Rama, accompanied by his loyal vanara (monkey) army, crossed into Lanka, ready for the impending battle against Ravana. The air was thick with anticipation and the determination to rescue Sita, who had been abducted by the demon king.
The Arrival of Sukha and Sarana
In the midst of the vanara army's preparations, Sukha and Sarana, two cunning spies of Ravana, arrived. Disguising themselves as vanaras, they seamlessly blended into the crowd, observing the army's strength and strategies.
The Unmasking by Vibhishana
Vibhishana, Ravana’s brother who had defected to Rama's side, was quick to notice something amiss. His keen eyes and familiarity with rakshasa (demon) tricks allowed him to recognize Sukha and Sarana despite their disguises. He immediately confronted them, attempting to capture the spies.
The Fight and Capture
Realizing they had been discovered, Sukha and Sarana pushed Vibhishana aside and tried to escape. However, Sugriva, the mighty king of the vanaras, intervened. He uprooted a large tree and hurled it towards the fleeing spies. Demonstrating their combat skills, Sukha and Sarana sliced the tree in mid-air and prepared to fight, brandishing their maces.
Sugriva, undaunted, challenged them directly. "If you have the courage, strike my chest," he roared. The spies, taking up the challenge, struck him with their maces, only to see them shatter upon contact with Sugriva’s powerful chest. Overwhelmed and outmatched, Sukha and Sarana were swiftly subdued, bound, and brought before Rama.
The Interrogation
Facing Rama, the terrified spies confessed their mission. They revealed they had been sent by Ravana to gather intelligence on Rama's army and report back. Vibhishana, fueled by his loyalty to Rama and disdain for his brother's treachery, suggested executing the spies.
Rama’s Wisdom and Mercy
Rama, embodying the virtues of dharma (righteousness), disagreed. "It is not righteous to kill spies," he declared. Instead, he instructed Sukha and Sarana to return to Ravana with a message. "Tell Ravana that he abducted Sita when no one was there to protect her. Inform him that I am coming for him, and I will kill him and his sons," Rama proclaimed.
The Report to Ravana
Released by Rama, Sukha and Sarana hurried back to Lanka. They recounted their encounter to Ravana, detailing how they had been recognized by Vibhishana and spared by Rama. They conveyed Rama's message, adding to the growing tension and anticipation in Ravana's court.