Episode 23 - Vibhishana's advice to Ravana not to kill an emissary. Anjaneya's tail set on fire

Ravana's brother, Vibhishana, a pious and wise Rakshasa, who was in the assembly, was shocked by his brother's decision to put the messenger to death. He counselled Ravana: “O King! Bear and forbear. Be kind and listen to me. Good and wise kings do not kill emissaries. Killing of this monkey is opposed to a king's Dharma and abhorrent. You are a learned king and know the king's duties very well and also the discriminating factors between various beings. If learned men like you are also overwhelmed by anger and lose equanimity, then acquisition of knowledge of the Sastras (moral/religious/spiritual texts) becomes an exercise in futility. Therefore, O Valiant King! Consider all aspects and impose a suitable punishment proportionate to the messenger's offence other than death.”

Ravana replied to Vibhishana; “O Destroyer of the Enemy! There is no sin in killing a sinner. Therefore, I will kill this monkey, a sinner.” Vibhishana, hearing Ravana's immoral, sinful and brutish word continued to plead with him: “O Rakshasa King! Be merciful! Noble men everywhere have declared that a messenger is not to be killed under any circumstances. No doubt, this monkey-messenger has overshot himself and has offended you beyond measure. There are many punishments prescribed for a messenger like cutting off limbs, caning, shaving the head or leaving some mark on the body and so on. Wise men like you conquer anger. In all the three worlds, there is none who knows Dharma as well as you and you have conquered several kings, gods and demons. An emissary may be good or bad, but he is not independent and only conveys the message of his master. Moreover, you like wars just as the millions of the Rakshasas do. If you kill this emissary, there will be none to establish a link between you and Rama and Lakshmana, who are so far away. An opportunity for war will be lost. Therefore, impose some punishment on the emissary, leave him and send some of your forces to fight Rama and Lakshmana.”

Ravana finally received the sound advice of his brother Vibhishana, well and said: “As pointed out by you, killing an emissary is detestable. Monkeys love their tails. Therefore, set fire to his tail and let him go after being paraded at the important junctions of the city.” Accordingly, the angry and cruel Rakshasas held the tail of Anjaneya, by now enlarged by him, tied it with clothes dipped in oil, set them on fire and began to parade him.

Anjaneya was not to be humbled. He pulled down the Rakshasas around him with his burning tail. However, the citizens of the city assembled everywhere and felt happy and enjoyed the fun of the monkey in flames. Some Rakshasas re-assembled and again bound Anjaneya who thought: “I have the ability to kill all these Rakshasas. However, Rama has to do it. I would like to see the entire city in broad day-light and I am not hurt by the fire.” The Rakshasas were parading Anjaneya round the town playing music and narrating his crimes to the townsfolk. Anjaneya was himself enjoying the ride though the streets, the thoroughfares, the road junctions and the nooks and corners of the town.

The treatment given to Anjaneya was brought to the notice of Sita in the garden by the Rakshasi guards. She was extremely sad and shocked at the news and prayed to Agni, the God of Fire, to keep cool and not burn Anjaneya. Her prayer was answered by Agni and the Wind God.

Anjaneya reflected: “Though there is a great fire on my tail, it is as cold as an ice-pack. Agni Deva is not bothering me because of Rama's and Sita's grace and because of my father's friendship with Agni.” Thereupon, Anjaneya disengaged himself from the surrounding Rakshasas and also the chains that bound him. Then he mounted the main gate of the city, pulled out an iron bar and killed the remaining Rakshasas that had accompanied him, standing guard.

Note: Valmiki, the poet, conveys through Vibhishana's advice to Ravana that the theoretical knowledge obtained through sacred books has to be put into practice. Vibhishana adopts a clever strategy of praising Ravana in order to persuade him to be sympathetic to Anjaneya, though he knows that Ravana is a sinner and is solely responsible for all that has happened.