January 16 - Sarga 85 of Yuddha Kanda.
Lakshmana goes to Nikumbhila after Vibhishana convinces Sri Rama of the best course ahead.
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Sri Rama is taking some time to come out of his mindset that Sita has been slain by Indrajit. He says to Vibhishana:
भूयस्तच्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि ब्रूहि यत्ते विवक्षितम् - "Oh King Vibhishana, pray tell me again what you said just now."
Vibhishana replies:
"Oh, Lord Sri Rama! I have arraigned our forces at the four gates of Lanka well, as you ordered. They are all ready to attack. But I want to repeat something important."
त्यज राज्न्निमम शोकं मिथ्यासन्तापमागतम् ।
यदियं त्यज्यतां चिन्ता शत्रुहर्षविवर्धिनी ॥
"Oh Sri Rama, you have given way to terrible grief occasioned by an act (of Indrajit) based on deceit and illusionism. You should give up your gloom as otherwise, you will be playing into the enemy's hands."
रघुनन्दन वक्ष्यामि श्रूयतां मे हितं वचः ।
साध्वयं यातु सौमित्रिर्बलेन महता वृतः ।
निकुमभिलायां संप्राप्तं हन्तुं रावणिमाहवे ॥
"Oh, Raghunandana! If it pleases you, please listen to my important advice for this moment. The best course for us is that Lakshmana proceeds without delay with a powerful army to Nikumbhila and undertakes to slay Indrajit who has gone there."
"Indrajit has been protected by so many boons from Brahma. He has the Brahmashirsha weapon also. He has horses that can transport his chariot at the speed of thought. He also has received a boon that if he ever completes the worship of Nikumbhila under a sacred tree, he will be conferred immortality. Then we are all as good as dead. In fact, Brahma has stated that if at all Indrajit is attacked by an enemy while he is engaged in Nikumbhila worship under that sacred peepul tree, the enemy will succeed in killing him."
Sri Rama replies that thanks to Vibhishana, he has understood Indrajit's strategy and his weak point as well. He directs Lakshmana to go with Sugriva, Jambavan, Hanuman, and the vanara army at once to Nikumbhila and kill Indrajit. He requests that Vibhishana with his ministers accompanies Lakshmana as he can unravel Indrajit's tricks.
Lakshmana gets ready with his weapons and armour. He bows down to Sri Rama. Sri Rama blesses him for victory.
Lakshmana proceeds with the vanara heroes, Vibhishana and the army. They travel some considerable distance and then see Ravana's army ready for battle. Lakshmana forays into battle with the enemy,
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
