The Captured Spies Invoke Rama, and Lakshmana Laughs Them Free
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 52
Doha 52 · Movement 1 of 2
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The spies' inward praise grows until they openly sing Rama's nature and forget concealment. Monkeys recognize the enemy agents, bind them, and drag them before Sugriva. He orders their limbs broken before they are sent back to Lanka.
The captives are paraded through the camp and beaten. When the monkeys prepare to cut their ears and noses, the demons cry that whoever harms them defies the authority of the Lord of Kosala. Rama's own name becomes the shelter discovered in their extremity.
Lakshmana hears the appeal, calls them near, and is moved by compassion. With a laugh he releases them immediately. They will not return empty handed. He gives them a letter for Ravana and commands them to speak his words to the destroyer of his own lineage. Mercy frees the messengers, but truth must travel with them.
Bound as enemies, the spies invoke Rama's authority and leave carrying Lakshmana's uncompromising truth.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्रगट बखानहिं राम सुभाऊ। अति सप्रेम गा बिसरि दुराऊ।। रिपु के दूत कपिन्ह तब जाने। सकल बाँधि कपीस पहिं आने।। कह सुग्रीव सुनहु सब बानर। अंग भंग करि पठवहु निसिचर।। सुनि सुग्रीव बचन कपि धाए। बाँधि कटक चहु पास फिराए।। बहु प्रकार मारन कपि लागे। दीन पुकारत तदपि न त्यागे।। जो हमार हर नासा काना। तेहि कोसलाधीस कै आना।। सुनि लछिमन सब निकट बोलाए। दया लागि हँसि तुरत छोडाए।। रावन कर दीजहु यह पाती। लछिमन बचन बाचु कुलघाती।।
The spies openly praised Rama's noble nature, singing His glory with such love that they forgot their disguise. The monkeys then recognized them as enemy agents and, binding them all, brought them before Sugriva. Sugriva said, "Listen, all you monkeys: break their limbs and send these demons back." Hearing Sugriva's command, the monkeys rushed forward and paraded the bound captives through the camp on every side. The monkeys began beating them in many ways, and though the spies cried for mercy, the monkeys would not relent. "Whoever harms our noses and ears belongs to the Lord of Kosala!" the demons cried. Hearing this, Lakshmana called them near and, moved by compassion, laughingly released them at once. "Give this message to Ravana. Heed Lakshmana's words, O destroyer of your own lineage."