Sugreeva accepted the advice of Hanuman without any reservation or hesitation and asked Angada to go and invite Lakshmana inside.
Seeing Lakshmana, the huge bodied and highly mighty vanaras at the gateway promptly became reverential and stood back with their palms adjoined in supplication. Seeing the angry face of the infuriated son of Dasharatha, no vanara dared to come near him.
As requested by Angada, Lakshmana accompanied Angada to Kishkindha. This was the first time Lakshmana was entering Kishkindha. He noted that Kishkindha was quite splendid and was a colossal cave crafted with jewels, replete with flowered orchards and richly rife with gemlike-objects d'art. He saw that it was compacted with mansions and multistorey buildings that were embellished with various precious stones, and it was enlivened with blossomed trees that bear fruit of every relish and of every season. That city seemed to be brightened by the vanaras with their prepossessing appearances and attired in marvelous garlands and garments. He was mused by the thought that these vanaras, being the children of gods and gandharvas and the like, could change their guise just by their wish. The city was perfumed with the fragrances that were pleasing to the sense of smell like sandal-scent, true-aloe-scent and the scents of lotuses, and her wide avenues were highly exhilarating with the bouquet of flowerpots and vineyards.
Lakshmana also noted that all the buildings were multi-storied, looking like Mt. Vindhya and Mt. Meru. With raised eyebrows, Lakshmana noticed some rapids too, with pure water akin to that seen on mountains. On the main road meant for the use of the king, Lakshmana noticed the exquisite mansion of Angada, the lavish mansions of distinction pertaining to the other vanara chiefs, namely Dvivida, Gavaya, Gavaaksha, Gaja, and Sharabha, Vidyunmaali, Sampaati, Suuryaaksha, Hanuman, and that of the noble-souled Nala, and also those of Virabaahu, Subaahu, Kumuda, Sushena, Taara, Jambavanta, Dadhivaktra, Niila, Supaatala, and that of Sunetra. Those mansions were glittering like silver, fragrant with scents and festooned with flower tassels, replete with wealth and food grains, were beaming with gemlike female-vanaras.
At last he reached the grand palace of the king, Sugreeva. He was amazed to see that it vied with the palace of Indra. Immured in a whitely mountain, it was made quite secure from any invader. The spires of that palace looked like the peaks of Mt. Kailash and it was shining forth with fully blossomed trees yielding fruits that can fulfill the relish of everyone. Some more providential and heart-pleasing trees seen there were the endowment of Indra, which in shine looked like blackish rainy-clouds, yielding divine flowers and fruits, and casting cool shades. Excellent garlands were strung round the palace and robust vanaras wielding weapons were screening its gateways, while its main archway cast in refined gold was splendorous. The entry of Lakshmana into that fascinating palace of Sugreeva, looked like the sun entering a colossal cloud.
Seeing Lakshmana, the huge bodied and highly mighty vanaras at the gateway promptly became reverential and stood back with their palms adjoined in supplication. Seeing the angry face of the infuriated son of Dasharatha, no vanara dared to come near him.
As requested by Angada, Lakshmana accompanied Angada to Kishkindha. This was the first time Lakshmana was entering Kishkindha. He noted that Kishkindha was quite splendid and was a colossal cave crafted with jewels, replete with flowered orchards and richly rife with gemlike-objects d'art. He saw that it was compacted with mansions and multistorey buildings that were embellished with various precious stones, and it was enlivened with blossomed trees that bear fruit of every relish and of every season. That city seemed to be brightened by the vanaras with their prepossessing appearances and attired in marvelous garlands and garments. He was mused by the thought that these vanaras, being the children of gods and gandharvas and the like, could change their guise just by their wish. The city was perfumed with the fragrances that were pleasing to the sense of smell like sandal-scent, true-aloe-scent and the scents of lotuses, and her wide avenues were highly exhilarating with the bouquet of flowerpots and vineyards.
Lakshmana also noted that all the buildings were multi-storied, looking like Mt. Vindhya and Mt. Meru. With raised eyebrows, Lakshmana noticed some rapids too, with pure water akin to that seen on mountains. On the main road meant for the use of the king, Lakshmana noticed the exquisite mansion of Angada, the lavish mansions of distinction pertaining to the other vanara chiefs, namely Dvivida, Gavaya, Gavaaksha, Gaja, and Sharabha, Vidyunmaali, Sampaati, Suuryaaksha, Hanuman, and that of the noble-souled Nala, and also those of Virabaahu, Subaahu, Kumuda, Sushena, Taara, Jambavanta, Dadhivaktra, Niila, Supaatala, and that of Sunetra. Those mansions were glittering like silver, fragrant with scents and festooned with flower tassels, replete with wealth and food grains, were beaming with gemlike female-vanaras.
At last he reached the grand palace of the king, Sugreeva. He was amazed to see that it vied with the palace of Indra. Immured in a whitely mountain, it was made quite secure from any invader. The spires of that palace looked like the peaks of Mt. Kailash and it was shining forth with fully blossomed trees yielding fruits that can fulfill the relish of everyone. Some more providential and heart-pleasing trees seen there were the endowment of Indra, which in shine looked like blackish rainy-clouds, yielding divine flowers and fruits, and casting cool shades. Excellent garlands were strung round the palace and robust vanaras wielding weapons were screening its gateways, while its main archway cast in refined gold was splendorous. The entry of Lakshmana into that fascinating palace of Sugreeva, looked like the sun entering a colossal cloud.
Passing through a set of seven courtyards Lakshmana noticed carriers like palanquins, sedans, and settees were spread over. He further noticed that the highly protected and prodigious palace-chambers of Sugreeva was stuffed here and there with numerous golden and silver love-beds and divans on which highly valuable and exquisite upholsteries were provided.
The moment Lakshmana stepped into that palace, he was hearing the ongoing melodious tunes of lyrics with pulsing wording and lettering, conjoined with strains from string-instruments, like Veena etc., and all had a pulsating cadency.
Lakshmana noticed that there were many females in Sugreeva's palace with diverse features and prideful of their beauty and youth. They all seemed to be of worthy bloodlines wearing garlands of worthily flowers, engrossed in making worthwhile flower-tassels and adorned with worthiest jewellery. He noticed that none of the chambermaids was overawed or overstrained, and everyone was over-embellished in dressiness.
On further going, Lakshmana heard the chimes of silver-anklets and tintinnabulations of golden cinctures of female vanaras and he felt terribly embarrassed to proceed further. At the same time he was also highly provoked with an instantaneous bitterness to hear the tinkles of the jewellery of female vanaras, and he twitched his bowstring involuntarily to indicate his bitterness and contained anger.
That twang of the bowstring made Sugreeva startled. He immediately realized that Lakshmana had arrived and jerked up from his exquisite seat to receive him.
Sugreeva was uneasy and apprehensive to meet the furious Lakshmana. The twang of the bowstring turned his face pale. Then a thought occurred to him. He told the lady Tara who was with him "Oh! my dear, This brother of Rama is normally quite mellow, but he turns very ugly and disdain when he is upset or angry.
"I am not sure what made him so angry. Frankly, I am scared to go and meet him. Could you please go and receive him on my behalf and find out what made him so angry with me. I am sure that by seeing you, instead of me, that fuming Lakshmana will definitely cool down.
"If you find any reasonable reason for his anger against me then please placate him with appropriate propitiatory words. After he is pacified I will go and meet him."
The exquisitely featured Tara agreed with a smile and went to the proximity of Lakshmana with a waddling gait, tipsily flustering eyes, rivière-strings of golden cincture dangling and with a sticklike gracile body humbly bent.
"I am not sure what made him so angry. Frankly, I am scared to go and meet him. Could you please go and receive him on my behalf and find out what made him so angry with me. I am sure that by seeing you, instead of me, that fuming Lakshmana will definitely cool down.
"If you find any reasonable reason for his anger against me then please placate him with appropriate propitiatory words. After he is pacified I will go and meet him."
The exquisitely featured Tara agreed with a smile and went to the proximity of Lakshmana with a waddling gait, tipsily flustering eyes, rivière-strings of golden cincture dangling and with a sticklike gracile body humbly bent.
Sugreeva was absolutely correct about his assessment of Lakshmana vis-à-vis his reaction on seeing Tara. On observing the wife of the king of vanaaras, the great son of the king of humans stood aside unemotionally. The sudden presence of a lady, that too an extremely beautiful one, cooled his anger. As she was inebriated, she was unblushingly staring at the gracious and majestic prince Lakshmana. With a sweet and enchanting smile, Tara asked Lakshmana the reason for his anger.
Lakshmana replied "Oh, Tara, the associate of your husband's prosperity! You know very well that when Rama and Sugreeva became friends they agreed a quid pro quo. Rama fulfilled his part of the agreement, to wit he helped Sugreeva by killing Vali. Sugreeva agreed to fulfill his part of the deal after the conclusion of the monsoon season. The monsoon is over days ago, but no action is taken by your husband in the matter of finding the whereabouts of Seetha.
Lakshmana replied "Oh, Tara, the associate of your husband's prosperity! You know very well that when Rama and Sugreeva became friends they agreed a quid pro quo. Rama fulfilled his part of the agreement, to wit he helped Sugreeva by killing Vali. Sugreeva agreed to fulfill his part of the deal after the conclusion of the monsoon season. The monsoon is over days ago, but no action is taken by your husband in the matter of finding the whereabouts of Seetha.
"The non-requital of the favour as agreed upon would be awfully detrimental to his own rectitude.
"It is a well known aphorism that a friend avowed to truthfulness and virtuousness is greater than one's own means and aspirations. But your husband forsaking that pair of his means and aspirations that have been fulfilled by such a righteous friend, is not even standing by the probity.
"Now the purpose of our coming over here, to wit to find where Seetha is kept by that rakshash through your husband Sugreeva is not yet achieved. Your husband does not seem to have taken any action in this regard. Please tell me what appropriate action are we to take for the lapse of your husband."
Tare replied "Oh, prince, Sugreeva and all his subjects are also your own people. Sugreeva is very much desirous of achieving the results for you. It is not fair for a meritoriously high-minded prince like you to show his anger on someone who is far inferior in might than you.
"I could understand the fury of Rama due to the delay in the execution of the task agreed to by Sugreeva. Sugreeva is now releasing all the tension, strain etc. he had while living in the Mt. Rishyamuka.
"Gauging by your mindset which is presently bridled by fury, you appear to be totally disinclined towards sensuality of any kind and these aspects seem to be beyond your comprehension, at least for the time being. When a man becomes voluptuary he is very likely to be inadvertent of place and time.
"I am sure that you would agree that one who shunned decency because of the vehemence of randiness, should not be punished peremptorily. Oh, prince, he who is delighting in lust and is consorted with me, is your brother-like Sugreeva, the protector of Vaanara dynasty. Hence, please condone him, your brother.
"Even maharishis and the like who take delight in their holy merit and pious asceticism, have entangled themselves in lustful and sensual affairs. Sugreeva, being an impulsive vanara, besides being a king, cannot help wallowing himself in enjoyments.
"By the way Sugreevas did not totally forget his obligation to Rama. He has ordered long before for its operation aiming to achieve your objective, despite the fact that he was servile to overindulgence. Marvellously intrepid Vanaras residing all over the worlds have already been summoned to assemble here. Their number would be in millions. Most of them can change their guise just by their wish. All of them would be here within ten days.
"Please get inside the palace chambers. I have been observing that you have been standing here at the door coyly unwilling to behold the womenfolk inside. Please set aside this upholding of tradition, at least in this occasion and come in. Peering at the wives of friends with a friendly intent is not at all impolite."
Lakshmana then entered the palace. There he was led to the chamber of the king Sugreeva, where Lakshmana saw him (i.e. Sugreeva) seated like the Sun in firmament on a choicest golden seat which was elaborated with worthiest upholstery. Sugreeva's body was remarkable besides being spruced up with excellent ornaments. He was wearing exquisite garlands and robes, looked glorious with a marvellous appearance and also appeared as unconquerable as Indra. He was presently enwreathed with pretty vanara-females, who were also bedecked with precious ornamentation and garlands. The angry Lakshmana noticed that Sugreeva whose complexion was like that of rich gold was seated on an exquisite seat tightly hugging his wife Ruma. On seeing him like that Lakshmana's BP (Systolic) went up beyond 200 mm Hg. and he almost fainted.
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