Saturday, February 7, 2015

Prof. Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri's Thai Ramayana 21. Ravana's Dream.

Even though Hanuman had burnt the whole of Lanka, Ravana was least worried! The steadfast ones even when fallen in adversity do not give up fortitude. In short time he made his capital resplendent again. Extremely gratified he ruled over it and was adored by deities, the Yakshas and the lords of the Nagas. This peace did not stay long. There is nothing  which stays in this world which moves on.

He, the extremely happy one, saw a dream which changed his mood. In that dream he saw two vultures, one was white and the other was black. The white one coming from the east killed the black one coming from the west. He then saw himself pouring oil in a coconut shell and placing a wick on it. Out of nowhere a woman came and lit the wick and the shell got burnt quickly. Then the fire entered his palm and at that moment Ravana woke up with a start.

Apprehensive he asked his wise young brother to tell him what the dreams predicted. Vibhisana told his brother that the dreams were highly inauspicious and predicted trouble. 'The dark vulture is you! The white one is handsome Rama. The killing is indicative of your end. The coconut is the symbol of the city of Lanka. The oil in it is your entire family which may be reduced to ashes. The woman lighting the shell lamp is no other than our sister, the source of all conflict. The flame you felt burning your palm is the chaste Sita, the sole cause of your destruction. Brother give her back to Rama peacefully and save your entire family of demons.' Having said this Vibhisana became silent.

Ravana not very pleased, gave a sharp rebuke to Vibhisana. He was not happy that his brother wanted him to return Sita. More so at the interpretation of his dream predicting his destruction at the hands of Rama. 'You live in Lanka but you take the side of the enemy. O you fool, how do you rate the power of me, the conqueror of the lords ....cherished by the whole world, less than that of Rama? I the lord of demons known the world over and Rama living in the forest with his kingdom lost, --how unequal the two!'

' O, you born in the family of demons are Vibhisana (Excessively terrible) only in name. .....Truly, O fool, you are not at all fit to stay with me....get away or I shall expel you with contempt from Lanka.  A limb decayed has got to be removed.'

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