Valmiki Ramayana - September 30

September 30 - Sargas 53 and 54 of Kishkindha Kanda. 

Two interesting sargas that reveal the thought processes of the vanaras including Angada and Tara in the face of their failure to discover Sita's whereabouts. 

Then, Hanuman's strategem and considered advice in private to Angada. 

***

The vanaras were now at the seashore. That place was also full of trees.

ततस्ते ददृशुर्घोरं सागरं वरुणालयम्         ।

अपारमभिगर्जन्तं घोरैरूर्मिभिरावृतम्          ॥

विन्ध्यस्य तु गिरेः पादे सम्प्रपुष्पितपादपे    ।

उपविश्य महाभागाश्चिन्तामापेदिरे तदा      ॥  

"Then the vanaras beheld the frighteningly vast ocean, the abode of god Varuna. It was endless and intractable, was roaring with terrifying waves.

"And also, since they were at the foothills of the mountain range that ended there, They also saw big trees. Their branches were bending down, laden with huge quantities of bright flowers, a clear sign of the arrival of spring. This plunged those glorious vanaras into a mood of deep despair. "

दृमान्वासन्तिकान्दृष्ट्वा बभूवुर्भयशङ्किताः। 

"Looking at the trees clearly heralding the season of spring, the vanaras went into fright and bewilderment."

Prince Angada, heroic in his youth and of a huge physical build read everyone's mood. There were clear signs that they had certainly transgressed Sugriva's ultimatum of one month,. He thought over the matter and spoke:

"Oh, dear vanaras, we started our journey in Ashvayuja month. We had clear instructions on what we had to accomplish. Do you realise that the set time limit is long past? 

"You are all exemplary in bravery and have adhered to my instructions, and spared no effort to search for Sita. Now that we have failed, there is no scope for feeling cheerful. I think the only course is for all of us to lie down here and fast unto death.

"Let us bid farewell in our minds to our families and dear ones. It will be better than suffering a painful torturous death that awaits us from the king.

"I well know how Sugriva hated me. It was not he who chose to install me as the prince. It was the great Sri Rama who would wrong no one in this world. So now Sugriva will grab his chance to destroy me. 

"I shall now sit here on the sacred shores of the sea and lay down my life." (The ancient method of suicide was to lie down without food and water, stop one's breath through yoga and give up the body. The Jains practise that even now as a sacred custom.)

The vanaras joined a chorus that Sugriva would kill them all in the presence of their families. What a terrible thought!

The vanara Tara, senior and respected among them all, now spoke.

"Why die? Let us simply go back into that wondrous magical cave of plenty we just emerged from. There we will have all the food and drink and live happily. Nobody, not Sugriva nor even Indra, can come and enter there and discover us." The vanaras jumped at this happy solution. So they need not die!

***

Hanuman was quietly looking on. He respected Tara, who, Valmiki mentions here, was moon-faced and good at heart. But such a course as he recommended? No way.

Hanuman knew Angada was a brave and able successor to Vali and Sugriva. Angada had great intellect, "ashtangas" of physical attributes, four kinds of strength, and the ourteen qualities mandated for a great king. So Angada should be saved from taking the wrong course. Hanuman should stop Angada from listening to Tara, something as unwise as Indra taking advice from Shukra (the preceptor of asuras- Indra's enemies!)

There are four strategems stated in ancient wisdom to be pursued by anyone who wants to do something successfully in his interactions with others in important situations. Sama, Dana, Bheda, Danda. Sama is playing up to the person's ego and winning him over by praise.  Dana is giving gifts and inducements. Bheda is creating a division and getting the person not to listen to his counsellors (divide and rule). Danda is the use of force to get your way.

Hanuman, Valmiki says, decided on Bheda. He called Angada aside and spoke:

त्वं समर्थतरः पित्रा युद्धे तारेय वै ध्रुवम्     ।

दृढं धारयितुं शक्तः कपिराज्यं यथा पिता ॥

"Dear prince Angada, let me tell you that you are certainly more capable than your deceased father Vali (and hence Sugriva). You are the worthy son of the wise queen Tara.  After Vali and Sugriva, there is no question that you shall rule the kingdom of vanaras very well and for long.

"But Angada, suppose we all go into that cave now. Do you think these vanaras will continue to obey you? They will sorely miss their families and life in Kishkindha. Some of them will surely betray you and go back. It will be a short step from there for Sugriva to come after you for defying his orders.

"You can't hold us down by any strategy from defying you and going back. At least some of us like Jambavan, Nila, Nala and me. Then imagine. Would you like to take on the mighty Sugriva and his army who will come to punish you? Not at all a wise course."

Hanuman now adds a vital point. 

"You may think you are safe inside that impenetrable cave. Not at all correct. Lakshmana's fierce arrows will break into that cave and shatter it in an instant as if it is a leaf-wrapping of food. You know that Lakshmana has an inexhaustible quiver of such arrows. In fact, he can even split mountains with thunderbolt-like strikes. (See how Hanuman takes Lakshmana's name. Angada had seen Lakshmana in his full fury. He had little knowledge of Sri Rama's prowess).

"Then these monkeys will not stay by your side.

"There is a much, much, better way. Let us all go back to Sugriva in all humility. Let us confess to him what efforts we made and how we have failed. I know for a fact that Sugriva is a reasonable man. He is good-intentioned like your father and likes to have pleasant relationships. He is true to his promise. He will spare you for sure. Your mother is very dear to Sugriva and he would never do anything that displeases her. So, go back!"

***

॥             श्रीरामजयम्             ॥ 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 29

September 29 - Sargas 51 and 52 of Kishkindha Kanda. 

After the ascetic Swayamprabha explains to Hanuman and other vanaras what the history of that wonderful place is, she offers them generous hospitality with food and drink. 

Later, on hearing Hanuman's story of their continuing search for Sita, using her spiritual powers, she transports the vanaras out of that cavern and to a spot near the seashore.

***

Hanuman explains to the ascetic woman that the vanaras were in deep distress due to hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and seeing the mouth of this cave with perhaps water and other things, as many birds were flying out happily, they had transgressed into her cave.  Now, frankly, they all were disoriented and frightened by the magical sights inside.

काञ्चनानि विमानानि राजतानि गृहाणि च   ।

पुष्पिताः फलवन्ताश्च पुण्याः सुरभिगन्धवः  ॥

काञ्चनानि च पाद्मानि जातानि विमले जले ।

आत्मानमनुभावं च कस्य चैतात्तपोबलम्     ॥ 

"Pray, venerable lady, these golden structures, silver palaces encrusted with gems, these trees with the full splendour of flowers and fruits and fragrances, all golden and luminous, these golden lotuses in crystal clear waters, all these - are these created by your own spiritual powers? Or, by whom else?"

The lady replies:

"Oh, supreme vanara, this golden forest and everything else were created by the magical prowess of a demon called Mayaa. He was the Vishwakarma or chief architect of the demons. 

"Mayaa did tapas for a thousand years in the dense forest and secured as Brahma's boon the wealth of Shukra. He later created these mansions and everything else with his powers. He lived here happily for a while. Then he fell in love with an apsara (celestial maiden) called Hema. The lord of celestials, Indra, then punished him for that act and drove him out of here. Brahma then gave this place as a gift to the apsara, Hema. I am the daughter of Meru Sauvarni, and a close and trusted friend of Hema. Hema is wonderfully gifted in music and dance (and perhaps busy everywhere). She asked me to move in here and take care of it.

"Pray, vanara, you now tell me why you are all roaming in the forest and have managed to come here. But that can in fact wait. Please first of all refresh yourselves and partake of all these foods, fruits and roots, and drinks, and satisfy yourselves."

***

The grateful vanaras are happy to feast on the fare offered and feel much much better soon.

Thereupon, the ascetic repeats her request for information on what had brought the vanaras there.

Hanuman replies:

राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य महेन्द्रवरुणोपमः    ।

रामो दाशरथिश्श्रीमान्प्रविष्टो दण्डकावनम्  ॥

लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा वैदेह्या चापि भार्यया  ।

तस्य भार्या जनस्थानाद् रावणेन हृता बलात्  ॥

"Noble lady, the supreme lord of all, equal in glory to Indra and Varuna, is the prince and son of Dasharatha of Ayodhya, Sri Rama. (Notice how Hanuman introduces Sri Rama as equal to Indra. This is needed to establish a certain regard for them in the eyes of Swayamprabha). 

"Sri Rama, for some reason, arrived in Dandaka forest, along with his younger brother Lakshmana and his wife, daughter of Janaka, Sita. 

"Sita was abducted from Janasthana by the rakshasa Ravana."

Hanuman explains how Sri Rama then befriended Sugriva, lord of all vanaras. Sugriva has despatched this army of vanaras to seek out Sita's whereabouts as well as information about Ravana. They took the blessings of Sage Agastya and came here, led by their prince Angada. But their search thus far has been in vain and also, they were deeply overcome by fatigue, hunger, and thirst.

Seeing this magical cave, they entered, on Hanuman's advice, and struggled through the dark passage holding each other for safety.

Hanuman now says,

आथित्यधर्मदत्तानि मूलानि च फलानि च ।

अस्माभिरुपभुक्तानि बुभुक्षापरिपीडितैः    ॥

यत्त्वया रक्षतास्सर्वे म्रियमाणा बुभुक्षया     ।

ब्रूहि प्रत्युपकारार्थं किं ते कुर्वन्तु वानराः    ॥

"Oh kind lady, by your righteous hospitality, we have eaten the sumptuous fare of fruits and roots and felt relieved of our suffering from hunger. You have indeed saved us from death by starvation. Please now be so kind as to tell us in what way the vanaras can repay you with true gratitude for your kind act."

The lady, who had disclosed by now her name as Swayamprabha (self-luminous), replies,

सर्वेषां परितुष्टास्मि वानराणां तरस्विनाम्  ।

चरन्त्या मम धर्मेण न कार्यमिह केनचित्   ॥

"Dear Hanuman,  Indeed I am already much pleased by the conduct of all of you powerful and good vanaras. In my ascetic Dharma, in fact, I lack nothing and nothing, therefore, need be done for me in return."

Hanuman then adds, in a dejected voice, that they have failed to accomplish the orders of their lord Sugriva who had commissioned them to discover Sita's whereabouts. The ultimatum of one month had also passed while they were wandering in this place. Now they really had nothing to look forward to in life.

Would she help them get out of this magical cavern so that they may go on searching for Sita?

Swayamprabha replies:

जीविता दुष्करं मन्ये प्रविष्टेन निवर्तितुम्    ।

तपसः सुप्रभावेण नियमोपार्जितेन च       ॥

सर्वानेव बिलादस्मात् तारयिष्यामि वानरान् ।

निमीलयत चक्षूंषि सर्वे वानरपुङ्गवाः         ॥

ततो निमीलिताः सर्वे सुकुमाराङ्गुलैः  करैः    ।

निमेषान्तरमात्रेण बिलादुत्तारितास्तया        ॥ 

"Dear Hanuman, it is impossible for anyone who has entered here to get out alive. However, by virtue of my spiritual powers acquired after much-regulated tapas, I shall now transport you out of this place. For this, all of you great vanaras have to close your eyes tight, as I tell you, "

Valmiki says, "thus did all the vanaras obediently close their eyes tight with their fists which had tender fingers. Lo! In less than a minute, they all found themselves standing outside that cave, thanks to Swayamprabha."

Notice how the poet Valmiki does not miss a chance to point out that even mighty simians have very human-like, in fact, tender and pink-looking fingers 😀.

Thereupon, to a most grateful Hanuman and others, Swayamprabha points out the Prasravana mountain and the yonder seashore. Blessing them to get all success, she goes back into the cave.

***

॥       श्रीरामजयम्        ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 28

September 28 - Sargas 49 and 50 of Kishkindha Kanda.

The vanaras, led by Angada and Tara, and showing full confidence in Hanuman, move through difficult terrains and dense forests with much difficulty. 

If we remember how the police of two states, Karnataka and Tamilnadu, found it hard to locate Dr.Rajkumar and Veerappan and how that search went on for months and even so unsuccessfully, we can begin to appreciate what the vanaras were up against. 

Ravana was the fiercest rakshasa, and an unconquerable emperor, commanding a large terrain and a huge army, with his box of tricks and powers. This was the dense, dense, south Indian Western ghats rain forest range, intractable for most of history, till some roads were built a few hundred years ago. Wild animals like tigers and elephants roamed in large numbers. 

Also, remember that drinking water bodies in mountains are always few and far between. 

***

Angada, who was in charge of the large contingent of vanaras, noticed that they were tired, hungry, thirsty, and very disheartened. The period of 30 days was about to end. And absolutely no inkling of where Sita might be.

Imagine Colombus or Vasco da Gama leading a ship of tired sailors with depleted food and water. How did he motivate the sailors to carry on? 

Prince Angada shows his leadership qualities when he speaks to the gathered vanaras under the tree:

वनानि गिरयो नद्यो दुर्गाणी गहनानि च ।

दरी गिरिगुहाश्चैव विचिताः सर्वमन्ततः   ॥

तत्र तत्र सहास्माभिर्जानकी न च दृश्यते     ।

तथा रक्षोऽपहर्ता च सीतायाश्चैव दुष्कृती  ॥ 

"Dear vanaras, we have searched thoroughly everywhere, in dense forests, on mountains, in rivers, in massive forts and deep caves. But we have found no trace of the glorious queen Janaki Sita nor of the despicable rakshasa who abducted her. 

"The time limit set by the draconian lord Sugriva is over. The only course left for us is to carry on in our search without let up."

विहाय तन्द्रीं शोकं च निद्रां चैव समुत्थिताम्     ।

विचिनुध्वं यथा सीतां पश्यामो जनकात्मजाम्  ॥

अनिर्वेदं च दाक्ष्यं च मनसश्चापराजयः             ।

कार्यसिद्धिकराण्याहुस्तस्मादेतद्ब्रवाम्यहम्        ॥ 

"Giving up laziness, defeatism, even sleep that is overpowering us, we should redouble our efforts until we succeed in our search for Sita. 

"The wise maintain that zeal, capability, and fortitude will surely overcome defeat and achieve success in whatever one undertakes. That is why I am saying this."

Angada again says that Sugriva will treat failure harshly and that they were all committed to serving the cause of Sri Rama. So there was no question of giving up.

The vanara Gandhamadana, although weakened by thirst, added in his parched voice that Angada was right and they should carry out his command.

The vanaras got up and resumed the search. Difficult mountains, dense forests, and many deep and dark caves ...nothing was left unexplored. Again they were fully exhausted and came to rest under a large tree.

***

The 30-day time limit was over. Hanuman continued his assiduous efforts, searching every nook and corner of every forest, mountain, and cave. The monkeys did not want to lose each other. So they trundled together, holding each other through dark regions. 

Suddenly they saw the mouth of a large cave, describable as a rikshabilam (cave of bears).  It was covered with creepers and bushes. (Imagine a scene from Avatar).  The vanaras were naturally curious, but also afraid. It looked like the abode of a rakshasa and seemed to be harbouring many kinds of animals.

Hanuman, whom Valmiki compares here to a huge mountain, came and spoke:

अस्माच्चापि बिलद्धंसाः क्रौञ्चाश्च सह सारसैः     ।

जलाद्राश्चक्रवाकाश्च निष्पतन्ति स्म सर्वशः         ॥

नूनं सलिलवानत्र कूपो वा यदि वा ह्रदः             ।

तथा चेमे बिलद्वारे स्निग्धास्तिष्ठन्ति पादपाः       ॥

"Look, friends, this cave is interesting. Out of it are flying swans and cranes and egrets. The chakravaka birds coming out are dripping wet and covered with red pollen. Therefore I am certain there is a hospitable place inside, and a plentiful source of water, surely a well or a pond. There appear to be many trees on the other side too, which may yield us our fruits."

Taking a lead, Hanuman entered that dark cave. The vanaras followed him, very edgily. It was indeed too dark for anyone else to see, but not for these vanaras who had powers to see even in great darkness. That foreboding place was yet scary for them, and they walked holding one another. They could hear the cries of tigers and lions inside.

Lo and behold! Some distance had been covered when the place opened up to reveal an enchanting, veritable, heaven.  The vanaras were disoriented by hunger, thirst, and exhaustion, and had walked in a strange darkness. So they took time to get adjusted to this.

They saw a stunning sight of a rich forest, all lit up, with tall sala, tamala, tala, champaka, naga and other trees.

The trees were divine. They had golden fruits and glitter of their own. The vanaras also saw altars and palace-fronts all decorated with gold, silver, and gems. There were strangely attractive fishes and tortoises. The palaces had attractive windows encrusted with pearls. Honey and fruits were dripping from the trees. Golden bees were buzzing around.

The vanaras saw beds and couches all decorated and fit for kings. There were even vehicles; utensils made of precious metals. A wide array of eatables was on display; many kinds of drinks. Here and there lay heaps of gold.

Stop and think. If you were a vanara there at that moment, what would be your thought!? Well, perhaps, you had stumbled on Ravana's secret palace and hideout! So Sita must be......

Just then, the vanaras saw an old lady. She was an ascetic, dressed in barks and deerskin. She shone with a rare lustre, acquired through tapas, no doubt. She looked like someone who never ate. The vanaras were frightened stiff.

Hanuman approached the lady. 

ततो हनूमान् गिरसंनिकाशः 

      कृताञ्जलिर्तामभिवाद्य वृद्धाम्      ।

 पप्रच्छ का त्वं भवनं बिलं च

      रत्नानि चेमानि वदस्व कस्य          ॥

"Thereupon, Hanuman, who was looking like a mountain in size, bowed down to that old woman and spoke words of respect. Then he inquired of her who she was, and to whom that cave palace with its treasures and everything else belonged."

***

॥            श्रीरामजयम्             ॥ 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 27

September 27 - Sargas 47 and 48 of Kishkindha Kanda.

The search parties return empty-handed from the north, east, and west within the time limit of one month.

The southward party of Hanuman and others encounter strange experiences, but there is no sign of Sita anywhere.

***

The vanaras despatched northward, eastward, and westward  searched most diligently every city, mountain, cave, and forest for Sita. They used to fan out at daybreak and exert themselves all day, only to retire at night very tired and hungry. They found fruit-laden trees and managed to eat whatever they could,  at night. 

विचित्य दिवसं सर्वे सीताधिगमने ़धृताः   ।

आसाद्य रजनीं शय्यां चक्रुः सर्वेष्वहःसु ते  ॥

"They spent every day making a thorough search in every nook and corner for Sita, resting only at nightfall on the bare earth wherever they found spots. "

तदहः प्रथमं कृत्वा मासे प्रस्रवणं गताः         ।

कपिराजेन संगम्य निराशाः कपिकुञ्जराः     ॥ 

"On the day that the one-month period ended, all the vanaras from the three directions returned to Prasravana mountain and reported to their lord Sugriva their disappointing news that they could not gather any information on Sita's whereabouts."

The vanara chiefs were apprehensive of Sugriva's anger on account of their failure. Yet, they went up to him.

Valmiki narrates how Sushena, Shatabali, Vinata, recounted all their adventures in crossing mountains and rivers, searching everywhere, even in intractable forests and deep caves, but in vain.

But all of them held out the same hope as Sugriva. Sugriva had seen that Sita was being carried off southward towards his Lankapuri by Ravana. Now that the ablest one of all, Hanuman himself, had been sent southward, he would be able to get good news about Sita.

***

Hanuman, along with the vanara chiefs Tara and Angada, thoroughly combed the Vindhyas, looking in every cave. They all travelled to many forts and cities and relentlessly looked for Sri Rama's queen Sita. They managed with whatever forest fare was available and were very conscious of the lapse of time. But no sign of Sita.

Once they entered a strange forest with tree stumps shorn of all greenery, the whole region water-less and desolate with even no insects in sight. This was a  region cursed by a rishi by the name of Kandu whose sixteen-year-old son had died there. In his anger, the rishi had turned the place into a lifeless land. Finding the going very tough, Hanuman and the rest of vanaras moved to the next region which was full of creepers and bushes. 

There a huge demon appeared all of a sudden, ready to kill the vanaras. He rushed towards them, ready to devour them. Angada was quick to act.

तमापतन्तं सहसा वालिपुत्रोऽङ्गदस्तदा     ।

रावणोऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा तलेनाभिजघान ह ॥

"Thinking that the demon attacking them was none other than Ravana, Vali's brave son Angada at once leapt at him and struck a powerful blow with his palm."

Struck by Angada, the demon fell to the ground, vomiting blood and lay dead. Then the hopeful vanaras enthusiastically searched everywhere around for Sita, in the nearby forests and deep caves. But alas, there was no Sita.

Finally, all the vanaras collected under a tree, looking jaded and dejected after meeting with no success at all in their search for Sita.

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्           ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 26

September 26 - Sargas 45 and 46 of Kishkindha Kanda.

Every vanara chief assigned to the big mission of searching for Sita in one of the four directions is filled with extraordinary enthusiasm and zestful zeal. They all make a huge noise, as is, Valmiki says, natural for vanaras.

नन्दन्तश्चोन्नदन्तश्च गर्जन्तश्च प्लवङ्गमाः      ।

क्ष्वेडन्तो धावमानाश्च विनन्दन्तो महाबलाः ॥

अहमेको वधिष्यामि प्राप्तं रावणमाहवे । 

ततश्चोन्मथ्य सहसा हरिष्ये जनकात्मजाम्  ॥

"The mighty vanaras then raised a tumult of noise, shouting war-like slogans of valour and leaping about in the air. 

" Every one of them claimed that he would strive with every effort to fulfill the mission, dealing with every mountain and forest hurdle with ease and terrorising any enemies. 

" I will single-handedly kill Ravana when he meets me in battle. Then, I will churn the enemy army and bring back Sita, the daughter of Janaka!" 

Such great roars of enthusiasm filled the air as the parties departed, leaving Sugriva very pleased. 

Sri Rama and Lakshmana went back to their cave on Prasravana, to wait out the month optimistically. 

***

After the search parties departed, Sri Rama asked a very pertinent question to Sugriva. 

"Oh, king, from where did you get this encyclopaedic knowledge of the world, with so much detail of geographies and peoples? This is simply incredible!" 

Sugriva reverentially replied. 

"Oh noble Sri Rama, when Vali went into the cave to engage Dundubhi rakshasa who had called for battle taking the form of a buffalo, Vali remained inside that cave for a whole year. I waited patiently outside at its mouth, hearing war cries. After a year, the sounds died out and blood gushed out of the mouth of the cave. Distressed beyond imagination at Vali's plausible death and Dundubhi's impending attack, I sealed the cave with a huge rock and returned to Kishkindha. "

" Imagine my utter surprise and joy when Vali returned. But alas! He took my coronation in the interim to have been sheer treachery and came to kill me and my lieutenants. I had to flee for my life. "

ततोऽहं वालिना तेन सोऽनुबद्धः प्रधावितः  । 

नदीश्च विविधाः पश्यन् वनानि नगराणि च  ॥ 

आदर्शतलसंकाशा ततो वै पृथिवी मया     । 

अलातचक्रप्रतिमा दृष्टा गोष्पदवत् कृता    ॥

"Therefore, Sri Rama, I had to flee, pursued by the violent Vali, everywhere, seeing so many rivers and forests and cities, without respite. 

" You might say that the whole world was seen by me as if in a (rearview!?) mirror in a rapid motion view, indeed looking like a ring of fire that I was fleeing constantly. In fact the whole earth was reduced in my mind to a small hoof-mark of a cow, so much of the earth did I cover so fast. "

Himalayas to the seas, so many lands and peoples, from Vindhyas to sandal forests in the south... All passed Sugriva repeatedly in a flash. 

After this thrilling description of a relentless chase and escapades, Sugriva says that Hanuman, his brilliant minister, one day said:

"Oh Sugriva! I just remembered something! There is one place Vali cannot catch you in! 

मतङ्गेन तदा शप्तो ह्यस्मिन्नाश्रममण्डले      । 

प्रविशेद् यदि वै वाली मूर्धास्य शतधा भवेत् ॥

" As a consequence of Vali's defiling the Matanga Ashrama in Rishyamuka, the sage Matanga pronounced a curse on Vali that if he ever dared enter that ashrama region, his head would split into a thousand pieces!" 

"Thus, did I, Sri Rama, along with my close counsellors, land up in Rishyamuka as a safe haven where you met me. I stopped running away from Vali. True enough, as Hanuman had said, Vali dared not come there to attack me." 

***

॥      श्रीरामजयम्      ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - September 25

September 25 - Sargas 43 and 44 of Kishkindha Kanda. 

Sugriva despatches the Northward search party with clear instructions about what to expect and how to look for Sita.

Finally, Sugriva calls Hanuman aside and expresses complete confidence that it will be Hanuman alone who will be able to discover Sita's location and bring the good news, irrespective of challenges from anyone in the three worlds.

Sri Rama is immensely pleased to know about Hanuman's strengths and maturity. He calls him aside and requests him to take his signet ring to show Sita and alleviate her anxiety.

***

Sugriva calls the mighty vanara warrior Shatavali and asks him to take a hundred thousand-strong army and proceed northward in search of Sita and Ravana's hideout. He describes the northern regions eloquently with an easy familiarity with the terrain. Out of many shlokas, I shall quote only a few:

तत्तु शीघ्रमतिक्रम्य कान्तारं रोमहर्षणम्      ।

कैलासं पाण्डुरं प्राप्य हृष्टा यूयं भविष्यथ   ॥

तत्र पाण्डुरमेघाभं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम्    ।

कुबेरभवनं रम्यं निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा       ॥

Sugriva says, "Northward, after you cross Himalayan peaks, you come to a large desolate flat land with no vegetation (an obvious reference to the Tibetan plateau). Passing that quickly, as it is most inhospitable, you arrive at the delightful snowy mountain Kailasa. You will surely be thrilled to see that peak. There exists the exquisite white mansion, embellished with gold,  of Kubera, built by Vishwakarma himself. "

We know that Ravana is the younger step-brother of the deity of wealth, Kubera, and Ravana evicted him from Lanka and usurped his pushpaka vimana. 

Sugriva tells the vanaras that there is every chance that Sita may have been hidden away in that region. 

Sugriva describes many lands and peoples, mostly of a different race than the ones in the Indian peninsula, who are good looking, and worship the sages and gods diligently. 

There is finally the abode of the gods where live Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. There is an ocean there in the middle of which is the mountain over which is heaven.

Sugriva tells this party also that they should not proceed beyond a certain point as there is no chance of life. They should come back quickly, after getting the good news of Sita's whereabouts. The time limit is one month. After returning triumphantly, they can enjoy their lives in the company of family and friends. 

It is vital, Sugriva says, that Sita is discovered and Sri Rama is satisfied, as it is the Dharmic responsibility owed by Sugriva. 

***

Notice how Sugriva does not extend the death threat to two search parties - the north and especially the south. He knows that Ravana has been operating in those two spheres. So their thoroughness is more important than returning quickly.

***

Now Sugriva calls Hanuman aside and says a few important words:

सासुराः सहगन्धर्वाः सनागनरदेवताः      ।

विदिताः सर्वलोकास्ते ससागरधराधराः  ॥

गतिर्वेगश्च तेजश्च लाघवं च महाकपे        ।

पितुस्ते सदृशं वीर मारुतस्य महौजसः     ॥

तेजसा वापि ते भूतं न समं भुवि विद्यते      ।

सद् यथा लभ्यते सीता तत्त्वमेवानुचिन्तय   ॥

त्वय्येव हनुमन्नस्ति बलं बुद्धिः पराक्रमः     ।

देशकालानुवृत्तिश्च नयश्च नयपण्डित         ॥ 

Sugriva tells Hanuman, "along with gods, gandharvas, nagas and other deities, all creatures in the seas and on mountains - the whole world knows you, Hanuman, for what you are!

"In speed, agility, radiance, flexibility, oh, great vanara, Hanuman, you are fully equal to your great father the Windgod Vayu, with his divine glory.

" Either in brilliance, or special powers, there is just no one to equal you on earth. Therefore, Hanuman, please apply your mind well to the question of how to bring back Sita.

"Dear Hanuman, you are the master of making right decisions always, based on time and place. You alone possess the prowess, bravery, and intelligence to accomplish this task. More than anything else, you know soft diplomacy and a way of achieving our ends astutely and gently. You are a master in that!"

What an introduction to the world's greatest superhero ever. I feel blessed even to read this.

***

Sri Rama, now fully cognizant of Hanuman's vital mission, calls him aside. He is already feeling happy that the mission would be successful. He then takes out his signet ring, with its distinct appearance and markings that would enable Sita to know for sure that Hanuman had come as Sri Rama's emisssary. 

मत्सकाशादनुप्राप्तमनुद्विग्नाऽनुपश्यति  "Dear Sita, daughter of king Janaka, will recognise you as having come on my behalf and so will react without agitation."

"Dear Hanuman, hearing Sugriva's words and knowing your calibre in every aspect, I am sure you will succeed in this mission."

Hanuman reverently receives the ring from Sri Rama and places it securely on his head, and bows down with folded hands. He then prostrates to Sri Rama and leaves. 

***

Valmiki says Hanuman stood out then in the assembly of all those mighty vanaras who looked like shining stars, like the brilliant full moon in the cloudless autumn sky.

***

॥       श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

  

Vakmiki Ramayana - September 24

September 24 - Sargas 41 and 42 of Ksihkindha Kanda.

Now Sugriva selects his ablest lieutenants (वानरान् अभिलक्षितान्), under the leadership of Angada and despatches them to the south. His choice of the vanaras indicates that he is certain they will return with success.

नीलमग्निसुतं चैव हनूमन्तं च वानरम्    ।

पितामहसुतं चैव जाम्बवन्तं महौजसम्  ॥  

तेषामग्रेसरं चैव बृहद्बलमथाङ्गदम्         ।

विधाय हरिवीराणामादिशद् दक्षिणां दिशम् ॥

"Sugriva now called out Nila, son of Agni, the glorious Hanuman, the mighty Jambavan, son of Brahma, and in fact also Suhotra, Sarari, Saragulma, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sushena, Vrishabha, Mainda, Dvivida, Vijaya, Gandhamadana, Ulka, and Asanga, and under the leadership of the ablest, Angada, of great strength, directed these powerful vanaras to proceed southward. "

What follows is a description of the Indian peninsula. It appears that the south team had the largest variety of lands to cover, and Sugriva shows that he is confident that they will meet with success in discovering where Sita has been stowed away by Ravana.

Starting with the Vindhyas, the Narmada river, Dandakaranya, and so on, Sugriva mentions that the vanaras will be crossing Godavari, Krishna(veni), Mahanadi, Varada, and Mahabhaga rivers...They will pass countries like Mekhala, Utkala (Odisha), Dasarna, Asvavanti and Avanti...Vidarbha, Rishika, the beautiful country of Mashaka, Vanga, Kalinga, Kaushika... Andhra, Pundra, Chola, Pandya and even Kerala. All these are mentioned by Sugriva by name. He says there is an iron deposit-rich mountain Ayomukha (now Kudremukh with its iron ore mines!), the great peak (now Doddabetta!), and lots of sandal wood forests (Karnataka).

ततस्तामापगां दिव्यां प्रसन्नसलिलां शिवाम्    ।

तत्र द्रक्ष्यथ कावेरीं विहितामप्सरोगणैः            ॥

"Then you will set your eyes on the sacred river Cauvery with pure and auspicious waters, where celestial nymphs sport."

He mentions the hermitage of the sage Agastya, resplendent like the sun, on top of the Malaya mountain. Sugriva pointedly tells the vanaras to seek Agastya's blessings.

Then they will cross the Tamraparni river full of alligators, which they should cross with the sage's permission.

Sugriva says they will then come to the seashore, where the rivers meet the ocean like a woman meeting her lover. He gives a detailed description of the Pandya kingdom with the city of pearl gates.

At the edge of the ocean, on Mahendra peak, they should stop and decide their future course.

There is an island of a hundred yojanas, difficult to reach, in the ocean. 

तत्र सर्वात्मना सीता मार्गितव्या विशेषतः   ।

स हि देशस्तु वध्यस्य रावणस्य दुरात्मनः    ॥

"In that island, search for Sita thoroughly, all of you! For that island is the kingdom of the evil rakshasa Ravana, who deserves to be killed for his misdeed."

Sugriva describes more sights and places, mountains, and kingdoms, legendary female monsters who catch their victims by swallowing their shadows. Terrible ogres and even the afterworld of the departed ruled by Yama, which shall not be entered into.

Sugriva tells this south-bound team of heroes to return with cries of victory, "दृष्टा सीता" within a month, and whoever hero meets with success will be rewarded very generously and will be forgiven for any of his past misdeeds.

There is some consternation among commentators who wonder why Sugriva has described so many places north of Kishkindha (present-day Hampi). I have an explanation. I think the so-called South team had so much area to cover and they had to begin their advance from north of Vindhyas. Otherwise, the incongruity is inexplicable.

***

Now Sugriva orders his own father-in-law, Sushena, a senior vanara chief and father of queen Tara, to lead the search party going west. Sushena has many brilliant vanara warriors with divine powers in his party.

The western region of Saurashtra, Bahlika and so on, with forests of rare trees, cactus-filled deserts and the meeting point of Sindhu river with the ocean, as well as fantastic mountains with valleys on top, immeasurable fortunes in Gandharva-ruled lands which are impregnable, are all mentioned. Whales, alligators, sharks, are all mentioned. Sugriva mentions that there is land's end there when they reach the horizon, beyond which there will be no sun.

The abode of Varuna, god of the seas, may well be where Sita has been taken by Ravana. So every place has to be thoroughly searched in the western direction.

Sugriva repeats his ultimatum of 30 days and the death penalty for delays, adding that this applies despite the fact that Sushena is himself leading the search party. But he is confident that under Sushena's mature leadership, nothing untoward will come to pass.

***

॥     श्रीरामजयम्     ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 23

September 23 - Sargas 39 and 40 of Kishkindha Kanda.

Valmiki mentions the several vanara chiefs and their immense armies as they descend on Rishyamuka. Their martial spirit is beginning to light up like a huge fire.

Sugriva, on instruction from Sri Rama, begins to despatch the armies in different directions, starting with the eastward search for Sita. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the terrain, landmarks, and peoples does not fail to impress us.

***

Sri Rama embraces Sugriva and praises his great quality of extending unstinting help in searching for Sita. He compares his reliable nature of friendship to the constancy of Indra who always gives rain and the sun god who always dispels darkness. Sri Rama expresses confidence that now with Sugriva's help, he will be able to retrieve Sita after killing the rakshasas.

Suddenly the skies darken as if it is nightfall. Millions of vanaras of every size and description descend in hordes there, filling up the skies like dense clouds, Valmiki gives a detailed description of each contingent, where they came from, who was their leader, and how they celebrated their arrival. It is a long list and many vanara chiefs are mentioned - Tara, Sushena, Nala, Nila, Kesari, even Jambavan (bears), Gavaksha (golongulas with cow tails), Dhumra (also bears), Durmukha, Panasa, Angada, Mainda, and Dvivida (twins sired by the Ashwini twin gods), Sarabha, Kumuda, Vahni, Ramhi and so on. 

कैलासशिखराकारैर्वानरैभीमविक्रमैः ।

वृतः कोटिसहस्रेण हनुमान्प्रत्यदृश्यत  ॥

"Hanuman was seen to arrive, surrounded by ten billion vanaras who were of terrific valour who looked like the mighty Kailasa peak itself."

The vanaras leapt up and roared constantly in martial enthusiasm. They looked fierce and dangerous. 

All the vanaras came and bowed down to Sugriva. He then presented the vanara chiefs by name to Sri Rama, introducing their mountainous locations, their army strength and so on. They all had magical strength and could assume any form they wished and explore any region on earth or underwater.

***

Sugriva now bowed down to Sri Rama and said they awaited his orders. Sri Rama replied, embracing Sugriva, "oh mighty warrior and lord of vanaras, I wish to know whether Vaidehi is alive or not. Also where the rakshasa Ravana lives. "

अधिगम्य तु वैदेहीं निलयं रावणस्य च            ।

प्राप्तकालं विधास्यामि तस्मिन्काले सह त्वया  ॥

"Oh Sugriva, after coming to know where Vaidehi is and where Ravana resides, I shall decide the proper time and course of action in consultation with you."

Sri Rama makes it clear that neither he nor Lakshmana will issue any commands to the vanara army. Sugriva is their supreme leader and the only one who should command them. So let Sugriva kindly decide and issue his orders.

***

Sugriva called one of his able commanders by the name of Vinata. He was huge like a mountain. In a voice resembling thunder, Sugriva gave him his orders in the presence of Sri Rama and Lakshmana.

देशकालनयैर्युक्तः कार्याकार्यविनिश्चये ।

वृतश्शतसहस्रेण वानराणां तरस्विनाम्   ॥

अधिगच्छ दिशं पूर्वां सशैलवनकाननाम् ।

तत्र सीतां च वैदेहीं निलयं रावणस्य च   ॥

मार्गध्वं गिरिशृङ्गेषु वनेषु च नदीषु च       ।

"Oh Vinata, you are adept in taking timely decisions and knowing what to do. Surrounded by lakhs of vanaras, all of great valour, go eastward in the region full of mountains and forests. Go and search thoroughly for Sita and also explore Ravana's residence, looking in every mountain peak and forest and even in rivers."

Valmiki then makes Sugriva give an incredible amount of detail of the various regions and peoples they will encounter in the eastern direction. He names all the mighty rivers, their different types of waters; silkworms and silver mines; cannibals with long ears; people of golden complexion and handsome looks,  tiger-like men, forest dwellers and aborigines; regions beyond the Java island, mineral and gem deposit-rich lands; divine constructions by Vishwakarma and Garuda's abode; many kinds of demons; royal swans, lotuses with golden filaments, and so on. Even the golden peak Jatarupashila on which resides the divine snake Ananta is described. Sugriva mentions where Vishnu in his Trivikrama form placed his two steps.

The vanaras are told that they cannot proceed beyond a certain horizon as there is no light there. They should exert themselves tirelessly to locate Sita. They should return successfully within one month with happy faces.

In any case, if they delay their return beyond a month, they shall all be put to death. 

***

॥     श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 22

September 22 - Sargas 37 and 38 of Kishkindha Kanda describe how Sugriva efficiently gathers his immense army of vanaras and bears from the four corners of earth before proceeding to Sri Rama with Lakshmana to report the progress. 

***

Often, we read headlines in the Kannada newspapers that the government has issued such a stringent order that anyone who violates the order will face severe penalties. Such an order is described as "Sugrivaajne" - "Sugriva's order." We will be reading in these and next sargas about how the vanaras and bears were quite frightened of Sugriva's punishment and their obedience was always total.

***

Now Sugriva calls Hanuman. He issues stern orders that reinforce his earlier diktat to the senior vanaras to go and gather all the warriors within 2 weeks. This time he says it should be complied with in just ten days, with the penalty of death to any vanaras if they did not comply with the order and report here.

महेन्द्रहिमवद्विन्ध्यकैलासशिखरेषु च            ।

मन्दरे पाण्डुशिखरे पञ्चशैलेषु ये सिथिताः  ॥

तरुणादित्यवर्णेषु भ्राजमानेषु नित्यशः     ।

पर्वतेषु समुद्रान्ते पश्चिमस्यां च ये दिशि ॥

तांस्तांस्त्वमानय क्षिप्रं पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्    ।

सामदानादिभिः कल्पैर्वानरैर्वेगवत्तरैः        ॥

"Oh Hanuman, from the Mahendra mountain, from the Himalayas, from Vindhyas, from the peak of Kailasa, from the white peak Mandara mountain,  from the Panchashaila range, all the vanaras who reside there...

"from the mountain ranges that shine with the golden colour of the rising sun, from all over indeed, including the mountains on seashores, also from the western end of the earth,

"instruct all the vanaras of the entire planet to assemble without delay. Send for them with inducements of appeasement and praise, and stir them to act with speed. Send out your best senior vanaras, those who had already been instructed to do so, to double their efforts now and get every one of the vanaras and rikshas (bears) within ten days. "

Sugriva describes how these vanaras have divine powers, are like mountains in size and like elephants in strength, and travel so swiftly together as to cloud the sky. And all these vanaras owe their allegiance to the supreme lord, Sugriva. Therefore their absolute compliance shall be ensured by Hanuman and the senior vanara chiefs who shall fan out with a repeat instruction from Sugriva.

There is also a reference to how vanaras are prone to be lost in drink and carnal pleasures but they should be forced and induced as the case may be to comply at once and arrive in Rishyamuka.

Valmiki says that the order had its due effect and vanaras and rikshas started arriving in millions very quickly. A wide range of simians, some red in colour, some black like collyrium, some like molten gold, indeed all with impressive appearances, came in hordes. Some had tails like cows. Some had manes like lions. They fed on bananas, coconut milk, and so on, and yet they had terrific strength and fierce looks. They had mighty reputations for impossibly powerful deeds. And they were all thrilled that they had been enlisted by their king Sugriva ifor Sri Rama's service.

Enroute, the vanaras came to a place in the forest, where, under the canopy of a very large tree, a special yajna was being performed to propitiate Lord Shiva. The monkeys climbed that tree and beheld the Himalayan peaks.  The vanaras then came down and partook of the special fruits and roots offered as havis to the deity. These offerings were indeed special, tasting like nectar, and they conferred on the one eating them a feeling of satiation and freedom from hunger and thirst for a whole month. The vanaras collected this prasada (holy communion) and medicinal herbs as well as divine flowers from that yajna sacred fire altar.

Thus an incalculable number of vanaras and rikshas arrived in Kishkindha's vicinity in an incredibly short time. 

***

The vanaras arrived and reported duly to their king Sugriva. They offered him the special yajna prasada they had brought after the worship of Lord Shiva. Sugriva was immensely pleased. 

Lakshmana was very delighted by this swift and decisive progress made under Surgiva's order. He gently requested Sugriva that they should not delay going to Sri Rama now.

Sugriva instructed that a great palanquin be readied at once for him and Lakshmana. Sugriva requested Lakshmana to take his seat on it. Together with Lakshmana, Sugriva went in that special palanquin carried by terrific vanaras, along with a contigent of mighty vanaras carrying their weapons, in a procession to the mountain cave where Sri Rama was waiting. The procession with the ceremonial white umbrella, yak tail fans, and a musical band of wind and percussion instruments, made a pretty picture as the vanaras constantly cheered all the way.

Sugriva alighted and went and touched Sri Rama's feet. Sri Rama lifted him up and embraced him warmly.

Sri Rama said to Sugriva, 

"Indeed he is a great king who knows when to pursue Dharma, artha and kama (righteous duty, economic pursuits, and pursuit of pleasures) respectively. A king who does not know what is the right thing to do at the right time and engages in trivia will fall from his position like a man sitting on a tree dosing off carelessly and inadvertently.

" I am glad you are now with all your mighty warriors and chiefs. Please confer and decide what is the best course of action now."

Sugriva again bowed down to Sri Rama and replied, "Oh Lord Sri Rama, it is entirely by your grace that I have secured my kingship and the leadership of this large army. There is no question of my falling from my duty. 

 "These powerful vanaras are all sons of divine beings and possess incredible power as well as knowledge of how to enter the most inaccessible places.

ते त्वामाभिगमिष्यन्ति राक्षसं योद्धुमाहवे   ।

निहत्य रावणं सङ्ख्ये ह्यानयिष्यन्ति मैथिलीम्   ॥  

"These vanaras coming and reporting to you are the same who will go and kill Ravana along with his rakshasa troops and relatives and shall surely bring back Maithili Sita to you."

Hearing these words, Sri Rama looked very pleased and resembled in his radiant joy a blooming blue lotus.

***

॥     श्रीरामजयम्      ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - September 21

September 21 - sargas 35 and 36 of Kishkindha Kanda.

Two short sargas that show how a modicum of wisdom,  timely, friendly, and considerate speech, as well as due apology, can set right a difficult situation and avoid permanent damage to relationships.

***

On hearing the piercing words of anger and warning by Lakshmana, Tara steps forward. She says,

नैव लक्ष्मण वक्तव्यो नायं परुषमर्हति       ।

हरीणामीश्वरः श्रोतुं तव वक्त्राद् विशेषतः   ॥ 

नैवाकृतज्ञः सुग्रीवो न शठो नापि दारुणः    ।

नैवानृतकथो वीर न जिह्मश्च कपीश्वरः        ॥

"Lakshmana, such words should not be spoken. Sugriva, the lord of all vanaras, should not hear such words from especially you.

"Oh hero, Lakshmana, Sugriva, the lord of vanaras, is neither ungrateful, nor deceitful, nor evil, nor a liar, nor a crooked one to be thus addressed."

Tara explains how Sugriva won his kingdom and comfort entirely owing to Sri Rama's great act. Before that, he had been wandering for long in the mountains without his people in utter misery. He had come into such a great life with Ruma and Tara and all the creature comforts that he had gone overboard in indulging in pleasures. But such is life. 

स हि प्राप्तं न जानीते कालं कालविदां वरः ।

विश्वामित्रो महातेजाः किं पुनर्यः पृथग्जनः   ॥

देहधर्मगतस्यास्य परिश्रान्तस्य लक्ष्मण  ।

अवित्रप्तस्य कामेषु रामः क्षन्तुमिहार्हति ॥

"You know how sage Vishwamitra lost a whole ten years in the company of a woman and did not realize the terrible waste of his tapas merits or those years. He was supreme among those who know the value of time, and was full of ascetic radiance. And yet he succumbed. What then of a common person like Sugriva? Sugriva has succumbed to the new-found pleasures of the flesh after his long years of adversity. That is why he is not satisfied yet. Under these circumstances, Sri Rama should forgive Sugriva magnanimously."

Tara adds that such uncontrolled anger was unbecoming of a noble hero like Lakshmana and therefore he should cool down and be kind to Sugriva.

Tara goes on to explain that according to her, Sugriva's noble nature was such that he would readily sacrifice Ruma, Tara, and Angada along with his entire kingdom and its wealth if it served the cause of Sri Rama. Sugriva was keen to see Sita reunited with Sri Rama just like the star Rohini with her husband the moon, Chandra.

And consider this. शतकोटिसहस्राणि लङ्कायां किल राक्षसाम् Lanka was guarded by millions of rakshasas milling around Ravana. Therefore to kill Ravana and retrieve Sita was no mean task. This was made clear even by Vali before dying, as Tara had been told later. 

Therefore Sugriva has sent out orders for all the great vanara and bear warriors to assemble within a very short time. With such a large army of great warriors, and with Sugriva's leadership, a proper effort was imminent to find and bring back Sita. Therefore Lakshmana should give up his anger. 

Tara points out how the red-eyed Lakshmana had struck terror in all the vanaras and vanara women in the palace.

***

Seeing Lakshmana placated by Tara's words, Sugriva, who had sobered down, first tore off the splendid necklace around his own neck and came to Lakshmana, in a gesture of sincere apology.

"Laksmana, all that I had lost - my kingdom, my people, my freedom and honour - getting all that back I owe to Sri Rama's benevolence. How can I ever think of repaying him adequately? It is impossible. Indeed, it will be he who will kill Ravana and retrieve Sita, of course with some help from me and the vanara army."

Sugriva humbly submits that he should be pardoned for any transgressions and omissions. 

***

Lakshamana has completely cooled down by now and speaks pleasantly.

यस्ते प्रभावः सुग्रीव यच्च ते शौचमीदृशम् ।

अर्हस्त्वं कपिराज्यस्य श्रियं भोक्तुमनुत्तमम्  ॥

सहायेन च सुग्रीव त्वया रामः प्रतापवान्    ।

वधिष्यति रणे शत्रूनचिरान्नत्र संशयः        ॥

कं तु शीघ्रमितो वीर निष्क्रम त्वं मया सह   ।

सान्त्वयस्व वयस्यं च भार्याहरणदुःखितम्   ॥

"Oh Sugriva, with your incomparable valour, and now as I see this humility and readiness to accept and correct mistakes, I think you surely deserve to rule the vanara kingdom and enjoy its supreme prosperity for long.    

"Indeed, with your assistance, the mighty Sri Rama will soon kill the rakshasas. There is no doubt about it at all.

"So, now, you please come at once with me to go and meet Sri Rama. Please console him as he is deeply distressed over losing his beloved wife Sita."

Lakshmana finally adds, 

मया त्वं परुषाण्युक्तस्तत् क्षमस्व सखे मम 

"And my friend, kindly forgive me for those very harsh words that I spoke to you."

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्          ॥  

Valmiki Ramayana - September 20

September 20 - Sargas 33 and 34 of Kishkindha Kanda.

Valmiki gives another description of a great city - this time Kishkindha. I continue to marvel at his wordsmithery and also at the ancient Indian "totally urban" mindset. 

Whereas our scriptures are replete with great descriptions of the circle of life in the forest, they also contain frequent references to how man lives in the city. In fact, Purusha, or man, means one who lives in the city! Even in the Bhagavadgita, Sri Krishna says, "navadvaare pure dehii", meaning that this body with nine apertures is the city in which the human soul dwells.

Then Valmiki goes on to report a very interesting dialogue between Lakshmana and Tara.

***

Lakshmana entered Kishkindha. Although described as a cave, inside it was a full-fledged capital city, full of wonderful mansions, studded with precious stones, well-appointed, and laid out for all the various vanara chiefs. (Specific references are made to the important vanaras' mansions, eg Nila, Nala, Tara, Hanuman, and even the mansion of Jambavan is mentioned). There were trees full of fragrant flowers and delicious fruits. Valmiki says that the citizens of Kishkindha were divinely endowed vanaras capable of changing their form at will, looking very healthy and handsome, and all looked very happy. The women are especially mentioned as very attractive, confident, and very well dressed, and wearing many ornaments. There was music and dance everywhere and in fact, the sound of dancing bells increased Lakshmana's anger!

हरिभिः संवृतद्वारं बलिभिः शस्त्रपाणिभिः     ।

दिव्यमाल्यावृतं शुभ्रं तप्तकाञ्चनतोरणम्      ॥

सुग्रीवस्य गृहं रम्यं प्रविवेश महाबलः           ।

अवार्यमाणः सौमित्रिर्महाभ्रमिव भास्करः       ॥ 

"Lakshmana entered the front door of Sugriva's white palace which looked very beautiful, with a torana of golden flowers, and with divine garlands strung everywhere. It was guarded well by strong vanaras bearing weapons. But the mighty Lakshmana was like the effulgent sun who enters even a dense black cloud easily."

Lakshmana passed many chambers full of a variety of beautiful women, sporting, and singing. Hearing their anklets he was bashful. At the same time, he was greatly provoked. He held his bow and gave a mighty twang to its string that resonated frighteningly everywhere.

This alarmed Sugriva who was still getting out of his inebriation. He knew from Angada and others that Lakshmana had arrived. But he was unable to understand this extreme anger. He pleaded with Tara, "oh, please explain what wrong I have done to Lakshmana! Why is he angry?  Tara, you had better go at once and meet Lakshmana and find out why he is so upset. I know his nobility and that he won't harm a woman."

Tara too was inebriated, with her girdle loosened. She was ashamed of her wardrobe malfunction as she went to Lakshmana and bowed. Lakshmana was bashful and did not look up at her. Tara asked, " Oh, Lakshmana, what has occasioned this great anger in you!? Who dare approach you, looking like a forest fire ready to burn down everything?"

Lakshmana spoke. "Oh lady, do you realize that your husband is totally engrossed in sense pleasures and is so busy with drink and women that he has ignored his royal duties as well as his responsibility towards us? It is already four months!"

नहि धर्मार्थसिध्यर्थं पानमेवं प्रशस्यते ।

पानादर्थश्च कामश्च धर्मश्च परिहीयते   ॥

"Oh lady, you should know that drinking and inebriation ruins a man's prospect of discharging his Dharma. Indeed, drinking compromises one's pursuit of righteousness, enterprise, and even true enjoyment of life."

Lakshmana urged Tara that not fulfilling one's promise to one's trusted and close friends was ruinous and most unworthy. She is wise and should therefore school Sugriva appropriately.

***

Tara now replied.

"Oh, Prince, this is not the time to get angry with your friends. Indeed Sugriva is committed to carrying out his duty. So even if he has made some mistake you should forgive him. Indeed you are pre-eminent in your virtues and have performed great austerities. So you should not yield to anger.

"I know that Sugriva has crossed the four months time limit. But you see, he has given in to carnal desires and voluptuousness. So he has forgotten to act. Being immune to carnal desires, you do not understand the predicament of Sugriva."

न देशकालौ हि यथार्थधर्माववक्षते कामरतिर्मनुष्यः            ।

तं कामवृत्तं मम संनिकृष्टं कामाभियोगाच्च विमुक्तलज्जम्    ॥ 

क्षमस्व तावत् परवीरहन्तस्त्वद्भ्रातरं वानरवंशनाथम्             ।

"Oh, slayer of mighty foes, you ought to realize that neither the question of the appropriateness of time and place nor whether such action is in accordance with one's righteous obligations can hold back a man who is overcome with carnal passion. Realising that Surgiva is in my company and fully surrendered to sexual desires, with no sense of shame, please do forgive Sugriva, the chief of vanaras, considering him your brother."

Tara argued that even ascetic sages after long periods of penance had not escaped carnal temptations. And by the way, Lakshmana would be glad to know that Sugriva had already given orders and a great many vanaras and others in his army had started assembling nearby for the intended mission.

Tara invited Lakshmana to set aside his bashfulness and come into the women's quarters to meet Sugriva.

***

Sugriva jumped out of his bed, rising with Ruma and other women whom he was sporting with, on seeing the mighty Lakshmana spewing anger. Sugriva was like a tall tree shaking in the wind.

Lakshmana did not mince his words.

पूर्वं कृतार्थो मित्राणां न तत्प्रतिकरोति यः     ।

कृतघ्नः सर्वभूतानां स वध्यः प्लवगेश्वर        ॥

गीतोऽयं ब्रह्मणा श्लोकः सर्वकालनमस्कृतः    ।

दृष्ट्वा कृतघ्नं क्रुद्धेन तन्निबोध प्लवङ्गम           ॥

गोघ्ने चैव सुरापे च चौरे भग्नव्रते तथा                ।

निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भिः कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः    ॥ 

"Oh Vanara, Sugriva, listen. Having once secured favours from a friend and got what one wanted, if one does not repay the debt by discharging his commitment to that friend, he is indeed punishable by the death penalty.

"Let me quote to you a famous shloka attributed to a brahmin who had been angered by the betrayal shown by his friend. 

"The killing of a cow, or misdeed of inebriation by drink, or theft, or breaking one's religious vows - all of them have rituals that have been prescribed by the wise for penitence and absolution. But the deed of betraying someone's friendship is indeed beyond penitence or forgiving."

***

Lakshmana reminds Sugriva that he owes all his good life now to Sri Rama. If Sugriva does not keep his side of the commitment, he will quickly go where Vali went. If only Sugriva had known the true power of Sri Rama's arrows, he would not have been so deficient in his behaviour.

***

॥      श्रीरामजयम्       ॥