Mandodari Says Rama Has Come Not for Ruin but to Show Ravana Mercy
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 7
Doha 7 · Movement 1 of 2
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Raghurai is compassionate to the lowly, Mandodari says, invoking the old image that even a tiger does not devour one who comes directly before it. Ravana has accomplished whatever conquest could offer. Gods, demons, and moving and unmoving worlds have already felt his power.
Now the saints' counsel belongs to his age. In the fourth stage of life, a king should enter the forest and worship the one who creates, sustains, and dissolves all things. That supreme Lord is Raghuvira, tender toward those who surrender. Abandon attachment and turn toward him.
Great sages strive for the realization now standing across the sea. Kings renounce kingdoms to seek the Lord who has come of his own accord. Rama's arrival is mercy directed toward Ravana, not merely destruction approaching him. If he accepts this counsel, pure fame rather than disgrace will travel through all three worlds.
The Lord for whom kings leave kingdoms has crossed the sea to offer mercy at Ravana's own gate.
Read the passage from the Manas
नाथ दीनदयाल रघुराई। बाघउ सनमुख गएँ न खाई।। चाहिअ करन सो सब करि बीते। तुम्ह सुर असुर चराचर जीते।। संत कहहिं असि नीति दसानन। चौथेंपन जाइहि नृप कानन।। तासु भजन कीजिअ तहँ भर्ता। जो कर्ता पालक संहर्ता।। सोइ रघुवीर प्रनत अनुरागी। भजहु नाथ ममता सब त्यागी।। मुनिबर जतनु करहिं जेहि लागी। भूप राजु तजि होहिं बिरागी।। सोइ कोसलधीस रघुराया। आयउ करन तोहि पर दाया।। जौं पिय मानहु मोर सिखावन। सुजसु होइ तिहुँ पुर अति पावन।।
O Lord, Raghurai is compassionate to the humble. A tiger does not devour one who approaches with respect. Whatever needed to be done has been accomplished by you. You have conquered gods, demons, and all moving and non-moving beings. Saints speak this wisdom, O Dashanana: in the fourth stage of life, a king should go to the forest. One should worship Him who is the creator, protector, and destroyer: that Supreme Lord. That same Raghuvira is devoted to His devotees. Worship Him, O lord, abandoning all attachment. For whom the great munis strive with effort, and kings renounce their kingdoms to become detached. That same Lord of Koshala, Raghuraya, has come to show mercy upon you. If you accept my counsel, beloved, pure fame will spread throughout the three worlds.