Vanara Army
Hearing that Ravana was anxious looked at Charthoola “You are looking as though you have suffered some trouble? You face colour has changed. Were you caught by the angry Enemies?” asked him.
Charthhoola was shivering with fear and with his tongue floundering, “Hey Great King! I could confidentially hear the details of the great Vanaras.They are strong; Full of Prowess; they are protected by Raghava (Rama). Could not talk to them; how to know without conversing and testing them? In each path Giant Vanaras are guarding the routes very carefully. The Vanara Army which is not accessible no sooner I entered I was found out. Vibheesahanas Ministers caught us and rolled us to the ground. Soon the Vanras surrounded us punched us slapped us knocked us with their kness , with their teeth and Nails tore us.With no Patience they tied us and dragged us “ See these Spies who have come to know the secrets of our Army” and pronounced us at every place. Then Blood oozing all over the body, with our senses going berserk, we were unconscious.When we regained consciousness they again tormented us. Finally they took us to Rama “We will not be alive. Please save us” with folded hands we prayed to him. Then with mercy he asked us to be released. Due to his mercy we are in this state and we are still alive. Rama has built bridge with Boulders and Mountains, with Vanara Army duly armed he is standing in front of the Lanka City entrance. He has formed his Army in the garuda Vyuha (Eagle formation), then they sent me he is coming towards Lanka with his Aura emitting. Before he enters the city, we should go and leave Sita to him. or get ready for war” thus he conveyed.
Ravana thought for a while “Even if Deva, Dhanva, Gandharva join together and oppose me, and all the animals create a fear in me , I am not going to return Sita. As suggested by you, I am going to Battle it out. For that please tell them about the enemy to the extent you have seen. Who are most Valorous in the Vanara Army? What are the physical features of those daunting Vanaras who can’t be engaged by enemy? Their Aura, whose children are they? Whose grand children are they? Tell me the truth. Shouldn’t we know the Phalaphalam (weighting consqeuences and Benefits) of our Enemy with whom we are waging a war? Said Ravana”
Then Charthoola “King of Vanaras Sugreeva is the son of Rikshajas. He can’t be beaten in battle. Kathkatha had 2 sons Dhoora & Jhambhavaan. When Brahma (God of Creation) yawned from his face Jhmabhavaan was born; then he was brought up by Kathkatha. Kesari was born to Brihaspathy (Jupiter the Guru of Devas). His son Hanuman killed Aksha and other Rakshasaas. Susheysha is Dharma Deity‘s son. Dadhimukha was born to Moon. Sukukha, Dhurmukha Vega darchi are Mrithyu (Death) who have taken Vanara in disguise. Brahma also has created them for this only. Chief General Neel is born to Agni (God of Fire). Hanuman is Vayu’s (God of Wind) son.Angadha who is proud of his srrength and Youthful exhuberance is Indras’ Grandson. Miandah and Dwividha were born to AshwiniKumars. Gaja, Kavaksh, Sarabha, Gandhamadha are all born to Yama and in all aspects they are like him. The Vanaa Warriors who have the Aura of Devas are 10 Croresie 100 Millions.; others creation, place etc can’t be said. These are people protected by Dasratha’s son – Rama. He has physical strength like the Lion; he is youthfull; Kara, Dhoosha, Thrichiras, Mareecha Subahu, Thataka have been killed by him. There is non valiant like him in all the worlds. Wasn’t he the Death For Viradha & Kabhanda who were themselves Like the Deity of Death? No one can describe the Noble Virtues of Rama. Which of the 14,000 Rakshasaas could survive in Jhanasthana? His Younger brother Laskhmana is an epitome of Virtue; he is the pick of the Majestic Elephants. Even Devaendra (King of Celestials) can’t be alive to the Bhana(Arrow with Feather) from Rama. Sudeva & Jyothirmukha are Sun’s children. Hemakoot is Varuna’s progeny. Nala is Vishwakarma’s son. Valorous Dhurdhara is the son of Vasus. Your younger brother Vibheeshana has notionally been crowned King of Lanka and is seeking Rama’s well being all the while. Thus I have told you about the Vanara Army to the extent I know off. Then you can take action as is approprpiate” - thus submitted Chaarthoola. ** ( Instinctively Ravana knew it is impossible for a Human to build bridge on the sea. So he wanted to get to the bottom of it. Ravana thus came to know through Spy Chaarthoola that all Devas (Celestials) and 5 Elements were contriving and Conniving against him and thus he got the eerie feeling that his end is nearing him, but his arrogance born out of his Valor, all the Boons and Ego did not permit him to accept the Reality).
{Since the Lineages of some of the Vanaras mentioned in Balakandha and here are contrary some of the authors who had done dissertation feel this sargham is not part of Valimiki’s original composition but a later add on says Govindacahrya}. (Slokas15)
****************