Rama Draws to His Ear and Releases a Flight of Hooded Serpents
Lanka Kanda, Doha 91
Doha 91 · Movement 3 of 3
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Rama draws the bowstring all the way to his ear. The curve of Kodanda deepens until hand, string, arrow, and gaze are gathered into full readiness.
Then he releases. Terrible shafts leap from the bow and cross the battlefield in a gleaming company. Their flight is not straight and lifeless. They writhe through the air like serpents moving with hoods raised.
The Doha holds the instant between the great sound of preparation and the effects that will follow. Ravana has poured weapons into every direction, but now Rama's own arrows enter those directions as living forms of command. Their bright, sinuous motion carries the answer of the Lord whose patience has ended. The field sees neither hesitation nor waste, only a complete draw and the sudden release of power held perfectly until its appointed moment.
At Rama's full draw, still purpose becomes a sky filled with the bright movement of hooded serpents.
Read the passage from the Manas
तानेउ चाप श्रवन लगि छाँड़े बिसिख कराल। राम मारगन गन चले लहलहात जनु ब्याल।।91।।
Drawing His bow all the way to His ear, He released arrows of terrible power. Rama's shafts flew forth, writhing and gleaming like serpents with hoods raised.