November 30 - Sargas 10 and 11 of Yuddha Kanda.
Vibhishana visits Ravana in his inner chambers next morning and again counsels his elder brother to avert disaster and restore Sita to Rama. His advice elicits indifference.
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Valmiki describes the magnificence of Ravana's palace, situated at a lofty height, crafted with gold and jewels, matching the best of mansions of celestials, with the elements in their element, where Ravana held court with his inner circle of confidants and trusted men. The noble Vibhishana went into Ravana's presence there next morning.
He heard melodious chants of the Vedas and benedictions being pronounced for Ravana's welfare.
He saw holy men of Vedic tradition holding sacred ghee, butter and such materials ushering auspiciousness for Ravana. He bowed down to his elder brother, the king of rakshasas. He went and sat down in the golden seat indicated by Ravana from the corner of his eye. He offered his respects according to the best of traditions which pleased Ravana. Then he said,
यदा प्रभृति वैदेही सम्प्राप्तेह परन्तप ।
तदा प्रभृति दृश्यन्ते निमित्तान्यशुभानि नः ॥
"Oh dear brother, tormentor of foes, ever since Vaidehi has been brought here, we have been witnessing evil omens for all of us."
"Brother, the sacrificial fire does not light up well, it emits smoke and sparks. Snakes are found in places where Vedas are chanted, and ants infest the sacrifice materials. Cows have stopped giving milk, elephants no longer are in musth, and horses, even if fed well with tender grass, neigh plaintively. The donkeys and other draught animals appear strangely excited. Crows caw and crowd our mansion gopuras. Eagles hover over Lanka, foxes cry at twilight frighteningly.
"All this seems to have been brought on by Vaidehi's presence. I beseech you to restore Vaidehi to Raghava."
"These omens are significant for all of us in Lanka. The other ministers may be tongue-tied but please consider my words well, even if you suspect my intentions."
हितं महार्थं मृदुहेतुसम्हितम् - Words meant for his wellbeing, full of deep significance, rendered with great softness, were answered by Ravana thus:
भयं न पश्यामि कुतश्चदप्यहम् ।
न राघवः प्राप्स्यति जातु मैथिलीम् ॥
"Bah! I see no cause for fear at all! From where do you sense all this!? For sure, there is absolutely no chance for Raghava to get Maithili back from me. Even if he comes to fight with help from Indra and other gods, he won't survive a battle with me."
Ravana thus sent away Vibhishana.
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The sentiments of Vibhishana were not confined to him alone. Many murmured dissent and disrespect for Ravana's actions. This could not but have an effect on Ravana, who was obssessed with lust for Sita. He felt weak and worried.
Valmiki describes in many shlokas the subsequent dazzling procession of Ravana from his chamber to the central court hall of his assembly created magnificently by Vishwakarma himself. In that procession, Ravana shone with a radiance, surrounded by fierce warriors and many grotesque rakshasas (gargoyles), to the chants of panygerics and sounding of many musical instruments.
Ravana seated himself and called for the best of his counsellors, saying that war was imminent and he wanted his best advisors to advise him.The messengers fanned out in a hurry, full of fear, and conveyed the message to the counsellors who were at the moment engaged in a variety of personal activities of rest and pleasure. They all hurried into the court. This was an unprecedented sight.
All the courtiers went and touched Ravana's feet, and settled down on a variety of high and low seats.
Valmiki says the senior ministers, elders, wise counsellors, were all present.
Then the noble Vibhishana entered his elder brother's court in regal splendour. He bowed down with affectionate respect to his brother, and was followed by Prahasta and Shuka. They were all offered appropriate seats.
The assembly was filled with the choicest of fragrances.
Valmiki asks us to imagine the grandeur of the moment. Utter silence, extreme deference, nobility, wisdom, and incredible valour, were all on display in Ravana's court. Ravana shone brilliantly as the lord of all he surveyed.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
