Vedic Wisdom Talks

Detachment! As funeral rites of Rāvan was completed & his body returned to elements, lamenting womenfolk went back to Lankā. Vibhishana then approached Rām & stood in front of him with humility. Having destroyed the enemy, all were experiencing happiness-the Vānara army led by Sugriva, Jāmbavan, Laxman & other chiefs. Rām took off his bow & arrows and great armor endowed to him by Indra and assumed charming benevolence Having seen destruction of Rāvan, celestials discussed about the awful destruction of Rāvan, the terrific prowess of Rām, the admirable combat of Vānaras, the counsel tendered by Sugriva, the affection & valor of Laxman, the loyalty of Sitā to her husband, the strength of Hanumān and then went away in their respective aerial cars happily Taking leave of the celestial chariot, which had been given by Indra and shone like fire, mighty Rām respectfully saluted Matāli, Indra’s charioteer, who in turn paid his utmost respect to him & ascended to heaven...

  Rituals! As advised by Rām, Vibhishana entered the city of Lankā & quickly concluded Agnihotra ritual (act of pouring oblations into sacred fire) which was started by Rāvan. He further gave instructions to arrange carts of excellent varieties of firewood, 3 sacred fires & priests required to officiate the last rites of his brother. Logs of sandalwood, fragrant aloe wood, odorous perfumes, gems, pearls & corals were also brought in He along with Malayvan (father of his mother) initiated the obsequies. Rāvan, who was covered with linen, was accompanied by blasts of various musical instruments as well as panegyrists singing hymns with brahmanas standing around him with their faces filled in tears. Lifting the palanquin, which had been decorated with colorful flags & flowers and taking up blocks of wood, all demons with Vibhishana in front, proceeded with their face turned towards south The sacrificial fires were ignited by Adhvaryu priests, performers of sacrificial ...

  🔼Real Liberation!☝🔼 As Mandodari & other Rāvan’s wives were lamenting, Rām said to Vibhishana-let the obsequies (funeral rites) of your brother be performed & let these women be consoled. Intelligent Vibhishana, the knower of virtue spoke to Rām, in conformity with righteousness & self-interest-I’m not obliged to perform the last rites for my brother, who had abandoned the vow of virtue, who was cruel, who killed human beings, who was a cheater & who longed for other’s wives This Rāvan, who was interested in wishing evil to all, though venerable as a respected elder, is not fit for honor. He is my enemy in the guise of my brother. If I do not perform his funeral rites, O Rām! The human beings on earth will speak about me as ruthless, but hearing about his bad qualities all of them will say that it is a good act Hearing these words, Rām the best among the supporters of virtue & skilled in speech spoke to Vibhishana-O king of demons! I too have to do a favor t...

  Eternal not temporal! Mandodari gravely lamented on Rāvan’s death & said-The popular saying that the tears of a virtuous wife do not generally fall on the ground in vain, has come out true in your case O King! The mean act of abducting a pious lady done by you, who having invaded the 3 worlds was proud of his prowess. It was indeed a mark of your cowardice, that Sitā was borne away by you after luring away Rām from his hermitage on the pretext of a deer I don’t recall your faint heartedness at any time on the battlefield, but the case of abduction of Sitā however was due to your ill luck & certainly as the result of your sins. O mighty armed! Whatever my younger brother-in-law, Vibhishana, who knows matters relating to past & of future and is conversant with present, said on seeing Sitā abducted by you that the destruction of the chief among demons now is imminent, has become true. This misfortune had come from your lust, wrath & addiction to vice of deep attachme...

  Morality! Seeing Rāvan dead, Mandodari continued her lament & said-O demon king! Your face glowed with exceptional features & brilliant ornaments which vied with the moon, lotus & Sun. You were illumined by several diadems, you were lit with captivating smile & indulged in delightful talk but today pierced with Rām’s arrows, it does not shine but is dyed with streams of blood, shattered & soiled by dust raised by chariots Alas! In last stage of my life, widowhood has been conferred on me. I was very much proud that my father was king of demons, my husband lord of demons & my son conqueror of Indra. I had firm conviction that my guardians were capable of crushing their arrogant adversaries & hence had no fear from any quarters How did this unknown danger come from mortal to you? Is it a dream or reality? How you could be even killed by Rām? You were death even to death himself, then how you could depart from this world? You enjoyed wealth of all 3 world...