War in Ancient India c9.s1.t1.12

c9.s1.t1.12

With favourable omens and in the Uttara Phalguni Naksatra auspicious for the march, Rāma set out with his forces towards the citadel of Laṅkā. Nila was the Nāyaka leading the vanguard and surveying the route, which lay through an undulating tract of land and which required the boldness and talents of a tried general to march through it. The march was through a region affording supplies of fruit, water and foodstuffs. Strong and well-disciplined monkey soldiers like Gaya, Gavaya, and Gavākṣa occupied the front ranks. Ṛṣabha took up the right wing, whilst Gandha and Gandhamādana held the left wing, and Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa marched in the middle. Powerful commanders like Jāmbavan and Suṣeṇa took up the command of the rear guard. Crossing rivers and marching up hill and down dale, the forces reached the shores of the ocean and encamped in three divisions. Bold and faithful monkey warriors like Mainda and Dvida served as pickets so as to give cover to the troops by patrolling, reminding us of Frederick the Great’s campaign of 1760,¹⁴ celebrated for its fine marches and manœuvres.