And now what is
your advice? Shall we go stright to Lanka, destroy Raavana and the Raakshasa hordes,
recover Seeta
and restore her to Raama? It is not as if we have not the strength to do this.
Single-handed I can destroy them and leave not a trace behind. And Jaambavaan too, all by
himself, can utterly destroy the Raakshasas. And so can our Prince Angada; and so can
Panasa or Neela; so can Mainda and Dwivida, the sons of Asvini. Yes, there are many among us who can slay Raavana and the Raakshasa
hordes. Indeed I proclaimed aloud in Lanka: 'I, the messenger of Raama and the minister of
Sugreeva, am come to destroy you. But while we are talking, Vaidehi, the Goddess of
purity, is there under the Simsupa tree a closely guarded prisoner pining with aching
heart for rescue. In her hour of despair, I showed myself to her, and comforted her with
the assurance of her
lord I s speedy arrival. Consider well and decide what should now be done." |
