“Each of these monkeys is as mighty as Sugr¶va (the king) and there are tens of millions like them; who can dare count them? By the grace of Ýr¶ RŒma they are unequalled in strength and reckon the three spheres of creation as of no more account than a blade of grass. I have heard it said, RŒva˜a, that the commanders of the various monkey-troops alone number eighteen thousand billions. In the whole host, my lord, there is not a single monkey who would not conquer you in battle. They are all wringing their hands in excess of passion; but the Lord of the Raghus does not order them (to march).” ‘We shall suck the ocean dry with all its fish and serpents or fill it up with huge mountains. Nay, we shall crush the ten-headed RŒva˜a and reduce him to dust.’ Such were the words that all the monkeys uttered. Fearless by nature, they roared and bullied as if they would devour La˘kŒ. (1—4)