The Final Arrows Empty Ravana's Navel and Return to Rama's Quiver
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 102
Doha 103 · Movement 1 of 3
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One arrow enters Ravana's navel and dries the nectar there. The others cut arms and heads and carry the severed forms away. Headless and armless, the torso continues to dance and charge so violently that the earth sinks beneath it. Rama's arrow cleaves it into two.
Ravana dies roaring for Rama and still declaring that he will kill him in battle. The falling body shakes earth, oceans, rivers, mountains, and the elephants of the directions, crushing bears and vanaras beneath its vast halves. The arrows bear the arms and heads before Mandodari, then travel to the Lord of the universe and enter his quiver.
Ravana's radiance merges into Rama's face. Shiva and Brahma rejoice, celestial drums sound, and victory fills the universe. Gods and sages rain flowers upon mighty armed Raghuvira, crying praise to the compassionate Mukunda. The battle ends not with Ravana's power vanishing into nothing, but with its brilliance returning to the source it opposed.
The arrows return to Rama's quiver, and the radiance of the fallen king returns to Rama's face.
Read the passage from the Manas
सायक एक नाभि सर सोषा। अपर लगे भुज सिर करि रोषा।। लै सिर बाहु चले नाराचा। सिर भुज हीन रुंड महि नाचा।। धरनि धसइ धर धाव प्रचंडा। तब सर हति प्रभु कृत दुइ खंडा।। गर्जेउ मरत घोर रव भारी। कहाँ रामु रन हतौं पचारी।। डोली भूमि गिरत दसकंधर। छुभित सिंधु सरि दिग्गज भूधर।। धरनि परेउ द्वौ खंड बढ़ाई। चापि भालु मर्कट समुदाई।। मंदोदरि आगें भुज सीसा। धरि सर चले जहाँ जगदीसा।। प्रबिसे सब निषंग महु जाई। देखि सुरन्ह दुंदुभीं बजाई।। तासु तेज समान प्रभु आनन। हरषे देखि संभु चतुरानन।। जय जय धुनि पूरी ब्रह्मंडा। जय रघुबीर प्रबल भुजदंडा।। बरषहि सुमन देव मुनि बृंदा। जय कृपाल जय जयति मुकुंदा।।
One arrow dried up his navel, while others struck his arms and heads in fury. Taking the severed heads and arms, the arrows departed, leaving the headless and armless torso dancing on the earth. The earth shook as the mighty demon rushed forward, then the Lord's arrow cut him into two pieces. Dying, he roared with a terrible sound, calling out 'Where is Rama? I shall slay him in battle!' The earth trembled as the ten-headed one fell, and the ocean, rivers, elephants of directions and mountains were shaken. The earth split into two parts as he fell, crushing the army of bears and monkeys beneath. Mandodari came forward carrying his arms and heads, and they all went to where the Lord of the universe was. All the arrows entered back into the Lord's quiver, seeing which the gods beat their drums. The Lord's face shone with radiance equal to Ravana's power, seeing which Shiva and Brahma rejoiced. Cries of victory filled the entire universe - 'Victory to Raghuvira of mighty arms!' Gods and sages showered flowers, chanting 'Victory to the compassionate one, victory to Mukunda!'