The Kingdom Ravana Won With Ten Heads Is Given to Vibhishana in Modesty
Sundara Kanda, Doha 49
Doha 49 · Movement 2 of 2
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Ravana's anger burns like a great fire, and every breath from his mouths drives it like a violent wind. Vibhishana stood within that blaze as brother, counselor, and saint, yet Rama drew him out before the flames could consume him.
The undivided kingdom now promised to Vibhishana carries a fearful history. Ravana obtained its splendor from Shiva only after offering his ten heads in terrible austerity. Power came to him through an extremity that made even heaven witness his ambition.
Raghunatha gives the same treasure to the surrendered brother without price. More wondrous still, he gives it with modest hesitation, as if the gift were too small beside the love he has received. Ravana bought Lanka with his heads. Vibhishana asks for devotion, and the Lord almost bashfully places Lanka beneath his feet.
What pride purchased with ten severed heads, grace places quietly upon a refugee's brow.
Read the passage from the Manas
रावन क्रोध अनल निज स्वास समीर प्रचंड। जरत बिभीषनु राखेउ दीन्हेहु राजु अखंड।।49(क)।। जो संपति सिव रावनहि दीन्हि दिएँ दस माथ। सोइ संपदा बिभीषनहि सकुचि दीन्ह रघुनाथ।।49(ख)।।
Ravana's rage was a fire, his very breath the fierce wind; yet You shielded Vibhishana from that blaze and gave him the undivided kingdom. (49a) The wealth that Shiva gave Ravana only after he offered his ten heads, that same treasure Raghunatha gave to Vibhishana with gentle modesty. (49b)