Rama's Word Raises Lakshmana and Sends the Shakti Back to the Sky
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 84
Doha 84 · Movement 1 of 3
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Hanuman drops to one knee beneath Ravana's fist but does not fall. He steadies himself, rises in anger, and answers with a single blow. Ravana crashes like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt. When consciousness returns, even he praises the vanara's immense strength.
Hanuman reproaches his own prowess because the enemy of the gods still lives. Then he lifts Lakshmana and carries him to Rama, leaving Ravana astonished at the effortless service of the one who has done what the king's immeasurable force could not do.
Rama speaks to his brother: remember in your heart who you are, the devourer of Death and protector of the gods. Hearing the Lord, Lakshmana sits up. The dreadful Shakti rises away into the sky, its hold ended, and the compassionate warrior seizes bow and arrows once more. He hastens back toward Ravana, restored by the word in which his own deepest nature is recognized.
The weapon leaves for the sky when Rama's word calls Lakshmana back into the strength no weapon can define.
Read the passage from the Manas
जानु टेकि कपि भूमि न गिरा। उठा सँभारि बहुत रिस भरा।। मुठिका एक ताहि कपि मारा। परेउ सैल जनु बज्र प्रहारा।। मुरुछा गै बहोरि सो जागा। कपि बल बिपुल सराहन लागा।। धिग धिग मम पौरुष धिग मोही। जौं तैं जिअत रहेसि सुरद्रोही।। अस कहि लछिमन कहुँ कपि ल्यायो। देखि दसानन बिसमय पायो।। कह रघुबीर समुझु जियँ भ्राता। तुम्ह कृतांत भच्छक सुर त्राता।। सुनत बचन उठि बैठ कृपाला। गई गगन सो सकति कराला।। पुनि कोदंड बान गहि धाए। रिपु सन्मुख अति आतुर आए।।
The monkey dropped to one knee but did not fall. He rose up, steadied himself, and blazed with anger. With a single punch, the great monkey struck Ravana. The demon crashed like a mountain hit by a thunderbolt. After losing consciousness, Ravana awoke and began to marvel at the monkey's immense strength. 'Shame, shame upon my valour! Shame upon me!' cried Hanuman. 'That you, enemy of the gods, should still draw breath!' Saying this, the monkey carried Ravana to Lakshmana. Seeing this, Dashanana was filled with astonishment. Shri Raghuvira said, 'Know this in your heart, dear brother. You are the devourer of Kala himself, the protector of the gods.' Hearing these words, the compassionate one sat up. That dreadful Shakti departed, rising into the sky. Then, seizing his bow and arrows, Lakshmana rushed forth, eagerly advancing to face the enemy.