One of the finest traits of Sri Rama.Ravana himself at the end of the battle says, that Sri Rama is not easily angered, even when he is in the battlefield. Even when he aims his arrows and shoots, he does so with such self-confidence that his face remains calm and is even adorned with a smile. When he fights, he does so without show of emotions - in many instances, that is to say and instances are not without exception - as calmly as a soldier does when he aims at the target board for the sake of practice. This trait is highlighted again and again in the epic. Kamban especially is delighted to portray this picture of Rama times without number. Rama is angered now.
Victory is very close at hand now. Another arrow and this fellow would have fell on the ground. It could have been an easy win for Sri Rama. But he decides otherwise...
More than the agony of the separation from Sita, more than the anger that seethed in his heart, more than anything else, what set fire to Rama's mind was the fact that it was Maruti, who was carrying him that Ravana showered his arrows on. Says Valmiki: "Sri Rama who was endowed with extraordinary energy, was seized with anger on seeing Hanuman (a tiger among the monkeys) wounded by Ravana. Advancing towards his chariots, Sri Rama tore it into pieces with its wheels, horses, standard, canopy, huge pennon, charioteer, Asanis (a kind of missile), pikes and swords with the sharp heads of his arrows." (Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Canto LIX, Sloka 136 and 137)
In a very short time, Ravana who was gaining an upper hand, with Hanuman moving away from him, deciding that this was a person meant only for Sri Rama to quell, and Lakshmana going unconscious, lost all that he gained. He lost his chariot, charioteer and horses and was standing on the ground in no time. His army was wiped clean without a trace before that. The great Ravana was standing alone, on the ground' emphasises Kamban. When did Ravana stand on the ground' in battle! Excepting perhaps on only one previous occasion, in his battle with Karthaviryarjuna, which was a straight fight, there was no such occasion in his long, long, long career! I am not taking the defeat that he suffered at the hands of Vali into consideration, for there was no battle at all at that time. It was not even a scuffle.
It was a very easy and simple operation for Sri Rama. The army was razed to the ground. The appurtenances of Ravana were stripped clean. Ravana was standing before him with his heads bent down and his toe drawing lines on the ground! niram karindhida' says Kamban. His complexion blackened (lit.) Now Ravana was already black - as dark as the inky night - and where was the room for this karindha' (blackening) to take place!
If we reflect for a moment, it can easily be understood that it was the lustre that Ravana lost. Remember Rama's remarks about Ravana's appearance when he entered the battlefield? "Like the sun Ravana is difficult to gaze on because of his rays of light. I do not actually discern his form fully invested (as it is) with effulgence." (Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Canto LIX, Sloka 27)
niram karindhida,' having lost his lustre, says Kamban, nilam viral kiLarandhida nindraan.' He stood there with his toe drawing idle lines of shame on the ground.
Victory is very close at hand now. Another arrow and this fellow would have fell on the ground. It could have been an easy win for Sri Rama. But he decides otherwise. He is not ready to fight with him any further for the day! This fellow is alone now and has lost all his weapons too! There is nobody now even to bring fresh supplies to him! Totally helpless and totally defenceless. He tells Ravana:
"A great and exceedingly terrible feat has been accomplished by you and my pre-eminent champions have been killed by you. Knowing that you have been fully exhausted thereby, I shall not put you under the sway of Death with my shafts. I know you stand agonised trough (continued0 fighting. (Therefore) depart (for the present) O king of the rangers of the night! Re-entering Lanka and resting (awhile) sally forth (again) duly mounted on a chariot and armed with a bow, then, (remaining) seated in your car, you shall witness my strength." (Ibid, Sloka 142 and 143)
aaL ayyaa' You are (it cannot be denied) manly. unakku amaindha ellaam' But all that followed you and all that you carried with you, marudham araindha pULai aayina,' flew off like the dust blown by cyclone kaNdanai' and that you have witnessed for yourself. indru pOi pOrukku naaLai vaa.' Go back. Go back now. And come duly rested and properly equipped tomorrow.
And why, why was Rama to spare this person now! This was the most opportune moment to eliminate him!
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