Rama's Beauty Stills the Enemy before His Words Set the Field Ablaze
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 18
Doha 20 · Movement 1 of 3
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The demon archers behold Rama and cannot release their arrows. The host stands arrested by the beauty of the royal youth. Khara and Dushana confess that among nagas, demons, gods, humans, and sages they have conquered many, yet never in all their lives have they seen such a form. Though he disfigured their sister, they decide this matchless man should not die.
Messengers demand the woman Rama has kept hidden and offer the brothers their lives if they withdraw. Rama answers smiling. They are Kshatriyas hunting the forest for wicked beasts like these. A powerful enemy brings no fear; they would fight even Death. Though appearing human and young, Rama declares himself destroyer of demon clans, protector of sages, and tormentor of the wicked.
If the enemy lacks strength, it may return home, for Rama does not kill one who turns from battle. Guile upon the field may be called cleverness, while mercy toward the foe is counted supreme cowardice. The messengers carry every word back. Khara and Dushana's brief wonder burns away, and fury takes possession of their hearts.
Beauty first lowers the demons' bows, then Rama's smiling challenge raises their fury beyond recall.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्रभु बिलोकि सर सकहिं न डारी। थकित भई रजनीचर धारी।। सचिव बोलि बोले खर दूषन। यह कोउ नृपबालक नर भूषन।। नाग असुर सुर नर मुनि जेते। देखे जिते हते हम केते।। हम भरि जन्म सुनहु सब भाई। देखी नहिं असि सुंदरताई।। जद्यपि भगिनी कीन्ह कुरूपा। बध लायक नहिं पुरुष अनूपा।। देहु तुरत निज नारि दुराई। जीअत भवन जाहु द्वौ भाई।। मोर कहा तुम्ह ताहि सुनावहु। तासु बचन सुनि आतुर आवहु।। दूतन्ह कहा राम सन जाई। सुनत राम बोले मुसकाई।। हम छत्री मृगया बन करहीं। तुम्ह से खल मृग खौजत फिरहीं।। रिपु बलवंत देखि नहिं डरहीं। एक बार कालहु सन लरहीं।। जद्यपि मनुज दनुज कुल घालक। मुनि पालक खल सालक बालक।। जौं न होइ बल घर फिरि जाहू। समर बिमुख मैं हतउँ न काहू।। रन चढ़ि करिअ कपट चतुराई। रिपु पर कृपा परम कदराई।। दूतन्ह जाइ तुरत सब कहेऊ। सुनि खर दूषन उर अति दहेऊ।।
Seeing the Lord, the demons could not loose their arrows. The entire host of night-wanderers stood paralyzed with exhaustion. Summoning his advisors, Khara spoke alongside Dushana: 'This is some royal youth, a jewel among men.' Nagas, asuras, devas, mortals, munis: how many have we conquered and slain in our time? Hear us, brothers all. In our entire lives we have never beheld such beauty. True, he has disfigured our sister. Yet this matchless man does not deserve death. Surrender your wife at once and keep her hidden. Go home alive, you two brothers. Convey my words to him. Hear his reply and return swiftly. The messengers went and spoke to Rama. Hearing them, Rama answered with a smile. We are Kshatriyas; we hunt in the forest. We roam these woods seeking wicked beasts like you. We do not flinch at the sight of a powerful enemy. We would fight even Kala (Death) himself. Though human in form, I am the destroyer of demon clans, protector of sages, tormentor of the wicked, though but a youth. If you lack the strength, go back home. I do not strike those who turn their backs on battle. To advance onto the field and then show mercy to the foe: that is the greatest cowardice, not cleverness. The messengers returned at once and repeated every word. Hearing it all, the hearts of Khara and Dushana burned with fury.