Night Returns the Four Armies to Rama and Ravana to His Failing Council
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 48
Doha 49क · Movement 1 of 2
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Night gathers over Lanka, and all four vanara divisions return to the camp of the Lord of Kosala. Rama looks upon them with grace. At once the weight of the day's battle leaves every warrior, as though his glance were a cool wind passing through the exhausted host.
Inside the city, Ravana summons his ministers and names the champions who have fallen. Half the army has been destroyed by monkeys. What should be done now? The question that pride refused before the siege is forced from him by the emptiness growing in his ranks.
Malyavant rises, ancient among the demons, Ravana's maternal grandfather and a minister of rare wisdom. Since Sita was brought here, he says, ill omens beyond counting have not ceased. The Vedas and Puranas sing Rama's glory, and no one who turns against him finds peace. Beneath the same night, Rama restores his servants while opposition to him drains Lanka.
One gracious glance renews Rama's army while one honest voice tells Ravana why his own strength is disappearing.
Read the passage from the Manas
निसा जानि कपि चारिउ अनी। आए जहाँ कोसला धनी।। राम कृपा करि चितवा सबही। भए बिगतश्रम बानर तबही।। उहाँ दसानन सचिव हँकारे। सब सन कहेसि सुभट जे मारे।। आधा कटकु कपिन्ह संघारा। कहहु बेगि का करिअ बिचारा।। माल्यवंत अति जरठ निसाचर। रावन मातु पिता मंत्री बर।। बोला बचन नीति अति पावन। सुनहु तात कछु मोर सिखावन।। जब ते तुम्ह सीता हरि आनी। असगुन होहिं न जाहिं बखानी।। बेद पुरान जासु जसु गायो। राम बिमुख काहुँ न सुख पायो।।
Knowing it was night, all four monkey divisions came to where the Lord of Kosala was encamped. Rama cast His gracious glance upon them all; at once every monkey was freed from fatigue. Meanwhile, the ten-headed Ravana summoned his ministers and told them which warriors had been slain. 'The monkeys have destroyed half our army. Speak quickly: what course of action should we consider?' Malyavant, a very aged demon and an excellent minister (Ravana's maternal grandfather), spoke. His words were steeped in the purest wisdom: 'Listen, dear child, to this teaching of mine. Ever since you abducted Sita and brought her here, ill omens beyond description have not ceased. He whose glory the Vedas and Puranas sing: no one who has opposed Rama has ever found peace.'