Ram said calmly, “Lakshman, we are in our own camp. No need to draw weapons.”
“But brother, our enemy, Ravan, has an impressive spy network. And, they are well trained in conjuring various forms. You can never be too careful.”
Ram nodded his head lightly, stood up from his seat, and looked in the direction of the commotion. At that instant, a Vanara guard entered the cave with a beaming smile upon his face. He somersaulted in the air to express his happiness.
“Hanuman and his troops have returned after completing their mission! They appear to have good news.”
Cries of ‘Victory to Shree Ram! Har Har Mahadev!’ could be heard approaching the cave and growing louder. Hanuman entered with folded hands. He looked absolutely joyful.
He put his mace down and reported, “Shree Ram, I was able to swim the ocean as I found resting places on ridges and small islands. I entered Lanka in the disguise of an ape roaming around, looking for food. I located Lady Sita and assured her that you are coming to free her.”
Ram was delighted to hear the news and embraced Hanuman like a brother. He stroked Hanuman on the back several times, expressing his utmost gratitude. Hearing Sita’s name stirred several emotions in Ram’s heart.
“She is very strong. I found that she is under house arrest,” Hanuman further informed. “Lady Sita is holding on to her will power and sternly resisting Ravan’s advances. She is safe for now.” His gaze suddenly went to the floor, and he added in a low voice, “The situation could turn at any moment… she could be in danger.”
Ram frowned and his brother grabbed his sword, itching to attack Ravan right then and there.
Hanuman met Ram’s eyes again. “I noted all military installations and defenses on Lanka. One of Ravan’s brothers doesn’t support the abduction of Lady Sita. He is ready to desert and join our army when we reach the sea shore.”
Lakshman said, “It is a hedging strategy. This way, he will ensure the survival of their kind and avoid the complete destruction of Lanka in the war.”
Ram said, “That could be the reason, or he may have a genuine disagreement with Ravan. Hanuman, tell me everything about Ravan. I want to be able to visualize him. I need every minute detail.”
Hanuman nodded, “Here is a profile of Ravan. I challenged him to a fight to get a glimpse of his prowess. Ravan is a colossal man, seven feet tall, weighing close to 300 pounds. He is lighter in skin tone than the army of demons he commands. He uses his muscular chest, mighty arms, and long slender fingers to easily wield his massive mace—with the same finesse as he masterfully handles the musical instrument, Veena. He has a huge handlebar mustache, thick beard, and long, black hair. His eyes always look drunk with power and contempt, and it is apparent that his lust has overshadowed a knowledgeable soul deep inside. He wore a special helmet made from a single piece of steel that is impenetrable by design, and adorned by a huge, blue diamond. He wore a white silk dhoti with a red embroidered border and intricately carved, robust armor. Ravan is a brave warrior, lover of art and beauty, and very learned, but his lust and ego have completely dominated his very being.”
Ram listened carefully to Hanuman, trying to construct a picture of Ravan in his mind’s eye. “He sounds like a gifted warrior and a scholarly, capable person. But, because of his actions, Karma will lead to his annihilation. Hanuman, may Lord Mahadev bless you for completing this crucial task.”
“Great work Hanuman,” Sugriv praised. “We need to know as many details as possible to be successful. Only you could have accomplished this near impossible mission. We are grateful. Our own preparations are going well. We have transported rocks and small hills containing medicinal herbs to the shore of the southern ocean. We used mechanical means to cut the rock. After that, it was mostly muscle power. We employed pulleys, ropes, and huge carts driven by hundreds of Vanara, bears, and elephants for transportation. We also used chemical energy sources to help with transportation.”
Sugriv was overjoyed with their progress. He looked toward Lakshman, who he knew used to look down upon the ape-men, and said, “Good thing the scientists bred us this way isn’t it? To be of super human strength. Otherwise, Lakshman would have to fire his missiles to burn down the hills and somehow transport the charred rocks.” Sugriv’s sarcasm did not go unrecognized.
Lakshman smiled, shook his head, and acknowledged his mistake.
Sugriv said, “We have made ample arrangements for food and water for millions of Vanara, cut trees and rocks for the bridge, and transported missiles. All the ground work is done.”
“My friend Sugriv,” Ram said, “I am forever indebted to you and the Vanara. I assure you that the apes will always be treated with love and respect in this land. You have done a great job. I could not have done this without your help, bravery, and strength.” Ram hugged Sugriv warmly. The two walked out of the cave perched on the mountaintop.
The Vanara army was waiting on the plane below. Ram decided to put on some fireworks to charge up the troops. He raised his bow and fired an arrow into the sky. It was coated with explosives. In rapid succession, he shot another arrow with a fiery head. It hit the first arrow and made a thunderous sound. The technicians, who were always at the ready, saw the signal. They launched a type of missile that resembled an arrow without a head. The missile had a cylindrical metal portion containing explosives within. It made a deafening boom as it flew in the sky. Ram shot a fiery arrow precisely at the tip of the cylinder, causing it to explode. Given the distance from the ground, the impressive display was harmless. The Vanara cheered wildly as they gazed upon the dazzling show in the sky.
“Lanka, here we come to destroy you!” the apes roared. Cries of ‘Har Har Mahadev! Jai Shree Ram!’ filled the land.
The million-strong Vanara crossed three mountain ranges on their way to the southern ocean. The number of troops swelled as more fighters stationed for food supply and other duties joined the marching army. Road clearance and forward-march parties ensured safe passage of troops.
Ram, Sugriv, and Hanuman marched at the head of the army. The force was sub-divided into several groups of approximately a hundred thousand fighters, each led by a general. Lakshman led a team of special forces tasked with transporting missiles. Most of the army was unaware of their movement, which occurred mostly at night. There were more than five hundred missiles of various kinds that needed to be transported. Secrecy and the element of surprise were as important as the missiles themselves.
It was an autumn night. Hanuman was strolling through his camp to get a first-hand account of any difficulties the soldiers were experiencing. He saw a pair of soldiers were busy moving a heavy rock in the dead of the night with only torches tied to trees for light.
The Vanara said to his buddy, “For the first time, I feel as if I am fighting a war I believe in.”
His companion agreed, “I feel like I am part of something historic, something much bigger than myself. Hanuman has provided a glimpse of something beyond this body, and it feels amazing. Ram and Hanuman are great leaders and teachers. They are leading us on the righteous path. I feel energy constantly oozing inside me, tirelessly, and it feels invigorating.”
Hanuman smiled as he overheard their conversation. I am glad the morale of the troops is high, he thought and continued with his walk. Recognizing the historic nature of the war, students were embedded within the army. They noted every detail of the geography, seasons, and landscape to maintain accurate records for the posterity.
“Kindly note the seasonal changes and planetary positions,” Hanuman instructed a student from the ashram who was traveling with the army.
The student replied, “Commander Hanuman, as we march to Lanka, the sky looks clear. Venus shines brightly, Dhruva-pole star and the seven sages-Ursa Major are seen shinning. Star Trishanku, Acrux, and his companion star shine ahead of us as we march southward. The Vishakha constellation is not affected by the unfavorable influence of Saturn or Mars, however, the constellation Moola is affected by a come
t with a bright tail.”
“Excellent work,” Hanuman said. “I express gratitude for your important role in this historic event!” The student looked at Hanuman with a steady gaze, joined his palms together in Namaste to acknowledge the gesture, and got on with his work.
Hanuman remembered what the Muni had told him before the army marched toward Lanka: “In this hot and humid climate, it is difficult to preserve history through building monuments. Our plan is to compile all the details regarding Ram and this war into a grand epic. We will include all the vital information with flowery language, and tell it like a story, so that it can be transmitted for thousands of years—from generation to generation.” Hanuman clearly remembered. The Muni had gazed at the sky and added, “Only truth lasts for thousands of years. Lies do not.”
The Vanara army reached the shores of the southern ocean. The chief engineer had already picked an area with a ridge and shoals to build the bridge. They waited a few days for the low tide.
The chief engineer addressed the troops, “We will use wood from Sala, Asvakarna, Bamboo, Kutaja, Tilaka, Bilva, Saptaparna, Karnika, Mango, Asoka, and other trees to build the bridge. We have prepared long ropes to keep the structure straight. We will maintain the curvature, length, and breadth of the bridge to keep it stable for millions of Vanara to pass over.”
“What about enemy ships and their attacks?” asked a soldier.
“I will let Hanuman address that,” said the engineer.
“Don’t worry, you are safe. We have small bands of soldiers who swam to the exposed shoals and ridges. They are protecting those areas until our arrival. Our flying machine will protect the bridge from attack. We plan to finish construction within four to five days. Let us get to work!”
The Vanara shouted, “Victory will be ours! Victory to Shree Ram!”
Precisely following the plan, the bridge was built with great enthusiasm and urgency.
One of Ravan’s brothers, who was more ethical and felt isolated and cornered, had joined Ram.
After reaching Lanka, Ram addressed the army from a hilltop. “Our messenger just returned from conducting diplomatic talks with Ravan. Talks have failed. Our last attempt at peace has been rejected by Ravan. War it is!” Ram raised his bow high up in the air and pulled the string, symbolizing the onset of the war.
The entire army joined him, “War it is! Victory to Mahadev!”
“The war begins at sunrise,” Ram said. “The enemy thinks of us as silly apes, monkeys, and bears led by a forest-dweller. We need to destroy their confidence. We are on their island far away from home. We cannot support a prolonged war. We need to keep this fight brief and destroy the enemy in a short time.” Ram gestured to Hanuman.
Hanuman lifted his heavy mace off the ground, rested it on his shoulder, and announced, “The first attack will be an overwhelming one that will shake Lanka to the core and instill fear in their dark hearts. This will entice them to bring out their best warriors, weapons, and technology immediately when we are at our best—not worn out after a prolonged war. We will attack all four gates of the city simultaneously!”
“Jai Mahadev!” the entire army roared in one voice. The moment they had been preparing for all these months had finally arrived. They were eager to see it through.
Hanuman continued, “Two divisions of a hundred thousand Vanara each will attack the four gates of Lanka. Two divisions will be on reserve in the hills for reinforcement as needed.”
Sugriv stepped in. “Medical camps are on the other side of the hill, along the beach. Medicinal supplies and herbs brought in from the Himalayas have been transported from the peninsula to the island.”
Ram gestured for everyone to sit down. He led them through a deep meditation exercise. After the meditation, the ape king Sugriv exclaimed, “The fear of death has been killed from our hearts and our minds. We fight and die without fear!”
All the Vanara raised their weapons and shouted, “No fear! Victory to Shree Ram!”
And so the war began. On this, the first day of battle, unending hordes of Rakshas with arrows, maces, javelins, three-pointed weapons, chariots, and elephants poured out of Lanka in various battle formations. The Rakshas rammed full force into thousands of Vanara. The apes were arranged in formations of their own to counter the enemy tactics.
War cries and sounds of metal colliding filled the battlefield. Both sides fought valiantly. The land was quickly becoming littered with broken bones, limbs, smashed heads, and dismembered torsos. Streams of blood flowed everywhere. Weapons and chariots had been thoroughly destroyed in the battle—the debris lying amongst the carcasses of elephants and horses, Vanara and Rakshas alike. Vultures and jackals gathered for a feast. Freshly cut heads, arms, feet, and torsos moved erratically with involuntary motion. Blood flowed from wounds and loud screams of pain were heard from those who still clung to life. It was a macabre scene.
Ram, Lakshman, and Hanuman suffered from wounds all over their bodies. Their armor and weapons were soaked in blood. The city of Lanka—once enriched by Ravan’s conquests from lands far away—shuddered at the sight of death and destruction at its doorstep. Ram had taken the battle deep into enemy territory, directly at their center of power. He had kicked a powerful enemy in his gut. There was no turning back now! Only one side would survive, and the other would be completely destroyed. Forever.
The fighting stopped at the end of the first day—per the rules of warfare. Both armies returned to their camps exhausted and broken. Soldiers from both sides were busy carrying the dead to a distinguished cremation site or for burial at sea. The wounded were taken to the beach for treatment. Medics applied various herbs and painkillers to the wounds. The cool breeze provided much needed relief for everyone. The reserve ranks were now at the forefront and had circled the resting and injured soldiers in a maneuver of protection.
Suddenly, in the dead of the night, loud warning sounds from the dholak and bells were heard. Shouts and emergency signals from sentries manning watch towers spread like wild fire. The Rakshas had attacked the Vanara camp, violating the rules of warfare. They stomped upon bodies of dead soldiers, flesh and blood, to carry out the surprise raid. However, the sudden attack was successfully repelled by the vigilant Vanara guards.
Hanuman said calmly, “It shows that our strategy has worked. Lanka is shaken from day one, and in a moment of desperation, they attacked us after sunset and broke the code of battle.”
Ram nodded in agreement. He held his mighty bow high and shouted, “We continue with our offense and kill the minor leaders as soon as possible. Our leaders should not waste time fighting the enemy troops. Attack and kill their captains and generals right away. That is an order by your commander!”
Over the next two days, Lanka generals and captains were targeted and killed without reluctance. Ravan was annoyed by his losses. He blamed the ministers for their misguided strategy. He was frustrated by their incompetence. He shouted, “You good-for-nothing ministers need to be sent out to be killed in this war.”
Controlling his frustration, he nearly growled, “These monkeys and forest-dwellers want to create panic in my ranks. I have not use my best weapons and technology to protect my island from the destructive power of those weapons. I wanted to draw out this war! But this forest-dweller has forced my hand. The enemy will see the full extent of Lanka’s power now! Send my giant brother to the battlefield tomorrow. He has struck fear in enemy hearts for years. He is powerful beyond measure. He will win this war in one mighty swipe.”
The next day at dawn, powerful missiles rained from Lanka. Fully anticipating this tactic, the Vanara army fired its own missiles from high in the hills to get a precise angle and accurate shot.
An enormous man emerged from the gates of Lanka.
“What the hell is that?” yelled a Vanara soldier in panic.
The apes dropped their weapons in shock at the sight of such a monster. It was Ravan’s ten-foot-tall brother. He was sitting inside a fifty-foot-tall mechanical
device that he controlled by sheer muscle power and a series of levers and shafts. The huge skeleton was made of iron and reinforced with steel, or Ayas. The structure imitated the appearance of a man, and was coated with heat resistant materials. The metal-monster was guarded and fed with weapons by hundreds of demons that walked behind it.
There were soldiers inside the huge mechanical structure as well. It was launching a continuous torrent of javelins, axes, chakras—sharp metal discs—and arrows from various openings. Hundreds of Vanara were crushed under its heavy feet. It was an ingenuous killing machine designed by the Lanka army. It was impossible to get close enough to even attempt a counter-attack. The steel beast created havoc amongst the Vanara ranks. It seemed the only option was to flee for their lives.
Hanuman said to Lakshman, “You must deal with this surprise enemy tactic. I will make sure you don’t get flanked.”
Lakshman agreed. He attacked the monster, firing powerful arrows, but they did not make even the slightest difference in the enemy’s advances. “I need to get closer to this thing,” he yelled to his captain. As Lakshman crept closer, a javelin was shot from the monster from a great height. The blow broke his armor and pierced his shoulder, even as he tried to dodge it.
“You are bleeding,” his captain shouted. “We need to get you out of here!” He raised a flag indicating that an important soldier had been hit. Hanuman saw the flag and rushed to his aide. He formed a protective perimeter around Lakshman and removed him from the battlefield. Thousands of Vanara were slaughtered that day.
Hanuman shook his head, looked down, and said dejectedly, “A bad day for us. What are we going to do about this monster?”
Tenth Avatar Page 16
