Ramayana Part V Ii Bali's End Poem by Diwakar Bhatt

On returning back, not finding Sita at home,
A mixed feeling of anxiety and fear crept upon.

Frantically searched everywhere but in vain,
Dying Jatayu gave Ravana’s name, narrated the gruesome scene.

Ram and laxmna could not get any lead,
As Ravana travelled by his chariot’s flying speed.

Anger and despair burdened Rama’s soul,
Getting news of Sita’s well being was his only goal.

He sadly gazed at the moon in the sky,
It too looked pale and melancholy.

No more cool and soothing was the silvery moonshine,
Its streaks piercing the eyes and soul of Rama benign.

They had no option but to extend their search,
But not knowing where to look disheartened much.

They moved further to Rishyamuk mountain,
Inhibited by the monkey clan with their chieftain

A hideout for Sugreeva the monkey king quite safe,
Whose kingdom was taken away by brother Bali the mighty ape.

Hanuman was his wise and strong companion,
In the guise of a Brhamin enquired about Ram and Laxman.

With deep respect asked their name and place or origin,
What brought them there, was his pertinent question.

He addressed them as heroes, one fair, another dark,
Roaming in the woods unfriendly with odds real stark.

They introduced themselves as Ram and Laxman, the brothers,
Princes of Ayodhya, exiled to the woods for fourteen years.

Hanuman rejoiced and revealed his form natural,
Clasped the holy feet of Lord, swept away by thrill.

Ram told him about the untoward incident,
How uncouth Ravana abducted Sita his wife, with bad intent.

Greeted by Sugreeva, with respect and great honour,
Assured them about sita’s safe return with ardour.

They showed Ram and Laxman an ornament,
Thrown by Sita while passing over in torment.

As Ram recognised it a ray of hope appeared,
It manifested Sita until she is actually rescued.

Mighty archer could not hold his tears any longer,
Agony and pain of separation were evidently severe.

His forbearance melted as he was unable to restore her dignity,
Sobbed at the very thought of Sita’s pitiable plight in captivity.

Assuring words of Sugreeva and others solaced him,
Very soon Sita would be found out was their belief firm.

Ram then asked Sugreeva the reason for staying at this place,
Why has he fled from Kishkindha to be on this desolate hill in disgrace.

Sugreeva told his sordid tale with agony and pain,
How bali had robbed him of his kingdom and queen.

Rama gave words to quell the atrocities of Bali the oppressor,
Nobody in the three worlds would avert his eventual slaughter.

Sugreeva explained about bali’s unmatched strength fearfully,
His ability to take away half the strength of the opponent miraculously.

He then showed Rama the seven gigantic palm trees in a row,
Rama proved his capability to defeat Bali by cutting all with one arrow.

Ram killed Bali the tyrant by his power and wit,
Sugreeva’s kingdom restored to him as a friend’s gift.

Ultimately arose the question of Sita’s quest,
Hanuman with others went in all directions at Ram’s behest.

Flew over unending vast land and high peaks,
Reached the empire of Ravana in the midst of South Seas.

It was Lanka the city of golden palaces and beautiful gardens,
Protected by high walls and a force of mighty demons.

There lived Ravana the great conqueror,
Under the illusion of being invincible forever.

But his days were numbered for final destruction,
From that very day when he thought of Sita’s abduction.

He persuaded Sita to become his queen, time and again.
Beseeching and threatening but nothing he could gain.

Hanuman deceived watchful eyes of demons all,
Entered stealthily in Lanka to find Sita first of all.

Here and there everywhere he hopped quickly,
In Ashoka Vatika saw sita sitting under a tree quietly.

Hanuman told about the well being of Rama,
Those words gave her strength to face the hostility of Ravana

Hanuman enjoyed the fruits of Ashok Vatika to his bellyful,
Killed many guards including Ravana’s youngest son in the scuffle.

Finally caught by Meghnad and presented in the court,
Infuriating Ravana ordered for his death as the only resort.

But Vibhishan suggested an unusual method to assail,
To burn his most loved asset i.e. his tail.

They turned his tail into a torch of fire with despise,
He created havoc around, they could not surmise.

The golden city experienced the great disaster very rare,
Heartrending cries of helpless people saddened the atmosphere.

The result of Ravan’s misdeeds and haughtiness,
An omen of the lurking danger and distress.

Hanuman went back with Sita’s bracelet as a sign of positive start,
Tears rolled down but her whereabouts enlivened Rama’s heart.