Mandodari Takes Ravana by the Hand and Names Rama as the Lord of Time
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 6
Doha 6 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ravana recognizes his own agitation, covers it with laughter, and withdraws under a mask of courage. Mandodari has heard that the Lord arrived and caused the ocean to be bridged as play. She takes her husband by the hand, leads him into their private chamber, bows at his feet, and draws her veil over her head.
Listen without anger, beloved. Make an enemy only of one whom wisdom and strength can defeat. Between you and Raghupati stands the difference between a firefly and the sun. Her words are tender in gesture and merciless in measure.
She names the power moving through divine incarnations: the destroyer of Madhu and Kaitabha, the conqueror of Diti's mighty sons, the one who bound Bali and struck down the thousand armed king. That same Lord has descended to lift earth's burden. Time, action, and every living being rest in his hand. Do not oppose him.
In a sealed chamber, Mandodari places Ravana's firefly pride before the rising sun of Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
निज बिकलता बिचारि बहोरी। बिहँसि गयउ ग्रह करि भय भोरी।। मंदोदरीं सुन्यो प्रभु आयो। कौतुकहीं पाथोधि बँधायो।। कर गहि पतिहि भवन निज आनी। बोली परम मनोहर बानी।। चरन नाइ सिरु अंचलु रोपा। सुनहु बचन पिय परिहरि कोपा।। नाथ बयरु कीजे ताही सों। बुधि बल सकिअ जीति जाही सों।। तुम्हहि रघुपतिहि अंतर कैसा। खलु खद्योत दिनकरहि जैसा।। अतिबल मधु कैटभ जेहिं मारे। महाबीर दितिसुत संघारे।। जेहिं बलि बाँधि सहजभुज मारा। सोइ अवतरेउ हरन महि भारा।। तासु बिरोध न कीजिअ नाथा। काल करम जिव जाकें हाथा।।
Considering his own helplessness once more, he laughed and went away, masking fear with false courage. Mandodari heard that the Lord had come and had playfully caused the ocean to be bridged. Taking her husband by the hand, she brought him to their palace and spoke in enchanting words. Bowing at his feet and covering her head with her veil, she said: 'Listen to my words, beloved, and set aside your anger.' 'O lord, make enmity only with one whom you can defeat through wisdom and strength. What comparison is there between you and Raghupati? It is like a firefly before the sun. He who slew the mighty demons Madhu and Kaitabha, and destroyed the great warrior sons of Diti. He who bound Bali and slew him with His own hand: that same Lord has incarnated to lift the earth's burden. Do not oppose Him, O lord, in whose hands are Time, destiny, and all living beings.'