The Complete Life of Rama Page 20
Ravana was silent. He did not care for the frank manner in which his brother spoke. Another minister then spoke in a conciliatory way to him and pointed out that he had no cause for fear. Then he asked Ravana why he had not taken Sita by force, if he was so anxious to have her.
Ravana said, “I’ll tell you the reason. Once long ago I ravished an apsara called Rambha. She became like a wilted lily and went and complained to her husband, Nalakubera. He was very angry with me and cursed me. ‘Ravana, if ever you rape another woman, your head will burst into a thousand fragments.’ This is the only reason I do not dare take Sita by force. Rama does not know this, nor does Sita. However, I’ll make short work of Rama. How can a mere human being helped by a pack of monkeys ever hope to beat the might of the rakshasa king?” With these words he roared uproariously with mirth. The rest of the court, except for his brothers, joined him, and the whole court dissolved into laughter at this ridiculous picture of the great Ravana being defeated by some monkeys and bears. But Ravana had forgotten an important thing about the boon he had received from Brahma. He had asked for immunity from death from all types of heavenly and demonic beings and it had been granted to him. In his arrogance he had refused to consider human beings and monkeys as worthy opponents, and now they were the very ones who were advancing purposefully toward him.
Once again Vibhishana tried to convince Ravana, “Can you not see that Sita is like a veritable serpent round your neck? Your warriors are not powerful enough to withstand the might of Rama. Neither you nor Kumbhakarna will be able to face him in battle.” Turning to the other ministers he said, “It is the duty of a minister to advise a king wisely and save him from the consequences of his own folly, if possible. Why are you all determined to bring about his downfall and the destruction of our race? You are only hurrying him toward his death.”
Indrajit, Ravana’s eldest son, now spoke with impatience, “Father, I am amazed at these words coming from your brother! These are the words of a coward. Your name will be in dust if you listen to him. His nature is quite different from yours. Do not listen to him, if you do not want to be the laughing stock of all people. I have made my name as a formidable warrior. I have vanquished Indra’s valorous elephant. Why do you think my valor will be diminished at the sight of these two human beings?”
Vibhishana listened to his nephew’s talk without rancor. “My boy, I am afraid you are not able to distinguish between right and wrong. You are not aware of the path of dharma, and that is why you speak such words.” Turning to Ravana he said, “My lord, listen to me. Take with you the rarest gems you have. Take also Sita and go to Rama and give her back to him. Then, once and for all, you can shed this burden from your shoulders. I entreat you to do as I say.”
Spurred by fate Ravana bitterly reproached his well-meaning brother, saying, “I realize the truth of the words that people say. One can live amicably with an enemy and even with a serpent, but not with one who pretends to be your friend, yet is always on the lookout for a chance to harm you. Fire and weapons I do not fear, the dangerous ones are the near and dear. As bees fly away after sucking the last drop of honey from a flower, so the unworthy give up a relationship that has ceased to be profitable. If anyone else had spoken to me like this, I would have choked the life out of him, then and there, but because you are my brother, I will spare you. But I curse you; you are a shame on our race.”
Vibhishana stood up, together with four of his friends, and said, “O king, I tried to save you from the effects of your own folly. Whatever I said was meant only for your good. It is always easy to find people who will try to please you with honeyed words, but there are very few who will dare to tell a king the unalloyed truth to his face. You are older than I, so I ask your forgiveness. But I cannot stay here any longer. You can be rid of the thorn in your side. I wanted to help you, but when death is approaching, a man will be deaf to the words of well-wishers.” So saying, Vibhishana departed to the other shore, to Rama’s camp, along with his four friends.
It is said that the three brothers Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana, typified the three types of gunas, or modes of nature—sattva, rajas, and tamas. Vibhishana was the example of sattva, or the quality of harmony and goodness; Ravana, of rajas, or the quality of activity and passion; and Kumbhakarna, of tamas, or the quality of inertia, sloth, and stupor, hence his extreme partiality for sleep.
Vasishta says:
“The Absolute is non-matter and thus no material light like the sun can illumine it.
It is self-effulgent so it is not inert or dark.
It cannot be realized or experienced by another.
Only the Absolute can realize the Absolute.”
Hari Aum Tat Sat
Vibhishana-prathishtatre Namaha!
CANTO II
Causeway to Lanka
Bhajo deenabandhu dinesha danaval
Daitya vamsa nikandanam!
Raghunanda, ananda kanda!
Kaushafa chandra Dasaratha nandanam!
Worship the blissful Raghunandana,
The full moon of the land of Kosala, son of Dasaratha,
The succor of the distressed,
Annihilator of the demons.
After leaving his brother Vibhishana went to the opposite shore and approached Rama’s camp. The monkeys guarding the entrance saw him and his four companions, poised in the air. He was decked with jewels and held a massive mace in his hand. When Sugriva saw him he asked the monkeys to prepare for a fight. Seeing this Vibhishana spoke loudly from the sky, “I am Vibhishana, younger brother of Ravana. I tried my best to advise him to return Sita to Rama, but he insulted me and dismissed me. I have abandoned everything I possess, including my family, and have come to take refuge at Rama’s feet, for I have heard that he is merciful and friendly to all creatures. Please announce my arrival to him.”
Sugriva ran back and reported the matter to Rama. “These rakshasas are wily creatures. They should never be trusted. He says he is Ravana’s brother but he may be a spy. He may win your confidence and then betray you. Like an owl that waits for the opportune moment and then destroys the whole clan of crows, he will join us and wait for the right time and annihilate us.”
Rama gave careful attention to what he said and then asked the others to give their views. All of them were of the opinion that Vibhishana was not to be trusted.
At last Hanuman spoke. “I saw this man in Lanka when he spoke against Ravana’s wishes to kill me. In fact, it is because of him that Ravana desisted from putting me to death. Neither his mien nor his behavior was suspicious in any way. I think he must have tried to advise Ravana to give up his plan and been refused. That must be the reason why he decided to leave. The shastras say it is not correct to stay with one who is steeped in adharma. Moreover, someone who comes as a spy would not announce himself, as he has done.”
Rama, the compassionate one, was pleased with Hanuman’s words, for they echoed his own thoughts. “Whosoever approaches me with a heart filled with love, I will accept with equal love. I will not abandon one who has taken refuge in me, even though he may be filled with faults. This is my decision.”
Sugriva, the prudent, again tried to dissuade Rama to give up the idea of accepting a rakshasa as an ally, for his experience told him they were not to be trusted.
With a slight smile Rama said, “A righteous man can be born even in the clan of the rakshasas. Evidently, he found it impossible to stay any longer with his vicious brother and thus he has come to me. I shall accept him.”
Sugriva said, “My lord! You are too noble. I am sure he is a spy. It would be safer to kill him.”
Rama smiled and said, “It is of no importance to me whether he is good or bad. The code of dharma says that one who has taken refuge should never be abandoned. My principle in life is to give succor to anyone who declares his desire to join me. His character is immaterial. Even if Ravana, himself, came and fell at my feet I would not refuse him, even though he has wronged me woefully. Go and bring hi
s brother here.”
Sugriva was amazed at these words. He bowed low to Rama and went to do his bidding. Vibhishana was thrilled to hear that he had been accepted. He strode into Rama’s presence and fell at his feet, clasping them with his hands. He then rose up and said, “My lord, I am Vibhishana, the half-brother of Ravana. I have been grossly treated by him, and I have left everything I possess in Lanka and taken refuge at your feet. Now you are my everything. My life and welfare are in your hands. I have surrendered my joys and sorrows and my very life at your blessed feet. Please accept me as your devoted slave.”
Rama was touched by his devotion and gave him permission to stay. He smiled tenderly at him and bade him welcome. Afterward he asked him about Ravana’s strength and weaknesses.
Vibhishana said, “Brahma has granted the ten-headed Ravana a special boon. He is invulnerable against all creatures including gods, birds, snakes, and celestial beings. My brother, the huge Kumbhakarna, is an exceptional warrior. The commander of the forces, Prahastha, is an indomitable soldier. Ravana’s son, Indrajit, is invincible. His armor cannot be pierced, and Agni, the god of fire, has granted him many magic boons, by which he can make himself invisible at will. The army consists of scores of rakshasas who subsist on meat and blood and can change form at will. As for Ravana he has defeated even the gods in battle.”
Rama listened carefully to this account and then said with a smile, “Fear not, O Vibhishana! I will kill all of them and install you as king of Lanka. Though he may run to all the worlds, Ravana will not be able to escape the fury of my arrows. Until I achieve this objective, I will not enter Ayodhya. I swear this in the name of my three brothers.”
Vibhishana fell at his feet and said, “I swear in the name of dharma that I will assist you in all ways, to the best of my ability, in carrying out your resolve. But the one thing I will not do is to kill my own people.”
Rama said, “Lakshmana, bring water from the ocean. I will myself perform the coronation of Vibhishana, here and now.” Thus saying, Rama took the water brought by Lakshmana and performed the abhisheka, or ceremonial bath, by pouring the consecrated water over the head of the prospective king amid great joy and applause from the vanaras.
Now both Sugriva and Hanuman asked their newfound ally to suggest a method of crossing the ocean. Vibhishana suggested that the lord of the ocean would surely comply with the wishes of Rama if requested. “This sea owes its very existence and name to the Sagara brothers, who were the ancestors of Rama. He will surely remember this and help him in his task.”
In the meantime Ravana sent one of his men to try to win Sugriva over to his side. The monkeys caught him and beat him mercilessly. The man ran to Rama and begged him to intervene and stop his people from killing him. Rama told the vanaras to stop harassing him and let him go. He rose into the sky and praised Rama. “Noble Rama! You are indeed a hero among men. Please tell me what I should say to Ravana.”
Sugriva replied scornfully, “Tell your great master that Sugriva can never become his friend. You are the enemy of Rama and you deserve nothing but death at my hands.”
Rama decided to fast to death if the lord of the ocean did not respond to his request. So he lay on a mat of darbha in front of the ocean and meditated. Three days and three nights passed without any response from the lord of the ocean. At the end of this time, Rama lost his patience and said to Lakshmana, “As I told you before, O Lakshmana, my good nature is sometimes mistaken for weakness. Some people can only be subdued by force, and the lord of the ocean seems to be one of them. Bring my bow and arrows and I will dry him up with just one arrow. I will drain him of his waters so that nothing remains but an expanse of sand, and my army will easily cross over to Ravana’s domain.”
So saying, he started to discharge arrow after arrow from his mighty bow. The waters rose up in upheaval, as tall as mountains. The Earth trembled and quivered in agony. The sky became pitch black and meteors flashed across the firmament, even as thunder roared and lightning flashed. The ocean throbbed and moaned in pain. Lakshmana caught hold of Rama’s hand and begged him to desist. Out of the ocean, Samudra, lord of the ocean, rose trembling with fear. The darkness caused by Rama’s anger lifted due to the radiance of the jewels around Samudra’s neck. Long necklaces of pearls gleamed on his chest. His hair was covered with seaweed, and water poured down his long gray hair and beard. He rose on the crest of a wave with folded palms extended above his head, slowly came to the shore, and and stood humbly in front of Rama.
“O lord,” he said, “you are known to be the abode of kindness and mercy. I did not appear before you earlier because I cannot go against my nature, as you know only too well. Earth, water, fire, and wind are all ruled by the laws of nature. I am by nature deep, wide, and unfathomable. I cannot change my nature. But I can give you a plan by which you can cross easily. There is a monkey called Nala in your army who is the son of Vishwakarma, the architect of the gods. He is an expert in building bridges. Let him build a bridge, and I will see that it does not sink or fall apart while the army is crossing. I can also promise you that my sharks and whales will not harm your army while they cross.” So saying, Samudra melted into a wave that came ashore to take him.
Rama called Nala, who immediately agreed to construct the bridge. Before starting the construction, Rama made a beautiful linga of Lord Shiva with the sand and worshipped it and asked Shiva to bless him with success in his endeavor. The place where Rama installed the linga is known as Rameswaram, and it is a famous place of worship even to this day.
Ordered by Nala the monkeys scurried around collecting material for the construction. They uprooted trees and brought huge boulders. Rocks as large as hills were carried on their willing shoulders. Hanuman joined them and repeated the magic mantra of Rama over every stone and boulder, and the work went on with great speed and enthusiasm. The bridge was one hundred leagues long and ten leagues wide. One-fifth was built the first day, and the entire construction was completed in five days. Rama and Lakshmana sat on the shore and watched the work. It is said that a squirrel who wanted to help Rama used to wet his fur, roll in the sand, and then go and shake off the dust on the bridge, since that was the only effort he was capable of making. The monkeys made fun of him and told him to go off or he would be trampled by their feet. He was frightened and sad and went and nestled close to Rama, who took him on his lap and comforted him by passing his three fingers down his back. It is said that to this day, the Indian squirrel bears the mark of Rama’s fingers on his back. Rama calmed his fears and told him that his tiny efforts were as valuable to him as the gigantic achievements of the monkeys. The sand he had brought was as precious to him as the rocks of the vanaras. Thus the little squirrel also found a place in Rama’s heart.
At last the causeway was completed. Even the gods came to survey it and from above, it looked like the parting in the hair of a woman, so elegant and beautiful was it. Rama was the first to set foot on it, then came Lakshmana, and then Sugriva. The rest of the vanara hoard followed, dancing and bounding with joy. Sometimes they would jump into the sea and swim for a while and sometimes walk on the bridge. The noise made by the monkeys surpassed the sound of the waves. It was as if the sea held its breath while the army crossed. At last they set foot on enemy territory. Rama told Lakshmana and Sugriva to make preparations for camp. The sun had set and the moon had just risen, as the army settled down for the night. The city noises wafted to them across the air. Rama was touched by the enthusiasm and devotion of the monkeys and their innocent love, and they, in turn, were greatly excited and roared with joy.
Rama looked up at the city of Ravana with its turrets of gold and silver and thought of his beloved Janaki, who was a prisoner of love. He stood gazing at Lanka for a long time, lost in thought. At last he roused himself and talked to the commanders about their plan of action—who should be in charge of which battalion and so on.
Vasishta says:
“True men of wisdom do not expose their wisdom or parade thei
r knowledge in order to win the admiration of masses.”
Hari Aum Tat Sat
Dayasaraya Namaha!
CANTO III
The Siege of Lanka
Aghethibhitam, sujane vinitham!
Tamovihinam Manuvamshadeepam!
Taraprageetham, vyasane cha mitram!
Sri Ramachandram sathatam namami!
I bow to Sri Ramachandra who is
A terror to the wicked and considerate to the good.
Friend of those in sorrow.
Lamp of the race of Manu, far from the darkness of tamas.
The spy sent by Ravana returned with the news: “This sea that has never been crossed has been crossed by Rama’s army with ease, and they have camped on the southern shore. You should either return Sita to him immediately or prepare for a mighty battle.”
Ravana was quite incensed at these words and shouted, “Let the entire world come and fight with me but I will not return Sita to Rama. It is true that I did not believe they would be able to cross the sea, but apparently they have done so. I want you and another person to go into their camp disguised as monkeys and discover their plans. Go immediately and return soon.”
The two rakshasas had hardly entered the encampment and started their investigation when Vibhishana spied them and penetrated their disguise and hauled them off to Rama. They fell at his feet and groveled for pardon. Rama smiled at them and said, “Have you finished your task? If not, ask Vibhishana to take you round the camp. I have nothing to hide. Go back and tell your master, ‘You dared to take my Sita from me because of your prowess. The time has come to put that prowess to the test. Tomorrow, when the sun comes up, Lanka will be destroyed by me and you will see the wrath of Rama!’” Then, turning to Vibhishana, he said, “Release these poor creatures. What have they done? Let them go back and deliver my message.”