Lanka Kaanda
170 - Mandodari offers advice to Ravana once more
Chaupais
Description
"Ponder in your mind, my beloved lord, and abandon perversity; your conflict with the Lord of the Raghus is quite out of place. Sri Rama's younger brother (Laksmana) had traced a thin line;* that too you could not cross. Such is your valour! My beloved, do you expect to conquer Him in battle, whose messenger performed such feats? Leaping across the ocean in mere sport, that lion among monkeys fearlessly entered your Lanka, killed your guards and laid waste your garden. Nay, he killed Prince Aksa under your very nose, and, setting fire to the whole capital, reduced it to ashes. Where did your pride of power remain lurking at that time? Indulge no more in idle boasts, my spouse, and lay my words a little to heart. Do not imagine that the Lord of the Raghus is a mere earthly king, my husband; but know him to be the Ruler of the animate and inanimate creation, unequalled in strength. The might of His arrows is known to Marica; but you did not heed his words, taking him to be a mean fellow. In Janaka's court were assembled numberless kings; you too were present there with your incomparable and enormous strength. There Sri Rama broke Siva bow and won the hand of Janaka's Daughter; why did you not conquer Him in battle then? The son of Indra (the lord of celestials) tasted of His strength when He caught hold of him and spared his life after destroying one of his eyes. You also witnessed Surpanakha's condition, yet you did not feel much abashed in your heart.