Shuk and Sharan's Fateful Mission

The two demon messengers, Shuk and Sharan, disguised themselves as monkeys and infiltrated Ram's army. However, they couldn't estimate the strength of Ram's army because the number of monkeys seemed infinite. The sight of so many strong soldiers frightened the unfortunate demons. Shuk and Sharan saw monkey after monkey as far as their vision extended. Some had already crossed the ocean, some were crossing, and others were preparing to cross.

Vibheeshan recognized the two demon messengers and presented them before Ram. Shuk and Sharan were scared stiff, fearing death as punishment. They begged Ram for mercy, explaining they were merely following Ravan's orders.

"You only did what you were told to do," Ram said to the two demons with a smile. "Return to Lanka and tell Ravan to display the strength he used to kidnap Seeta on the battlefield. Tomorrow, Ravan will witness how my arrows will devastate the city of Lanka, including all its demons. Just as Indra attacked the demons with his Thunderbolt, I will unleash a torrent of arrows upon them."

Shuk and Sharan returned to Lanka and recounted their imprisonment to Ravan. They confessed that they deserved death as punishment but were forgiven by Ram. They extolled the power of Ram, Lakshman, and Sugreev, comparing them to Indra, the king of the gods, and asserted that each alone could annihilate Lanka. They added that even a combined force of gods and demons could not defeat Ram, Lakshman, and Sugreev. They urged Ravan to abandon the idea of war.

"Even if the gods, demons, and gandharvas were all against me, I would not release Seeta," said Ravan in a harsh voice. "You were frightened by the large monkey army—that is why you advise me to abandon the idea of war. No one can defeat me in battle."

Shuk and Sharan were deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and strength of the monkey soldiers. They tried to convey Ram's might to Ravan. Shuk described the monkeys' bravery and courage, explaining that they were the progeny of gods and gandharvas, possessing god-like power. He also noted their adeptness in disguise and stated that their numbers were in the lakhs.