Then Rama and Hanuman discussed matters about Lanka, the town, the fort, the moa t and

other defences. Understanding this, Hanuman described the wealth of Lanka, the happy lives of the Rakshasas, their confidence in Ravana and their affectio n for him. He told Rama of the might and size of Ravana's army; the strength and structure of the fortress; the alertness of the sentry; the moats, walls and gates, catapu lts and drawbridges, the care and thoroughness of all the arrangements for defen ce. He also explained how the coast too was carefully guarded so that no enemy s hip could approach it. "And yet you may be certain," he said, "our Vanara army is fully equal to the co nquest of Lanka. We have with us peerless warriors like Angada, Dwivida, Mainda, Jambavan, Panasa, Nala and Nila. We have an enormous army. We shall fly in the sky and without touching the ground destroy Lanka. Its mountains and forest defe nces are nothing to us. We shall raze the city to the ground. Fix the auspicious time and give us the order to start." Under the star of triumph, Uttara Phalguni, at high noon, the army set forward t owards the southern sea. Good omens greeted them. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) The Town The Fort The Moat Wealth of Lanka Happy lives of Rakshasas Might and Size of Ravana's Army Structure of Fortress The arrangements for defence Carefully guarded Coastline