Starve the Gods Until They Crawl
Bala Kanda, Doha 181
Doha 181 · Movement 2 of 2
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Ravana reveals the purpose behind the assault on worship. Deprived of offerings, the gods will lose nourishment and strength. Heaven is to be weakened not only by weapons, but by severing the current rising from earthly devotion.
When hunger and powerlessness have reduced them, they will come crawling to Lanka of their own accord. The ten headed king imagines celestial rulers stripped of dignity before his throne.
Then he will choose between slaughter and a more satisfying domination. Better than killing them, he says, may be to bind the gods thoroughly into his service. The ambition is no longer victory, but inversion of the sacred order itself.
Ravana imagines the gods crawling toward Lanka after the last offering fire dies.
Read the passage from the Manas
छुधा छीन बलहीन सुर सहजेहिं मिलिहहिं आइ। तब मारिहउँ कि छाड़िहउँ भली भाँति अपनाइ।।181।।
"When the gods are starved and stripped of all strength, they will come crawling to me of their own accord. Then I shall either slay them or, better still, bind them thoroughly into my service."