Lakshmana Sends Ravana Back to Lanka and Bows His Victory to Rama
Lanka Kanda, Chhand 9
Doha 84 · Movement 2 of 3
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Lakshmana returns to the duel with urgent force. Again he breaks Ravana's chariot, kills the driver, and leaves the ten headed king reeling amid the wreckage of the vehicle meant to display his power.
A hundred arrows pierce Ravana's heart, and he falls upon the ground in deeper distress. Another charioteer is placed at the reins, gathers the wounded king onto a chariot, and drives him swiftly away from the battlefield toward Lanka.
The radiant prowess of Rama's brother fills the field after the retreat. Yet Lakshmana does not stand inside victory as its owner. He comes again to the feet of the Lord and bows. The motion completes what began before the duel. He entered combat after bending to Rama, and he returns after triumph to the same refuge, placing both the first arrow and the final glory at the feet from which his strength arose.
Lakshmana's victory shines most brightly when its whole radiance bends again before Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
आतुर बहोरि बिभंजि स्यंदन सूत हति ब्याकुल कियो। गिर् यो धरनि दसकंधर बिकलतर बान सत बेध्यो हियो।। सारथी दूसर घालि रथ तेहि तुरत लंका लै गयो। रघुबीर बंधु प्रताप पुंज बहोरि प्रभु चरनन्हि नयो।।
Eager once more, Lakshmana shattered the chariot, slew the driver and left Ravana in utter distress. Dashandhara fell to earth, more helpless still, as a hundred arrows pierced his heart. Another charioteer was quickly placed upon a new chariot and swiftly bore the wounded demon back to Lanka. By the radiant pratapa of Raghuvira's brother, victory shone forth, and he bowed again at the Lord's feet.