Lanka Kaanda
196 - Vibhisana rains down clothes and ornaments from the air and the monkeys and bears pick them up and adorn their person with them
Chaupais
Description
Having thus secured raiment and jewels, the bears and monkeys adorned their person with the same and appeared before the Lord of the Raghus. The Lord of Kosala laughed again and again to see all the monkeys, a motley host indeed. The Lord of the Raghus showered His grace on all by casting a look at them, and spoke to them in endearing terms: "It was through your might that I succeeded first in killing Ravana and then in crowning Vibhisana. Now return all of you to your several homes; keep your thought fixed on Me and fear none." The monkeys were all overcome with affection to hear these words and reverently replied with joined palms: O Lord, whatever You say well becomes of You. But we get mystified on hearing Your words. You are the Sovereign of all the three spheres, O Lord of the Raghus; knowing our humble state You took us under Your protection. But we are overwhelmed with shame to hear such words from the lips of our Master (Yourself). Can a swarm of mosquitoes ever help Garudav (the king of the birds)?" The bears and monkeys were overpowered with emotion when they saw what was in the mind of the Lord, (viz., His reluctance to take them to Ayodhya); they had no inclination to return home.