મહેન્દ્ર, હિમવત, વિંધ્ય, કૈલાસ, મંદર અને પાંડુશિખર જેવા મહાન પર્વતોની ટોચ પર વસતા વાનરો, તથા પાંચ પર્વતો પર રહેનારા—all gathered at Sugriva’s command. These monkeys, shining ever-bright like the ઉગતા સૂર્ય, lived atop પર્વતો that gleamed near the western ocean. Some resided in the abode of the sun, on mountains resembling evening clouds, and mighty monkeys sheltered themselves in the પદ્માચલ વન. There were those whose complexion was as dark as કાજળિયા વાદળ, possessing the strength of majestic હાથી, and those who dwelt on અંજના પર્વત. Some monkeys, radiant like gold, lived in vast mountain caves, others on the sloping sides of મેરુ, and some had found refuge in ધૂમ્રગિરિ. Among them were monkeys colored like the rising sun, dwelling on great red mountains, swift ones who relished honey and mead. Many inhabited delightful, fragrant forests, pleasant hermitages of ascetics, and the edges of forests everywhere. Sugriva ordered that all monkeys across the earth be swiftly brought together by any means—conciliation, gifts, and other strategies—along with the fastest among them. Those monkeys whom he had already sent were to be hastened further by dispatching more chiefs. Even those engrossed in pleasures or slow to act were to be brought quickly. Sugriva declared that any who disobeyed his command and did not arrive within ten days must be punished by death for violating the king’s order. He called for hundreds, thousands, and crores of lion-like monkeys, loyal to his command, to set out. The best monkeys, resembling clouds and mountains, covering the sky with their formidable presence, were to depart at his order. Those who knew the ways of the earth were to bring all monkeys swiftly to him. Hearing the words of Hanuman, the son of the wind-god, Sugriva sent powerful monkeys in all directions. These monkeys, swift as birds, light, and Vishnu’s stride, set out immediately. For the sake of Rama, they urged monkeys living in oceans, mountains, forests, and lakes to gather. Hearing Sugriva’s command, which was as decisive as death itself, the monkeys came, fearing his wrath. From one mountain, three crores of powerful, collyrium-dark monkeys departed towards Raghava. From the excellent mountain where the sun sets, ten crores of monkeys, shining like heated gold, set out. From Kailasa’s peaks, radiant like lions and tigers, crores and thousands gathered. Those living on fruits and roots in the Himalayas, among their crores and thousands, a thousand assembled. From the Vindhya mountains, thousands of monkey crores, fierce like Mars and dreadful in deed, descended swiftly. Those dwelling on the shores of the Milk Ocean, in tamala forests, and eating coconuts—so numerous, their count was unknown. From forests, caves, and rivers, the mighty monkey army surged forth, as if they drank up the sun’s rays. The heroic monkeys sent to hasten others reached a great tree on the Himalayan mountain. On that sacred mountain, a grand Shiva yajna had once taken place, delightful to all the gods. There, monkeys found roots and fruits born from the flow of offerings, tasting like nectar and fit for the gods. Whoever ate these divine foods was satisfied for a month. The foremost monkeys, fruit-eaters, took these divine roots, fruits, and herbs. From the sacrificial site, they brought fragrant flowers for Sugriva’s pleasure. After urging all monkeys on earth, these best of monkeys led the troops swiftly. In that very moment, the swift-moving monkeys reached Kishkindha, where Sugriva resided. Gathering all herbs, fruits, and roots, they offered them to Sugriva and said, “All the mountains, rivers, and forests on earth have been searched; all the monkeys are coming to you by your command.” Now begins the thirty-eighth sarga. Sugriva received all the gifts, comforted the monkeys, and dismissed them. After sending away those thousands who had fulfilled their tasks, he felt accomplished, as did mighty Raghava. Then Lakshmana, delighting Sugriva—the greatest and most powerful among monkeys—spoke respectfully: “If it pleases you, gentle one, let us depart from Kishkindha.” Sugriva listened to Lakshmana’s well-spoken words.