Pressed by the Vanaras, Ravana Vanishes Into Another Illusion
Lanka Kanda, Doha 100
Doha 100 · Movement 3 of 3
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Ravana looks upon the extraordinary strength of the vanaras surrounding him. The companions he regarded as animals have broken his army and reached his own body from every direction.
He pauses within the pressure and forms another plan. Direct force has failed again, so he withdraws the target their hands can touch. In a single instant the ten headed king becomes invisible.
From that absence he spreads maya across the battlefield. The disappearance is not an escape from conflict but an attempt to rule what every witness will see. Ravana replaces one visible body with a field of deception, hoping terror can accomplish what weapon, chariot, and strength could not. Yet the illusion begins as the confession of a king who has seen Rama's servants at close range and no longer trusts his own form to remain among them.
Ravana hides the body the vanaras have overpowered and tries to make their own sight fight against them.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखि महा मर्कट प्रबल रावन कीन्ह बिचार। अंतरहित होइ निमिष महुँ कृत माया बिस्तार।।100।।
Seeing the mighty monkeys so powerful, Ravana pondered deeply. Becoming invisible in an instant, he spread forth his magical illusion.