Rama Bows Before the Duel While Ravana Recites His Pride
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 90
Doha 90 · Movement 1 of 3
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Raghunatha drives the chariot forward and first bows his head at the lotus feet of the brahmin. Reverence opens the final duel. Across the field, anger fills Ravana. He charges with roars and threats, calling Rama an ascetic and declaring that no earlier opponent was equal to him.
He names his own fame and the guardians of the worlds held in his prison. He lists Khara, Dushana, Viradha, Vali, Kumbhakarna, Meghnad, and the demon hosts already slain. Today, he says, every enmity will be settled if the little king does not flee. Rama has fallen into his grasp and will be delivered to Time.
The ocean of compassion hears the harsh speech, recognizes a being already under Time's dominion, and smiles. Rama does not quarrel with the catalogue. True, true, he says, all your greatness is real. Now stop speaking and reveal your manliness in action. Ravana fills the air with his past, while Rama gently returns him to the single present moment of the bow.
Ravana arrives carrying the weight of every boast, and Rama meets him with a bow, a smile, and the invitation to act.
Read the passage from the Manas
अस कहि रथ रघुनाथ चलावा। बिप्र चरन पंकज सिरु नावा।। तब लंकेस क्रोध उर छावा। गर्जत तर्जत सन्मुख धावा।। जीतेहु जे भट संजुग माहीं। सुनु तापस मैं तिन्ह सम नाहीं।। रावन नाम जगत जस जाना। लोकप जाकें बंदीखाना।। खर दूषन बिराध तुम्ह मारा। बधेहु ब्याध इव बालि बिचारा।। निसिचर निकर सुभट संघारेहु। कुंभकरन घननादहि मारेहु।। आजु बयरु सबु लेउँ निबाही। जौं रन भूप भाजि नहिं जाहीं।। आजु करउँ खलु काल हवाले। परेहु कठिन रावन के पाले।। सुनि दुर्बचन कालबस जाना। बिहँसि बचन कह कृपानिधाना।। सत्य सत्य सब तव प्रभुताई। जल्पसि जनि देखाउ मनुसाई।।
Saying this, Raghunath drove his chariot forward and bowed his head at the lotus feet of the Brahmin. Then wrath filled the heart of Lanka's lord. Roaring and threatening, he charged forward to meet Him. 'Listen, ascetic: those warriors you defeated in battle were nothing like me. My name is Ravana, famed throughout the world. The guardians of the cosmic realms languish in my dungeon. You killed Khara, Dushana, and Viradha. You slew poor Vali like a hunter from hiding. You destroyed hordes of demons and mighty warriors. You killed Kumbhakarna and Meghanada. Today I shall settle all enmity, if this little king does not flee from the field. Today I shall deliver you into the hands of Kala. You have fallen into Ravana's terrible grip.' Hearing these evil words, the ocean of compassion knew the demon was under Death's power and smiled as He spoke: 'True, true is all your might and grandeur. Cease your boasting now and show your valor.'