Part 7

Having seen omens, that one, Lakshmana's elder brother, conversant with them, embracing the son of Sumitra, said these words,--"O Lakshmana, occupying (this tract) of cool waters and woods affluent with fruits, will we, dividing and arranging our forces, stay here. Mighty is the fear that I see at hand,--boding destruction to people and the slaughter of the foremost heroes of bears, monkeys and Rakshasas. The wind bloweth darkly, and the Earth shaketh. The tops of the mountains tremble, and trees topple down. And the clouds are ashen and roistering, and roar roughly. And lowering, they shower portentous drops of blood. And the twilight is terrible and looketh like the red sandal. And a fiery circle droppeth from the flaming sun. And on all sides birds and beasts, distressed, uttering woe-begone notes, and grim-visaged, set up crying against the sun, arousing great fear. And the Moon, although not appearing[61] in the night, burneth, and with dark and red rays riseth, as if it intended to exterminate people. And the aspect (of the sun) is slight, rough, and not good;[62] and, O Lakshmana, a blue mark is visible on the unclouded Sun. And the stars seem erased by a mighty volume of dust. O Lakshmana, behold this sight disastrous to people like unto the universal dissolution. Crows, and hawks, and the inferior vultures, wheel all round. And jackals are sending inauspicious yells, exciting great fear. The earth shall be covered with darts and javelins, and swords discharged by monkeys and Rakshasas, and then turned into mire with flesh and gore. Surrounded by all these monkeys, will we, using speed, this very day rapidly enter into the city ruled by Ravana, incapable of being subdued. Having said this, that subduer in conflict, that lord, the enchanter of men, Rama,[63] equipped with his bow, proceeds in the direction of Lanka. And all the principal monkeys-- Sugriva with Bibhishana--went on, setting up roars, for the destruction of foes, who were determined to battle with them. And consequently Raghu's son was well pleased with the fortitude and exertions of the powerful monkeys, for bringing about what was dear unto Raghava.

[61] The moon, it seems, _doth_ appear, but does not look out clearly.--T.

[62] _Pracasta_--I do not see the propriety of this epithet in this connection. This may be a mistake.--T.

[63] The word _Rama_ occurs twice, one being the cognomen of the solar line. The other means, _the enchanter of men.--T._

SECTION XXIV.

And with the presence of the king[64] that assembly of heroes looked beautiful, as doth the autumnal night, garnished with beauteous stars, with the Moon. And oppressed with the bursting energy of the host resembling the ocean, the Earth trembled. And then the rangers of the forest heard a hubbub in Lanka, as well as the sounds of trumpets and Mridangas, mighty and capable of making people's down stand on end. And at those sounds, the leaders of monkey-bands were delighted beyond measure, and, resenting the same, set up cries louder than those sounds. And the Rakshasas also heard the roars of the monkeys, resembling the rumbling of haughty clouds in the sky. Beholding Lanka with variegated standards, and streamers, Dacaratha's son went[65] to Sita with an aggrieved heart. "Here that one having eyes resembling those of a young deer, is confined by Ravana, like unto Rohini overpowered by the red-bodied planet".[66] And, sighing hot and long, and looking at Lakshmana, that hero spoke words fraught with his good at that time--"Behold, O Lakshmana, Lanka towering up as if piercing the heavens; and, built by Vicwakarma on the brow of the mountain, she seems to have been made by the Mind. Constructed in time past with edifices thronging her, Lanka looks like the all-encasing air, covered with pale clouds. Lanka is embellished with groves resembling Chitraratha, fair, and eloquent with the notes of various birds, and fraught with fruits and flowers. Behold the intoxicated birds, and the black bees blending (with the blossoms). And the blessed breeze swayeth the trees vocal with the coels". Having divided his forces there agreeably to the directions of the scriptures, Dacaratha's son, Rama, thus spoke unto Lakshmana. And he ordered that monkey-army, saying,--"Taking his own forces, let the puissant and invincible Angada along with Nila, station himself in the centre of the forces. And let the monkey, named Rishabha, surrounded by numbers of monkeys, post himself at the right of the monkey-army. And let the active and irrepressible Gandhamadana, resembling an elephant fragrant with the temporal exudation, stay, occupying the left of the forces. I myself along with Lakshmana, shall needfully stay in the fore-front. And the monkeys, Jambavan, Sushena and Vagadarci, the three high-souled, foremost bears,[67]--shall protect the interior (of the forces). And as the Sun, surcharged with energy, protects the hind half of the globe, let the monkey-monarch protect the rear of the monkey-army". And that army being skilfully divided into parts and protected by great monkeys, resembled the welkin covered with clouds. Then, taking up mountain-peaks and mighty trees, the monkeys began to proceed towards Lanka burning to crush Lanka in battle. "We shall demolish Lanka by hurling mountain-peaks, or with our clenched fists". Thus did the foremost of monkeys think in their minds. Then the exceedingly energetic Rama addressed Sugriva, saying,--"Our forces have been rightly marshalled,--let go (now) Suka". Hearing Rama's words, the lord of monkeys possessed of great strength, liberated the envoy, Suka, at the command of Rama. Liberated at the word of Rama, Suka, who had been sore tormented by the monkeys, oppressed with exceeding great fear, went to the lord of Rakshasas. Thereat, Ravana, laughing, said unto Suka,--"Are thy wings fettered? And thou seemst as if thy wings had been severed. Why? Didst thou come under the control of the volatile (monkeys)?" Thereat, exercised with fear, Suka, commanded by the monarch, answered the lord of Rakshasas in this excellent speech, saying,--"Repairing to the northern shore of the sea, I, pacifying (the monkeys) with mild speech, communicated thy tidings clearly (unto Sugriva). Thereat, as soon as they saw me, the monkeys flying into a wrath, captured me, and attempted to clip my wings and slay me with their clenched fists. They are insuseptible of being spoken to. No doubt whatever can exist that, O lord of Rakshasas, the monkeys are by nature wrathful and fierce. The same Rama that hath slain Viradha and Kavandha and Khara, hath arrived (here) along with Sugriva, searching for the whereabouts of Sita. Having thrown a bridge across the brine and crossed the salt sea, Raghava, equipped with his bow, stayeth here, setting the Rakshas at naught. And the hosts consisting of thousands of bears and monkeys, resembling hills and clouds, envelope the Earth. And peace there can be none between the forces of the Rakshasas and the hosts of the sovereign of monkeys, like unto the deities and the Danavas. And they advance before the wall. Speedily do one of these things--make over Sita without delay, or give (him) battle". Hearing Suka's speech, Ravana with his eyes reddened in wrath, spoke, as if burning (Suka) with them,--"Even if gods, and Gandharbas, and Danavas should array themselves against me, I will not from fear of all creatures, render (back) Sita. When shall my shafts pursue Raghava, like maddened Bhramaras making towards blossomy trees in spring? When by means of flaming shafts shot from my bow shall I burn (Raghava) with his body bathed in blood, even as a meteor (burneth) an elephant? And when, surrounded by a mighty host, shall I confound his ranks, even as the Sun arising, (vanquisheth) the light of the stellar spheres? My impetuosity like the Ocean's, my strength like the Wind's, Dacarathi doth not know,--and therefore it is that he desireth to fight with me. Rama hath not seen my shafts resting in the quiver, resembling venomous serpents,--and therefore it is that he seeketh to fight with me. Raghava hath not in conflict formerly known my bow representing my Vina sounded with my shafts; having tremendous sounds proceeding from the strings; dreadful; with the cries of distressed people for its mighty strains of music; and resonant with the reports of Narachas and palms. And, having bathed in the great field of battle representing the river of hostile forces, I will in the encounter strike (this Vina). Neither the thousand-eyed Vasava, nor Varuna himself, can (cope) with me in battle; nor can Yama, or Vaicravana's self vanquish me in mighty conflict with the fire of arrows".

[64] Rama.--T.

[65] _i.e._ mentally.--T.

[66] Angaraka.--T.

[67] The epithet 'bears' coming after 'monkeys' may look incongruous; but, I fancy, 'monkeys' is used in the general sense of _being connected with the monkey-host.--T._

SECTION XXV.

On Dacaratha's son, Rama, having crossed the Ocean with his forces, the graceful Ravana addressed his two counsellors, Suka and Sarana, saying,--"The crossing the entire ocean incapable of being crossed, by the monkey-forces, and the building over the sea of the bridge by Rama-- all this had never happened before. The construction of a bridge over the ocean cannot at all command credence. But (however it be), I must enumerate the monkey-hosts. Entering the monkey-army unobserved, it behoveth you to ascertain the magnitude thereof, its strength, who are the foremost monkeys, who are the councilors assembled there of Rama, and who of Sugriva, who range at the head, who among the monkeys are heroic; how they have constructed the bridge over the water of the ocean; how the high-souled monkeys stay there; Rama's, as well as Lakshmana's purpose, prowess and the arms (they fight with). And who is the commander of those magnanimous monkeys? Having learnt all this truly, ye ought to return speedily". Being thus commissioned, these heroes, the Rakshasas, Suka and Sarana, assuming monkey-shapes, entered into the hosts of monkeys. But Suka and Sarana could not number that army of monkeys, incomprehensible and capable of making people's hair stand on end. The forces were on mountain-tops, by fountains and in caves. And those rangers of the night beheld those forces, some having already crossed, and some crossing, and some intent on doing so; and some having sat down and some sitting--that mighty army sending terrific roars,--that ocean of hosts incapable of being disturbed. As they remained thus disguised, they were discovered by Vibhishana. Thereat, taking them captive, he unfolded (the fact) unto Rama, saying,--"These are the counsellors of the lord of Rakshasas--Suka and Sarana. O captor of hostile capitals, they have come as spies from Lanka". Seeing Rama, they were greatly afflicted, and, despairing of their lives and exercised with fear, with joined hands, said,--"O placid one, commanded by Ravana, we have come here, O son of Raghu, for the purpose of gathering information concerning this army". Hearing their speech, Rama--son unto Dacaratha--ever engaged in the welfare of all beings, laughing, remarked,--"If you have heedfully noted this entire array, or if you have done what ye had been commanded to do, return in peace. If aught remaineth unseen, do ye see it anew. Or Vibhishana will again fully show it unto you. Having been taken, ye need not fear on the score of your lives. Even if envoys happen to be taken who are equipped with weapons, they should not be slain. And albeit these night-rangers have come as spies in disguise, with the view of creating division among their foes, yet, O Vibhishana, let them off. Entering the extensive Lanka, ye should say unto the king--younger brother unto the Dispenser of riches--the words which I utter,--'That force relying on which thou hast carried away my Sita, do thou as thou wishest, along with thy forces and friends, display the same. On the morning of the morrow behold the city of Lanka with her wall and gates, as well as the hosts of Rakshasas, destroyed by me with my shafts. And as Vasava equipped with the thunder-bolt hurleth the same amidst the Danavas, will I, O Ravana, on the morning of the morrow pour down my dreadful ire upon thee along with thy forces.'" Thus directed (by Rama), those Rakshasas, Suka and Sarana, having saluted the righteous Raghava with 'Victory!,' came (back) to Lanka and spoke unto the lord of Rakshasas, saying,--"O lord of Rakshasas, having been taken by Vibhishana for the purpose of being slain, we came to be seen by the righteoua-souled Rama of immeasurable energy, and (finally) were liberated (by him). As these four persons have combined--like unto the Lokapalas, heroic, accomplished in arms, and of steady prowess--viz., Dacaratha's son, Rama, the graceful Lakshmana, Vibhishana, and the highly powerful Sugriva, resembling the great Indra, these are capable of uprooting the city of Lanka--walls and gateways--and replacing her (on her former site),--leave thou the monkeys aside. Such is Rama's figure and arms that he shall alone demolish Lanka,--leave the other three alone. And that host protected by Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva, shall become exceedingly hard to combat even by the Asuras and gods.--And the army of the high-souled rangers of the woods, eager for encounter, contains warriors bursting with high spirits. No use of dispute. Be thou intent on pacification. Do thou render back Maithili unto Dacaratha's son".

SECTION XXXI.

Hearing Sarana's words, pregnant and truthful, king Ravana addressed him, saying,--"Even if the gods, Gandharvas and Danavas should attack me, Sita will I not part with from fear of all creatures. O amiable one, thou, having been hard handled by the monkeys and distressed in consequence, deemst it fit that Sita should be rendered back this very day. What foe of mine is there who is competent to conquer me in battle?" Having uttered this rough speech, the graceful Ravana--lord of the Rakshasas--desirous of surveying (the monkey-hosts), ascended an edifice white like snow, and elevated like many palms (placed one upon another). And transported with passion, Ravana in company with those spies, saw the sea, mountains and forests. And they beheld the Earth enveloped with monkeys, and the mighty host of monkeys, boundless and irresistible. And having seen this, king Ravana asked Sarana,--"Who among these monkeys are the foremost, who are the heroes, and who possessed of great strength? Who, bursting with spirits, stay all about the fore? Whom doth Sugriva listen to? And who are the leaders of the monkey-leaders? O Sarana, relate thou all this unto me. And what is the prowess of the monkeys?" Thereat, Sarana, knowing the chiefs (of the monkey-army), spoke unto the sovereign of Rakshasas, who had asked (him), as to who were the heads of the rangers of the woods. "This monkey, that, setting up roars, stayeth in front of Lanka, surrounded by hundreds and thousands of monkey-leaders, by whose tremendous shouts Lanka trembleth with her wall, gateways, hills, woods and forests, and who is posted in front of the forces of the high-souled Sugriva--master of all the monkeys--is the heroic leader of monkey-bands named Nila. And that one, possessed of prowess, who, folding up his arms, paceth the gound on foot, who, facing Lanka, from wrath is frequently yawning, who resembles a mountain-peak and is like the filaments of a lotus, who, enraged again and again soundeth his tail, and the ten cardinal points resound with the sounds of whose tail,--is he who hath been sprinkled by Sugriva--king of monkeys--the heir apparent, named Angada. He challengeth thee to the fight. The worthy son of Vali and ever dear unto Sugriva, he putteth forth his prowess, as Varuna doth for Sakra. That that well-wisher of Raghava, the vehement Hanuman, hath seen Janaka's daughter, was owing to the advice of this one. That powerful (hero) is proceeding, taking innumerable bands belonging to the lord of monkeys, for the purpose of beating thee by means of his soldiery. Following Vali's son, and surrounded by a mighty force, stayeth in the field the heroic Nala, the builder of the bridge. Those that with their limbs lying inactive, and setting up roars and ululations, are following this one,[68] are heroes dwelling in _Chandana_.[69] With his own army alone, the silver-hued Sweta of dreadful prowess hopes to subdue Lanka. Marshalling his monkey-forces and cheering up his soldiers, that intelligent monkey, famed over the three regions, having speedily met with Sugriva, is retracing his steps. From days of yore on the banks of the Gomati there is a mountain, (named) Ramya, (otherwise) called Sanrochana. The mount abounds with various trees. There that leader of bands, named Kumuda, governs his kingdom. And he that cheerfully draweth after his hundreds and thousands of monkeys, and the long grim hairs of whose tail, coppery, yellow, sable and white, are cast about, is the energetic monkey, Chanda, eager for encounter. And he hopes to conquer Lanka by help of his own forces. And this one, resembling a lion, tawny and furnished with a long mane, who, remaining apart, vieweth all Lanka as if consuming her with his eyes, dwelleth for ever and a day in Vindhya, the mountain Krisha, Sahya, and the mount Sudarcana, and, a leader of bands, is named Rambha. Three hundred Kotis of the foremost of monkeys, dreadful and fierce and possessed of terrific prowess, surrounding (him) go in his wake for the purpose of demolishing Lanka by their (native) might. And he that expandeth his ears and yawneth again and again, who defieth the fear of death and doth not move his forces, who trembleth for wrath and eyeth frequently askance,--and behold the lashing of his tail!--and who setteth up leonine shouts, O king, with great energy and with fear cast off,--resideth in the romantic mount, Salweya, and, a leader of companies, is named Sarabha. To him, O king, belong forty hundred thousands of powerful leaders. And he that stayeth, like unto a mighty mass of clouds covering up the sky, in the midst of the monkey-heroes, as doth Vasava in the centre of the celestials, whose lofty shout is heard (mingled with) the uproar set up by the foremost monkeys, burning for battle, dwelleth in the excellent hill Parijatra; and, ever irrepressible in fight, is named Panaca, a leader of (monkey)-bands. Fifty _lacs_ of leaders with their forces arranged, environ this commander of monkeys. He that stayeth gracing the dreadful array overflowing with talk, stationed on the shore of the ocean,--resembling a second sea and like unto Durdara[70]--is the leader named Vitata. And he rangeth, drinking of (the waters of) the Vena,--best among streams--and his forces are sixty lacs of monkeys. And the monkey, named Krathana, challengeth thee to conflict. He hath (under him) powerful and vigorous generals, and forces well divided. And the monkey owning that person of the hue of red chalk, and, who, elated with strength, disregardeth all the monkeys,--is named Gavaya, who approacheth thee wrathfully. Several lacs (of troops) girt him round; and by their means he has to bring down Lanka. These are the heroes, incapable of being borne, whose numbers cannot be enumerated. These are the leaders and the heads thereof, as well as the forces set in order of battle".

[68] The reference is prospective. It means the monkey, Sweta, in the next _sloka.--T._

[69] This may mean some _wood of sandals_; but the commentator is silent over it.--T.

[70] Name of a celebrated monkey-leader.--T.

SECTION XXVII.