Chapter
10
Ten Heads Roll
When
Ravana heard the news of this holocaust, he exclaimed,
"Whoever expected that the war would end thus? Whoever
expected that it would be so calamitous a disaster?" The
news of Narantaka's death spread terror throughout Lanka.
Many wise scholars approached Ravana, the bereaved
father, and sought to give him consolation and comfort.
But, their effort was but waste of time; their advice did
not enter the heads of Ravana. When Ravana recovered
himself, he heard the wailings of Narantaka's wife, and
that made him angrier still. He forgot himself in the
flames of vengeance and anger. The night ended and day
dawned, even though Ravana did not notice it. The Vanaras
gathered at the four gates of the city and were, as
usual, getting ready to storm them and enter. Ravana
assembled the Rakshasa warriors and addressed them thus:
"Soldiers! If your hearts shudder at the prospect of
battle, it is best you leave the ranks this very instant.
Do not flee when the battle is on; if you do so, I shall
slaughter you with my own hands". Threatening them thus,
he felt they would fight to the last. Then, he ordered
the fleetest chariot to be brought to him. He ordered
that the war-drums be beaten and trumpets blown. Like
darkness intensifying mountain peaks, the Rakshasa
warriors marched forward in serried ranks. A series of
bad omens assaulted them; but, Ravana who boasted of his
physical prowess did not pay heed to them. The weapons he
held in his grasp slithered down; the charioteer who had
taken his seat fell from his perch. The elephants and
horses marching forward to battle started wailing aloud.
All around, dogs and foxes set up a cacophony of grief.
Owls hooted ominously as if announcing the doom that
loomed over Lanka.
The Rakshasa forces -
cavalry, elephantry and infantry - marched forward to
meet the enemy at the gates. The earth exuded tremors
when the forces trampled hard on it. The splendour of
that army was indescribable. The army led by Ravana shone
like the army that the God of Spring leads every year,
with all its colour, music, and joy. Drums, trumpets,
bugles and pipes played around in a majestic stream of
heroism and adventure. Meanwhile, the monkeys and bears
pounced on the Rakshasas and fell upon them, like a host
of heavy mountains whose wings were clipped by the arrows
of some strange power. They attacked them like the
minions of Death. Their most efficient weapons were teeth
and nails. They threw hills and huge trees on the foe. By
their leonine roar, "Victory to our Lord, Sri Rama", they
made the elephant hearts of the Rakshasas shudder in
mortal fear. Very soon, the battle became a series of
duels between the Rakshasas and the Vanaras. The cry,
'Victory to Rama' was met by the cry, 'Victory to
Ravana'. The Rakshasa fought like the emissaries of
Death; the Vanaras bled from many wounds. They pounded
the enemies heavily with their fists. They tore them to
pieces with their teeth; they kicked them in the ribs
with their feet. They held them in their grip and tore
them apart. They pulled out their entrails and wore them
round their necks. Ravana saw with alarm the decimation
of his army. He took up his bow and shot arrows at the
soldiers of his army fleeing for life from the field of
fury. The Vanaras were inspired when they saw Ravana
filled with anger at his own warriors. They yelled in joy
and leaped towards him in large numbers. They aimed peaks
and trees at him. Ravana turned all round him and
encouraged his soldiers to stand firm. The Vanaras fled
in all directions unable to meet the onrush. They wailed,
"O Lord, Sugriva! Sugriva; Save us, save
us."
Earth and sky were
darkened by the showers of arrows sent by Ravana. The
Vanaras ran to the far corners of the land. Chaos
prevailed in the camp. Lakshmana noticed the situation;
he girded up his loins and armed himself with his bow and
sheaf of arrows. Prostrating before Sri Rama, he rose
with his blessings and proceeded to the field of
battle.
Lakshmana accosted
Ravana, and scoffed at him thus: "You villain! What
benefit can you gain by slaughtering monkeys and bears?
Gaze at me, standing before you like Death itself, the
Spirit of Time come to finish your earthly career."
Ravana replied, "O! Don't I know you? You are the
destroyer of my son. I was looking out for you for many
days. My heart will find solace only on my killing you
this day". Ravana yelled in anger and let loose sharp
arrows at Lakshmana. But Lakshmana cleverly cut them into
a thousand splinters. In addition, Lakshmana shot fiery
shafts at Ravana and they succeeded in cutting to pieces
the chariot of Ravana as well as his charioteer.
Lakshmana rained arrows in deadly groups of hundred and
more. They found their mark on the face of Ravana and on
his chest, so that he was felled to the ground, having
lost consciousness with the blow and the pain. Yet, he
recovered very quickly and rose up in ferocious anger,
and directed against Lakshmana the terrible mighty
missile that was conferred on him by the first of the
trinity, Brahma Himself. When the missile hit him,
Lakshmana rolled to the ground. Hanuman saw the fall, and
he hastened to the side of Lakshmana, shouting
imprecations against Ravana. Ravana administered a heavy
blow on Hanuman with his clenched fist. It made Hanuman
reel in pain, but he steadied himself. He returned the
blow even more power-filled than the one he got from
Ravana. Ravana was stunned by the impact. He said within
himself, "May this fellow's fist be burnt to ashes. I
never dreamt that a monkey's fist could discharge such a
thunderbolt".
Meanwhile, Lakshmana
recovered from the swoon and rose ready for the fray.
Ravana had to be helped into another chariot having
become unconscious again. His charioteer cleverly drove
the chariot in the direction of Lanka itself. He got back
his awareness as soon as he reached Lanka. He ordered
that a special destruction-yielding, victory-ensuring
ritual called
Patalahoma be
performed so that he could defeat the enemy at his door.
What a big fool was he! Can he ever achieve victory in a
fight with Rama? Those who were spying his activities on
behalf of Vibhishana carried the news of the Patalahoma
to him and he was alerted in time. Vibhishana approached
Rama without delay, and falling at his feet said, "Lord!
Now Ravana is engaged in a ritual, the same as the one
which Meghanada began in the past. This ceremony too has
to be defiled and desecrated by the monkeys so that
Ravana might be deprived of the benefits he hopes to
secure through it. In case this Homa is allowed to reach
its conclusion, without interruption, it will be very
difficult to defeat Ravana".
Very soon day dawned.
In accordance with the orders of Rama, Angada and Hanuman
proceeded to the Ritual Enclosure with a large following.
They jumped and leaped in great hilarity and surrounded
the palace of Ravana. "Sacrilegious sacrificer! Fleeing
from battle, and finding safety at home, are you sitting
cozily performing meditation?" Angada dared go very near
him and deal him a kick with his foot. Ravana was engaged
in preparatory silence and 'meditation'. Even the
slightest movement or distraction of attention would make
him unfit and unholy, so that the
Homa he was to
perform for achieving victory would be rendered
infructuous. Angada and the monkeys took liberties with
him. Some of them dug their teeth into him. A few tugged
at his crown of hair. That was the limit. Ravana became
fiercely angry; he rose to his feet and catching hold of
a few monkeys, he twirled them fast over his head and
tried to smash them on the ground. But, he could not move
even a little step. This became a matter of greater
shame. Soon, a regular scramble and struggle ensued
between Ravana and Vanaras. The ritual ceremony he had
planned could not be gone through. Ravana was sunk in
grief.
Rama was informed of
all that had happened. Vibhishana and others were happy
at the consummation of their strategy. Ravana was badly
disappointed that he could not succeed in performing the
Yaga.
But he had to resolve dutifully to proceed to the battle
field. As soon as he started from his palace, bad omens
greeted him. Kites flew in and out on his head and his
hands, and his crown slipped from its place. He paid no
regard to the warnings. He ordered that the war-drums be
beaten and the clarions sounded. Hundreds of thousands of
Rakshasas gathered when that signal was given. The army
proceeded to wage a mortal battle against Rama. Rama
equipped himself with the arrow-case and took the bow in
his hand. With his long arms and broad chest, the
splendour-filled embodiment of charm stood on the
battle-field, the very picture of heroic might; the gods
assembled over-head and offered reverent homage to the
Saviour of Humanity from the Rakshasa hordes. The Vanara
army followed Rama, arrayed in perfect order and alert to
command. Like the thunder-spitting clouds bringing
destructive floods on the earth on the Day of Deluge, the
Vanara hordes moved fast towards the Rakshasa forces,
bent upon annihilation of the enemy. The mountain peaks
that the combatants threw against the enemy fell with the
noise of thunder; in an instant, the chariots, elephants
and horses of the Rakshasa armies were destroyed.
Thousands and thousands of Rakshasas fell on the ground.
Blood flowed as rivers. Ravana lost all his warriors. He
felt he was alone, and that the monkeys and bears were
many. So, he decided to draw on his magic powers. He
exercised magic on all except Rama. But Rama willed
otherwise. Through His Will Ravana saw wherever he turned
a vast ocean of Vanara hordes, with Rama and Lakshmana in
the vanguard, leading the forces. At this, Ravana
realized that his magic could not produce any effect.
Soon, Rama called to his presence the Vanaras and told
them in grave seriousness: "You are all exhausted by the
long and hardy battle. Go and take rest. Now, watch the
fight between Rama and Ravana".
No sooner had he said
these words than Ravana encountered Rama with a
challenging roar. At this Rama smiled and said in a soft
voice, "Fool! First listen to the words of moral counsel
I am giving. There are three types of men in the world:
The first are like the patali tree, which blossoms
finely, but the blossoms do not turn into fruit. Those
who indulge in mere speech and do not practice a mite of
what they talk are of this type. The second group are
like the plantain tree. It gives flowers and fruits,
both. Those who speak and act, practice what they assert,
these are of this type. The third type is like the jack
tree - it has no flower; it has only fruits. The best
type of men do not prattle or boast or talk high; they
are silent workers who act with no boast. You are a mere
braggart. Your immoral rule has brought ruin on your
race."
Ravana was not in a
mood to swallow these imputations. He said, "What? Dare
you teach me?", and he poured out a stream of abuse.
Suddenly, he shot a bunch of hard hitting arrows on Rama.
Rama replied with the Fire Arrow. The arrows of Ravana
were burnt to ashes by the weapon that Rama released.
Ravana directed against Rama millions of sharp-edged
wheels and three-pronged spears. But, the hopes of his
wicked heart were not fulfilled. Rama thereupon lifted
his redoubtable bow and shot a stream of deadly arrows,
which flew straight at Ravana like irresistible
messengers of death and cobras eager to inject their
fatal venom.
Rama noticed that as
soon as one head was sliced off by his arrow, another
grew in its place. Ignoring his impending death, Ravana
was immersed in pride; he challenged Rama in great
exultation. It was a ghastly sight; the heads that rolled
to the ground were shouting, "Where is that Rama? Where
is Lakshmana? Where is that Sugriva?". The heads that
remained on the trunk were gnashing teeth and asking for
Vibhishana, and pouring abuses on him. They said,
'Brother of mine! Shame on you for awaiting the news of
your brother's death, so that you may succeed him on the
throne! You are not a hero; you are a cowardly ascetic.
Fie on you. No one should look you in the face". Soon,
the lost heads re-appeared and Ravana fought most
fiercely and with un-equaled valour. Lakshmana, Sugriva
and Angada watched him and admired his prowess. Finally,
Rama resolved that the end of Ravana should no longer be
delayed. His iniquities were multiplying with every
passing day. Nala, Neela and other Vanara heroes were
casting rocks at Ravana, and hurting him greatly. But,
the dusk of evening intervened and the battle ended for
the day. That night, Thrijata sat near Sita, describing
the battle between Rama and Ravana. She told her that
whenever Rama sliced off a head, another grew in its
place. Sita's face paled at this news; she sank in
sadness. Thrijata was surprised at this development; she
said, "Do not yield to anxiety. His heart has your Form
enshrined in it; that is the reason why the heads grow."
At this Sita became both sad and happy. Thrijata hastened
to add, "Sita! Have no doubt. His end is imminent. Rama
will triumph. Rama too is remembering you every time he
shoots an arrow; he too has your form in his heart. So,
the end is prolonged until the moment comes when Ravana
gives up your memory for a short while. That moment will
spell his doom; he will be killed that
instant."
Ravana filled the next
day of the battle with his magic mystery. The battlefield
was filled with his creations: ghosts, eerie beings and
sprites with bows and arrows. Female spirits danced
around, holding swords in one hand, gorging blood from
skulls held in the other. 'Hold', 'Beat', 'Kill'- they
yelled in screaming voices. In whichever direction the
Vanaras advanced, they were met by high walls of fire.
The monkeys and bears were astounded. A thick rain of
sand fell without stop on the Vanara forces. Ravana
roared in glee at the plight of his enemy. Lakshmana,
Sugriva and others were incapacitated. The warriors
prayed pathetically to Rama to come to their help. Rama
was besieged by many 'Hanumans' created by Ravana's
magic; each 'Hanuman' carried huge mountain peaks; they
also attempted to bind Rama in the knots of their tails!
The tails coiled and grew over many miles in all
directions. But Rama shone unconcerned and unharmed, blue
like a fresh blossom in the midst of all the carnage and
confusion. He knew that it was all the frail product of
Rakshasa magic. He laughed within himself at the efforts
of Ravana to mystify him. With a single arrow shot from
his bow, he destroyed all the varied effects of that
magic skill. The monkeys and bears saw the frightful
scenes disappear in a trice, and they were happy. The
entire thing melted away as fog before the rays of the
sun, as soon as the arrow of Rama entered it. The Vanaras
caused a hail-storm of stone to fall on Ravana. They
jumped all around him with the missiles. Rama then
selected a sharp arrow and shot it straight at Ravana. It
sliced off a head. Another grew on the spot in a trice.
It happened again and again. Rama watched the fun and
seemed to be enjoying it. He remembered the phenomenon of
greed coming in place of gain; as soon as something is
gained, greed for more is born. He pictured the falling
head as gain and the growing head, as
greed!
The battle that ensued
between Rama and Ravana was fought with incomparable and
unexcelled fury. The saying goes that the Ocean is like
the Ocean and the Sky is like the Sky. They cannot be
compared with any other phenomenon; so, too, the battle
between Rama and Ravana has that battle alone as equal to
it. The battle lasted for eighteen days. Rama was not in
the least exhausted by the fighting; it was a sport, a
pastime for him! There were a few more days left before
the fourteen years' exile was to end; so, he could well
afford to engage himself in the game of war. If Rama
decides on the finale, how can Ravana postpone his end or
change the decision? When the allotted days, were over,
everything conspired to create bad omens for Ravana. Dogs
howled, foxes moaned, donkeys brayed. Bird and beast set
up piteous wails. Balls of fire dropped from the sky.
Sudden bursts of flame became evident in all directions.
The heart of Mandodari, the Queen, beat loud and fast.
Every idol in every home and temple in the island shed
tears in plenty. Tornadoes spread havoc over hill and
dale. Alerted by these calamitous signs, the gods knew
that the end of the Rakshasas was near and they gathered
overhead to witness the triumph of Righteousness,
shouting, Jai! Jai, welcoming the
victory.
Then Rama shot a bunch
of thirty-one arrows at the same instant on Ravana. They
darted like deadly cobras. One arrow entered the 'nectar
jar' that Ravana had underneath his navel; the rest, the
thirty, sliced off his heads and hands. When the heads
and limbs rolled on the ground, they hopped about and
rose and fell in frantic dance, for some little time and
then lay quiet. Thus Ravana rid himself of life and
reached heaven. The day was the fourteenth of the bright
half of the Chaitra month.
That instant, a host of
heavenly drums resounded from the sky. The splendorous
spirit of Ravana merged in Rama. Struck by that vision,
the Vanara warriors were aghast with wonder. They were
amazed at the valour and heroism of Rama in the battle
against Ravana which lasted full 18 days. They exclaimed
with one voice: "Victory, Victory to Rama." Hearing that
Ravana had died, his queen Mandodari collapsed on the
floor. When she recovered, she hastened with her maids to
the corpse of Ravana and wailed aloud. She collected the
heads and was stricken with grief at the tragic fate of
her lord. She recited with fond reminiscence the exploits
of Ravana in the past. "Lord! You had overwhelmed and
subjugated the entire Creation. The Rulers of the eight
directions had fallen at your feet, praying for
protection. Of what avail was all that glory! Of what
avail were the austerities and asceticism that you
underwent; you had to endure this fate in spite of all
the might you had won. This blow fell upon you since you
turned away from Rama. You could not conquer the
promptings of lust; he who becomes a slave to lust cannot
escape dire punishment, be he as powerful as even the God
of Death, Kala. Blinded by lust, you could not avoid this
tragic end. Lusted you to ignore Rama and invite this
calamity on your head. Ravana! Rama has incarnated with
the purpose of destroying by the fire of his anger the
forest of Rakshasa vice. I disclosed this to you many
times over; but, a cruel fate rendered you deaf to my
importunities. I told you that he is no mere man. You
relied foolishly on your physical prowess, your clever
intellect, your vast treasures and the vast numbers of
Rakshasas you ruled over. Did I not plead with you,
holding your feet in my hands, to surrender to Rama, the
Ocean of Mercy, and thus save the Rakshasas from
annihilation? My pleadings were not welcome to you. You
were engaged constantly in inflicting injury on others,
an activity which gave you great joy. You seldom
attempted to confer benefits on others. Your urges were
ever towards sinful deeds and thoughts. In spite of this,
Rama has conferred his blessing and your spirit has
merged in him. What great compassion is this! You died at
his hands; this is a fortune that few can achieve. Why,
Rama came into this world in human form for the special
purpose of killing you. The royal road to the destruction
of the Rakshasa race was laid by the Rakshasa Ruler
himself! This will be known as your greatest achievement!
This is the supreme example of your protective skill! Is
this the final result of all your austerity and spiritual
Sadhana? Rama! Have you done this to prove that no one
can escape the consequences of his deeds? What greater
example for that law can there be? This calamity brought
about by him is here for all to see and learn from".
Mandodari wailed for long, sitting by the side of her
lord.
Mandodari had realized
through her wisdom that Rama was
Parabrahma
Itself, the Universal Oversoul, the Absolute. The gods
watching her from heaven were elated at her outlook and
attitude at this hour of grief. Vibhishana was moved by
the wailing of Mandodari. He agreed that what she said
and felt were correct. Rama and Lakshmana approached
Vibhishana and consoled him. They directed him to perform
the funeral rites for his deceased brother. And according
to that order, he too carried out all the prescribed
rites and rituals, at the proper places and with correct
ceremonial. Mandodari and other women also offered water
offerings, sanctified with mantras and til.
Every item of the funeral rite was gone through in
correct order, without any hitch or disturbance, by
Vibhishana who was all the while comforted and consoled
by Rama. Rama said that when the curses Ravana had
invoked on himself by his sins had ripened and fulfilled
themselves, he was killed, and, so, there was no reason
why the death should be lamented.
Rama called together in
his presence Lakshmana with Sugriva, Jambavantha, and
Angada, and asked them to go into Lanka with Nala, Nila
and others for installing Vibhishana as the Emperor of
Lanka. He directed them to proceed without delay, for the
fourteen years of exile which the father had prescribed
for him would end the next day. But, Vibhishana protested
and pleaded, "Why do I need an empire? Please place me
instead in the immediate presence of your Lotus Feet, he
prayed. From this day Lanka is yours; treat Lanka as a
part of Ayodhya", he insisted. But, Rama did not agree.
He elucidated many political principles and declared that
his order was irrevocable. Then, Vibhishana prayed that
he should be entrusted with the Empire by his own hands.
Rama replied, "No. Having observed and followed my
father's command for thirteen years, eleven months and
twenty-nine days, it is not proper that on the very last
day, I should go against it. I am on exile as he desired
and an exile should not enter any town or human
settlement. You are not unaware of this rule." Thus
saying, he blessed Vibhishana and instructed Lakshmana to
go into Lanka and install the new Emperor on the throne
of Lanka. Bowing their heads in acceptance of this
assignment, Lakshmana, Sugriva, Angada, Nala, Nila, and
others started towards the city and reached the palace.
They placed the crown on the head of Vibhishana and put
on his forehead the auspicious mark of authority.
Vibhishana prostrated before the assemblage of Vanaras
and acknowledging their friendly help, promised to
fulfill the real purpose of his life through following
their example and benefiting by their help. "I shall rule
over this land as Rama's agent; I shall not accept it as
mine. I have already dedicated all of myself to Rama." He
suffered great grief when he reminded himself of the
cruelties and injuries inflicted by Ravana, his sons and
his warriors on the Vanara hordes; but, he consoled
himself by the thought that everything that had happened
had been the 'sport' of the Supreme Will, Rama. Soon,
they all proceeded to where Rama was and fell at His feet
in reverential homage.
Then, Rama called
Hanuman near and told him, "O Hanuman, Incomparable Hero!
Go into Lanka on my errand once more and communicate to
Sita all that has happened and return with authentic news
about her condition." Accordingly, Hanuman entered Lanka,
went to the place where Sita was and fell at her holy
feet. She asked him, "Are Rama and Lakshmana safe, with
their Vanara forces? Is Rama, the Ocean of Compassion,
safe and happy?" Hanuman replied with folded palms and
bowed head. "Rama is safe and happy in all respects. He
has killed Ravana and installed Vibhishana the permanent
Emperor of this land." Sita was glad at the news of
Rama's victory and Ravana's downfall. Her face brightened
with joy; she felt a great thrill of delight. Tears of
joy streamed from her eyes. "O Leader of Vanaras! What
can I offer you as a gift for conveying to me this best
of news? Nothing can equal in value the comforting words
you have spoken," she said. Hanuman replied, "Mother! The
bliss you evinced, the blossoming of joy - they have
given me as much as a gift of the three worlds. What more
can I crave for? What greater fortune can anyone need
than the fortune of seeing Rama victorious over the enemy
and happy with his Brother?" With these words, he
prostrated once again at the feet of Sita. Sita said, "O
Best among Vanaras! I was sunk in agony these ten months
of separation from my Lord, and hence I could not see or
know anything about the external world. I do not know
which day of the week it is today, nor whether it is the
bright or dark fortnight, or which day it is in that
fortnight. Whatever it is, you have given me the most
welcome and the most auspicious news; so, I shall name it
the Mangala Day, (though it may generally be named
otherwise. It was a Tuesday), meaning the Day that
brought Mangala or auspiciousness and joy. May this Day
be held sacred and may you, the bringer of this news, be
adored specially on this day, more than on other days of
the week." At this, Hanuman fell at her feet and stood
with folded palms.
Sita pleaded with
Hanuman, "Get me the boon of meeting the Embodiment of
charm and compassion, my Lord, Rama. Do you not know that
all this fighting and killing in war was for my sake, for
the sake of restoring me to my Lord? Take me soon to the
Lotus Feet of Rama", she said plaintively. Hanuman could
not bear the anguish that was patent in the words of
Sita. He leapt into the sky and reached Rama in a trice.
He narrated all that happened during the meeting. Rama
gathered Angada, Vibhishana and others and told them to
proceed to the place where Sita was and directed them to
bring Sita respectfully to his presence. They went to the
Asokavana where she was so long interned; Vibhishana
directed that Sita may take bath, wear fine silk clothes
and be decked in jewels, when she moved out of the
Asokavana.
But, Sita cast aside the suggestion; she said, "Rama is
the most precious jewel I have; that one jewel is enough
for me. Seeing him is the bath I shall be satisfied with.
The prostration I shall do for him is the silk cloth for
me. I do not like to wear anything that was once Ravana's
property." Vibhishana was moved by the depth of her
yearning. He asked the maids to respect her wishes; they
also said that Sita was desperately wishing for darsan of
her Lord.
Soon, a palanquin was
brought and Sita was seated in it. The Vanaras bore the
palanquin on their shoulders. The Rakshasa women who had
survived, the Vanara warriors, and others were jumping
with excitement, on both sides of the road, when Sita
passed through. They stood on tiptoe and even jumped high
to get a clearer and nearer view. But, Sita did not turn
to right or left; she bent her head and was sunk in one
single thought - Rama. When a little distance had yet to
be covered, Sita came down from the palanquin, for, she
felt that she should go to her Lord in humility, walking
the distance. She walked slowly towards Rama; as she
neared Rama, the Vanaras standing along the path fell at
her feet and cheered, 'Jai, Jai Sita Ram'. When she came
within a short range, Rama declared that she should not
be brought to him immediately, but that she had to go
through the Ordeal of Fire!
At this, the Vanaras
were stunned into silence and despair. But, they had to
go and collect dry sticks and fuel for lighting and
feeding the fire for the rite of ordeal. The Vanaras had
carried on their shoulders huge mountain peaks and rocks
before and during the war with Ravana; now, those very
Vanaras were finding little sticks of dry wood too heavy
for their strength, for, their hearts were heavy at the
thought of Sita being put through this new trial! Of
course, Rama knew that Sita had spotless character and
was the very embodiment of virtue. And, Vibhishana,
Angada, Sugriva and others knew that the fire ordeal was
only to convince the world. The fact was, the Shakthi
that 'was' Sita was transmitted and installed in Fire,
when they were in the Dandaka Forest. The Sita who was in
Lanka was but the Body; the Sakthi or the Vital Core was
all the while fostered in Fire by Fire. She had now to
pass through Fire so that she might emerge as the real
Sita, embodied Sakthi.
Sita welcomed the rite;
for the world will be convinced that her heart was pure
and unblemished. She was happy to see the flames leap up.
Lakshmana, however, was overcome with grief, for he
himself had to supervise the rite. Sita consoled him with
her soft counsel. "Lakshmana! When I was married,
[RRV-7d]
the Brahmins lit the Fire on the wedding day and
sanctified the function. Today, Fire will give me new
birth; after that, I will wed the Lord again. Feed the
fire well, for that is the right thing to do". Lakshmana
was moved by her pang of separation, her yearning for
reunion, her loyalty to righteousness, her attachment to
justice and her intelligent analysis of the situation. He
shed tears and folded his palms in reverence and stood
silent. For, he could find no words to express his
feelings. Fixing his gaze on the face of Rama, he piled
firewood on firewood and lit the fire till it blazed.
Sita was elated when she saw the leaping flames. She had
no trace of fear in her mind. She walked towards the fire
and standing before it said, "O Receiver of Sacred
Offerings! By word or deed or thought I have not dwelt in
my mind on anyone other than Rama, my Lord, O Purifier.
You reside in the heart of every living being. Become as
cool as sandal paste to me, when I enter you". She
prostrated before Rama and moved into the Fire. The God
of Fire, Agni, appeared in the form of a Brahmin bringing
with him the real Sita, and offered her at the feet of
Rama, just as the Lord of the Ocean of Milk offered
Lakshmi at the feet of Lord Vishnu. She shone on the left
of Rama, like a golden lily by the side of a
full-blossomed blue lotus. The gathering of gods
expressed their joy by sounding heavenly drums and
trumpets.
Vibhishana hurried into
the city and brought clothes and jewels fit for Divinity
in the aerial chariot named Pushpaka; he placed them
before Rama. Rama asked that the chariot be taken high up
in the sky and the valuables be showered from there on
the people below. Vibhishana did as directed; the Vanaras
grabbed whatever fell on them or near them. They mistook
the gems to be fruits that were red and ripe. When they
found from the taste that they were stones, they cast
them away in disgust. Rama and Sita enjoyed this fun and
laughed in sympathy. Many Vanaras and Bears wore the
clothes they secured and approached Rama in gratitude.
Dressed in multicoloured costumes, they danced about in
ecstasy. Rama appreciated them and addressed them most
graciously; "O Vanaras! Through your prowess and valour,
I was able to destroy Ravana and place Vibhishana on the
throne of Lanka. Now, you can all return to your own
homes. I shall always be with you. You need have no fear
hereafter". Rama consoled and comforted them all by the
gracious gesture, promising his eternal protection and
assuring them that there will be no occasion for them to
fear anyone or any calamity. The Vanaras and others were
overwhelmed by gratitude for the love he showered on
them; they lost all moorings of their minds; they stood
folding their palms in reverential homage and said,
"Lord, your words are in consonance with your majesty;
they confuse us and render us dumb. We are weaklings; you
are our Protector, our Guardian. You rule over the three
Worlds. Can a fly ever claim to have given help to the
eagle? Can a tiny lamp claim to reveal by its light the
Sun?". The Vanaras fell at Rama's feet and stood with
tear-streaming eyes.
The Vanaras and Bears
felt they had to obey the orders of Rama, however
unwilling they were to depart from his Presence. They
turned towards their homes with mixed feelings of joy and
grief, praying to Rama for His continued blessing and
with the Form of Rama imprinted on their minds. Nala,
Sugriva, Hanuman, Vibhishana and other leaders and
warriors could not give utterance to their feelings; they
stood silent with looks fixed on the face of Rama, trying
to subdue their anguish. Observing the depth of their
love and attachment, Rama had them seated in the aerial
chariot named Pushpaka which he was ascending.
contents
of this Vahini
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