That night Ravana could not sleep. Rama and his laaaarrrrge army of vanaras were bothering him. In the following morning, after his morning chores, he called Shuka and Sarana, and told them "The entire army of vanaras have crossed the ocean. We believed that it would be impossible for them. The construction of the bridge across the ocean by Rama is an unprecedented achievement. I am still not able to believe that a pass-way has been constructed across the ocean. The very fact that they have constructed a bridge across the ocean shows that the army of vanaras is certainly a worthy adversary to me.
"I now want you two to enter that army of vanaras clandestinely and gather all information regarding the real quantum of their army, their prowess, as to which vanaras are important among them, which ministers of Rama and Sugreeva have come together, which vanaras are abiding in front, which vanaras are valiant, how that bridge was constructed across the ocean full of water, how the encamping is done for those vanaras, the determination, strength and the striking senses of Rama and Lakshmana. Also get the info as to who is the Chief of Army of that army of vanaras. Get all the info as quickly as possible and return as early as you can."
"I now want you two to enter that army of vanaras clandestinely and gather all information regarding the real quantum of their army, their prowess, as to which vanaras are important among them, which ministers of Rama and Sugreeva have come together, which vanaras are abiding in front, which vanaras are valiant, how that bridge was constructed across the ocean full of water, how the encamping is done for those vanaras, the determination, strength and the striking senses of Rama and Lakshmana. Also get the info as to who is the Chief of Army of that army of vanaras. Get all the info as quickly as possible and return as early as you can."
Very competent rakshashas Shuka and Sarana assuming the guise of vanaras, sneaked into that army of vanaras. Shuka and Sarana were not able to count the number of that inconceivable army of vanaras. That exercise caused their hair to stand up due to the fact that the number exceeded much more than the highest number up to which they could count. That army was stationed on the tops of mountains, round about the waterfalls, in the caves, on the sea-shores, in the woodlands and in the gardens. It was still in the process of crossing the ocean, or was intending to cross it in its entirety. It had either encamped or was still encamping, making a terrible noise. The two rakshasas saw that very strong and imperturbable sea of army.
Vibhishana identified them though in disguise. He caught hold of them and took the duo to Rama and told him "O, Rama! These two rakshasas are Shuka and Sarana, the ministers of Ravana who has send them here to spy on us."
The pair of spies were trembling with fear and concluded that they will be meeting their maker sooner than later. Though they did not have any hope for their lives they tried to get some sympathy by honesty by telling Rama "O, excellent man! O, Rama! As per the orders of our king Ravana we came here to probe and get all information about your entire army."
Looking at them with a benign smile and a remarkable sangfroid Rama surprised them by saying "Has the entire army been observed by you? Have you observed us well? Have you accomplished the task as entrusted to you? If so, you may go back now according to your free will. In case you like to get some more info you may probe and get them without any fear and Vibhishana will help you to get them. Do not have any apprehension about your life. I do not kill messengers or spies without any weapons." Then turning to Vibhishana he said "O, Vibhishana! Show heroism on enemies and not on these two spies. Set them both, who are spies in disguise, free."
Rama then told the duo spies "When you return to the city of Lanka, repeat my following words faithfully to Ravana, the younger half-brother of Kubera and the king of rakshashas. 'That force on which you relied when you were taking away Seetha from me, display now that very same force at your will along with your troops and allies. Tomorrow, at daybreak, you will see my arrows will start demolishing the city of Lanka with its ramparts and arches as well as the army of rakshasas. O, Ravana! Tomorrow, at the break of the day I will cast my dreadful anger on you and your army as Indra the Lord of devas wielding a thunderbolt casts the thunderbolt on rakshasas.' "
Looking at them with a benign smile and a remarkable sangfroid Rama surprised them by saying "Has the entire army been observed by you? Have you observed us well? Have you accomplished the task as entrusted to you? If so, you may go back now according to your free will. In case you like to get some more info you may probe and get them without any fear and Vibhishana will help you to get them. Do not have any apprehension about your life. I do not kill messengers or spies without any weapons." Then turning to Vibhishana he said "O, Vibhishana! Show heroism on enemies and not on these two spies. Set them both, who are spies in disguise, free."
Rama then told the duo spies "When you return to the city of Lanka, repeat my following words faithfully to Ravana, the younger half-brother of Kubera and the king of rakshashas. 'That force on which you relied when you were taking away Seetha from me, display now that very same force at your will along with your troops and allies. Tomorrow, at daybreak, you will see my arrows will start demolishing the city of Lanka with its ramparts and arches as well as the army of rakshasas. O, Ravana! Tomorrow, at the break of the day I will cast my dreadful anger on you and your army as Indra the Lord of devas wielding a thunderbolt casts the thunderbolt on rakshasas.' "
Nodding their heads vehemently in agreement the two spies, Shuka and Sarana, admiring the justice of Rama, cried out "May you be victorious!".
They reported their king "O, king of rakshasas! We were seized by Vibhishana with the intention of killing us. But, Rama, the pious minded whose valour is immeasurable, set us free.
"In our assessment the four heroes to wit, Rama, the son of Dasharatha, his dear brother the illustrious Lakshmana, the great resplendent Vibhishana and Sugreeva whose valour is equal to Indra the Lord of devas, who are, in our opinion equal to the protectors of the worlds, the valiant ones skilled in the use of weapons and of proven prowess. They are now stationed at the same place. They can storm the city of Lanka with its ramparts and arches and transplant it elsewhere, even without the help of any vanara. Such is Rama's form and such are his weapons that he alone can overthrow the city of Lanka. That army protected by Rama and Lakshmana as well as Sugreeva, are indubitably unconquerable even by all the gods and rakshasas. Now, the army of the mighty vanaras, who are readily raring to fight, consists of cheerful warriors. Make peace, instead of enmity with them. Restore Seetha to Rama."
"In our assessment the four heroes to wit, Rama, the son of Dasharatha, his dear brother the illustrious Lakshmana, the great resplendent Vibhishana and Sugreeva whose valour is equal to Indra the Lord of devas, who are, in our opinion equal to the protectors of the worlds, the valiant ones skilled in the use of weapons and of proven prowess. They are now stationed at the same place. They can storm the city of Lanka with its ramparts and arches and transplant it elsewhere, even without the help of any vanara. Such is Rama's form and such are his weapons that he alone can overthrow the city of Lanka. That army protected by Rama and Lakshmana as well as Sugreeva, are indubitably unconquerable even by all the gods and rakshasas. Now, the army of the mighty vanaras, who are readily raring to fight, consists of cheerful warriors. Make peace, instead of enmity with them. Restore Seetha to Rama."
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