Reading Notes: Ravana Leela Part D 13-16

The Ravana Leela by Radha Viswanath: Chapters 13-16

Notes:

Chapter 13:

This chapter begins with Bramha in a council of rishis. He is not paying attention to the council, but to the three brothers, his grandsons, vying for his attention on earth. He has been ignoring them to test their patience since they have rakshasa blood. He is satisfied after Dashamukha sacrificed his ninth head. But time moves differently to him, and ten more years on earth have passed since this ninth sacrifice. Just as he gets ready to visit them, the rishis had arrived and required his attention. They talk at great lengths while he zones out. Eventually, he realizes they are just trying to delay him from appearing to his grandsons. Brahma knows that soon Dahamukha will sacrifice his final head, and thus die if he does not show himself quickly. He leaves his hall, causing chaos to erupt amongst the displeased rishis. 

Quotes:

Chapter 14:

This chapter goes back to the brothers, who have been more severe in their mediation than ever. They have not taken a break for years, not even to bathe or eat. They are showing signs of defeat, resigned to the fact that their tapasya had failed and Brahma was not going to show. The younger brothers know Dashagreeva is about to take his life by sacrificing his last head. They know he cannot be stopped, so they await his death.  Dashagreeva appears impervious to their worries. He knows he will be reborn. Kumbhakarna is very frustrated by Dashagreeva's lack of concern for his own death and is annoyed when he realized Vibhishina is going through the motions of preparing the yagna-kund to receive the final sacrifice, but then figures out Vibhishina is also upset, and merely trying to distract himself. Dashagreeva thanks them for their loyalty and moves to complete the sacrifice. Suddenly, a spark appears emanating a soft voice. They feel a cold wind and become dizzy and blinded. The little brothers move to Dashagreeva's side out of instinct to protect him. Brahma appears and soothes them. He tells them he is pleased with their resistance and patience and will grant them each a boon. Dashagreeva asks to be made invincible from all creatures except men and animals, which are too weak to hurt him. Brahma returns his nine lost heads and grants his boon. Vibhishina asks for strength of character to be able to stand for dharma at all times, in all circumstances, regardless of the consequences. Khumbakarna asks for "Indratva" except he becomes tongue-tied and mistakenly pronounces it "nindratva". He realizes his mistake immediately but it is too late. He is cursed to spend his life sleeping. Brahma takes pity and modifies the curse so that he "will awaken once every six months, and stay awake for the whole day." He declares: "What you eat and drink on that one single day will keep you well-nourished for the next six months of your sleep cycle. Your body and muscles will not wither away during the time yoys leep. More Importantly, every waking will be like arising from normal sleep, you will know all developments as if you were there. On the day that you are awake, you will be invincible. Nothing and no one will be able to harm you. Conversely, if you are awakened forcefully during your sleep phase, you will meet your end. And lastly, the boon will remain in abeyance till you reach home." 

Quotes:

"The three men were sitting in stony silence. They looked gaunt. Long years of severe austerities had converted these once-robust men into mere skeletons. Besides the tattered loincloths they wore, the men’s bodies were covered with mud caked with sweat. Yet, their faces radiated a glow, which came from a power that was beyond the physical. However, the expression on each of the faces of the three men was at variance with the glow of tapasya. There were unmistakable shadows of defeat on their faces. Their shoulders drooped with a sense of resignation. Their tapasya had been in vain. No god had appeared to fulfil their desires." 

"They had completed the tenth decade of tapasya, and, as per the ritual they had established at the end of the first decade of tapasya, Dashamukha would make an offering of his head in the yagna-kund. This time, the customary sacrifice would claim his tenth head. Since he would then have no more heads, the act would end his life. It was this frightening prospect that occupied their thoughts. Dashamukha’s two younger brothers knew that it was futile to try and talk him out of his pledge of honour."

"Kumbhakarna stamped his foot hard in frustration as he noticed the smile on his brother’s face. His rage broke new ground when Dashagreeva refused to acknowledge his presence, leave alone his feelings. He was a fool. He should have persuaded his brother not to undertake this tapasya. What had they achieved in these hundred years? Nothing! And now he was faced with the prospect of losing his elder brother; a brother who was his leader, his inspiration and alterego. What would he do without him? Life was unthinkable without Dashagreeva by his side. Maybe he should follow in his brother’s footsteps and give up his life as well. But atmahatya was a sin and he—Dashagreeva’s brother and son of Vishravasu—could not commit this cowardly act. Nor could he return home with nothing to show for this century of intense tapasya. Even if he was ready to deal with the resultant humiliation and loss of face, how could he justify the loss of the towering personality of his elder brother?"

"The two brothers exchanged a look and the same thought flashed through their minds. They were remembering the numerous jokes they had shared on similar occasions in the past. After the first time Dashagreeva had severed his head and pledged to do the same once every ten years till the objective of their tapasya was achieved, they had prepared for each yagna in a very matter-of-fact manner, secure in the knowledge that another head would appear on their bhrata’s shoulders."

"Dashagreeva had to use all his strength to pull up his two unwilling and resisting brothers. He smiled affectionately at them and put an arm around each brother’s shoulders and drew them close. ‘I am a very lucky man, you know, to have such loving brothers. I want you to promise me that you will not give up this tapasya after me."

"They could feel only the blazing being in front of them. Instinct and reflexes took over and immediately the two elder brothers flanked the youngest brother protectively."

Chapter 15:

A month passes. The brothers are disappointed by their encounter with Brahma. They had prayed for 100 years, only to find the meeting anti-climatic, with one of them leaving blessed with a curse. They begin their journey home. They walk without break, for several weeks, so lost in thought that they do not question the fact that their bodies have been restored from starvation. When kumbha becomes upset, Dashagreeva consoles him by saying their home is Lanka, therefore, Kumbha will stay awake until they win back Lanka, and also, he points out that Kumbha is now invincible, because he is strong on his waking days, and unable to be harmed while asleep. As soon as they get home Dashagreeva challenges Kuber, but is told they will discuss it another day. He leaves and the others find their mother and tell her their news, sending her into shock. Kuber returns with their father in tow. Their fathers tells them Lanka will now be their home, because he wants them to care for their mother, Kaikasi. Kumbhakarna begins to fall asleep. Dashagreeva is angry because he had wanted to win Lanka heroically in a battle against Kuber, not through the intervention of their father. Dashagrava realizes they must quickly head to Lanka since Khumbakarna is already falling asleep

Quotes:

Chapter 16:

This chapter opens with Dashagrava flying his Pushpak sky-craft which used to belong to Kuber. He can move as fast as light, and it is controlled by mind. Dashagrava faces the reality of his new city. Sumali arrives, joyfully returning to his home. Most of the banished rakasha family members return too. Dashagrava flies around and regards his family. He is happy that he fufulled his old goal of seeing his sister happily married. He contemplates marriage for himself and Vibhishana, but feels bad for Khumba, who will miss out. 

Quotes:

"As he leant out over the rim of Pushpak, Dashagreeva caught a glimpse of Surpanakha coiled around her husband, Vidyutjihva. The king once again smiled contentedly. He had fulfilled what he had promised himself so long ago. She was happily married and enjoying life with her husband. As she often stayed till very late at night at the city’s various madhushalas, she slept till late in the day. Vidyutjihva was a danava chieftain, whom Dashagreeva had encountered during one of his conquering expeditions. Dashagreeva had been so impressed with his valour that he had made an immediate offer of a high rank in his own army and the hand of his sister in marriage. Vidyutjihva’s special trait was his tongue—it could shower thunderbolts merely by being stuck out of his mouth. In fact, the name ‘Vidyutjihva’ suited him excellently, as it meant ‘electric tongue’. This quality helped Dashagreeva immensely when dealing with powerful foes that put up a spirited fight against his forces. At such times, Vidyutjihva would use his special power and shock opponents by brushing them with a sweep of his elongated tongue."