Vibhishana Saves the Messenger from Death, and Ravana Chooses Mutilation
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 24
Doha 24 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Hanuman's deeply beneficial counsel is steeped in devotion, discernment, detachment, and wise policy. Ravana laughs at the monkey who has become a learned teacher. Death is near the prisoner, he says, yet the lowly creature presumes to instruct Lanka's king.
Hanuman answers that the reverse is true and Ravana's deluded mind is now plain. Fury erupts. The king orders the fool killed, and the demons rush forward. At that instant Vibhishana enters with his ministers, bows, and pleads that killing an envoy violates right conduct.
Give some other punishment. The court agrees that the counsel is sound. Ravana laughs again and changes the sentence. Mutilate the monkey's limbs and send him away. The hidden devotee of Rama has preserved the messenger's life through dharma, even while the throne searches for another cruelty.
Vibhishana bows before his brother's rage, and the law protecting a messenger stays the killing blow.
Read the passage from the Manas
जदपि कहि कपि अति हित बानी। भगति बिबेक बिरति नय सानी।। बोला बिहसि महा अभिमानी। मिला हमहि कपि गुर बड़ ग्यानी।। मृत्यु निकट आई खल तोही। लागेसि अधम सिखावन मोही।। उलटा होइहि कह हनुमाना। मतिभ्रम तोर प्रगट मैं जाना।। सुनि कपि बचन बहुत खिसिआना। बेगि न हरहुँ मूढ़ कर प्राना।। सुनत निसाचर मारन धाए। सचिवन्ह सहित बिभीषनु आए। नाइ सीस करि बिनय बहूता। नीति बिरोध न मारिअ दूता।। आन दंड कछु करिअ गोसाँई। सबहीं कहा मंत्र भल भाई।। सुनत बिहसि बोला दसकंधर। अंग भंग करि पठइअ बंदर।।
Though the monkey spoke words of the deepest benefit, steeped in bhakti, viveka, vairagya, and righteous wisdom, the greatly arrogant Ravana laughed and said, "So! I have found a monkey who fancies himself a great teacher." "Death has drawn near you, O wretch, yet you, a lowly creature, presume to instruct me." "It shall be the reverse," Hanuman replied. "I see plainly that your mind is lost in delusion." Hearing the monkey's words, Ravana grew furious: "Why do you not quickly take the life of this fool?" At this, the demons rushed forward to kill him. But Vibhishana arrived with his ministers. Bowing his head low and offering many entreaties, he said: "It is against dharma to slay an ambassador." "Give some other punishment, my lord." All agreed: "This is wise counsel, brother." Hearing this, the ten-headed Ravana laughed and said: "Mutilate the monkey's limbs and send him back."