Lakshmana Vows Not to Return Before Meghnad Falls
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 75
Doha 75ख · Movement 1 of 2
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Meghnad wakes from Jambavan's blow and burns with shame before his father. In a mountain cave he begins an impure sacrifice that will make him unconquerable if completed. Vibhishana reveals the hidden rite before its protection can close around the demon.
Rama sends Angada and the vanara champions with Lakshmana to destroy the sacrifice and slay Meghnad through strength, intelligence, and strategy. Jambavan, Sugriva, and Vibhishana remain with the main army. The Lord's concern reaches even the gods terrified by Ravana's son.
Lakshmana fastens his quiver and raises the bow with Rama's glory held in his heart. His voice sounds like a thundercloud. If I return without killing him, let me no longer be called Raghupati's servant. Even if a hundred Shankaras aid Meghnad, he says, Raghuvira's invocation will carry the vow through.
Lakshmana makes victory the measure of his name as servant and walks toward the sacrifice under Rama's glory.
Read the passage from the Manas
मेघनाद के मुरछा जागी। पितहि बिलोकि लाज अति लागी।। तुरत गयउ गिरिबर कंदरा। करौं अजय मख अस मन धरा।। इहाँ बिभीषन मंत्र बिचारा। सुनहु नाथ बल अतुल उदारा।। मेघनाद मख करइ अपावन। खल मायावी देव सतावन।। जौं प्रभु सिद्ध होइ सो पाइहि। नाथ बेगि पुनि जीति न जाइहि।। सुनि रघुपति अतिसय सुख माना। बोले अंगदादि कपि नाना।। लछिमन संग जाहु सब भाई। करहु बिधंस जग्य कर जाई।। तुम्ह लछिमन मारेहु रन ओही। देखि सभय सुर दुख अति मोही।। मारेहु तेहि बल बुद्धि उपाई। जेहिं छीजै निसिचर सुनु भाई।। जामवंत सुग्रीव बिभीषन। सेन समेत रहेहु तीनिउ जन।। जब रघुबीर दीन्हि अनुसासन। कटि निषंग कसि साजि सरासन।। प्रभु प्रताप उर धरि रनधीरा। बोले घन इव गिरा गँभीरा।। जौं तेहि आजु बधें बिनु आवौं। तौ रघुपति सेवक न कहावौं।। जौं सत संकर करहिं सहाई। तदपि हतउँ रघुबीर दोहाई।।
Meghnad awoke from his swoon. Seeing his father's grief, he burned with shame. He went at once to a great mountain cave. In his mind he resolved: 'I shall perform the invincible sacrifice.' Here Vibhishana took counsel and said, 'Hear me, O Lord of matchless and noble strength. Meghnad is performing an unholy sacrifice. That wicked sorcerer has long tormented the gods. If he completes it, O Lord, he will gain such power that he can never again be conquered.' Hearing this, Raghupati felt great resolve. He addressed Angada and the assembled monkey warriors. 'All of you brothers, go with Lakshmana. Go and lay waste to that sacrifice.' 'You, Lakshmana, must slay him on the field. The sight of the gods in terror causes Me deep sorrow.' 'Destroy him by strength, wisdom, and strategy; by this means the demon host shall be diminished. Hear Me, brother.' 'Jambavan, Sugriva, and Vibhishana: you three remain here with the main army.' When Raghuvira gave this command, Lakshmana girded his quiver at his waist and strung his bow. Holding the Lord's glory firm in his heart, that warrior brave in battle spoke with a voice deep as thunderclouds. 'If I return today without slaying him, then let me never be called Raghupati's servant.' 'Even if a hundred Shankars come to his aid, still by Raghuvira's sacred oath, I shall slay him.'