Rama Divides the Army Into Four Storm Fronts Around Lanka
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 39
Doha 39ख · Movement 1 of 2
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After receiving the enemy's preparations, Rama summons every counselor. Lanka stands behind four powerful gates. How should the assault begin? Sugriva, Jambavan, and Vibhishana remember the jewel of the solar dynasty within their hearts and bring their different knowledge into one deliberation.
The plan takes form. They divide the vanara host into four armies, appoint commanders according to ability, and summon every troop leader. Rama's glory passes through the ranks as command and courage. Warriors bow at his feet, seize mountain peaks, and rush toward their appointed directions.
Bears and monkeys roar the victory of Raghuvira, Lord of Kosala. They know the fortress is exceedingly difficult, yet no fear enters them because they advance through their Lord's majesty. The hosts close upon Lanka from every side like masses of dark storm cloud. With their own mouths they sound drums and trumpets until the island trembles beneath a living ring of thunder.
Four gates face four armies, and Rama's name gathers the whole horizon into a storm around Lanka.
Read the passage from the Manas
रिपु के समाचार जब पाए। राम सचिव सब निकट बोलाए।। लंका बाँके चारि दुआरा। केहि बिधि लागिअ करहु बिचारा।। तब कपीस रिच्छेस बिभीषन। सुमिरि हृदयँ दिनकर कुल भूषन।। करि बिचार तिन्ह मंत्र दृढ़ावा। चारि अनी कपि कटकु बनावा।। जथाजोग सेनापति कीन्हे। जूथप सकल बोलि तब लीन्हे।। प्रभु प्रताप कहि सब समुझाए। सुनि कपि सिंघनाद करि धाए।। हरषित राम चरन सिर नावहिं। गहि गिरि सिखर बीर सब धावहिं।। गर्जहिं तर्जहिं भालु कपीसा। जय रघुबीर कोसलाधीसा।। जानत परम दुर्ग अति लंका। प्रभु प्रताप कपि चले असंका।। घटाटोप करि चहुँ दिसि घेरी। मुखहिं निसान बजावहीं भेरी।।
When Rama received word of the enemy's preparations, He summoned all His counselors. Lanka has four strong gates and is heavily fortified. Deliberate together on how best to attack. Then Sugriva the monkey king, Jambavan the bear king, and Vibhishana, remembering in their hearts the jewel of the solar dynasty, took counsel. After careful deliberation they resolved upon a plan and formed the monkey army into four divisions. They appointed commanders according to each one's ability, and then called together all the troop leaders. Speaking of the Lord's glory, they roused the spirit of every warrior. Hearing this, the monkeys gave a lion's roar and charged. Joyfully bowing their heads at Rama's feet, all the warriors seized mountain peaks and rushed forward. The bears and monkey chiefs roared and thundered: 'Victory to Raghuvira, Lord of Kosala!' Though they knew Lanka to be an exceedingly mighty fortress, the monkeys advanced without a trace of fear, empowered by their Lord. Like a mass of dark storm-clouds, they surrounded Lanka on all four sides, sounding war-drums and trumpets with their very mouths.