Hari Om.
Let us begin the seventh sarga of the kishkindhA kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
The friendship between rAma and sugrIva was gaining strength by the minute as the duo sat down and exchanged the stories of their welfare and hardships. And while they talked so, sugrIva remembered the day [3.54. Delighted in delusion!] a demon was carrying away a woman who with great presence of mind spotted the vAnarAs on that mountain and threw some of her ornaments bundled in her veil cloth. The vAnaras had kept the ornaments in safe custody and today as rAma narrated the abduction of sItA, sugrIva connected the dots and wondered if she were sItA who was being abducted that day. He mentioned it to rAma who was impatient to take a look at the ornaments. As they were brought from safe custody, rAma turned melancholic and wept bitterly clutching them to his heart in memory of sItA! He asked lakshmaNa to recognize. The exemplary servitor removes the doubts of everyone who wonders how he must have conducted himself in the presence of the couple when he says – I know not the bangles, I know not the ear rings, I know these anklets for sure since I worshipped her feet everyday. The alert act of sItA while she was being abducted was the final assurance for the duo that she must be alive somewhere! rAma wailed bitterly and declared that whoever did this dastardly act has presented himself at the threshold of death and shall not be spared. He wondered sadly where that demon resided and wanted to know more about him. Onwards…
As a distraught and tearful rAma pressed thus to know the whereabout and the might of the demon who abducted sItA, sugrIva replied –
“As such I am not aware of the abode, condemnable lineage, capabilities or the might of this despicable demon. But I know this much for sure, O subduer of enemies, that you give up your grief, I shall put such efforts that you will get back your wife maithili. Vanquishing rAvaNa along with all his attendants I shall delight in my valour and cause great delight to you as well before long. Therefore, be done with this despair, remember your courage, be patient. Such fickle and weakmindedness doesn’t befit people like you.
Look at me, I have also been subjected to similar terrible situation – bearing separation from my wife – but I neither grieve nor have lost my courage. Even though I am an ordinary vAnara, I do not despair then why should you who are great, aware and determined.
नाहं तामनुशोचामि प्राकृतो वानरोऽपि सन्।
महात्मा च विनीतश्च किं पुनर्धृतिमान्भवान्4.7.7।।
You ought to control these tears with courage. The perseverance of capable people should not desert them.
बाष्पमापतितं धैर्यान्निग्रहीतुं त्वमर्हसि।
मर्यादां सत्त्वयुक्तानां धृतिं नोत्स्रष्टुमर्हसि4.7.8।।
व्यसने वाऽर्थकृच्छ्रे वा भये वा जीवितान्तके।
विमृशन्वै स्वया बुद्ध्या धृतिमान्नावसीदति4.7.9।।
The capable person, discerning by his wisdom, doesn’t get swayed by tragedy, loss of wealth or during the last moments of his life. The foolish person on the other hand falls into the trap of despair and sinks like an overburdened boat in water.
Out of our comradeship, I am folding my hands and imploring you to show heroism and not despair. Those who are ever immersed in sorrow, their radiance diminishes and that despair can put a question mark on their very life. Therefore, O king, please discard despair and adapt courage.
हितं वयस्यभावेन ब्रूमि नोपदिशामि ते।
वयस्यतां पूजयन्मे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि4.7.14।।
I am suggesting what is good for you on account of being a friend and am not competent to advise you. Honouring my friendship, please do not grieve”.
मधुरं सान्त्वित स्तेन सुग्रीवेण स राघवः।
मुखमश्रुपरिक्लिन्नं वस्त्रान्तेन प्रमार्जयत्4.7.15।।
Listening to the sweet and reassuring words of sugrIva, rAma wiped his tears with the edge of his cloth. The lord of the kakutstha clan, rAma, regained his composure on account of sugrIva’s words and embraced him and said –
“O sugrIva, you have wonderfully done what a loving and well wishing companion should do. I have regained my spirits, thanks to you, it is impossible to find a friend like you, especially in this difficult hour. Indeed you must put efforts in the quest of sItA and find the whereabouts of that evil ogre rAvaNa.
Of course, tell me without hesitation what is it that I shall do for you and it shall be accomplished just like good fields yield crop in good rains. I say these words earnestly and sincerely and you can count on them to be true, O best of vAnaras. I have never uttered a lie nor will ever do, know it as a fact, I promise on the truth itself”.
अनृतं नोक्तपूर्वं मे न च वक्ष्ये कदाचन।
एतत्ते प्रतिजानामि सत्येनैव च ते शपाम्यहमं।।4.7.22।।
sugrIva was joyous along with his ministers upon hearing the reassuring words of rAma. The duo of human and vAnara chiefs met by themselves and exchanged the welfare and woes of each other and thus fortified their friendship. The reassuring words of the great rAma made the great among vAnaras think that his goal has been accomplished.
Here we conclude the seventh 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: 4.8. sugrIva pours out his heart to rAma
Previous: 4.6. The alert act of sItA works as hoped
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 