In the last post, we had seen Sugriva coronated as the king of Kishkindha after the duel with Vali in which Rama helped Sugriva by killing Vali. A lengthy lamentations followed the taking down of mighty Vali from Tara and Sugriva. Both of them along with Vali are pacified by Rama and Hanuman saying it as the right thing to happen. The funeral is followed by assuming the kingship of Kishkindha by Sugriva. In the oncoming rainy season, Rama retreats to Mount Prasavana to live close to the nature where he eulogizes the beauty of the rainy season but feels bitter about the absence of Sita. He patiently waits for the rains to end, Sugriva to come to senses and begin the search for Sita. There will be a time lapse from Sugriva who neglects his own word and duty to commence the search for Sita after receiving the huge favor from Rama. His life among woods has ended and has been uplifted to kingship which provided an opening to forget his duties. This indifference will be dealt by Hanuman, Lakshmana which can be seen in this post.
In chapter 29, Sugriva on his enthronement and gaining an interval of rainy reason, lapses into lavish enjoyment of sensual pleasures. His indulgence becomes overindulgence and makes him to forget his promise-oriented duty to search for Sita. As an intelligent minister, Hanuman approaches Sugriva and enlightens Sugriva about his duty for the requital of help rendered by Rama. Ordering Nila, a commander of monkey forces, for foregathering all monkey troops within fifteen days, Sugriva re-enters his palace-chambers, dragged by his sensual pleasures.
Hanuman saw that over Kishkindha the last wisps of white and gray had drifted away, leaving bare the brilliance of the blue skies. He also saw Sugriva, a king who had achieved his goal with Rama's help, who had promised to return the favor, but seemed oblivious of his obligations. Neglecting his country and his duties, obsessed with the pleasures of his senses, he was forever reveling with the woman of Kishkindha and with Tara whom he had always coveted. Deploring Sugriva's indifference in redeeming his pledge to Rama, Hanuman, decided to remind the Vanara king of his duty and said to him, "It is not only imperative to help a friend in need, but the time you had set to render that help is long over-due. Though none in the three worlds can oppose and escape his arrows, the noble prince waits patiently for your call. He is restless, he pines for Sita and thoughts of her plight torment him. Yet he will not remind you of your promises. Sugriva, you who render favors unasked for, should you not help Rama who has given you back your wealth and your kingdom, risking his own life? The indomitable Vanaras devoted to you are a legion, to them allot their role in the search for Sita". Sugriva made his decision that very moment. He sent for Nila and asked him to call in his men, from all the directions. "Gather the swiftest and the bravest among those who guard the bounds of the kingdom. Warn them that any monkey, who does not reach Kishkindha within fifteen days from now, will be punished with death. And my orders are irreversible. Inform Angada, Jambavan and all venerable Vanaras of my decision" commanded Sugriva.
In chapter 30, Rama's exaltation of sharadritu or post-rainy or pre-autumnal season is the theme here. This season, which is conducive to lovers, is painful to Rama in the absence of Sita. This agony is compounding and turning into his ire, since Sugriva's efforts in searching for Sita are neither seen nor heard. Hence, Rama sends Lakshmana as an envoy to Kishkindha to decide whether Sugriva's support is there or liquefied in the spree of his drinking and merrymaking.
In the cave on mount Prasravana, Rama waited patiently. The sky had long been clear, the rains had ended and his yearning for Sita intense. Oppressed by grief and desire Rama was vexed with Sugriva's indifference to the promise he had made. So great was his turmoil that he fell unconscious for a brief moment and at that very moment Lakshmana walked into the cave. He cringed as he beheld the lone figure of Rama, the king of kings and protector of creatures who sat huddled and woebegone. Rama looked up with tears in his eyes and the sight broke Lakshamana's heart. He pleaded with Rama not to let doubts of Sita's welfare torment his mind. "None will dare to possess Janaki so long as you are her protector, for none who grapple with fire will escape being burnt," And Rama Said " The four months of incessant rains seemed like a hundred years for me. But even that has long ended and kings are getting ready for battle. Yet there is no sign of Sugriva who seems to have not even thought of his given word. Indifferent to my plight and merciless, he slights me, who has neither home nor wife." "There is wild exhilaration in the air, cranes soar heaven wards and high on the mountain ranges the rumbling clouds are fading away. The stormy winds now blow softly, bearing the intoxicating scents of the red lotus. Lofty rain-washed peaks glint against the pristine blue skies and rivers meander lazily, seemingly tired of their monsoon turbulence. Even now, long after the rains, the Vanaras have not come. Go to Kishkindha and find out the reason for this insolence. The ungrateful are despised while they live and when they die, even the flesh-eating animals will touch their bodies. "Sugriva perhaps longs to hear the twang of my bow on the battlefield. Basking in his newfound glory, this slave of his unruly passions leads a life of careless indulgence. Little does he realize that my arrows can wipe out his entire clan. Sugriva should either start the search or I will send him to the land that Vali now inhabits." Touched by Rama's grief and infuriated by Sugriva's indifference, Lakshmana marched towards Kishkindha seething with anger.
In chapter 31, Enraged Lakshmana goes to the extent of saying that Sugriva is to be eliminated and then Angada and others will search for Sita. Perturbed by his brother's vehemence Rama pacifies him and sends to Kishkindha where on seeing the infuriated, hissing, snakelike Lakshmana monkeys are upset. Lakshmana sends Angada to Sugriva to inform about his arrival. Sugriva could not comprehend firstly because he is in an inebriated condition, but later comes to senses on the advice of his ministers.
Lakshmana was furious because Sugriva did not seem to realize that he had come to the throne of Kishkindha with Rama's help. "The wicked like him should never be given a kingdom to rule. This ungrateful vanara deserves death" fumed Lakshmana as he readied to leave for Kishkindha. Rama who had only killed his enemies and not those who had sought his refuge paled at Lakshmana's rage. Gentle words fell softly as he said, "Lakshmana, will anyone like you commit the sin of killing a friend? Though anger generates violent and evil thoughts, the best among men in their wisdom curb them. You who are so disciplined show Sugriva the same affection that we had always shown him. Remind him that the time he had set to help us has long passed. Do not be harsh, for he has made no other mistake" Dutiful to the core Lakshmana tried not to lose sight of that command. Armed with his great bow, driven by the fire of his wrath, his feet pounded the earth as he raced towards Kishkindha. Knocking down trees that came his way and pulverizing rocks that came underfoot, Lakshmana strode along fiercely. Perched on the hills, the guardians of Kishkindha mistaking him for an enemy armed themselves with broken mountain peaks and giant trees. A picture of anger, Lakshman stormed into Kishkindha. Beholding his blazing brilliance the Vanara hordes fled in all directions and some went to inform Sugriva of his coming. But the king engrossed in his pleasures refused to be distracted. Ordered by the ministers fearsome monkeys, whose strength rivaled with that of the mightiest of elephants and whose claws and fangs were their weapons of war, surrounded Lakshmana. Along with them came Angada to whom Lakshmana said, "tell Sugriva that I will be waiting for him at the gates of Kishkindha". It was not easy to awaken Sugriva from his drunken stupor. His trusted aids Plaksha and Prablava came to tell him of the visitor. "Do you remember the brothers Rama and Lakshmana who gave you back your kingdom? One among them, Lakshmana is here and his anger is frightening. The monkey bands quiver with fright and their alarmed cry echo through the hills as Lakshmana stands at the portals of Kishkindha to incinerate every Vanara in the fire of his fury. Go with your kin Sugriva, go with your son, pay your obeisance and appease him. Fulfill your commitment to Rama and protect your honor."
In chapter 32, Sugriva is disturbed at the unfounded anger of Lakshmana and wanted his ministers to elicit the cause of that anger. Hanuman informs Sugriva that causing delay is the only fault of Sugriva, for which Sugriva is advised to pray for the mercy of Lakshmana personally.
Disturbed by the alarming news, Sugriva was puzzled at Lakshmana's anger. He asked his ministers why they were not aware of the reason for Lakshmana's anger. " Could my enemies have caused it perhaps"? He wondered aloud, "to find a friend is easy but to keep up friendship is not easy. The mind is so fickle that even trivial things can ruin it. My only fear is that I may not be able to repay all that Rama has done for me". Trying to clear Sugriva's confusion Hanuman said, " It is not surprising that you who never forget a favor is unhappy about this. The pain of separation from Sita must have prompted Rama to send Lakshmana. Unmindful of your promise, you let the time that you had set for Sita search, pass. Seasons change. Autumn is here, the skies are clear and rivers flow gently. Yet you seem unaware of it all, and that is the reason why Lakshmana is here. Appease the prince, Sugriva, I see no other way out for you. Rama can vanquish the entire world consisting of the Devatas, Asuras and the Gandharvas. It does not therefore, augur well to vex him. Go now, assure Lakshmana that you will honor your commitment.”
In chapter 33, the magnificence and luxury of Kishkindha and its inmates is depicted here. Lakshmana on the invitation of Angada proceeds through the streets of the city examining its glory. On reaching palace-chambers, feeling shy to enter inside where the women are moving about and infuriated at Sugriva's callousness, Lakshmana makes a thunderous noise with his bowstring. Listening that sound Sugriva is terrorised and bids Tara to approach Lakshmana to pacify him. Accordingly, Tara approaches Lakshmana and pacifies his anger and invites him to their palace.
Guarded by mighty Vanaras, Lakshmana walked into the kingdom of Kishkindha where mansions were encrusted with gems, gardens were lush and temple bells pealed. The citizens, who were the children of the gods and Gandharvas were beautiful, bejeweled and lavishly robed. Thoroughfares were spotless, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood and the aroma of brewing liquors. Homes were captivating, granaries were full and wealth overflowed in that city where charming women lent their dazzle to enhance an ambience of splendor. As Lakshmana reached Sugriva's palace, he saw standing close to it the magnificent homes of great Vanara stalwarts like Angada, Mainda, Nila and many others. Even as Lakshmana stood on the golden threshold of the palace hesitating to intrude into its privacy that very moment Sugriva felt the presence of his visitor with a start. Alarmed and afraid of facing him, Sugriva wanted Tara to mediate, as he believed that noble men would never harm women. Freeing herself from Sugriva's embrace Tara came out. Lakshmana did not seem to notice her disarray as he stood with his head bent and anger subdued.
When Tara quietly asked, what made him so angry, Lakshmana said, "Neglecting his duties and ignoring us who are shrouded in misery, Sugriva spends all his time in the pursuit of pleasures. Immersed in these luxuries he has lost sight of his duties, his goals and his dharma" Protesting with all due respect, Tara gently said, "Lakshmana, it does not befit a noble prince like you to berate a friend. How can you who are so disciplined yield to a paltry passion, like anger? It is true that Sugriva after years of hardship and deprivation indulges in pleasures in excess perhaps. I want you to please forgive him, for his intentions are honorable, though he has erred. "Even great men whose powers of penance defy description and who are steeped in dharma have fallen for such passions. Why blame a fickle minded Vanara? In spite of his indulgence, Sugriva has not forgotten Rama. His indomitable armies of Vanaras from across the world have been ordered to gather here and many have already arrived. Calm down Lakshmana and come in. You may demur to enter the ladies chambers, but it is not indecorous to behold wives of friends". When Lakshmana went in, there on a magnificent throne of gold sat the lord of Vanaras, whose golden hue rivaled the sheen of his throne. He sat on it in great splendor like Indra in the land of the gods surrounded by a bevy of beautiful women. His robes and jewels were magnificent, his garlands exquisite and his radiance stunning. Beholding him who was the cause of Rama's grief, Lakshmana was overcome by a boundless rage. His fury made him look like the very god of death. Sitting on the throne with his queen Ruma, Sugriva saw Lakshmana.
In chapter 34, Lakshmana enters the interior of Sugriva's chamber. Sugriva finding him there is alarmed and approaches him in all his humbleness. Then Lakshmana chastens Sugriva with harsh words and cautions him to face the wrath of the arrows of Rama.
When Lakshmana strode into the palace, Sugriva leapt from his throne and stood with folded hands. As they confronted each other the prince shook with rage while the monkey king shook with fear. Looking at Sugriva who was still bleary eyed and still in a stupor, Lakshmana lashed out. "A king who is born noble, who has conquered his senses, who is truthful and compassionate earns great renown. There is nothing more wretched for a king than forgetting help rendered. Brahma himself has declared, that every sin has atonement, except the sin of ingratitude. You abandoned Rama the moment he got you back your kingdom. If you still remember Rama's kindness and if you are still grateful, start the search for Sita. You are like a treacherous snake that croaks to attract its prey, the frog. If ever Rama's grace deserts you, you will go the way Vali has gone. If only you were aware of the power of Rama's deadly arrows that fly off his bow, you would not be dallying so fearlessly. Oblivious of your commitment, you dishonor the sacred oath of friendship".
This concludes chapters 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 of Kishkindha Kanda where we had seen the central theme of Sugriva’s negligence towards his duties and forgetting the promise he made to Rama. Rama is all alone in the wild forest without any subtle hint of Sita’s presence and felt helpless. Meanwhile months have passed since Sugriva returned to kingdom to lead a royal life forgetting the divine duty and contrasting the miserable state of Rama, who is eulogizing the rainy, autumn seasons all alone painfully. This infuriated Lakshmana who is visibly shaken with rage at the complicity of Sugriva. He reaches the palace of Sugriva, frightening the vanaras along the way, converses with Tara and gives the stern message to an inebriated Sugriva. How Sugriva falls in line and begins his search for Sita with the help of all the vanaras can be seen in subsequent chapters.
No comments:
Post a Comment