September 18 - Sargas 29 and 30 of Kishkindha Kanda.
The earliest poem in world literature is Valmiki Ramayana. It is our scripture and the eternal inspiration for our national spirit, enshrined even in the Indian constitution.
It is a different matter that we allowed invaders to destroy the sanctity of Sri Rama's birthplace and had to fight in courts to build a temple there.
But let us read Valmiki.
He is timeless. His words resonate with beauty, insight, wisdom, captivating story-telling, and the power of bringing characters to life inside our hearts and heads. Our every moment spent in reading Valmiki is more precious than a whole life time spent in the business of life.
Today's sargas have three parts
- how Hanuman wakes up Sugriva's sense of duty to Sri Rama in the midst of his wallowing in carnal pleasures.
- how Sri Rama pines all the more for Sita with the onset of autumn.
-how he instructs Lakshmana to go and sternly remind Sugriva that the time is up for commencing the search for Sita.
***
The monsoon has passed. But Sugriva is engrossed in the company of his women. He has Ruma back. He also cohabits with Tara, who has become his woman as per sanctioned social practice there. He is not bothered with administration or anything else. His life is compared by Valmiki to that of Indra immersed in sporting with his apsaras in heaven.
Thankfully, Sugriva's minister is Hanuman. He more than makes up for Sugriva's lack of responsibility. Hanuman goes to Sugriva and wakes up his dormant conscience.
***
Valmiki says that Hanuman broached the subject respectfully and carefully, so that Sugriva would not think he is being reprimanded but merely reminded of something he always intended to do.
राज्यं प्राप्तं यशश्चैव कौली श्रीरभिवर्धिता ।
मित्राणां सङ्ग्रहश्शेषस्तं भवान्कर्तुमर्हति ॥
मित्राणां सङ्ग्रहश्शेषस्तं भवान्कर्तुमर्हति ॥
यस्तु कालव्यतीतेषु मित्रकार्येषु वर्तते ।
स कृत्वा महतोऽप्यर्थान्न मित्रार्थेन युज्यते ॥
यदिदं मित्रकार्यं वीर नोमित्रकार्यमरिन्दम ।
क्रियतां राघवस्यैतद्वैदेह्याः परिमार्गणम् ॥
तदिदं वीर कार्यं ते कालातीतमरिन्दम ।
प्राणत्यागाविशङ्केन कृतं तेन तवप्रियम् ।
तस्य मार्गाम वैदेहीं पृथिव्यामपि चाम्बरे ॥
Hanuman says,
"Dear Sugriva, it is a happy situation that you have secured your kingdom back, your reputation, your pride in the famous lineage, and enhanced prosperity accrued from kingship. All that remains is for you to take care of your friendships and alliances.
"If someone discharges his responsibility towards his friend after the right time is past, then it will not bear fruit as far as his friend is concerned, even if it is done with much effort. So time is of the essence in keeping promises to friends.
"The fulfilment of a commitment towards your friend in this instance happens to be the effort to launch a thorough search for Sri Rama's abducted wife Sita. Oh vanquisher of foes, Sugriva, I am sorry to say that this task remains outstanding and the time is already past.
"Please recall how Sri Rama risked his life and fulfilled your request to kill Vali and get your kingdom back. We therefore need to launch a search everywhere in the three worlds, and under the sea if needed, to find Sita."
Hanuman also gently reminds Sugriva that Sri Rama is capable of destroying any enemy, whether he is a god or a demon or anyone else. He is the supreme warrior with divine weapons. So incurring his wrath is a terrible blunder.
On Hanuman's advice, Sugriva at once sends for Nila, his trusted lieutenant. He tells him to assemble from everywhere all the vanaras and rikshas (bears) that have allegiance to him within two weeks. The mightiest army should be brought together for embarking on Sita's search. Any vanara who defies this command will be put to death. Nila will also command the entire army for this project. Let Nila go with Angada and inform all the elder leaders among vanaras and cascade this order.
***
With the passage of monsoon, the terrain around the Prasravana mountain wears a very different look. Blue skies, thinning rivers, and birds singing different tunes, invite Sri Rama's attention. No longer the torrents of rain and skies darkened by huge clouds. The sun shines and moonlight is brilliant. This makes Sri Rama again pine ardently for Sita's company. Valmiki treats us to many verses again describing Sri Rama's mood as he remembers the sweetness and excitement during the first union of lovers and how much Vaidehi would be missing right now the beauties of this forest.
One day, when Lakshmana returns from his hunting and gathering, he finds Sri Rama in a swoon of sorrow. When Sri Rama recovers, he tells Lakshmana that they have been delayed in going and helping Sita.
सरांसि सरितो वापीः काननानि वनानि च ।
तां विना मृगशाबाक्षीं चरन्नाद्य सुखं लभे ॥
तां विना मृगशाबाक्षीं चरन्नाद्य सुखं लभे ॥
"Dear Lakshmana, although I am wandering along these beautiful rivers, lakes and in wonderful forests full of attractions, I am without my doe-eyed Sita and therefore in utter grief. I also wonder in what circumstances she must be, facing hardships and torn by the pain of separation."
Lakshmana chides Sri Rama. What is this weak mindset and defeatism?
क्रियाभियोगं मनसः प्रसादं समाधियोगानुगतं च कालम्।
सहायसामर्थ्यमदीनसत्त्वःस्वकर्म हेतुं च कुरुष्व हेतुम् ॥
सहायसामर्थ्यमदीनसत्त्वःस्वकर्म हेतुं च कुरुष्व हेतुम् ॥
"Dear brother, engage in yoga and meditation. Regain your serenity and cheerfully strive. You will also get help in your effort. Work therefore towards our objective rather than give in to depression."
Lakshmana says Sita cannot be harmed by anyone inasmuch as a forest fire cannot be tamed. A thorough endeavour will surely bring Sita back. Sri Rama cheers up. He thanks Lakshmana for speaking wise and encouraging words that seem straight from Sama Veda. Indeed their task ahead is clearly cut out for them.
But. A huge but as Sri Rama the poet again speaks up describing the contrast of the beautiful autumn season compared to the monsoon. Alas, all this means that the four months have passed. Such a long time and yet no effort has even been started to go and search for Sita!
प्रियाविहीने दुःखार्ते हृतराज्ये विवासिते ।
कृपां न कुरुते राजा सुग्रीवो मयि लक्ष्मण ॥
कृपां न कुरुते राजा सुग्रीवो मयि लक्ष्मण ॥
"Oh Lakshmana, the king Sugriva seems to have no consideration for me, when I have lost my wife, lost my kingdom, and suffering untold misery during my banishment.
"Perhaps Sugriva is so busy making merry that he has forgotten his promise. Perhaps he does not deign to think of me now as I am so lowly and miserable right now. The period of four months is gone. Why this delay, then?
"Go, Lakshmana! Go and tell Sugriva that my bow and arrows are equally powerful even now. I can send him to join the company of his slain brother Vali. This time I shall annihilate all his people too.
"If the evil Sugriva thinks that it was a one-sided bargain and he owes me nothing, he is sadly mistaken. He should without any further delay fulfil his commitment as his utmost Dharma and help us find Sita. "
Lakshmana is incited by these words into a fit of rage towards Sugriva.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
