After delivering an eloquent discourse rich in wisdom and furnishing the team with invaluable guidance, they set forth towards the western horizon. “Though I have meticulously devised the strategy for this search, should you discover a more efficacious approach—one that is useful, valid, and beneficial—adopt it without hesitation, with the consent of your leader. For any noble endeavor, adaptability, openness, and resilience are the cornerstones. Therefore, value every observation that may fortify our mission and bring us closer to our goal.” With these words, he bid them farewell.
Now, preparing for the northern expedition, Sugreeva dispatched Sushena, the father of Tara, westward. He then turned to a warrior of unparalleled prowess, equal to Sushena in martial acumen and steeped in the lore of warfare, the illustrious Sathabali. In the presence of Rama, Sugreeva addressed him: “O hero of wisdom, take with you a hundred thousand warriors and lead the search in the north. Choose companions whose caliber matches your own. Let the sons of Yama and the council of ministers accompany you. O valiant one! The crowning jewel of the north is the mighty Himalayas, a realm where the splendor of earth and the celestial spheres converge. Here, nature has surpassed itself in artistry, adorning the land with wonders that captivate the soul. Amidst this grandeur, you must remain steadfast, for only through unwavering resolve shall we fulfill our duty to Rama and bring news of Sita’s safety.
You, above all, are adept at handling delicate matters, and your scholarly wisdom must now come to the fore. As you have often proclaimed, ‘Any assistance, however small, rendered unbidden, is true divinity; yet, to repay an immense and unparalleled debt is beyond mere words.’ Focus your energies upon our solemn charge—the search for Sita. Remember always that the venerable Rama, the noblest of men, thinks and acts only for our well-being.
Now, heed well the intricacies of your journey. You shall first pass through Mleccha, a kingdom of fierce warmongers, then proceed to Pulinda, land of formidable aggressors. From there, travel to Surasena, a domain of wealth and learned rulers, and thence to Prasthala, a land steeped in fertility, art, and brilliance. Proceed further to Bharata, a realm of invincible warriors and indomitable kings, and onward to Kuru, where the sovereigns are both scholars and masters of warfare, their ambitions boundless. Then to Madrakaka, a flourishing kingdom of intellect, and to Kamboja, where wisdom, opulence, and culture resplendently coexist. Thereafter, traverse the dominions of youthful and fierce warriors—the Yavanas, Sakas, Bahlikas, and Rushikas—whose swift and unerring combat techniques warrant caution.
Upon concluding your search in these perilous regions, advance to Paurava, a sophisticated kingdom where devotion, moral virtue, and matchless chivalry reign. This vast territory demands swiftness and keen observation. Beyond it lie the indomitable warrior clans of Tankana, China, Parama-China, Nihara, and Varada. These arduous landscapes will test your endurance. The Himalayas await beyond, where each valley and cave holds secrets unfathomable. This enchanted terrain, though captivating, must not deter you from your sacred mission.
Seek out Somasrama, where celestial beings and Gandharvas dwell in harmony. From there, journey to Mount Kala, whose blue-hued cliffs glisten with celestial ores. Its numerous caves and valleys may conceal Sita. Proceed then to Mount Sudarshana and further to Devasakha, where birds in myriad colors flock amidst bounteous fruit-bearing trees. Search its forests, groves, and the hermitages of sages. Beyond this, a vast, desolate desert stretches, bereft of life, an eerie silence pervading the air. Once you traverse this formidable expanse, Mount Kailasa shall emerge before you—a divine spectacle of pristine white peaks that shall rejuvenate your weary spirits.
Here stands the resplendent palace of Kubera, crafted by the celestial architect Viswakarma, its golden walls gleaming like floating clouds. A great lake lies nearby, its crystalline waters adorned with lotuses, where swans, herons, and cranes dance in joyous repose. Celestial maidens grace this abode, while Kubera, the illustrious son of Sage Visrava, reigns supreme as the treasurer of the heavens. Search every valley and crevice with vigilance, for Sita may be concealed here.
Beyond lies Mount Krouncha, treacherous with deep chasms and jagged cliffs. Your extraordinary prowess will be crucial in navigating this formidable terrain. Along its northern edge is the sacred Manasa region, where all desires manifest. This is a land devoid of trees, barred even to gods and demons, where only birds of divine origin dwell. Proceed with care, searching every adjoining ridge and peak.
Next, ascend the mighty Mount Mainaka, where the demon architect Maya, son of Aditi, has constructed a magnificent palace. Here, the Kimpurushas dwell sporadically. Scour every valley and precipice, for each crag may conceal vital clues. Further ahead lie the sacred plains, where the hermitages of Siddhas, Vaikhanasas, and Valakilyas stand in serene solitude. Seek their counsel, explain your mission, and humbly request their guidance.
A lake of golden lotuses, its waters teeming with swans that shimmer like tender rays of the sun, adorns this region. The divine elephant Sarvabhouma, under Kubera’s guardianship, bathes here with its consort. Beyond this oasis stretches a realm shrouded in an eerie void—devoid of sun, moon, and stars, where silence prevails. Here, sages of immense virtue, luminous like the sun, radiate their divine energies.
Upon crossing this domain, you shall encounter the Sailoda River, its banks lined with thick clusters of reeds known as Keechaka. Here, Siddhas employ bamboo rafts to navigate the waters. Beyond this river lies Uttarakuru, a land of celestial abundance, where golden lotuses and luminous gems embellish the earth. Trees bear perpetual fruit, their fragrance divine, their boughs heavy with nectar. The very air here hums with harmony, for its inhabitants know neither sorrow nor despair, reveling eternally in celestial joy.
At last, you shall arrive at the northern sea, where in its midst soars Mount Somagiri, an epitome of unparalleled beauty and mystique. This realm, though untouched by the sun’s rays, glows with the brilliance of its golden peaks. The eleven Rudras and Brahma himself, in his subtle form, reside here, suffusing the land with divine presence. Beyond this lies an unreachable expanse, even to celestial beings. Simply offer your prayers and return.
Search diligently and exhaustively, leaving no stone unturned. Should any opportunity arise beyond my instructions, trust your judgment and act accordingly. O warriors, as swift as the wind and as fierce as fire, set forth on this great mission! Your success shall be my solace, your service a tribute to Rama. Know that your valor and dedication shall be etched eternally in my heart.”
Thus, with masterful strategy and unwavering resolve, the expedition commenced. Every facet of nature’s marvels unraveled before them, each direction revealing its secrets. In the grand symphony of fate, nature, and cosmic harmony, an imperishable path of survival unfolded.
