Ravana Grieves Indrajith (Puthra Shok)
Ravana’s minsters heard Indrajith was killed, were not sure, they reverified by going to battle field, informed the Great King. (Since Nikumbhial Yaga was not completed Ravana had a doubt whether Indrajith will come alive); “Hey Great King! your darling son Great Thejahasvi of immense Aura; today Lakshmana due to the suggestion of Vibheeshana and support was killed. He is great Valorous and hitherto had never faced defeat; he had imprisoned Indra after winning over him; in all aspects he was Your worthy son. He waged war with a Warrior of equal caliber, specially tormented Lakshmana, then he was killed by his Asthrahas attained the chaste World” - thus they informed.
When Ravana heard Indrajith was killed in battle he yelled “Ha!”, fainted and fell like the Tree which has been uprooted. After a long time he regained consciousness and composure, with his senses stirred Lamented feebly “Oh My! My Dear Child! incomparable Valorous warrior! Jewel of Rakshasaa Warrior! of all did you get caught by Lakshmana lost your life as you had earlier won over Indra ? When you get angry even the God of Death and the peaks of Hills also splatter. After all how insignificant is this Lakshamana? Only after you have reached Yama haave I developed relationship with him. A person who dies for employer’s task he attains Heaven as per their jutstice. All Valorous pray for such a Death. So I shouldn’t grieve over your Valorous Heavenly death. Today having heard that Indrajith is killed all the Lords of All Worlds Administrators, Sages, Devas and their entourages, will fearlessly happily sleep. In this 3 Worlds, this Earth, and the Hills Forests, without Indrajith looks to me empty. The wailing of Rakhsasaa Ladies in Queen’s chambers will pierce my Ears like the hordes of Female Elephants trumpetting their agony in caves. Being prince of such a Big Rakshasaa Kingdom, Your Rakshasaa warriors, Your mother Mandhodahari, Your wife where have you gone leaving all of us? When I die instead of You doing my funeral rites, I am today forced to do your funeral rites what shall I speak about this? Rama Lakshmana and Sugreeva were still alive, instead of fulfilling my pledge, erasing the slander where have you left us all as Orphans?” - thus the Prathaapa (Glory, Fame, Greatness) Lord of Lanka Lamented.
Habitually Ravana is an angry Rakshasaa ; due to grievance of his son it has increased manifold; Like the Summer makes the Sun rays to be brightened, his Rage was rekindled by Loss of Indrajith. Closing his eye brows, he looked like the waves of sea during Tsunami. Due to rage when he yawns, from his mouth emanated smoke and one or two sparks. That Rakhsasaa Ravana was grieving and floundering the sea of sorrow of his Indrajith’s death. He decided it is best to kill Janaki (Sita).With anger his fiery red eyes dazzled further. By Nature he is Gory to look at; enraged and fuming was horrible and despicable even to look at. Like in the wick lamp or Candle when it is burning sparks and drops fall like wise from his enraged Fiery eyes sparks spluttered and few tear drops fell.The grinding of his teeth, It looked as though one was grinding the Maize in the grinder to take out the OIL from Gingely seeds. As the Fire of deluge, whichever side he looked, the Rakshasaas feared and scurried for cover wanting not to be seen by him. He looked as though he will swallow the entire cosmos in his rage, who was starring at the world no one dared to near him.
Seeing his Army being afraid and having lost their Morale to instill courage in them said “I have for many thousands of years done penance; during the completion time, I have pleased Brahma deva in many ways. Due to that power of penance and also due to grace of Brahma (God of creations in Universe of all Living beings) I have no fear from Devas & Asuras ever. I have received the Golden Vest from Brahma which has never been spilt open even a bit when ever I have fought Deva and Asuras Battles despite being attacked by their Indestructible Vajhrayudha and Shakthi (Lancer with pointed spear or Multi pointed Spear from Spehrical ball with many sharp spear extentions). When I go to war wearing that into war who is there to challenge me? Can even the Indra having Vajhrayudah dare to oppose me? I also have the Bow and Bhana which was given by Brahma deva when he was pleased. In earlier with the weapons given by him, I have many battles and won all over them.Today I will take them out with war drums beating I will use them to kill Rama Lakshmana” - thundered Ravana.
That Rakshasaa due to the grief of loss of son’s life and anger was not in senses then after considering various options decided it is best to kill Sita. With fiery red eyes due to rage, with angered stare, heart battered, looking at all the Rakshassas who were surrounding him in a feeble voice said “Friends! My child in order to hypnotise Rama Lakshmana and Vanaras created a Magical Sita so that they will believe and killed it in their very presence. Today truthfully, I will kill Her. I will Torture that Sita who is supporting those tiny Kshatriya warriors thereby I will quench my anger and grief. Then he unsheathed his sharp dazzling Sword, due to rage his senses shattered with his wife and Ministers accompanying him, he went to where Sita was. Seeing that all Rakshasaas were happy hugged each other and roared like Lion. “Today if Rama Lakshmana are seen by our King they will be destroyed there is no doubt on that.Whenever he had been in rage the 4 Administrators of the Universe and the enemies who have challenged him, he has bashed them up. He is the greatest fortunate One and only person who has brought the best of everything from all the 3 Worlds ( Earth, Heaven, Pathaal-beneath Earth). In strength and Valiant Prowess there is non equal to him”. While they were discussing like this Ravana ran to where Sita was. Like Mars runs in the sky lane to catch Rohini star. Despite his well wishers trying to stop him, he did not bother and came running towards Sita having decided to kill Sita.
Sita who was very carefully protected amongst Rakshasis saw Ravana coming running with Unsheathed Sword in his hands and despite being dissuaded by his well wishers, towards her was extremely anguished “Oh My ! Seeing this wicked fellow coming running with Sword drawn it appears he won’t stop without killing me. Despite my best of Warriors being there I am orphaned! This wicked will ask me to be his wife, and had pleaded with me many times to enjoy every comfort with him. I who had not thought any one else other than my Husband Rama I had admonished him and did not pay heed to his words. So his desire to attain me is totally gone. The material which I can’t need be somebody elses is the thought and fuelled by his anger, Sorrow and having an unstable intellect he is coming to kill me. Or is it that those Noble Rama Lakshmana where killed by him while battling for mysake? Those great Princes who had to sacrificed their Lives for my sake, I should be torched. Or is it by chance shaken by his Son’s death and in that grief his mental faculty derailing and unable to kill Rama Lakshmana is this cruel coming to kill me? Oh my why did not hear Anjaneya’s words earlier? Had I climbed on his aback, I would have by now reached my husband. I would not have to undergo these troubles. Kuashalya who does not have any other son than Rama when she comes to know that her dear son was killed in the battle her heart will explode and she will leave her Praanan (Life force, Last Breathe, that without which causes Physical and medical Death). She will yell, bellow thinking of Rama’s Birth, Childhood, Youth, Good Conduct, Dharma, upholding of Sathyam (truth) thinking all of these she will wince. She will often wince and curse her fate for having to do his final rites for him, she will forego the hope of enjoiyng comfort with him and entally perturbed She will lit Agni (Fire) and jump into it. Or drown in water and die. The troubled caused unto Kaushlaya what ever punishment you give the the wretched Manthara hunch back Lady will be justified and she should be scorched” thus feebly Lamented Sita who was like the Rohini star separated from Moon who was in the hands of Mars.
On seeing her Ravana came very fast. One of his very intelligentMinister Subhaarshva; of good conduct; full of ideas spoke to Dasagreeva (10 Headed Ravanan) who wasn’t listening to any one and was coming running “Great King! What is this Surprise? You have been named Dasagreeva which no one else has been able to attain (meaning You should have 10 times more intelligence than an ordinary person). You are the brother of Kubhera who is the Lord of a frontier; He is a very close friend of your family Deity Paramsiva; when that be so You have allowed your Dynasty’s conduct , Fame, wisdom astray and why do you want to earn the Sthree Hathya Dosha ( Killing of Human that too a Lady on whom you should not even raise a Hand). Can You of all people give room to Anger? Your intellect which was always focused on Learning and practising of Vedas ,Learning of Various Sciences, Fasts, Holy Baths, Observances of rituals to attain Heaven how and why did it drift to killing a woman? Does it behove of you as your are the Lord of all Rakshasaas and the one who preaches and practices by Leading as an example of Dharma, Adhramaactivites? Have belief that matchless beauty Sita in the course of time will be yours. You, Your entourages, Relations and us will use that Anger towards Rama. Today is 14th day of waxing Moon You can start for war. Surrounded by Your Army you can leave Lanka on No Moon day ie tomorrow. Is there any one who can match in Valour and Intelligence? You wear the Vest, attire the weapons get into your Divine Chariot holding aloft the Prachanda Bow go to the Battle field, destroy those Rama Lakshmana then you will enjoy Sita to your heart’s content”. Said Subhaarshva.
Ravana accepted that Subhaarshva’s words were in his interest, that wicked Rakshasaa returned from Ashoka Garden and went back to his Palace. Went to the assembly and was consulting his friends on the further course of action. (Slokas 51)
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