Kalanemi Chooses Death From Rama's Messenger Over Death From Ravana
Lanka Kanda, Doha 56
Doha 56 · Movement 2 of 2
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Ravana hears the counsel and erupts in anger. The mission offered to Kalanemi now carries two deaths: one at the king's hand for refusing, and another upon the road if Hanuman recognizes the trap.
Within himself the demon considers the choice. Better to die by the hand of Rama's messenger than beneath the fury of this wicked ruler, a burden steeped in impurity. Even fear begins to distinguish the direction of grace.
Kalanemi does not become a saint in the moment, nor does he refuse the deceit. Yet he knows that contact with Rama's servant is a different ending from destruction within Ravana's sin. The doha catches a dark mind turning by one degree toward the Lord, not enough to escape its action, but enough to prefer the death through which remembrance may enter.
Between two deaths, Kalanemi recognizes that the hand of Rama's servant opens where Ravana's anger only closes.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनि दसकंठ रिसान अति तेहिं मन कीन्ह बिचार। राम दूत कर मरौं बरु यह खल रत मल भार।।56।।
First He bowed at the feet of Sage Vasishtha. Then He met with Bharata and all the nobles. The entire city and countryside rejoiced.