As the main battle raged outside the Walls of Lanka, the Vanara Commander sent bands of Gorillas, on guerilla raids inside Lanka. They were organized into different units and each unit given specific areas of Lanka to soften up. When they reported in the evening, they had a strange tale to tell.
Some units had come back without having done any damage. They reported that they never felt like laying the hand of destruction on the houses they beheld, most of them simple ones, with a little better one occasionally showing amidst them. They had rather felt like bowing to the inhabitants and in fact, many of them had done so. Some other units had felt and done the same on seeing some houses but as their sights fell on strong houses that stood nearby, their warrior instincts took over and they had forthwith destroyed them along with whoever challenged them. Some other groups had had no problem; they reported one hundred percent destruction.
All Vanaras were puzzled about the whole thing. What made their mind hold back sometimes? What protective charm did some houses have over them? They wanted the answer before they start out the next day. However, their Commander too did not know.
They all went to Sri Rama for solution. They found him with Lakshmana, Hanuman, Vibhishana and Jambhavan. The five, heard the report of the Guerillas. Rama found Vibhishana’s face showing the signs of fullest comprehension. He bade him reply to the Gorillas.
Vibhishana quizzed them: Did you go to such and such areas having such and such landmarks? The raiders replied accordingly.
Vibhishana then proceeded to explain.
`The houses you instinctively felt like destroying and did so were the houses of Mahantasuras. They served Ravana’s selfish interests for the sake of their own interests, often against Dharma. The other houses, towards which you felt friendly, most of them simple, belonged to those who served for the interests of Lanka, according to Dharma, often against Ravana’s selfish interests’.
One Guerilla asked, `who is a Mahantasura?’
`They are Asuras who got the title `Mahanta’ from Ravana. He did it out of his pleasure doling it out to those who did much for him to have his pleasures in fullest measure. The other honest ones went about in their quiet way, serving the needs of the country, without sacrificing Dharma. Therefore, they could not get big houses but they had a sort of peace.
`We found some non-mahantas too having big houses, though they were nowhere near the houses of `Mahantasuras’. How was that?’ asked a gorilla.
`They are the professionals. Great engineers, physicians, architects, and such. Their duties were mostly impersonal. Ravana was wise enough to leave them in peace’ replied Vibhishana.
`What do we do about tomorrow’s raid? What is the moral of the whole story to us, guerilla workers?’ asked their captain.
Vibhishana pointed to Rama. `Rama is the moral of the story. Rama’s Guru Shiva gave powers to Ravana. Ravana is misusing those powers. Remember you are the servants of Rama and Shiva. Pray to them to give you power and virtuous impulses and do as they urge you’.
The Guerrillas looked up at Rama. He smiled softly and nodded.
`Jai Shri Ram’ the guerillas roared with renewed vigor.
Some units had come back without having done any damage. They reported that they never felt like laying the hand of destruction on the houses they beheld, most of them simple ones, with a little better one occasionally showing amidst them. They had rather felt like bowing to the inhabitants and in fact, many of them had done so. Some other units had felt and done the same on seeing some houses but as their sights fell on strong houses that stood nearby, their warrior instincts took over and they had forthwith destroyed them along with whoever challenged them. Some other groups had had no problem; they reported one hundred percent destruction.
All Vanaras were puzzled about the whole thing. What made their mind hold back sometimes? What protective charm did some houses have over them? They wanted the answer before they start out the next day. However, their Commander too did not know.
They all went to Sri Rama for solution. They found him with Lakshmana, Hanuman, Vibhishana and Jambhavan. The five, heard the report of the Guerillas. Rama found Vibhishana’s face showing the signs of fullest comprehension. He bade him reply to the Gorillas.
Vibhishana quizzed them: Did you go to such and such areas having such and such landmarks? The raiders replied accordingly.
Vibhishana then proceeded to explain.
`The houses you instinctively felt like destroying and did so were the houses of Mahantasuras. They served Ravana’s selfish interests for the sake of their own interests, often against Dharma. The other houses, towards which you felt friendly, most of them simple, belonged to those who served for the interests of Lanka, according to Dharma, often against Ravana’s selfish interests’.
One Guerilla asked, `who is a Mahantasura?’
`They are Asuras who got the title `Mahanta’ from Ravana. He did it out of his pleasure doling it out to those who did much for him to have his pleasures in fullest measure. The other honest ones went about in their quiet way, serving the needs of the country, without sacrificing Dharma. Therefore, they could not get big houses but they had a sort of peace.
`We found some non-mahantas too having big houses, though they were nowhere near the houses of `Mahantasuras’. How was that?’ asked a gorilla.
`They are the professionals. Great engineers, physicians, architects, and such. Their duties were mostly impersonal. Ravana was wise enough to leave them in peace’ replied Vibhishana.
`What do we do about tomorrow’s raid? What is the moral of the whole story to us, guerilla workers?’ asked their captain.
Vibhishana pointed to Rama. `Rama is the moral of the story. Rama’s Guru Shiva gave powers to Ravana. Ravana is misusing those powers. Remember you are the servants of Rama and Shiva. Pray to them to give you power and virtuous impulses and do as they urge you’.
The Guerrillas looked up at Rama. He smiled softly and nodded.
`Jai Shri Ram’ the guerillas roared with renewed vigor.
