Ravan had taken Sita captive, holding her in the Ashok Vatika, a royal garden of Ashok trees in Lanka. In pursuit of Ravan, Ram and Lakshman reached Mount Rishyamook, where they knew the monkey chief, Sugriv, resided. However, Sugriv was cautious of strangers due to past offenses with his elder brother, Raja Bali, who he had unwittingly usurped.
Bali was an extremely formidable warrior, and Sugriv had every reason to be fearful. When Ram and Lakshman, dressed as hermits yet armed and regal in their demeanor, approached Rishyamook, Sugriv was understandably anxious. Who were these men? Were they harmless ascetics or fierce warriors sent by Bali to kill him? To ensure their safety, Sugriv and his advisors discreetly moved from tree to tree until they settled at Mount Malay. There, Hanuman, one of Sugriv’s most capable courtiers, comforted them, assuring that Bali could not enter that area. Still, Sugriv remained apprehensive about the unfamiliar visitors and expressed his concerns to Hanuman:
Krityeshu Vali medhavirajanobahudarshinah/
Bhavanti parhantarasteygyeyahprakritainare//
Tau tvyagatvaprakritainevgatvagyeyouplvamgam/
Ingitanamprakaraishchroopvyabhashnench//
Bali possesses great skill in subterfuge. Statesmen are insightful and adept at deception; they devise means to vanquish their enemies. One must observe such rival kings through spies.
Therefore, O Best of Monkeys! You should approach them as an ordinary man and discover their true nature through their actions, demeanor, and speech.
Balmiki Ramayan/Kishkindha Kand/Canto 2(xxiii-xxi)
Hanuman considered that the strangers might not take him seriously if he approached them as a monkey. Thus, he transformed into a humble ascetic and respectfully inquired about their identities. He introduced himself and mentioned that he had been sent by Sugriv, who sought friendship with them.
Rishi Balmiki elaborates on six essential qualities for effective formal communication during Hanuman’s dialogue with Ram and Lakshman: deep knowledge; mastery of grammar to avoid mistakes; appropriate body language signified by facial expressions; clarity in expressing one’s intentions; correct pronunciation; and, importantly, a pleasant voice.
Impressively, Hanuman’s sincerity struck Ram. Ram directed Lakshman to continue the conversation with him. Lakshman informed Hanuman that he and his brother had come in search of Sugriv, and he assured him that Sugriv’s offer of friendship was agreeable to both of them. Their dialogue then shifted to the primary mission that united them. Lakshman explained to Hanuman about Sita’s kidnapping by a shape-shifting rakshas and expressed hope that Sugriv would assist in locating him. Hanuman responded that Sugriv was eager to meet them too, for his brother, Bali, had forcibly taken his wife and exiled him from the kingdom of Kishkindha. Now, Sugriv lived in the forests with his loyal followers. Hanuman assured Lakshman that Sugriv would do whatever was possible to help find Sita. Their conversation was mutually beneficial. Hanuman then suggested that Ram and Lakshman meet Sugriv in person. He resumed his original form as a massive monkey and carried both brothers on his back – “liyo du-oujanpeethicharhaee”.
Hanuman took Ram and Lakshman to Sugriv’s dwelling in Rishyamook, and then returned to Mount Malay to update Sugriv on his meeting with the princes of Ayodhya. He reassured Sugriv of the strangers’ honest intentions, explaining that they had come in search of the elder prince’s abducted wife, Sita. Hanuman counseled that if Sugriv, with his extensive knowledge of the jungle and his legion of monkeys, assisted Ram, he would also benefit from an alliance with such mighty warriors. They were honorable individuals who would remain loyal to their friends. Convinced, Sugriv agreed to accompany Hanuman to Mount Rishyamook to meet Ram and Lakshman. Before setting out, Sugriv altered his appearance so the young men would see him as a trustworthy figure.
The meeting between Ram, Lakshman, and Sugriv proceeded smoothly. Hanuman solidified their bond of friendship before a sacred fire as a witness:
Tab Hanumant ubheydisi ki sab kathansunaee/
Paavak sakhideikarijoripritidrirhaee//
Then Hanuman recounted the tales from both sides, binding them in friendship before the fire as a witness.
Ramcharitmanas/Kishkindhakand/Doha 4
Sugriv vowed to aid Ram in locating Sita. Hanuman had already informed him of Ram’s journey, from his exile to the forest to Sita’s abduction. Sugriv recalled an incident in which he, along with his ministers, witnessed helplessly a rakshas carrying away a woman who cried out “Ha Ram!” “Ha Ram!” She had dropped her beautiful jewelry, which had been bundled in a cloth. Sugriv concluded that this woman must have been Sita and presented Ram with a set of her jewelry, confirming that it indeed belonged to her (see Prince Ram Returns to His Empty Abode – DE 19 January 2025).
Sugriv’s tale mirrored Ram’s but with a different antagonist. He too was exiled to the forest and lost his wife but had to contend with his elder brother, Raja Bali. A fierce rakshas named Mayavi had challenged Bali to a duel. Bali, known for his valor, rushed out to fight, and Sugriv followed to assist him. The sight of the two mighty brothers made Mayavi flee to his lair, and Bali instructed Sugriv to wait at the entrance. Sugriv waited over a year, and upon noticing blood seeping from the cave, feared for his brother’s life. He sealed the cave entrance with a massive stone and returned to the palace, where the ministers encouraged him to assume the throne. Sugriv ruled well until Bali re-emerged from the cave. Having slain Mayavi and his kin, the cave had been flooded with their blood. Believing Sugriv had betrayed him, Bali, furious, exiled Sugriv to the forest and claimed his wife as his own.
Ram was outraged by Bali’s actions and vowed to Sugriv:
Yaavat tam nahipashyemtavbharyapaharinam/
Taavatsajeevetpaapatma Vali chaaritradooshakah//
Aatmanumaanaatpashyamimagnasatvamshoksaagre/
TvamahamTaarishyaamibaadhamprapsyasipushkalam//
Until I confront the monkey who has taken your wife, that vile creature who sullies good character may continue to live. I see that you are engulfed in sorrow; I will rescue you, and you shall reclaim your vast kingdom.
Balmiki Ramayan/Kishkindha Kand/Canto 10(xxxiii/xxxiv)
