Ravana Laughs at the Captive, Then Remembers His Dead Son
Sundara Kanda, Doha 20
Doha 20 · Movement 2 of 2
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The ten-headed king looks upon Hanuman standing bound before the assembled demons in his court and laughs. Harsh words answer the monkey who shows no fear before throne, army, gods, or guardians.
For an instant Ravana can treat the capture as triumph and the servant as an object of contempt brought for public display.
Then the memory of Akshakumara returns. Laughter gives way to grief within the same heart. The bonds around Hanuman cannot erase the empty place left by the son who fell beneath a tree in the ruined garden.
Ravana's laughter lasts only until the bound monkey becomes the memory of his fallen son.
Read the passage from the Manas
कपिहि बिलोकि दसानन बिहसा कहि दुर्बाद। सुत बध सुरति कीन्हि पुनि उपजा हृदयँ बिषाद।।20।।
Seeing Hanuman, the ten-headed Ravana laughed and spoke harsh, scornful words. Then, remembering his son's death, sorrow arose in his heart.