Ravana Calls Rama Abandoned and Afraid While His Own Doom Draws Near
Lanka Kanda, Doha 32
Doha 32 · Movement 2 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Ravana turns the truth of Rama's exile into mockery. Knowing him without virtue or honor, his father sent him to the forest, the king declares. He carries the sorrow of banishment and the grief of separation from his wife.
Day and night, Ravana boasts, this forsaken prince lives in fear of me. The words hang beneath the crowns of the ruler whose city has already burned, whose brother has crossed to Rama, and whose shore now faces the army that bridged the sea.
Many mortals like the one in whose strength you trust are eaten by my demons, he tells Angada. Abandon your stubborn confidence. Ravana speaks as though he were awakening the envoy from delusion, yet every sentence turns the scene into deeper irony. The king names Rama powerless while Rama's mercy waits outside Lanka and Rama's consequence advances toward the throne.
Ravana declares that Rama fears him, and the nearing dawn of battle makes the darkness of that boast complete.
Read the passage from the Manas
अगुन अमान जानि तेहि दीन्ह पिता बनबास। सो दुख अरु जुबती बिरह पुनि निसि दिन मम त्रास।।31(क)।। जिन्ह के बल कर गर्ब तोहि अइसे मनुज अनेक। खाहीं निसाचर दिवस निसि मूढ़ समुझु तजि टेक।।31(ख)।।
Knowing Him to be without virtue and honor, His father sent Him into exile. He carries the sorrow of that banishment and the grief of losing His wife, and day and night He lives in dread of me. (31a) Those on whose strength you pride yourself: many such mortals are devoured by my demons night and day. Understand this, O fool, and abandon your stubbornness. (31b)