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THE WAY OF LIFE
cries of distress of the soldiers in the Rakshasa army rose to the sky. The soldiers of the Rakshasa army surrendered to Shri Ram as suggested by Vibhishana.
Vibhishana saw the dead body of Ravana and his heart was filled with grief at the separation from his brother. He ran to the dead body; fell upon it and clung to it. He began to lament in a pathetic manner. The news of Ravana's death reached the palace in Lanka. The pathetic lamentation of Mandodari and the other queens was endless. All the queens came weeping and running to the battlefield. On seeing Ravana's dead body, Mandodari swooned and fell down. Shri Ram, Lakshman, Sugriv, Bhamandal, Hanuman, Nala, Neela, Angada, etc. stood silently and sympathised with the queens in their anguish. Vibhishana began to weep bitterly. He took out the dagger from his waist and tried to commit suicide. At once, Shri Ram held his hands; seized the dagger from his hands and placing his hand upon his head gave him an assurance; and spoke words of comfort to him.
At that time, Shri Ram said this in a serious tone expressing his condolence to the royal family of Lanka.
SHRI RAM'S TRIBUTES TO RAVANA
"The heroism of the ten-headed Ravana is admired even in the heavenly world. He has attained Viraswarga, and he has become famous. His ability and dexterity in warfare, his tremendous popularity among his people etc. will be remembered by the people for ages. Therefore, do not lament over his death. Please, arrange for the performance of proper obsequies for this great king of demons”.
Shri Ram released such war-prisoners as Kumbhakarna, Indrajit, Meghavahan etc. They all went near the dead body of Ravana and began lamenting loudly. Shri Ram sat near Kumbhakarna; spoke to him words of condolence. He drew Indrajit and Meghavahan near him and spoke to them affectionately. "Oh children, do not weep over this calamity. Stop lamenting over Ravana's death. Ravana, the king of demons, by virtue of his heroism brought heaven to this world and now
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