- and appointed generals, each capable of doing a competent job. They then summoned all the company commanders together, and bringing the Lord’s might home to them, issued their orders, hearing which the monkeys rushed forward roaring like lions.

Joyfully they first bowed their heads at Rama’s feet, and with mountain peaks in their hands, all the heroes sallied forth, roaring and leaping, bears and monkeys all, and shouting, ‘Victory to Raghubira, king of Kosala!’

Though they knew that Lanka was a most impregnable stronghold, on the monkeys went undismayed in the might of their Lord, Rama. Encompassing all the four quarters like a mass of clouds spreading over the horizon on all sides, they made martial music of drums and kettledrums at their mouths.

‘Victory to Rama! Victory to Lakshmana! Victory to Sugriva, lord of the monkeys!’ Thus roared the monkeys and bears, unequalled in their great valour, like so many lions.

Lanka became a scene of loud uproar. When the arrogant Ravana heard it, he said with a smile, ‘Look at the impudence of these monkeys!’ and summoned his demon host.

‘The monkeys have come at the instance of Doom and all my demons are hungry. God has provided them with a meal, without their going abroad to seek it. So saying, the fool burst into a loud guffaw.

Sally forth in every direction, champions all; and wherever you find the bears and monkeys seize and devour the lot!’ Ravana’s conceit, (Uma, said Shiva,) was as great as that of the sandpiper which sleeps with its legs in the air (and thinks they help to support the sky).