Mandodari Bows to the Flawless Brahman Who Gives Ravana His Own Abode
Lanka Kanda, Chhand 29
Doha 104 · Movement 2 of 3
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Mandodari continues through grief into recognition. Ravana took Hari himself to be a man, though Rama is the fire that burns the whole forest of demons and the one before whom Shiva, Brahma, and the gods bow.
Why, beloved, did you not worship that compassionate Lord? From birth your life was devoted to harming others, and the body before her is described as a gathering of sin. Nothing in the account is softened to make the gift appear deserved.
Yet Rama gives Ravana his own abode. Mandodari beholds a grace larger than the enmity it has ended and bows to Rama as flawless Brahman. The lament becomes praise because the fate of the fallen king reveals the nature of his victor. The Lord whom Ravana refused does not become small enough to imitate refusal. He grants the destination even great seekers struggle to reach.
Before Ravana's body, Mandodari discovers that Rama's grace is greater than the lifetime spent opposing it.
Read the passage from the Manas
जान्यो मनुज करि दनुज कानन दहन पावक हरि स्वयं। जेहि नमत सिव ब्रह्मादि सुर पिय भजेहु नहिं करुनामयं।। आजन्म ते परद्रोह रत पापौघमय तव तनु अयं। तुम्हहू दियो निज धाम राम नमामि ब्रह्म निरामयं।।
Knowing You as human, the demon forest was burned by the fire that is Hari Himself. To Him before whom Shiva, Brahma and gods bow, why did you not lovingly worship the compassionate One? From birth devoted to harming others, your body was a mass of sins. Yet even to you Rama gave His own abode; I bow to that flawless Brahman, Rama.