Vedic Wisdom Talks

  Peace not War! Seeing Mahodara fallen, mighty Mahaparshva was enraged & with eyes red in anger, stirred up Angad’s army with arrows. He struck down heads of Vānaras from their trunks, as wind would throw down a fruit from its stalk. Tormented by his flight of arrows, Vānaras were downcast with despair & lost heart Seeing his army depressed, Angad with great impetuosity, exhibited his tempo like an ocean on full moon day. He took hold of a steel rod & hurled it at Maha, who dropped senseless & unconscious on ground together with his charioteer. Energetic Jāmbavan, looking like heap of black collyrium, killed demon’s horses & broke chariot. Regaining his consciousness within a while, Maha again struck Angad with many arrows & struck Jāmbavan & Gavaksha too Angad seeing this was infuriated & seized an iron rod. Firmly holding it & turning it around with force, he hurled it at demon. Hit by rod, Maha’s bow & arrow were knocked down from his hand. A

  Humility or Pride? Rāvan got enraged because of fall of Virupaksha & destruction of his army. He felt restless seeing reversal of his fate & spoke to Mahodara, the annihilator of enemies-O long-armed brave demon! At this juncture, my hope for victory is centered on you. Destroy our enemy & show you prowess. This is time to repay debt of your master Hearing words of Rāvan,Mahodara proceeded to fight & penetrated into Vānara army as moth rushes into flame. Mighty demon with full energy, destroyed multitude of Vānaras by dint of his valor. With huge rocks, strong Vānaras also retaliated killing demons in droves. Enraged Mahodara, with his arrows decked in gold, chopped off hands, feet & thighs of Vānaras. Facing this, some Vānaras sought refuge in Sugriva, their king Seeing large army of Vānaras defeated in battle, Sugriva rushed towards Mahodara seizing a huge rock & endowed with great energy hurled it with aim to kill demon, but it was broken by his arrows. Fil

  Ignorance! Demons made tumultuous sound of kettledrums & conches to announce coming of Rāvan on battlefield. By that huge sound, earth trembled & Vānaras were scared. Long-armed Rāvan, with extraordinary energy, surrounded by demons Mahaparshva, Mahodara & Virupaksha, arrived in quest of victory Rāvan resembling all-destroying time, set out with a raised bow on a splendid chariot driven by swift horses. As he came, the Sun lost radiance, quarters were enveloped in darkness, horses stumbled, clouds rained blood, a vulture descended on top of his chariot insignia & jackals emitted sinister howls. His left eye throbbed, left arm trembled, face became pale & voice became lowered. All evil phenomenon appeared predicting his death But ignoring dreadful omens due to his ignorance, Rāvan marched forward driven by his fate. As both armies met, a terrific battle them. Rāvan shot arrows on Vānaras chopping their heads, piercing their hearts, smashing skulls & making them

  Illusion! Grieving female demon’s of Lankā said-Celestials tormented by Rāvan (who misused boon bestowed on him) worshipped Brahmā with glowing austerities. Gratified, Brahmā said-From today onwards, all demons will be wandering 3 worlds constantly enveloped with fear. Gracious Lord Sivā said to celestials-For your benefit, a woman will be born for causing destruction of demons This Sitā is the same, employed by celestials, will consume us along with Rāvan. There is no refuge whatsoever for us like a female elephant enveloped by wildfire. Great soul Vibhishana did right thing at opportune time, taking refuge of Rām. Female demons embraced each other afflicted by grief & wept loudly Rāvan heard mournful cries of female demons in every house of Lankā. He sighed for a long time, reflected for a while, was very much enraged & assumed a frightful appearance. Nipping his lips with his teeth, his eyes became red blood in anger, looking like augmented fire of dissolution. Roaring, he

  Blinded! Seeing Rām’s prowess, celestials along with Gandharvas, saints & sages acclaimed his feat & said -Well done! Vānara army rejoiced too Seeing & hearing about killing of such large number of demons, surviving ones were frightened, overwhelmed with anxiety, wailed piteously. All female demons who lost their husbands, sons & kinsfolk in war, met & stricken with sorrow said-How did that old & ugly Surpanakha approached Rām in forest? How did she, bereft of all virtues made advances to Rām, who is full of virtues, endowed with strength & charming countenance? Despite destruction of Khara & Dushan, the disgusting woman tried to be arrogant & roused Rāvan for revenge For the sake of that Surpanakha, Rāvan built huge enmity. For his own destruction, he kidnapped Sita & brought her to Lankā. Rāvan by any means cannot obtain chaste Sita, but has built animosity with mighty Rām. Indeed, seeing the instance of Rām single-handedly killing demon Vira