Hari Om.
Let us begin the thirty second sarga of the kishkindhA kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
The vAnara king through his indulgence in sensual pursuits was acting indifferent to the agreement with rAma. The friendship between rAma and sugrIva was based on promise of mutual help. As per that rAma vanquished vAlI and secured for sugrIva the kingdom of kishkindhA and his wife. Now it was the turn of sugrIva to pay back and send the contingent in the quest of sItA. Since the rainy season was on, rAma ordered that soon after the rains the search should start. Seeing sugrIva lackadaisical, hanumAn actually reminded him to summon the vAnara warriors. sugrIva issued summons but didn’t engage with rAma about his plans. The duo, rAma and lakshmaNa all by themselves in the praSravaNa were growing restless. At the advent of the autumn seeing no sign of sugrIva, rAma asks lakshmaNa to go and warn sugrIva to fulfil his promise or perish along with his family! The momentary annoyance of rAma sent lakshmaNa in to a rage and holding that rage he stomped his way to sugrIva’s fort terrifying the vAnara warriors who were standing guard and sending them scurrying for cover. Ultimately sugrIva woke from his slumber. He was too inebriated to immediately understand the reason behind lakshmaNa’s anger! Onwards…
In the meanwhile, sugrIva conferred with his ministers. Upon hearing from angada that an angry lakshmaNa awaits him, he understood the seriousness of the matter and the expert that he was in matters of deliberations, weighed the good and bad scenarios and spoke to his council of ministers who were experts and established in strategic thinking. Addressing them he said –
“I have not said or done anything wrong. Then why is the brother of rAma, lakshmaNa is angry, I wonder. Those who are my enemies and unfriendly to me and ever looking for an opportunity to pull me down must have planted doubts about me in the mind of lakshmaNa. You may all think through this matter as per your understanding and carefully decide our course of action. Actually I have nothing to fear from either rAma or lakshmaNa. However the unseemly anger makes me wonder and concerns me. It is easier to get a friend but more difficult to maintain that friendship. The mind is fickle and on silly matters there could be no love lost between friends.
सर्वथा सुकरं मित्रं दुष्करं परिपालनम्।
अनित्यत्वाच्छ चित्तानां प्रीतिरल्पेपि भिद्यते 4.32.7।।
Hence I am a little scared about it. The help that the great rAma rendered to me has not been repaid by me”.
As sugrIva spoke thus to the council, hanumAn, the best among the vAnaras put forth his thoughts and said –
“O lord of the vAnaras, it is no wonder that you do not forget the affectionate help that was done to you by rAma. For your benefit, rAma from a distance killed vAlI who was equal to indra in valor. rAghava is well intentioned in his anger and he has not sent lakshmaNa, the harbinger of prosperity out of disaffection.
सर्वथा प्रणयात्कृद्धो राघवो नात्र संशयः।
भ्रातरं सम्प्रहितवान्लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्4.32.12।।
You were too intoxicated to notice that time has been ticking and that the auspicious autumn is here with trees in full bloom, the quarters are quiet, rivers have calmed down, the clouds have been decimated and the sky is gleaming with shining stars and planets. This lakshmaNa must have grasped from you being incommunicado that you are inebriated and have not started the expedition although it was time. That is why he must have come here. The message that has been sent by a depressed man who has lost his wife might well be harsh; however you ought to listen to it patiently. Being guilty of this lapse, I do not see any way forward for you rather than welcoming lakshmaNa with folded hands and placating him.
कृतापराधस्य हि ते नान्यत्पश्याम्यहं क्षमम्।
अन्तरेणाञ्जलिं बद्ध्वा लक्ष्मणस्य प्रसादनात्4.32.17।।
Those appointed as ministers have to bear the welfare of the king in mind and speak accordingly. Hence, setting fear aside, I have spoken my conviction.
नियुक्तैर्मन्त्रिभिर्वाच्यो ह्यवश्यं पार्थिवो हितम्।
अत एव भयं त्यक्त्वा ब्रवीम्यवधृतं वचः4.32.18।।
In rage, wielding the bow, rAma is capable of restraining the gods and taking control of the whole world. It is not safe to offend someone who deserves propitiation. Especially so by a grateful person remembering the favor that has been received. Go to him with your kith and kin and prostrate to him. Keep your word to him just like a wife stays subordinate to the command of the husband.
O king of vAranas, don’t even entertain the thought of transgressing the command of rAma and lakshmaNa who are valorous like indra and whose might you are well aware of”.
Here we conclude the thirty second sarga of the kishkindhA kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 4.33. tArA saves the day for sugrIva
Previous: 4.31. Angry lakshmaNa accosts the weary vAnaras
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 