All at once, the great hosts of monkeys surged forward with the speed and eagerness of well-trained horses urged on by their masters. At the heart of this mighty assembly shone Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the two noblest of men, surrounded on all sides by the valiant vanaras. As the army pressed ahead, the presence of these two heroes was like the moon and sun graced by attendant planets, their glory magnified by the company of the monkey king Sugrīva and the devoted Lakṣmaṇa. With righteousness as his nature, Rāma led his vast force southward. Lakṣmaṇa, drawing near with Aṅgada, spoke words full of meaning and encouragement. “Swiftly will you slay Rāvaṇa, recover Sītā, and return to Ayodhyā with your purpose fulfilled,” he said, his voice filled with hope and conviction. “Your aim accomplished, O Rāghava, you will return to Ayodhyā prosperous and complete, for great auspicious signs appear both in the heavens and on earth.” Lakṣmaṇa continued, his gaze lifted to the sky and all around: “Every omen is favorable for the attainment of your goal. A gentle, pleasing wind comforts our army. The animals and birds utter sweet, melodious sounds; the quarters are clear, and the sun shines unblemished in the sky. Uśanā, the sage of the Bhārgava line, has gone before you in radiant light. The pure constellation of Brahmā and the brilliant great sages seem to circle and bless you.” He pointed to the heavens: “Triśaṅku, the royal sage, shines spotless with his priest. Our ancestor, the great-souled progenitor of the Ikṣvāku line, stands before us. The Viśākhā constellation gleams undisturbed—this is the supreme star for us, the great Ikṣvākus. The constellation of the Nairṛtas is afflicted, and Mūla is shadowed by Mūlavat and smoked by a comet—these are all omens of destruction for the Rākṣasas. The afflicted constellations now belong to those seized by death.” Lakṣmaṇa’s words were filled with hope: “The gods are pleased, the waters run clear, and the forests are heavy with fruit. Sweet fragrances float on the air, and the trees blossom in their season. Our assembled monkey armies shine like the celestial hosts of the gods in their battles with the demons. Seeing all this, noble one, you should be pleased.” Thus, consoled and inspired by his brother’s joyful words, Rāma pressed on. The monkey host, vast as the earth itself, moved forward in a great tide. Bears, monkeys, and mighty leaders, armed with claws and fangs, stirred up clouds of dust with their hands, feet, and toes. The immense army spread across the southern land, covering mountains, forests, and even the sky, so dense that the world seemed hidden and the rays of the sun were blocked. Like a mass of clouds sweeping across the heavens, the formidable host advanced, spanning many leagues as they went. All the rivers seemed to flow in reverse, and the clear lakes and tree-covered mountains passed beneath their march. The army entered level plains, fruit-laden forests, moving through, around, and across every terrain. Having covered the whole earth, they pressed on with joyful faces, swift as the wind itself. For the sake of Rāghava, the monkeys displayed their joy, valor, and boundless strength to one another. Proud in their youth, they performed feats along the way—some darted ahead, others leapt high into the air. The forest-dwelling monkeys made loud noises, shook their tails, and struck the ground with their feet. Some brandished their arms, others broke mountains and trees, while those accustomed to the mountains climbed their peaks. Some let out mighty roars, others whistled, and many trampled down thickets with the power of their thighs. Stretching and showing their prowess, they played with rocks and trees, and by hundreds of thousands and millions, the earth was filled with these fierce and splendid vanaras. Day and night, the great monkey army moved on, all delighted, eager for battle, and intent on rescuing Sītā. Protected by Sugrīva, they hurried forward, never pausing even for a moment. In time, they reached Mount Sahya, a place crowded with trees and rich with many forests, and began to ascend its slopes. As they traveled onward, Rāma gazed with wonder at the forests and flowing streams of the Sahya and Malaya mountains. The vanaras broke branches from campaka, tilaka, mango, ashoka, sinduvāra, tiniśa, and oleander trees, as well as ankola, karañja, fig, banyan, jambū, amalaki, and nipa. On the beautiful rocky slopes, the force of the wind stirred the forest trees, showering flowers upon them. A gentle breeze, cool as sandalwood, blew through the honey-scented forests, accompanied by the humming of bees. The mountain king was adorned with minerals, and dust from these minerals, stirred by the wind, was scattered all around. The vanara army was covered on every side by blossoming trees along the delightful mountain slopes. Ketaki, sinduvāra, charming springtime flowers, fragrant mādhavi, and blooming kundagulma adorned the scene. Ciribilva, madhūka, vañjulā, bakula, rañjaka, tilaka, nāga, mango, pāṭalika, kovidāra, muculinda, arjuna, śiṃśapā, and kuṭaja trees were all in full bloom, filling the air with color and fragrance as the great army pressed onward toward their fateful battle.