Sri Rama releasing Shuka and Shardula

(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 23 to 30)

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama releasing Shuka and Shardula, the spies of Ravana.

• Sri Rama seeing portents of destruction: Sri Rama described to Lakshmana various portents of great destruction and asked the army to be divided into battalions. Winds were blowing with dust. Earth was trembling. Mountain peaks were shaking. Trees were falling down. Clouds of dirty color were showering drops of blood. Evening twilight was red like red sandalwood. Wild animals were roaring with great fear. Moon was having a black and red halo. The solar disc was having a dark stain. Stars were enveloped with dust. Crows, eagles and vultures were flying at a low height. The jackals were howling. Sri Rama decided to attack Lanka that moment itself.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 23)

• Sri Rama dividing the army into battalions: Sri Rama entered Lanka and heard the battle sound of kettledrums. The vanaras drowned that sound with the sound of their own roar. Sri Rama described the beauty of Lanka to Lakshmana and then divided the army of vanaras into battalions. He positioned Angada and Nila at the center. He positioned Rishabha at the right. He positioned Gandhamadana at the left. He positioned himself and Lakshmana at the front. He positioned Jambavan, Sushena and Vegadarshi in the belly-position. He positioned Sugreeva at the rear side.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 24)

• Sri Rama releasing Shuka as the messenger of Ravana: Sri Rama then released Shuka as the messenger of Ravana. Shuka trembling with fear reached Ravana. He reported that Rama has come to Lanka with a huge army of vanaras by building a bridge. He told Ravana that the only options now were either to restore Sita or be ready for a combat. Ravana in anger said that he will not restore Sita and teach a lesson to Rama with his arrows.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 24)

• Ravana sending Shuka and Sarana to gauge the strength of the enemy: Ravana then sent Shuka and Sarana to gauge the strength of the enemies. He told them to report the key ministers and generals in the army and their striking power. Shuka and Sarana entered the army of Rama in the guise of vanaras. Vibhisana recognised and captured them, and produced them before Sri Rama. They trembled with fear and confessed that they were sent by Ravana to know about the army of Rama. Sri Rama smiled and said whether they have properly executed their task; and if so they may go. Else Vibhisana can show them what is remaining. Sri Rama gave the message to Ravana to display that force of him by which he had abducted Devi Sita. Sri Rama said that tomorrow at day break he will attack Lanka. Shuka and Shardula returned to Ravana and said that the army of Rama is unconquerable and suggested Ravana to return Sita.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 25)

• Ravana seeing the huge army of vanaras: Ravana said that he will not give back Sita even if attacked by celestials and demons. He then ascended to the roof of the palace along with his spies and saw that Lanka was completely filled with the army of vanaras. Ravana then asked the spies about the key army generals. Sarana pointed to valiant Angada the crown prince and son of Vali, Nala the builder of the bridge, Sweta the clever and powerful, Kumuda the ruler of the mountain region Ramya, Rambha who dwells in the Krishna and Sahya mountains of the Vindhya region, Sarabha who dwells in the Salveya mountain, Panasa who dwells in the Pariyatra mountain, and also Vinata, Krathana and many others, each of whom wields a huge army. Sarana pointed out Dhumra (bear) who dwell in the Rikshavanta mountain, Jambavan, Dambha who dwell in the Sahasraksha mountain, Samnada who fought even with Indra, Krathana, Pramathi who dwells in the Mandara and Ushirabija mountain and is a terror to wild elephants, Gavaksha, Kesari who dwells in the Kanchana mountain, Shatabali, Gaja, Gavaya, Nala, Nila and many others who are devoted to Sri Rama and do not have fear of death. Shuka then pointed out Mainda, Dwivida, and exceedingly powerful Hanuman who can change his form at will. Shuka then pointed out Sri Rama and Lakshmana, and Vibhisana, and Sugreeva, and their army consisting of crores of vanaras. Ravana became angry with Shuka and Sarana who praised the strength of enemies and told them to stay out of his neighbourhood.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 26 to 29)

• Sri Rama releasing spy Shardula: Ravana then sent more spies under the leadership of Shardula to know more about the enemies. Those spies saw Rama and Lakshmana on the neighbourhood of Suvela mountain. They became afraid seeing the huge army of vanaras. Vibhisana recognised the spies and captured them. The vanaras tortured the spies but Sri Rama released them out of kindness. Shardula went back to Ravana and reported that Rama and Lakshmana are camping on the vicinity of the Suvela mountain. Shardula informed that nothing can be found by interrogating the vanaras. Ravana asked about the key vanaras who are powerful. Shardula points out Sugreeva, Hanuman, Sushena, Dadhimukha, Sumukha, Durmukha, Vegadarshi, Nila, Angada, Mainda, Dwividha, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha and Gandhamadana. Shardula then pointed out Rama and Lakshmana and Vibhisana.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 29 to 30)

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