Ramayana 3.277

Ramayana · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith

The praise the high-souled Ravan spoke No doubt within her bosom woke. His saintly look and Brahman guise Deceived the lady's trusting eyes. With due attention on the guest Her hospitable rites she pressed. She bade the stranger to a seat, And gave him water for his feet. The bowl and water-pot he bare, And garb which wandering Brahmans wear Forbade a doubt to rise. Won by his holy look she deemed The stranger even as he seemed To her deluded eyes. Intent on hospitable care, She brought her best of woodland fare, And showed her guest a seat. She bade the saintly stranger lave His feet in water which she gave, And sit and rest and eat. He kept his eager glances bent On her so kindly eloquent, Wife of the noblest king; And longed in heart to steal her thence, Preparing by the dire offence, Death on his head to bring. The lady watched with anxious face For Rama coming from the chase With Lakshman by his side: But nothing met her wandering glance Save the wild forest's green expanse Extending far and wide.

Ramayana 3.277 · Ramayana · 3

Themes in this passage

Doubt Anxiety Compassion Death The Divine Leadership Marriage Nature

Doubt in other traditions

The same theme, as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Hellenism address it.

They alone ask leave of thee who believe not in Allah and the Last Day, and whose hearts feel doubt, so in their doubt they waver.

Quran 9:45 · Quran · Repentance

And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Matthew 28:17 · Bible · Matthew

If a man is tossed about by doubts, full of strong passions, and yearning only for what is delightful, his thirst will grow more and more, and he will indeed make his fetters strong.

Dhp 24.349 · Dhammapada · Thirst

Then thus Minerva:—“Brave Tydides, hear! Not Mars himself, nor aught immortal, fear. Full on the god impel thy foaming horse: Pallas commands, and Pallas lends thee force. Rash, furious, blind, from these to those he flies, And every side of wavering combat tries; Large promise makes, and breaks the promise made: Now gives the Grecians, now the Trojans aid.”[159]

Iliad 5.88 · Iliad · 5

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