Shuka Returns Praising Rama While Ravana Laughs at the Truth
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 53
Doha 53 · Movement 1 of 2
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The released spies bow at Lakshmana's feet and travel home reciting Rama's glory. They enter Lanka with praise still upon their tongues, then lower their heads before Ravana. The ten headed king laughs at the change in them and calls upon Shuka to report.
First he mocks the spy's silence about his own welfare. Then he asks after Vibhishana, whom he calls an insect rushing toward death after abandoning Lanka's rule. He asks about the bears and monkeys as creatures driven to his shore by a cruel fate.
Ravana ridicules their tender hearted protector and asks about the ascetics who, in his imagination, tremble at the thought of him. Every question has already supplied the answer pride wishes to hear. Shuka stands before a king who demands intelligence from the enemy camp while turning the report into ridicule before it can be spoken.
Shuka brings news from Rama, but Ravana surrounds himself with answers before truth can enter.
Read the passage from the Manas
तुरत नाइ लछिमन पद माथा। चले दूत बरनत गुन गाथा।। कहत राम जसु लंकाँ आए। रावन चरन सीस तिन्ह नाए।। बिहसि दसानन पूँछी बाता। कहसि न सुक आपनि कुसलाता।। पुनि कहु खबरि बिभीषन केरी। जाहि मृत्यु आई अति नेरी।। करत राज लंका सठ त्यागी। होइहि जब कर कीट अभागी।। पुनि कहु भालु कीस कटकाई। कठिन काल प्रेरित चलि आई।। जिन्ह के जीवन कर रखवारा। भयउ मृदुल चित सिंधु बिचारा।। कहु तपसिन्ह कै बात बहोरी। जिन्ह के हृदयँ त्रास अति मोरी।।
Immediately bowing their heads at Lakshmana's feet, the messengers departed, singing tales of the Lord's glory. Praising Rama's fame all along the way, they arrived in Lanka and bowed at Ravana's feet. The ten-headed one laughed and asked for news: "Why do you not speak of your own welfare, Shuka?" "Then tell me of Vibhishana, upon whom death has drawn very near." "That fool abandoned Lanka to rule elsewhere. When will that wretched insect meet his end?" "Now tell me of the army of bears and monkeys, driven here by harsh destiny." "Those whose supposed protector has gone soft-hearted, with even the ocean showing them some tenderness." "Tell me again of those ascetics in whose hearts there dwells great fear of me."