Journey to Lanka
Rama the most Valorous, after he heard Hanuman said “Lanka which you described will be blown to smithereens with my Bhanas (Arrow with feathers) What I am saying is Sathyam (Eternal Truth). Sugreeva! I feel this Muhrtham (1 ½ Hours) is ideal to commence our travel to Lanka. It is suitable for travel. Since Sun is in the centre it will bestow Victory and is called ‘ Abhijeeth’ If I start now where can Ravana go? If you ask What is the benefit in travelling without any plan for crossing the Sea? It is like a person who had drunk Poison and about to Die touches the Amruth (Nectar / Elixir which confers immortality by drinking it) and surives, Sita will be alive having heard from Thrijhada that we are coming. But if we keep on thinking and stay put here, Sita without knowing may Leave her Life. Today is uthraphalguni star; tomorrow is Hastham. Sugreeva let us gather all our Army and start today from here and commence our Journey. Best of good Omens are seen which are beneficial to us. Hence I think we will kill Ravana and bring Sita. Since my upper part of Eye is twitching the Victory is certain. Neela in command of the soldiers may lead the way, to check the path of our forces”. Sugreeva and Lakshmana celebrated Rama’s words, he in turn as per Neethi Sashtras (Governiing Rules of Justice, Morality, Law, Righteousness) made formations of the Army for the Journey.
“Neel the path you take may be may be in centre of colder region of Forests. Fruits, Roots, Honey should be available in abundance.The scoundrel Rakshasaas may poison the Trees, Roots, water, Fruits, Vegetables on the way. So very carefully you have to examine them. Some of you should get down the ravines/valleys to check if Enemies are hiding there to attack us.In our Forces there may not be much of soldiers who will not be useful for Battle. If they are there it is better to leave them here in Kishkindha itself. For the Gory fierce battle we are going to encounter, we need Strong, powerful, Energetic Warriors. Neethisashtra says wherever you sight Enemy one has to strengthen his forces. Gaja, Kavaya, Kavaksha with Warriors may lead our Sea of Army’s front portion with thousands of our Strong Like well grown Oxen. General should be appointed in all directions. Rishba should lead our western front and Gandhmadha the Left front and protect. Like Devndra mounts Ayiravatha, I will be on Hanuman’s Back and b in the centre and Motivate the Army. Like Khubera mounts on the Sarwabhowma Direction Elephant Lakshmana will sit on the shoulder of Angadha.Sugreeva you come on Planquin and come with us.Jhambhavaan, Sukshena, Vegadharsi may guard the rear portion of our Army.” Commanded Rama.
Sugreeva accordingly issued orders, Vanara entourages with a desire to battle with Rakshasaas came out of Caves and Mountain peaks. Then Sugreeva and Lakshmana going in the front, the exponent of NeethiSashtra started his travel south. 100, 1000, 100000, Core, Ayutha Countless Vanara Army followed him.They were bound by Sugreeva’s orders and were haughty; Jumping with Joy, Leaping,Pouncing, Roaring, screeching, Yelling were having Honey, ate Fruits to their desire . With bunches of Flowers , uprooting the Trees travelled Southwards. Due to Kozhuppu( Muscles – proud of his physical strength- physical arrogance, impudence)each was throwing each other. Those who couldn’t reply physically, shouted; those who threw them were thrown
Some come near Rama and roar that they only will kill Ravana. Neel Kumdhu were investigating in front for the rest of the Army to follow safely. Sugreeva, Lakshmana and Rama were going in the centre. Warrior Sathavali was guarding the 10 croreVanara Army by himself. Panasa, Gaja, Arka were guarding the Army on the Left side. Sukshena, Jhmbahavaan were guarding at the rear side behind Sugreeva. Neel the great Vanara Warrior was guarding the entire Army carefully. Dharimukh, brajhanga, Rambha were rushing the Army to move faster in all fronts by running themselves. While proceeding like this they saw the Sahya Moutain which was full of Blossomed flowers in streams, Trees with Frutis, Roots and with Lakes ahead of them at a distance. That Vanaras Army roaring like the Sea making every one hearing it get frightened, was avoiding the Villages, Towns as per the Orders of Rama. Vanaras often came in front of Rama and had a Glimpse of his Handsome face. **(Rama was incarnation of God Maha Vishnu, no surprise Souls (Athma), Celestials who have been born as Vanras want to see God (Paramathma) and be near him as often as possible). Like the Charioteer steers the Horses deftly, Rama &Lakshmana who were carried by Hanuman & Angadha respectively looked like the Sun and Moon touched by Venus & Jupiter respectively. Thus Sugreeva and Lakshmana were worshipping Rama and he was moving in the southern direction.
Then Lakshmana who was adept in Omens (Shagunsashtra) and sagacious his aspirations having been fulfilled spoke to Rama “Anna! (Elder brother) By the Omens seen in Sky and Earth it looks like your thoughts will fruitfy certainly. Sita who was abducted by Ravan will be retrieved, we will kill Ravana in battle, and ful fill our thoughtsand after going to Ayodhya we will be celebrated by the subjects of Ayodhya .the wind Breeze is blowing softly, pleasantly, showering in their blessings, is browing from the rear. Animals and Birds are making sounds in their total Melody. All the directions are clear. Sun is shining without any blemish. Shukra is at your back.
Shukra who knows all Vedas and is aligned with Sinful Planets is your beneficiary. Saptha Rishis went in souther direction and are doing Pradhakshinam (Going around in clockwise direction) of Dhruv Star. The greatest amongst Ikshwaku Dynasty Trishnaku and the Priest Vasishta are shining clearly. The 2 Stars in Vishaka are not inflicted by malefic Planets are shining clearly. Rakshasaas star is Moolam; it had Neyiruthias its Deity; now being near Dhoomakethu is being burnt. These are all indicators of Destruction of Rakshasaas. Those whose time is nearing death are inflicted by malefic Planets.Like in earlier times before Tarakasura’s slaying the Devas (Celestials) were shining, our Forces are also brimming and dazzling with happiness. You should see all this and should get happy “thus Laskhsmana enthused Rama.
Then Vanara Army was encompassing the Earth beneath with thier Vast numbers. The dust sprayed by the Bears and Monkeys with Hands and Legs was shadowing the Sun **(Like during Andhi or Sand storm) and made Earth look dark. Like the clouds during Monsoon shades the sky, this Army was completely covering the Forest and Moutains. Crossing the rivers, streams, ponds, Forests, Mountains, Plains went to the place with cold water, went through the Plains having tasty fruits in trees and through Trees filled Mountains, all were with contended Heart full of Happiness. In Speed they were like Vayu ( God of Wind). Their Prowess increased in Rama Karyam (Divine Task of Helping Rama as he is none other than Maha Vishnu ultimately to decimate Ravana & the Rakshsaas). Due to icreased enthusiasm, Vigour, Youthful ehuberance, sheer muscle dominations, excessive happiness some went very fast; some leaped across; some shouted Gila Gila ; some swirled their tails and hit on the ground; some with their hands and Legs destroyed trees and boulders; Some climbed on top of Mountain peaks and roared; Some roared like Lions; some with the speed of their thighs slit the creepers; some due to haughtiness of their Muscles were Yawning throwing Tress and boulders playfully. 100, 1000, 1000000, Crore thus countlessly the Earth was covered by Vanaras. Thus the Army which was protected was walking to southern sea shore of India enthisastically night.**(as they were Celestils who have taken birth as Vanras in Rama Karyam (Divine Task of Helping Rama as he is none other than Maha Vishnu ultimately to decimate Ravana& the Rakshsaas). In that each one of them wanted to release Sita very soon as they were concerned about Her and did not want to waste even one Kshanam (4 seconds) so they went very fast. Then while crossing the Samhyam Moutain filled with variety of Flowers Trees saw the flowers strewn on Stone boulders as they were there due to wind blowing across the trees, also in the grove Bees were away melodiously, tender Breeze gently caressing, the Mountains were shining due to reflection of Minerals in them, the Minerals which were powedered by wind were covering the due Army columns., in the Foot Hills they saw cream coloured Thazhampoo (Pandanusodoratissimus, Ketaki flower) and other Plants have Blossomed, and the Vanara Army is decimating them, in many locations in Mountainous regions streams and Vaavi (Tanks, flight steps, narrow streams of water in river bed) were adorned by Birds such as Chakravaaham, and was infested by Bears, Red Dogs / Foxes, Tiger, Lions, Elephnats, walked away looking at all these and the Birds with their wings of different colours were melodiously cooing in the Foot Hills. Vanaras jumped in waters bathing and playing; climbed on Hills and jumped; smiled at each other or made fun of each other; they plucked tasty Frutis, Roots, herbs, Flowers and ate them; they had Honey to their want and enjoyed; they felled Trees and slit Creepers; powdered the Mountain peaks; some due to drunkenness were jumping from Tree to tree; some fell down; there was no place in earth to fix a Pin. Like the golden hued Paddy fills the Fields , that place was full of Monkeys. Then Rama reached Mahendra Mountain, and anxious to see the sea with his eye blossomed, climbed the peak, saw the Sea filled with Maritime anmials such as tortoise, Corcodiles, Whales, Serpents etc. The Vanara Army after crossing the Sahyam Moutain range reached Sea shorewith the roaring waves.Then Rama Lakshamana and Sugreeva alighted crossed the afforestation and reached the Sea wherein the waves were splashing on stone boulders unabatedly.
Then Rama spoke “Sugreeva! We have reached Sea shore.The earlier worry only continues to torment now. Unable to see Beyond this shore. Without strategy we can’t cross this Sea, So we will stop the Army here and let us plan what needs to be done, as our Army need to reach other shore. Let them stay here in this Sea shore front. Time has come to think how to surmount this sea. No one should go without leaving the Army to other side. Vanara soldiers should go and check if the enemy is hiding nearby regularly” thus Rama ordained.
Immediately Sugreeva and Lakshmana made formations of the Army in sanded region of the sea front. The Vanaras Army on the sea shore looked like a sea by itself. Then the Senior Vanaras descended on the nearest Forest which was acting as barrier for sea erosion, were contemplating as to how they will cross this barrier.The noise generated by the Vanara Army subdued the Sea’s thunderous roar. As per Sugreeva’s order it was made into 3 Circles. Vanara Warriors were happy to go to Sea front , seeing the huge sea whose Horizon was not seen lashed by mountain like Waves unabated, filled with wild Animals, blown by the wind unabated, seeing Rakshasaas hovering around lost their heart. In that Sea the Crocodiles were the malefic Planets; the sea was swelling in both Dawn & Dusk (Sandhya times); the waves were dancing to the hilt and appeared as though they were smiling with their Froth. As the Moon rose in each wave a reflection of Moon was seen making it look like cluster of many Moons. Huge crocodiles having the speed of the wind, Very Long Aquatic Animals and Whales which can swallow them as well , Giant Serpents having Gems in their head, Water Hippos and Simsumara etc animals were there. Since it was full of boulders and mini moutains Ship can’t travel there; place of residence for Asuras. There were Makara Fish(Sea horse) which have the shape of Huge Serpents.In the Sky Naga entrouges were hovering.The water which was pushed by the wind became raised as waves and splashed ashore; in the sky the clouds were merged and dismantled by the force of the wind. At Night the droplets of waves shone like the sparks of Fire. The water in the sea was clear and shade black; even the sky was like that. Giant snakes lived in the Sea; in the Sky fortune telling Uragas were also wandering The Asuras lived in Seaand sky as well. Sea is not deep like the Pathaal (Deep below the Earth), so is Sky. **(centre of Earth is 6237 Km from surface whereas Max depth of ocean is 11kms) so the sky and the Sea were undistinguishable and looks merged or same. The splashing of the waves against each other looked like they were playing huge Drums by King of the Sea during War. (Slokas121)