Angada Turns Ravana's Accusation Back Upon Twenty Eyes and Ears
Lanka Kanda, Doha 21
Doha 21 · Movement 2 of 2
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Ravana names Angada the destroyer of his own clan for serving the prince who killed Bali. Angada accepts the words with a blade hidden inside agreement.
Yes, I destroy my lineage, and you preserve yours. The claim is so contrary to what stands before Lanka that even a blind or deaf person would refuse to speak it.
Yet Ravana possesses twenty eyes and twenty ears. He has seen Hanuman's fire, the bridge, the army, the fallen crown, and Mandodari's tears. He has heard Vibhishana, Prahasta, spies, wife, and envoy. Multiplied senses have not become sight or hearing. Angada's sarcasm exposes the ruler who has every organ for counsel and no opening through which counsel may enter.
Twenty eyes and twenty ears only enlarge the tragedy when pride keeps all of them closed.
Read the passage from the Manas
हम कुल घालक सत्य तुम्ह कुल पालक दससीस। अंधउ बधिर न अस कहहिं नयन कान तव बीस।।21।
'True, I am the destroyer of my clan, and you, O ten-faced lord, are its protector. Even the blind and deaf would not say such things, yet you have twenty eyes and twenty ears!'