Wednesday 22 July 2015

287. Ravana informed about the vanara leaders.

             Ravana on hearing the report and advice  from the spies, pondered for a few moments and said "I do not give Seetha even if the devas, gandharvas or danavas attack me or even if there is pressure from all the worlds. O, my dear chaps! As you were harassed very much by the vanaras you seem to be so terrified and as such advising me to give back that lass Seetha.
Who can defeat me in battle?"
           Ravana thought for a while and signed to the two guys to follow him. All the three ascended the roof of the (Ravana's) palace which was shining white like snow and which was equal to the height of several palmyrah trees. Ravana, stupefied with anger, saw that ocean, the mountains, the forests and the entire land were completely filled with vanaras.
      Amazed to see that great army of vanaras, which was boundless and intolerable,  Ravana asked Sarana 
"Which vanaras are important among them? Who are the valiant ones? Who are the very strong ones? Who will stay in front at all places, with great energy? To whom Sugreeva will hear? Who are the generals of the commanders of the vanara-heads? What is the influence of the vanaras?"
       Sarana who already collected those info said "He is the heroic chief of army, called Nila, by whose great battle-cry the entire kingdom of Lanka, with its ramparts, mountains, woods and gardens is resounding. That vanara is encircled by hundreds and thousands of army-chiefs. He is stationed, with his face directed towards Lanka and is making a roaring sound. He is standing in front of the army of Sugreeva, the lord of all the vanaras. He, the valiant one, who holds his arms high, who tramples the earth under his feet as he marches, whose face is turned towards Lanka, who in fury is knitting his brows very much, who is resembling a mountain-peak in stature, who is like the petals of a lotus in hue, who in excess of anger continuously lashes out his tail, the swish of which is heard in ten regions, he is the prince named Angada. This Angada, son of Vali and always dear to Sugreeva, is coming forwards for Rama's interests, as Varuna to Indra's. It is all due to Angada's design that Seetha was found by Hanuman, who is a swift vanara and a well-wisher of Rama. This valiant Angada, together with his innumerable chiefs of vanaras, is raring to crush you. Surrounded by a large army the one who is posing majestically is the valiant Nala the creator of the bridge. These excellent vanaras, numbering a thousand crores and eight lakhs, lodging in sandalwood groves, yelling with a lion's roar and having stiffened their limbs, are knitting their eyebrows raised in anger. These valiant vanaras, who are terrific and fierce having a ferocious zeal are under the command of Nala. Nala himself with his aforesaid army aspires to smash Lanka forthwith. A vanara called Sweta of silver hue who is quick-witted and clever, of terrific prowess and a warrior renowned in the three worlds, has come to Sugreeva, bringing great delight to the troops.
           "There is a mountain called Ramya, on the banks of River Gomati. That mountain filled with various kinds of trees is also called Samrochana. An army-chief, named Kumuda used to roam around that mountainous region. He also used to rule that kingdom. He is the leader for lakhs of vanaras. He has a very long coppery hair, yellow, pale and white and hideous to look is the intrepid and fierce vanara called Kanda. He yearns to fight and boasts that he will destroy Lanka.
         "O, king! He who resembles a tawny lion with a long mane and who is looking at Lanka attentively as though he wishes to consume it with his glances just like Lord Shiva with his third eye, who dwells mostly on the mountains of Krishna and Sahya of Vindhya range of pleasing aspect, is the General named Rambha. Three thousand crores of excellent vanaras, who are formidable of impetuous valour and vigour, surround him who is marching ahead and follow in his footsteps to destroy Lanka. O, king! Look! The one who is yawning continuously and shaking his ears, he who does not have fear of death, he who never retreats from a battle, but violently moves with rage, who again sees obliquely, he who lashes out his tail and roars like a lion with great vigour, he who constantly dwells on the lovely Salveya mountain, he is Sarabha by name, the commander of vanaras with immense energy and devoid of fear. All his one lakh and forty thousand army-chiefs called Viharas* are strong.

*Viharas - Those who roam about at will.

       "The one who is like a great cloud, enveloping the space and who stays in the middle of the vanara warriors like Indra, the great voice of whose wishing his vanara warriors for success in the ensuing battle is heard like the roll of drums, is the General named Panasa, who has proved himself that he is invincible in battle. He dwells in Pariyatra, a mountain that is exceeded by none in height. Troop-commanders numbering fifty lakhs commanding separate units attend obediently to him, who is excellent among Generals. He who is encamped with sixty lakhs vanaras as his army-strength on the sea-shore like unto a second ocean is the commander called Vinata who resembles Dardura mountain in size and is positioned there lending charm to the formidable army marching ahead and moves about, drinking the water of River Vena, the foremost of all rivers. A vanara called Krathana, keeping the courageous, strong vanaras and the army-lieutenants in separate units, is inviting you for the battle. That resplendent vanara who for his part nourishes his body having the hue of a red chalk and proud of his strength, stands facing you with anger is called Gavaya. Seventy lakhs vanaras are attending on him. He, too wishes to crush the city of Lanka with the help of his army. These commanders and commanders-in-chief are difficult to be conquered and their number is hard to be counted. Their troops are divided into distinct units.".
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