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The Slaying of Ravan
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your lord with indisputable ability and loyalty. Your loyalty and dedication are indeed commendable. Shri Ram and I are not the enemies of Lanka but only friends. We are your wellwishers. We wish for your prosperity and felicity."
The cries of elation and jubilation issued by the Rakshasa warriors reverberated in the skies.
Vibhishan was looking at Ravan's dead body with fixed eyes. With great difficulty he could restrain his tears only for a few moments and then his eyes welled up with tears and he was overwhelmed with grief on account of the death of his dear brother. At once, he leaped down from his chariot and ran to the place where Ravan's dead body lay. He began to lament loudly, "O dear brother ! Dear Ravan !” He wept like a child sitting on the ground in soul-stirring anguish.
The news of Ravan's death spread like wildfire in Lanka. All were stupefied to hear this. The queens in the harem were thunder-struck by the news. They began to lament loudly. Queen Mandodari and the other queens rushed out of the harem and ran wailing to the battle-field. Mandodari swooned when she saw the dead body of Ravan covered with blood. She fell upon Ravan's dead body. The other queens and attendants collapsed to the ground unconscious shocked and grieved by the sight. The citizens of Lanka began to weep like orphaned children on hearing the news of Ravan's death. They came out like clouds of locusts to pay their last respects to their mighty emperor. The battle-field which was dreadful sometime ago was now filled with heart-rending lamentations. Shri Ram, Lakshman, Sugriv, Bhamandal, Hanuman, Nal, Neel, Angadh and thousands of other warriors of Shri Ram's army stood in deep grief watching the heart-rending spectacle. They remained silent with overflowing sympathy for Vibhishan, Mandodari and others who were steeped in terrible grief.
Vibhishan's continuous sobbings filled the atmosphere with grief. All of a sudden, he took out his dagger and tried to stab himself. As soon as he lifted his hand, Shri Ram rushed forward and seized the dagger from his hand. He embraced Vibhishan and tried to console him.
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