Upon securing his safety with a dignified response from the noble Lakshmana, Sugreeva, the king of the Vanaras, summoned the mighty Hanuman. With due consideration of the shifting tides and the wisdom gained from experience, he revised his decree, adapting it to the formidable challenge posed by Ravana, the tyrant of Lanka.
The counsel of the sagacious Tara weighed upon him, compelling him to marshal every resource in the service of Rama. With unwavering resolve, Sugreeva proclaimed:
“O valiant one! Gather the legions stationed upon the hallowed peaks of Mahendra, Himavat, Vindhya, Kailasa, and Mandara. Summon the battle-hardened hosts that dwell upon the ocean plains of the east, basking in the Sun’s tender glow, and call forth the fierce warriors of the western shores, who humbly offer their prayers at dusk for the Sun’s return.
Those who make their abode upon Mount Aditya Bhavan are stalwart fighters and the warriors of Padmachala, unmatched in valor, each possessing the strength of a hundred elephants—ensure their swift arrival. The mighty and shadowed clans of Anjanadri, the golden swift-fliers of Mount Meru, the keenest minds and swiftest wings of Dhumragiri and Maharuna—all these must assemble without delay.
Hanuman, with your wisdom, discretion, and skill, let these summons bear fruit in due time. Beyond the forests and caves, in the deep recesses of the earth, sixty lakhs of warriors of extraordinary brilliance and renown must also be present. Those who have already been sent forth must hasten their return. The complacent and indifferent shall stand before me at once. As I have revised my decree, all must gather within ten days.
Should any fail to heed this command, let them meet their fate. The time allotted is ample, ensuring even the most arduous of journeys may be completed. Hence, our decree is just, and noncompliance shall be deemed a violation of the royal edict, met with due punishment. Let the myriad clans under my rule obey my command and converge as a mighty force, vast as the heavens, darkening the Sun and Moon in their flight.
Dispatch the swiftest messengers, well-versed in all paths, to guide those from distant lands along the shortest routes. The word of the king must be carried forth and enacted without delay.”
Thus, with great care and precision, Hanuman carried out Sugreeva’s orders. The Vanara warriors, adept at traversing the skies like birds, ascended with unmatched speed. They roused the denizens of the oceans, mountains, lakes, and rivers, setting them in motion.
The call of Sugreeva, likened to the decree of Yama himself, echoed to every corner of the earth, summoning all to Kishkindha. From the dark and gleaming clans of the mountain dwellers, numbering three crores, to the golden legions of the western peaks, ten crores strong—each heeding the summons with urgency. From Kailasa, lion-hearted Vanaras, undefeated and divinely blessed, a thousand crores arrived. An equal number descended from Himavat’s towering heights. From the red-hued Vindhya, akin to the planet Mars, a hundred crores marched forth.
From the celestial oceans of milk, where divine beings dwell, arrived an uncountable host, known for their acrobatic feats and celestial origin. Great and powerful carnivorous clans, as if they could devour the Sun itself, descended in endless waves.
The envoys, having delivered their summons, converged at Mount Himavat, where they beheld a sacred tree, the site of offerings made to Lord Shiva during divine yajnas. Scattered around were remnants of these holy oblations, sanctified by sages’ blessings—food that, once consumed, would sustain one for an entire month. Knowing this, the warriors partook of the divine offering, rejuvenating their strength before swiftly returning, even before those they had summoned arrived. They reported to Hanuman, who, in turn, informed Sugreeva of those who had already reached Kishkindha and those still en route.
Bearing gifts from their leaders as tokens of loyalty and reverence, the assembled warriors filled Sugreeva’s heart with joy. With satisfaction, he dispatched fresh orders, confident that his mission to locate Sita was advancing as ordained.
Then, with utmost reverence, Lakshmana addressed Sugreeva, saying:
“O noble king, steadfast and true, if it pleases you, let us now go forth and meet Rama.”
With humility, Sugreeva replied:
“I stand ever in your service.”
He dismissed the women of his court to the inner chambers and signaled his warriors to approach. Calling for his royal palanquin, he ascended it alongside Lakshmana, borne aloft by swift and powerful bearers. The court’s blessings resounded as a royal umbrella shaded him, and fans waved gently in the air. Conches and drums heralded his procession, while a retinue of armed Vanaras flanked him on all sides.
Thus, they arrived before Rama. Sugreeva and Lakshmana descended, appearing as twin Suns touching the sacred mount. Folding their hands in deference, they stood before him, their warriors gathered in solemn ranks behind them.
Gazing upon the assembled hosts, Rama, likening them to lotus buds filling a vast lake, felt content. Sugreeva, bowing, touched Rama’s feet, and the noble prince embraced him with affection and respect.
Then Rama, the embodiment of virtue, spoke:
“O Sugreeva, a true king balances duty, virtue, and prosperity. He who forsakes righteousness and indulges in idle pleasures is like one who slumbers upon a tree’s bough—heedless until he falls to the ground. A king’s worth lies in safeguarding his allies and vanquishing his foes. Such a ruler alone is fit to reap the fruits of Dharma, Artha, and Kama. Now is the time for action, as we have agreed. Confer with your ministers, and let us proceed without delay.”
With humility, Sugreeva responded:
“O Rama, your strength and wisdom surpass even that of the Creator. It is by your grace that I have reclaimed my throne, my wealth, and my beloved. If I do not repay my debt to you, I shall be a violator of Dharma itself. O slayer of the wicked, thousands of envoys have gathered warriors from every realm—forests, caves, oceans, rivers, plains, villages, islands, and divine realms. They are of celestial birth, endowed with godly might, and no corner of the universe shall remain unsearched. Should battle be required, they can shatter any foe, be they demons or specters, yet they remain ever obedient to their sovereign, never seeking power for themselves.”
He continued:
“Still more formidable forces approach—bears, sea-flyers, and shape-shifters of wondrous speed. Their numbers defy count, surpassing even the legions of the demon world. The calculations of their ranks ascend beyond comprehension: from lakhs to crores, from sanku to arbuda, from madhyama to samudra, until they reach countless padarthas. This multitude stands at your command, ready to crush the wicked forces of Lanka and restore Sita to your side.”
Hearing this, Rama’s eyes gleamed like lotus petals in full bloom. The convergence of strategy, commitment, and unyielding force signified not merely a search, but a battle for cosmic justice—a final reckoning between righteousness and the tyranny of Ravana. The balance of the universe itself stood poised for re