Hanuman Gives Details of Lanka
Thus as per Human’s attitude to cross the sea as an impossibility Rama was concerned, but got emboldened by friend’s encouragement. As per the Raja Neethi (Diplomacy and Strategic studies of international, National relations - Precepts on ethics of Governance for Kingdom, Constituional Law and Justice) Rama wanted to know the Nodal points of strength and weaknesses of the Enemy such as Fort, strength, Army, Kingdom etc. Accepting Sugreeva’s counsel Rama asked Hanuman “Crosing this Sea is not big; I will with my power of Penance construct a bridge; Dry out the water from the sea with the power of my Bhanas (Arrows with feathers e.g., Agni aastrham - Fire generating), let it be there. You had mentioned that Lanka is not approachable by others. How is the formation of the Fort? Water, Hill, Ground, Forest, Arann (Defence Structure, Fortress, Protecting Forest, Spear) &neumerical strength of the Army, and the Security iin the Fort entrance and Trench etc., also describe clearly the Rakshasaa’s Houses as though I am personally seeing them. You have seen entire Lanka at Length; you have an astute Brain in all aspects, I also know you are capable in noting down the minute and important points and remember it solidly. Though you have told this earlier once, I would request you to say in detail with clarity.
Maruti who was the best amongst orators “Lord! I will tell you to the extent I know of the following are Lanka’s Fortress, defence structure, security systems, Army and the opinion Rakshasaas have for Ravana, Lanka’s prosperity, Wealth including Granary, the specific details of Lanka coast line of the Sea surrounding Lanka, Army’s Divisions, Formations etc, and no of vehicles. In Lanka all the Living beings are well built and due to inner happiness are exhuding warmth and Happiness. Lanka is very wide. Countless Chariots, Horses, Rogue Elephants are seen. Enemies can’t near it. Fort Entrance Doors are closed inside with Huge Iron Flats, Locks, pad locks etc; they are also quite broad. There are 4 Fort Entrances; they are very wide and appropriately designed. To destroy Enemie’s Army there are Unique and Novel Machines kept there. Cannons from which Arrows, Stone boulders will keep pouring consistently. In the entrance there are Machines kept along with sharp Pins made of Iron and Alloys. Many Machines named Chathagni were there. There are Rakshsaas kept on Vigil to use them any time.The outer wall of Lanka is sky high; very sturdy;it is made of Gold and embedded with Navarathnas
(1.Kembu – Ruby 2. Komedhaga - Sardonyx 3. Neela - Saphire 4. Maragadaha – Emerald 5.Pavazham – Coral 6.Pushparagam – Topaz 7.Manickam – Carbucle 8. Muthu – Pearl 9. VAIRAM / Vaidooriyam - Diamond / Lapis Lazuli).
Corals, Pearls are adorning them. Surrounding them are very very deep Trenches filled with Pure water and they are also wide. It is infested with Cruel Animals like Crocodiles which makes it unsafe, unapproachable for outsiders. Above them broad Wooden planks have been laid. There are many machineries to Lift and Lay them back across the trenches. Countless Rakshasaas are guarding the Fort Entrances and they live there only. Normal times the Wooden Planks are laid across the trenches. If Enemy nears them then with the help of Winches they are Lifted and locked. Amongst the 4 Planks the Northern Fort Entrance are the biggest; very thick; and is resting on Golden Pillar entrenched in trenches. Those who guard them have been provided with many Platforms.
Ravana is devoid of the usual Kingly habits of Gambling etc; he is ever ready for Battle; ever Alert; regularly verifies his Army, tests them often; mixing with them he is tirelss in all 3 aspects. It is situated on the Thrikoota Hill Top ideally. Even a single Animal can’t climb the hill, the Hill sides are slippery and the ground is soft with no grip. According to the Strategic War Formations,
Lanka has following Defence Structures – 1.Sea gives the Water front as a fortress, 2.Forests also is providing a Cover in one side as Fortress, and the 3. Hill on side as Fortress, Walls , Gopurams- Temple tower, 4.Trenches, Machines etc. are the unnatural Fortress, as per Strategic warfare it is Completely fortified. Hence it is Ominous; can’t be approached by Celestials as well. Upto 100 Yojhanas (30 kms or 22 miles) distance there is no Land Border for the Lanka. There are no Ships coming there, so it is apparent that other nations do not know of Lanka. Lanka is guarded by Walls, Trenches, Machineries, Chathuranga Sena (4 Divisions of Army, comprising of 21,870 elephants, 21,870 chariots, 65,610 Horses, and 109,350 foot soldiers) and hence it is not approachable by any one.
On the West, Fort Entrance has 10,000 Rakshasaas, South Niyudham (100000), East Prayudham 100,00,000, Rakshasaas, North – Nyurtham (100 Crores i.e., 1Billion) Rakshasaas with Many of the Chathuranga Sena (4 Divisions of Army, comprising of 21,870 elephants, 21,870 chariots, 65,610 Horses, and 109,350 foot soldiers.) duly armed are guarding same. In the centre of Lanka many Rakshasaa soldiers have been placed wiith Vehicles. Born of noble Lineage; Trustworthy; Soldiers Decorated by Ravana. There are 1 Crore (10 Million) Soldiers which will scare the enemies in Lanka. But I have broken the Planks which were laid on top of the Trenches, have dropped it in the trenches to make them of lesser depth, Burnt Lanka, Broken the Corridors, have destroyed 1/4th of the Army. Somehow we will cross the Sea, Please believe that Lanka will be destroyed by Vanaras. Angadha, Dwividha, Myndha, Jhambhavaan, Panasa, Nala and Neela will go on sky lane and can destroy those Trenches, Hills, Entrances, corridors, Houses and will bring Janaki (Sita). These Vanara stalwarts are the essence and please accordingly delegate them with adequate assignments. Let us start at the appropriate Auspicious time from here” thus Hanuman submitted humbly. (Slokas35)
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