Prahasta Reminds the Court That One Monkey Was Enough to Burn Lanka
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 9
Doha 9 · Movement 1 of 2
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The ministers speak only what pleases their master, Prahasta says. One monkey crossed the sea, entered Lanka, and performed deeds every heart remembers. If demons consider monkeys their food, why did none seize and devour Hanuman while the city burned?
Sweet counsel delights now and produces suffering later. The one who bridged the ocean as play has descended at Suvela with his entire army, yet the court puffs its cheeks and boasts that it will eat the human Lord. Prahasta asks not to be mistaken for a coward because his words are difficult.
People who speak and receive only what is pleasant exist everywhere. Few can speak what is supremely beneficial when it wounds the ear, and fewer still can listen. Send an envoy first, he urges. Return Sita and restore friendship. Truth offers Lanka one more interval before strategy must become battle.
Prahasta holds Hanuman's fire before the men who call monkeys food and asks them to remember their hunger.
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कहहिं सचिव सठ ठकुरसोहाती। नाथ न पूर आव एहि भाँती।। बारिधि नाघि एक कपि आवा। तासु चरित मन महुँ सबु गावा।। छुधा न रही तुम्हहि तब काहू। जारत नगरु कस न धरि खाहू।। सुनत नीक आगें दुख पावा। सचिवन अस मत प्रभुहि सुनावा।। जेहिं बारीस बँधायउ हेला। उतरेउ सेन समेत सुबेला।। सो भनु मनुज खाब हम भाई। बचन कहहिं सब गाल फुलाई।। तात बचन मम सुनु अति आदर। जनि मन गुनहु मोहि करि कादर।। प्रिय बानी जे सुनहिं जे कहहीं। ऐसे नर निकाय जग अहहीं।। बचन परम हित सुनत कठोरे। सुनहिं जे कहहिं ते नर प्रभु थोरे।। प्रथम बसीठ पठउ सुनु नीती। सीता देइ करहु पुनि प्रीती।।
The foolish ministers speak only to please their lord, saying that no enemy can come in this manner. One monkey crossed the ocean and came here, and everyone sang of his deeds in their hearts. Were you not hungry then? Why did you not seize and devour him while he burned the city? It sounds sweet to hear but brings suffering later: such is the counsel these ministers have given. The one who had the ocean bridged with ease has now crossed over with his entire army at dawn. 'That human lord we shall devour, O brothers!' Thus they all speak with puffed cheeks. My son, listen to my words with great respect, and do not consider me cowardly in your mind. Those who listen to and speak only pleasant words: such men exist in multitudes in this world. Words that are truly beneficial but harsh to the ear: few are the men who will listen to or speak such words. First send an envoy and listen to wise counsel. Return Sita, and then make peace.