November 20 - Sargas 61 and 62 of Sundara Kanda.
As the vanaras triumphantly travel back to Kishkindha, they come to Madhuvana, a very special garden, fruit orchard, and winery maintained by Sugriva with the choicest of fruits, honey, and wines for special occasions.
The vanaras get permission from Angada to go inside and celebrate. Their celebrations are so thorough that the guards are quite upset and go and report the vanaras' excesses to Sugriva.
***
महेन्द्राग्रात् समुत्पत्य पुप्लुवुः प्लवगर्षभाः ।
छादयन्त इवाकाशं महाकाया महाबलाः ॥
"Surrounding their superhero Hanuman, all the vanaras began their return journey leaving Mahendra mountain. As they leapt up in the sky, those mighty vanaras of huge build seemed to cover the sky in their large numbers."
After listening to Hanuman, all the vanaras exhibited great motivation to go to war on Lanka. They discussed among themselves how they would collectively serve the mission of Sri Rama.
यत्तन्मधुवनं नाम सुग्रीवस्याभिरक्षितम् ।
अधृष्यं सर्वभूतानां सर्वभूतमहोहरम् ॥
"Then the vanaras came upon Madhuvana, the special pleasure garden of King Sugriva, well protected and out of bounds for all beings. It was a most enchanting place."
King Sugriva had appointed his maternal uncle, the vanara chief by the name Dadhimukha, as the caretaker of this special garden.
All the vanaras were highly attracted to the Madhuvana. They wanted to go in and have a good time. They all approached Prince Angada and pleaded that he should give them permission. Angada agreed that they could go in and drink the honey and enjoy other attractions.
Soon, it was a real spectacle. The vanaras were having a wonderful time. Valmiki says very poetically:
गायन्तमन्यः प्रहसन्नुपैति
हसन्तमन्यः प्ररुद्नुनुपैति ।
तुदन्तमन्यः प्रणदन्नुपैति
समाकुलं तत कपिसैन्यमासीत् ॥
"As some inebriated monkeys began singing, they went and pushed those that were laughing out, and they in turn went and pushed those who were so drunk they had begun to weep, and those, in turn, pushed the ones who were jostling with others. The whole spectacle was a huge mass of vanaras presenting themselves in an orgy of celebration without a care in the world."
The director of the garden, vanara chief Dadhimukha, was first astonished and then very provoked by this display by the vanaras. He went and tried to discipline them. This was indeed the first time he had such a big problem on hand. He tried to push some. He reasoned with some. Some were so drunk he was able to create a fight amongst them.
But none listened to Dadhimukha. They became violent and scratched and pushed him around, forgetting themselves. That was the effect of intoxication.
***
Hanuman told the vanaras to enjoy themselves without hindrance. He said he would attend to anyone who came in their way. This may appear a bit unruly, but we should remember that alcohol is a close friend of soldiers from time immemorial. It is said that the modern armies have generals sipping whiskey in their clubs whereas the soldiers are supplied plenty of rum. Hanuman also must have sensed that the vanaras had gone through so much stress that this catharsis was much needed.
Angada felt reassured by Hanuman and nodded in approval.
The vanaras were now even more emboldened. They went and attacked the guards who were trying to stop them.
There was chaos. The vanaras were exchanging blows with the guards. They were trading blows among themselves, too. Dadhimukha tried to use strong-arm tactics, with very bad results. Even Angada pushed him. Soon the guards were unable to defend Dadhimukha who was badly hurt.
Dadhimukha had had enough. He decided to go and report this evil vanara sena and their vandalism and lawlessness to Sugriva. He was sure their actions would merit capital punishment,
He rushed to the presence of King Sugriva, who was with Sri Rama and Laksmana. He bowed down to Sugriva with a sense of helplessness and defeat.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
