Page:The Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás.djvu/470

406 The monster heard her prayer and laughed aloud; his arrogance is known throughout the world. "A woman is naturally cast in a timorous mould, and even in prosperity has a mind ill at ease. If the monkey army comes, the poor wretches will all be eaten up by the demons. The very guardians of the spheres tremble for fear of me; it is quite absurd for my wife to be afraid." So saying he laughed and embraced her, and then full of inordinate conceit proceeded to the council-chamber. But Mandodari was sore troubled at heart, saying, 'Heaven is against my lord.' While he was sitting in court, he received intelligence that the whole army had crossed the sea. Then he enquired of his ministers, 'Tell me what you think best to be done.' They all laughed and replied, "Remain quiet. You have conquered gods and demons without any trouble; of what account can men and monkeys be?"

When these three, a minister, a physician and a spiritual adviser, use fair words either from fear or hope of reward, dominion, religion and health are all three quickly destroyed.

This was all the help that Rávan got; they did nothing but sound his praises. Perceiving his opportunity, Vibhíshan came and bowed his head at his brother's feet, then again bowing took his seat on his throne and after obtaining permission spoke thus: "As you graciously ask of me my opinion, I declare it, Sire, to the best of my ability. If you desire your own welfare and glory, with a reputation for wisdom, a prosperous issue and every other happiness, turn away from the face of another man's wife as from the moon on its fourth day. Though a man were lord of the fourteen spheres, he cannot set himself to oppose the Universal. However amiable and accomplished a person may be, no one will speak well of him if he shows even the slightest covetousness.

Lust, passion, vanity, and covetousness are all paths that lead to hell: abjure them and worship Raghubir, whom all the saints worship.