| She has not so
far submitted to my wishes and entertains a foolish hope that Raama will come here and
redeem her. I have told her that it is an impossible wish and a vain hope. Finally, she
asked for a years' time and I gave it to her. I now seek your counsel. My desire is
unfulfilled. I can never agree to sending Seeta back and begging forgiveness from Raama. Till now neither you, my great warriors,
nor I have known defeat in battle. True, a big monkey somehow contrived to cross the sea
and wrought some mischief here. But hard indeed will it be for Raama and the Vaanara army
to cross the sea and come here. And even if they did come, what need we fear? What chance
have they against us?
"On the other side of the sea, Raama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva and the Vaanaras are
encamped. Think how we can slay Raama and Lakshmana.
"I should have summoned the Council earlier. But Kumbhakarna was in his period of
sleep and I waited till he woke up." Thus spoke Raavana, blinded by lust,
hiding his real anxiety and mixing a little falsehood with truth. For Seeta had not asked
for a year's time. She had absolutely rejected his advances, but he asked her to
reconsider and gave her a year's time. |
