February 2 - Shlokas 56 - 124 of Sarga 111 of Yuddha Kanda.
Mandodari's lament continues. Of significance are these words:
"I have lost my son, my people, and now, you. Is anything left? Have you seen how your chief queen has rushed here on foot, with no royal veil nor adornments, like a miserable commoner? Even your entire bevy of wives has come here thus!?"
यास्त्वया विधवा राजन्कृता नैकाः कुलस्त्रियः ।
पतिव्रता धर्मरता गुरुशुश्रूषणे रताः ॥
ताभिः शोकाभिस्तप्ताभिः शप्तः परवशं गतः ।
त्वया विप्रकृताभियत् तदा शप्तं तदागतम् ॥
प्रवादः सत्यमेवायं त्वां प्रति प्रायशौ नृप ।
पतिव्रतानां नाकस्मात् पतन्त्यश्रूणि भूतले ॥
"Oh, King! All those many women who were rendered widows by your invasions, especially women of noble birth, especially those devoted to their husbands and full of austerities, engaged always in serving their husbands and gurus; their burning grief made them curse you which has borne fruit now. Whatever your misdeeds were have incurred the effect of those curses. Indeed the wise saying that making chaste and devoted wives shed their tears on this earth incurs the worst sin has been validated in your death. "
"Oh, Lord! How you tricked Sita with a fake golden deer, lured Rama and Lakshmana away from her, and like a coward abducted that poor, weeping lady from the forest hermitage! A sure blot on your reputation as a hero. The knower of past, present, and future events, rooted in truth and wisdom, my brother-in-law Vibhishana told you with a heavy sigh that abducting Sita was evil and portended your death. You castigated him and drove him away! Even Mareecha, Kumbhakarna, my father, even I myself, advised you to restore Sita to Rama. (Mareecha said the abduction would be Ravana's undoing). You were too arrogant to accept our advice! See how your sun-like dazzling parigha now lies shattered by Rama's arrows. You are embracing the earth like your beloved. How come I am still alive? I am a stone-hearted woman indeed!"
The other wives of Ravana now spoke to Mandodari,
किं ते न विदिता देवि लोकानां स्थितिरध्रुवा ।
दशाविभागपर्याये राज्ञां वै चञ्चलाः श्रियः ॥
"Oh, Devi Mandodari, don't you know that every situation in this world is subject to change? With the change of fortunes, every king's prosperity will prove disloyal and desert him."
***
Sri Rama signalled to Vibhishana that the women shall be consoled and the last rites of Ravana be performed appropriately, with no further delay.
Vibhishana was reluctant. He said,
भ्रातृरूपो हि मे शत्रुरेष सर्वाहिते रतः रावणो नार्हते पूजाम् - "Sri Rama! This brother of mine was an enemy, hell-bent on committing evil deeds against all. He does not deserve the respectful farewell you suggest. People may curse me now for refusing to perform his obsequies, but when they realize what or who Ravana was, they will only praise my righteous stand."
Sri Rama smiled. He said, "yes, you are right about Ravana's evil deeds. But remember he was an incomparable hero dreaded in the three worlds. He has laid down his life fighting here with unforgettable prowess. And anyway, all enmity ends when the battle ends. He is the same to me as he is to you, and I suggest you do perform your duty towards him."
तत्सकाशान्महाबाहो संस्कारं विधिपूर्वकम् ।
क्षिप्रमर्हति धर्मेण त्वं यशोभाग्भविष्यसि ॥
"Therefore, oh mighty Vibhishana, Ravana deserves a ritually proper, grand funeral. Please do this at once. You shall earn great fame for your righteousness." Vibhishana acquiesced.
***
Vibhishana made elaborate arrangements. The agnihotra was performed. The ritualistic animal sacrifice as per rakshasa custom was carried out. A grand palanquin cortege was prepared with all ritualistic materials, unguents, firewood, precious stones, gems, and so on got ready under Malyavan's and Vibhishana's directions.
Draped in grand silk, carried in a golden palanquin of a cortege was Ravana, to the accompaniment of chants and the royal musical band. His cortege was decorated with flower garlands. Yajurvedis lit sacred fires and carried them in the funeral procession.
The royal women followed, wailing utterly.
They went to a sacred spot, set up the crematory bier per Vedic injunctions with all fragrant substances, firewood, and other flammables. They spread a deerskin on it.
The rakshasas led by Vibhishana sprinkled sacred materials as per injunctions on the body. Vibhishana set fire to the bier and later had ceremonial ablutions. He consoled the women and asked them to return to the palace.
Vibhishana returned to the camp where Sri Rama was with Lakshmana and Sugriva as well as the army.
There was a mood of celebration in the camp after a war won well. Sri Rama removed his armour and bow and arrows furnished by Indra. Sri Rama had no trace of anger or hatred and became an embodiment of peace.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
