Part 2

Hearing Hanuman's speech duly from the beginning, the exceedingly energetic Rama having truth for his prowess, said,--"What thou sayest--'I shall speedily destroy the city of this dreadful Raksha,'--is true, I tell thee. Therefore, at this very moment arrange for Sugriva's march. The Sun hath attained his meridian at this proper moment, capable of conferring victory.[8] Let Ravana carry away Sita (to his own country),--whither shall Ravana, living, repair? Like a dying person who hath taken a death-dispelling drug and drunk ambrosia, Sita, hearing of my preparations for war, shall inspire hope of life. To-day the Northern Phalguni (is in the ascendant); and to-morrow the moon shall be in conjunction with Hasta.[9] O Sugriva, shall we set out, surrounded by the entire host? The omens I witness, augur, that, having slain Ravana, I shall bring back Janaki. The upper lid of my eye throbbeth; and it betokeneth that my desire hath indeed been had". Then, honored by the monkey-king as well as Lakshmana, the righteous Rama, understanding the import of things, again said,--"Surrounded by hundreds and thousands of fast-speeding monkeys, let Nila go ahead of this force, for surveying the route. O Nila, do thou, O general, expeditiously take the army by a path furnished with fruits and roots, having cool waters of the woods, and replenished with honey. The wicked Rakshasas vitiate[10] fruits, roots and water along the way. Thou, ever on the alert, shouldst preserve these from the Rakshas. And, bounding down into hollow places, mountain-fastnesses, and woods, let the rangers of the wilds, spy the posted detachments of the enemy. Let those that are incompetent, stay here. This business is dreadful, and we should apply our best strength in conducting the same. Therefore let the foremost monkeys gifted with prodigious prowess lead forth the choice portion of the army, numbering hundreds and thousands. And let Gaja resembling a hill, and the exceedingly powerful Gavaya, and that monkey, Gavaksha, master of the leaping ones,[11] like a haughty bull among kine, go in the van of the monkey-host. And let that foremost of monkeys, Rishava, go, protecting the right wing (of the army); and let Gandha, irrisistible like an elephant with the fragrant temporal juice trickling down, and the vehement Gandhamadana, go,[12] protecting the left wing (of the monkey-army). And, cheering the army, I myself, mounted on Hanuman, like the Lord (mounted) on Airavata, shall march in the midst of the forces. And like the lord of wealth and master of riches, mounted on Sarvabhauma, let Lakshmana resembling the Destroyer, march forth, mounted on Angada. And let that king of bears, the long-armed Jambavan, Sushena, and the monkey, Vegadarci, protect the rear (of the forces)". Hearing Raghava's words, that foremost of monkeys and lord of the army, the exceedingly energetic Sugriva, issued his orders. And anon those highly powerful monkeys issuing up from caves and mountain-summits, began to bound (on all sides). Thereafter, honored by the king of monkeys and also Lakshmana, the righteous Rama, accompanied by his forces, set out in a southerly direction. And he marched, surrounded by hundreds and thousands, Kotis and Ayutas of monkeys resembling elephants. And he marching was followed by the mighty host of monkeys; and all those maintained by Sugriva were filled with joy and betrayed demonstrations of delight. And bounding by way of guarding the flanks of the forces, and leaping in front of the army for pioneering, blustering, emitting leonine roars, and uttering cries, the monkeys made towards the south. And some partook of perfumed honey and fruits, and some bore mighty trees, holding the sprouts. And some in pride (of strength) suddenly raised others and threw them down. And some fell and were anon up, and some brought others down. 'We shall slay Ravana, as also all the rangers of the night'; thus did the monkeys roar out in the presence of Raghava. Before (the army), Rhrishabha, the heroic Nila, and Kumuda, along with many monkeys, went on clearing the route. In the middle were king Sugriva, Rama and Lakshamana, environed by innumerable powerful and terrible monkeys. And the heroic monkey, Satavali, surrounded by ten Kotis (of troops), alone on all sides protected that monkey host. And accompanied by an hundred Kotis, Kesari, Panasa, Gaja[13] and Arka, by means of many protected that host on every side. And taking Sugriva before them, Sushena, and Jambavan, surrounded by innumerable bears, protected the rear (of the army.) And that foremost of rangers possessed of excellence, and of restrained senses, the heroic Nila, general (of the army), kept going round the ranks. And Valimukha, and Prajangha, Jambha and the monkey Rabhasa, went everywhere, urging on the monkeys. While thus marching, breathing pride of strength, those tiger-like monkeys saw that foremost of mountains _Sahya_ crowned with hundreds of trees, and watery expanses laughing with flowers, and beautiful tanks. And knowing the order of Rama of dreadful wrath, that terrible and mighty host, exceedingly terrific and resembling the bosom of the deep, cowed down through fear, leaving behind cities and villages and provinces, went like the deep-sounding sea. And at the side of Dacaratha's son those heroic monkeys resembling elephants, proceeded by bounds, like noble horses, spurred on. And those foremost of men, mounted on the monkeys, looked beautiful like the Sun and the Moon half eclipsed by the two mighty planets, _viz_., Rahu and Ketu. And (thus) did the righteous Rama proceed towards the South, accompanied by his army. Then Lakshmana, furnished with consummate sense and promptitude, who was mounted on Angada, spoke unto Rama, inviting words, fraught with import. "Speedily recovering Vaidehi, who hath been carried away, and slaying Ravana, thou wilt, thy end attained, return to Ayodhya, who shall also have her desire. O Raghava, I see all the great auspicious omens on earth and in the sky, signifying success unto thee. Mildly and grateful doth the blessed breeze blow behind the army, inspiring pleasure. And the birds and beasts are crying in sonorous voices. And all the points (of the compass) appear pleasant; and the lord of day is cloudless. Bhrigu's son, Ucanas, also weareth for thee an auspicious aspect, and Dhruva is without blemish. And all the _rishis_, pure and furnished with lustre, go round Dhruva. And before us shineth the grandfather of the high-souled Ikshwakus; the spotless Rajarshi Tricanku, with his priest.--And stainless and free from disturbances appeareth Visakha. This is the racial star of us, the high-souled Ikshwakus. And Nairita, the racial star of the Nairitas, is sore afflicted and, touched by the rod-bearing Dhumketu is in trouble. All this is for the destruction of the Rakshasas. At the fated time, those that are in the clutches of Death, have their stars afflicted by the planets. And the water is dear and tastes sweet; and the woods are stocked with fruit. And the odorous gale doth not blow strongly; and the trees are furnished with all blossoms of of the season. And, O lord, this host of monkeys appeareth splendid to the height, as did the celestial host on the occasion of the destruction of Taraka. Seeing all this, thou shouldst, O noble one, feel delighted". Having thus consoled his brother, Sumitra's son, feeling enlivened, said this. The monkey-host went on, covering the earth. And the mighty dust raised by bears, monkeys, and tigers, having for their weapons nails and teeth,--with the foreparts of their feet and hands, enveloped the world, and the splendour of the sun was obscured. And as clouds envelope the sky, the mighty monkey-host went on, covering up the Southern quarter with its mountains, woods, and sky. And as they marched covering many a _yojana_, the streams seemed as if they flowed in an opposite direction.[14] And they, while proceeding, took rest by pools of clear water, on mountains covered with trees, on plains and in forests teeming with fruits. Some moving straight, some moving askance, and some moving on the earth, that enormous monkey-host went on covering the entire earth. And they were all of delighted countenances and gifted with the velocity of the wind. And these monkeys devoted all their energy to the accomplishment of Raghava's work. And they were displaying unto each other their joy, prowess and energy. And influenced with the vanity of youth they set up diverse cries. Some proceeded with speed, some leaped, some set up cries expressing joy, some were uplifting their tails, and some were striking the ground with their feet. Some, stretching forth their arms, were breaking the hills, and others the trees. And others were ascending the tops of the hills. Some began to make terrible sounds, and others made a tingling noise. And many others blasted the creepers with the velocity of their thighs. And some were engaged in sporting with trees and rocks. And thus was the earth enveloped with millions and _kotis_ of fearful monkeys. And thus the enormous monkey host went on day and night. And all those monkeys, delighted, guided by Sugriva, and taking delight in battle, went on speedily. And they did not take rest even for a moment, desirous of rescuing Sita. Thereupon, getting at the mount _Sahya_ covered with various trees and forests, those monkeys ascended it. And Rama went on beholding the variegated forest, rivers and fountains of the mount _Sahya_ and _Malaya_. And those monkeys broke down various trees--_Champakas_, _Tilakas, mangos, *Prasekas_, _Sindubarakas_, _Tinicas_ and _Karaviras_, _Asokas_, _Karanjas_, _Plakshas_, _Nyagrodhas_, _Jambukas_ and _Amalakas_. And seated on picturesque rocks, various forest trees, shaken by the wind, showered flowers on them. And there blew in those forests filled with the smell of honey, a wind of pleasant touch, cool as the Moon, accompanied by the hummings of the bees. And that mount was richly embellished with diverse metals. And dust issuing from these metals and thickened by the air, enveloped on all sides the huge monkey-host. There blossomed in that picturesque mountain-vale _Ketakas_, _Sindubaras_, beautiful _Vasantees_, _Madhabis_, _Gandhapurnas_, _Kandas_, _Chiravilyas_, _Mahikas_, _Vanjulas_, _Vakulas_, _Ranjakas_, _Tilakas_, _Nagas_, _Chutas_, _Patalikas_, _Kobidaras_, _Muchlindas_, _Arjunas_, _Singsapas_, _Kutajas_, _Pintalas_, _Tinicas_, _Churnkas_, _Neepakas_, _Neela-Sokas_, _Saralas_, _Ankolas_ and lotuses. And all these trees were greatly disturbed by those monkeys, delighted with their view. There were in that mountain many a picturesque lake and pond filled with _Chakravakas_ and _Karandavas_, ducks, _Chraunchas_ and the mount abounded on all sides with boars, deer, and terrible bears, lions and tigers and various other fearful animals, and it was beautified with full blown lotuses, lilies, _Utpalas_ and various other fragrant trees growing in the water. And various birds set up their musical choir on the summit of that mount. And bathing and drinking, these monkeys sported in the water. And ascending the mount these monkeys continually bounded. And excited with drink, they crumbled into pieces the ambrosia-smelling fruits, roots and flowers of the trees. And those monkeys yellow as honey, delighted, feasted on mangoes, long and measuring a _drona_. Breaking down the trees, blasting the creepers, bounding from one tree to another and making the mount _Sahya_ echo, those leading monkeys went on delighted and excited with drink. Some ascending the trees, and others drinking, the whole earth was enveloped with those monkeys, and seemed as if beautified with ripe paddy crops. And reaching the mount Mahendra, the large-armed Rama, having eyes like lotuses, ascended the summit adorned with diverse trees. And getting at the top, Dacaratha's son espied the vast deep filled with tortoises and fishes. Thereupon, passing by the mounts _Sahya_ and _Malaya_ and arranging their enormous host, they[15] by and by reached the roaring deep. And descending therefrom, Rama, the foremost of those who minister happiness unto all, accompanied by Lakshmana and Sugriva, entered the forest situate on the banks of the ocean. And reaching the expansive banks having rocks thereon and continually washed by the rising billows, Rama spoke saying,--"O Sugriva we have arrived at the abode of Varuna. Now hath arisen in my mind what I had not thought of before. And this ocean, the lord of the streams, whose other side is not seen, cannot be crossed over without some excellent measure. Let the monkey-host be encamped here therefore, and then concert a plan by means of which they might get at the other side. And reaching the shores of the ocean, the large-armed Rama, stricken with grief for Sita, ordered their encampment, saying,--"O foremost of monkeys, do thou encamp thy host on the brink of the ocean. Now hath arrived the hour for counsel, when we should devise some plan for crossing over the main. I fear the Rakshasas at every step, for they are greatly illusion creating--let the leaders therefore go to their own hosts and let them not proceed anywhere else, renouncing them". Hearing the words of Rama, Sugriva along with Lakshmana, encamped the army on the brink of the ocean covered with trees. And stationed near the main, the monkey-host in consequence of their resemblance in colour with the blue contents of the deep, looked like a second ocean. Thereupon, reaching the shore, those leading monkeys engaged in concerting a plan to cross over the vasty deep. And the tumult, of that monkey-host encamped there, was heard above the roaring of the deep. And that huge army of the monkeys commanded by Sugriva, and set up in three divisions, were deeply concerned with the accomplishment of Rama's work. And reaching the shore of the vasty deep, that monkey host, delighted, beheld the ocean moved by the Wind. And they waited there beholding the deep of unimpeded expanse, having its distant shore inhabited by the demons, and thronged with various aquatic animals. While upheaving its foam on the approach of eve, it appeared laughing and setting up its surges, it appeared to dance. It increased with the rising of the Moon and he reflected himself on its breast. That abode of Varuna was infested with gigantic sharks, whales and _Timingalas_[16], disturbed with the fury of the Wind, filled with serpents having flaming frames, and various aquatic animals and rocks and was fathomless deep. It had picturesque fortresses on its marge and its other shore was hard to get at. And the _Makaras_[17] and serpents living therein were moved by the Wind. The waters, as if delighted, were rising and falling. And having serpents of flaming frames underneath, it appeared as if sprinkled with scintillations of fire. And that terrible abode of the demons extended down to the regions inhabited by the _Nagas_ or serpents. The deep resembled the welkin and the welkin the deep, and there appeared no difference between them. The sky crested with stars and the deep filled with gems resembled each other. The sky enveloped with clouds and the ocean overflowing with surges presented no contrast whatsoever. The waves of the mighty deep beating at each other continually, set up a sound resembling that of a trumpet in the sky. It was filled with diverse gems and its water was poisoned by means of the air. It was filled with various aquatic animals, and upheaving its billows, it appeared as if excited with ire. And there beheld those high-souled monkeys the mighty main agitated by the Wind and muttering as if with the upheaval of the waves. Thereupon, overwhelmed with surprise, those monkeys, stationed there, espied the main brimming with rolling waters and moving as if (off its place).

[7] _Ebam ajnapaya_: Ramanuja reads sense into this passage. _If thou wishest the principal monkeys to go, bring them; if thou wish the whole host to march, call it hither, and march at the auspicious moment.--T._

[8] The moment is named _abhijit.--T._

[9] Hasta sprung from Punarvasu is the star of doom, portending death to Ravana. The Northern Phalguni is Sita's natal star. The expedition begun during the influence of this star, augurs deliverance to Vaidehi.--T.

[10] By means of poison, _etc.--T._

[11] _i.e._ monkeys.--T.

[12] The verb is singular, instead of dual, as also the qualifying epithet, _Parcamadishthita_. But the sense is clear.--T.

[13] Some other than the first-mentioned Gaja.--T.

[14] Kataka remarks:--"As when clouds drift past, the Moon it is that seems to scud across the sky, as the monkey-army marched on, the rivers seemed to flow in an opposite direction". Ramanuya says that the waters of the streams dashed by the monkeys, held an opposite course. The former interpretation is hardly satisfactory, and Ramanuya seems to be right.--T.

[15] The monkey leaders.--T.

[16] A large fabulous fish.--T.

[17] A marine monster confounded usually with the crocodile and shark.--T.

SECTION V.

There on the northern shore of the ocean the army was encamped and arranged in order by Nila. And the two leading monkeys Mainda and Divida patrolled about on all sides to protect the monkey host. And the army being encamped on the shore of the lord of streams and rivers, Rama, beholding Lakshmana by his side, spoke, saying--"I know that grief abates as time passes by, but my sorrow arising from the separation of my spouse, is increasing day by day. I am not sorry that she hath been stealthily taken away by the demon--but my sorrow is that her end is drawing nigh. O Wind, do thou go there where my dear spouse is, and touching her person, do thou touch me, for I shall then be happy stationing my looks in the Moon and being touched by thee. Alas! my dear one cried 'O lord, O lord' when she was taken away. Those words, revolving burn me like poison. I am now being burnt down day and night by the fire of desire, having separation from her for its fuel and her thoughts for its flame. Leaving thee, O Son of Sumitra, I shall jump into the deep and then shall not this fire burn me any more. This is my only consolation, for which I draw my vital breath--that myself and she breathe on the same earth. Like unto a dry land drawing water from a watered ground, I do live, hearing that Janaki still survives. When shall I, discomfitting my enemies, behold Sita, having a beautiful waist and eyes resembling lotus-petals, as a victorious hero beholdeth the royal Grace. Like unto the sick drinking the _elixir_ of life, when shall I, raising a little her lotus-like countenance having graceful teeth and lips, imprint kisses thereon? And when shall she, laughing, embrace me with her rising breast resembling the palm fruit? Alas that chaste dime having scarlet corners of the eye, being encircled by the demons, is wishing for a protector like unto one having no husband, albeit having a husband in me. How fareth in the midst of the she-demons, that daughter of the king Janaka, my beloved spouse, and the daughter-in-law of king Dacaratha? And having those Rakshasas, hard to repress, slain by me, truly shall she appear like unto the rays of the Moon extricated from sable autumnal clouds. Sita is constitutionally slender, and forsooth, she has been greatly reduced by sorrow, fasting and calamities touching time and place. When shall I, piercing with my shafts the breast of the lord of Rakshasas, renounce my mind's grief? And when shall my devoted Sita resembling the daughter of a celestial, fling herself anxiously around my neck and shed tears of joy? And when shall I renounce this my sorrow arising out of Maithili's separation, like unto one casting off his soiled clothes?" The highly intelligent Rama bewailing thus, the day passed away and the Sun, decreasing gradually, disappeared at last. And consoled by Lakshmana, Rama, stricken with thought touching Sita having eyes like lotus-petals, engaged in rites relating to the worship of Eve.

SECTION VI.

Beholding in Lanka that dreadful and awe-inspiring work performed by Hanuman like unto the high-souled Sakra, the lord of Rakshasas, looking down with shame, addressed them all, saying--"That monkey alone hath invaded and entered the city of Lanka hard to reach and hath espied Sita, the daughter of king Janaka. He hath shattered the palace, and the altar of sacrifice, slain the leading Rakshasas, and, in short, agitated the whole city of Lanka. What shall I do now? And what should you all do on this occasion? It behoveth you all to give me such counsel as becometh me and will conduce to my glory". 'Victory is the outcome of consultation'--this do the sages[18] say. Let us, therefore, O mighty ones, engage in counsel, relating to the measures we should adopt towards Rama. There are three orders of men on this earth--the superior the middling and the inferior. This distinction cannot be perceived without a knowledge of the signs, and so I shall relate unto you their merits and demerits. He is said to belong to the superior order, whose counsel contains the three signs (mentioned below), or who engages in works after consulting duly with friends capable or with persons having the same end in view, and some times with others, and who serveth Providence. He belongs to the middle order who consults his own self only, depends on the Providence, and engages alone in works. And he belongs to the inferior order who engageth in works without ascertaining their merits or demerits, disregarding the will of the Providence and saying, 'I will do this', and is inactive (at last). And counsels are also divided into three divisions like unto the three orders of men (mentioned). That counsel belongs to the superior order in which the counsellors with their judgment reinforced by a knowledge of political ethics, are unanimous. That one belongs to the middle order in which the counsellors after varied discussion, arrive at unanimity in the long run. And that one is the worst in which the counsellors differ from each other and agree a little in the long run, with no good result. You are all gifted with good intellects: do you all unanimously settle as to what becometh me and conduceth to my well-being. Environed by a thousand of patient monkeys, Rama, with a view to capture our city, is approaching towards Lanka. Forsooth, shall he cross over the main along with his younger brother and a mighty host. He can by his prowess dry up the ocean and do the other.[19] Rama approaching thus with a hostile intention along with the monkeys, it behoveth you to devise such means as might protect my city and army.

[18] _Manaswina_, according to Ramanuya, means, hero.--T.

[19] _i.e._ bridge over the ocean.--T.

SECTION VII.