Go now, come tomorrow

The noble human qualities such as compassion, righteousness, patience, etc, come alive from mere descriptions and definitions in Rama’s life, prompting people to emulate and uphold these in daily life, pointed out Srimati Jaya Srinivasan in a discourse.

Though Rama has every reason to be angry with Ravana,

He delays the punishment simply because he hopes Ravana

might atone for his sin and also see if war can be avoided.

Already Sita, Hanuman, Mandodari and many others have

often advised Ravana on the path of dharma. All this goes

unheeded. Then Rama sends Angadha to deliver His message of ultimatum: “The sinner Ravana who is afraid and

hides in his fortress has either to surrender Sita immediately

or face battle the next day. His entire race is doomed.”

Ravana is furious and orders Angadha to be seized and

dashed to the earth. Angadha easily overpowers the rakshasas and comes back to tell Rama that Ravana is a fool and will yield only his crowned head to the Lord. In the fierce

battle that ensues between the rakshasas and the Vanara

army, both sides face much blood flow and slaughter.

But at one point the rakshasa army is decimated and

Ravana stands alone in his chariot confronting Rama. Rama

aims arrows in quick succession to break Ravana’s bow. The

horses drawing the chariots are killed next and Rama

quickly sends arrows to bring down the umbrella and flag

and dismantle his armour. Ravana’s crown is knocked off.

Kamban draws a perfect word picture to describe the

weaponless and drooping Ravana in defeat with the analogy

of the banyan tree whose roots seek the earth from its

branches. Rama tells the worst of sinners to go back and

come refreshed with weapons, army and strength the next

day to continue the fight. Such is His commitment to mercy

and Kshatriya dharma.