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Continued
from yesterday’s instalment
 Taking even a cursory glance at the coterie that follows Ravana - who is entering Asoka Vana - would render anyone breathless. This mighty king, this mighty ogre, this terror of the universe, this person on whose account even the Lord had to assume human form and undergo sufferings like humans do, is surrounded by the best of damsels, beauty of beauties. And see what he has employed them for.
'uruppasi udai vaaL EndhinaL thodara,' Oorvasi followed him, carrying his sword. What an assignment for the celestial danseuse! The sword of Sankara that has tasted the blood of even Indra in dainty hands!
'menakai veLLadi udhava,' Menaka was neatly folding the
betal leaves and nuts for him to chew. 'seruppinaith thaanigith thilOththamai sella,' Thilothama was carrying his sandals. An extra pair, may be for the sake of an emergency, or may be because there was nothing else for the angel to carry and she was given this errand just to keep her occupied.
What an extraordinary and extravagant exhibition! And for whose eyes! Is the message not straight and clear? Ravana is trying to send the message to the heart of Sita. 'Look at this,' he seems to say. 'I have the best of maidens who wait for my orders. See for yourself what they are doing! One is carrying my sword and the other is serving me with an ordinary job meant for the lack-lustre maid and a third… see what she is doing… she is carrying my chappals. I have the best of women in my harem and I care a damn… They are in my harem to do poor and lowly errands. I don't find any better use for them.
 And if such a king, who wields such power over the celestial damsels, come and beg you for your love, imagine the kind of love he has for you! It is not because I lack in wealth I stand begging before you. I have plenty. Abundance. I would even say super-abundance. But I stand a-begging before you. Because Ravana's love for you cannot be measured in ordinary terms. And you are turning your face away from me at my very sight!
These lines would read romantic and even sensual, if they were uttered to a maiden, a woman who loves him. But this rascal, this ruffian, this hard-headed person who cannot be pardoned even if he 'knows not what he does,' is trying to send this message to Sita who,- leave alone the fact that she is the reincarnation of Mahalakshmi and the Consort of the Lord - is the wife of another man.
'aran kadai nindraaruL ellaam piran kadai
nindraarin pEdhayar il (Kural 142)
says Valluvar. "Among all those who stand on the outside of virtue, there are no greater fools than those who stand outside their neighbour's door." (Translated by Rev. Drew and John Lazarus) If you make a list of all the persons who have moved away from the portals of Virtue, of all pickpockets, casehardened criminals, murderers et al, the person who stands at the farthest end away from Virtue would be the one who pines for another man's wife.
My mind goes out again and again to mother Sita, Janaki, Mythili who took everything, withstood all the hardships and threats and temptations, even when there was not a single ray of hope worth it to hold on to. There cannot be a single soul who would not be moved to tears at her, being addressed lustily again and again, harassed, tempted by someone who is so powerful and clinging hysterically. But the fact remains that she stood like a rock, solid and not budging an inch from her position.
We will come to that later. Now confining ourselves to Ravana.
More follows...
Published on 8th
September 2002
Hari Krishnan
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