls you?" he said. A while later he told Lakshmana of the impending death of great vanaras and rakshasas, and of the omens preceding the calamity.
In chapter 41, Rama advises Sugriva not to repeat such reckless acts in future on the grounds of he being a king. Then Rama tells Lakshmana about the various evil portents he had seen. Rama commands the monkey-generals to besiege all the four gates of Lanka. He himself along with Lakshmana protects the army, besieging the northern gate being guarded by Ravana. Then, Rama sends Angada to Ravana, to expostulate him and to bring him back to reason.
The invading army like locust hordes poured into Lanka. Even in the midst of all that chaos and activity, Rama felt it his duty to warn Ravana once again. He sent for Angada and told him, "Go Angada, deliver this message to Ravana, 'you, whose prosperity is boundless, is about to die. The harm that you have caused the sages, the devas, and all other creatures in your arrogance has now ended. Armed with my bow and my fury, I am at the gates of your kingdom. Killed by me and cleansed of your sins, you shall go to the land that devas, rishis and rajarshis attain.
Wicked rakshasa, now show me the strength with which you deceived me and stole Sita. If you do not return her and seek my pardon, I shall rid the world of every rakshasa and Vibhishana shall be king of Lanka. You who have foolish advisors are a wretch with no sense of judgment and no control over your mind. Make arrangements for your own funeral and look around you for the last time. Your life is in my hands."
Angada rose and was in front of Ravana in an instant saying, "I am the messenger of Rama and the son of Vali. Angada is my name. I shall slay you, your sons, your kin, your ministers and everyone else. I shall rid the world of the fear of you." Flying into a great rage, Ravana ordered the death of the messenger. Angada stood still watching four rakshasas come towards him. Swooping upon them and clutching them, he flew up into the sky. Even as Ravana looked on, the rakshasas fell to earth, as did the tower of his palace shattered by the touch of Angada's foot. The rakshasa lord let a long sigh of worry escape him. He saw the destruction as a bad sign, while Angada, joy of the vanaras, returned to Rama.
This concludes chapters 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 where we had seen Sarama helping Sita by telling her about the plans of Ravana, Malyavanta trying to stop Ravana from waging the war but fails as anyone, Rama devising plans for battle and Vibhishana giving some finer details of enemy, Rama and the vanara army reaching the top of Suvela mountain and gazes at the magnificent Lanka, Sugriva initiating a duel with Ravana and flies back in time and Rama sending Angada for a final time to warn Ravana. With this we can see, even Rama tried to prevent the war by sending Angada at the last minute and warning Ravana about his future. Like every time, the wise counsel has fallen on deaf years clogged with dirt. With the final and official warning from Angada failing to serve the purpose, we have now arrived to witness a battle spanning many chapters which begins in the subsequent one.
No comments:
Post a Comment