Page:Gleanings from Indian Classics.djvu/95

Rh he then jumped back to the mainland; thence he repaired to Kishkindhá and told the king the history of his mission.

days after, king Sugriva marched out with his monkey-army and came as far as the sea. They saw the golden city of Lanká floating on the blue ocean like a magnificent piece of gem. They encamped and king Sugriva ordered his army to make a bridge over the mighty sea.

Thousands and thousands of monkeys went up the hills and penetrated into the forest; they brought down stones and trees, and threw them into the sea. By months' incessant labour a bridge was made, the remnant of which is still to be seen and is known as the Adam's Bridge.

The whole monkey-army crossed the sea, encamped before the city and beseized it from all sides. Every precaution was taken to prevent the place from being surprized and stormed.

King Rávana had two brothers, named Kumbhakarna and Bibhishana, the former was a giant and a monster, the latter was virtuous and good. He had a son, named Indrajit, who was unequalled in arms and invincible in wars. He had innumerable cousins, countless sons, powerful relatives