Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ravana
capabilities.” The messenger, Suka 25 , stood before the throne
with folded palms, and said, “Lord! I pray that you extend some
grace to me and listen calmly and with forbearance to what I say.
The very moment your brother sealed friendship with Rama he
was crowned Emperor of Lanka by him! Knowing that I reached
their camp as your messenger, the Vanaras caught hold of me
and tortured me in various ways. I swore in Rama’s name and
called upon him to save me. Therefore, they allowed me to come
away un-mutilated, with my nose and ears intact. Had I a
thousand tongues, I cannot describe the might of those Vanara
armies. What a galaxy of heroic warriors are they! There are
Vanaras of many different colours, of all ages and grades, of
gigantic stature and strength. One shakes in terror when one casts
his eyes at them. Why, even to picture them in the mind or think
about them is a terror-striking experience. Imagine the might of
that one Vanara who killed your son and reduced the City to
ashes! It is all the result of their being reflections and echoes of
the invincible might of Rama himself. Even the tiniest brat
among the monkeys becomes, by that token, a horrifying
monster. There are monkey warriors with various names, and
each of them is endowed with the strength of many herds of
elephants. Dwivida, Mainda, Nila, Nala, Angada, Vikata,
Dadhimukha, Kesari, Kumuda, Daja, Gavaksha, Jambavantha—
these are the Generals. Every one of them is equal in might and
military skill to their Ruler, Sugriva. There are hundreds of
thousands more among them, who are of equal might. Their
number is beyond calculation. Their fury and ferocity can
25
See Chapter, Hanuman - The might of the Vanara force described to
Ravana by Suka:
39