The Story of Sarama (Sarga 33-34)

Today, I am beginning the thirty-third chapter. Sarama comforts Sita, reveals Ravana’s deception, gives her the welcome news of Shri Rama’s arrival, and assures her of his victory.

Seeing Sita, the daughter of the King of Videha, overcome by bewilderment, a rakshasi named Sarama approached her as a loving friend approaches her dear companion.

Sita had fallen into great sorrow, deceived by the rakshasa king’s illusion. At that moment, the gentle-speaking Sarama comforted her with her words.

Sarama guarded Sita on Ravana’s orders. She had formed a friendship with the woman entrusted to her care. She was compassionate and firm in her resolve.

Sarama saw that her friend Sita was almost losing consciousness. Like an exhausted mare that had rolled in the dust before rising, Sita too was covered in dust from lying upon the ground, weeping and lamenting.

With a friend’s affection, Sarama reassured Sita, who faithfully observed her noble vows:

Daughter of the King of Videha, be patient. Do not allow anguish to fill your mind.

Timid one, out of affection for you as my friend, I heard everything Ravana said to you and everything you said in reply.

Large-eyed one, for your sake, I set aside any fear of Ravana and hid in a deserted, secluded place in the Ashoka grove to listen to the entire conversation. I am not afraid of Ravana.

Princess of Mithila, I also went and fully discovered why the rakshasa king hurried away from here in alarm.

Lord Shri Rama knows his own true nature and is the all-knowing Supreme Self. It is entirely impossible for anyone to kill him while he sleeps.

Such a report of the death of Shri Rama, that lion among men, does not seem reasonable.

Nor could the monkeys, who fight with trees, have been killed in this way. Just as the gods are protected by Indra, the monkeys are well protected by Shri Ramachandra.

The illustrious Rama has great, rounded arms and a broad chest. He is a mighty archer with a well-built body, renowned throughout the earth for his righteousness.

His prowess is immense. With the assistance of his brother Lakshmana, he is capable of protecting himself and others.

He understands the principles of wise conduct and belongs to a noble lineage. His strength and valour are beyond comprehension. He has the power to destroy the armies of his enemies.

Shri Rama, the destroyer of enemies, has certainly not been killed.

Ravana’s thoughts and actions are both wicked. He is cruel, deceitful, and hostile to all living beings. He used this illusion against you. That head and bow were created through his powers of illusion.

Your days of sorrow have now passed. The time for every kind of good fortune has arrived. Surely prosperity is coming to serve you.

Something dear to you is about to happen. Listen as I tell you.

Shri Ramachandra has crossed the ocean to this side, where Lanka stands, together with the monkey army. He has camped on the southern shore of the sea.

I have myself seen Shri Rama, whose purposes are fulfilled, together with Lakshmana. He is fully protected by his organised army stationed on the seashore.

All the swift-moving rakshasas whom Ravana sent have returned with the same news: Shri Raghunatha has crossed the ocean.

Large-eyed one, after hearing this news, Ravana is holding secret consultations with all his ministers.

While the rakshasi Sarama was speaking to Sita, she heard the terrible clamour of soldiers actively preparing for war.

Hearing the deep sound of drums beaten with sticks, the gentle-speaking Sarama said to Sita:

Timid one, this dreadful sound announces preparations for battle. Listen to the deep roll of the war drums, like the thunder of clouds.

The mighty elephants are being equipped. Horses are being harnessed to chariots, and thousands of horsemen can be seen holding spears.

Thousands of soldiers, armed for battle, are hurrying here from every direction.

The roads are filling with soldiers dressed in remarkable armour, moving swiftly and roaring, just as countless streams flow into the ocean.

Look at the gleam of their shining weapons, shields, and armour, which cast their brilliance in many forms.

There is great haste among Ravana’s followers—the rakshasas mounted on chariots, horses, and elephants, and the swift-moving warriors.

Their weapons shine like the blazing wildfire that burns a forest in summer.

Listen to the deep sound of the bells upon the elephants, the rumbling of the chariots, the neighing of the horses, and the sounds of the many instruments.

Ravana’s armed followers are deeply alarmed. From this, understand that a great and terrifying danger has arisen for them, while good fortune, which will remove your sorrow, is coming to you.

Your husband, the lotus-eyed Shri Rama, has mastered his anger. His prowess is beyond comprehension.

Like Indra defeating the daityas, he will defeat the rakshasas, kill Ravana on the battlefield, and recover you.

Just as Indra, the destroyer of enemies, displayed his prowess against his foes with Upendra’s help, your husband Shri Rama will display his strength and valour against the rakshasas with the assistance of his brother Lakshmana.

Once the enemy Ravana is destroyed, I will soon see you, a faithful and virtuous wife, comfortably seated in the lap of Shri Raghunatha, who will have arrived here.

Your cherished desire will soon be fulfilled.

Daughter of Janaka, when you meet Shri Rama, whose chest is broad and splendid, you will cling to him and shed tears of joy.

Lady, for many months your hair has remained in a single braid, becoming matted and hanging down to your waist. The mighty Shri Rama will soon loosen it with his own hands.

Just as a female serpent sheds its old skin, you will cease shedding tears of sorrow when you see your husband’s happy face, like the risen moon.

Princess of Mithila, Shri Rama, who deserves happiness, will soon kill Ravana on the battlefield. Having fulfilled his purpose, he will enjoy the happiness he desires with you, his beloved.

Just as the earth, watered by abundant rain, becomes green with flourishing fields, you will be filled with joy when honoured by the noble Shri Rama.

Lady, take refuge here in Lord Surya, the deity of your husband’s lineage, who moves swiftly in a circular course around the great Mount Meru, like a horse.

He is capable of bringing happiness to people and removing their suffering.

Thus ends the thirty-third chapter of the Sundara Kanda in the ancient epic Ramayana composed by Shri Valmiki.

The thirty-fourth chapter. At Sita’s request, Sarama tells her the decision reached by Ravana and his ministers.

Through her words, Sarama brought joy to Sita, who had been bewildered and distressed by Ravana’s earlier words, just as rain clouds refresh the earth scorched by the heat of summer.

Then Sarama, who understood the right moment and spoke with a smile, wished to help her dear friend Sita and said these timely words:

Dark-eyed friend, I have the courage and enthusiasm to go to Shri Rama, convey your message and news of your well-being, and then return here unseen.

Neither the wind nor Garuda can follow the speed with which I travel through the open sky.

To Sarama, who spoke in this way, Sita replied in a sweet voice filled with affection, though it had earlier been burdened by sorrow:

Sarama, you can travel everywhere, through the sky and the netherworld. I will now tell you what I need you to do for me. Listen and understand.

If you wish to do something dear to me, and if your resolve is firm, I want to know what Ravana is doing after leaving here.

Ravana, who makes his enemies weep, possesses the power of illusion. This wicked creature bewilders me just as drinking too much liquor makes a person confused and senseless.

That rakshasa is extremely frightening. Through the rakshasis, he scolds and threatens me every day and continually keeps watch over me.

I am always anxious and suspicious because of him. My mind cannot find peace. Distressed by fear of him, I came into the Ashoka grove.

If he is speaking with his ministers, keep telling me whatever they decide and whatever his settled intention is. This will be a great kindness to me.

As Sita spoke, the gentle-speaking Sarama wiped her tear-soaked face with her hand and said:

Princess of Mithila, daughter of Janaka, if this is your wish, I will go and discover the enemy’s intention, then return immediately.

Having said this, Sarama went near the rakshasa and listened to everything Ravana and his ministers said.

She heard and clearly understood that wicked creature’s decision, then quickly returned to the beautiful Ashoka grove.

Entering it, she saw Janaka’s daughter sitting in expectation of her return. Sita looked like Lakshmi whose lotus had fallen from her hand.

Sita lovingly embraced the pleasant-speaking Sarama upon her return, offered her a seat, and said:

Friend, sit here comfortably and tell me everything exactly. What has that cruel and wicked Ravana decided?

When the trembling Sita asked this, Sarama told her everything Ravana and his ministers had said:

Daughter of the King of Videha, Ravana’s mother and an elderly minister who is deeply attached to him urged him at length to release you.

They said:

King of the rakshasas, respectfully return Sita to her husband, the great Shri Rama.

The extraordinary events at Janasthana are sufficient evidence of Shri Rama’s prowess.

Even his servants possess remarkable strength. Hanuman crossed the ocean, met Sita, and killed many rakshasas in battle. What other person could accomplish all these deeds?

Despite the many arguments of his elderly ministers and his mother, Ravana has no wish to release you, just as a greedy person has no wish to give up wealth.

Princess of Mithila, he will not bring himself to release you unless he is killed in battle. This is the decision of that cruel night-roaming rakshasa and his ministers.

Death is dancing over Ravana’s head, and a desire for death has arisen within him. That is why his mind is firmly fixed on the decision not to return you.

Until he is destroyed in battle, with the slaughter of the rakshasas and his own death, he will not release you merely because he is threatened.

Dark-eyed Sita, the outcome will be that Lord Shri Rama kills Ravana on the battlefield with his sharp arrows and takes you to Ayodhya.

At that moment, a tremendous clamour arose from the entire army, mingled with the sound of war drums and conches, making the earth tremble.

Hearing that terrible roar from the monkey soldiers, the servants of Ravana who lived in Lanka lost their courage. All their movements were marked by dejection.

Because of Ravana’s wrongdoing, they could see no prospect of safety.

Thus ends the thirty-fourth chapter of the Yuddha Kanda in the ancient epic Ramayana composed by Valmiki.

The thirty-sixth chapter. Ravana rebukes Malyavan, arranges the defence of the city, and enters his inner palace.

The ten-headed Ravana was under the sway of Death. Therefore, he could not tolerate even the beneficial advice offered by Malyavan.

He became angry. His eyes rolled with indignation. Frowning, he said to Malyavan:

You have taken the enemy’s side and, claiming to speak for my benefit, have uttered harsh words harmful to me. Your words have not fully entered my ears.

Poor Rama is only a human being who has taken the help of a few monkeys. Abandoned by his father, he has sought their protection.

What special quality does he possess that makes you consider him so powerful?

I am the lord of the rakshasas and possess every kind of prowess.

After hearing your harsh words, I suspect that you either hate a hero like me, have joined the enemy, or have been encouraged by my enemies to speak and act in this way.

What learned scholar of the scriptures would speak bitter words to a powerful ruler established in his kingdom unless encouraged by the enemy?

Having brought Sita, beautiful like a lotus, from the forest, how can I now return her merely out of fear of Rama?

Within a few days, I will kill Rama, together with Sugriva and Lakshmana, surrounded though they are by millions of monkeys. You will see this with your own eyes.

Even the gods cannot stand before me in single combat. Whom, then, should Ravana fear in battle?

I may be cut into two pieces, but I cannot bow before anyone. This is a fault in my nature, and one’s nature is difficult to overcome.

If Rama has built a bridge across the ocean, what is so astonishing about it that you have become so afraid?

I make this solemn promise before you: Rama, who has crossed the ocean with the monkey army, will not return from here alive.

Seeing Ravana filled with anger and displeasure as he spoke, Malyavan felt deeply embarrassed and gave no reply.

He offered the king the appropriate blessing of victory—may the king be victorious—and, taking his leave, returned home.

Then Ravana consulted his ministers and immediately arranged the defence of Lanka.

He stationed the rakshasa Prahasta at the eastern gate to guard it.

At the southern gate, he appointed the mighty Mahaparshva and Mahodara.

At the western gate, he stationed his son Indrajit, a great master of illusion, surrounded by many rakshasas.

He then ordered Shuka and Sarana to go and guard the northern gate. Ravana told his ministers:

I too will go to the northern gate myself.

At the central military post in the city, he stationed the powerful rakshasa Virupaksha with a large force of rakshasas.

Having arranged the defence of Lanka in this way, Ravana, the foremost rakshasa, impelled by Death, considered his task accomplished.

After issuing orders for these extensive arrangements, Ravana dismissed all his ministers. Honoured by their blessings for victory, he entered his magnificent and prosperous inner palace.

Thus ends the thirty-sixth chapter of the Yuddha Kanda in the ancient epic Ramayana composed by Shri Valmiki.

Vibhishana describes to Shri Rama the arrangements Ravana has made for Lanka’s defence. Shri Rama appoints his commanders to attack the different gates.

Having reached the enemy’s territory, Shri Rama, Lakshmana the son of Sumitra, the monkey king Sugriva, Hanuman the son of the Wind God, Jambavan the king of bears, the rakshasa Vibhishana, Angada the son of Vali, Sharabha, Sushena with his fellow monkeys, Mainda, Dvivida, Gaja, Gavaksha, Kumuda, Nala, and Panasa gathered to deliberate.

Here we can see the city of Lanka, ruled by Ravana. Even all the gods together, along with the asuras, nagas, and gandharvas, would find it extremely difficult to conquer.

Ravana, the king of the rakshasas, always resides in this city.

Now let us discuss and decide upon the means of gaining victory.

When they spoke in this way, Vibhishana, Ravana’s younger brother, replied in well-formed and meaningful words:

My four ministers—Anala, Panasa, Sampati, and Pramati—entered Lanka and have now returned.

They assumed the forms of birds and went among the enemy’s forces. They saw the arrangements there with their own eyes and then came back here.

Shri Rama, I will accurately describe the arrangements for the city’s defence made by the wicked Ravana, as reported by them. Please hear everything from me.

Prahasta stands with his army at the eastern gate.

The mighty Mahaparshva and Mahodara stand at the southern gate.

Indrajit stands at the western gate, surrounded by many rakshasas. Ravana’s son is firmly stationed there with brave warriors carrying various weapons.

Ravana himself, skilled in counsel, stands watchfully at the northern gate with Shuka, Sarana, and several thousand armed rakshasas. He appears deeply anxious within.

Virupaksha stands at the central military post with a great rakshasa army carrying spears, swords, and bows.

All my ministers inspected these forces stationed at different places in Lanka and quickly returned here.

Ravana’s army contains ten thousand elephants, ten thousand chariots, twenty thousand horses, and more than ten million rakshasa foot soldiers.

They are all great warriors, endowed with strength and prowess, and fierce attackers in battle.

All these night-roaming warriors are always dear to Ravana.

Lord of the people, each of these rakshasas has a force of a million followers available for battle.

Mighty-armed one!

After reporting the news of Lanka brought by his ministers, Vibhishana introduced those rakshasa ministers to Shri Rama and had them describe the entire account once again.

Then the illustrious Vibhishana, Ravana’s younger brother, wishing to serve the lotus-eyed Shri Rama, also said:

Shri Rama, when Ravana fought Kubera, six million rakshasas accompanied him.

In strength, prowess, splendour, abundant courage, and pride, they were all like the wicked Ravana himself.

Do not allow my description of Ravana’s strength to discourage you, nor should you become angry with me.

I am not trying to frighten you. I am stirring your anger against the enemy.

You are capable of overcoming even the gods through your strength and prowess.

Therefore, by arranging this monkey army in battle formation, you will be able to destroy Ravana, who is surrounded by a vast army of elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry.

Hearing Vibhishana’s words, Lord Shri Rama gave these orders for defeating the enemy:

Let Nila, the foremost of monkeys, go to the eastern gate with a large force and confront Prahasta.

Let Angada, the son of Vali, take a great army to the southern gate and obstruct Mahaparshva and Mahodara.

Hanuman, the son of the Wind God, possesses immeasurable inner strength. Let him enter Lanka’s western gate with many monkeys.

Ravana delights in harming daityas, groups of danavas, and noble sages. His nature is vile. Strengthened by his boon, he roams throughout the worlds, tormenting their inhabitants.

Firmly resolved to kill that rakshasa king, I will attack and enter the northern gate with Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra, where Ravana himself is stationed with his army.

Let the powerful monkey king Sugriva, Jambavan the valiant king of bears, and Vibhishana, the younger brother of the rakshasa king, attack the central post of the city.

The monkeys must not assume human forms in battle. Their monkey forms will serve as our identifying mark in this war.

Among our own forces, the monkey form will be the sign by which we recognise our allies.

Only seven of us will fight the enemy in human form.

I will remain with my immensely radiant brother Lakshmana. My friend Vibhishana will be the fifth among himself and his four ministers.

Thus, the seven of us will fight in human form.

After speaking to Vibhishana in this way to accomplish his purpose of victory, the wise Lord Shri Rama decided to climb Mount Suvela.

The slopes of Mount Suvela were very beautiful, and seeing them gave him great pleasure.

Then the noble and great-hearted Shri Rama, covering the entire land with his vast army and firmly resolved to destroy the enemy, advanced towards Lanka with great joy and enthusiasm.

Thus ends the thirty-seventh chapter of the Yuddha Kanda in the ancient epic Ramayana composed by Shri Valmiki.