66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

9
RAVANA IN COUNCIL
Ravana’s capital, after its destruction by Hanuman, was
rebuilt by the divine architect Maya. Surveying it now,
Ravana forgot for a moment the setback he had suffered,
and was lost in admiration of the work of the architect. He
entered his new council hall surrounded by his relations and
admirers; but after a while he ordered everyone out except
his brothers and army chiefs and conferred with them behind
closed doors. From his royal seat, he said, “At this moment,
let us not forget that my authority has been challenged not by
a warrior but by a monkey! What were our army chiefs so
resplendently decorated doing when this ludicrous situation
was developing? In our wells, instead of water rising from the
springs, there is blood. The smoke in the air is not from
sacrificial fires but from the smouldering ruins of mansions
and homes. The scent in the air is not of rare incense but of
burnt nails and hair. I have lost many a friend and relative, not
to speak of subjects, and all this has been accomplished by
a monkey! Now let us consider what we should do next. We
do not have even the satisfaction of saying that we have
caught the monkey and destroyed it! I want you, all the great
men assembled here, to advise me frankly and speak out
your minds.”