6.035. mAlyavAn speaks truth to the power

Hari Om.

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

The power of rAma’s constant remembrance is such that whenever a crisis comes, the solution also is instant. The rescue of sItA by saramA is a classic example. The lonely woman in captivity constantly facing an adverse and hostile environment could easily be devastated when tormented thus. The ploy of rAvaNa to woo sItA would never succeed but this held potential danger to her life. Then saramA came through and debunked the claims of rAvaNa and comforted sItA. On the latter’s request she went invisibly to rAvaNa’s assembly, spied on his plans and came and updated sItA about the same. If there was any doubt left that this show by rAvaNa was a sham, the blare of the trumpets by the vAnara army removed all of that. The danger was inching towards lanka and rAvaNa carried out more planning with his ministers and commanders. Onwards…

The mighty armed rAma, vanquisher of foes advanced and arrived to the blast of the conches and the blare of the trumpets. Those sounds made rAvaNa nervous, contemplative and he mulled his options. He addressed the assembly, roared in a manner that tormented the world and the evil demon king addressed them and said –

“I have heard from you, the might and the vast army of rAma, his crossing of the ocean and his valour. I am also aware of your prowess in the wars but here having heard about the valour of rAma you have become silent and are staring at each other.”

भवतश्चाप्यहं वेद्मि युद्धे सत्यपराक्रमान् ।

तूष्णीकानीक्षतोऽन्योन्यम् विदित्वा रामविक्रमम् ॥

Then a certain very learned demon by name mAlyavAn who was his mother’s uncle spoke –

“O king, only the one who is learned and is a follower of statecraft enjoys his kingdom and wealth for ever and maintains a tight grip on his enemies. A king who acts in a timely manner, striking peace accords when his strength is diminishing and going on conquests when he is powerful indeed enjoys a long hold on his kingdom and the wealth. If a king feels his strength is dwindling and he doesn’t enjoy a clear upper hand over the enemy it is wise to call for peace. Conflict makes sense only when one is superior. O king, a peace accord appeals to me a lot. We are being attacked due to sItA and so let us give her back to him. You ought to broker peace with the one whom even the gods, Rshis, gandharvas and others desirous of winning don’t dare to oppose. The grand old brahma created only two sides in this creation – dharma and adharma. His creation, the gods and the demons accordingly took sides and while the gods take refuge in dharma, the demons seek adharma.

When dharma overwhelms adharma, it is the kRta age and when adharma overwhelms dharma it is the tishya (kali age).

धर्मोवैग्रसतेऽधर्मंततःकृतमभूद्युगम् ।।6.35.14।।

अधर्मोग्रसतेधर्मंततस्तिष्यःप्रवर्तते ।

Truth to be told, while you were busy conquering the worlds, you gave up dharma and therefore now the opponent who practices dharma is stronger than you. It is this adharma that you are following has made the gods gain the upper hand over us. While you stayed fully engaged in sensual pleasures at any cost you have caused great incense to the fiery sages by harming them. Their impact is bright like fire since they are ever engaged in penance and have elevated their selves to a higher plane by always following dharma. They are always practicing the vEdas and while chanting those hymns are conducting yajnas. The vEdic chants are making the demons flee in all directions like the clouds are blown away in hot winds. The smoke emanating from such yajnas has shorn the demons of all their brilliance. Such yajnas conducted with utmost discipline, merits and the severe vows is certain to trouble the demons. You have performed penance and earned immunity from gods, demons and yakshas. Now humans, mighty vAnaras and the Rkshas (bears) are roaring and coming after you. The bad omens that are seen everywhere portend the annihilation of the demon race.

Terrifying clouds are rumbling harshly and raining hot blood all over lanka. The horses and elephants are shedding tears and our flags are dull and dusty and not fluttering like before. The wild animals, jackals, eagles make scary sounds and are barging into lanka in herds. Dark and immodest women who are sneering and stealing with abandon are seen in dreams. The sacrificial food offered to the spirits are eaten by the dogs. The cows are giving birth to donkeys while mongoose are yielding mice. Cats pair up with tigers, pigs with dogs and kinnaras are courting humans and demons. The white doves with red feet which signify death are hovering over the demons signalling their end. The pet birds in the homes are attacked and are dying letting out shrill noises. The birds and beasts look at the sun and wail. The ugly, tonsured, harsh, red complexioned, death is casting glances on all the houses.

Please take cognizance of these terrible happenings and the evil portents, get your priorities right and take a decision in the interest of the future”.

With these words, the diligent and mighty mAlyavAn who was learned and stood peerless in the company of other colleagues paused to grasp the thinking of the king and went silent.

इदं वचस्तत्र निगद्य माल्यवान् परीक्ष्य रक्षोधिपतेर्मनः पुनः ।

अनुत्तमेषूत्तमपौरुषो बली बभूव तूष्णीं समवेक्ष्य रावणम् ॥