Angada Praises Ravana's Righteousness Until Every Crime Stands Exposed
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 22
Doha 23 · Movement 1 of 2
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Shiva, Brahma, gods, and sages desire service at Rama's feet. By becoming the messenger of such a Lord, Angada says, his lineage has been blessed, though Ravana's understanding remains unmoved.
Ravana rolls his eyes and boasts that he endures the monkey's harsh words because he knows dharma. Angada takes that claim and begins to praise it. The world has heard of Ravana's righteousness in stealing another's wife and seen his noble protection of an envoy within Lanka.
He recalls the sister who returned without nose and ears, and congratulates Ravana for the forgiveness by which he did nothing. Your righteousness is famous everywhere, Angada says. How fortunate I am to receive its darshan. Every compliment removes another covering until theft, failed protection, and self-serving restraint stand naked before the court.
Angada speaks the word righteousness like a lamp held against every stain Ravana calls virtue.
Read the passage from the Manas
सिव बिरंचि सुर मुनि समुदाई। चाहत जासु चरन सेवकाई।। तासु दूत होइ हम कुल बोरा। अइसिहुँ मति उर बिहर न तोरा।। सुनि कठोर बानी कपि केरी। कहत दसानन नयन तरेरी।। खल तव कठिन बचन सब सहऊँ। नीति धर्म मैं जानत अहऊँ।। कह कपि धर्मसीलता तोरी। हमहुँ सुनी कृत पर त्रिय चोरी।। देखी नयन दूत रखवारी। बूड़ि न मरहु धर्म ब्रतधारी।। कान नाक बिनु भगिनि निहारी। छमा कीन्हि तुम्ह धर्म बिचारी।। धर्मसीलता तव जग जागी। पावा दरसु हमहुँ बड़भागी।।
Shiva, Brahma, all the gods and assemblies of sages desire the privilege of serving at His feet. Being the messenger of such a Lord, we have blessed our clan. Even so, your mind does not waver. Hearing the monkey's harsh words, the ten-faced one spoke, rolling his eyes in anger. 'O wretch, I endure all your cutting words. I know the ways of righteousness and dharma well.' The monkey replied: 'We too have heard of your righteousness, how you stole another man's wife.' 'With your own eyes you saw how the messenger was guarded. Do not drown and die, O upholder of sacred vows!' 'Seeing your sister with her ears and nose cut off, you showed forgiveness, thinking of dharma.' 'Your righteousness has become famous throughout the world. We too are most fortunate to have your darshana.'