Ladies from Harem Lament
When the Ladies of Queens Chambers heard that Ravana was killed by Rama, were all grief stricken, came running with dishvelled hairs. Not stopping with their Hair dishevelled, Ornaments falling apart, dresses slipping, fell on the ground rolling , cries unabashedly like the Cow which has lost it’s calf. Along with Rakshaassas they came from the Northern fort entrance to the Gory Battle field and searched for their Lord. “Hey Prince! Hey Husband! “yelling, bellowing, screaming they searched in the Bloody Muddy field of Blood stained corpses trying to locate and identify their Husbands. With Tears flowing profusely, having lost their husband and being orphaned, like the Female elephants which have lost their Male elephant pathetically cried. After long time they had identified the huge bodies Ravana Lying dead in the field. Seeing their Dear Lord’s body fallen on the dust laden ground like the rootless creepers they fell over his body and fainted. One lady out of the Love and Honour she had for him hugged him and cried; one lady kept his feet on her head and yelled; another Lady hugged his head and yelled; another Lady took his hand put it over herself and rolled on the ground; one lady seeing his face fainted and fell; one lady kept his head on her Lap and went on Lamenting; Like the dews wet the Lotus flower petal, her eye drops drenched Ravana’s face. Thus their Husband, Lord, King, Lord of Rakshasaas lying dead on the ground they due to deep anguish Lamented often, kadhara (Pleading,Yelling, Bellowing, screaming loudly, Exasperation), moaned, writhed, rolled on the ground and hit themselves in head and Chest .
“Oh My! You had made Indra to be scared of you even in his sleep. The Yama (God of Death) who takes the Life of all Living beings also went scurrying on seeing you. Despite being close friend of God Paramsiva and also being your elder brother having been beaten had to forego his Pushpaka Vimana (Flower hover Air Craft). Devas, Gandharvas, Sages, on hearing your name were terrified. Such a powerful person should you be lying dead on this battle field? You did not have danger from Devas, Dhanavas, Gandharva, Yakshas as they could not kill you, after all your death were it to happen from insignificant Human? You were of immense Valour and could not be killed by Devas, Dhanavas, Gandharva, Yakshas today were you to be without Chariot fight the battle standing on the ground and be killed by this Alpa (Insignificant,Puny, small, ignorable, measly/meagre, trivial) Human? All the residents of all the 3 worlds together could not trouble you. How could you succumb to an ordinary human who does not have a name or Place of identity” - thus the Ladies of Ravana’s Queen’s Chambers Lamented and cried unabashedly. Often Lamenting they described his Virtues and Fame.
“Oh My ! Despite your well wishers, Friends cautioning you .you did not pay heed to their words least bit you brought Sita.You wantonly brought about your Death. You have rooted out the Rakshasaa Clan. We, You and all Your people have all been decimated at the same time. Didn’t your brother Vibheeshana repeatedly ask you to return Sita? You brushed aside his sage counsel, spoke to him harshly, didn’t you drive him away from Lanka? Is it not that you drove your good time and invited the God of Death home? What else does it signify? Had your returned Sita then itself to Rama would we have to see such times? Would our Rakshasaa Lineage be decimated like this? Vibheeshana would have been immensely pleased with you. His friends Ram would have been friend of your Clan. We would not have become widows like this. Your enemies Devas would not be celebrating happiness like this. When you very cruelly dragged and brought Sita in tears and wailing at that time itself we, Rakshasaaas and yourself were all dead. Hey Greatest Rakshasaa! What is the use of telling about you. In the World are the Living beings able to live as they want? There is Fate which alone is responsible. First a person is killed by Fate, then he dies explicitly by Enemy’s hands. Isn’t it preordained countless Vanaras, Rakshasaas and Yourself were to be dead? So what if you have wealth? So what of Valor is there? If everything happens as per your desire so what? So what if all obey you as per your orders? Can all these win over Fate / Destiny?” – thus Ravana’s Harems Queens were like weaklings in a pathetic manner shed tears profusely bellowed like the Anril female birds who have lost their Husband. (Slokas 26)
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