Hanuman,
I cannot replay you,' said Rama, hugging him. 'I have nothing else to give than
this embrace. Now we must consider how we are to cross the ocean, and this
puzzles me.'
There
is no place now for doubt or sorrow,' said Sugriva. 'We must build a bridge to
Lanka, then Ravana stands no chance against us. fransform you grief into anger,
Rama, and nothing will stand in your way.
You are
right, Sugriva,' agreed Rama. 'One way or another I will find a way across the
sea, even if I have to dry it up. Tell me, Hanuman, of the fortifications of
Lanka. How many gates are there and how strong is their garrison?
A high
wall surrounds the city, though in places I have broken it down. It has four
gates, each guarded by massive doors and catapults, and is surrounded by deep
moats infested with alligators. The city is built on top of a steep mountain
clothed in forests, and defended by millions of heavily armed warriors skilled
in warfare.
Now the
moon is in conjunction with Hasta,' said Rama. If our army departs this very
day we will be sure of success.' He took command and through Sugriva issued
orders to his generals. In excitement monkeys streamed out from the valleys and
hills surrounding Kiskindha assembling before their leaders. Soon a huge army
set off south, spreading out like a tide. Day and night they marched, feasting
on wild fruits and honey as they went. Rama rode on Hanuman's back and
Lakshmana on Angada's. After several days they had their first sight of the
sea, its foam-flecked surface reaching to the horizon and seeming to join the
sky in a single limitless expanse.
They
camped on the beach and Rama sat with Lakshmana as the sun sank to the horizon.
His thoughts turned to Sita. What would she be doing at this moment? Perhaps
the same breeze that blew from the sea had touched her.
Sita is
weak from fasting,' he said, and I fear that we may arrive too late. We must
find a way to cross this ocean soon.' Lakshmana comforted Rama as the sun slid
over the horizon.
Across the
sea, Ravana sat late in his council chamber. Shifting uncomfortably, he
reported to his ministers the extent of' the damage done by Hanuman and asked
their advice in the light of' the reports coming in of a vast army of monkeys
approaching the opposite shore. 'Rama will find a way to get across. How do you
propose we defend ourselves?
Our
armies stand at the ready,' one general boasted, 'so what have we to fear? We
have crushed the whole universe, even the court of' Indra, king of heaven. What
do we fear from mere humans and monkeys?
Hanuman
caught us unawares,' said another. 'This time it will be different. I will kill
Rama and Lakshmana, and all the monkeys, on my own. The rest of you can stay
here drinking wine without worry.' They brandished their swords but Vibbisana,
Ravana's younger brother, restrained them.
Rama is
not so easily defeated,' he warned. It is dangerous to underestimate your
enemy. Do you forget how he killed Khara? Advice that Sita be returned. That
way we shall avert disaster.
Disgusted
at his brother's words, Ravana dismissed everyone and retired to his palace.
But the following morning Vibhisana again sought Ravana.
Brother,
ever since you kidnapped Sita ill omens have been seen. Sacred fires are
obscured by smoke, cows do not give milk, donkeys shed tears and crows cry from
the roofs of the buildings. Everyone blames your sin of abducting Sita, but
they dare not tell you. You must return her to Rama.
I am
not afraid of Rama,' rejoined Ravana angrily, 'and I will never return Sita.'
Ravana had become a slave to his infatuation for Sita. The people of Lanka,
even those close to him openly disapproved of his behaviour, increasing his
unease. Calling together his ministers and generals, he asked for their advice.
As you
know, I have kidnapped Sita, wife of Rama, and am passionately in love with
her, though she is not yet inclined to share my bed. Now Rama is on his way
with a great army of monkeys. We fear no monkey or human, yet I need your
advice. How can we avoid returning Sita?
First
to speak was Kumbhakarna, the dangerous brother of Ravana, who slept six months
at a time under the spell of Brahma, and had recently awoken.
This
act of kidnapping Sita was unworthy of you. You should have consulted us first.
Nevertheless, I shall atone for your mistake by killing all your enemies. So
rest at ease You will not lose Sita.
Ravish
her by force and have done with id' interjected another demon, impatient with
Ravana's infatuation.
I
cannot,' replied Ravana, 'because Brahma has cursed inc that if ever I molest a
woman against her will my head will burst into a hundred pieces. In fear of
this I will not violate Sita. No matter. I will destroy Rama as I destroy all
who oppose me.
Vibhisana
could no longer remain silent. 'Give up this folly. Sita is like a poisonous
snake around your neck. Return her to Rama. Kumbhakarna cannot defeat Rama; he
boasts because he has never actually faced him in battle, so he does not
realize how powerful he is.
I have
defeated Indra himself,' protested Indrajit, 'so why do you think I cannot
defeat a mere prince of humans? You are a coward, frightening us for no good
reason.
Child,
you speak nonsense,' retorted Vibhisana. You are the enemy of your father
because you counsel him to seek his own death, and yours too. No doubt death is
what you both deserve, but you must give back Sita and let us live in peace.
These
words made Ravana furious. 'I would rather live with a snake than a supposed
friend devoted to my enemy,' he roared. 'Although you are my brother you cannot
be trusted because you scheme for your own self-interest.' Vibhisana blazed
with anger as he rose into the air and hovered above Ravana. I am your friend
and servant, older brother, who does not wish to see you killed by Rama. However,
you ignore my advice. Therefore protect yourself and your subjects as best you
can. I am leaving you. I wish you well. So saying, Vibhisana flew from Lanka in
the direction of Rama.
A BRIDGE TO LANKA
.JPG "Rama and his army cross their miraculous bridge to Lanka, supported by Vibhisana, brother to Ravana, who flies above them in the sky with his four companions.")
Within
an hour Vibhisana and four companions were over Rama's encampment, having flown
across the sea. He called to Sugriva from the sky.
'I am
Vibhisana, brother of Ravana. come in peace to serve Rama.'
Sugriva
sounded the alert, thinking them spies, and urged Rama to kill them. But Rama
disagreed. Hanuman also was in favour of befriending Vibhisana, because he had
saved his life. '
He has
asked me for shelter. I am bound to give protection to all who surrender to me.
That is my vow,' declared Rama.
Vibhisana
descended from the air and fell at Rama's feet with his followers, pledging his
allegiance. Rama asked him the strengths and weaknesses of the demons.
Kumbhakarna,
my older brother, is to be feared,' said Vibhisana. 'Indrajit can make himself
invisible on the battlefield, which makes him invincible, and Ravana has routed
the chief gods of' heaven.' He described other leading (lemons and estimated
their numbers at many millions.
'I know
of Ravana's exploits,' responded Rama, 'but I do not fear him. I will not
return to Ayodhya until I have killed him and all his followers. Then I shall
install you as king of Lanka.'
'You
can rely on my help,' assured Vibhisana. Rama embraced him and consecrated him
there and then as king of Lanka before a crowd of monkeys on the beach. Then
Rama withdrew to contemplate the problem of how to cross the ocean. He lay
down on his side on the beach, resting his head on his arm, and gazed intently
out to sea.
That
night a spy sent by Ravana surveyed the beach encampments and hastened back.
'Their
army is as vast as the ocean. It is time for you to take decisive action.' In
fear Ravana sent Suka, a demon who could transform himself into a bird, as a
winged messenger to Sugriva. The bird reached Sugriva's camp.
'Ravana
sends his greetings with these words: "I have never harmed you, Sugriva.
You are like a brother to me. Why do you oppose me? Go back to Kiskindha, for
you will never conquer Lanka".' Monkeys seized the bird-demon to tear off
its wings but Rama stopped them. He would not allow a messenger to be harmed.
'Tell
Ravana that he is not my brother,' Sugriva told the bird. 'He is an enemy of
Rama and therefore my enemy, and he deserves death. Lanka will be burned to ashes
and Rama will slay him and his brother.'
Rama
waited beside the ocean in deep concentration, determined that the Sea god
would allow him passage or perish at his hands. Three days and nights passed
but the sea god did not appear. Rama's eyes glowed red with anger.
'It
seems this world respects anger, not patience. Therefore today I will split
apart the ocean and dry up its waters, destroying all that live within it.' He
took up his bow and released a flaming arrow that seared across the waves,
threatening the lives of all aquatics and making the ocean boil. Rama fitted a
second arrow to his bow. The skies darkened and the wind roared. Oceans, rivers
and lakes trembled as the heavens thun-dered and lightning flashed. (From the
waters arose the figure of the Sea god, sparkling with gems and entwined by
serpents, in the company of' hosts of river gods. He spoke to Rama with joined
hands.
‘I will
allow your monkeys passage. Tell the monkey named Nila, who was born of' the
universal architect Visvakarma, to build upon my surface a causeway of rocks
and trees and I will support it.' The Sea god then descended into the waves.
Rama
summoned Nila and instructed him to supervise the construction of the bridge to
Lanka. Work began and by the end of the first day the monkeys had progressed
many miles out to sea, and the causeway held. After five days they com-pleted
the crossing to Lanka. The causeway was wide, straight and level and crossed
the deeps as the Milky Way spans the skies. When all was complete Rama and
Lakshmana, riding on the backs of' Hanuman and Angada, led the army across.
Monkeys leapt through the air or swam alongside them, roaring with excitement.
The
great army assembled on the beaches of Lanka, finding ample provisions in the
lush coastal forests as the sun sank in a crimson sky. Refreshed, they set off
in the morning for the city of Lanka. Outside the city, Rama drew the army into
the formation of a man, with Rishabha on its right arm, Gandamadana on its
left, Sugriva at its legs, Jambavan at its waist, Nila at its heart and himself
and Lakshmana at its head.
Suka
the spy, terrified of being caught again, observed the crossing of the
monkeys from the sky and flew back to Ravana.
I delivered your message to
Sugriva, but was nearly killed in the process. The monkeys are fierce and
violent, but Rania protected me. He has already reached Lanka after bridging
the ocean.
The
monkeys and bears with him number millions and are huge like mountains and
clouds, covering the earth. Even now they are at the walls of the city. Restore
Sita to Rama or be prepared to give battle immediately.'
'I will
never return Sita. When Rama hears the music of my bow be will wish he had
never come to Lanka.'
Ravana
sent two more demon spies to gather detailed information on the disposition of
Rama's army. They left under cover of darkness and in disguise penetrated deep
into enemy ranks, bewildered by the size of an army which spread from one
horizon to the other and could not be measured. Vibhisana discovered them and
brought them before Rama. In fear of' their lives, they confessed to Rama that
they had been sent as spies.
'I have
no objection,' laughed Rama. `Vibhisana will show you all you wish to know.
Then you must go back and tell Ravana that tomorrow at dawn I will loose my
anger upon him.' They were released and soon reported all this to Ravana.
'These
four Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva and Vibhisana can tear this city from its
foundations,' they reported. 'Do not trifle with them, my lord. Return Sita without
delay and sue for peace.'
'Even
if the whole universe attacks me I will not return Sita,' stormed Ravana. 'Take
me onto the battlements and show me this great army.' They climbed to the top
of the highest tower and looked down upon Rama's troops, surging like the sea
at the foot of' Lanka's golden cliffs. Suka pointed out to Ravana the leading
monkey warriors and described each of their strengths, estimating their numbers
at many hundreds of thousands of millions. When he saw their strength Ravana was
shaken.
'You
should not have praised those brutes in front of me,' he snapped. 'What fools
am I surrounded with? Be gone and do not return, both of you, and consider
yourselves lucky to keep your lives.'
Ravana
sent yet more spies, wanting every detail of Rama's movements. They too were
captured and humiliated before being sent back to Ravana. He was now thoroughly
alarmed but firmly set against surrender. He went deep into his palace, where
he sent for the sorcerer Vidyujiva.
The Obstinacy Of Ravana
In his
deranged mind, Ravana thought he might persuade Sita to marry him if he could
convince her that Rama was dead. So he asked Vidyujiva to conjure up a false
image of Rama's head and a golden bow similar to Rama's., He entered the ashok
grove, eager to see Sita's beautiful face, and found her beneath the surviving
tree sitting on the bare ground with her head bent in sorrow.
'I
bring you news of your husband,' Ravana began. 'He is dead. Now nothing stands
in the way of your union with me. This is what happened: last night Rama camped
with his army on the opposite shore. During the night Prahasta infiltrated
their camp with soldiers armed with swords, javelins, spears, scimitars, axes,
clubs and arrows, and slaughtered them. Rama was found asleep and beheaded.
Vibhisana was taken captive, and Sugriva and Hanuman were killed. There is not
a warrior left alive who has not fled in panic.' Ravana then produced the false
head of Rama, covered in dust and blood, and placed it on the ground in front
of Sita, and next to it the bow.
'Here
is Rama's severed head and his once mighty bow. Now you will submit to me.'
Sita
recognized the head as bearing all the distinctive marks of Rama: his noble
brow, his lotus-like eyes and the distinctive jewel he wore in the knot of his
hair. She threw herself on the ground.
'Now I
have no reason to live, for I have seen my husband die before me. 0 Rama!
Astrologers predicted that you would have a long life, but now it is cut short.
Why don't you speak to me? This girl who you married in your youth has turned
out to be the cause of your death. Kill me, Ravana. Do one worthy deed in your
life and unite this wife with her husband.'
At this
moment Ravana was interrupted by an urgent message from his generals calling
for his presence, and hurried off. As soon as he had gone, a curious thing
happened: Rama's head and bow vanished into thin air. This was not seen by
Sita, but by her friend Sarama, the wife of Vibhisana, one of the demon
attendants.
'Dear
Sita,' she reassured, 'do not be distressed by what you saw. It was a wicked
illusion created by Ravana. Rama is alive and well. I have heard that he has
crossed the sea and is this very moment camped outside the city walls with all
his forces. Lanka is full of preparations for war: squadrons march on the
streets; weapons are polished, elephants decorated, horses yolked; everywhere
is the sound of drums and the rattling of chariots. But they will be no match
for Rama. Soon your husband will take the city and win you back. If you like I
can make myself invisible by my magic art and take a message to him.'
'Dear
friend, thank you for your words of encouragement,' replied Sita. 'If you want
to make me happy, please find out what Ravana is planning to do with me, for I
am mortally afraid that he will soon have me killed.' Sarama left, returning
soon with news of Ravana.
'Ravana
seeks advice from his ministers,' she reported, 'and all urge him to return you
to Rama and make peace. But Ravana is determined to keep you, even if he dies
in the attempt. Therefore it is certain that Rama will slay him soon.'
A demon
called Malyavan, grandfather of Ravana's wife, tried to advise Ravana.
'A wise
ruler does not fight one of greater strength, he makes peace. You should return
Sita and make an alliance with Rama that will benefit everyone. The creator
brought into this world two orders of beings: the divine and the demoniac. In
the great struggle between them the divine has the upper hand, being defended
by Lord Vishnu, until the wheel of time turns to Kali Yuga, the iron age, when
demoniac forces take control. Until then, us demons are destined to be the
losers. You are about to be vanquished by the gods, who are working through the
monkeys born from them. Moreover, Rama is Vishnu himself in human form, and he
has come to destroy you. Submit to him and bring us all good fortune.'
'I hear
nothing you say,' protested Ravana angrily. 'Rama is a mere human being whose
father has forsaken him and who relies upon monkeys. What have I to fear from
such a wretch? I will kill him and Lakshmana within a few days.'
Hearing
these foolish words Malyavan left Ravana to his fate. Ravana then posted his
generals at the four gates of the city and prepared to defend Lanka. Satisfied
that all was ready, he retired to his private apartments to be with his women.
The Battle Begins
On
the eve of battle, Rama called his generals together. They climbed to the
summit of Mount Suvela, from where they could clearly see the city of Lanka and
what was to be the field of battle. As the sun set in a red sky, they saw the
battlements of the city lined with densely packed rows of demons. The full moon
rose and they spent their last night before the battle on the mountain top.
In
the morning they saw spread below them a landscape of groves, lawns and
water-falls alive with the songs of birds. Above this was the peak of Trikuta,
on which stood Lanka, floating like a golden cloud. Behind its fortified gates
they saw Ravana's golden palace, its turrets touching the heavens. On the
battlements of the northern gate they were excited to see Ravana himself
wearing a blood-red robe. Sugriva bellowed with rage and leapt from the top of
Mount Suvela onto the battlements in front of Ravana.
'Today I will kill you! He cried, and snatched Ravana's crown.
'And I will separate your head from your body,' shouted
Ravana.
In a
moment the two were locked in combat, wrestling arm to arm, chest to chest and
leg to leg. Each was expert in the art of wrestling and strove with equal
intensity. As they struggled they fell from the ramparts to the foot of the
walls, but still they fought on, crouching, leaping and pressing each other's
bodies until they were smeared with blood and dust. Neither had the upper hand
and Ravana was on the point of summoning his sorcery, when Sugriva leapt high
into the sky and returned to the summit of Mount Suvela, where he was greeted
with cheers.
Rama
and Lakshmana led the monkey generals down from the mountain and advanced the
troops to the walls of Lanka. Armed with trees and rocks the monkeys waited in
excitement for battle to commence, setting up a noise like rolling thunder and
engulfing the walls of the city. Before ordering the attack, Rama sent Angada
with a last message for Ravana. He flew over the battlements into Ravana's
presence.
'Rama
sends you this message,' he announced. "The time of retribution for your
sins has come. For too long you have terrorized the innocent. Now I will punish
you. Keep up your courage and I will slay you on the battlefield, thus
releasing you from your sins and sending you to heaven. Prepare to die."
'Take
this evil monkey and put him to death!' cursed Ravana. Four demons seized
Angada, but he soared with them high into the air, then shook them off so that
they crashed to the ground. Then he flew back to Rama.
Standing
before the walls of Lanka, Rama thought of Sita and ordered battle to begin.
Hoards of monkeys began scaling the walls, smashing the defenses with their
rocks and trees and beating down the mighty gates. Waves of demons in dazzling
golden armour rushed out eager to give battle. They struck the monkeys with
maces, axes and swords, and the monkeys struck them with trees and rocks or
with their teeth and nails. The fighting was fierce enough to make your hair
stand on end. As the day progressed one after another of the leading demons was
vanquished, and the battlefield was covered with spears, arrows, shattered
chariots and dead elephants.
Darkness
fell but the fighting raged on. Rama's arrows shone like tongues of flame. As
the night wore on Angada gained the upper hand in his light with Indrajit,
smashing his chariot and forcing him to flee. However, Indrajit made himself
invisible and returned to the fight, invoking the weapon of Brahma which he had
used before against Hanuman. Under the cloak of invisibility he rained down
arrows on Rama and Lakshmana. These were no ordinary arrows. They were deadly
serpents from the regions of darkness below the earth, transformed into arrows
that bit deep into the vital organs of Rama and Lakshmana, binding them as if
by cords of steel. Rama was powerless to defend himself against Indrajit's
onslaught because he was unable to see where his enemy was. Before long the two
brothers fell to the ground immobile. Indrajit intensified his attack, piercing
them with more and more arrows until their entire bodies were covered with his
shafts.
'Go
now to the abode of death!' he shouted in rage. Rama and Lakshmana, trembling
in the darkness with pain and weakness, lost consciousness. Indrajit, believing
them to be dead, flew in triumph to Ravana.
As
the night ended and light returned to the field, Sugriva, Vibhisana and others
discovered the two princes, hardly breathing and unable to move, lying on a bed
of arrows. Drawing around them in a protective cordon, they gave way to
despair. Only Vibhisana was optimistic. '
Rama's
lustre has not gone. He and Lakshmana do not have the appearance of dying men.
Rama will recover.'
Indrajit
went to Ravana and announced that Rama and Lakshmana were dead. Ravana was
beside himself with joy and the demons celebrated as if the battle were over.
Ravana ordered that Sita be taken aboard the Puspaka airplane and shown the
dead princes. She was flown in the Puspaka over the battleground. With her went
a demoness named Trijata, who was her friend. When Sita saw the inert bodies of
Rama and Lakshmana covered with arrows amid the terrible carnage she was beside
herself with grief; but Trijata encouraged her.
'These
princes are not dead,' she deduced. 'Their bodies shine with a brilliance which
is never seen in those about to die.' But Sita was inconsolable as she was
carried back to the ashok grove.
Rama
opened his eyes. He looked beside him and saw Lakshmana lying motionless.
Thinking him dead, he felt deep despair.
If
Lakshmana dies my life is worthless. Perhaps I could find another Sita, but I
could never replace a brother like Lakshmana. He always comforted me when I was
depressed, now who will encourage me?' He turned to Sugriva and said, 'I thank
you for your loyal service. You and your brave companions must now return
across the sea to your homes. You have done all you can for me and I am well
satisfied. I release you from all further obligation.'
Just then a mighty wind blew and lightning
flashed in the sky. All at once there appeared the figure of Garuda, king of
the birds and eagle-carrier of Vishnu. He shone like blazing fire and was hard
to look upon. In an instant the snake-arrows that bound Rama and Lakshmana were
released and the snakes fled in fear, for no snake can stand the presence of
Garuda. Bending low, he wiped the faces of Rama and Lakshmana and stroked their
bodies. As he did so their wounds healed and their skin shone bright and
smooth. He raised them from the ground and embraced them.
'You
have saved my life,' Rama said in wonder. 'Who are you?
‘I
am Garuda, your friend of old. I heard of your plight and hurried here. Don’t
be curious now about our friendship. Go and regain Sita, and when your quest is
complete, you will know who I am.’ He circled Rama, spread his wings, and
soared into the sky. The Monkeys roared in delight and beat upon their drums,
ready once more to face the enemy.
Writer – Ranchor Prime
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