“The men who abandon a suppliant, from suspicion that he may be an enemy, are vile and criminal, and misfortune will keep her eye upon them.”
I would not abandon any one who had fled to me for protection, even though he had been guilty of the murder of a million Brahmans. Directly any creature appears before me, I blot out the sins of all his past lives. No one who is essentially wicked can delight in my service; if he is really bad at heart, how can he come into my presence? Only a man of pure soul can find me; I take no pleasure in hypocrisy, deceit and vice. Râvan may have sent him as a spy; but even so, O king, we need not fear any loss. All the demons, my friend, that the whole world contains, Lakshman could rout in a single moment. If he has come out of fear, to sue for mercy, I will protect him as I would my own life.
Dohâ.
In either case bring him here.” Thus spake the All-merciful with a smile. “Glory to the lord of mercy,” cried the monkey as he went, taking with him Angad and Hanumân.
The monkeys respectfully escorted him into the presence of the all-merciful Râma. He beheld from a distance the two brothers, the delight of all men's eyes, the givers of every blessing; then looking again upon Râma's perfect beauty, he stood stock still, with all his gaze intently fixed upon the long arms, the lotus eyes and dark-hued body of the suppliant's friend, his lion-like shoulders and magnificent broad chest and his charming face, that would ravish the soul of Kâmadeva himself. With streaming eyes and trembling limbs he at last made bold to speak in accents mild: “My lord, I am Râvan's brother; Champion of heaven, I have been born of demon race, with a savage temperament, as naturally prone to evil as an owl is partial to the night.
I would not abandon any one who had fled to me for protection, even though he had been guilty of the murder of a million Brahmans. Directly any creature appears before me, I blot out the sins of all his past lives. No one who is essentially wicked can delight in my service; if he is really bad at heart, how can he come into my presence? Only a man of pure soul can find me; I take no pleasure in hypocrisy, deceit and vice. Râvan may have sent him as a spy; but even so, O king, we need not fear any loss. All the demons, my friend, that the whole world contains, Lakshman could rout in a single moment. If he has come out of fear, to sue for mercy, I will protect him as I would my own life.
Dohâ.
In either case bring him here.” Thus spake the All-merciful with a smile. “Glory to the lord of mercy,” cried the monkey as he went, taking with him Angad and Hanumân.
The monkeys respectfully escorted him into the presence of the all-merciful Râma. He beheld from a distance the two brothers, the delight of all men's eyes, the givers of every blessing; then looking again upon Râma's perfect beauty, he stood stock still, with all his gaze intently fixed upon the long arms, the lotus eyes and dark-hued body of the suppliant's friend, his lion-like shoulders and magnificent broad chest and his charming face, that would ravish the soul of Kâmadeva himself. With streaming eyes and trembling limbs he at last made bold to speak in accents mild: “My lord, I am Râvan's brother; Champion of heaven, I have been born of demon race, with a savage temperament, as naturally prone to evil as an owl is partial to the night.
Dohâ 45.
I have heard with my ears of Your glory and have come; O my lord, save me, save me; You who are the deliverer from all life's troubles, the remover of distress, the friend of the suppliant, Raghu-bîr.”
So saying he prostrated himself; but at the sight the Lord arose in haste with much delight, being pleased to hear his humble address, and took him in his mighty arms and clasped him to his breast; then with his brother seated him by his side, and to calm his votary's fears spake thus: “Tell me, prince of Lankâ, is it all well with you and your family? Your Home is in an ill place. How, my friend, can one practise the duties of religion, when encompassed day and night by wicked men? I know all your circumstances, Your proficiency in virtue, your aversion to evil. God keep us from evil communications: ’twere better, my son, to live in hell.” “Now that I have seen Your feet, O Râma, it is all well with me, since You have recognized me as one of your worshippers and have shown mercy upon me.
Dohâ 46.
No creature can be happy, or even dream of rest to his soul, till he worship Râma, after forswearing lust, That fountain of remorse.
“So long as the heart is peopled by that villainous crew, avarice, sensuality, selfishness, arrogance and pride, there is no room there for Raghunâth, with His bow and arrows and quiver by His side. The intensely dark night of selfishness, so agreeable to the owl-like passions of love and hate, abides in the soul only until the rising of the sun-like Lord. Now I am well, and all my fears are over, in that I have beheld Your lotus feet. None of the threefold torments of life has any effect upon him, to whom You in your mercy show favour. I am a demon, utterly vile of nature, who have never observed any pious practices, and yet the Lord, to whose vision even the saints have not attained, for all their profound meditation, has been pleased to take me to His heart.
I have heard with my ears of Your glory and have come; O my lord, save me, save me; You who are the deliverer from all life's troubles, the remover of distress, the friend of the suppliant, Raghu-bîr.”
So saying he prostrated himself; but at the sight the Lord arose in haste with much delight, being pleased to hear his humble address, and took him in his mighty arms and clasped him to his breast; then with his brother seated him by his side, and to calm his votary's fears spake thus: “Tell me, prince of Lankâ, is it all well with you and your family? Your Home is in an ill place. How, my friend, can one practise the duties of religion, when encompassed day and night by wicked men? I know all your circumstances, Your proficiency in virtue, your aversion to evil. God keep us from evil communications: ’twere better, my son, to live in hell.” “Now that I have seen Your feet, O Râma, it is all well with me, since You have recognized me as one of your worshippers and have shown mercy upon me.
Dohâ 46.
No creature can be happy, or even dream of rest to his soul, till he worship Râma, after forswearing lust, That fountain of remorse.
“So long as the heart is peopled by that villainous crew, avarice, sensuality, selfishness, arrogance and pride, there is no room there for Raghunâth, with His bow and arrows and quiver by His side. The intensely dark night of selfishness, so agreeable to the owl-like passions of love and hate, abides in the soul only until the rising of the sun-like Lord. Now I am well, and all my fears are over, in that I have beheld Your lotus feet. None of the threefold torments of life has any effect upon him, to whom You in your mercy show favour. I am a demon, utterly vile of nature, who have never observed any pious practices, and yet the Lord, to whose vision even the saints have not attained, for all their profound meditation, has been pleased to take me to His heart.
Dohâ 47.
“Surely I am blessed beyond measure, and Râma's grace is most beneficent, in that I behold with my eyes those lotus feet, which even Brahma and Siva adore.”
“Hearken, friend; I will declare to you my characteristics, as known by Bhusundi, Sambhu and Umâ. If a man who has been the curse of the whole world comes trembling and looks to me for protection, if he abjures all his pride and sensuality without guile or subterfuge, I make him at once like one of the saints. Father and mother; kinsfolk, children and wife; life and property; home, friends and establishment; in short, every object of natural affection is gathered up as the strands of a rope wherewith to attach his soul to my feet. He regards all things as alike, without any preference, and with a soul unmoved either by joy, sorrow or fear. A saint like this is as fixed in my soul as money is in the heart of a miser. Good men like you are my friends, and it is only for their benefit that I have become incarnate.
Dohâ 48.
“Virtuous and devoted believers, who are steadfast in uprightness, strict in pious observances, and who love and revere Brahmans, are the men whom I regard as my own soul.
“Surely I am blessed beyond measure, and Râma's grace is most beneficent, in that I behold with my eyes those lotus feet, which even Brahma and Siva adore.”
“Hearken, friend; I will declare to you my characteristics, as known by Bhusundi, Sambhu and Umâ. If a man who has been the curse of the whole world comes trembling and looks to me for protection, if he abjures all his pride and sensuality without guile or subterfuge, I make him at once like one of the saints. Father and mother; kinsfolk, children and wife; life and property; home, friends and establishment; in short, every object of natural affection is gathered up as the strands of a rope wherewith to attach his soul to my feet. He regards all things as alike, without any preference, and with a soul unmoved either by joy, sorrow or fear. A saint like this is as fixed in my soul as money is in the heart of a miser. Good men like you are my friends, and it is only for their benefit that I have become incarnate.
Dohâ 48.
“Virtuous and devoted believers, who are steadfast in uprightness, strict in pious observances, and who love and revere Brahmans, are the men whom I regard as my own soul.
Hearken, Prince of Lankâ; all these good qualities are yours, and you are therefore very dear to me.” On hearing Râma’s speech, all the assembled monkeys exclaimed, “Glory to the All-merciful!” But Vibhishan, on hearing such ambrosial sounds, could not contain himself; time after time he clasped his lotus feet, his heart bursting with boundless joy. “Hearken, my God, lord of all creation, friend of the suppliant, reader of men’s thoughts; I had at first another wish in my mind; but devotion to my Lord’s feet has come upon me like a torrent and swept it away: now in Your mercy grant me such pure faith as that which ever gladdens Siva’s soul.” “So be it,” said the Lord, the valiant in fight, and then at once called for water from the sea. “It was not part of your wish, friend, but the sight of Me brings a reward with it all over the world.” So saying Râma marked his forehead with the royal tilak: an infinite shower of flowers rained from heaven.
Dohâ 49.
Thus did Raghunâth protect the humble Vibhishan from Râvan’s fiery wrath, fanned by the strong blast of His breath, and gave him secure dominion and all the good fortune which Siva had formerly bestowed upon the ten-headed Râvan.
Men who forsake such a lord to worship any other are mere beasts without the tails and horns. All the monkeys were charmed with the Lord’s amiability, who had recognized a servant and claimed him for his own. Then the All-wise, who dwelleth in the hearts of all, assuming any form at will, though himself formless and passionless, the champion of religion, the friend of men, and the destroyer of all the demon race, spoke and said: “Hearken, monkey-king, valiant monarch of Lankâ; how are we to cross the deep ocean, full of alligators, serpents and different kinds of sea monsters, of fathomless profundity and absolutely impassable?” Vibhishan replied: “Hearken, Raghunâyak; your arrows could burn up a thousand seas, but still it would be better policy to go and make petition to the god of ocean.
Dohâ 49.
Thus did Raghunâth protect the humble Vibhishan from Râvan’s fiery wrath, fanned by the strong blast of His breath, and gave him secure dominion and all the good fortune which Siva had formerly bestowed upon the ten-headed Râvan.
Men who forsake such a lord to worship any other are mere beasts without the tails and horns. All the monkeys were charmed with the Lord’s amiability, who had recognized a servant and claimed him for his own. Then the All-wise, who dwelleth in the hearts of all, assuming any form at will, though himself formless and passionless, the champion of religion, the friend of men, and the destroyer of all the demon race, spoke and said: “Hearken, monkey-king, valiant monarch of Lankâ; how are we to cross the deep ocean, full of alligators, serpents and different kinds of sea monsters, of fathomless profundity and absolutely impassable?” Vibhishan replied: “Hearken, Raghunâyak; your arrows could burn up a thousand seas, but still it would be better policy to go and make petition to the god of ocean.
Dohâ 50.
For being your family priest, my lord, he will take thought and suggest some scheme, by which the whole host of bears and monkeys may cross the deep without any trouble.”
“Friend, you have suggested a good idea; let us try it and may fortune be with us.” This invocation did not please Lakshman; he was much annoyed at Râma’s words. “Why trust fortune, my lord? Give vent to your indignation and dry up the ocean. It is the one resource of a coward in soul to sit still and pray fortune to help him.” Raghubîr laughed to hear this and said: “I shall do it all the same; but never you mind.” So saying he went to the shore of the salt sea and there took his seat on grass that he had strewn. Now after Vibhishan had joined Râma, Râvan sent spies of his own, who disguised themselves as monkeys, and so saw all that was going on.
Dohâ 51.
In their profound admiration of the Lord’s generosity and his tenderness to suppliants,
they loudly extolled His magnanimity and in the intensity of their devotion forgot their disguise. When the monkeys perceived them to be spies from the enemy, they seized them and took them to their chief. Said Sugriva, “Hearken, all you monkeys: just mutilate them and let them go.” On receiving this command, the monkeys ran and paraded them in bonds all through the camp, ill-treating them in every possible way and refusing to let them go for all their prayers for mercy, till they cried: “We adjure you by Râma not to rob us of our nose and ears.” When Lakshman heard this, he called them all to him, and, being moved with compassion, smiled and had them at once set free: “Give this missive into Râvan’s hands and say, ‘Read, destroyer of your race, what Lakshman says.’
For being your family priest, my lord, he will take thought and suggest some scheme, by which the whole host of bears and monkeys may cross the deep without any trouble.”
“Friend, you have suggested a good idea; let us try it and may fortune be with us.” This invocation did not please Lakshman; he was much annoyed at Râma’s words. “Why trust fortune, my lord? Give vent to your indignation and dry up the ocean. It is the one resource of a coward in soul to sit still and pray fortune to help him.” Raghubîr laughed to hear this and said: “I shall do it all the same; but never you mind.” So saying he went to the shore of the salt sea and there took his seat on grass that he had strewn. Now after Vibhishan had joined Râma, Râvan sent spies of his own, who disguised themselves as monkeys, and so saw all that was going on.
Dohâ 51.
In their profound admiration of the Lord’s generosity and his tenderness to suppliants,
they loudly extolled His magnanimity and in the intensity of their devotion forgot their disguise. When the monkeys perceived them to be spies from the enemy, they seized them and took them to their chief. Said Sugriva, “Hearken, all you monkeys: just mutilate them and let them go.” On receiving this command, the monkeys ran and paraded them in bonds all through the camp, ill-treating them in every possible way and refusing to let them go for all their prayers for mercy, till they cried: “We adjure you by Râma not to rob us of our nose and ears.” When Lakshman heard this, he called them all to him, and, being moved with compassion, smiled and had them at once set free: “Give this missive into Râvan’s hands and say, ‘Read, destroyer of your race, what Lakshman says.’
Dohâ 52.
Tell the fool also by word of mouth my emphatic command—‘Surrender Sîtâ and submit yourself, or it will be your death.’
The spies bowed the head at Lakshman’s feet and set out at once, praising his generosity. Still repeating Râma’s praises, they arrived at Lankâ and prostrated themselves before Râvan. The Ten-headed with a smile asked them the news: “Tell me Suka, I pray, of your own welfare, and then let me hear about Vibhishan, to whom death has drawn very nigh. The fool left Lankâ where he was a king; but now the wretched weevil must be crushed with the wheat. Tell me next what force these bears and monkeys muster, who have come here by command of their evil destiny; though the poor old sea has been soft-hearted enough to spare their lives. Tell me finally about the hermits, whose soul trembles for fear of me.
Dohâ 53.
“Did he meet you as a suppliant, or did he take to flight on hearing the report of my renown? Will you tell me nothing about the enemy’s might and magnificence? Your wits seem utterly dazed.”
Tell the fool also by word of mouth my emphatic command—‘Surrender Sîtâ and submit yourself, or it will be your death.’
The spies bowed the head at Lakshman’s feet and set out at once, praising his generosity. Still repeating Râma’s praises, they arrived at Lankâ and prostrated themselves before Râvan. The Ten-headed with a smile asked them the news: “Tell me Suka, I pray, of your own welfare, and then let me hear about Vibhishan, to whom death has drawn very nigh. The fool left Lankâ where he was a king; but now the wretched weevil must be crushed with the wheat. Tell me next what force these bears and monkeys muster, who have come here by command of their evil destiny; though the poor old sea has been soft-hearted enough to spare their lives. Tell me finally about the hermits, whose soul trembles for fear of me.
Dohâ 53.
“Did he meet you as a suppliant, or did he take to flight on hearing the report of my renown? Will you tell me nothing about the enemy’s might and magnificence? Your wits seem utterly dazed.”