We had seen in the last post how miserable Rama felt for his helplessness to find Janaki. He felt all alone praising the surrounding beautiful nature. The protector of all creatures fell unconscious as months passed by after Sita was abducted and Sugriva was enthroned. Looking at the plight of Rama, Lakshmana grew furious at the vanara king for his lack of urgency in knowing the whereabouts of Sita. He was all prepared to take Sugriva to the task and marches to Kishkindha, threatening all the vanaras and everyone who comes in the way. Meanwhile Sugriva is completely in ignorance of his promise and indulges in sensual pleasures, lying in a state of inebriated condition even as Lakshmana enters Kishkindha. Lakshmana counters him strongly and admonishes for his lack of gratitude to Rama, who is responsible for Sugriva’s good fortune. The attempt at searching for Sita must begin at any cost and this fury will become the ignition for this mission. How this wakes up the Vanara king from slumber and begins the mighty search for Sita will be seen in the upcoming chapters.
In chapter 35, Tara appeases Lakshmana and reasons with him about the delay, which is held as delay by Rama, but it is the preparatory time lag. She gives an account of Ravana's forces that cannot be countered without proper assistance of Vanara military. She informs Lakshmana that all the Vanara forces are mobilized, and they present themselves before Rama on this very day.
Blazing like fire, Lakshmana stood facing Sugriva. Trying to pacify him and defend Sugriva, stood Tara who said, "It is unfair to be harsh to a dear friend. Enticed by Menaka and deluded by her charms, the great sage Visvamitra had once lost all sense of time. Engrossed in sensual pleasures he had spent ten thousand years, but like a day. If such a man could fall victim of his senses, what then of a mere Vanara?" "Never will Sugriva stray from the path of truth, nor will he ever tread the forbidden paths of cruelty, cunningness or will he ever forget the debt that he owes Rama. I implore you Lakshmana, give up this fury and forgive Sugriva. Trust me, he will renounce his queen, his kingdom and his wealth for Rama's happiness. He will destroy Ravana and unite Rama and Sita. Countless are Rakshasas in Lanka and to vanquish those legions who can change their form at will is not easy. Sugriva is aware of Ravana's might and of the fearful evil that his hordes are capable of. The Vanara armies ordered back home arrive by the thousands every day from all corners of the earth. The day that they all congregate, Sugriva will embark on his mission."
In chapter 36, Sugriva's apology pacifies Lakshmana. On knowing that Lakshmana is pacified by Tara's reasoning, Sugriva makes his apologetic statement and affirms his support to Rama. Then Lakshmana's rage comes to a halt and he too is appeased by the open declaration of Sugriva about his adherence to Rama, and Lakshmana asks him to come to Rama.
Tara's gentle persuasive words had their effect and Lakshmana fell silent. In the quiet of that moment, encouraged by Lakshmana's silence Sugriva shed his fear. He tore at his garlands and as the soft petals of the flowers dropped to the ground it seemed symbolic of the end of the phase in his life, spent in pursuit of pleasures and passion. Standing before Lakshmana in all humility Sugriva told him that he owed his kingdom, his life and his fame to Rama, whose debt would be impossible to repay, if ever he could. "Rama can destroy Ravana with his own might. My presence there at that time will be the only help I will be rendering him. How can anyone rival him who with a single arrow had cleaved seven Sala trees, a mountain and the earth? When the mere twang of his bowstring can strike terror and make the earth with its mountains quake, of what need is others' help to Rama? "Forgive my lapses Lakshmana. There is none in the world that is free from mistakes. I may have exceeded my limits and lost my credibility. But I have not lost my integrity and my reverence for Rama." Pleased with Sugriva, Lakshmana said, " You deserve the kingdom and the pleasures it offers. In a world where the greatest among men loathe admitting their faults, you not only confess but also regret them. In many ways you are an equal of Rama. The gods themselves have sent you to our rescue. Let us now go to Rama who grieves for Sita, who is so dear to him. Holding you responsible for Rama's sorrow, I lost my temper. Do forgive me."
In chapter 37, monkey chiefs go round the earth at the behest of Sugriva, to fetch all the monkey champions on earth to the presence of Sugriva. They all go to different mountain, rivers, oceans, and forests and motivate all monkeys to reach Sugriva at once. Further, having gone to Himalayas they find divine fruits, tubers and medicinal herbs there, which they fetch as royal gifts to Sugriva. They all return to Sugriva in the same time when Sugriva is with Lakshmana and prior to the other monkeys that are summoned.
Sugriva asked Hanuman to take charge of the monkey warriors scattered across the far corners of the earth. Their habitats ranged from the white peaks of mount Mandara to the fearful groves of Padmatala and along the endless miles of the blue tinged seacoast. The coal- black monkeys of mount Anjana, the golden hued ones of the western caves, the white manned from mount Kailash and those bands who inhabited the Aruna mountains were all to reach Kishkindha as soon as they could. "Those who do not reach here ten days from now shall face death for disobeying the king's command" warned Sugriva. Soaring high, following the path of the stars and birds, the Vanara messengers left. From then on countless bands of mighty monkeys of different sizes, forms and colors started pouring into Kishkindha. They not only came from the rivers, caves, forests, hills and valleys but from the tops of mountain peaks. Their advent almost blocked out the rays of the Sun. Those who had gone to herald the royal mandate came back equally fast, bearing gifts of fruit and rare herbs for their king.
In chapter 38, Sugriva approaches Rama and falls prostrate on Rama's feet as though seeking pardon for the delay. Rama gets him up and mildly admonishes him. Then Sugriva, while giving the account of legions that are coming in, informs Rama that all the Vanara armies on earth are coming to confront Ravana in battle. On asserting that Sugriva is at his job, Rama is pleased heartily.
Sugriva was happy that preparations for the search of Sita were under way. At Lakshmana's suggestion they left Kishkindha to meet Rama. Borne on a palanquin of gold, protected by a shimmering white canopy, surrounded by fierce Vanaras bearing arms, Sugriva traveled in all majesty. Amidst the boom of kettledrums and the blowing of conch shells followed the rest of the army seeming to cover the entire surface of the earth. Arriving at mount Prasravana, Sugriva got off the palanquin and stood with folded hands before Rama. Behind him stood the rest of the Vanara hordes who resembled a lotus filled lake as they stood with their palms joined above their heads. Sugriva prostrated and Rama, thrilled at seeing his dear friend embraced him with great affection saying, "A king who divides his time equally between dharma, artha and kama is a fit king. But the one, who neglecting his duties spends all his time in the pleasures of life, is like he who sleeps on the branch of a tree, to wake up only when he falls. Eliminating enemies, helping friends and protecting dharma, a king earns great renown. The time now is for war. Plan your strategy and prepare for it Sugriva." Sugriva knew that he owed his freedom, his fame, his crown and his very life to Rama. With a deep sense of gratitude, he was more than happy to embark on Rama's mission, assuring him that indomitable legions of Vanaras who were the sons of gods and Gandharvas were gathering every day by the thousands. They would go to war against Ravana to destroy him, his sons, his brothers and his kith and kin, along with his magnificent island kingdom of Lanka. Relieved and happy at Sugriva's efforts, Rama's face was radiant.
In chapter 39, Millions and millions of monkeys arrive with their troop-leaders to the control of Sugriva. Rama's intent to wage war with Ravana is informed to Sugriva. And Sugriva who is interested in requital of the help rendered by Rama informs that all the monkeys on earth are ushered to remain in the service of Rama. While Sugriva is informing about the arrival of monkeys, in a split-second that place is further crammed up with troops and troops of monkey-warriors.
Pleased with Sugriva's response, Rama praised him saying, "Just as radiance to the Sun, rain to Varuna and coolness to the moon is natural, so is your magnanimity to your friends". Even as Rama was speaking there rose a cloud on the horizon veiling the Sun in a haze and obscuring the directions. As the earth and its mountains shuddered, out of that dust emerged the mightiest of monkeys whose mountainous bodies and countless numbers seemed to cover every inch of the earth. They came leaping, jumping and roaring to surround their master. Many were their leaders like Susena, father of Tara, Kesari, father of Hanuman as well as Ruma's father. The list of leaders and their followers seemed endless, and their staggering numbers never seemed to cease. Surveying them Sugriva asked his generals to make their troops comfortable and ready them for being reviewed.
In chapter 40, Sugriva orders Vanaras to search east under the leadership of Vinata, a mighty vanara. Firstly, he dedicates all the vanara forces to Rama, but Rama desired to know whether Sita is alive or not, and if so at what place. Then Sugriva commissioning Vinata explains the topography and geography of Eastern side of the jambuu dwiipa, or 'the Indian subcontinent,' and its eastward, comprising whole of South-East Asia. This is the first chronicle ever recorded about the lands and oceans, islands and dwellers in there, as far as Ancient Indian Geography is concerned.
When the last of the monkey armies had reached Kishkindha, Sugriva presented them to Rama saying that they were no ordinary monkeys but feared for their might, respected for their courage and famed for their strength as achievers of the impossible. Loyal and devoted, they were at Rama's command. Holding Sugriva affectionately, Rama said that it was not for him or Lakshmana to command, but it was for Sugriva to achieve the mission, as he was brave and knowledgeable. A well-wisher of Rama, he alone was capable of the task.
Sugriva deputed Vinata, a Vanara leader to travel eastward in search of Sita on the banks of the rivers like Sarayu, Kausiki, Yamuna, the mountains of their origin, in kingdoms and the oceans where horrifying human forms lived. They were to look even on the peaks of the Jatarupasila and Udaya mountains in the milky-ocean. "On the highest peak of these mountains rests the serpent Adiseshu who is worshipped by all creatures. The tallest of the Udaya mountain peaks supported Lord Vishnu's foot as he took the first step in his incarnation as the dwarf, Vamana. The Sun travels across the northern regions of Jambudvipa where great rishis practice their austerities. None can go beyond these confines, for they are the utmost bounds of the earth, where the gods live. What lies ahead is not known. Come back in a month with news of Sita or face death", was Sugriva's ultimatum to his troops.
In chapter 41, Sugriva sends Vanaras to southward which includes Hanuman, Jambavanta, Nila others and Angada is its leader. Sugriva gives a vivid picture of the southern side of Jambu dviipa up to the south-most part of passable regions, next to which the abode of Yama, the Terminator is there. This troop is also given one month's time to find the whereabouts of Sita.
In the next contingent under Nila's command were Hanuman, Jambavan and other valiant vanaras who were in charge of the southern direction from the Vindhya Mountains to the winding rivers of Krishna, Godavari and the snake infested Narmada. They were to look carefully for Ravana's home either in the jungles of Dandaka or in the regions of Andhra, Pundra, Chola, Pandya and in numerous other towns and cities that dotted the south. Pushing further south they were asked to seek Agastya's permission, who lived on the Malaya Mountain, to cross the Tamraparni. It was here that its gushing waters mingled with the foaming white waves of the sea. Deeper south would get them to the edge of the ocean, in the middle of which was an island inhabited by the demoness Angaraka who attacked her prey, first by grabbing at its shadow. Their travel would also take them to the city of Bhogavati, home to fearful serpents, ruled by Vasuki their king. A few Yojanas later, behind all these were paths, which led to the land of the realized souls. A heaven from which there was no return. Further on was the land of the ancestors, ruled by Yama the lord of Death, which was ever shrouded in an impenetrable darkness. "Go now, " said Sugriva "he who brings news of Sita shall get half my wealth and be my best friend. Dearer to me than my very life, even if he were my enemy in the past."
In chapter 42, Sugriva sends troops to west side to search for Sita under the leadership of Sushena, the father of lady Tara. Describing the various and magnificent mountains that are situated at the northwest of India, and also the ocean down south to it, namely the present Arabian Sea and almost up to Persian provinces, he orders monkey troops to return within one month's time.
Sugriva delegated the quest for Sita in the west to Susena, Tara's father. He was to search the towns, villages and groves in the region where the river Sindhu infested with deadly crocodiles and gigantic fish merged with the ocean. It was also the region where winged lions lived feasting on large water creatures and mammoth elephants, which roamed the Hemagiri Mountain. "You will also behold the Varaha Mountain shoot up into the sky in all its splendor. Its lofty peaks are pure gold and on its summit rest the city of Pragjyotishya where lives the asura known as Narakasura. Search every inch of its broad slopes and its deep dark caves." "Past Varaha is mount Meru where the gods go to worship the Sun, who dips behind its peaks, plunging the world in darkness becoming invisible to all creatures. Beyond that, neither the rising Sun nor the setting Sun is visible, nothing is familiar and profound darkness prevails. Go now, come back with news of Sita and of the abode of Ravana, so that Rama's debt can be repaid. Those who do not return thirty days from now shall face death."
This concludes chapters 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42 where we had seen Lakshmana pacified by the words of Tara and Sugriva coming back to the correct path after the upbraid. Sugriva wins the confidence of Lakshmana and orders the Vanara hoards from all corners of earth to reach Kishkindha. Even as the mighty of those pour into the kingdom, Sugriva travels to the place of Rama in a palanquin, taking along the incoming vanara troops with him. Rama was pleased with Sugriva’s response as the mighty Vanaras came in countless numbers to surround and work on their master’s task. After the last of the Vanara came, Sugriva presented them to Rama and initiates the huge mission to search and locate Sita in any corner of the world. Sugriva deputes Vinata, a Vanara leader and a band of others to travel eastward in search of Sita. In the next contingent which includes Hanuman, Jambavanta, Nila others and Angada as its leader, Sugriva sends them to southward. Sugriva delegates the quest for Sita in the west to Sushena, Tara's father. How the search for Sita in all four directions begins and how the mission fails in east, west and north directions and how everyone hopes for mighty Hanuman to locate her in south can be seen in subsequent chapters.
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