Ravana Calls the Fallen Crown Auspicious While Mandodari Sees the Omen
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 14
Doha 14ख · Movement 1 of 2
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No earth tremor shook the palace. No unusual wind passed through it, and no eye saw missile or weapon. The court searches inwardly for an explanation and finds only the weight of a terrible omen.
Ravana sees fear spreading and constructs a laugh. Heads fall continually for one to whom auspiciousness belongs, he says, so how can the falling of a crown be inauspicious for me? He orders everyone home to sleep, and the assembly departs with bowed heads.
Mandodari cannot dismiss what happened. Anxiety has lived in her heart since the earrings struck the ground. With tears in her eyes and hands joined, she approaches the lord of her life again. Abandon opposition to Rama, she begs. Do not let stubbornness grow from the belief that he is merely human.
Ravana turns the fallen crown into a joke, but Mandodari hears the arrow inside its silence.
Read the passage from the Manas
कंप न भूमि न मरुत बिसेषा। अस्त्र सस्त्र कछु नयन न देखा।। सोचहिं सब निज हृदय मझारी। असगुन भयउ भयंकर भारी।। दसमुख देखि सभा भय पाई। बिहसि बचन कह जुगुति बनाई।। सिरउ गिरे संतत सुभ जाही। मुकुट परे कस असगुन ताही।। सयन करहु निज निज गृह जाई। गवने भवन सकल सिर नाई।। मंदोदरी सोच उर बसेऊ। जब ते श्रवनपूर महि खसेऊ।। सजल नयन कह जुग कर जोरी। सुनहु प्रानपति बिनती मोरी।। कंत राम बिरोध परिहरहू। जानि मनुज जनि हठ मन धरहू।।
There was no earthquake, no unusual wind. No weapon or missile was visible to any eye. All pondered anxiously within their hearts: a terrible and fearsome ill omen had occurred. Seeing the assembly gripped with fear, Ravana laughed and spoke with cunning: 'Heads always fall for one to whom auspiciousness belongs. How can falling crowns be an ill omen for me?' 'Go now, return to your homes and sleep.' All departed, bowing their heads. But worry had settled in Mandodari's heart ever since those ornaments had fallen to the earth. With tearful eyes and folded hands, she said: 'Listen to my humble plea, O lord of my life.' 'Beloved, abandon your enmity with Shri Rama. Knowing him to be a mere man, do not let stubbornness rule your heart.'