Council of War
Planning the Invasion of Lanka
Rama joins his generals - Sugriva, Hanuman, Angada, Jambavan, and others - to plan the invasion of Lanka. The council debates how to cross the ocean and finds no answer, so the crossing waits for the shore. It organizes the army and plans how to face Ravana's formidable forces, with Hanuman's intelligence from Lanka shaping the strategy.
The War Council Assembles
Sugriva's great hall fills with the commanders of the vanara army.
They come from every corner of the alliance: bear-kings from the mountains, monkey chiefs from the forests, commanders who trace their lineage back to the dawn of time. The air hums with suppressed energy - these warriors have waited for this moment.
Rama takes his place beside Sugriva, Lakshmana at his left hand. Before them spreads a cloth map of the known world, marking Kishkindha in the north and Lanka in the south, separated by the vast blue expanse of ocean.
"Commanders," Sugriva begins, "the Lady Sita has been found. She waits in Lanka. We have perhaps six weeks before Ravana's deadline. Today we plan how to reach her, how to defeat her captor, and how to bring her home."
The Ocean Problem
The first challenge dominates all others.
"A hundred yojanas of sea," says Nila, commander of Sugriva's main force. "Some of us can swim, but not all, and not that far carrying weapons. Hanuman can leap it, but he cannot carry an army on his back."
Jambavan strokes his ancient beard.
"In my youth, I could have leaped it myself. But those days are past. I can swim a great distance, but even I would be exhausted before reaching Lanka. And exhausted warriors are defeated warriors."
Angada speaks: "Could we build boats? We have forests of timber."
"Time," Hanuman responds. "To build enough boats for our forces would take months we don't have. And the ocean is not calm - storms would scatter any fleet."
Rama listens to the debate, his expression thoughtful.
Hanuman's Intelligence
"Before we solve the crossing," Rama says, "let us understand what we cross to face. Hanuman, tell us of Lanka's defenses."