Hari Om.
Let us begin the eighth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
As rAma along with a vAnara army that resembled an ocean in size reached the northern shore of the ocean, the ripples were felt in the far away lanka. Still recovering from the daring assault of hanumAn, rAvaNa called for the meeting of his counsellors to decide on the course of action. He invoked the principles of deliberation and asked the counsellors as to what was the best course ahead. They immediately began to flatter rAvaNa and recalled his conquests. They were very sure that indrajit alone would be enough to mitigate the vAnara army along with rAma and lakshmaNa. In order to assure rAvaNa, the over confident counsellors who made no effort to remember the devastation that a single vAnara – hanumAn unleashed on them, looked the other way and sang paeans of rAvaNa. The flattering continued. Onwards…
Then arose the demon prahasta, the commander-in-chief, who was of the complexion and shine of a dark cloud. He folded his hands and said –
“O king, even the dEvas, demons, gandharvasm, piSAchas, avian species and serpents can’t challenge you in combat then what to speak of these vAnaras. It is just that we were over-confident and inattentive because of which we were deceived by hanumAn. As long as I am alive, that forest dweller won’t be spared with life. Right until where the oceans begin, I will render the hills and forests vAnara-less.
रक्षांचैवविधास्यामिवानराद्रजनीचर ।
नागमिष्यतितेदुःखंकिञ्चिदात्मापराधजम् ।।6.8.5।।
I will ensure the safety of the demons from vAnaras and see to it that you won’t suffer on account of your indiscretion”.
Then a demon by name durmukha stood up seething with anger and said –
“This attempt by the vAnaras to siege us is inexcusable and as insult to lanka as well as the illustrious demon king. Right at this moment I shall go alone and drive them away even if it meant I had to enter the terrible ocean or the nether lands”.
Then the angry vajradanshtra waving his spear smeared with blood stains said –
“While the difficult-to-conquer rAma along with lakshmaNa and sugrIva are there to fight what have we got to do with the miserable and austere hanumAn? I shall go right away and vanquish rAma, lakshmaNa and sugrIva, decimate the vAnara army and come back. O king, you may listen to this counsel of mine. It is only those who plan well and calmly can rout the enemy.
I suggest, let thousands of our frightening demons chosen by you assume human forms and in that guise approach rAma and without showing any sign of doubt convince him that we have been sent by Bharata and also that very soon he will be joining us with the army. While some of us will infiltrate the army and reach rAma, others can come from here fully armed with spears, javelins, maces, trees, boulders and other weapons and being in the sky rain the weapons on the vAnara army and rout them. Seiged thus by us in a deceitful way, there is no doubt that rAma and lakshmaNa will be distressed and surely give up their life”.
Then a warrior named kumbha, the son of kumbhakarNa spoke to rAvaNa, the tormentor of the worlds with intent –
“Let all these warrior stay with you, O king. I shall alone go and vanquish rAma, lakshmaNa along with sugrIva, hanumAn and other vAnara warriors”.
Then a demon of mountainous proportions – vajrahanu salivated and licked his lips and said with anger –
“All of you be fearless and indulge in sport and wine happily. I shall alone go and swallow those vAnara warriors. I alone will go kill sugrIva, lakshmaNa, angada, hanumAn and the valiant rAma”.
Here we conclude the eighth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 6.009. Lone and sane voice rises in lanka
Previous: 6.007. Counsellors turn sycophants
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 
