Hari Om.
Let us begin the ninth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
Apparently, there was intelligence coming to rAvaNa about the advent of rAma to the northern shores of the ocean along with an unbelievably large vAnara army in pursuit of lanka. He also seemed to give benefit of doubt to his enemy that he can cross the ocean. Hence he called the assembly to discuss the course of action. The root of this conflict was his bad conduct and abduction of sItA. Strangely enough no one pointed out thus far in the assembly and instead they were either busy praising him reminding him of his invincibility or thought too highly of themselves and believed that they would simply mow over the army of rAma and all the warriors present there in including rAma, lakshmaNa and sugrIva. Their tormentor not so long ago, hanumAn was a light weight in their opinion and that pretty much summed up the state of the dialogue and preparation in the rAkshasa camp. But there was a lone and sane voice. Onwards…
Then nikumbha, rabhasa, the mighty sUryaSatru, suptaghna, destroyer of yajnas mahApArSwa, mahOdara, agnikEtu, durdharsha, raSmikEtu, the powerful son of rAvaNa Indrajit, prahastha, virUpAKsha, vajradanshTra, dhUmrAksha, atikAya and the demon durmukha, got up from their thrones, flashed their crow bars, spears, javelins, barbed darts, pikes, swords, battle-axes, bows and arrows that were excessively sharp edged and with excitement got up and glowing like fire, in one voice told rAvaNa –
“today we shall vanquish rAma along with lakshmaNa and sugrIva along with that wretched hanumAn who took on lanka”.
Asking all the weapon wielders to calm down and appealing them to sit down and with folded hands said to rAvaNa –
“O dear brother, the path of a weaponed conflict showing one’s valour should open only when the other three paths, viz. deliberations, charity and seeding dissent in the opponent fail – so advise the wise. Might overwhelms only the weak, who are under siege by enemy and those suffering fate.
अप्युपायैस्त्रिभिस्तातयोऽर्थःप्राप्तुंनशक्यते ।
तस्यविक्रमकालांस्तान्युक्तानाहुर्मनीषिणः ।।6.9.8।।
How do you make up your mind to attack someone who is very alert, has amassed a large army desiring to win the battle, has won over his anger and is unassailable. Who could imagine hanumAn to do the unthinkable act of crossing the ocean. Inestimable might of the enemy should not be taken lightly at all. What harm has rAma done to you in the past because of which you have abducted his consort? If khara was killed for committing excesses then it is justified since everyone has a right to defend their life.
खरोयद्यतिवृत्तस्तुरामेणनिहतोरणे ।
अवश्यंप्राणिनांप्राणारक्षितव्यायथाबलम् ।।6.9.14।।
Coveting another’s wife is inhuman and leads to infame. It is sinful and will result in huge losses. Therefore this vaidEhI should not be the cause of fear for us. This abducted lady ought to be given back or will lead to conflict. Picking up a fight for no reason with that righteous warrior is not good for us. Therefore please return maithilI to him before he lays siege over this city that is endowed with elephants, horses and wealth. Before the unimaginably large vAnara army descends on lanka, please return maithilI to rAma. If you don’t return her on your own, the entire lanka along with its warriors and all the demons will be destroyed. Out of my affection and being your brother I am offering his counsel to you, kindly return maithilI to rAma.
Like the autumnal sun unleashes bright sunshine, rAma will unleash his strong and unerring arrows to get you. Before he does so, please return maithilI to him.
त्वजस्वकोपंसुखधर्मनाशनंभजस्वधर्मंरतिकीर्तिवर्धनम् ।
प्रसीदजीवेमसपुत्रबान्धवाःप्रदीयतांदाशरथायमैथिली ।।6.9.22।।
Give up this anger that will destroy your happiness and righteousness and instead follow dharma that will enhance your happiness and fame. Give maithiLi back to dASarathI (rAma) and live happily with your kin”.
As vibhIshNa spoke thus, rAvaNa adjourned the assembly, sent off the counsellors and headed home.
Here we conclude the ninth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 6.010. Wise counsel falls on twenty deaf ears!
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