The Vanara army gathers

 The Vanara army gathers

Sugriva's messengers went out in all directions to gather the Vanaras that lived in the five great mountains, the lotus groves, forests, and hermitages. They arrived in the millions, on their king's command, to be Rama's army, battle Ravana, and rescue Sita

Countless Vanaras heard the command of their king Sugriva, who was like death itself in his ferocity. They came from all corners of the land and the great mountains of Mahendra, the Himalayas, the Vindhyas, Kailasa, and Mandara.

Pleased, Sugriva and Lakshmana left for Rama's abode on Mount Prasravana, on a golden palanquin, to the auspicious sounds of conch shells and drums. Surrounded by his fierce commanders and soldiers, he resembled the sun.

Friends reunited

Rama saw Sugriva and his army approach his cave, their hands joined in salutation, out of respect. Almost immediately, his dissatisfaction dissolved, and he embraced Sugriva and asked him to be seated.

Rama spoke up. "The king who pursues dharma, economic and political prosperity, and desire at the appropriate times and in appropriate measure is a real king, best of the Vanaras. However, the one who pursues only desire, abandoning the other two, is like a person sleeping on the branch of a tree. Destroyer of enemies, the time for our endeavour has arrived.

Contemplate the course of action with your advisers."

Sugriva replied, "I have regained lost fame and glory only because of you, Rama. Look, here are the chiefs of the Vanaras, fierce to look at and familiar with various kinds of geography. They are the sons of gods and Gandharvas (magical beings) and can take on any form. They travel with immense battalions. There are brave Vanaras, Golangulas (apes with special powers). and bears, arriving like the great Indra. king of gods. They shall go to war on your behalt, kill Ravana, and reunite you with Sita."

Rama praised him, "Just as it is not surprising that Indra causes rain, and the sun removes darkness, so it is only natural that a friend like you should act in my interest. With you as my protector, I shall defeat all enemies. Ravana abducted Sita for his own destruction

The glorious army

As he spoke, immense dust clouds rose, covering even the sun. The ground began to shake and the mountains, forests, and groves quaked. Soon, the entire earth seemed covered by the army of the Vanaras. They poured in from all directions, the strongest Vanaras from the forests. rivers, mountains, and seas, offspring of the gods with Vanara women (See pp 40-41). A large force accompanied each chieftain. The brave Shatabali arrived with 100,000 million Vanaras, as did Sushena, Taaraa's father, whose face glowed like a golden mountain. Hanuman's father, wise Kesari, with a complexion that resembled lotus fibres, arrived, surrounded by a contingent of a million Vanaras. Gavaksha, the king of Golangulas, terrible in valour, was seen as well, surrounded by his army of 10,000 million Vanaras. The slayer of enemies and known for his speed, Dhumra, the lord of all the bears, came with his warriors, as did Panasa and Nila, with armies of Vanaras as far as the eye could see. Darimukha had 10,000 million Vanaras with him, Gandhamandana brought thousands of millions of Vanaras, while Angada came with a billion, and Mainda and Dvivida brought 10,000 million each.

The great warrior Tara, who could be seen from a distance like a radiant star, brought 50 million Vanaras while Rambha, with a face like the rising sun, arrived with 11,100 Vanaras.

Hanuman came as well, with 10,000 million mighty Vanaras, terrible in valour, like the great Mount Kailasa.

They roared and leapt high in the air. They approached Sugriva, like giant clouds that covered the sky, and honored their king with folded hands.

LOCATION

MOUNTAINS IN THE RAMAYANA

Several mountains are listed when describing the places from where the Van are to be brought forth. Five of them seem to form a set - Mahendra, the Himalayas, the Vindhyas, Kailasa, and Mandara. Valmiki also names the mountains where the sun rises and sets and the mighty Meru and Maharuna. Of these, the Himalayas are personified most often. Mahendra is sometimes identified with the upper ranges of the Western Ghats in India, whereas the Vindhyas occupy central India. Mandara served as the base for the churning of the ocean. Mount Meru has an extensive mythological and Puranic apparatus, which often goes along with an understanding of its mystical significance.

Not much is known about the Maharuna, apart from this mention. Kailasa is most famous as the abode of Shiva, the Destroyer, as well as Kubera, the god of wealth, and continues to be of great significance. The locus of Kailasa has a great cross-sectarian and trans-Asian appeal due to the importance of that region not only for Hindus but also for certain Buddhist communities.