Ramopakhyana Parva

Markandeya said : Then while Rama was seated at that very place with them (the monkeys), the monkeychiefs, at the command of Sugriva, began to assemble there.

Surrounded by ten billions of powerful monkeys the illustrious father-in-law of Bali, Sushena, came to Rama.

Those two foremost of monkeys, the highlypowerful Gaja and Gavaya, each surrounded by billion (monkeys) made their appearance.

O mighty monarch, the terrible-looking Gavakshya having the tail of a cow, came thither, after having collected six hundred billions (of monkeys). one

The celebrated Gandhamadana, the dweller of the mountain Gandhamadana, gathered a hundred thousand crores of monkeys.

The intelligent monkey, Panasa by name and endued with a vast strength collected together fifty two hundreds of millions (of monkeys).

The highly-powerful and illustrious old monkey, Dadhimukha by name, gathered a great army of monkeys endued with terrible prowess.

Jambuvana, accompanied by a hundred thousand crores of black bears of terrible deeds with the Tilaka mark on their faces, made his appearance there.

O great king, these and countless other monkey-chiefs arrived thither for the sake of Rama.

A great tumultuous uproar was heard there caused by those monkeys running hither and thither, having bodies huge as mountain-peaks and roaring like lions.

Some resembled mountain-peaks and some buffaloes, some looked like autumnal clouds and some had faces red as vermillion.

And as the monkeys flocked in from all sides, some fell down, some leaped about and some scattered the dust.

Then the mighty monkey-army, looking like a sea full of the brim, took up their quarters there at the command of Sugriva.

All the monkey-chiefs having assembled together from all directions, the illustrious descendant of Raghu's together with Sugriva and the (monkey) army drawn up in the battle array began his march (towards Lanka) at an auspicious moment of fair day and under a lucky constellation, as if desirous of destroying all the worlds.

Hanuman, the son of Pavana marched in the van of the army while its rear was protected by the dauntless son of Sumitra.

As they proceeded on, the two descendants of Raghu with their fingers encased in gloves of Godha's skin and surrounded by the monkey-chiefs shone like the sun or the moon (surrounded by) the planets.

That (vast) monkey-army holding (in their hands) Sala and Tala trees which served the purpose of arrows, looked like an extensive corn-field under the morning son.

Protected by Nala, Nila, Angada, Kratha and Mainda that mighty host moved on for accomplishing the object of Rama.

And encamping unopposed on many extensive and auspicious tracts and valleys abounding with fruits, roots, water, honey and meat, that monkey-army at last came near the briny Sea.

And that (vast) army which looked like a second ocean furnished with innumerable standards reached the shores of the sea) and encamped there.

Then the renowned son of Dasharatha addressed Sugriva who was surrounded by monkey-chiefs these words appropriate to the occasion.

“This army is vast and the ocean too is very difficult to cross. What steps, therefore, in your opinion, should be taken in order to cross it?

There at, very many self-conceited monkeys said "we are capable of crossing the sea.” But this could not serve the purpose fully (as all the monkeys were not able to cross the sea).

Some proposed to cross by boats and some by various kinds of rafters. But Rama, having consoled them all, said "This will not do.

O heroes, all the monkeys will not be able to cross the sea which is a hundred yojanas in width. Therefore, your proposal cannot be agreeable to reason.

(Moreover), there are not plenty of boats of land our troops. Again (the interests of) trade should not suffer at the hands of men like us.

Our army is vast. The enemy will the able to destroy it, if it can detect a (single) weak point in it. (Therefore) in my opinion it is not desirable to cross the sea by rafters and boats.

I will, however, pray to this Lord of waters (to show me) a means (to cross the sea) and by observing fasts will lie down on the shores. He will then surely show me (a means).

If, however, he does not show me a way (to cross the ocean), I will burn him up with irresistible and mighty weapons surpassing fire itself in fury.”

Saying this, the descendant of Raghu together with the son of Sumitra performed achamana (i.e. touched water thrice as a purifactory ceremony) and duly laid themselves down on a bed of Kusha grass on the sea-shore.

Then that Lord of all the rivers, the ocean, surrounded by aquatic animals showed himself to the descendant of Raghu in a dream.

And addressing him in such sweet words as "O son of Kausalya," (the Ocean) surrounded by hundreds of mines of gems thus spoke to Rama).

"O most valiant of men, tell me what assistance I shall render to you. I belong to the race of Ikshvaku and can therefore claim kinship with you." Rama (then) replied to him.

"O lord of all the rivers, I desire that you will grant, for my army, a way, marching through which I may kill the ten-headed wretch of Paulastya's race.

If you do not grant the passage prayed for, I will dry you up with arrows inspired with mantras and shot from celestials weapons."

Hearing Rama say so, the abode of Varuna (i.e. the Ocean) sorely grieved said these words with joined palms.

"I am neither desirous of throwing any obstacles in your way nor am I inclined to your mischief. O Rama, hear these words and then do what is fit.

If, at your command I grant you a passage for the transport of your troops, then others too, from the strength of their bows, will command me to do so.

There is a powerful monkey (in your army) Nala by name, who is a skillful mechanic and the son of the god Tvashtri, the architect of the universe.

And whatsoever he may throw into my waters, whether it be a piece of wood or a straw or a stone, I will support them all and which will be bridge to you."

Saying this the Ocean vanished. And then Rama said to Nala "build a bridge across the sea. For, in my opinion, you are able to do it."

The descendant of Kakustha by this means caused a bridge ten yojanas broad and a hundred yojanas long to be erected (over the sea).

And having constructed the bridge which to this day is known on earth by the name of Nala's bridge, Nala (endued with a body) huge a rock came out at the command of Rama.

While Rama there the virtuous Vibhishana, the (youngest) brother of the Rakshasa king accompanied by four advisers came to him.

And the magnanimous Rama welcomed him with due honours. But Sugriva had his misgivings, considering that he might be a spy.

The descendant of of Raghu, however, observing the sincerity of his exertions and many signs of good conduct (in him) was perfectly satisfied (that he was not a spy) and adored him.

And he installed him in sovereignty over all the Rakshasas and made him his junior adviser and a friend of Lakshmana's. was

O king of men, in accordance with the instructions of Vibhishana, he crossed the sea with his troops by means of the bridge within a month.

Then, having reached Lanka, he caused its numerous and extensive gardens to be ravaged by the monkeys.

And Vibhishana arrested two of Ravana's ministers, Shuka and Sarana, who, disguised as monkeys, came there as spies.

And when those two night-rangers, assumed their real Rakshasa shape, Rama showed them his troops and then dismissed them.

Having placed his army in the pleasuregardens of that city, Rama sent that wise monkey, Angada, as his envoy to Ravana.