Hari Om.
Let us begin the eleventh sarga of the yuddha kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
Almost all of the demons in rAvaNa’s court opined that the danger from rAma was almost non-existent since rAvaNa was himself all-powerful and has defeated gods. The second reason was even more ludicrous – that each of them could vanquish the entire army and rAma on their own! A lone and sane voice rose in lanka in the court of rAvaNa through the din that the sycophants and yes-men of the king were causing. This was the voice of the dharmic brother of rAvaNa – vibhIshaNa. The younger brother cautioned his elder about the immorality of the war being waged for the sake of a woman who was abducted. There was no offence committed by rAma and his vanquishment of khara was purely in retaliation and self-defence. Also keeping in mind the prowess of rAma, vibhIshaNa advised him to desist from this impending battle and instead return maithilI to rAma. He made this appeal in the full court and later visiting his elder brother’s residence. On both occasions, the ten-headed demon was dismissive of the suggestion. Onwards…
Smitten with passion towards maithilI, the sinful king discarded the sageky advice of his kin and became morally bankrupt. Realizing the time was running, he thought that he must meet his ministers and well wishers and set out to the royal assembly ascending into his mighty chariot that had golden lattice work studded with gems and yoked to well trained horses. The chariot moved roaring like the thunder. On either side of his chariot and behind it were columns of warriors wielding swords and all kinds of weapons, in different guises and crooked forms and well decked with ornaments. There were warriors on elephants, horses and chariots accompanying him wielding maces, bars, javelins and iron clubs following him. His chariot raced along the royal road to the blasting of conches and the blowing of the trumpets. The parasol held over him shone like the moon and he was fanned from either sides by two splendid fans with golden handles. People on either sides of the royal road bowed to him with folded hands and hailed victory unto him. Thus feted by his people, the splendorous demon king entered the assembly.
The royal court, built by viSwakarma, had pillars and interiors of gold and silver well crafted with gems. Bright silk carpets were laid out on the floors. This was guarded by six hundred demons all the time. Within that court on a high throne, studded with vaiDuryas, sat rAvaNa comforted by a pillow. Then the demon king announced to the assembly about the important task ahead and ordered the messengers to summon the demons.
राक्षसास्तद्वचश्श्रुत्वालङ्कायांपरिचक्रमुः ।।6.11.19।।
अनुगेहमवस्थायविहारशयनेषुच ।
उद्यानेषुचरक्षांसिचोदयन्तोह्यभीतवत् ।।6.11.20।।
Emboldened and putting the royal decree to action the messengers went everywhere in lanka including gardens, recreation parks and even into the bedrooms inside the houses. Summoned at short notice, some of the demons headed to the palace on chariots, some on elephants, some on horses while others walked there. The roads to the royal palace were teeming with demons heading there like the sky full of flocks of birds. They parked their chariots and walked into the assembly like a lion would enter its cave. They went and bowed before the king, held his feet, hailed him and some sat on a golden throne, some on cushions, some on kuSa mats and some squatted on the floor as per their hierarchy. The leaders sat close to rAvaNa.
राज्ञःपादौगृहीत्वातुराज्ञातेप्रतिपूजिताः ।
पीठेष्वन्येबृसीष्वन्येभूमौकेचिदुपाविशन् ।।6.11.24।।
In that golden assembly were assembled counsellors, chiefs, wise men, decisive men, ministers, virtuous ones, learned ones and intellectuals in order to make a decision that would ensure good of all.
Then the magnanimous vibhIshaNa yoked excellent horses to his best of chariots, ascended it and headed to the assembly led by his elder brother. He went to his brother, paid his regards by identifying himself (called pravara) and took his high seat. Suka and prahasta followed him and took their respective seats. All the assembled demons were well decked and smeared with scented sandal paste and the fragrance permeated all over. All the accomplished demons assembled there were well behaved, there were no murmurs or gossip, in silence they earnestly looked at their lord rAvaNa.
Surrounded by those heroic weapon wielding demons, the supreme hero rAvaNa who excelled in wars, resembled the lord indra surrounded by the vasus.
Here we conclude the eleventh 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: 6.012. Admonition and assurance
Previous: 6.010. Wise counsel falls on twenty deaf ears!
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 
