Ravana Weighs Rama as God or Man and Chooses Enmity in Either Case
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 21
Doha 23 · Movement 1 of 2
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Through the sleepless night, Ravana measures the news against all he knows. Among gods, humans, demons, nagas, and birds, none can stand against his followers. Khara and Dushana were equal to him in strength. Who but Bhagavan could have killed them? Perhaps the Lord who delights the gods and removes the earth's burden has truly descended in an avatara.
If so, Ravana resolves to seek battle stubbornly and surrender his life to the Lord's arrows. He believes devotion cannot arise within his tamasic body, so he makes this dark purpose firm in mind, speech, and action: by dying beneath Rama's shafts, he will cross the ocean of becoming. Yet pride keeps another path open. If Rama is merely a mortal prince, Ravana will steal his wife and defeat both brothers in battle.
With either conclusion leading him toward Panchavati, Ravana mounts his vehicle and travels alone to the ocean shore where Maricha dwells. As the king moves toward deception, Shiva turns the listener's attention back to the forest. Hear now, he tells Uma, the beautiful account of the plan Rama has made there.
Whether he calls Rama Lord or mortal, Ravana makes enmity the road beneath his chariot.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुर नर असुर नाग खग माहीं। मोरे अनुचर कहँ कोउ नाहीं।। खर दूषन मोहि सम बलवंता। तिन्हहि को मारइ बिनु भगवंता।। सुर रंजन भंजन महि भारा। जौं भगवंत लीन्ह अवतारा।। तौ मै जाइ बैरु हठि करऊँ। प्रभु सर प्रान तजें भव तरऊँ।। होइहि भजनु न तामस देहा। मन क्रम बचन मंत्र दृढ़ एहा।। जौं नररुप भूपसुत कोऊ। हरिहउँ नारि जीति रन दोऊ।। चला अकेल जान चढि तहवाँ। बस मारीच सिंधु तट जहवाँ।। इहाँ राम जसि जुगुति बनाई। सुनहु उमा सो कथा सुहाई।।
Among gods, men, demons, nagas, and birds, there is none who can stand against my servants. Khara and Dushana were as mighty as I. Who could slay them, if not Bhagavan Himself? If the Lord who delights the gods and lifts the burden of the earth has indeed taken avatara, then I shall go and stubbornly wage war against Him. Giving up my life upon His arrows, I shall cross over this ocean of worldly existence. Devotion cannot flower in this tamasic body. This resolve is firm in mind, word, and deed. But if He is merely some mortal prince, I shall steal His wife and defeat them both in battle. So he departed alone, mounting his aerial chariot, to the place where Maricha dwelt upon the ocean's shore. Now hear, O Uma, the delightful account of how Rama devised His plan on this side.