Canto 27
Dream of a Nightmare
Seetha’s intent to end life
Made some scurry to Ravan.
Stayed some back to turn their ire
On Rama’s spouse in despair then.
That thou would be put to death
No need for thee to end life.
Rose then Trijata one learned
Appraised thus the risks involved.
She’s Janaka’s daughter fair
Married young to Dasarath’s son
Reveres whom world as Lord Rama.
Slept off as I dream I had
Trouble that portends to us all.
Trijata’s prophesy of doomsday
Shell-shocked those on Seetha’s guard.
Detail now thou dream thy had
Makes thee speak thus so frightened.
Averred well Trijata that she saw
Heavenly palanquin in her dream.
Reclined therein Ram in white
Stood by Lakshman in blood red.
Found I Seetha in my dream
Sit on sky-high white mountain.
Mounted then Ram ’n Lakshman
Huge white elephant with four tusks.
Oh that elephant that unique
Made they to that mountain peak.
Taken as if cue from Ram
Lowered its back that white giant.
For her to climb up to him
Gave Ram his hand to Seetha.
Having sat thus in Ram’s lap
Rose as Seetha so to probe
Saw I touch her sun ’n moon.
Took they chariot swift all then
Drawn by bulls all eight snow white.
Drove it Lakshman to us straight
Ram and Seetha came our midst.
In our land as they landed
Reached out Pushpak in welcome.
Having took them on its board
Flew off Pushpak then northwards.
It’s as if gods beckon Rama
Makes that risky for Ravan.
Saw I Ravan in my dream
Drunkard like lay on the floor.
In his flight to save his skin
Seems he slipped from thus Pushpak.
Saw I Ravan’s tonsured head
Peeping from that donkey cart.
Looked he like one out of mind
Madman like he played then pranks.
In all fear then fell Ravan
On all fours in front of Ram.
Tore he all his garments then
Lost he coherence as he raved.
Went he then to hole so foul
Filled with filth and night soil.
Pushed as was he by some lass
Fouled he was from head to foot.
All the way to that quagmire
Dragged was Kumbhakarna too
As though to share Ravan’s fate.
Saw I naked Ravan’s sons
Riding southward on wild beasts.
In that pell-mell in Lanka
Found I Vibhishan stand his ground
Waving that white flag at Ram.
All in white with his aura
Wore Vibhishan then Lankan crown.
Held as Vibhishan Court Royal
Played then music Band Royal.
Climbed he up a white elephant
With his men wise four in tow.
Heard I demon folk of Lanka
Playing drums to funeral tunes.
To the brim of its gables
Saw I Lanka sink in seas.
With his burning tail I saw
Came down Rama’s aid on us,
Torched as he thus one by one
Went up in flames homes of all.
Lanka as was thus burning
Wailing I saw women in streets.
Saw I men folk of Lanka
Apply cow dung on their wives.
So to escape Rama’s wrath
Better we into woods retreat.
No man ever spares tormentors
Of the woman he comes to love.
Stop thy tirade at Seetha
Seek her pardon for thy life.
Portend but well such dreams all
For those hapless women forlorn.
Count thou on her good nature
Though all thee had abused her.
Nothing but her forgiveness
Can save us from Rama’s ire.
Take this all as just bad patch
In her glorious reign on earth.
In the regal mien of queen
Seen I Seetha with Rama
Flying back to her native.
Portends trouble to our Ravan
At the hands of Seetha’s man.
See that eyelid left her twitch
Fetches it news her all good.
Shoulder as her left spasms
It’s but signal troubles exit.
See I quivering her left thigh
Know it portends no different.
Heard I some bird tell Seetha
Expect she could her man soon.
Having heard what Trijata said
In her goodness Rama’s wife
Promised them all safe passage
As and when Ram comes chasing.