November 26 - sargas 3 and 4 of Yuddha Kanda.
I am on a pristine 50-acre farm with "life natural" values, reading the Ramayana and posting this blog!
Sri Rama takes charge and asks the vanara army to march.
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सुग्रीवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा हेतुमत् परमार्थवत् ।
प्रतिजग्राह काकुत्स्थो हनूमन्तमथाब्रवीत् ॥
तपसा सेतुबन्धेन सागरोच्छोषणेन च ।
सर्वथाऽपि समर्थोऽस्मि सागरस्यास्य लङ्घने ॥
कति दुर्गाणि दुर्गाया लङ्कायास्तद् ब्रवीष्व मे ।
ज्ञातुमिच्छामि तत् सर्वं दर्शनादिव वानर ॥
बलस्य परिमाणं च द्वारदुर्गाक्रियानपि ।
गुप्तिकर्म च लङ्काया रक्षसां सदनानि च ॥
"After listening to King Sugriva, Sri Rama spoke the following words of great impact and of supreme significance:
"By penance, I shall surely build a bridge over the coean, and if need be, dry up the ocean so that we can all cross the ocean. I am comprehensibly capable of doing this for sure.
"Hanuman, now tell me how many forts and ramparts protect Lanka. Describe them in such detail that I get to know the military terrain as if I am seeing it myself.
"Narrate also the strength of the various forces and how they are defending the gates and ramparts. How are the protection arrangements of various structures including the mansions of the rakshasa chiefs?"
Hanuman was delighted to have a chance to debrief all the reconnaissance information he had gathered. He spoke well:
"Revered Sri Rama, let me tell you everything about Ravana's glory and the affectionate allegiance of the rakshasas to him. Also his prosperity, the natural defence provided by the ocean, and the deployment of forces in terms of chariots, elephants, horses and soldiers.
"Lanka is full of rakshasas happy in their lives, and has many chariots. With its wide courtyards, lofty structures, impressive gateways, and strong fixtures and iron bars on the gates, Lanka is well fortified. They have installed machines that can launch counter-attacks with stones and darts that kill the enemies. The guards are armed at each main gate with a hundred stones enmeshed in iron spikes. There are precious gem decorations on the gates.
"There are large moats around the outer wall. The waters in the moats harbour deadly crocodiles and fishes. There are draw-bridges to allow passage into main gates. The guards live at these positions.
"The draw-bridges and the stone-spike cannon machines make entry into the fort impossible for enemies.
"One of the entrance roads is decorated with pillars and altars. Ravana himself is always ready for battle and supervises his army. Lanka is impregnable even for gods. It has natural defences like mountains, forests, and water bodies all around.
"One lakh rakshasas each are garrisoned at the eastern gate and the south gate, with terrific tridents and swords. The west gate has ten lakh rakshasas with special weapons. The north gate, facing and separated by the ocean from this main landmass, has a ten-crore strong rakshasa army with chariots and horses and elephants, all led by trustworthy and noble rakshasa chiefs. At its centre, Lanka has the main army with immense numbers of soldiers."
Hanuman now narrates how he has destroyed parts of the fort, the moats, and burnt down many important structures in Lanka. He has also killed a large number of rakshasas.
Hanuman says that once the huge and capable vanara army crosses over to Lanka, they will be able to destroy Lanka and its rakshasas. Also, he emphasizes that Angada, Dvivida, Mainda, Jambavan, Panasa, Nala and the general, Nila, by themselves are capable of flying over to Lanka and breaching its defences.
"Sri Rama, please give us all the marching orders at an auspicious time as soon as possible."
***
यां निवेदयसे लङ्कां पुरीं भीमस्य रक्षसः ।
क्षप्रमेनां वधिष्यामि सत्युमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते ॥
Sri Rama spoke. "Oh Hanuman, this Lanka city with its terrific protection belonging to the terrific rakshasa Ravana that you narrated now - know that I shall breach it and kill all him soon, and this is the cardinal truth I avow."
Sri Rama says that it is noon, and the best time to start the march. Sita will come to know of the vanara army's advancement and feel revived like one who has partaken of Amrita (nectar of immortality).
"Today is Uttara Phalguni's ascent, and as I am born in Punarvasu. Tomorrow, Hasta in conjunction with the moon makes it auspicious for the march. Oh Sugriva! I am also seeing many good omens for our victory."
निहत्य रावणं सीतामानविष्यामि जानकीम् "I shall kill Ravana and bring back Sita."
"My upper eyelids are twitching, a sign of forthcoming victory."
"General Nila, lead the army in a shaded route with plenty of fruits and roots, water sources and honey. Look out for rakshasas who may destroy the food sources and present difficulties. Vanaras, be on the constant look-out for rakshasas, all around, in valleys and nether regions and even in the skies. The not-so- strong ones in the army should be asked to locate food sources. The vanaras should march in divisions."
"Gaja, Gavaya and Gavaksha should lead from the front, as they are like very strong bulls. Rishabha is the best among vanaras with his leaps and so should take care of the right flank. Gandhamadana, elephantine in strength, should guard the left flank.
"Like Indra rides the Airavata, I shall travel sitting on Hanuman's shoulders. Lakshmana, who is deadly in dealing with enemies, will travel on Angada's shoulders like Kubera rides on Sarvabhauma. Jambavan, Sushena and Vegadarshi will protect the rear of the army."
***
King Sugriva signalled the army to march. Soon, crores of mighty vanaras were on the move, led by Sri Rama and Lakshmana in the front at the flag-off. Their swift progress southward was accompanied by loud roars of vanaras. The vanaras were enjoying the fruits and honey and chanting aloud that they will destroy Ravana and the rakshasas. Nila, Rishabha and Kumuda were reconnoitring the best paths to take.
सागरौघनिभं भीमं तद्वानरबलं महत् ।
उत्ससर्प महाघोषं भीमघोषमिवार्णवः ॥
"Like the mighty waves of the ocean, the immensely powerful vanara army marched in huge numbers, terrific in appearance, and making incredibly loud noises that could be matched only by the tumultuous sounds of the mighty ocean."
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
