accompanied by that host arrayed in order of battle, as if for the purpose of destroying all the worlds.  And Hanuman, the son of the Wind-god, was in the van of that host, while the rear was protected by the fearless son of Sumitra.  And surrounded by the monkey-chiefs, those princes of Raghu’s house with fingers cased in guana skin, shone, as they went, like the Sun and the Moon in the midst of the planets.  And that monkey host armed with stones and Sola and Tola trees, looked very much like a far-extending field of corn under the morning sun.  And that mighty army, protected by Nala and Nila and Angada and Kratha and Mainda and Dwivida, marched forth for achieving the purpose of Raghava.  And encamping successively, without interruption of any kind, on wide and healthy tracts and valleys abounding with fruits and roots and water and honey and meat, the monkey host at last reached the shores of the brimy sea.  And like unto a second ocean, that mighty army with its countless colours, having reached the shores of sea, took up its abode there.  Then the illustrious son of Dasaratha, addressing Sugriva amongst all those foremost monkeys, spoke unto him these words that were suited to the occasion, “This army is large.  The ocean also is difficult to cross.  What contrivance, therefore, commends itself to thee for crossing the ocean?” At these words, many vain-glorious monkeys answered, “We are fully able to cross the sea.”  This answer, however, was not of much use, as all could not avail of that means.  Some of the monkeys proposed to cross the sea in boats, and some in rafts of various kinds.  Rama, however, conciliating them all, said, “This cannot be.  The sea here is a full hundred Yojanas in width.  All the monkeys, ye heroes, will not be able to cross it.  This proposal, therefore, that ye have made, is not consonant to reason.  Besides we have not the number of boats necessary for carrying all our troops.  How, again, can one like us raise such obstacles in the way of the merchants?  Our army is very large.  The foe wilt make a great havoc if a hole is detected.  Therefore, to cross the sea in boats and rafts doth not recommend itself to me.  I will, however, pray to the Ocean for the necessary means.  Foregoing food, I will lie down on the shore.  He will certainly show himself to me.  If, however, he doth not show himself, I will chastise him then by means of my great weapons that are more blazing than fire itself and are incapable of being baffled!” Having said these words, both Rama and Lakshmana touched water[56] and duly laid themselves down on a bed of kusa grass on the seashore.  The divine and illustrious Ocean then, that lord of male and female rivers, surrounded by aquatic animals, appeared unto Rama in a vision.  And addressing Rama in sweet accents, the genius of the Ocean, surrounded by countless mines of gems, said, “O son of Kausalya, tell me what aid, O bull among men, I am to render thee!  I also