Vibhishana Reveals the Nectar Hidden in Ravana's Navel
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 101
Doha 102ख · Movement 1 of 3
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Ravana's heads grow with every cut, like greed increasing after every gain. The enemy will not die, and the visible labor of battle lengthens until Rama turns his gaze toward Vibhishana.
Shiva tells Uma that the Lord at whose wish Death itself ends a life is testing the love of his servant. Vibhishana understands the unspoken question. He addresses the omniscient Lord, protector of the surrendered and giver of joy to gods and sages, and reveals that nectar rests within Ravana's navel lotus.
Ravana lives through that hidden reservoir. Rama hears, rejoices, and takes a terrible arrow in hand. Omens erupt. Donkeys, jackals, and dogs howl, birds cry for the world's distress, comets appear, all directions burn, and the sun darkens without an eclipse. Mandodari's heart trembles while tears flow from the eyes of statues. The concealed source has been named, and creation begins to grieve before the arrow moves.
When the servant reveals the hidden nectar, even stone images begin to weep before Rama reaches for the final arrow.
Read the passage from the Manas
काटत बढ़हिं सीस समुदाई। जिमि प्रति लाभ लोभ अधिकाई।। मरइ न रिपु श्रम भयउ बिसेषा। राम बिभीषन तन तब देखा।। उमा काल मर जाकीं ईछा। सो प्रभु जन कर प्रीति परीछा।। सुनु सरबग्य चराचर नायक। प्रनतपाल सुर मुनि सुखदायक।। नाभिकुंड पियूष बस याकें। नाथ जिअत रावनु बल ताकें।। सुनत बिभीषन बचन कृपाला। हरषि गहे कर बान कराला।। असुभ होन लागे तब नाना। रोवहिं खर सृकाल बहु स्वाना।। बोलहि खग जग आरति हेतू। प्रगट भए नभ जहँ तहँ केतू।। दस दिसि दाह होन अति लागा। भयउ परब बिनु रबि उपरागा।। मंदोदरि उर कंपति भारी। प्रतिमा स्त्रवहिं नयन मग बारी।।
The heads multiply as they are cut off, just as greed increases with each gain. The enemy does not die and Rama's effort becomes excessive. Then Rama looked at Vibhishana. O Uma, when Death desires someone's end, the Lord tests His devotee's love. Listen, O omniscient Lord of all creation, protector of the devoted, giver of joy to gods and sages. There is nectar in his navel-lotus; O Lord, Ravana lives by the strength of that. Hearing Vibhishana's words, the compassionate Lord joyfully took up His terrible arrow. Then various inauspicious omens began to occur. Donkeys, jackals and many dogs began to howl. Birds cried out for the world's distress. Banners appeared here and there in the sky. Intense burning began in all ten directions. Without eclipse, the sun became obscured. Mandodari's heart trembled greatly. Water flowed from the eyes of statues.