Vibheeshana Laments
Seeing his Elder brother having been defeated by Rama and lying in the ground dead, Vibheeshana was with inconsolable grief and lamented. “Matchless Warrior! Limiltess Valiant! Your Fame pervades in all the worlds! You were Learned in al Sciences & Arts! Knower and adept in Art of Governance! You are the Luxurious person who sleeps on the Bed of Fragrant Flowers whose stems have benn removed, today had it to happen that You are to Lay in bare ground having lost you life? With beautifully crafted Shoulder bandings the huge arms like the Elephants Tusk stretched, with Your Crown scattered, Looks like the radiant Sun had fallen on the ground. Were you fated to Lay like this motionless, in disarray? The words I cautioned you have come true now. Due to Lust and Pride you did not pay heed to my words. Due to Limiltless Kozhuppu (Muscles – proud of his physical strength- physical arrogance, impudence) of Prahastha, Indrajith, Kumbhakarana, Athikay, Naranthaka and other Rakshasaas you too with disdain acted consequence of which is now being experienced as a Reality. Oh My! the Limit of Raja Neethi (Diplomacy and Strategic studies of international, National relations - Precepts on ethics of Governance for Kingdom, Constituional Law and Justice) Epitome of Dharma, treasure trove of Power, you were worthy of praise, today you have been vanquished and destroyed. Those qualities are also orphaned in not having some one to support it. He had performed Agnihothra (Religious offering by reciting Vedic Verses in the Sacrificial Fire Pit with Ghee (Melted butter) and other materials to Gods / Celstials). He was the one who made all the World shine.Today he has fallen from the Lofty Sky to the ground. The Moon today lost all his Lusturous Art Forms and Vanished. He has become on who lost the lusture of Agni (Fire). Motivation today is jobless. The Crowning jewel amongst Battle warriors Prathaapa (Glory, Fame, Greatness) Lord of Lanka having Lost his Praanan ( Life Force) has fallen on the Earth, the above mentioned have become true. The Greatest Rakshasaa Ravana has been hit by Enemy and is Lying in the Dust laden Earth; now there are no pure breed Warriors; every place seems to be void and empty.
“The Great Rakshasaa Lord is the Tree has been felled by the Chanda Marutha (Twister) and has fallen on the ground. Valour is its deep roots; Penance is its Strength; the ability to bear the Pain are the Flowers; courage is its tender Leaf. The Rouguish Elephant Ravana had been slained by the majestic Lion Rama. Valorous Prowess are the Tusks; Noble Lineage is his rear part of the Body; Anger are its Limbs; Blessings is Tusk. The Agni Ravana has been quenched by the cloud called Rama. The Flames are the Valiant Prowess & Enthusiasm; breath is the Smoke; his strength is Heat; Excessively dazzling Buffalo Ravana has been killed by Tiger Rama and lying here. Rakshasaas were its Horns, Face (Rakshasaas were reflction of Arrogance) and Tail; it could win over Enemies with disdain; with its Valor it was the best in the Clan; His desire for Materialistc and Physical pleasures are in the Ears & Eyes” said Vibheeshana.
Thus Vibheeshana was in sorrow with proper back up reasons spoke appropriate words Lamented, was heard by Rama who said “Friend! Do not think in this Battle Strongest person, Limitlessly Enthusiastic, today is Lying dead in the ground as a Puny person. Please believe that he has been killed after showing his exploits in Battle. There is no reason to grieve for those who follow the Kshatriya (Warrior clan) Dharma, with the desire to live in the Noblest World, without retracting from the Battle field, fighting with courage and losing their Life in the War. Though they are dead they are Eternal. Ravana was very intelligent; had won over Indra, Devas and had made them Kadhara ( Pleading, Yelling, Bellowing, screaming loudly, Exasperation) many times in Battle. He has attained Enormous Fame, Noblest Warrior’s Heaven. The normal Death has occurred to him as well and this is not the time to grieve for it. When someone enters Battle field we have never heard he will achieve only Victory everytime. The Great Warrior is killed in a battle by the Enemy or he kills the Enemy; both of these are normal Dharma. This Death in battle have been hailed by our Fore fathers; and has been accepted by Kshatriyas (Warrior clan). Hence it is my definitive opinion that if a warrior in Battle with out turning back fights and dies after exploits should never be grieved. So you also become aware of this and accept the reality that anyone born in this world has to do die one day. Cast your grief and see what else need to be done?
Having been born in Ikshwaku Dynasty who are all Dharmic Rama who is epitome of Dharma &Valour spoke above words. Vibheeshana with sorrow expressed the tasks he has to do for his elder brother’s final rites”. Devas, Indra together have never won over him in Battle. Like the shores stop the sea water, such a warrior was killed by you in battle field. He had done countless Dhanam (Charity). He had worshipped The Gurus (Teachers) and Deities completely with Devotion. He has enjoyed all comforts, Luxuries. He has nurtured and taken care of his Families fully with out any shortcoming. To Friends he has given immeasurable wealth, comforts & Joy. He had avenged enmity with his Enemies. He had without lapse consistently done Agnihothra (Religious offering by reciting Vedic Verses in the Sacrificial Fire Pit with Ghee (Melted butter) and other materials to Gods / Celstials); Great Thapasvi (Saintly Mendicant known for his Penance); He is adept in Vedas Sashtras; He had done all Vaidica (Spiritual) an Lowkeeka (Materiaistic) Tasks; matchless Warrior. In order that he gets the Noblest Salvation in the best world since he had done consistently Agnihothra, I want to carry out the Rites as per procedure, hence I seek your Opinon and Ordain. **(Vibhheshana knows Rama is none other than MahaVishu who implements Srardha Samrakshana_implementor). Since those born with him and his sons are all Dead, I am the only one born with him left as authority to perform their Funeral rites” said Vibheeshana.
Thus making those who heard his words melt in feeble voice Rama ordained the Funeral Rites that were to be carried out to the Lord of Rakshasaas. As per Sargham 114 he wasn’t ready to perform and Rama chided him with following words “Vibheeshana! Keeping in mind the enmity between you and him, hence your not performing his Funeral rites is not justified. All enmities should end with Death. Showing rancor with a dead person is not justified. We came here to retrieve Sita. That purpose is achieved. Since he is follower of Acharam (Rules of Living) whatever needs to be done as Funeral Rites please perform with out any short coming. He is born with you. Since you are my dearest Friend he becomes my Brother too. If you say due to his fallacies you are not going to do his Funeral rites, I am ready to perform same. Brothers have the right to do it.” Said Rama.(Slokas 34)
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