THE BATTLE BEGINS

"Sugreeva! I am filled with wonder and joy at this, your valorous exploit. But what you did was not right. It is not for a king to rush into risks. How could you suddenly and without consulting anyone take such a dangerous course?"

Sugreeva confessed his fault.

"True, it was improper to rush into battle without consulting you. But when I saw the villain who had insulted Seeta I was overwhelmed by anger and forgot my duty."

The Vaanara army surrounded Lanka on all sides in the manner laid down by Raama.

Raama sent for Angada and said to him:

"Prince! Take this message from me to Raavana. Tell him, 'Great sinner, your end is approaching. Raama waits at your fortress gate, ready for battle. Trusting to the boons of the gods, you have become proud and wicked. You have troubled the world too long and committed too many heinous sins. The time has now come for the world to be cleansed of you. If you come out into the open and fight and die in battle, your sins will be washed away and you will gain a place in the world above as a hero. But if you love your life, humbly restore Seeta to her lord and beg for forgiveness.

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