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.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
