The Valmiki Ramayana

by Amish Tripathi

  On seeing that he had fallen down on the ground, the remaining roamers in the night were terrified by fear. With their protector killed, they fled in different directions. On seeing that Dashagriva had been killed and that Raghava was victorious, the apes, who fought with trees, roared and attacked them. They were afflicted and routed by the apes. In their fear, they rushed towards Lanka. Their refuge had been killed. They were in a pitiable state and their faces were full of tears. Delighted and desiring victory, the apes roared. They proclaimed Raghava’s victory and Ravana’s death.

  In the firmament, the pleasant drums of the gods were sounded. A wind that was extremely pleasant, with the scent of divine fragrances, started to blow. Lovely flowers were showered down from the sky and descended on the ground. Since he had performed an extremely difficult deed, they were showered down on Raghava’s chariot. Praises of Raghava were heard in the sky. The great-souled gods uttered words of acclaim. At the terrible Ravana, who caused fear to all the worlds, being killed, the gods and the charanas were filled with great joy. Raghava was delighted at having been able to kill the bull among the rakshasas and having accomplished the desires of Sugriva and the immensely strong Angada. The storm was pacified. The directions were peaceful and the sky sparkled. The earth did not tremble and there was no strong wind. The sun’s radiance became steady. Delighted at Raghava’s victory, Sugriva, Vibhishana, the other well-wishers and Lakshmana surrounded the charming one. Following the rites, they worshipped him. The one who was steadfast in his pledge had killed the enemy. Surrounded by his own forces, he dazzled in the field of battle. The immensely energetic delight of the king of the Raghu lineage369 was surrounded by them, like Indra by large numbers of gods.

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  On seeing that Ravana had been killed by the great-souled Raghava, the rakshasis who were in the inner quarters were afflicted by grief and rushed out.370 Though they were restrained by many, they writhed around in the dust on the ground. Afflicted by sorrow, their hair was dishevelled. They were like cows, when the calves had been killed. With the rakshasas, they emerged from the northern gate. They entered the terrible field of battle and searched for their slain husbands. They lamented everywhere, ‘Alas, noble one! Alas, protector!’ They roamed amidst the headless torsos, on the ground that was a mire of blood. They were crushed with sorrow because of their husbands. Tears flowed from their eyes. They shrieked and screamed like female elephants, when the leaders of the herd had been killed.

  They saw the immensely radiant Ravana lying down on the ground. He was gigantic in size and great in bravery. He was like a mass of dark collyrium. They suddenly saw their husband lying down on the ground, in the dust of the battle. Like severed forest creepers, they fell down on his body. One embraced him with a great deal of respect, another wept. One embraced his feet, another clung to his neck. Another raised her hands up and writhed around on the ground. On seeing the face of the slain one, another was filled with confusion. One took up his head on her lap, another looked at his face and cried. Like dew on a lotus flower, another wiped his face with her tears. They suffered on seeing their husband, Ravana, slain and lying down on the ground. They shrieked in many ways. Overcome by grief, they lamented repeatedly. ‘He terrified Shakra. He terrified Yama. He took Pushpaka away from King Vaishravana. In battles, he created great fear for gandharvas, rishis and the great-souled gods. Such a person is lying down, killed in the battle. He knew no fear from asuras, gods or serpents. But he faced fear from a human. He could not be killed by the gods, the danavas or the rakshasas. But he is lying down, slain in the battle by a human on foot. The gods, the yakshas and the asuras were incapable of killing him. How could he have obtained his death at the hands of a mortal, limited in spirit?’ In this way, the women wept and lamented. Afflicted by sorrow, they lamented again and again. ‘You did not listen to the well-wishers, who always spoke about what was beneficial for you. With you killed, we have also been brought down. Your brother, Vibhishana, spoke desirable and beneficial words to you. However, because of your confusion and because you desired your own death, you reprimanded him in harsh words. Had you returned Sita Maithilee to Rama, this terrible catastrophe wouldn’t have occurred today. Our great foundation has been struck down. Had you followed your brother’s wishes, Rama would have been one of our friends. All of us wouldn’t have become widows and the desires of the enemy wouldn’t have been fulfilled. You were repeatedly cruel towards Sita and used force to imprison her. The rakshasas, you and we—all three have been brought down in the same way. O bull among rakshasas! You acted out of your own desire, but that wasn’t desirable. Everything is driven by destiny. Destiny decides the killer and the killed. O mighty-armed one! In the battle, the destruction of the apes, of the rakshasas and of you has been brought about because of the forces of destiny. In this world, when the results of destiny arise, artha, kama, valour or commands are incapable of resisting them.’ Miserable, the wives of the lord of the rakshasas lamented in this way. With tears flowing from their eyes, they were as grief-stricken as female curlews.

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  The wives of the rakshasa lamented in this way. The eldest and beloved wife looked miserably at her husband. She saw that Dashagriva had been killed by Rama, whose deeds were unthinkable. Mandodari piteously lamented about her husband. ‘O mighty-armed one! You were known as Vaishravana’s younger brother. When you were angry, even Purandara was scared of standing before you. Anxious at hearing your name, the rishis, the gods of the earth, the illustrious gandharvas and the charanas fled in different directions. O king! O bull among rakshasas! Rama, a mere human, has vanquished you in the battle. Why are you not ashamed at this? Full of prosperity and valour, you invaded the three worlds. You could not be resisted. Yet, you have been slain by a man wandering around in the forest. Assuming any form at will, you roamed around in the dominion of men. In a battle, you should not have come about your destruction at the hands of Rama. In the field of battle, I do not believe that Rama performed this act. Nor do I think he attacked and invaded you in every possible way. In earlier times, you conquered your senses and vanquished the three worlds. As remembrance of that, the senses have defeated you now. In Rama’s form, Vasava himself may have come to destroy your maya beyond any possible doubt. As soon as your brother Khara, surrounded by many rakshasas, was killed in Janasthana, it was evident that he was no mere human. Even the gods find it extremely difficult to penetrate the city of Lanka. As soon as Hanumat used his valour to enter, we were distressed. I told you not to engage in an enmity with Raghava. But since you did not heed that, this evil has come upon us. O bull among the rakshasas! For the destruction of your prosperity, your body and your own relatives, a sudden desire for Sita came upon you. O evil-minded one! She is superior to Arundhati371 and Rohini. You oppressed the respected one. This was not an act that was worthy of you. Maithilee is no match for me in nobility of birth, beauty or gentleness. But because of your confusion, you did not comprehend whether she was superior to me or equal to me. In every way, among all beings, there is a reason for death. As for you, Maithilee is the reason for your death. Maithilee will find pleasure with Rama, freed from grief. I am limited in fortune. That is the reason I am immersed in this terrible ocean of grief. I have sported with you in Kailasa, Mandara, Meru and the grove of Chaitraratha, in beautiful vimanas that were unmatched in their prosperity. Clad in colourful garlands and garments, I have seen many regions. O brave one! With your death, I am now deprived of all those objects of pleasure. O immensely fortunate one! My brother-in-law372 speaks the truth and what he said was true. “This one373 has presented herself for the destruction of the foremost among the rakshasas. Desire and anger have arisen and addiction to them will bring about hardship.” You have brought about all this. The lineage of the rakshasas is without a protector. You were famous for your strength and manliness and I should not grieve over you. But because of my feminine nature, my mind is whirling around in pity. You have accepted your good deeds and bad
deeds and have attained your own destination. Since I am miserable at being separated from you, I am grieving about myself. You possess the complexion of a dark cloud. You are attired in yellow garments. You wear auspicious armlets. Why are you lying down, covered in blood, with your entire body stretched out? I am afflicted by grief. You seem to be asleep. Why are you not replying to me? You were immensely valiant and accomplished. You did not run away from an encounter. I am the granddaughter of a yatudhana.374 Why are you not replying to me? Your club is as radiant as the sun and you used it to oppress enemies in battles. It is like the vajra of the wielder of the vajra and you always revered it. It is polished with nets of gold and in battles, you have struck enemies with this. Arrows have shattered it into a thousand fragments and they are scattered around. Shame on my heart. It is not shattering into a thousand fragments. You are dead and the consequence is that I am afflicted by grief.’

  At this time, Rama spoke to Vibhishana. ‘Restrain the women and perform funeral rites for your brother.’ Having comforted them, Vibhishana addressed Rama in the following words. He knew about dharma and he used his intelligence to think about it. His beneficial words were full of dharma and artha. Following what Rama had said, he replied in these words. ‘He abandoned the vows of dharma. He was cruel. He was violent and followed falsehood. He was attracted to the wives of others. I should not perform funeral rites for him. He was an enemy in the form of a brother. He was always engaged in what was injurious. Though the respect due to a senior deserves worship, Ravana does not deserve to be worshipped. O Rama! Men on earth will refer to me as someone cruel. However, on hearing about all his qualities, they will subsequently say that I performed a good deed.’ On hearing this, Rama, supreme among the upholders of dharma, was greatly delighted. The one who knew about words and was eloquent in the use of words addressed Vibhishana in these words. ‘I have obtained victory because of your powers. Therefore, I must do what is agreeable to you. O lord of the rakshasas! You must certainly pardon the words that I use. The roamer in the night followed adharma and falsehood. He was attached to desire. However, he was always energetic, strong and brave in battles. It has been heard that he could not be defeated by the gods, with Shatakratu at the forefront. The great-souled Ravana was full of strength and he made the worlds scream. With death, enmity ends and we no longer have any need for that. Therefore, let his funeral rites be performed. He belongs to me, just as he does to you. O mighty-armed one! Following the prescribed ordinances, his funeral rites should be performed by you. You will then obtain great dharma and fame.’

  Hearing Raghava’s words, Vibhishana hurried. He arranged for the proper funeral rites for Ravana. Following the ordinances, Vibhishana applied fire. He repeatedly entreated the women and comforted them. With all the rakshasis, Vibhishana entered.375 He then approached Rama’s presence and stood there humbly. With his soldiers and Sugriva and Lakshmana, Rama was delighted that his enemy had been killed, just as Vritra had been by Shatakratu.

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  On witnessing Ravana’s death, the gods, the gandharvas and the danavas conversed about this auspicious account and left on their respective vimanas. Conversing about the terrible Ravana’s death, Raghava’s valour, the excellent fight put by the apes, Sugriva’s counsel and the love and valour of Soumitri Lakshmana, those immensely fortunate ones happily returned to wherever they had come from. Raghava’s divine chariot had been given by Indra and was as radiant as the fire. The mighty-armed one worshipped Matali and gave him leave to return with that. Having obtained Raghava’s permission, Matali, Shakra’s charioteer, ascended that divine chariot and ascended to heaven. When he ascended to heaven on that chariot, Raghava, supreme among warriors, was extremely delighted and embraced Sugriva. He embraced Sugriva and was greeted by Lakshmana. Worshipped by the best among the apes, he went to the place where the forces were camped.

  Soumitri Lakshmana, full of spirit and blazing in energy, was near him. Rama spoke to him. ‘O amiable one! Vibhishana must be consecrated in Lanka. He is devoted and faithful and has done good deeds for me. Though he is Ravana’s younger brother, this is my supreme desire. O amiable one! Let us see Vibhishana consecrated in Lanka.’ Soumitri was thus addressed by the great-souled Raghava. He happily agreed and brought a golden pot. In the midst of the rakshasas in Lanka, following Rama’s command, Soumitri used that golden pot to consecrate Vibhishana. The one with dharma in his soul consecrated Vibhishana, who was pure in his soul. On seeing that Vibhishana, Indra among rakshasas, had been consecrated in Lanka, the advisers376 and the rakshasas who were devoted to him rejoiced. With Lakshmana, Raghava was filled with great delight. Granted by Rama, Vibhishana obtained that great kingdom. Having comforted the ordinary people, he came to Rama. Happy in their minds and content, the roamers in the night who were residents of the city brought and offered him377 unbroken grain,378 sweetmeats379 and divine parched grain.380 The invincible and valiant one accepted all these auspicious objects and offered them to Raghava and Lakshmana. Rama saw that Vibhishana had accomplished his objective and was now prosperous. Therefore, wishing to do what would bring him pleasure, he accepted everything.

  The brave ape Hanumat, who was like a mountain, was standing near him, with his hands joined in salutation and his head bowed down. Rama addressed him in these words. ‘Take the permission of this amiable and great king, Vibhishana. Resort to humility and enter Ravana’s residence. Tell Vaidehi that I, Sugriva and Lakshmana are well. O supreme among victorious ones! Tell her that I have killed Ravana. O lord of the apes! Convey this agreeable news to Vaidehi. Ascertain her message and return.’

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  Hanumat, the son of the wind god, was instructed in this way. Worshipped by the roamers in the night, he entered the city of Lanka. The immensely energetic one entered Ravana’s residence and saw her, terrified like Rohini separated from the moon. He approached her in secret, bowed his head down and greeted her. He started to tell her everything that Rama had said. ‘O Vaidehi! Rama, Sugriva and Lakshmana are well. With the help of Vibhishana, Lakshmana and the apes, Rama, the destroyer of enemies, has accomplished his objective and has killed the enemy. He has said that he is well. O queen! The valiant Ravana has been made to die. The brave Rama, the descendant of the Raghu lineage, has asked about your welfare. Having accomplished his inner desires, extremely happy, he has told you this. “O queen!381 I am conveying this agreeable news and am also praising you. O one who knows about dharma! It is my good fortune that you are still alive after my victory in the battle. O Sita! We have obtained victory. Be at ease. Dispel your anxiety. The enemy, Ravana, has been killed and Lanka has been brought under subjugation. I have not slept. My resolution was firm that I would win you back. A bridge was built across the great ocean and the pledge has been accomplished. As long as you are in Ravana’s residence, you need not have any fear. Everything in this prosperous Lanka is now under Vibhishana’s control. Therefore, be comforted and at ease. It is as if you are in your own house. This one is going to you.382 He is happy and eager to see you.”’

  Thus addressed, with a face like the moon, Sita leapt up. Her joy constricted her and she was unable to say anything. Since Sita did not reply, the best among the apes spoke to her. ‘O queen! What are you thinking? Why are you not replying to me?’ Sita based herself on dharma and was thus addressed by Hanumat. Extremely delighted, and in a voice choking with tears, she replied. ‘I have heard this pleasant news that my husband has obtained victory. I was overwhelmed with joy and, for a while, was unable to speak. O ape! You have brought me this agreeable news. However, though I have thought about it, I do not see anything here that I can give you and honour you with. O amiable one! O ape! You have brought me this agreeable news. However, I do not see anything on earth that can be given to someone like you. Gold, silver, many riches, a kingdom or the three worlds are not sufficient for someone who brings this news.’ When Vaidehi Sita spoke in this way, stationed in front of her, the ape joined his hands in salutation a
nd heard her words.

  He replied, ‘You are engaged in doing what brings your husband pleasure. You desire your husband’s victory. It is only someone like you who can speak such gentle words. O amiable one! Your words are gentle and profound. They are superior to heaps of jewels and the kingdom of the gods. I have obtained my objective. I have seen Rama victorious, having slain the enemy. In qualities, that is superior to the kingdom of the gods and everything else. Earlier, all these rakshasis have censured you. If you permit it, I wish to kill them. They are terrible in form and conduct. They are cruel and their eyes are crueller. You are devoted to your husband and when you were in Ashokavana, they oppressed you. These rakshasis are extremely terrible and they are horrible in speech. Grant me this boon. I wish to kill them, using different kinds of blows. O beautiful one! I will strike them and bring them down with fists, hands, feet, teeth and terrible blows with the thighs. I will eat up their noses and ears. I will pull out their hair. When I strike, kill and make them suffer, their mouths will turn extremely dry. O illustrious one! In this way, I wish to strike them in many different ways. O queen! They have committed crimes towards you and I want to kill them.’ Vaidehi, Janaka’s daughter, was addressed by Hanumat in this way. The illustrious one replied to Hanumat in words that were full of dharma. ‘O supreme among apes! They were dependent on the king and under his control. They acted in accordance with someone else’s command. It is not proper to be angry with servant maids. Because of my former wicked deeds, this misfortune has come upon me. That is the reason I obtained all this. In this world, one reaps the consequences of one’s own deeds. Destiny determined that this kind of misfortune had to be suffered. Ravana’s servant maids are weak in strength and I am pardoning them. The rakshasis censured me because they were commanded by Ravana. O supreme among apes! Since he has been killed, they will no longer roar. In this connection, there is an ancient shloka that was chanted by a bear in a tiger’s presence. It is full of dharma. O ape! Hear it. “The wicked acts committed by others are evil committed by others. They do not touch you. A pledge must be honoured. For virtuous people, good conduct constitutes ornaments.”383 O ape! The wicked do not deserve to be killed. Since there is no one who does not commit a crime, it is better and noble to show them compassion. The rakshasas can assume any form at will and roam around the world, causing injury. But though they act wickedly, one should not act inappropriately towards them.’ Hanumat, accomplished in the use of words, was thus addressed by Sita. He replied to Sita, Rama’s illustrious wife. ‘You are indeed an illustrious and appropriate wife for Rama. O queen! Give me your message of reply, so that I can go to the spot where Raghava is.’