Vibhishana Receives the Teaching Hidden Inside His Fear
Lanka Kanda, Doha 81क
Doha 81क · Movement 2 of 2
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Rama completes the teaching. The enemy to be conquered is not merely the armored king before them but the vast, nearly unconquerable enemy of samsara. Only the warrior established in this firm inward chariot can prevail over that power.
Joy breaks through Vibhishana's fear. He grasps Rama's lotus feet and understands the tenderness within the answer. His anxious question about an earthly chariot has become the pretext through which Rama gives him the map of liberation. He thanks the Lord, the treasury of grace and happiness, for teaching him beneath the appearance of battlefield counsel.
Across the field, instruction returns to action. Ravana stands with his side, while Angada and Hanuman lead the companions of Rama. Demons, bears, and vanaras fight while invoking their respective lords. Vibhishana has just learned that the deepest war is against samsara, and now the outer war resumes beneath the names that disclose each army's chosen refuge.
A devotee brings Rama one fear and discovers that grace has hidden a whole path to freedom inside it.
Read the passage from the Manas
महा अजय संसार रिपु जीति सकइ सो बीर। जाकें अस रथ होइ दृढ़ सुनहु सखा मतिधीर।।80(क)।। सुनि प्रभु बचन बिभीषन हरषि गहे पद कंज। एहि मिस मोहि उपदेसेहु राम कृपा सुख पुंज।।80(ख)।। उत पचार दसकंधर इत अंगद हनुमान। लरत निसाचर भालु कपि करि निज निज प्रभु आन।।80(ग)।।
That hero who can conquer the great, unconquerable enemy of the world must possess such a firm chariot. Listen, O wise friend. Hearing the Lord's words, Vibhishana joyfully grasped His lotus feet, saying: 'Under this pretext You have blessed me with Your teaching, O Rama, You who are the very embodiment of kripa and bliss.' There Dashanana fought with his forces; here Angada and Hanuman. Demons, bears and monkeys clashed, each invoking the name of their lord.