The Brothers Wrestle While Vibhishana Stands in Rama's Strength
Lanka Kanda, Chhand 19
Doha 94 · Movement 2 of 3
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Vibhishana's mace crashes into Ravana's chest with terrible force. The ten headed king falls heavily, blood streaming from all ten mouths, then gathers himself and rises again in rage.
The brothers close upon one another in wrestling combat. Weapon distance vanishes. Each mighty body strikes and grapples with the other, and the long division between Lanka's king and Lanka's exile becomes a direct struggle upon the ground.
Vibhishana does not measure his former fear against Ravana's stature. He has become bold through Raghuvira's power and counts the immense opponent before him as nothing. His courage is not presented as a hidden personal strength finally discovered. It is Rama's strength shining through the one who has taken refuge. The devotee who was shielded from the Shakti now fights within the force of the shield that stood before him.
Vibhishana meets his brother without fear because Rama's strength has entered the place where fear once ruled him.
Read the passage from the Manas
उर माझ गदा प्रहार घोर कठोर लागत महि पर् यो। दस बदन सोनित स्त्रवत पुनि संभारि धायो रिस भर् यो।। द्वौ भिरे अतिबल मल्लजुद्ध बिरुद्ध एकु एकहि हनै। रघुबीर बल दर्पित बिभीषनु घालि नहिं ता कहुँ गनै।।
The mace struck his chest with terrible, crushing force, and he fell heavily to the ground. Blood flowed from his ten mouths, but gathering himself, he charged again, filled with rage. The two mighty warriors clashed in close combat, each one striking the other with fury. Vibhishana, emboldened by Raghuvira's strength, counted his opponent as nothing at all.