Let us understand what are Ten heads of Raavan
- Kama (Lust)
- Krodha (Anger)
- Moha (Delusion),
- Lobha (Greed),
- Mada (Pride),
- Matsar (Envy),
- Manas (The mind),
- Buddhi (Intellect),
- Chitta (Will)
- Ahamkara (The Ego)
Goda’s Tamil Pashuram 13
Pulllinvaay Keendanai-p-pollar Aarakkanai
Killikalaindhaanai-k-keerthimai Paadi-p-poi
Pillaikal Ellarum Pavai-k-kalam Pukkar
Velli Ezhundhu Vyazham Uzhangittru
Pullum Silambinakann Podhari Kanninaay!
Kullak-kulira-k-kudaindu Neeraadaadhe
Palli-k-kidatthiyo Paavay Nee Nannaallaal
Kallam Thavirndhu Kalandu-el or Empaavaai
English Poem 13
Splitting mouth of the crane-Baka demon
Slitting ten heads of worst Raavanasura,
Raama and Krishna are worshiped by teens,
Bright Shukra rose as dark Guru set,
Lotus-bee-eyed lovely lady, See, birds chirping,
Are you yet to dip in serene Yamuna waters?
O beauty, still fast asleep on this divine day?
Give up Raama and get up to join us for Vrata.
The Ego versus Raama and Govinda
This song is beautifully laced with the divine episodes of Raama and Krishna, suggesting their oneness. Goda mentions Advaita (non-duality) of Seetha and Raama on one hand and Raama and Krishna on the other. Raavana was called a bad demon because he separated Vishnu and Lakshmi, Goda uses an expression that Ram has slit the ten heads of Raavana. This shows that Raama was highly powerful like Krishna, who with his little finger lifted heavy Govardhanagiri and stayed put for seven days and nights. Valmiki narrates that Raama was helped by Agasthya, the ascetic, who gave Aditya Mantra; Indra, offering his chariot with charioteer, Sugreeva and his huge vanara army, and above all, mighty Hanuman. However, the strength of Raama was not assessed properly. When Sugreev suspects Vibheeshan, who came to surrender, advises not to entertain him as he might sabotage and destroy our army internally to help his brother Ravan. Raama asks him not to worry, “If I want, I can single-handedly finish Ravan”. But Ram never used those mystic powers but fought like an ordinary man. Whereas Krishna has demonstrated his Leela by lifting a big hill on his little finger, killing Bakaasura, etc with wonderful and unbelievable ease. Raama kills the ego of Raavana when he removes his flag, throws out his crown, destroys the chariot, kills his charioteer, breaks his arrows and bow, and removes the shield. When Raavan stands helpless hanging his head in shame, Raama permits him to go home, take a rest, and come back for an ultimate fight. Raavan had to walk through the main roads of Lanka while millions were watching to reach his palace. The Entire Lankan city comes to know the power of Raama and the plight of Ravan. His entire ego gets destroyed and it is just a formality to finish him off the next day.
(Courtesy pics: Late Dr Ramacharya Sribhashyam Srinivasa Family.)
To establish the oneness of Raama and Krishna, Goda suggests an episode. When Yashoda was narrating the story of Raama, little Krishna was responding indicating that he was hearing it. She said that when Raama was away, and his brother was searching for Him, Raavana abducted Seetha. Immediately little Krishna was angry and started asking for His bow and arrows from Lakshmana. Yashoda was confused, about why Krishna was calling for Lakshmana.
Goda in this 13th song, is waking up the eighth Gopika whose eyes are very beautiful like the bee sucking honey from a lotus. Gopika thinks that her eyes can induce Krishna to her place. Hence, she is neither getting up nor going to Yamuna river to cool the pangs of separation from Krishna. This is a conversation between them.
Goda: O beauty! Do not think that Krishna will come for your beauty of eyes. We need to go to Him.
Gopika: How can you say that it is early morning?
Goda: See, the bright Shukra is rising, and the darkness of Guru is fading out.
Gopika: Any other evidence?
Goda: Birds are chirping and getting ready to go out to fetch food.
Chirping is a symbol of God-lover’s morning praise of Vishnu. When many are sharing their association with others, do you want to enjoy alone? If you do that it is not fair, but hypocrisy! I understand that you too need to cool off the pangs of separation from Krishna. Then, you should come with us and bathe in the serene cool waters of the Yamuna River at this early hour. If you delay, Yamuna water gets heated up.
Bharatha used to suffer body heat because of thinking about the absence of Raama and used to rush to Sarayu even at midnight to feel cool. We are immersed in the thoughts of Krishna, who has split the mouth of the Baka demon, and Raama, who slit the ten heads of worse Asura Raavana for separating Seetha from Him. Lakshmi never parted her divine abode on the chest of Vishnu. These are good days for us. Our parents are permitting us to meet Krishna for Vrata. We can increase the pleasure of meditating upon Krishna, come on let us go together, get up!
