Mandodari Trembles as the Elephants of the Directions Brace the Earth
Lanka Kanda, Chhand 16
Doha 91 · Movement 2 of 3
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Raghupati grows wrathful in the duel, and the arrows strain with fierce purpose upon his bow. Kodanda sounds with a terrible resonance that passes through the demon host like a wind of fear.
Far inside Lanka, Mandodari's heart trembles. The vibration reaches beyond palace and field. The cosmic tortoise shakes, the earth and mountains quiver, and the elephants of the directions trumpet while gripping the ground with their tusks as though creation itself must brace against the sound.
The gods look upon the wonder and laugh in delight. What terrifies the army of cruelty brings joy to those who have waited for its end. One bowstring joins the trembling heart of a queen, the supports beneath the world, the mountains above it, and the celestial witnesses in the sky. Rama's wrath has become a sound recognized in every realm.
Kodanda speaks once, and palace, mountain, earth, and heaven each reveal what Rama's wrath means to them.
Read the passage from the Manas
भए क्रुद्ध जुद्ध बिरुद्ध रघुपति त्रोन सायक कसमसे। कोदंड धुनि अति चंड सुनि मनुजाद सब मारुत ग्रसे।। मँदोदरी उर कंप कंपति कमठ भू भूधर त्रसे। चिक्करहिं दिग्गज दसन गहि महि देखि कौतुक सुर हँसे।।
The Lord of Raghus grew wrathful in battle; His arrows quivered with fierce intent upon the bowstring. Hearing the thunderous twang of His mighty Kodanda bow, all the rakshasas were seized by a wind of terror. Mandodari's heart trembled with fear. The cosmic turtle shook; the earth and mountains quaked. The guardian elephants of the quarters trumpeted, grasping the earth with their tusks. The gods, beholding this wondrous spectacle, laughed with delight.