Jewels Rain From Pushpaka and the Vanaras Turn Treasure Into Play
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 113
Doha 118 · Movement 1 of 2
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Vibhishana grasps the feet of the abode of compassion, and bears and vanaras rejoice around him. Then the king returns to his palace, fills Pushpaka with jewels, garments, and ornaments, and brings the aerial chariot before Rama.
The ocean of mercy smiles and asks Vibhishana to rise into the sky and shower the wealth upon the companions. Cloth, gems, and ornaments begin to rain over the army that crossed the sea with no possessions beyond forest strength and Rama's name.
Each takes whatever delights the heart. The vanaras place jewels in their mouths and toss them at one another's faces, turning Lanka's concentrated wealth into laughter. Rama watches with Sita and Lakshmana and laughs. The Lord's playful compassion does not require the servants to become solemn before treasure. Their innocence empties gold of intimidation and makes the spoils of an empire into toys beneath the joy of being together.
Under Rama's laughter, the treasury of Lanka falls from heaven and becomes a game in the hands of vanaras.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनत बिभीषन बचन राम के। हरषि गहे पद कृपाधाम के।। बानर भालु सकल हरषाने। गहि प्रभु पद गुन बिमल बखाने।। बहुरि बिभीषन भवन सिधायो। मनि गन बसन बिमान भरायो।। लै पुष्पक प्रभु आगें राखा। हँसि करि कृपासिंधु तब भाषा।। चढ़ि बिमान सुनु सखा बिभीषन। गगन जाइ बरषहु पट भूषन।। नभ पर जाइ बिभीषन तबही। बरषि दिए मनि अंबर सबही।। जोइ जोइ मन भावइ सोइ लेहीं। मनि मुख मेलि डारि कपि देहीं।। हँसे रामु श्री अनुज समेता। परम कौतुकी कृपा निकेता।।
Hearing Rama's words, Vibhishana was filled with joy and grasped the feet of the compassionate Lord. All the monkeys and bears rejoiced and grasped the Lord's feet, singing His pure virtues. Then Vibhishana went to his palace and filled an aerial chariot with jewels, garments and ornaments. He brought the Pushpaka chariot and placed it before the Lord, then the ocean of mercy smiled and spoke. The Lord said: 'Listen friend Vibhishana, mount the chariot and go to the sky to shower clothes and ornaments.' Vibhishana immediately went up to the sky and showered down all the jewels and garments. Whatever pleased each one's heart they took, while the monkeys threw the jewels at each other's faces in play. Rama laughed along with Lakshmi and His younger brother, the supremely playful abode of grace.