"Lakshmana and I shall meet Raavana, the terror of the world, and we shall
direct the assault on Lanka. Sugreeva, Jaambavaan and Vibheeshana shall stay behind with
our main army." The army rested for the night on mount Suvela. The following
morning, standing on the mountain top, they took a good look at Lanka.
The beautiful city on the summit of
Trikoota seemed as if suspended from the sky. Behind the thick fortress wall the Raakshasa
army stood sentry, looking like another massive wall. Observing the great and
beautiful buildings in Lanka, Raama was moved to pity. And he said:
"Alas! Because one person, drawn by
the noose of Time, has committed a sin, all this wealth and the whole Raakshasa race must
now be destroyed. Alas that this scion of a noble race should forget his real greatness
and pull death and destruction on himself and his people!"
Raama continued: "However, we should
now bend all our thoughts to the task before us to win this battle and destroy Raavana.
There will be much confusion in the course of the battle. The Raakshasas will try to
deceive us with many disguises. Let the Vaanaras and bears retain their own shape while
fighting.
Vibheeshana and his friends alone need
assume human forms, like Lakshmana and myself. The Raakshasas, our enemies, will never
take the form of man or monkey. They would think it beneath their dignity to do so. If we
stand together maintaining due order we can know who is who, slay our enemies and help our
friends." |
