Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyana (English Translation)

Snubbing Śuka and Sārana, Rāvana expels them from his court and dispatches Śārdūla and other ogres for espionage. Captured by the monkeys, the ogres are thrashed by them and get released by Śrī Rāma. Returning to Lankā, they too speak to Rāvana about the army of monkeys.

Śuka completes the account given by Sārana.

Mentioning the names of other monkey-generals, Sārana proceeds to describe their individual valour.

Climbing up the roof of his palace on hearing the submission of Sārana and surveying the entire army of monkeys, Rāvana inquires about the monkey leadersand Sārana shows to him Hanumān and others alongwith their distinguishing marks.

On Śrī Rām having crossed over to the other side of the sea, Rāvana commands his ministers, Śuka and Sārana, to enter the enemyís ranks and tell him everything about them. Detected while doing the work of a spy, they are captured by Vibhīsana, but let go by Śrī Rām. Going back to Rāvana, they exhort the latter to hand over Sītā to Śrī Rāma.

Beholding Lanka and applauding it, nay, drawing up his army in battle array, Śrī Rāma orders the release of Śuka (a spy of Rāvana), who was captured earlier and kept under detention by the monkeys. Going back to Rāvana the ogre speaks to him about the military strength of Śrī Rāma. Infuriated by this report, Rāvana vauntingly harps on his own prowess.

Śrī Rāma speaks of evil portents to Laksmana

Seized with terror to see a missile presided over by Brahmā (the creator) fitted to his bow by Śrī Rāma in fury, and appearing in person with joined palms, the sea- god undertakes to sustain on his bosom a bridge to be constructed by Nala, and goes out of sight. Nala accordingly builds a bridge across the sea.

When the sea did not, even when requested, allow a passage to Śrī Rāma, who was keen to cross it, nor did the sea-god care to appear in person before him, Śrī Rāma discharges fierce arrows which cause a stir among the creatures inhabiting the sea and make the sea-water overflow.

Told by an ogre, Śārdūla by name, that an army of monkeys led by Sugrīva was advancing towards Lankā, Rāvana dispatched an ogre, Śuka by name, as an envoy to carry his message to Sugrīva. While commencing to deliver the message to Sugrīva, Śuka is captured by the monkeys; but Śrī Rāma causes him to be set free and he delivers the message to Sugrīva.

Falling at the feet of Śrī Rāma on coming down to the earth alongwith his ministers, when he had received an assurance of safety from Śrī Rāma, Vibhīsana submits to the former that, having been reprimanded by his eldest brother, Rāvana, he has sought refuge with him, and on being questioned by Śrī Rāma tells him everything about Rāvana.

Having heard the arguments of his counsellors, Śrī Rāma decides to accept Vibhīsana as his own.

Vibhīsana seeks the protection of Śrī Rāma and the latter holds consultation with his counsellors on the question of giving him shelter.

Annoyed to hear this advice of his youngest half-brother, Vibhīsana, which, though unpleasant to hear, was most wholesome, Rāvana, on whom it made no impression, castigates him with harsh words.

Reproaching in a language which, though harsh, was yet conformable to truth, Indrajit, who was indulging in a boastful speech, on hearing the advice of Vibhīsana, the latter repeats that concilliation of Rāma was the only opportune and salutary course.

Vibhīsana exhorts Rāvana to restore Sītā to Śrī Rāma before the latter's arrows pierced the heads of the ogres.

Advised by Mahāpārśwa to use violence against Sītā, Rāvana pleads his inability to do so because of a curse pronounced against him in the past by Brahmā, and boasts of his own valour.

Rāvana orders his Commander-in-Chief, Prahasta, to make adequate arrangements for the defence of the city and to apprise Kumbhakarna of the whole situation now that he had woken from his long slumber.

When Rāvana entered the assembly hall to hold consultations with his counsellors, other leading ogres as well as Vibhīsana follow suit.

Making his way into the palace of his eldest (half-) brother early next morning and drawing his attention to the evil portents, Vibhīsana appeals to his good sense by making a timely submission.

Restraining the ogres, who were boasting each of his own strength, Vibhīsana begins to talk wisdom, on which Rāvana retires to his own palace.

Prahasta and others reassure Rāvana by vauntingly vowing the death of Śrī Rāma and others.

Indulging in praise of their own might on hearing the command of Rāvana, all the ogres present stimulate him with confidence, asking him not to give way to despondency.

At Lankā Rāvana holds consultation with the ogres on the means of victory in the contingency of a conflict with the monkeys.

While talking with Laksmana, Śrī Rāma is reminded of Sītā and, smitten with pangs of love, gives way to grief and lamentation.