The Conqueror of Worlds Has Used Only a Fraction of Rama's Power
Sundara Kanda, Doha 21
Doha 21 · Movement 2 of 2
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Ravana's victories across moving and unmoving creation appear immense within Lanka. Hanuman does not deny that the ten-headed king has conquered widely.
He changes the source of the achievement. Every conquest was made through only the smallest fraction of the power belonging to Rama.
I am the messenger of that Lord, Hanuman says, and you have stolen his beloved wife. The captive and the king are now measured by their relation to one unseen sovereign: one serves him, while the other holds what is dearest to him by force.
Ravana conquered worlds with a fragment of Rama's strength and now questions Rama's messenger.
Read the passage from the Manas
जाके बल लवलेस तें जितेहु चराचर झारि। तासु दूत मैं जा करि हरि आनेहु प्रिय नारि।।21।।
"By a mere fraction of whose power you conquered all the moving and unmoving worlds: I am the messenger of that very Lord whose beloved wife you have stolen."