Bears and Monkeys Scale the Palaces Singing Rama's Glory
Lanka Kanda, Chhand 1
Doha 41 · Movement 2 of 3
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Fierce monkeys and bears lift vast fragments of mountains and rain them upon the fort. Stone breaks against stone, and the battlements disappear behind dust as the forest army presses upward.
They spring upon demons, catch them by the feet, and dash them against the ground. When an enemy escapes and runs, a vanara pursues with a fresh challenge. Nothing in the defenders' retreat can slow the swift strength of these young warriors.
They blaze with valor and climb the walls again and again. Soon bears and monkeys stand upon the palaces themselves, moving across roofs that had seemed untouchable from beyond the sea. Yet conquest does not replace devotion. Amid shattered pinnacles and the tumult of combat, they sing the glory of Rama everywhere, making the invaded city hear the name for which they fight.
The walls yield beneath mountain stone, and Rama's praise climbs higher than the warriors who carry it.
Read the passage from the Manas
धरि कुधर खंड प्रचंड कर्कट भालु गढ़ पर डारहीं। झपटहिं चरन गहि पटकि महि भजि चलत बहुरि पचारहीं।। अति तरल तरुन प्रताप तरपहिं तमकि गढ़ चढ़ि चढ़ि गए। कपि भालु चढ़ि मंदिरन्ह जहँ तहँ राम जसु गावत भए।।
Grasping massive boulders, the fierce monkeys and bears hurl them upon the fortress walls! They leap and seize the demons by their feet, dash them to the earth, and when the foes try to flee, challenge them again! With swift, youthful valor they blaze with glory, raging as they scale the ramparts again and again! Monkeys and bears climb the palaces, everywhere singing the glories of Rama!