Sugriva Challenges Ravana

Sugriva Challenges Ravana

As soon as the sun rose, Rama carefully observed the city and was struck by its beauty. And there, at the top of the tallest tower, Rama saw Ravana’s ten heads. It was him, himself.

As they watched, Sugriva could not contain his fury and, without consulting anyone, took a prodigious leap and attacked Ravana from above. Quick as an eagle, hitting him with a mighty slap, he threw the imperial diadem to the ground. Provoked, Ravana tried to fight back, but Sugriva, bouncing like a ball, escaped from his hands and returned to Rama.

Rama scolded him severely.

“Don’t be so impulsive. If you’d been taken prisoner you’d have compromised the success of our mission.”

But he was pleased with the demonstration of courage that Sugriva had given.

Rama thought of making one last attempt to avoid the war and resolve everything peacefully. He sent Angada as ambassador to try to convince Ravana, but it was all in vain. Carried away by his own destiny, now written in clear letters, Ravana refused any discussion. He even tried to have Angada imprisoned, but she managed to escape and return to Rama.

Sri Rama Candra, born on earth to destroy the wicked Raksasa, understood that there was nothing else to do but to fulfill his task. The only solution was war. 

He then gave the order to complete the siege of Lanka. Within the city, there was a great ferment of preparations for war.