Rama Sees Lanka

Rama, Hanuman, Jambavan, Vibhishana, Angada, and the other Vanara commanders had arrived at the door of their enemy and now stood before the unconquerable fortress of Lanka. Rama formed a battle plan, and placed his valorous commanders at strategic positions. They were ready to go to war.

The king of men. Rama, and the king of apes. Sugriva, along with Hanuman, Jambavan, Vibhishana. Angada, and the other Vanara commanders stood together, looking at the fortress of Lanka, invincible for all beings. As they talked, Vibhishana told them that his four companions had entered the city in the guise of birds and examined the army and its strength, and, in doing so, discovered their plans. They told Vibhishana that Prahasta was at the eastern gate, Mahaparshva and Mahodara towards the south, Indrajit at the western gate, Ravana himself stood at the northern gate, while Virupaksha guarded the centre. "There are 1.000 elephants, 10,000 chariots, 20.000 horses, and over 10 million Rakshasas, all fierce in war." He turned to lotus-eyed Rama and said, "Do not be angry. I do not tell you this to scare you. You can defeat even the gods. Once you have arranged this army of Vanaras in battle formation, you shall surely crush Ravana and his forces."

Battle plans

Rama gave the commanders instructions. "Nila, the bull among Vanaras, shall go to the eastern gate of Lanka to fight Prahasta. Angada will go to the southern gate and obstruct Mahaparshva and Mahodara's plans.

Hanuman, son of the wind, and his Vanara army will enter through the western gate, facing Indrajit. Lakshmana and I shall face Ravana be the northern gate and crush his forces.

Sugriva, Jambavan, and Vibhishana will be at the centre," he said.

"The Vanaras are not to take on human forms during the battle, so that we can recognize them," he said. "Only the seven of us - Vibhishana and his companions, Lakshmana. and I shall battle in human form."

Spying on the enemy

After finalizing the battle plans, Rama saw the beautiful slopes of Mount Suvela. He decided that it was important to scale the peak to understand his enemy's position better. He told Sugriva, Vibhishana, and Lakshmana, "We shall ciimb the mountain and look at Lanka from its peak. We will spend the night there and look upon the abode of that Rakshasa who has abducted my wife for his own destruction, who does not know dharma, in whom my anger grows, and because of whom we shall see the Rakshasas killed. A single man has done an evil deed, and the entire lineage shall have to pay.

Climbing Suvela

Rama climbed Suvela, the colourful mountain, with Lakshmana close behind, his bow raised and an arrow in position, ready to strike. If needed. The commanders and the rest of the army followed the two princes.

They reached the summit and saw Lanka, as if it were suspended in the air. They saw the city overflowing with Rakshasa armies, almost forming a second rampart.

The Vanaras saw their enemy and roared. The evening was red and the sun set. Night fell and the full moon rose as radiant as ever.

That night, the Vanaras roamed through the forests and groves, which were full of champaka, ashoka, and sala trees, with beautiful, blossoming creepers everywhere. Sugriva permitted some Vanaras to go into Lanka, the city that stood at the peak of the Trikuta, a mountain impossible to climb even in one's imagination.

Terrible omens

Rama looked at the night sky, turned to Lakshmana, and said, "We shall set up camp here, Lakshmana. Let us gather food and water from the groves. I see a horrible terror before us.

"See how the harsh winds blow and the earth shakes. The mountains tremble and the animals and birds make unpleasant, inauspicious sounds. Armies shall be slaughtered, Rakshasas and Vanaras alike. Look to the skies they seem to be conveying that the end of the world is near. Let us prepare to attack."

Rama and the army descended from the mountain and looked at his army. He stood in front of them, bow in hand, and urged them to attack.