6.006. The demons confer

Hari Om.

Let us begin the sixth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.

The determined vANara army, upon the command of rAma, under the instructions of sugrIva, abiding by the leadership of nala and other key vAnara warriors undertook the journey from the praSravana mountain near kishkindhA to the northern shores of the ocean. Scaling the mahEndra peak, rAma took a look at the ocean that was to be crossed. This was the same mountain from where hanumAn had taken off in his quest. They camped there and were instructed to not leave the group and go on jaunts. The vAnaras looked at the lashing waves of the sea and that brought thoughts of the battle ahead. On the other hand, rAma was reflecting – the abduction of vaidEhI, how badly he missed her presence, her affection, her love and that made him a tad melancholic. The ever attentive lakshmaNa gave a patient hearing, empathized with him and reminded him of the action ahead. Cheered up by lakshmaNa’s words, rAma engaged in the evening ablutions. In the meanwhile, we had not heard of lanka after the unimaginable destruction that hanumAn ushered in there. The leadership and the demon warriors were waking up to the fact that there is a conflict at hand and began to discuss. Onwards…

Taking stock of the devastation that was unleashed by the great hanumAn who was like lord indra in his prowess, the ten-headed demon felt ashamed and addressed his council of ministers – “That mere vAnara entered the city of lanka, besieged it and also saw jAnakI (sItA). The great chaitya palace was destroyed, noted demons were vanquished and the entire lanka was shattered by him. All of you may now advise me on the further course of action. What would be the appropriate way to deal with this? What should I do? Let us deliberate on what would redeem us now.

The wise declare that deliberations lead to victory. Therefore, O mighty ones I would like to deliberate with you all about rAma. There are three kinds of people in this world – the great, mediocre and the lowly. I shall tell you the virtues and flaws of each.

त्रिविधाःपुरुषालोकेउत्तमाधममध्यमाः ।।6.6.6।।

तेषांतुसमवेतानांगुणदोषौवदाम्यहम् ।

The best among men is he who endeavors with faith in god and deliberates with ministers, well-wishers, capable people, friends who may be equal or superior in stature and kin right from the beginning.

मन्त्रिभिर्हितसंयुक्तैस्समर्थैर्मन्त्रनिर्णये ।।6.6.7।।

मित्रैर्वापिसमानार्थैर्बान्धवैरपिवाधिकैः ।

सहितोमन्त्रियित्वायःकर्मारम्भान्प्रवर्तयेत् ।।6.6.8।।

दैवेचकुरुतेयत्नंतमाहुःपुरुषोत्तमम् ।

He who thinks about the pros and cons of the task at hand within himself and then engages in action is called the mediocre one.

The one who doesn’t mull over the virtues and flaws of his action and acts without faith in god is the worst among the three.

Just like the people are of three types, even deliberations are three types – best, mediocre and worst. Where the deliberators show unity and see through the gaze of the scriptures, such deliberations are said to be the best. If different ministers bring different points of view but finally manage to arrive at a consensus, that is said to be the mediocre deliberation. The worst among the deliberations is where each ministers holds on to his pet view and doesn’t care about a unanimous decision.

Therefore, O wise ministers, I believe, you should deliberate well and tell me what should be my course of action now. Surrounded by thousands and thousands of vAnara warriors, rAma is approaching the city of lanka. Either by drying up the ocean by his might or by some other means, the capable rAghava will cross over the ocean along with the vAnaras and his brother.

In this action of conflict against the vAnaras, please advise me about what to do and how to keep the city of lanka safe”.