Sacred Concord

Ramayana 5.172

Ramayana · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith

On to Prasravan's hill they sped Where blooming trees their branches spread. To Raghu's sons their heads they bent And did obeisance reverent. Then to their king, by Angad led, Each Vanar chieftain bowed his head; And Hanuman the brave and bold His tidings to the monarch told; But first in Rama's hand he placed The gem that Sita's brow had graced: "I crossed the sea: I searched a while For Sita in the giants' isle. I found her vext with taunt and threat By demon guards about her set. Her tresses twined in single braid, On the bare earth her limbs were laid. Sad were her eyes: her cheeks were pale As shuddering flowers in winter's gale. I stood beside the weeping dame, And gently whispered Rama's name: With cheering words her grief consoled, And then the whole adventure told. She weeps afar beyond the sea, And her true heart is still with thee. She gave a sign that thou wouldst know, She bids thee think upon the crow, And bright mark pressed upon her brow When none was nigh but she and thou. She bids thee take this precious stone, The sea-born gem thou long hast known. "And I," she said, "will dull the sting Of woe by gazing on the ring. One little month shall I sustain This life oppressed with woe and pain: And when the month is ended, I The giants' prey must surely die.' "
Ramayana 5.172 · Ramayana · 5

Themes in this passage

CourageNatureChildrenComfortDeathGriefLeadershipSpeech

Courage in other traditions

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

And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
Joshua 10:25 · Bible · Joshua
Nay, verily. They fear not the Hereafter.
Quran 74:53 · Quran · The Clothed One
“How long, ye sons of Priam! will ye fly, And unrevenged see Priam’s people die? Still unresisted shall the foe destroy, And stretch the slaughter to the gates of Troy? Lo, brave Æneas sinks beneath his wound, Not godlike Hector more in arms renown’d: Haste all, and take the generous warrior’s part. He said;—new courage swell’d each hero’s heart. Sarpedon first his ardent soul express’d, And, turn’d to Hector, these bold words address’d:
Iliad 5.53 · Iliad · 5
The suitors bit their lips, and marvelled at the boldness of his speech; then Antinous said, “We do not like such language but we will put up with it, for Telemachus is threatening us in good earnest. If Jove had let us we should have put a stop to his brave talk ere now.”
Odyssey 20.25 · Odyssey · 20

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