Sita Invites the Moon-Bright Sword, and Mandodari Stops Ravana's Blow
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 10
Doha 10 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ravana threatens to cut off Sita's head unless she obeys at once. Sita answers with her vow. Either the beautiful dark arms of her Lord, lovely as a garland of blue lotuses and powerful as elephant trunks, will encircle her neck, or Ravana's terrible sword will. No third embrace can be accepted.
She addresses Chandrahasa, the moon-bright blade. Let its cool, keen edge remove the burning torment born from separation from Raghupati. Death beneath the sword appears lighter than another month inside the fire of absence.
Ravana rushes to strike, but Mandodari, daughter of Maya, restrains him with wise counsel. The king then calls the demonesses and commands them to terrify Sita in every way. If she has not yielded within one month, he will return, draw the sword, and kill her.
Sita would rather receive Ravana's sword than let any arms but Rama's close around her.
Read the passage from the Manas
सीता तैं मम कृत अपमाना। कटिहउँ तव सिर कठिन कृपाना।। नाहिं त सपदि मानु मम बानी। सुमुखि होति न त जीवन हानी।। स्याम सरोज दाम सम सुंदर। प्रभु भुज करि कर सम दसकंधर।। सो भुज कंठ कि तव असि घोरा। सुनु सठ अस प्रवान पन मोरा।। चंद्रहास हरु मम परितापं। रघुपति बिरह अनल संजातं।। सीतल निसित बहसि बर धारा। कह सीता हरु मम दुख भारा।। सुनत बचन पुनि मारन धावा। मयतनयाँ कहि नीति बुझावा।। कहेसि सकल निसिचरिन्ह बोलाई। सीतहि बहु बिधि त्रासहु जाई।। मास दिवस महुँ कहा न माना। तौ मैं मारबि काढ़ि कृपाना।।
Sita, you have scorned me. I shall sever your head with my cruel blade. Obey my words this instant, O fair-faced one, or else your life is forfeit. My Lord's arms are lovely as a garland of dark lotuses, powerful as elephant trunks, O Dashakandhar. Either those arms shall encircle my neck, or your terrible sword shall. Hear me well, you fool: this is my unbreakable vow. O Chandrahasa, O moon-bright blade, remove the burning anguish born of separation from Raghupati. You flow cool and keen with a noble edge, says Sita. Take away my heavy burden of sorrow. Hearing these words, Ravana rushed again to strike her, but Mandodari, Maya's daughter, intervened and counselled him with wisdom. She summoned all the demonesses and ordered them: go and frighten Sita in every way you can. If within one month she does not yield, then I shall draw my sword and slay her.