The Night Wanderers Burn the Places of Dharma
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 183
Doha 183 · Movement 1 of 3
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Ravana's commands seem fulfilled almost before the words have finished sounding. Terrible night wanderers spread through the lands, assuming many forms through Maya and bringing disturbance wherever sacred order still lives.
Every means that could uproot righteousness is used. Where cows and brahmins are found, cities, towns, and villages are set aflame. Good conduct disappears, and reverence toward deity, guru, parent, and sacred guest can find no secure place.
Hari bhakti, yajna, tapasya, and knowledge fall silent. Even in dream, people no longer hear Veda or Purana. The assault reaches beyond bodies and buildings toward memory itself, attempting to make a world in which no one remembers how to turn toward the Lord.
Across burning villages, the demons labour to erase even the dream of sacred sound.
Read the passage from the Manas
इंद्रजीत सन जो कछु कहेऊ। सो सब जनु पहिलेहिं करि रहेऊ।। प्रथमहिं जिन्ह कहुँ आयसु दीन्हा। तिन्ह कर चरित सुनहु जो कीन्हा।। देखत भीमरूप सब पापी। निसिचर निकर देव परितापी।। करहि उपद्रव असुर निकाया। नाना रूप धरहिं करि माया।। जेहि बिधि होइ धर्म निर्मूला। सो सब करहिं बेद प्रतिकूला।। जेहिं जेहिं देस धेनु द्विज पावहिं। नगर गाउँ पुर आगि लगावहिं।। सुभ आचरन कतहुँ नहिं होई। देव बिप्र गुरू मान न कोई।। नहिं हरिभगति जग्य तप ग्याना। सपनेहुँ सुनिअ न बेद पुराना।।
Whatever Ravana commanded Indrajit to do was as good as already accomplished. Those to whom he had given orders before completed every task without the slightest delay.