Lanka under Siege
Rama saw the marks of wounds caused on Sugreeva’s body during his wrestling combat with Ravana and was happy on his safe return he hugged him and said “Friend! Can you without consulting me undertake such a daring act? Kings appoint troops like but will not go themselves. When we are around should you do this? I know you have special affinity in ddoing daring tasks. Still is it justified for making Vanaras Army, myself and Vibheeshana to be worried until your return? Herafter please do not undertake such risky tasks without consulting us. If anything happens to you what is left for in Sita, or Bharatha, or Lakshmana or Shatrugna (This was akin to the Cow which shows affection to the calf it has just delivered ignoring the earlier ones; similarly Rama was not worried of Lakshmi who Lives eternally in his heart. But his accomplice Sugreeva who has been helping him recently. See the greatness of Rama of his abundant Love for a Monkey as for as Rama was concerned His Devotee is more important than his own Wife. Until you were to return I decided the following. Despite knowing your valour, due to the excessive affection for you, I was worried. After I kill Ravana, his sons, friends, relations and ful fill my vow, coronate Vibheeshana as Lankan King, hand over Koshala Country to Bharatha decided to forego my Life” - said Rama. For that Sugreeva said “The great Sinner who abducted your dear wife, after seeing him, how could I be patient? I am subservient to you; this is my duty; this was not done due to daringness”.
Rama appreciated those words and and said to Lakshmana “Child! We will keep our Army in a place where there are Frutis, Roots, Vegetables, Cool water are available.Look at the ominous Bad Omens (sagunam) indicative of destruction of the inhabitants here. BothVanara and Rakshasaa Warriors will die.TheWiind is blowing very strongly; Earth is trembling; the mountain peaks are shaking; Trees are beraking apart and fallingthe place where Kazhugu, Parunthu (Eagle, Kite) live the Rain mixed with blood is pouring here with gory form and ominous sound. These are indicative of destruction of Animals.The Sky is like the evening Dusk when the sky will be with red tinge and is looking scary; from the Sun fire balls are falling by themselves; When meek Animals and Birds looking at Sun cry meekly then fear engulfs everyone of us. Night Moon is not shining. He is burning with his harsh hot rays. Like at the time of deluge the Moon is red in the centre and dark on it’s borders. That is shrunk and is indicative of dangerous times ahead. Dark spots are seen on the Sun.Stars are not twinkling unlike earlier times. Seeing this one feels the yugas are coming to an end and the deluge is going to strike. Weak Birds are winning over Crows, Eagles, Kites; Foxes are howling ominously. Let us now itself enter Lanka which has hitherto been guarded so far by Ravana”. Thus alighting from Suvayla Moutain looked at his Vast Army which can’t be defeated by Enemy, he boosted the morale of his Troops and encouraged them to fight the war with with Vigour and high spirits.
Then in the auspicious time, Rama marched the Vanara Army towards Lanka. Vibhheeshana, Sugreeva, Hanuman, Jhambhavaan, Nala, Dhoomra, Neel and Lakshaman followed him.The Huge Army looking like a Vast Sea covering the Earth followed him. The Vanaras who were the Death of Enemies and like the Rogue elephants took Moutain Peaks / boulders and trees with them. Then Rama Lakshmana came near to Lanka.That was shinig with Flags and Staffs. Many a beautiful gardens were made in countless numbers. NOVEL Walls were touching the sky. Enemies were in accecible with Fort front doors and corridors.
Vanaras as per the orders of Rama formed themselves into units whereby they laid siege to the city which even celestials couldn’t do. The North fort entrance which itself was like Mini Mountain Rama Laskhmana were duly armed. Like Varuna (God of water) protects the sea, Ravana himself was guarding that entrance. Could anyone else be there to govern that entrance? That was extremmy impregnable; always guarded by gory Rakshasaas duly lert and armed to the teeth. Like the Pathaal Lok (Underneath Earth) resided by Dhanavas it was fiercely protected; in the stages constructed near the Fort entrance the Weapons, shields and Flags were orderly kept. In the East entrance where Neel was commanding Vanaras along with Maindha&Dwivida Similarly in South Angadha had Rishab, Kavaks, Kavaya & Gaja to support him. Angadha laid siege of the Southern entrance. With Pramathi, Prakasa Hanuman laid siege to the west entrance.WithVanara Warriors hissing like garuda (King of Eagle) Sugreeva was in between West (Indrajith) and North (Ravana) so that he can extend help to Hanuman and Rama as when needed. The famous Vanara warriors 36 Crores (0.36 Billion of them) were surrounding Sugreeva.As per Rama’s instruction Lakshmana and Vibheeshana kept 1 crore (10 Million) Vanara warriors in each entrance; west of Rama was Sugreeva with Jhambahvaan were staying put.TheVanara warriors who inValourous prowess were like Tigers were carrying Mountian peaks , Trees, Boulders with them and due to anger were fuming with their Tails being swayed and Face and Limbs making gesturesThey were having Nials and Teeth as their weapons were happy to fight the battle.Some had the strength of 10 Elephants, Some 100, some 1000, some 10,000 Elephants strength, some moham thus they had great Strong persons in their fold; some had Limitless strength. Vanaras, Head bun Musoorus, Bears with different complexions, Different costumes, were surrounding Lanka. Like the Locust countless in number come and descend on a nation, Vanaras circling them was surprising and unique too. With stationing Vanaras entire Earth in Lanka was covered outside the Fort walls; with the jumping vanaras even sky was invisible. Many Millions of Vanaras had laid siege to the Fort entrances. Others were ready to wage war. Surrounding the 3 Thirkoota Mountain range on Lanka’s 4 sides Vanaras were carrying Trees, Boulders were not allowing Air to go in between them.Rakshasaas were stunned at the sudden encirclement of Lanka by the Vanaras like the Huge Clouds with the power of Indra. Like the Sea roars while lashing at the shore, so was the tumultuous reverberation and ovation from the Vanara Army. This created a resonance in the Thrikoota mountain ranges, Forests, Lanka city and its households making them tremble.The Army which was protected by Rama Lakshmana & Sugreeva was unbeatable even if the Devas and Asuras were to join together.Then Rama made formations of his Army as per Battle Doctrines, and devised ways to kill Rakshasaas in consultations with his Ministers and also evaluated them with his intellect and decided on the same. As a person who knows how and when to use the apt Sama Dhana Bedha dandaie (Counselling, negotiate, entice with wealth, stern warning, differential treatment according to nature of Crime and Severest punishment are metted out according to the need) methods knowing when you lay siege of an enemy it Is the Dharma Virtuous custom to send an Emissary and invite him for war. With Vibheeshana’s permission called Angadha and said the following to be conveyd to Ravana.
“Child! You can cross the Corridors without much effort, go to Lanka and say these words to Ravana without fear, courageously ‘Hey! One who had lost the grace of Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth)! One who has lost his Authority! One whose end is nearing! Whose intellect is polluted! due to the arrogance of getting Boon from Brahma(God of Creation), You have been demeaning the Deiteys, Gandahrrvas, Apsaras, Nagas, Yakshas, Kings and insulting all of them and tormenting them, thus due to(Agyanam) unwitting ignorance have earned Lots of Sins. That Pride is erased from today.Since You have abducted my wife, you will face the wrath of my Anger. To punish you in my Kothanda I having mounted the Divine Asthra (Missiles), I am standing in front of your Fort entrance. If you battle with me and die in my hands Like the Devathas, Sages, Kingly saints attain the World after their Life of Penace, you too will be granted the same. You will be relieved of all Sins, come fast for war. With Mareecha’s Maya you deceived me, took me far way from the hermitage. You abducted Sita.On what strength you believed and did this heineous crime, this is the Time to show that strength. Person who steals the Gold, can’t himself be an authority to atone same, thus You submit Sita back to me and seek my Charanam (surrender to me). I am willing to absolve you of all the Aparadhs (Unpardonable acts such as sin, misdemanour, delinquency, infraction, violation, crime, offence, guilt, lawbreaker, crime, outlaw, felony). Or else my piercing Bhanas (Arrows with Feather) will erase in all wordls the Rakshasaa race who do Adharma. (in case Ravana were to surrender, he would offer his Koshala Kingdom to Vibheeshana). Vibheeshana who is soul of Dharma and a Great Rakshasaa has sought my Charanam( Refuge, Your Lotus Feet, Shelter,Help, Asylum, Support or all of these) Hence he will has become the King of this Lanka Kingdom which is eternal without enmical hindrances he is shining with special Aura. He has all the requisite qualities to rule this Lanka, ; whereas you do not deserve that post; you have moved away from the path of Dharma; Great Sinner;Who does not have control over your own indrya senses ;
You are closetted by Fools; You and Kigdom is too far;after Leaving Sita unto me and if you seek refuge in me, I will give Vibheeshana another Kingdom and will not kill you and spare you alive. Or else start for war with me. If you do war with me with Courage and Valour You will be relieved of all sins by my Bhanas (Arrow with Feathers), and attain the Warriors Heaven where the Warriors die without retreating in the battle field. Will you ever survive once I sight you, even if you take a Bird’s disguise and go and hide with the speed of thought in any world? Listen, I am telling the words which are in your Hitham (though un palatable, Soothing counsel - in the interest / Good of Your- well being) Listen. I am holding Your Life in my Hands. The moment I decide I will kill you. None in Rakshasaa Kula (Clan) will be left. So there won’t be anybdy to do Funeral rites for your body. So you do them for yourself now itself. Like those who are going to Die would like to see their Sons, Wife, and other dear materials like wise You may go around this Lanka which you have been guarding with Pride” say this to Ravana saying I have told this to convey to him” - said Rama to Angadha.
Angadha took permission from Rama and took the Human form went like the Agni (God of Fire) went up in the sky, and through Sky Lane landed in Ravana’s Palace Seeing Ravana discussing with his Ministers went near, introduced himself, conveyed Rama’s words without any lower or upper variations, informed Ravana as it is with his Ministers and Cheiftains also hearing them”. Lord of Koshala who is the benefactor of all Living beings Rama sent me here. I am Vali’s Son. My name is Angadha. So far you must have heard. Raghu Warrior (Rama) wanted me to convey you the following. “Hey Cruel natured! if you are a Man come out of Lanka and battle with me. Even after laying siege of your Lanka, your not coming for war seems that you are not Manly. You, Your Minsters, Sons, Paternal relations, Relations I am going to slay all of you. Let all the worlds at least hereafter Live without fear. Today I will uproot you Ravana who is the eternal Enemy of Devas, Dhanava, Yaksha, Gandahrva, Uraga, sane Rakshasaa, Rishis (Sages). If you do not desire that return Sita to me and seek my Charanam (Refuge, My Lotus Feet, Shelter, Help, Asylum, Support or all of these) thus Rama said”.
Hearing those Harsh words the Lord of Rakshasaas was enraged, with red fiery eyes ‘catch hold of this wicked fellow and kill him now’ thus he commanded several times his ministers. 4 Rakshasaas as per burning inferno like Ravana’s orders captured him. To show his strength to Rakshasaas he kept quiet. With 2 Rakshasaas hanging on each of his arms with disdain he jumped went skywards and shirked them on the way. They fell unconscious in Ravana’s presence.Then he kicked the Minaret Dome of Ravana’s palace in presence of Ravana. Like earlier when Indra’s Vajhrayudha broke one of the Himalaya peaks, this dome was made into smithreens and fell on the ground. Thus breaking the Palace‘s dome he established his Name and Fame creating a terror amongst the Rakshasaas in Lanka. With Lion’s Roar climbed up and through Sky Lane reached where Vanaras were and came and jumped near Rama. Rakshasaas were upset with this devoplement; Vanaras were in Aravaaram (Ostentation, Pompous, ruckus ovation credulous of their Young King’s safe return). Ravana was enraged since his Palace was damaged. Understanding that this was an indication of the Calamity which is going to befall him and sighed heavily.
While this was so, Rama who was surrounded by the Vanara Army decided to kill Ravana and started for the war. Sushena the Vanara warrior who was tall like the Mountain peak with Sugreeva’s permission with many a Kamaroopi Vanaras like Moon goes around the Raasis went around all the Fort entrance gates. Thus the Vanara Army circled Lanka totally. Even the Bolder Rakshsaas were surprised; the timid were scared and trembled. Some were expecting Combat wrestling so they were haughty with expectation.Seeing Vanaras occupying every inch of space between corridors and Trenches Rakshaaas who saw hoarsely wailed out Ha haha. Thus in Lanka such sounds of dismay increased. Rakshasaa Warriors took possession of choicest weapons like the wind blows at the time of Deluge were moving here and there. (Slokas 104)
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