At Ravana’s command, his spies hastened to his presence, standing before the lord of the rakshasas with joined palms, offering their blessings for his victory. Ravana, ever the vigilant and mighty king of the rakshasas, addressed these loyal, courageous, and steadfast agents. “Go forth from here,” he instructed them, “and discern Rama’s intentions. Seek out those who are close to him by affection and privy to his counsel. Observe how he sleeps, how he keeps watch, and what he plans for this day—learn all this thoroughly and return without omitting a single detail.” He reminded them, “When an enemy is discovered by spies, wise rulers of the earth, by exerting little effort in battle, can confront and defeat him.” The spies accepted his command with a respectful “So be it,” honored Ravana by circling him clockwise with a tiger placed before them, and then departed on their mission. Making their way to the Suvela mountain, they concealed themselves nearby and observed Rama and Lakshmana together with Sugriva and Vibhishana. As they surveyed the vast army, the spies grew uneasy with fear. Their presence, however, did not escape the notice of the righteous Vibhishana. By chance, Vibhishana seized one of the rakshasa spies, declaring, “This one is wicked.” When the monkeys moved to kill the captive, Rama, moved by compassion, intervened and released him, as well as the other rakshasas who had been caught. Harassed by the swift and valiant monkeys, the spies, now panting and bewildered, made their way back to Lanka. Now begins the thirtieth chapter of the Yuddha Kanda, as told in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana. The spies returned to Ravana and informed him that Rama, with his steadfast army, was encamped on Suvela mountain. Hearing from them that the mighty Rama had arrived, Ravana grew somewhat anxious and turned to Shardula, one of his spies. “Your appearance is not as it should be,” Ravana said, “and you seem dejected, night-walker. Surely you have not fallen into the hands of angry enemies?” Thus prompted, Shardula, the tiger among rakshasas, spoke slowly, trembling with fear. “O King, the foremost of the monkeys cannot be made to wander; they are valiant, powerful, and protected by Raghava. Nor is it possible to converse with them or make inquiries. The path is guarded on all sides by monkeys as mighty as mountains. As soon as I entered and was noticed in the army, I was seized by the rakshasas and subjected to much scrutiny. I was struck severely by the monkeys with knees, fists, teeth, and palms, and was dragged about in the midst of the army by those relentless ones. Dragged everywhere, I was brought before Rama’s assembly, my body streaming with blood, weakened, and my senses reeling. While being beaten by the monkeys, I pleaded with joined palms; by chance, I was spared by Raghava, who said, ‘Do not [kill] him.’ “Here is Rama, armed and standing at the gate of Lanka after filling the great ocean with mountain rocks and slabs. Having assumed the Garuda formation, surrounded on all sides by monkeys, the mighty Rama, letting me go, now advances straight to Lanka. Before he reaches the rampart, quickly choose one thing: either promptly return Sita or grant battle.” Hearing this report, Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, considered his words and then declared, “Even if the gods, Gandharvas, and Danavas fight against me, I will not give up Sita, not even out of fear of all the worlds.” Having spoken thus, the mighty Ravana continued, “You have observed the army; who among these monkeys are the heroes? What is their radiance, what are they like, gentle one? Who are these monkeys who are hard to withstand? Whose sons and grandsons are they? Tell me the truth, O rakshasa. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses, I will act accordingly. Surely, anyone desiring battle must take account of their numbers.” Thus addressed, Shardula began to recount what he had seen: “Here is the son of Arka and Rajasa, unconquerable in battle, and here, O King, is Jambavan, famed as the son of Gadgada. Another son of Gadgada is here, the preceptor’s son of Shatakratu, by whose son alone a massacre of rakshasas was wrought. Here too is Sushena, righteous and mighty, son of Dharma; and here, O King, is Dadhimukha the monkey, gentle, son of Soma. Here are Sumukha and Durmukha, and the swift-moving monkey Vegadarshi; surely Death himself has been created by the Self-born, taking the form of a monkey. Here is Nila, the commander of the army, the son of the fire-god; and here, renowned as the son of the wind-god, is Hanuman. Here is Angada, the indomitable and mighty youth, grandson of Indra; and both Mainda and Dvivida, powerful sons of the Ashvins. Then, five sons of Vaivasvata, fierce as Death at the end of time: Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha, and Gandhamadana. And ten crores of valiant monkeys, eager for battle; the rest, illustrious sons of the gods, I am unable to recount.” Thus did the spy describe the mighty host that stood ready to confront Ravana, as the great conflict drew near.