24 / March 2018 / Yuva Bharati
SRI RAMA
AND
HANUMANThe serenity and the scenic beauty around the Pampa lake painfully reminded
Sri Rama of his beloved Sita, who would have enjoyed them.
Sugriva, the monkey chief, was hiding at the Rishyamuka hill. He saw the
two wanderers. Their radiant appearance frightened him. He thought the duo
might be the allies of his brother-turned enemy, Vali, and might pose new
danger to him. Sugriva ran to safety. Hanuman, Sugriva's minister, comforted
him. Sugriva directed Hanuman to meet the strangers to ascertain their
intentions.
Hanuman approached them in the form of a mendicant-recluse. He talked
to them in sweet, appropriate and persuasive words. The two visitors had
a royal bearing, heroic splendour, charming appearance and were sighing
frequently (Valmiki R/4/3/8). They deserved much better adornment and
better station. Hanuman's accurate assessment of their status at once won
Sri Rama over. “Ostensibly, the questioner should be one well- versed in the
Vedas, grammer and diplomacy, yet so loyal to his master. His king would be
successful in all his undertakings”, thought Sri Rama. Hanuman revealed that
he was a monkey, Sugriva's deputy. He was delighted to know that Sri Rama
had arrived there, seeking Sugriva's help.
Hanuman said that Sugriva was banished by his cruel brother Vali and was
hiding in the Rishyamuka, an area out of bounds for Vali.Convinced of the
camaraderie, Sri Rama narrated to him his life-story ending with Kabandha's
suggestion that the brothers should approach Sugriva whose plight was the
same as theirs.Hanuman carried Sri Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders
to Rishyamuka. He assured Sugriva that the two visitors were seeking his
help and narrated Sri Rama's life-story to him. Sugriva welcomed the two
princes. Sri Rama too breathed a sigh of relief that, at last a Royal ally had
been won over to rescue Sita.Panel-50