Chapter XXVIII: Section XXVIII

Having heard the words of Sarana, who had described the forces (of the monkeys), Suka, addressed Ravana, lord of Rakshasas, saying,--"Those, O king, whom thou seest stationed, resembling mad elephants, like unto _nyagrodhas_[76] belonging to the Ganga,--like unto Saias in the Himavan,--are incapable of being borne,--they are possessed of strength, and able to wear forms at will; resembling deities and Danavas, and like the gods in conflict. These, numbering nine, five, and seven thousand _kotis_ and thousand _sankus_ and an hundred _vrindas_, are the ministers of Sugriva, residing in Kishkindha--monkeys begot by gods and Gandharvas, capable of assuming shapes at will. And those two whom thou beholdest, staying there, of equal proportions and endowed with god-like shapes, are Mainda and Dwivida,--who have no equals in fight. Permitted by Brahma, they had partaken of ambrosia. They hope to humble Lanka by their prowess. And he whom thou seest staying like a mad elephant, the monkey who, being enraged, can by his strength agitate the deep itself, who, searching for Vaidehi, had presented himself before thee, lord,--behold this monkey come again!--whom thou hadst seen before![77]--is the eldest son of Kacari, known as the offspring of the Wind-god--celebrated as Hanuman, who had bounded over the deep. Capable of wearing forms at pleasure, that first of monkeys is endeued with grace and strength,--and is of irresistible impetuosity even as that lord, the Wind. Seeing the Sun risen, (he) while a boy, resolving in his mind,--'Coursing a way measuring three thousand _yojanas_, I will bring the Sun,--my hunger is not appeased;' and he sprang up, elated with strength. And, not getting that god, incapable of being subdued by the deities, saints and Rakshasas, he dropped down on the Ascending-hill. And thereat a jaw of that strong-jawed one was a little fractured on the rock,--and he is called Hanuman in consequence. I know this monkey and all his previous history. I cannot describe his strength, beauty or prowess. And this one alone hopes to lay Lanka low by his energy. And why dost thou today forget the monkey, who had flung flaming fire into Lanka? And next to him is the hero of dark-blue hue, having eyes like lotuses, the Atiratha among the Ikshwakus--of prowess celebrated in the world--in whom virtue never wavereth and who never swerveth from righteousness; who knoweth the Brahma Mantra and the Vedas,--the best of those versed in them--who pierceth the sky with his shafts and cleaveth the Earth, whose ire is like death, and whose prowess is like that of Sakra,--whose wife, Sita, hath been carried away by thee from Janasthana. And this is Rama, who, O king, advanceth to encounter thee in conflict. And on his right side is one of the splendour of pure gold, broad-breasted, having dark curled hair--this one is named Lakshmana, ever mindful of his brother's welfare. He is versed in polity as well as warfare--the foremost of those learned in all the branches of knowledge; wrathful, invincible, victorious, powerful, conquering and strong,--the right arm of Rama and his own life going about. For Raghava he careth not for his life. He hopeth to exterminate all the Rakshasas in battle. He that stayeth occupying the left side of Rama, and surrounded by Rakshasas, is the king, Bibhishana, sprinkled as the king of Lanka by the auspicious king of kings,--he, filled with wrath, approacheth thee (for battle). And he whom thou seest staying in the middle like a firm-based mountain, the lord of all monkeys, of immeasurable prowess,--and who in energy fame, intelligence, strength, and lineage, is as superior to the monkeys as the mountain Himavan overtoppeth all the mountains, who in company with the principal monkey-leaders dwelleth in inaccessible Kishkindha hard to penetrate, and dense with trees, and difficult of access, and denying approach on account of rocks; and whose golden garland consisting of an hundred lotuses looks exceedingly elegant, which is the desire of men and gods, and where is established Lakshmi--(is Sugriva). And Rama, having slain Vali, hath conferred this garland, Tara, and the eternal monkey-kingdom on Sugriva. An hundred of an hundred thousand is called a _koti_ by the wise. An hundred of a thousand _koti_ is called a Sanku. An hundred of a thousand Sanku is known as a Mahacanku. An hundred of a thousand Mahacanku is here termed a Vrinda. An hundred of a thousand Vrinda is known as a Mahavrinda. A thousand Mahavrinda is called here a Padma. An hundred of a thousand Padma is known as a Mahapadma. An hundred of a thousand Mahapadma is termed a Kharva. An hundred of a thousand Khara is termed a Samudra. An hundred of a thousand Samudra is known as a Mahaugha. Thus backed by a thousand _koti_, and a hundred Sanku, and a thousand Mahacanku, and an hundred Vrinda, and a thousand Mahavrinda, and an hundred Padma, and a thousand Mahapadma and an hundred _kharva_, and an equal Samaudra and an equal Mahaugha,--by _kotis_ of Mahaughas--resembling the sea,--and surrounded by the heroic Bibhishana as well as his counsellors,--that Lord of monkeys, always engirthed by a mighty force, and possessed of exceeding strength and prowess, will encounter thee in battle. Observing this host, that hath presented itself, resembling a flaming planet, do thou, O mighty monarch, prepare thyself to the uttermost,--so that victory may be thine, and that thou mayst not come by discomfiture at the hands of the foe".

[76] Banians.

[77] This dislocation occurs in the original. These descriptions
generally are hardly amenable to a sound syntax.--T.