An Uncountable Army Bows before Rama and Receives the Search
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 22
Doha 22 · Movement 1 of 2
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Shiva tells Uma that only a fool would try to count the monkey army he saw. Host after host comes before Rama, bows its head at his feet, and looks upon his face. Every warrior rises sanatha, sheltered beneath a master. Not one monkey in that immeasurable company is left without Rama personally asking after his welfare.
Even this intimacy does not measure the Lord's greatness. Raghuraya is the universal form pervading the worlds, yet he stands among the hosts receiving each bowed head and speaking to each servant. At Sugriva's order the army becomes still in every direction and listens.
The king asks them to go throughout the four quarters for Rama's work and as a favor to himself. Find Janaka's daughter and return within one month. Whoever crosses the limit and comes back without news will meet death by Sugriva's command. An uncountable gathering narrows into one urgent purpose: the location of Sita.
The universal Lord asks each monkey's welfare before the whole army departs to seek Sita.
Read the passage from the Manas
बानर कटक उमा में देखा। सो मूरुख जो करन चह लेखा।। आइ राम पद नावहिं माथा। निरखि बदनु सब होहिं सनाथा।। अस कपि एक न सेना माहीं। राम कुसल जेहि पूछी नाहीं।। यह कछु नहिं प्रभु कइ अधिकाई। बिस्वरूप ब्यापक रघुराई।। ठाढ़े जहँ तहँ आयसु पाई। कह सुग्रीव सबहि समुझाई।। राम काजु अरु मोर निहोरा। बानर जूथ जाहु चहुँ ओरा।। जनकसुता कहुँ खोजहु जाई। मास दिवस महँ आएहु भाई।। अवधि मेटि जो बिनु सुधि पाएँ। आवइ बनिहि सो मोहि मराएँ।।
O Uma, I beheld that monkey army; only a fool would attempt to count them. They came and bowed their heads at Rama's feet, and beholding His face, all felt sheltered and blessed. There was not a single monkey in that army who did not lovingly inquire after Rama's well-being. This is no measure of the Lord's greatness, for Raghurai is the Universal Form who pervades all creation. Standing ready in every direction, having received their orders, Sugriva addressed them all with care. 'For Rama's sacred task and as my earnest request, O monkey hosts, go forth in all four directions. Go and search for Janaki. Return within a month, O brothers. Whoever exceeds the time limit and returns without news shall be put to death by my command.'