Raamaayan Lanka Kaand - Mandodari's Advice to the World
SANT TULSIDAAS RAAMAAYAN
MANDODARI'S ADVICE TO THE WORLD
LANKA KAAND
Page 914 CHOWPAAEE #1
काल दंड गहि काह न मारा, हरै धर्म बल बुद्धि विचारा ।
निकट काल जेहिं आव गुसाईं, तेहि भ्रम होय तुमारिहि नाईं ॥
Kaala Danda gahi kaahu na maaraa , Harai Dharma bala Buddhi Vichaaraa /
Nikata Kaala jayhi(n) aawa Gusaaee(n) , Tayhi bhrama hoya Tumaarihi naaee(n) //
Translation
Mandodari speaks to her husband, Raavan:
Yam Raaj (the God of Death) does not punish an individual with His staff(stick). One inflicts wounds on oneself by not exercising Dharmic principle, mental resolve, knowledge and deep thought.
A person s demise is near at hand when he/she becomes confused in making major decisions, as is the case with you, O husband.
Interpretation
Mandodari, one of the five renowned females in Sanatan Dharma, provides wise counsel to the world as she addresses the weaknesses of her husband. He had abducted Seetaa Maataa, the epitome of the title, lady, and placed Her under duress. This dastardly act contravened Dharmic principle.
Khar and Dooshan were the considered brothers of Raavan and by the latter s own admission, were equal to him in strength. They were destroyed by Shree Raam when they attempted to conquer Him in battle. Raavan realised that Shree Raam had to be the Supreme in order to accomplish this feat. However, Raavan was not prepared to allow pragmatism to prevail and thereby rescind his decision of keeping Seetaa Maataa in captivity. With all the glaring evidence stacked up against him, he failed to make the mental resolve that it was time for him to concede.
Raavan was aware that the virtually impossible task of bridging the vast ocean between South-east India and North-west Lanka was achieved by Shree Raam and His army. It was a resounding display of might to which Raavan was in denial, sacrificing knowledge at the altar of pride.
His reign as King of Lanka was nearing its end and yet he did not factor the sage advice of the likes of Vibheeshan, Shree Hanumaan, Angad and now, Mandodari. Not prepared to ponder on their suggestions and shift his stance, Raavan paid the ultimate price with his life.
The turning point that led to his downfall was the burning of Lanka by Shree Hanumaan. The city of Lanka was his pride and as it was engulfed in flames, so too, by extension, was his ability to make informed decisions.