Rāmāyana | Yuddha Kaṇḍa | Chapter 2

2. Sugrīva Encourages Rāma

[Sugrīva praises Rāma and tells him that he would cross the sea and kill Rāvaṇa . He points out the need for building a bridge across the sea. He is confident that his monkey would crush Rāvaṇa 's Lanka.]

Then Sugrīva, the destroyer of sorrows told the following words to the greatly sorrowing Rāma who was the son of Dasaratha. 2.1

"Oh valorous one, why are you sorrowing like this like an ordinary being? Do not be sad and throw out this sorrow, like an ungrateful one throws away friendship." 2.2

"Having found out her position, Oh Rāma, I do not find that there is any need of further sorrow?" 2.3

"Oh Rāma, you are intelligent, an expert in sacred books and a very learned man. Please give up these conjectures which are reactions of ordinary beings." 2.4

"After we cross that great ocean full of crocodiles, we would enter the Lanka and definitely kill all enemies." 2.5

"People who do not have enthusiasm who are depressed and sad would always be defeated and would attain great sorrow." 2.6

"All these monkey leaders who are all intelligent are interested in doing your job and may even enter fire, if needed, which I know by seeing their joy and I have confirmed it by my reasoning." 2.7

"You should act in such a way that I would kill all enemies including the sinner Rāvaṇa  and bring back Sītā." 2.8

"You should construct a bridge so that we reach that town which is ruled by the king of Rākṣasas." 2.9

"You please be sure that once we see the town situated on the mountain with three peaks that we would kill Rāvaṇa  there." 2.10

"Unless we build a bridge over the horrifying home of Varuna, the city of Lanka cannot be conquered even by Indra, the devas and Asuras." 2.11

"Once we build a bridge, Lanka would be near to us, please understand that the entire army can cross over to the city and those monkeys who can assume any form they like would become victorious in the war." 2.12-2.13

"So king, leave out this apprehensive conduct which destroys all wealth, which in this world reduces the courageous valour of all men." 2.14

"When one approaches any task with complete boldness, that one would easily get the capability needed to finish that job." 2.15

"Oh very wise one, at this time, it is necessary to be very strong and alert, for even in case of very great and valorous people like you, sorrow about something that is lost leads to all round loss and destruction of all wealth." 2.16

"You are the greatest among all intelligent people and a scholar of all Śastras and so with assistance and help from people like me, you would defeat the enemy." 2.17

"Oh Rāghava, I do not see any one in these three worlds, who can face you in war, when you hold the bow and arrow and stand there." 2.18

"Your job would definitely get done if you entrust it to the monkeys and after crossing the perennial sea, you would save Sītā." 2.19

"And so leave out this sorrow and get angry oh lord, for inactive Kshatriyas do not win a war but indignant ones do." 2.20

"You who have a very sharp mind along with us design a plan to cross over to Lanka after crossing this terrible sea which is the lord of the rivers." 2.21

"Once the army crosses over to there our victory is definite and once I cross the sea decide that you have won." 2.22

"These valorous monkeys, who can take any form that they want, by showering rocks, mountains and trees would completely crush the enemy. 2.23

"I perceive that once we cross this abode of Varuṇa, oh destroyer of foes, we would definitely kill Rāvaṇa ." 2.24

"What is the need for many such words. It is definite that you would be victorious and I am able to see good omens which make my heart happy. 2.25

This is the end of Second Sarga of Yuddha Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.