VIBHEESHANA

"Let by-gones be by-gones," he thought, "one cannot forsake one's honour." Kumbhakarna was under no delusion as to the consequences, but his generous spirit accepted them for the sake of the brother he idolised. He knew that Raama was a peerless warrior.

He knew the power of his bow and also the limitations of the boons that Raavana bad received from the gods. But it was no good taking the heart out of others in the face of unavoidable peril and so be also began to speak vaunting words like the rest:

'What You did may be wrong, and so too the way you chose to do it. You have done first what you should have done last. And yet, it does not matter. I shall slay Raama. Do not be afraid. One or two of his arrows may touch me. In spite of it, I shall kill him and drink his blood and victory will be yours. My brother, lay aside your care, and think of other things."

Some people suggest that Kumbhakarna was dull and so he thus contradicted himself; but it was not stupidity, it was due to generous affection that be accepted the inevitable fearlessly. He was a proud warrior who loved his brother and his people and he decided on honourable death with them.

[ Up ] [ Next ]