33. Chandrasena’s Devotion and the Return of Hope
Chandrasena’s Anticipation
Chandrasena received the news of Mahi-ravana’s death and Makaradhwaja’s ascension to the throne of Patala Lanka. “My daughter! Great is your luck; Rama will soon be here in response to your ardent aspiration,” said Suvarchala. Chandrasena’s joy knew no bounds.
Preparations for Rama
After Suvarchala’s departure, Chandrasena made preparations to receive Rama. She decorated her house with a variety of flowers and prepared a bed as soft as jasmine petals, burning incense around it. The entire house was filled with fragrance.
She then placed two golden jars filled with rose water on both sides of her doorsteps and waited for Rama’s arrival.
The Arrival of Rama
Before long, led by Hanuman, Rama was seen approaching her house. As soon as her eyes fell upon him, she pulled the veil over her face and stood entranced. Hanuman drew closer and said, “O Mother! Look who has come. I have kept my promise. Here is Ramachandra.”
Chandrasena came to her senses and opened her eyes. Before her stood Rama—serene, silent, and beautiful. She remembered her duty, fetched cool water, and washed Rama’s feet on a golden plate. After that, she sprinkled the water on her own head and worshipped Rama with flowers and camphor.
Ominous Signs
However, when she tried to speak, her lips trembled, and she could utter no words. She led Rama to the bed, but as he was about to sit upon it, it suddenly broke in the middle. Bewildered, Chandrasena raised a beautiful garland to place around Rama’s neck, but the garland fell apart, scattering flowers on the ground.
“Chandrasena! The omens are not good. You must not act hastily,” said Rama, sweetly but gravely. By then, Chandrasena had completely come out of her trance. She cast a stern look at the bed, trying to discern the reason for these strange occurrences.
Hanuman, who had assumed a diminutive form and had caused the bed to break, could not bear her gaze. A burning sensation filled his body. He re-emerged in his normal form and appealed to Chandrasena, “Pardon me, my mother! I had promised to bring Rama to you. I have been true to my word. For your part, you must remain content with just a glimpse of him. It is best to remain a devotee without any desire.”
The Divine Revelation
Chandrasena tried to speak again but was again unsuccessful. Rama looked at her with deep compassion in his eyes. As Chandrasena continued to gaze at him, she saw in him the great God Vishnu.
“Chandrasena, in due course, I will incarnate again as Krishna. You will be born as Satyabhama and receive me as your husband. Thus, your desire will be fulfilled. I have a different mission in this incarnation. You must wait.”
As Chandrasena heard these words, she couldn’t turn her gaze from Rama’s eyes. Slowly, a miraculous change came over her; she transformed into a luminous flame that merged into Rama’s body, much to Hanuman’s astonishment.
Hanuman folded his hands and offered his obeisance to Chandrasena.
The Emergence of Makaradhwaja
Soon, Hanuman remembered that there was no time to lose. The formidable Ravana still lived, and they could not afford to think of anything else until he was destroyed. Just then, Makaradhwaja arrived on the scene. He worshipped Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman, obtaining their blessings before bidding them farewell. Hanuman then made the two divine brothers sit on his shoulders and soon rose to the sky, flying towards Lanka as Makaradhwaja and his subjects looked on.
Ravana’s Treachery
At Lanka, the Vanaras and their leaders were engulfed in sadness, frequently glancing at the sky. Jambavan alone tried to uplift their spirits. Meanwhile, inside Ravana’s fort, the demons rejoiced, shouting and singing. Ravana was excited, confident that Mahiravana would soon bring him the severed heads of Rama and Lakshmana, which he planned to present to Sita on a golden platter.
However, as time passed and Mahiravana did not arrive, Ravana grew anxious. He stepped out of the castle, looking at the Vanaras. Spotting Vibhishana among them, he taunted, “What a fool you are, Vibhishana, to linger among the Vanaras! The heads of your patrons will soon reach me.”
Despair and Determination
Vibhishana covered his ears, tears streaming down his cheeks. Sugriva, witnessing Vibhishana’s grief, could not suppress his own anguish. Ravana, sensing their despair, laughed thunderously and instructed the demonesses to prepare Sita for the grisly gift he expected.
Ravana then retreated to a room, fixated on the horizon in anticipation of Mahiravana. Suddenly, he spotted a dark shape growing more prominent in the sky. Eagerly, he shouted, “Here comes Mahiravana! Where’s the golden platter? Bring it to me quickly!”
But in the next instant, silence enveloped him as he recognized the flying figures—Rama and Lakshmana. The true realization of his impending doom struck him like a thunderbolt.
The Rise of Hope
Amid the Vanaras, a moment of uncertainty loomed until Jambavan recognized Hanuman with Rama and Lakshmana. “Look, friends! Here comes our Hanuman, his mission accomplished. Let us greet Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman!” he exclaimed, igniting cheers among the Vanaras, their shouts eclipsing the roar of the sea.
Meanwhile, an ominous silence descended over Ravana’s fort. When Ravana regained consciousness, confusion clouded his mind. He couldn’t comprehend how Rama and Lakshmana had escaped Mahiravana’s grasp.
One of his spies soon appeared, bringing news from Patala Lanka, which shattered Ravana’s composure and plunged him into despair once more.
Ravana’s Vengeful Fury
Recovering, he sat up, trembling with rage. “Where is Lakshmana, the killer of my son Meghnad? Today is his last day!” he shouted. Mandodari, witnessing her husband’s desperate behavior, looked on in disbelief as he prepared for battle.
Ravana, entirely consumed by his desire for revenge, declared, “I will behead both Rama and Lakshmana and present their heads to Sita.” His fury grew as the sounds of the Vanaras throwing challenges continued to reach him.
Determined, Ravana marched toward the battlefield, ready to confront his enemies, the rage within him glowing like fire.