Lakshmana Sends Ravana One Last Choice Between Peace and Death
Sundara Kanda, Doha 52
Doha 52 · Movement 2 of 2
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Lakshmana's message crosses the sea in the hands of those he has spared. It is called generous because even now it offers Ravana a road upon which Lanka need not be broken by war.
Return Sita. Come and meet Rama in peace. The demand holds no bargain over what is rightfully another's and no concealment of the wrong already done. Restoration must come first, then the enemy may approach the Lord whom Vibhishana has just found to be the guardian of surrender.
If Ravana refuses, the alternative is no longer an approaching possibility. Your death has arrived, Lakshmana says. It waits across the ocean with the bow of Rama and the innumerable forest host. A single choice remains between returning what was stolen and meeting the time that has come.
Mercy sends Ravana a final message, but Lakshmana leaves no mist around its consequence.
Read the passage from the Manas
कहेहु मुखागर मूढ़ सन मम संदेसु उदार। सीता देइ मिलेहु न त आवा काल तुम्हार।।52।।
"Tell that foolish ten-faced one this generous message from me: Return Sita and make peace, or know that your death has arrived."