Rāmāyana | Yuddha Kaṇḍa | Chapter 4
4. Rāma and His Army Reach Ocean
[Rāma and Sugrīva plan how to march with that huge army. Speedily marching without rest, they reached the shores of the ocean. They all sit there and decided to have a strategy meeting as to how to cross the ocean.]
After hearing the words of Hanuman from the beginning, the lustrous Rāma who was really valorous spoke. 4.1
"I want to inform you that I will quickly destroy the city of Lanka of the very big Rākṣasa and I would kill him and this is an oath." 4.2
"Oh Sugrīva, this is the proper sanctified time to start and when the Sun is in the middle, if we start we will get victory." 4.3
"After abducting Sītā where can that Rākṣasa go and continue to be alive? Once Sītā hears about the news of our starting she will get a hope to live like a sick man who has drunk poison is able to touch the deathless nectar." 4.4
"Tomorrow the star Uthra Phalgunī [Uthram] would be in conjunction with Hastha star and so, Oh Sugrīva, let us depart today itself with the army." 4.5
"I am able see good omens which portend prosperity and so after killing Rāvaṇa I would come back along with Sītā." 4.6
"The fact that the upper eyelid of my eyes are twitching is proclaiming that desire of my heart of winning is coming nearer." 4.7
Then Rāma the follower of Dharma who was well versed in moral law, who was respected by the king of monkeys as well as Lakṣmaṇa again spoke as follows. 4.8
"Let Nila accompanied by hundred thousand army members go first so that they can chalk out the proper path for us to go." 4.9
"Oh Nila steer the army through forests which have plenty of fruits as well as roots and is cool and which has plenty of honey." 4.10
"The Rākṣasas with a bad soul would try to spoil the fruits, roots and water found on the way and so you always try to protect them." 4.11
"Let the monkey swarms jump in to low grounds, forest forts and forests and examine whether any rival army is found in such places." 4.12
"let whatever weak and feeble army persons are there with us stay in Kiṣkindha because the duty to be discharged by all of us would be horrifying." 4.13
"let hundreds of lion like monkeys of great strength in hundreds and thousands lead that army which resembles an ocean stream." 4.14
"Let Gaja, the mountain like Gavaya, the very strong Gavaksha march in the front similar to majestic bulls leading a herd of cows." 4.15
"Let the bull like monkey Riṣabha, who is the lord of the monkeys guard the right side of the marching monkey army." 4.16
"Let Gandhamādana who is as strong as an elephant in rut, position himself on the left side of the marching army." 4.17
"I would march in the middle of the army riding on Hanuman like Lord Indra rides on Airāvata, hs elephant steed." 4.18
"Let Lakṣmaṇa who resembles the God of death march mounted on Angada similar to Lord Kubera, the lord of riches on the elephant called Sārvabhauma." 4.19
"Let the very strong Jambhavan who is the king of bears, Suṣeṇa and monkey called Vegadarsi protect the middle part of the army." 4.20
After hearing the words of Rāghava, the commander in chief of the army Sugrīva and the bull among monkeys gave orders to the effect to the monkey army." 4.21
"Then all those monkeys stood up with a desire to fight and jumped from caves and tops of the mountains." 4.22
Then after Rāma, the soul of Dharma was worshipped by the king of monkeys as well as Lakṣmaṇa, they marched towards the south along with the army. 4.23
At that time Rāma was surrounded by monkeys who were as big as elephants in hundreds, hundred thousands and in crores. 4.24
That great monkey army was following Rāma who was leading them and all those monkeys under the control of Sugrīva were greatly rejoicing. 4.25
They all travelled towards south excessively jumping, roaring greatly, jesting cheerfully and singing songs. 4.26
They ate scented honey as well as fruits and were carrying branches of trees with large number of blossoms. 4.27
All of a sudden seeing each other, they would lift and throw one another, they were hanging as well as flying and making others fall. 4.28
Those monkeys who were near Rāma used to roar, "Not only Rāvaṇa but all Rākṣasas are worthy of killing by all of us." 4.29
The valorous Riṣabha, Kumuda and Nila were clearing the way ahead for the many monkeys who were marching. 4.30
In the middle the king Sugrīva, Rāma as well as Lakṣmaṇa were moving along with very many strong and big monkeys capable of destroying their enemies. 4.31
The valorous monkey Śatabala who was accompanied by ten crores of monkeys standing firmly alone was protecting the monkey army. 4.32
Keśarī, Panasa, Gaja and Arka with hundred crores monkey army were protecting one flank of that monkey army. 4.33
Keeping Sugrīva in the front the bears led by Jambavan and Suṣeṇa were protecting the army from the rear. 4.34
The great monkey Nila who was the commander in chief of the army who was the best and self- controlled was looking after the entire army. 4.35
Monkeys Valimukha, Prajanga, Jambha and Rabhasa were moving all over and urging the monkey army to move forward. 4.36
When these great monkeys who were proud of their strength were marching ahead like waves of a moving ocean they saw the great Sahaya Mountain covered with trees and climbers. 4.37-4.38
Knowing the order of Rāma as well as his great anger, scared that army which was like a very large ocean were avoiding moving near towns and villages with very great speed and making great roaring sound. 4.39-4.40
By the side of the sons of Daśaratha, the valorous elephant like monkeys were jumping vigorously like the horse which has been whipped. 4.41
Those auspicious bull like men who were being carried by the monkeys were shining like the sun and moon coming in contact with other great planets. 4.42
Then Rāma the soul of dharma after being worshipped by Lakṣmaṇa and the king of monkeys went towards the southern side along with the army. Then Lakṣmaṇa who had meaningful presence of mind was being carried by Angada went near Rāma and told him the following very meaningful words. 4.43-4.44
"After obtaining Vaidehī and killing of Rāvaṇa and having accomplished your purpose you would definitely return back to the prosperous Ayodhyā." 4.45
"Oh Rāma, I am seeing greatly auspicious omens both in the sky and earth, which indicate your success and the pure air is blowing cool and pleasant along our side." 4.46
"These animals and birds are producing sweet and pleasant sound. All directions are looking cheerful and the Sun is shining bright." 4.47
"The planet Venus which is the son of sage Brigu is brightly shining behind you. The pure and clear Brahma rishi stars [Saptharishi or great bear] are shining round the Dhruvā star [Pole star]." 4.48-4.49
"The royal saint Trisanku who is our grandfather and a great one of the Ikshvāku dynasty along with his family priest is shining with pure radiance." 4.50
"The Vishaka star which is the holy constellation associated with Ikshvāku dynasty is shining clearly without causing any harm." 4.51
"The mūla star in the south west direction controlling the Rākṣasas is under stress being touched by the tail of a comet." 4.52
"All these things are indicative of the destruction of the Rākṣasas, for at time when the death aspects the stars being under influence of bad planets, destruction occurs." 4.53
"The water is tasty and crystal clear, the forest yields fruits, the air is blowing with scent and seasonal flowers have bloomed on trees." 4.54
"Oh Lord the army battalions of the monkeys are shining greatly and are looking like the army of devas going to war against Tāraka and oh gentle brother, and you should become pleased on seeing it."4, 55
Thus spoke Lakṣmaṇa cheering up his brother. The excellent army consisting of bears and monkeys who were like tigers and whose weapon was their nails and teeth, marched ahead covering the entire earth. 4.56-4.57
The dust raised by the tip of the hand and feet of the monkeys dimmed the light of the Sun and also covered the earth covered by mountains and forests and thus the very huge monkey army led by Sugrīva marched day and night." 4.58-4.59
When the huge army were crossing the river, the waves of the river flew on the opposite direction for several Yojanas. 4.60
The great army entered through lakes containing clear water, through mountains filled with trees, through plain lands, through the middle of forests yielding fruits and also by the four sides of the fruit yielding forests. 4.61
The great and huge army marched completely covering the earth and they all travelled further with the speed of the wind. 4.62
For the sake of Rāma all those monkeys who were valorous in war vied with each other in showing their joy, strength and valour. And those in the prime of youth made several type of gestures.4.63- 4.64
Some of them walked with great speed, while some others hovered slightly and those monkeys who live in the forest made sounds "KIla, kila". 4.65
Some monkeys lashed their tails, some stamped their feet and some extending their hands broke trees and mountains. 4.66
Some of those monkeys who lived on the mountain climbed the mountain. some produced great sounds matching the roars of a lion. 4.67
Some by the speed of their thighs were breaking various type of climbing plants and some were stretching their limbs and were playing with rocks and trees. 4.68
Those monkeys who were in hundreds of thousands nay crores of thousands who had a horrifying look covered the entire earth. 4.69
The great army of monkeys was marching throughout the day and night and being commanded by Sugrīva they were all cheerful and all of them were marching with speed looking forward to the war and they desirous of the release of Sītā did not halt even for a moment. 4.70-4.71
Then those monkeys reached the Sahaya and Malaya mountains which was crowded with trees and many type of animals. 4.72
Rāma who was marching along with them saw peculiar forests, rivers and water falls in those Sahaya and Malaya mountains. 4.73
The monkeys enjoyed the fruits of Champaka, Tilaka, mango, Praseka, Sindnvaara Timisa and Karavīra trees. 4.74
The monkeys enjoyed the Aśoka, Karanja, Plakṣa, Nyāgrodha, Jambu, Myrobalan and Nāga trees. 4.75
Various types of forest trees standing on those plateaus shaken by the speedy wind showered flowers on those monkeys. 4.76
Soft to touch breeze with the incense of sandal blew and the bees hummed in the honey scented woods. 4.77
That king of mountain had plenty of dust of metal ores and that dust and the pollen which were dispersed by the speedy winds covered all those monkeys. 4.78
On the lovely mountain slopes, in full bloom on all sides were Ketaki and Sindhuvāra trees, the charming Vāsanti, Mādhavi creepers with flowers full of scent, clumps of jasmine, Chiribila, Madhūka, Vanjula and Vakula, Ranjanka and Tilaka, Nyavriksha all in flower, Mango, Patalike, Kovidara in flower, Muchulinda, Arjuna, Simsapa and Kutaja, Hintala, Timisa, Chirna and Nipa, blue Aśoka, Sarala, Ankola and Padmaka all these trees were crawled in excitement by the monkeys who were delighted. 4.79-4.84
There were joyous l wells with stairs and ponds in that mountain, which were liked by Chakravāka birds, visited by Kāraṇḍava birds, crowded with water-fowls and cranes, visited by boars and deer, haunted on all sides by bears, hyenas, lions and many dreadful tigers. There were beautiful reservoirs of water with blossoming blue lotuses, water lilies, white water lilies, black water lilies and various other kinds of aquatic flowers. 4.85-4.87
On that mountain various types of birds were singing. Monkeys bathed in that water, drank it and also played in it. Some of them climbed on the mountain and some threw water at each other. 4.88-4.89
There the monkeys greatly enthused and with great vigour plucked fruits, roots with perfume of nectar as well as flowers. 4.90
Those honey coloured monkeys on seeing honey combs of great weight, drank honey from those combs. 4.91
Breaking trees, pulling out creepers and throwing away excellent mountains those bull like monkeys marched further. 4.92
Some monkeys well pleased with the honey that they got from trees shouted loudly, some were searching for honey and some were drinking honey excessively. 4.93
The earth was completely filled by those monkeys, like lotus fills the lake and paddy straws filled the field. 4.94
At that time the lotus eyed Rāma reached the Mahendra Mountain and he climbed to the top of the mountain decorated by many trees. 4.95
After Rāma, the son of Daśaratha climbed up to the top of the mountain, he saw the ocean filled with water and occupied by turtles and fishes. 4.96
Then after crossing systematically the great Sahaya and Malaya mountain, they approached the ocean which was making great sound. 4.97
Rāma who greatly attracts and Sugrīva along with Lakṣmaṇa descended and went speedily to the forest adjoining the sea. 4.98
Rāma after reaching the difficult to approach and very wide ocean, with rocks underneath which were washed vehemently by the waves spoke these words. 4.99
"Oh Sugrīva, now we have reached the home of Varuṇa and now we should think about how to cross it, which we had considered earlier. 4.100
"This lord of the rivers does not have a shore beyond and this ocean is impossible to cross without a proper strategy." 4.101
"And so let us have a strategy meet of the army here where we will discuss how the great monkey army will reach the other shore." 4.102
That great Rāma who was greatly sorrowing due to the abduction of Sītā reached that ocean and ordered the army to halt there. 4.103
"Oh Monkey chief Sugrīva, let all the monkey army enter this sea shore and once they reach we would discuss strategies to cross this sea." 4.104
"Let not any one slip away in any direction leaving his army unit and let the valiant monkeys search and inform us, if there is any hidden threat for us." 4.105
When Sugrīva as well as Lakṣmaṇa heard the words of Rāma, they made the army halt in the sea shore stretched with trees. 4.106
That army which was stationed near the ocean shined like another ocean with water of the honey red colour. 4.107
The chief of monkeys who reached the forest in the shores of the ocean settled down there anxious to reach the other shore. 4.108
When they got settled there for a halt, the sound of their movement completely masked the great sound produced by the great ocean. 4.109
That army of monkeys divided in to three [Monkeys, apes and bears] which was under the control of Sugrīva was fully dedicated to the cause of Rāma. 4.110
That monkey army which had reached that great ocean saw that great ocean which was diffused with high velocity wind. 4.111
Those monkey chiefs after seeing the ocean, which was the house of Varuṇa, which was boundless and which was inhabited by several Rākṣasas sat there. 4.112
The ocean being the home of horrifying crocodiles and alligators, appeared like laughing with its waves carrying foam at the beginning and at the end of day appeared to laugh and dance. 4.113
The ocean rose with the moon rise and the image of the moon was reflected in it and it was full of huge alligators, swift and fierce winds and was teeming with whales and great fish. 4.114
That sea, the home of Varuṇa was filled with serpents having flaming hoods, plunged with mighty aquatic creatures, abounding in various types of mountains, too difficult to cross, with an inaccessible path, stifling, fathomless and an abode of Rākṣasas. 4.115
The ocean whipped up by the wind moved along with sharks and twirling snakes rose and fell. 41.116
Always emitting sparkles and teeming with large water snakes, this ocean which is the home of enemies of Gods reached up to Pāṭala. 41.117
The ocean looked like the sky and the sky was comparable to the ocean and so the sky and ocean looked without any differences. 41.118
The sky blended with the ocean and the ocean blended with the sky. The sky had lot of stars and the ocean had lot of gems and even here they are comparable. 41.119
The sky was filled with rows of clouds and ocean was filled with rows of waves and so there seems to be no difference between the sky and ocean. 41.120
The waves of the ocean hit one another and produced a terrific sound which was comparable with the thunder of the sky. 41.121
Those great monkeys saw that the sea lashed with winds was resonating with abundance of precious stones and the water was rising high as if enraged in a grip of hurricane, filled with a number of aquatic creatures and tossed by them in the air by seemingly murmuring waves. 41.122-41.123
Those monkeys stood wonder struck seeing the ocean producing huge sound by the movement of water to and fro. 41.124
This is the end of Fourth Sarga of Yuddha Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.