Kumbhakarna Sends Vibhishana Away Before Time Erases Friend and Foe
Lanka Kanda, Doha 64
Doha 64 · Movement 2 of 2
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Kumbhakarna gives his younger brother a final instruction. Abandon deceit in speech, action, and mind. Worship Rama, the steadfast warrior, with the whole being made simple before him.
Then he asks Vibhishana to leave. The giant knows what battle fury and approaching death are already doing within him. Soon he will no longer distinguish his own from another, friend from enemy, or brother from the bodies gathering before him.
Time has taken me, brave one. The confession contains no request for rescue and no illusion of returning home. Kumbhakarna cannot choose the path Vibhishana chose, yet he protects that path by sending him beyond reach. His last clear act toward his brother is to direct him to Rama before the blindness of doom swallows recognition.
Kumbhakarna releases Vibhishana while he can still see a brother, then walks toward the hour when Time will leave him only battle.
Read the passage from the Manas
बचन कर्म मन कपट तजि भजेहु राम रनधीर। जाहु न निज पर सूझ मोहि भयउँ कालबस बीर। 64।।
Abandon all deceit of word, deed, and mind, and worship Rama, the steadfast in battle. Go now. I can no longer tell friend from foe, for I have fallen under the sway of Time, O brave one.