In the exalted rank of virtue, standing as the apostle of courage, Rama embraced Sugreeva and spoke:
“O terror of wrongdoers and gentle king! You stand among the ranks of Indra, who never fails to send rains and keep the earth fertile; of the Sun, who forever dispels darkness from the sky; and of the Moon, whose presence renders the heavens clear and pleasant. Unfailingly, you ensure the happiness of your friends. O fair and noble Sugreeva, it is no wonder that you accomplish such monumental feats with ease. Ever truthful in word and deed, you are my most trusted ally. Together, we shall vanquish our foes in battle. With your good heart and remarkable ability, you are indeed the one to aid me.
Long ago, the demon Anuhlada, through deceit, abducted Sachi Devi from her father, only to be slain by Indra, who restored her to her rightful place. Likewise, Ravana has stolen Sita and must face his due punishment.”
As they conversed, the sun blazed fiercely, raising a storm of dust that veiled the sky like thick monsoon clouds. The very earth trembled, forests shuddered, and the atmosphere grew heavy with unease. Then, as the dust settled, mighty simian warriors of formidable size, resembling mountains, arrived in great multitudes. Their innumerable leaders, each followed by a vast retinue, emerged from mountains, forests, rivers, and oceans—each bearing diverse talents, unparalleled combat prowess, and astonishing agility.
Among them, the mighty warrior Satabali led a vast force, greeting Sugreeva with unwavering readiness. Next came the towering and dignified father of Queen Tara, surrounded by a legion of warriors. The swift and strategic father-in-law of Sugreeva, father of Ruma, followed, bringing legions of trained combatants numbering in the crores.
Kesari, the unblemished warrior, father of the learned and valiant Hanuman, arrived with his vast monkey battalions, celebrated for their fighting skill and sagacity. Gavaksha, the fierce and strategic leader of lion-tailed simians, led his swift and deadly troops. Dhumra, the slayer of foes, brought forth two crore bear warriors, while the bold and daring Panasa arrived with three crore fighters, each ready for battle.
The black-hued Neela, chief of swift and heroic warriors numbering ten crores, stood proud. Gavaya, strong as Mount Meru, commanded five crores, while the mighty Darimukha, fierce in battle, led ten crores of soldiers. The celestial-born Mynda and Dwivida, sons of the Ashwini gods, joined the ranks, bringing with them an elite force. Gaja, renowned for his strength and skill, stood alongside three core warriors. The indomitable Jambavan, who had circumnavigated the earth twenty-one times, arrived with ten crores of battle-ready fighters.
Gandhamadana, a leader of immeasurable might, led ten crores of warriors, while Angada, the worthy son of Vali, marched at the head of an army whose strength surpassed all. The luminous and formidable Tarana joined with five crore troops, his presence akin to a blazing constellation. Indrajanu, chief of an untiring and energetic mountain force, arrived with his unyielding warriors, followed by Rambhau, who led five crore undefeated troops. Durmukha, commander of both mountain and plain warriors, brought an additional two crores, while Hanuman led a contingent of massive warriors from the Himalayan ranges. Nala, the gifted strategist and warrior, marched with ten crores of fighters, while Darimukha, renowned for his valor, joined with equal numbers.
The skies darkened with the flight of warriors, their forms blotting out the sun, their numbers beyond reckoning. They stood before Sugreeva in humble reverence, some bowing low, others standing proudly by his side. Knowing the gravity of their task, Sugreeva introduced each warrior, recounting their skills and past victories. Then, addressing them with solemnity, he spoke:
“O valiant warriors! I deeply appreciate your unwavering loyalty and sense of duty. Your skills and past achievements are known to me. I command each division leader to arrange their troops in formation so that Rama may gauge their strength and capabilities by the demands of war.”
Then, turning to Rama, Sugreeva said, “These warriors, adept in land, water, and mountain warfare, stand ready before you. Each is bound by my command and shall follow your every order. O Rama, guide us in what must be done.”
Hearing this, Rama, son of Dasaratha, embraced Sugreeva and spoke: “O wise and mighty king! Seek first the knowledge of Sita’s whereabouts and the dwelling of Ravana. Once we ascertain her safety and Ravana’s domain, we shall determine our course of action. You alone possess the means to lead this search. Your wisdom, valor, and strategic mind are unmatched. Issue your orders as needed, for you are our most trusted ally.”
Sugreeva, in turn, summoned Vinatha, a warrior of thunderous voice and mountainous strength, before Rama and Lakshmana. “O, peerless leader of your clan! Your intelligence, strategic mind, and swift execution of tasks are well known. Choose warriors as swift as the Sun and Moon, numbering a hundred thousand, and search the eastern lands. Leave no stone unturned—explore mountains, caves, forests, and rivers. Seek Sita’s presence in every hidden corner, from the sacred Ganga and Saraswati to the mighty Sindhu and Yamuna. Scour the kingdoms of Videha, Malava, Kasi, Kosala, and Magadha. Let no terrain remain unsearched, be it silver-rich Kosakara or the dense jungles of the Brahmamala.
“Beware, for in the depths of the ocean lie formidable beings—some earless, some with iron-like faces, others with a single limb, and those with heads stretching skyward to perceive distant lands. Ferocious clans of cannibals dwell here, as do golden-hued fish-eaters. Proceed with caution. Beyond these lands lie vast archipelagos: Yavadvipa, Swarna Dweepa of golden deposits, and Rajata Dweepa of gleaming silver. Search every cavern, every palace, every hidden refuge.
“In the ocean’s embrace lies the fabled Mandara Mountain, its shores kissed by red waters where celestial beings revel. Beyond it stretches Mahadadhi, haunted by monstrous serpents, followed by the fierce and tumultuous Lohitha waters. Cross these, and you shall find the divine dwelling of Garuthmantha, the abode of the great eagle built by Vishwakarma himself. Search the hanging mountains where the mighty Mandehas dwell, their lives tethered to the Sun’s embrace. Seek Sita in the celestial realms of Sudarshana, where the Vykanasa and Valakhilya sages reside. Beyond lies the ocean of milk and the sacred Mount Vrishabha, where golden lotuses bloom in Sudarsana Lake, surrounded by swans of unparalleled grace.
“Cross the dark and terrible seas where the cursed Aswamukhi roams, feeding upon light and water. Navigate the realms of fire and devastation, and seek beyond, where the golden Jathasila stands, home to the thousand-hooded Adisesha. Pray before him, for he sustains the world. Search the gleaming Mount Udaya, where the Sun first rises, its peaks bathed in gold. Beyond lies the domain of the gods, where mortals may not tread.
“This is the easternmost boundary of our search. You must return within thirty days, bearing news of Sita. Delay beyond this shall not be tolerated. Go forth, search diligently, and return victorious!”
Thus, Sugreeva, with his vast knowledge of the world, orchestrated the grand mission. Now, the fate of the quest rested upon the swift and daring pursuit of his warriors.