Fear Enters Every House in Lanka, and Mandodari Pleads at Ravana's Feet
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 36
Doha 36 · Movement 1 of 2
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Across the water, Lanka has not recovered from Hanuman's fire. Fear lives behind every jeweled door. In house after house the demons whisper that their race has no deliverance. If the messenger possessed such immeasurable strength, what good can remain when his master arrives?
Reports of the people's dread reach Mandodari. Deeply troubled, she approaches Ravana in private, joins her hands, and falls at her husband's feet. Her words carry both wise counsel and desperate affection. Abandon enmity with Hari, she begs. Hold this plea within your heart if you desire your own welfare.
The mere memory of Rama's messenger makes demon women lose the children in their wombs. Call your minister and send Rama's wife back to him. Sita has entered the lotus garden of your dynasty like a night of killing frost. Until she is returned, neither Shiva nor Brahma can secure your good.
While the army rests by the sea, Mandodari sees a frost already closing every lotus in Ravana's house.
Read the passage from the Manas
उहाँ निसाचर रहहिं ससंका। जब ते जारि गयउ कपि लंका।। निज निज गृहँ सब करहिं बिचारा। नहिं निसिचर कुल केर उबारा।। जासु दूत बल बरनि न जाई। तेहि आएँ पुर कवन भलाई।। दूतन्हि सन सुनि पुरजन बानी। मंदोदरी अधिक अकुलानी।। रहसि जोरि कर पति पग लागी। बोली बचन नीति रस पागी।। कंत करष हरि सन परिहरहू। मोर कहा अति हित हियँ धरहु।। समुझत जासु दूत कइ करनी। स्त्रवहीं गर्भ रजनीचर धरनी।। तासु नारि निज सचिव बोलाई। पठवहु कंत जो चहहु भलाई।। तब कुल कमल बिपिन दुखदाई। सीता सीत निसा सम आई।। सुनहु नाथ सीता बिनु दीन्हें। हित न तुम्हार संभु अज कीन्हें।।
Meanwhile in Lanka, the nishacharas lived in constant shankaa, for ever since the monkey had set their city ablaze, they dwelt in dread. In house after house all pondered the same thought: there is no ubaara, no salvation, for the demon race. He whose messenger's strength is beyond description; what bhalaaee can come to our city when the master himself arrives? Hearing the people's fearful words through messengers, Mandodari grew deeply akulaani, restless with anguish. In private she joined her hands, fell at her husband's feet, and spoke words steeped in the rasa of neeti, of righteous counsel. 'Beloved, abandon your enmity with Hari. Take my words to heart, for they spring from the deepest hitakaamana, the purest wish for your welfare. Just thinking of that Lord's messenger's deeds causes the wombs of demon women to lose their unborn children. Call your sachiva and send His wife back to Him. Do this if you truly desire bhalaaee. For Sita has become like a sheeta-nishaa, a frost-bearing night, to the lotus-garden of your kula. She arrived as cold sorrow, and this dynasty's bloom is closing. Hear me, my lord: until Sita is returned, neither Shambhu nor Brahma themselves can ensure your welfare.'