राम
Sacred Tableau

The Fallen Court Is Born as Lanka's House

Bala Kanda, Chaupai 176

Doha 176 · Movement 1 of 2

Keep this contemplation

Preserve, print, or share

In due time Pratapbhanu and his whole assembly enter demonic birth. The former emperor rises with ten heads and twenty mighty arms as Ravana, a warrior of terrible strength. His younger brother Arimardan becomes the immense Kumbhakarna.

Dharmaruchi, the minister devoted to righteousness and Hari's feet, is born from another mother as the youngest brother Vibhishana. Wisdom and Vishnu devotion survive the curse within him like a lamp carried into the rakshasa house.

The king's sons, servants, and followers become multitudes of demons able to assume whatever forms they choose. Crooked, violent, merciless, and without discernment, they torment the world. An entire royal order reappears under the altered nature spoken in the brahmins' anger.

Pratapbhanu's crown returns upon ten heads, while Dharmaruchi carries devotion into Lanka.

Read the passage from the Manas

काल पाइ मुनि सुनु सोइ राजा। भयउ निसाचर सहित समाजा।। दस सिर ताहि बीस भुजदंडा। रावन नाम बीर बरिबंडा।। भूप अनुज अरिमर्दन नामा। भयउ सो कुंभकरन बलधामा।। सचिव जो रहा धरमरुचि जासू। भयउ बिमात्र बंधु लघु तासू।। नाम बिभीषन जेहि जग जाना। बिष्नुभगत बिग्यान निधाना।। रहे जे सुत सेवक नृप केरे। भए निसाचर घोर घनेरे।। कामरूप खल जिनस अनेका। कुटिल भयंकर बिगत बिबेका।। कृपा रहित हिंसक सब पापी। बरनि न जाहिं बिस्व परितापी।।

"When the appointed hour arrived, O sage, that very king became a rakshasa, and his whole court with him. He had ten heads and twenty mighty arms. His name was Ravana, a warrior of tremendous valor."