We had seen the search for Sita by the Vanara strongmen begin by designating in East, South and West directions after their king Sugriva comes to senses and attempts to keep his word. We are going to see the search commencing in North as well. Thus, Sugriva would like to find the whereabouts of Sita in any corner of the world to appease Rama by dispatching able men in all directions. The immense support and return of gratitude by the band of Vanaras to Rama begins on this note which will continue till the final battle with Ravana is waged and Sita is bought back. The introduction of Hanuman to Rama, commotion followed by the demise of Vali and this huge search by the Vanaras become the vital events in the land of Kishkindha as well as this Kanda as Rama sought their help at an important turn in his journey. Thus, the Vanara chiefs and highly resourceful of them like Hanuman gets an opportunity to make an imprint in the epic, become close to their God, Rama by virtue of friendship forged between Rama and Sugriva. This paves way for Hanuman to raise to higher echelons and become an ardent, devout devotee of Rama. The foundation has been made and we can see how the order for search passes, the search progresses and how everyone pins hopes on Hanuman to succeed in south. Thus, the band of monkeys will forever become the ardent followers of their noble lord, Rama.
In chapter 43, Sugriva sends troops to north in search of Sita. He gives an account of the snowy regions and provinces of northern side and asks them to search in the places of Yavana, Kuru, and Darads etc. civilizations. Sugriva specially informs them about a divine province called Uttara Kuru and a heavenly mountain called Mt. Soma on which Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva make sojourn for its sacredness.
The regions of the north towards the Himalayas were entrusted to the powerful Vanara chief Satavali. Sugriva, who knew every inch of the earth instruct his generals to search the land of the Kurus, the Bahlikas and Kambhoja in the spectacular ranges of the lofty Himalayas, where verdant forests, rippling streams and eternally snow-capped mountains were forever veiled by the swirling mists. "From there go to Somasrama, playground of the gods and Gandharvas. Between there and mount Kailas lies nothing but barren wasteland. On the plateaus of mount Kailas lives Kubera, in his golden mansion created by Visvakarma. After that comes the Krauncha Mountain, with its forbidding caves which are hard to access. Be sure to look there for Sita. In those caves live sages who are worshipped even by the gods and whose effulgence rivals with that of the Sun. Scour its peaks, its slopes and its streams. The pinnacle of this mountain is known as Kamarupa. Seek the regions of the Manasa, an indomitable land inaccessible not only to ordinary beings but also to gods, demons and rakshasas. Beyond this comes mount Mainaka, home of the asura Maya. It is also the land of Kinnera women. Do not overlook combing it for Rama's consort. Going past these you will arrive in that part of the world where the holy hermitages of the Vaikhanas and Valakhiyas are situated. Honour and worship them for their austerities have rendered them pure and many are their unfathomable magical powers. Ask them for news of Sita. It is also there the Diggaja Sarvabauma, Kubera's mount roams with his herd. Far from here is the land with neither beginning nor end. There neither the Sun nor Moon is seen, no star twinkles and no sound is heard. In that stillness where not even cloud float the only light comes from the luminance of god-like sages who live in eternal bliss. The glow of their dazzling brilliance brings light to the entire region which would otherwise be shrouded in eternal darkness. Your travel will next bring you to the river Sailoda where the regions around it are rampant with bubbling streams and lotus ponds with their million blooms, sporting their myriad hues. Along those riverbanks glint the most perfect rounds of pearls and flawless gems which dazzle and wink at the Sun. Beyond comes the northern ocean, out of which rises the golden mountain of Somagiri, abode of Brahma". Sugriva in his enthusiasm and in his reverence for Rama never seemed to tire of instructing and impressing upon his troops the importance of their mission. "You who are as fierce as the flames of fire and as fast as racing winds should accomplish your goal with the greatest speed, after which you can roam the world at your will and without care."
In chapter 44, Rama gives ring to Hanuman as memorabilia enabling Sita to recognize Hanuman without dismay. Sugriva holds Hanuman's capabilities very high and reposes full confidence in him for locating Sita. On seeing Sugriva assigning the task to Hanuman, Rama perceives that Hanuman alone can achieve results and thus hands over his ring to Hanuman. Then Hanuman starts on the expedition with others.
Sugriva's final instructions were to Hanuman, the indomitable son of Vayu who could attain the unattainable and to whom the word failure had no meaning. Sugriva was convinced that Hanuman among all the monkeys would be the real achiever and the one most likely to succeed, to him he said, " You, who can traverse the earth, the heaven and the oceans are the fittest to look for Sita". The entire responsibility of the search now rested on Hanuman. Rama was happy that the mission was entrusted to someone so capable and who had inspired so much confidence in Sugriva. He gave his ring to Hanuman saying that Sita would then be sure that it was Rama who had sent him. Bowing to Rama worshipfully, Hanuman rose into the skies along with the most powerful of Vanara armies. Even as he was leaving, Rama said, " Hanuman, I am counting on your valor and your strength to bring back Sita."
In chapter 45, the war cries of monkey soldiers in their enthusiasm to conquer Ravana are uttered in the audience of Sugriva, when all of them started to their designated directions. This suggests the sugriiva aaj~na 'the inviolable order of Sugriva.'
The Vanara armies were gone and Rama once again settled down on mount Prasavana to wait for that month when Sita was to be brought back. He watched the generals lead their troops away. Satavali went north towards the Himalayas, Vinata traveled east, Hanuman and Angada went south and Susena towards the west. Chafing for war, eager to find Sita and raring to destroy Ravana, the raucous armies left, stomping, roaring and bragging. "I can slay Ravana all by myself" said one, while the other declared, " I can kill him faster and deliver the terror struck, trembling princess Sita to Rama". Still another boasted, " I can seek her out even if she were in the very core of the earth" and so went on the challenges of the monkey bands in the service of their king and their god, Rama.
In chapter 46, Sugriva's knowledge of the physical world is acquired when Vali put him on the run. Rama enquires with Sugriva as to how Sugriva has so many details of lands, countries, rivers, and mountains. In reply, Sugriva says that when repulsed by Vali he was on the run from pillar to post, until he finally settled on Mt. Rishyamuka. During such a plighted flight, Sugriva says, he acquired a direct and personal knowledge of earth.
In the aftermath of the commotion caused by the Vanara legions, silence once again returned to mount Prasavana. In the quiet of that moment Rama asked,"Sugriva, how do you know so much of the earth with its countless hills, rivers, mountains and oceans?" And Sugriva replied, "Listen to my story Rama". "Many years ago Dundhubhi the demon came up to the gates of Kishkindha and challenged Vali to battle. But even before Vali could confront him the terror-struck monster vanished into a cave. Bidding me to wait outside, Vali went after his enemy. Days, weeks and months passed but of Vali there was no sign. Then one-day streams of blood came gushing out of the mountain cave, followed by cries of agony. Deeming my brother dead, grieving for him I went back to Kishkindha. "As I settled down to ruling the Vanara kingdom, Vali came back. For it was not he who had died but Dundhubhi. Though I immediately returned the kingdom to him with all respect, Vali would neither believe me nor forgive me, but tried to kill me. Trying to save myself I fled Kishkindha with my ministers. Leaping across rivers, ravines, over hills and through countless cities I ran. But there seemed to be no escape. It was then that Hanuman reminded me that sage Matanga had cursed Vali with death, if he ever entered his grove, Matanga vana. So, after having run all over the world, that is where we found refuge and that is how I know every nook and corner of the earth."
In chapter 47, Search for Sita failed in east, north, and west directions. The monkey chiefs who went there have come back to inform that she is not found and they all hoped Hanuman to find her out, because he is pursuing the direction in which Sita was taken away.
The swarming monkey bands led by their leaders went in search of Sita in the various directions commanded by their king. Their days were spent searching rivers, forests and mountains and at sunset after countless miles of travel they rested in the cool shade of fruit laden groves. Those who had gone towards North, East and West searched in vain. Though they had given up hope of finding Sita they were confident that the path Hanuman had taken would certainly yield better results.
In chapter 48, Hanuman's search for Sita, together with Angada and others is started. They search certain mountains and forests belonging to Vindhya, but in vain. They enter many uninhabited forests and places. Angada kills a demon presuming him to be Ravana. Their hearts sadden when their search became futile at these places.
Even as the other warriors were going back, Hanuman and Angada too had abandoned hope. They had battled against all odds in the most inaccessible regions of the Vindhyas and through intimidating country where rivers were dry and groves dead. Trees stood stark and leafless, lotus ponds held neither water nor lotus and nothing moved in that endless barren expanse, as no man , bird or beast seemed to inhabit it. Sage Kandu's curse was the cause for such desolation. Except that they had to face and slay a fierce Rakshasa whom they mistook for Ravana, their search was uneventful. Sita remained elusive and the Vanaras remained unhappy! Tired and disappointed they threw themselves on to the ground in frustration.
In chapter 49, Angada encourages all of the monkeys for searching Sita and it makes those enervated monkeys to come to their animation. He points out to the wrath of Sugriva and to its consequences, if the monkeys fail to implement Sugriva's directive. Though all are fatigued to ramble in wildwoods, where even potable water is scarce, they are invigorated by Angada's advises and again start searching Vindhya ranges, from the beginning.
Looking at his exhausted and dejected troops Angada said, "Inaccessible caves and indomitable jungles have revealed no signs of Sita or of her abductor Ravana and we have no choice but to continue our quest. We have to fulfill Sugriva's wishes with fear for he is a hard task-master and we have to fulfill Rama's wishes with love for he is a noble prince. "Prodded by Angada the monkeys resumed the search ignoring their fatigue and their disappointment.
In chapter 50, Monkeys enter Riksha cavity, an unsightly and gloomy one, during their search in southern direction. While groping in that dark they loose time set by Sugriva. Finally, they see luminosity and extraordinarily built mansions, woodlands, trees and lakes. Thereupon they catch sight of an elderly sainted lady and they all approach her asking after the legend of that cavity.
Even as Hanuman, Angada, Mainda, Jambavan and Gandamadana fought their way into the hostile depths of the forests of Vindhya, the time allotted to them for the search had almost ended. One day their wanderings brought them to a cave whose entrance was choked with vine and thickets. Flying out of that almost impenetrable veil were birds, with their bodies dripping wet and their feathers tinged red with the pollen of lotus. Encouraged by the sight, the thirsty armies pushed their way into the opening. Not only did they not find water but had plunged into a terrible darkness where they groped for days. Losing all sense of time and direction overpowered by hunger, thirst and exhaustion, they finally saw a glimmer of light. Following which they came out and what met their disbelieving eyes was a stunning expanse of the most exotic display. Momentarily forgetting their woes, the denizens of Kishkindha stood mesmerized. The lakes that they beheld were pristine, the lotuses in them were mesmeric and the homes that dotted the land were golden with floors of silver and gold. Windows were festooned with pearls while mounds of silver, gold and jewels along with the best of finery, food and drink seemed plenty. As they stood bewildered an old, emaciated woman ascetic wearing robes of bark and glowing with the power of her penance came towards them. Hanuman asked her humbly to whom belonged the cave and the treasures in it.
In chapter 51, the legend of Black Cave is informed to Hanuman and others by Swayamprabha, the sainted lady who safeguards the paradisaical creation of a demon named Maya. Maya crafted this cave as a heaven on earth, for which the infuriated Indra eliminated Maya. Hema, an apsara, nymphal virtuoso accords this fantastic creation to Swayamprabha. Swayamprabha offers hospitality to all the monkeys who entered that cave.
Hanuman explained to the ascetic lady that looking for water they had strayed into the cave, where they had been lost for days. The pious lady told Hanuman that in the days past the golden grove had belonged to the Asura called Maya, who had created that wonder with the power of his magic. "One day", she said, "Indra angered at Maya's dalliance with the celestial nymph Hema, had slain him. Brahma later gifted all this to Hema, who in turn left it to me. I am Swayamprabha caretaker of this grove. How did you get here and what do you seek? But eat and rest before you narrate your story.
This concludes chapters 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51 of Kishkindha Kanda where we had seen Sugriva giving his order to commence the search after deputing able men in all four directions. Sugriva keeps his faith on no one else but Hanuman to locate Sita, which persuades Rama to give his ring to Hanuman as a token to show and gain the trust of Sita that he was indeed sent by Rama. That Hanuman would alone succeed in the mission is identified by Sugriva and Rama even before the mission began. As expected, the search ended in vain in three other directions – east, north, west and turns the focus on the troops sent in south. The search lead by Angada doesn’t go smooth as the vanaras were left exhausted. Looking for water, they enter a black cave, where the end sight leaves them speechless. The caretaker of the grove narrates the legend of the cave to the vanara army. The search faces many hurdles and nothing important comes easy. This is going to be revealed in many of the upcoming chapters as the most invaluable can only be found after facing emptiness, exhaustion and end-of-hope. We haven’t even reached the actual search by Hanuman but looking at the prelude to it. We can look at the tales of further hunt in many of the subsequent chapters.
No comments:
Post a Comment