Angada Asks Ravana to Carry Sita Before Him and Come Without Fear
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 20
Doha 20 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ravana demands to know what kind of monkey has entered his court. I am Raghuvira's messenger, Angada answers. Friendship once joined my father Bali with you, and I have come, brother, for your welfare.
He honors what Ravana once was: grandson of Pulastya, worshiper of Shiva and Brahma, receiver of boons, accomplisher of great works, conqueror of kings and guardians of the worlds. Then he names the turn by which royal pride and delusion led Ravana to carry away Sita, Mother of the universe.
Hear the auspicious counsel still available. Rama will forgive every offense. Put grass between your teeth and an axe at your throat as signs of surrender. Come with family and queen, respectfully placing Janaka's daughter before you. Walk toward Rama in this way, and every fear will fall away.
Angada gives Ravana a road from the height of conquest to the fearless ground of surrender.
Read the passage from the Manas
कह दसकंठ कवन तैं बंदर। मैं रघुबीर दूत दसकंधर।। मम जनकहि तोहि रही मिताई। तव हित कारन आयउँ भाई।। उत्तम कुल पुलस्ति कर नाती। सिव बिरंचि पूजेहु बहु भाँती।। बर पायहु कीन्हेहु सब काजा। जीतेहु लोकपाल सब राजा।। नृप अभिमान मोह बस किंबा। हरि आनिहु सीता जगदंबा।। अब सुभ कहा सुनहु तुम्ह मोरा। सब अपराध छमिहि प्रभु तोरा।। दसन गहहु तृन कंठ कुठारी। परिजन सहित संग निज नारी।। सादर जनकसुता करि आगें। एहि बिधि चलहु सकल भय त्यागें।।
Ravana, the ten-headed, asked, 'What manner of monkey are you?' Hanuman replied, 'I am the messenger of Raghuvira, O Daskandhara.' Between my master and your father there was friendship. For your welfare I have come, O brother. You are of noble lineage, grandson of Pulastya. You worshipped Shiva and Brahma in many ways. You obtained boons and accomplished all your tasks. You conquered all the Lokapalas and all the kings. Whether through kingly pride or under the spell of delusion, you carried away Sita, the Mother of the universe. Now hear my auspicious counsel. The Lord will forgive all your offenses. Place grass between your teeth, an axe upon your throat, and come with your kinsmen and your wife. Respectfully place Janaka's daughter before you and go forth in this manner, casting away all fear.