The Siege Opens With Three Names Roaring Around Lanka
Lanka Kanda, Doha 39ख
Doha 39ख · Movement 2 of 2
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Victory to Rama. The first cry rises from the vanara lines and travels along the encircled walls. It names the Lord whose purpose has carried the army across the sea and now holds every division before its gate.
Victory to Lakshmana. The second cry honors the brother who guards Rama's purpose with bow drawn and unwavering devotion. Victory to Sugriva, king of the monkeys. The third remembers the alliance through which scattered forest hosts have become one army.
Bears and monkeys answer one another until separate throats merge into a lion's roar. They stand at the boundary of immense strength, not silent beneath the fortress but announcing the refuge from which their courage flows. Before stones are thrown or gates are struck, the siege begins with remembrance. Lanka is surrounded first by the names the army trusts.
Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva: three names become one roar, and the war begins as remembrance.
Read the passage from the Manas
जयति राम जय लछिमन जय कपीस सुग्रीव। गर्जहिं सिंघनाद कपि भालु महा बल सींव।।39।।
Victory to Rama! Victory to Lakshman! Victory to Sugriva, king of monkeys! The bears and monkeys, mightiest of the mighty, roared like lions.