Ravana Takes Lakshmana's Letter in His Left Hand and Laughs
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 56
Doha 56 · Movement 1 of 2
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Shuka declares that even Shesha with all his tongues cannot finish praising Rama's splendor, strength, and boundless wisdom. One arrow could dry hundreds of oceans, yet the Lord asked his brother for counsel and approached the sea with compassion to request a path.
Ravana laughs. If this is the judgment of the ally they have crowned, he says, then cowardice guides the camp. He mocks Rama for quarreling with the ocean and claims to have measured his enemy completely. What victory can belong to one whose frightened minister is Vibhishana?
Anger rises in Shuka, but he waits for the proper instant and draws out Lakshmana's letter. Read it and cool your heart, he tells the king. Ravana accepts the warning with his left hand as an insult, summons his ministers, and begins reading aloud while laughter still conceals the fear moving within him.
The letter of Rama's brother enters Ravana's left hand while truth enters the court by force.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम तेज बल बुधि बिपुलाई। सेष सहस सत सकहिं न गाई।। सक सर एक सोषि सत सागर। तब भ्रातहि पूँछेउ नय नागर।। तासु बचन सुनि सागर पाहीं। मागत पंथ कृपा मन माहीं।। सुनत बचन बिहसा दससीसा। जौं असि मति सहाय कृत कीसा।। सहज भीरु कर बचन दृढ़ाई। सागर सन ठानी मचलाई।। मूढ़ मृषा का करसि बड़ाई। रिपु बल बुद्धि थाह मैं पाई।। सचिव सभीत बिभीषन जाकें। बिजय बिभूति कहाँ जग ताकें।। सुनि खल बचन दूत रिस बाढ़ी। समय बिचारि पत्रिका काढ़ी।। रामानुज दीन्ही यह पाती। नाथ बचाइ जुड़ावहु छाती।। बिहसि बाम कर लीन्ही रावन। सचिव बोलि सठ लाग बचावन।।
"Rama's splendor, strength, and vast wisdom are such that even Shesha with a thousand tongues and a hundred heads cannot fully praise them." "With a single arrow He could dry up hundreds of oceans. Yet He courteously asked His brother for wise counsel." "Hearing that counsel, He went to the ocean and, with compassion in His heart, requested a path." Hearing these words, the ten-headed one laughed: "If such is the judgment of the monkey who has become your ally!" "A natural coward puffs up bold words. He has picked a quarrel with the ocean." "O fool, why do you make empty boasts? I have fully taken the measure of my enemy's strength and wit." "The one whose frightened minister is Vibhishana, where in the world can he find victory or glory?" Hearing these wicked words, the messenger's anger blazed. Judging the moment right, he drew forth the letter. "Rama's younger brother has given you this letter. Read it, my lord, and save yourself." Ravana laughed and took it in his left hand, then called his ministers and began to read it aloud, the fool.