Rama Places Vibhishana Behind Him and Receives the Shakti
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 94
Doha 94 · Movement 1 of 3
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Rama sees the terrible Shakti approaching and remembers his vow: to destroy the suffering of those who take refuge in him. He immediately places Vibhishana behind his own body and stands before the weapon. It strikes the Lord, and a brief swoon enters his deliberate play while the gods become distraught.
Vibhishana sees the fatigue Rama has accepted for him. Anger rises, and he takes his mace toward Ravana. He names his brother's hostility toward gods, humans, sages, and nagas, and recalls the heads Ravana reverently offered to Shiva, receiving millions in return for each.
That boon preserved Ravana until now, Vibhishana says, but Time dances upon his head today. How can one turn from Rama and still desire prosperity? The mace lands in the center of Ravana's chest. Behind the blow stands the sight Vibhishana has just received: the Lord of the worlds stepping in front of death because a surrendered soul stood in its path.
Rama's vow becomes a body between Vibhishana and the weapon, and refuge becomes something the battlefield can see.
Read the passage from the Manas
आवत देखि सक्ति अति घोरा। प्रनतारति भंजन पन मोरा।। तुरत बिभीषन पाछें मेला। सन्मुख राम सहेउ सोइ सेला।। लागि सक्ति मुरुछा कछु भई। प्रभु कृत खेल सुरन्ह बिकलई।। देखि बिभीषन प्रभु श्रम पायो। गहि कर गदा क्रुद्ध होइ धायो।। रे कुभाग्य सठ मंद कुबुद्धे। तैं सुर नर मुनि नाग बिरुद्धे।। सादर सिव कहुँ सीस चढ़ाए। एक एक के कोटिन्ह पाए।। तेहि कारन खल अब लगि बाँच्यो। अब तव कालु सीस पर नाच्यो।। राम बिमुख सठ चहसि संपदा। अस कहि हनेसि माझ उर गदा।।
Seeing the terrible weapon approach, Rama recalled His vow: 'To destroy the sorrows of those who take refuge in Me is My solemn promise.' At once He placed Vibhishana behind Him and faced that missile directly. When the weapon struck, a brief spell of unconsciousness came upon the Lord; the gods grew anxious at this divine play. Seeing that the Lord had borne this fatigue, Vibhishana grasped his mace and charged forward in anger. 'O wretched one, foolish and evil-minded! You have set yourself against gods, men, sages, and nagas alike. You reverently offered your heads to Shiva and received millions in return for each one. For that reason alone, O villain, you have survived until now. But today Death dances upon your head. O fool who turns from Rama yet craves prosperity!' Saying this, he struck the mace into the center of Ravana's chest.