But Hanuman cried: "Hear me, my Lord; the moon is Your devoted slave and it is your image enshrined in the moon's bosom that causes the darkness." The all-wise Rama smiled to hear the speech of the Son of the Wind; then, turning towards the south, the All-merciful spoke again:
Chaupdi.
"Look, Vibhishan, to the southern quarter—to the gathering clouds and the flashes of lightning. A pleasant sound of distant thunder is heard amidst the gloom; there will be some rain, think you, or a storm of hail?" Vibhishan replied: "Mark me, Sire, there is neither lightning nor gathered cloud. On the top of the Lanka hill there is a palace, where Ravan witnesses the sports of the arena: the royal umbrella held above his head presents the appearance of a mighty mass of cloud; the jewelled ornament in Mandodari's ears emits the flashes, my lord, that You take for lightning; while the incomparable music of the cymbals and drums is the pleasant sound that you hear, O king of the gods." The Lord smiled and, perceiving his arrogance, strung his bow and fitted an arrow to the string.
Dohâ 14.
A single shaft struck umbrella, crown, and ear-drop; in the sight of all they fell to the ground, and none could explain the mystery. Having performed this startling feat, Rama's arrows returned and dropped into the quiver. But Ravan and the whole assembly were much disturbed when they saw this interruption to their revel.
Chaupdi.
"Look, Vibhishan, to the southern quarter—to the gathering clouds and the flashes of lightning. A pleasant sound of distant thunder is heard amidst the gloom; there will be some rain, think you, or a storm of hail?" Vibhishan replied: "Mark me, Sire, there is neither lightning nor gathered cloud. On the top of the Lanka hill there is a palace, where Ravan witnesses the sports of the arena: the royal umbrella held above his head presents the appearance of a mighty mass of cloud; the jewelled ornament in Mandodari's ears emits the flashes, my lord, that You take for lightning; while the incomparable music of the cymbals and drums is the pleasant sound that you hear, O king of the gods." The Lord smiled and, perceiving his arrogance, strung his bow and fitted an arrow to the string.
Dohâ 14.
A single shaft struck umbrella, crown, and ear-drop; in the sight of all they fell to the ground, and none could explain the mystery. Having performed this startling feat, Rama's arrows returned and dropped into the quiver. But Ravan and the whole assembly were much disturbed when they saw this interruption to their revel.
Chaupâi.
"There was no earthquake, nor wind to speak of, nor did we see a missile of any kind," thus they pondered each to himself. "It is certainly a most alarming ill omen." When Ravan perceived that the assembly had taken fright, he smiled and invented an ingenious answer: "When a man's head falls it is all up with him: but what is the harm if only his crown falls? Go home all of you and go to sleep." They bowed and took their leave. But anxiety had settled in Mandodari's bosom the moment the jewel had dropped from her ear to the ground. With streaming eyes and hands clasped in prayer, she cried: "O lord of my life, hearken to my petition. O my husband, give over fighting against Rama, and do not indulge your pride with the idea that he is a mere man.
The jewel of the line of Raghu, believe what I say, is the omnipresent God, in Whose every limb, as the Vedas declare, is the fabric of a world.
Chaupâi.
His feet are the infernal regions, His head the abode of Brahma, and in every limb subsists some separate sphere; the play of his brows is the doom of fate, His eyes are the sun, His hair the dark thunder-cloud, his nostrils are the twin sons of Asvini, and the constant winking of His eyes the cause of day and night. His ears, as the Vedas declare, are the ten quarters of the heaven, His breath is the wind, and His articulate voice the scripture. His lips are greed and His teeth the terrors of death; His smile is Maya; His arms the regents of the quarters; His face is the element of fire; His tongue, water; and his movements the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe. The hairs on his body are the trees and bushes that grow on the earth; His bones the mountains, and the network of His veins the rivers; His belly the sea, and His hinder parts hell. Everything may be called a manifestation of the omnipresent Lord,
"There was no earthquake, nor wind to speak of, nor did we see a missile of any kind," thus they pondered each to himself. "It is certainly a most alarming ill omen." When Ravan perceived that the assembly had taken fright, he smiled and invented an ingenious answer: "When a man's head falls it is all up with him: but what is the harm if only his crown falls? Go home all of you and go to sleep." They bowed and took their leave. But anxiety had settled in Mandodari's bosom the moment the jewel had dropped from her ear to the ground. With streaming eyes and hands clasped in prayer, she cried: "O lord of my life, hearken to my petition. O my husband, give over fighting against Rama, and do not indulge your pride with the idea that he is a mere man.
The jewel of the line of Raghu, believe what I say, is the omnipresent God, in Whose every limb, as the Vedas declare, is the fabric of a world.
Chaupâi.
His feet are the infernal regions, His head the abode of Brahma, and in every limb subsists some separate sphere; the play of his brows is the doom of fate, His eyes are the sun, His hair the dark thunder-cloud, his nostrils are the twin sons of Asvini, and the constant winking of His eyes the cause of day and night. His ears, as the Vedas declare, are the ten quarters of the heaven, His breath is the wind, and His articulate voice the scripture. His lips are greed and His teeth the terrors of death; His smile is Maya; His arms the regents of the quarters; His face is the element of fire; His tongue, water; and his movements the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe. The hairs on his body are the trees and bushes that grow on the earth; His bones the mountains, and the network of His veins the rivers; His belly the sea, and His hinder parts hell. Everything may be called a manifestation of the omnipresent Lord,
Dohâ 16.
who has Siva for his self-consciousness, Brahma for his intelligence, the moon for his mind, and the great First Principle for his soul; who not only indwells in man, but also assumes the form of any animate or inanimate creature, the Lord God. Hearken, my beloved, ponder upon this and cease to contend.
After prostrating himself at his feet and imprinting the image of his majesty on his soul, Angad bowed to the assembly and went forth, the delighter in battle, the gallant son of Bali, dauntless by nature and his heart all aglow with the might of his Lord. As he entered the city, he came across Bavan’s son, who was playing there. From words they proceeded to a struggle; both of unequalled strength and in the prime of their youth to boot. He raised his foot to kick Angad, who at once seized him by it and swung him round and dashed him to the ground. All the demons, even the stoutest warriors among them, who saw the deed, dispersed hither and thither, but dared not give the alarm; they did not even whisper to one another, but remained silent, when they saw his death. A rumour, however, was noised through the city: “The monkey who set Lanka on fire has come again; what has God in store for us now?” Thus they all pondered in excessive dismay. Without being asked they showed him the road: if he but looked at any one he withered away.
who has Siva for his self-consciousness, Brahma for his intelligence, the moon for his mind, and the great First Principle for his soul; who not only indwells in man, but also assumes the form of any animate or inanimate creature, the Lord God. Hearken, my beloved, ponder upon this and cease to contend.
After prostrating himself at his feet and imprinting the image of his majesty on his soul, Angad bowed to the assembly and went forth, the delighter in battle, the gallant son of Bali, dauntless by nature and his heart all aglow with the might of his Lord. As he entered the city, he came across Bavan’s son, who was playing there. From words they proceeded to a struggle; both of unequalled strength and in the prime of their youth to boot. He raised his foot to kick Angad, who at once seized him by it and swung him round and dashed him to the ground. All the demons, even the stoutest warriors among them, who saw the deed, dispersed hither and thither, but dared not give the alarm; they did not even whisper to one another, but remained silent, when they saw his death. A rumour, however, was noised through the city: “The monkey who set Lanka on fire has come again; what has God in store for us now?” Thus they all pondered in excessive dismay. Without being asked they showed him the road: if he but looked at any one he withered away.
Dohâ 18.
Then with his thoughts fixed on Rama’s lotus feet, he entered the Council Hall, with the gait of a lion, glancing on this side and that, a bold and stalwart hero.
One of the demons was immediately despatched to report the news to Bavan. On hearing it, the Ten-headed cried with a laugh: “Go and bring this strange monkey here.” On receiving this order, a number of his messengers ran and fetched the monkey-chief. In Angad’s eyes the Ten-headed appeared like the Black mountain endued with life; his arms like trees, his head a rocky peak, the hair on his body as it were all kinds of creepers, and his mouth, nose, eyes and ears like caves and chasms in the rock. Without the slightest trepidation of heart he entered the Court, the son of Bali; most dauntless of heroes. The assembly rose at the sight of the monkey; but in Bavan’s heart was ungovernable fury.
Dohâ 19.
As when a lion enters among a herd of mad elephants, so after bowing to the assembly he took his seat, his thoughts ever fixed on Rama’s power.
Bavan asked: “Monkey, who are you?” “I am an ambassador from Rama, Bavan. There was friendship between you and my father; and on that account, brother, I have come to you to do you a service. Of high descent, the grandson of Pulastya, you duly worshipped Siva and Brahma, obtained your prayer of them, accomplished all you undertook and conquered the guardians of the eight quarters and every earthly sovereign. Now under the influence of royal arrogance or some delusion you have carried off Sita, the mother of the world. Yet hearken to my friendly advice and the Lord will still pardon you. Put a straw between your teeth and an axe to your throat, and with all your family and your own wife and with Janak’s daughter placed respectfully at your head, go all of you in this wise without any alarm,
Then with his thoughts fixed on Rama’s lotus feet, he entered the Council Hall, with the gait of a lion, glancing on this side and that, a bold and stalwart hero.
One of the demons was immediately despatched to report the news to Bavan. On hearing it, the Ten-headed cried with a laugh: “Go and bring this strange monkey here.” On receiving this order, a number of his messengers ran and fetched the monkey-chief. In Angad’s eyes the Ten-headed appeared like the Black mountain endued with life; his arms like trees, his head a rocky peak, the hair on his body as it were all kinds of creepers, and his mouth, nose, eyes and ears like caves and chasms in the rock. Without the slightest trepidation of heart he entered the Court, the son of Bali; most dauntless of heroes. The assembly rose at the sight of the monkey; but in Bavan’s heart was ungovernable fury.
Dohâ 19.
As when a lion enters among a herd of mad elephants, so after bowing to the assembly he took his seat, his thoughts ever fixed on Rama’s power.
Bavan asked: “Monkey, who are you?” “I am an ambassador from Rama, Bavan. There was friendship between you and my father; and on that account, brother, I have come to you to do you a service. Of high descent, the grandson of Pulastya, you duly worshipped Siva and Brahma, obtained your prayer of them, accomplished all you undertook and conquered the guardians of the eight quarters and every earthly sovereign. Now under the influence of royal arrogance or some delusion you have carried off Sita, the mother of the world. Yet hearken to my friendly advice and the Lord will still pardon you. Put a straw between your teeth and an axe to your throat, and with all your family and your own wife and with Janak’s daughter placed respectfully at your head, go all of you in this wise without any alarm,
Dohâ 20.
crying, ‘O jewel of the race of Raghu, defender of the suppliant, save now me, even me,’ and when he hears your piteous cry the Lord will set your mind at rest.”
“Ah! you wretched monkey, take care what you are saying. Fool, do you not know that I am the declared enemy of the gods? Tell me your own name and your father’s, friend, and through what relation you claim alliance.” My name is Angad; I am the son of Bali, with whom you once were on terms of friendship. On hearing Angad’s reply, he was confused. “I admit, monkey, that it was so with Bali: but if Angad is that Bali’s son, he has been born as a firebrand for the destruction of his race. The womb that bare you, forsooth, was not pregnant for nothing; who with your own mouth confess yourself a hermit’s envoy. Tell me now, is all well with Bali?” Angad laughed and replied: “Ten days hence go to Bali and embrace your old friend and ask him yourself of his welfare. He will tell you the kind of welfare that results from fighting against Rama. Hearken, fool; he is a man divided against himself whose heart is closed to the divine Raghubir.
Dohâ 21.
I, forsooth, am the destroyer of my race, while you, Ravan, are the preserver of yours. Who can say that you are blind or deaf while you have twenty eyes and twenty ears?
crying, ‘O jewel of the race of Raghu, defender of the suppliant, save now me, even me,’ and when he hears your piteous cry the Lord will set your mind at rest.”
“Ah! you wretched monkey, take care what you are saying. Fool, do you not know that I am the declared enemy of the gods? Tell me your own name and your father’s, friend, and through what relation you claim alliance.” My name is Angad; I am the son of Bali, with whom you once were on terms of friendship. On hearing Angad’s reply, he was confused. “I admit, monkey, that it was so with Bali: but if Angad is that Bali’s son, he has been born as a firebrand for the destruction of his race. The womb that bare you, forsooth, was not pregnant for nothing; who with your own mouth confess yourself a hermit’s envoy. Tell me now, is all well with Bali?” Angad laughed and replied: “Ten days hence go to Bali and embrace your old friend and ask him yourself of his welfare. He will tell you the kind of welfare that results from fighting against Rama. Hearken, fool; he is a man divided against himself whose heart is closed to the divine Raghubir.
Dohâ 21.
I, forsooth, am the destroyer of my race, while you, Ravan, are the preserver of yours. Who can say that you are blind or deaf while you have twenty eyes and twenty ears?