Lanka Kaanda Mandodari makes remonstrance with Ravana again and dwells upon Sri Rama's glory - Chaupais
Ramcharitmanas · Lanka Kaanda Mandodari makes remonstrance with Ravana again and dwells upon Sri Rama's glory · Verse Chaupais 1970
Sanskrit Original
बिहँसा नारि बचन सुनि काना। अहो मोह महिमा बलवाना।। नारि सुभाउ सत्य सब कहहीं। अवगुन आठ सदा उर रहहीं।। साहस अनृत चपलता माया। भय अबिबेक असौच अदाया।। रिपु कर रुप सकल तैं गावा। अति बिसाल भय मोहि सुनावा।। सो सब प्रिया सहज बस मोरें। समुझि परा प्रसाद अब तोरें।। जानिउँ प्रिया तोरि चतुराई। एहि बिधि कहहु मोरि प्रभुताई।। तव बतकही गूढ़ मृगलोचनि। समुझत सुखद सुनत भय मोचनि।। मंदोदरि मन महुँ अस ठयऊ। पियहि काल बस मतिभ्रम भयऊ।।
bihaomsā nāri bacana suni kānā. ahō mōha mahimā balavānā.. nāri subhāu satya saba kahahīṃ. avaguna āṭha sadā ura rahahīṃ.. sāhasa anṛta capalatā māyā. bhaya abibēka asauca adāyā.. ripu kara rupa sakala taiṃ gāvā. ati bisāla bhaya mōhi sunāvā.. sō saba priyā sahaja basa mōrēṃ. samujhi parā prasāda aba tōrēṃ.. jāniu priyā tōri caturāī. ēhi bidhi kahahu mōri prabhutāī.. tava batakahī gūḍha mṛgalōcani. samujhata sukhada sunata bhaya mōcani.. maṃdōdari mana mahu asa ṭhayaū. piyahi kāla basa matibhrama bhayaū..
Ravana laughed when he heard the words of his wife. "Oh, how mighty is the power of infatuation! They rightly observe in regard to the character of a woman that the following eight evils ever abide in her heart: recklessness, mendacity, fickleness, deceit, timidity, indiscretion, impurity and callousness. You have described the enemy's cosmic form and thus told me a most alarming story. But all that (whatever is comprised in that cosmic form), my beloved, is naturally under my control; it is by your grace that this has become clear to me now. I have come to know your ingenuity, my dear; for in this way you have told my greatness. Your words, O fawn-eyed lady, are profound: they afford delight when understood and dispel all fear even when heard." Mandodari was now convinced at heart that her husband's impending death had deluded him.