November 27 - Shlokas 41 to 121 of sarga 4 of Yuddha Kanda.
तस्य दाशरथेः पार्श्वे शूरास्ते कपिकञ्जराः ।
तूर्णमापप्लुवुः सर्वे सदश्वा इव चोदिता: ॥
"Then, surrounding Dasharathi Sri Rama, the mighty vanaras of great valour, moved forward at great speed as if riding speedy horses."
Valmiki conjures up a graphic vision of the immense vanara army on the march through forests and valleys. Sri Rama and Lakshmana rode on the shoulders of Hanuman and Angada like the sun and the moon in conjunction with the planets Jupiter and Venus.
Sri Rama had issued strict orders that the army should move causing minimum disruption of life in cities and villages. They should not disturb lakes and forest life. This was adhered to, but the vanara army was too big and too energetic to stop roaring and making victorious sounds as they moved at great speed.
Lakshmana chose this time to cheer up Sri Rama. He pointed:
महान्ति च निमित्तानि दिवि भूमी च राघव ।
शुभानि तव पश्यामि सर्वाण्येवार्थसिद्धये ॥
"Dear brother Raghava, I see significant and prominent auspicious omens in the sky and around us on earth, portending your success in all your endeavours.
'The signs are that soon, you will destroy Ravana and return triumphantly to Ayodhya with Sita. Notice the cool breeze blowing from the rear of the army. The sweet sounds of birds singing. The sun shines benevolently. At night we see the Saptarishi star constellation with the polar star prominently. Our ancestor Trishanku shines too in the vicinity of the star of the sage Vasishtha. The stars are aligned portending a bad end to rakshasas. "
The mighty vanaras raised a huge cloud of dust as they progressed. Whenever the army crossed a river, the river water would flow in its reverse direction for quite a while since the vanaras would push through the waters. The vanaras had their sharp teeth and claws as powerful weapons. Some vanaras leapt from mountain peak to mountain peak swiftly occasionally levelling down rocks. Many vanaras travelled overland making a cacophony of noise. Thus advanced Sugriva's army, day and night after day and night.
Sri Rama saw the Malaya and Sahya peaks. Valmiki launches into a detailed description of the dense rain forests along the way, listing a large number of different tree species. There were several blossoming trees, fruit-laden trees, and tall trees with thick foliage. Someone can catalogue the botanical diversity of the region reading Valmiki. The vanaras thoroughly enjoyed themselves, eating fruits and honey and even very tasty flowers along the way.
The army led by Sri Rama, at last, reached the Mahendra peak. This is the peak from where Hanuman had launched himself into the sky to cross the ocean.
Sri Rama approached the seashore and went to a garden nearby with Lakshmana and Sugriva.
He quietly observed the frothy waves come repeatedly and dash against the rocks on the shore.
Sri Rama said that again he was beset with the problem of how to negotiate the vast ocean, king of rivers and reach Lanka. Valmiki describes how all the vanaras saw with wonder the ocean with his mighty waves and incredible diversity of sea creatures, many of them looking quite dangerous. The ocean also roared constantly.
Sri Rama ordered that the vanaras stay on the shore in camps erected with proper order. Each division was laid out in their camp well and due protection.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
