Saturday 30 August 2014

194. Angada tries to find the vanara who can cross the ocean.

          Those happy vanaras who were motivated and energized by the kingly eagle Saampaati moved happily towards the southern ocean. They could not contain their happiness ipso facto they were jumping and screaming with joy.
      On reaching the northern side of the southern ocean those vanaras camped there.
          On seeing the ocean the vanaras seemed completely mesmerized. They found that ocean uproarious with its tides and  gigantic waves. Almost all the vanaras were looking at the ocean with their mouths wide-opened.
        Somewhere that ocean seemed as though sleeping well, and somewhere else it looked as though sporting, elsewhere it was overspread with tidewaters as high as mountains, somewhere else it was tumultuous with the best demonic beings who were the residents on the plane of netherworld, and some of the vanaras were terrified on seeing such a hair-raising ocean. On seeing the shoreless ocean that was like an endless sky, hence unnavigable, the vanaras were despaired and was asking his neighbor "how to vault this ocean?"
      And most of the vanaras seemed to be scared of the ocean. Then their leader, Angada, started to inspirit the army of vanaras who were anguished by fear on gazing at the ocean, by saying "Hi! My dear fellows! SAY not the struggle naught availeth,
The labor and the wounds are vain,
The enemy faints not, nor faileth,
And as things have been they remain.
If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;
It may be, in yon smoke concealed,
Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,
And, but for you, possess the field.
For while the tired waves, vainly breaking,
Seem here, no painful inch to gain,
Far back, through creeks and inlets making,
Comes silent, flooding in, the main.
And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light,
In front, the sun climbs slow, how slowly,
But westward, look, the land is bright.
(Note: With my due respects to Arthur Hugh Clough)
Loosing heart to dismay is an unworkability, because dismaying itself is detrimental, and dismay alone ruins a person, as a vicious viper unreasonably ruins an innocent child. Individual achievements will be unachievable to him who readily braces himself with despair when the time for venturesomeness verges on, because of the lacking of his own vitality." 
          All the vanaras nodded with complete agreement with their leader. It was then observed that it was night. All the vanaras then turned in for rest.
      At the wee hours of next day, Angada woke up all the sleeping vanaras. When everyone was awake and finished their morning chores Angada initiated a deliberation with them. 
     Angada called near him older and more capable vanaras and addressed them "Now it is highly imperative that at least one of us should jump over this ocean to the land at the other end of it. Please help me to find out those vanaras, who are that great-resplendent and can vault over the ocean and facilitate our lord, King Sugreeva to become truthful to his word. Please step forward those of you who are that brave and possess such a capability." and waited.
        As there was no volunteer in this respect he (Angada) continued "My dear chaps! We have to find at least one hurdler who can hurdle over a hundred yojana distance. Is there anyone who can  emancipate all these vanara commanders from the great fear of Sugreeva. Is there anyone by whose benignancy we can rejoicingly see our wives, sons, houses and homes on going back from here after achieving the purpose of our task? Is there not a single one by whose benevolence we can unworriedly approach Rama, or that irascible Lakshmana, or the ruthless Sugreeva.
       "If someone among you is capable to jump over the ocean, that heroic vanara may now quickly give us all a munificence, called a solemn impunity from Sugreeva." 
       Angada anxiously waited for some hero to step forward, but unfortunately and disappointingly there was none.
     Angada thought that a different approach may yield the desired result. Accordingly he told them "I know that all of you are the best ones among the powerful vanaras and you all are determinedly venturesome, born in flawless families and adored again and again for your adventures.
     "It seems that even though many of you are capable to get across this ocean but no one is willing to own it up for the fear of possible failure. Therefore, every one of you may give an account of his capability in jump-leaping this ocean."
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