Golden Lanka Rises upon Trikuta
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 178
Sortha 178 · Movement 1 of 2
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Brahma grants the boons, and the brothers return home in joy. Maya brings his daughter Mandodari, jewel among women, and gives her to Ravana, knowing he will become lord of the demons. Ravana receives the noble bride gladly, and the other brothers also marry.
In the middle of the ocean stands Trikuta, where Brahma created an almost unassailable fortress. Maya adorns it anew with countless palaces of gold and gems, lifting walls, halls, towers, and residences above the surrounding waters.
Bhogavati of the serpent race and Indra's Amaravati seem surpassed by its beauty and splendour. Across the worlds the ocean fortress becomes renowned as Lanka, a city brilliant enough to make coming tyranny appear clothed in wonder.
Golden Lanka rises from the ocean, beautiful enough to hide the shadow gathering within it.
Read the passage from the Manas
तिन्हि देइ बर ब्रह्म सिधाए। हरषित ते अपने गृह आए।। मय तनुजा मंदोदरि नामा। परम सुंदरी नारि ललामा।। सोइ मयँ दीन्हि रावनहि आनी। होइहि जातुधानपति जानी।। हरषित भयउ नारि भलि पाई। पुनि दोउ बंधु बिआहेसि जाई।। गिरि त्रिकूट एक सिंधु मझारी। बिधि निर्मित दुर्गम अति भारी।। सोइ मय दानवँ बहुरि सँवारा। कनक रचित मनिभवन अपारा।। भोगावति जसि अहिकुल बासा। अमरावति जसि सक्रनिवासा।। तिन्ह तें अधिक रम्य अति बंका। जग बिख्यात नाम तेहि लंका।।
Having granted the boons, Brahma departed, and the brothers returned joyfully to their homes. Maya Danava's daughter, named Mandodari, was supremely beautiful, the jewel among women.