September 19 - Sargas 31 and 32 of Kishkindha Kanda.
Lakshmana arrives at Kishkindha's gate breathing flames of anger. All the varana chiefs come and see the sight of a supreme warrior ready to unleash mayhem.
Lakshmana tells Angada to go and inform Sugriva that he has come. Sugriva is in no state to understand what is imminent as he is still immersed in sex. Angada is deeply distressed.
At last, the huge noise made by all the vanaras attracts Sugriva's attention. When he hears that Lakshmana has arrived, looking like a cosmic conflagration, he wonders what could have caused this anger? Had Sugriva done any wrong!?
It takes Hanuman to remind Sugriva that he has certainly been derelict in his duty towards Sri Rama and thereby invited the utmost danger from Raghava who has been shortchanged.
***
Sri Rama's words work Lakshmana into a rage. He says of Sugriva,
न भोक्ष्यते वानरराज्यलक्ष्मीं तथाहि नाभिक्रमतेऽस्य बुद्धिः
"This vanara Sugriva is not likely to enjoy the prosperity of his kingship for too long, that's why his mind is not directed towards us and our condition." Lakshmana vows to kill Sugriva. Let Angada and other vanaras undertake the search for Sita.
Sri Rama, a slayer of even mighty enemies but one full of consideration for those who come to him for refuge, asks Lakshmana to cool down and hold himself together,
तां प्रीतिमनुवर्तस्व पूर्ववृत्तं च सङ्गतम्
"Lakshmana, please get back to a friendly mood for the sake of Sugriva's friendship forged recently. Just remind him in conciliatory words that he has forgotten his commitment."
Lakshmana, wielding his bow and arrows, proceeds to Kishkindha. He gives vent to his anger by chopping down trees and crushing rocks with his foot on the way.
***
When Lakshmana saw the portals of Kishkindha guarded by huge vanaras wielding weapons, his anger doubled. The vanaras were scared to see a cataclysmic Lakshmana arrive, radiating anger. They rushed to Sugriva's inner chamber to report the matter. But they found Sugriva engaged in love-making with Tara. The dismayed vanaras returned to their guard posts. A moment of confrontation looked imminent. Lakshmana shone even more brightly in his anger, remembering Sugriva's derelict behaviour.
***
बाणशल्यस्फुरज्जिव्हः सायकासनभोगवान् ।
स्वतेजोविषसम्भूतः पञ्चास्य इव पन्नगः ॥
तं दीप्तमिव कालाग्निं नागेन्द्रमिव कोपितम् ।
समासाद्याङ्गदस्त्रासाद् विषादमगमत् परम् ॥
सोऽङ्गदं रोषताम्राक्षः संदिदेश महायशाः ।
सुगरीवः क्थ्यतां व्तस ममागमनमित्युत ॥
"Lakshmana's iron-tipped arrows looked like the swishing forked tongue of the deadly snake, his bow itself like the raised hood of the king cobra. Lakshmana resembled in his rampant conflagration of rage the five-hooded celestial serpent king.
"Angada, in deadly fright and distress, tentatively approached Lakshmana, who looked like the fire of dissolution, dangerous like the god of serpents when provoked.
"Lakshmana, the glorious one, with his eyes reddened in anger, spoke to Angada. "Son, please go and inform Sugriva that I have arrived." "
***
Lakshmana also instructs Angada,
"Tell him precisely this message:
Lakshmana, burning in the grief of his elder brother Sri Rama, awaits you, Sugriva, at the gate. Pray, listen to his words, if you please."
"Angada, give him this message and return here at once."
***
An agitated Angada rushed to the inner chamber, and bowed to Tara, Sugriva, and Ruma, holding their feet. But his words were lost on an intoxicated and aroused Sugriva.
***
Meanwhile, the vanara warriors arrayed at the gate did not know what to do. True to monkey behaviour, they raised a babel of tumultous noise. This sound was enough to whip up Sugriva's senses.
***
Angada requested Sugriva's two trusted senior ministers Plaksha and Prabhava to go brief Sugriva. They had direct access to Sugriva at all times. They went and briefed the king that of the two righteous brothers, Sri Rama and Lakshmana, who had been displeased, Lakshmana had come, "riding the chariot of Sri Rama's cause and driven by his message as the charioteer." Obviously, Sugriva, after regaining his kingdom and wealth thanks to Sri Rama's great act, had neglected his reciprocal commitment.
The ministers say Lakshmana's frightening rage had agitated the vanara warriors considerably. Sugriva should go at once, along with his people, and placate Lakshmana.
***
Sugriva started reasoning. He had not committed any misdeed towards Sri Rama and Lakshmana. Perhaps his enemies had poisoned their minds, carrying some tales. In any case, he was keen to preserve his valuable friendship.
***
It is time for Hanuman to speak.
"Oh king, you have forgotten your promise. Sri Rama restored you your kingship and prosperity as he had promised. Obviously, he has sent Lakshmana to remind you of your duty. In your intoxication, you have forgotten your commitment. You are not even aware that the season has changed and the time for your military expedition (in search of Sita) is more than imminent.
कृतापराधस्य हि ते नान्यत्पश्याम्यहं क्षमम् ।
अन्तरेणाञ्जलिं बद्ध्वा लक्ष्मणस्य प्रसादनात्॥
"Oh king, I do not see any recourse for you but to go at once to Lakshmana and supplicate to him with folded hands, seeking his forgiveness for your dereliction of duty".
Hanuman tells Sugriva that he should bow down along with his people to Lakshmana and beg forgiveness much like a recalcitrant wife would of her husband.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
