173. Sugreeva reports to Rama.

               Sugreeva accepted the gifts brought from Himalayas with approbation. Now that the entire vanara force on earth will be at Kishkindha in a very few days, Sugreeva felt very happy that he can start returning the favour to Rama. Lakshmana then mildly suggested him to meet Rama. Sugreeva readily agreed and ordered his palanquin. When the exquisite royal palanquin was brought, Lakshmana and Sugreeva got into that. The vanara carriers started to move carrying the palanquin on their shoulders. Their journey was accompanied by  the high extolment by panegyrists, and a white royal-parasol spread overhead the palanquin, white fur-fans fanning him from all over, and white conch-shells were blowing loud and drums were drumming high. They were surrounded with many hundreds of vanaras as guards.

         On reaching the place where Rama was staying, Sugreeva descended from the palanquin along with Lakshmana. When Sugreeva reached Rama he stood still with adjoined-palms, and all the other vanaras aped him.

        Raghava approached and hugged the king of vanaras, Sugreeva. On being released from the hug, Sugreeva prostrated himself with his head touching the feet of Rama, with care and credit. Rama then blessed him with 'God Bless you' or something like that (I did not hear clearly due to the clamour from the accompanying vanaras) and asked him to sit beside him. Then Rama told him "Oh, Sugreeva, a dutiful king is one who always divides time for devoting himself to probity, prosperity and pleasure-seeking.

       "If one devotes himself to pleasure-seeking alone, casting off the probity and or the prosperity, he is like the one who slept on a treetop wakes up only after falling down.

An out-and-out pleasure-seeker wakes up only when he runs into troubles. Till such time he uses slender branches and tender leaves available on the infirm treetop, called his pleasuring area, as his cushion bed and foam pillows.

        "And the king who is bound up with eliminating unfriendly ones and bound up with forgathering friends, will be enjoined with righteousness, and ultimately will become the real enjoyer of the fruit of threefold virtues, namely dharma, artha, kaama (i.e. probity, prosperity and pleasures).

          "Oh, my dear chap, time for endeavour has come. The course of actions may be discussed with your ministers." 

          Sugreeva replied "oh, dear friend Rama, by your beneficence I have repossessed prosperity, popularity and this everlasting kingdom of vanaras .

          "Oh, god, by your and your brother's benevolence I regained what I lost. I am well aware of the fact that one who does not requite the favour that has been done for him will become the vitiator of probity. I have brought these hundreds of vanara chiefs who have just returned on forgathering all of the forceful vanaras on earth.

     "Vanaras with dreadfully awesome appearance, and who are the experts in permeating the impenetrable forests, woodlands and impassable mountains, are coming. And the bears, monkeys and brave baboons who are the children of gods and gandharvas, and who can change their guise just by their wish are on the way to Kiskindha.

       "In a few days we will have a formidable force of alarming, frightening, awful, terrifying, appalling, horrifying, menacing, dismaying, awesome, daunting and horrendous vanaras, babboons and bears at our command."  

           This information cheered Rama, who happily embraced Sugreeva and told him "There is no wonder that Indra gives rain, sun makes the sky bright and the moon makes night shiny with his moonshine. Similarly, there is no wonder when a true-friend like you gladdens his indigent-friend. In this way, oh, nice Sugreeva, that helpful nature which is decorously prevailing in you, ushering you for organising the worthwhile, will not be a wonder but natural. I am aware that you have always been the exponent of affability.

       "With you at the helm, oh, friend, I will be triumphing over all the enemies, and you alone are worthy to proffer a helping hand to me as a good-hearted friend of mine. That knavish rakshash Ravana deceitfully carried off Vaidehi for his own extinction, like that rakshash Anuhlaada carried off Sachi Devi, the daughter of Puloma. I would like to eliminate that Ravana like the insolent father of Sachi Devi, vamelly Puloma was killed by Indra....."
Comment.

 Shachi Devi, the wife of Indra, was the daughter of a rakshash called Puloma, the son of Danu. One named Anuhlaada, the son of Hiranyakshyapa, on deceiving Indra abducted Shachi Devi with the consent of her father Puloma. Then Indra infuriated at Puloma, the father of Sachi Devi, for making the abduction possible, killed him. Thereby Indra got a name Pulomajit.

End Comment.

         Rama was about to add something, but was prevented by the sudden darkness created by a dust storm. The sky turned pitch-dark. Stained with that darkness the directions became confounded, and the entire earth together with its mountains, woods, and forests seemed to be wobbling. Rama and the others there were amazed to see the entire area around them was being enshrouded with innumerable vanaras and monkeys and baboons whose size was mountainous, fangs excruciating, and might abnormal, and each monkey commander was surrounded with thousands of legions of monkeys, who by their wish can change of their guise, and these monkeys of amazing strength had come crashing war-whoops as clouds letting out thunders while they are on their way from their habitation like riversides, seashores, mountains, and some other monkeys had come from forests as they were forest dwellers, and in general their complexion alone remained as an identity to their habitation, like the stripe of tender-sun of some monkeys was marking them from the place of rising sun, moon-white body colour of some more telling that they were from the place of nightly moon, and the colour of skin looking like lotus-fibrils of many more indicate that they were from fertile watery lands, and the snow-white complexion of yet some more indicate that the dwelling place of those monkeys was Mt. Meru.

       The highly distinguished and valorous vanara named Shatabali, hemmed in with ten thousand crores of vanaras, came into the view of Rama and others.  Similarly another distinguished one, to wit Sushena, the father of Lady Tara, a valorous one with the sheen of golden mountain then appeared with very many thousands of crores of vanaras. Likewise, yet another distinguished and  the most efficient vanara-chief Taara, the father of Ruma and Sugreeva's father-in-law, turned up with another thousand crores of vanaras following him.

        Honourable Kesari, the father of Hanuman, with his bodily gleam like that of the fibrils of lotuses and visage glittering in the gleam of nascent sun, and who was an intellectual, graceful and prominent vanara among all the vanaras, then came into view associated with thousands and thousands of armies of vanaras.

       Gavaaksha, the formidably adventurous sovereign of baboons was also seen encircled by a thousand crore vanaras. Dhuumra  marched to the fore of Rama and others surrounded with two thousand crores of bears which have frightful fastness. They (i.e. Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva etc.) also spotted the highly valorous commander named Panasa, attended by a three crore legion of horrendous vanaras who were beaming forth like gigantic mountains. Commander Niila was also seen with his colossal and blackish mascara mound-like body encircled by ten crores of vanaras that were selfsame to their leader. Then the great-mighty commander named Gavaya whose bodily sheen was like that of a golden mountain was there surrounded by five crores of vanaras. Dariimukha, the mighty commander was there with a thousand crore vanaras and he placed himself nearby Sugreeva. Both Mainda and Dvivida, the great-mighty sons Ashvini twin gods were also spotted, each with a thousand crore vanaras. The mighty, braving and highly resplendent Gaja came forth to the near of Sugreeva encompassed by three crores of vanaras.

         A great resplendent one who was renowned by his name Jambavanta had then come with a brigade of ten crore bears spreading around him and stood firm under the control of Sugreeva. A blaze-like mighty vanara named Rumana came swiftly surrounded with a hundred crore legions of vanaras who were highly venturesome. Gandhamaadana was seen arriving with hundred thousand crores of monkeys.
         Angada, the crown prince of Kishkindha, who matched his father Vali in valour had then turned up with a thousand padma legions and a hundred shanku legions of vanaras. Tara, the vanara-commander, whose sparkle was as that of stars and whose valour was remarkable then appeared at a distance with five crore monkeys. Indrajaanu, the brave monkey commander who was the chief of eleven crores of monkeys had appeared then encompassed by selfsame vanara troopers. Rambha whose bodily glow was like that of tender-sun had then came forth fenced in a thousand plus a hundred of vanara legions. A braving and powerful legion commander of vanaras named Durmukha had then appeared encompassed with two crores of vanaras.

          Then Hanuman appeared with a thousand crore vanaras encompassing him who in shape were like the summits of Mt. Kailash and whose bravery was formidable.

         Highly vigorous Nala had also arrived surrounded with a hundred crore one thousand and one hundred monkeys, the dwellers on trees. Dadhimukha, the salutary vanara-chief then arrived encircled by a ten crore vanaras who were all blaring highly.

          Sharabha, Kumuda, Vahni, Ramha, and many other vanaras had come who by their wish were the guise-changers. 

           All those vanaras arrived by swinging, flying and thundering, and all the monkeys on earth arrived thus, presented themselves and settled down around Sugreeva as if a number of clouds cramming the sun.
             Sugreeva introduced a few more important leaders to Rama and Lakshmana. Then he shouted at the chiefs of the vanara, bear etc. legions to make themselves along their troops comfortable on the mountains, at the riversides and in the forests and Rama would be inspecting them to assess their capabilities. 

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172. Sugreeva mobilizes vanara army.

                Sugreeva accepted the apology of Lakshmana with a smile, nod and relief. Then he turned to Hanuman who was there at his side and told him "I have already issued the necessary orders regarding the mobilization of the vanara army. Now I am repeating the same and I want you to personally monitor it.  

        "Convoke the Vaanaras staying on the summits of these five mountains, namely Mt. Mahendra, Mt. Himalaya, Mt. Vindhya, Mt. Kailash and those on the whitish peak of Mt. Mandara. Do not forget those residing on the mountains at seashore, udaya-adri* (namely 'sunrise-mountain,' which mountains will always be dazzling with the tinge of youthful sun). Similarly, include the mountains which shine in the ochry hue of evening clouds, asta-adri*, (namely 'sunset-mountain'). And remember the catastrophic vanara chiefs who are living in the palm groves of Mt. Padma. Also those who are similar to black-mascara and black-clouds in their shine, and who match elephants in their vigour, and who live on the Mt. Anjana. Also include those vanaras whose complexion is golden and living in the caves of the Great-Mountain, as well as  those who are on the mountainsides of Mt. Meru and those biding on the Black-Red mountain along with those topmost speeded ones living on the Mt. Great-Ochre swilling palm-toddy. Further, the vanaras who will be in the tinge of rising sun and who dwell in the highly delightful, richly fragrant and lofty woodlands that are surrounded with the delightful hermitages of sages are not to be omitted. Along with them, include the vanaras who are in the interiors of forests. In a nutshell get all the vanaras in the earth, here. Oh, Hanuman, this is you number one priority task for you. I hereby authorize you to lure them by employing any incentives like concessions, conciliation etc.

Comment.

 It was believed that the Sun's residence was in the east.  Sun starts his journey from udaya-adri (a chamber in his residence) and travels westward around the earth and enters into the chamber asta-adri of his palace.  The period of his journey from udaya-adri to asta-adri is one day. The period of his stay in his palace was one night. 

End Comment.

        "Already some vanaras are employed in this regard, at my command. Nevertheless, you employ some more chiefs for the purpose of hastening them. In case you find any of the chiefs lazy or shirking and the like, send them over to me and I will take them to task. All the vanaras summoned should be here at Kishkindha within ten days. Inform all that any vanara who does not come within ten days will be executed by my command, as the abusers of king's decree." 
       It is needless to add that Hanuman executed the orders of his master speedily and efficiently.

         On hearing that command of the king of Vanaras, Sugreeva, all the vanaras on earth arrived well before the stipulated time-limit.

       Some of the Vanaras who went from Kishkindha to summon all the other vanaras from all quarters, reached Himalayan Mountains and saw some exceptional trees on them. They have also seen luscious tubers and fruits similar to nectar, which have originated from the oblational food material spattered in the Vedic-ritual for Shiva. If one eats even a little of those divine and heart-pleasing fruits and tubers that have taken their origin from that oblational food material, he remains satiated for a month, at least. They collected those divine fruits, tubers, as well as the divine medicinal herbs. On going to the cardinal ground of Vedic-ritual which was performed once, those vanaras fetched highly fragrant flowers which Sugreeva would be highly pleased to receive.

         Those vanaras who were sent around the world to summon all the vanaras to kiskindha, returned to Kishkindha after duly executing their jobs. When they went to see Sugreeva, they found Lakshmana was with Sugreeva. They presented their king Sugreeva the medicinal herbs, fruits, and tubers and told him "We have rounded up all the mountains, rivers and forests, and all the Vanaras available on earth are directed to your fore according to your command." 

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171. Tara bailed Sugreeva out.

             Sugreeva was just staring at Lakshmana. He was shivering with utter fright and as such could not speak. Seeing the pitiable condition of her new hubby, Tara with her visage that was shining like the Lord of Stars, namely the Moon, decided to intervene. She told Lakshmana sweetly but peremptorily "Lakshmana, it is not proper for you to treat the king of vanaras in this way. Your assumption that Sugreeva is unthankful, treacherous, flagitious, an utterer of untruth and duplicitous is totally and patently wrong. He has NOT forgotten the favour Rama has done to him.

         "By the beneficence of Rama, Sugreeva is privileged with reputation, everlasting kingship of vanaras, more so with Ruma and me as well. You are well aware that hitherto he was undergoing high anguish, trauma, torment, torture, hurt and affliction. He was blissfully released from all these by the grace of Rama.  And on the attainment of this high comfort of kingship, after a long spell of suffering, he has not oriented himself to the time-oriented actions like the great saint Vishvamitra. Oh, Lakshmana, that great-sage Vishvamitra clinging together with Ghritaachi, an angelic apsara, for a period of ten years, but that virtuous sage regarded that period as one day.
Comment.

In Bala Kanda the legend of Vishvamitra is narated. And there his association with Menaka is narrated. Presumably Menaka and Ghritaachi are one and the same apsara. My personal comment about the name 'Ghritaachi' is this: Both Menaka and Tara came out of the Milky sea when the same was churned. That makes them sisters. May be Tara was calling affectionately her sister Menaka as 'Ghritaachi', like one sister calling her sister affectionately Boo-boo, Choo-choo, etc.
  Vishvamitra gave up even his daily routines viz. sandhya upaasana, nitya karma, required of a Vedic sage, in all the ten years of his association with Ghritaachi.

End Comment.

           "When that great brahmarishi Vishvamitra himself did not follow the daily routine required of a sage for a good many years, it is not fair to reprimand Sugreeva, who after all is a vanara. You know very well that he was immensely  overwrought and when that tension was released by the grace of Rama, he, Sugreeva as an offshoot of the sudden release of pressure, is now undergoing the natural bodily appetites. Under such a circumstance, Rama may please be prevailed upon to bear with him for a while.
Comment.

The natural bodily appetites common for any living being are said to be these four viz. aahaara, nidraa, maithuna, bhaya 'food, sleep, sex, and fear.'

End Comment.

           "Without knowing realities, oh, young man Lakshmana, it is not fair on your part to jump to conclusion and browbeat the poor chap Sugreeva. I expect that men of your kind having conscientiousness do not jump to conclusions and hurriedly rush in and get clutched by their own rancour, unconscionably. I beg for your grace in the interest of Sugreeva with all my equability, and I entreat you to dispel this clangorous upshot in high dudgeon of yours.
           "For Rama's sake, Sugreeva will disown his wife Ruma, me and even Angada. If necessary, he will disown his entire kingdom with its riches, food grains, livestock and whatnot. After eliminating that worst rakshash Ravana, Sugreeva will happily conjoin Seetha and Raghava, like the coalescing of the star Rohini with the Moon.
Comment.

Rohini is one of the twenty-seven stars of Indian Astrology, commencing from ashvani, bharaNi, kR^ittika, rohiNi... et al They are the daughters of Daksha Prajapati and wives of Moon. But the Moon preferred more the company of Rohini and was neglecting the other twenty-six. All the neglected twenty-six stars went to their father and complained. Daksha Prajapati cursed the Moon to wane away. But the daughters did not want the moon to wane and vanish. They therefore again approached their father and requested him to withdraw his curse. Then Daksha amended his curse to the effect that the Moon shall wax for fifteen days and wane for the other fifteen days and the Moon shall take holy bath on new moon (i.e. no moon) days in one of the Holy Rivers, River Saraswati (which now is extinct) at a place called Prabhaasa. Then all the twenty-six other stars stopped interfering with the coalescence of Moon with Rohini.

End Comment.

          "I have heard that in Lanka there are a trillion and thirty-six thousands units of military, where one unit consists of a ten-thousand warriors, and hundreds and thousands of other rakshashas are there, too.

      "One cannot liquidate Ravana without liquidating all his warriors. It may not be possible for your brother and yourself to destroy Ravana and all his forces without the help of Sugreeva and his army of vanaras.

       "Sugreeva was very well aware of this factor and has already taken appropriate action in this regard. All the vanaras, all over the worlds are summoned to assemble here at Kishkindha within fifteen days.

        "Determined to achieve the objective of Raghava this king of vanaras, Sugreeva has not bestirred himself while awaiting the assemblage of those venturesome and very great mighty vanara warriors who have been ordered to assemble at Kishkindha. It is very likely that most of them are likely to arrive today itself.

       "In view of the above please cool down. Seeing your angry face with bloodshot eyes, myself and all the other beloveds of our chief had a premonition that Sugreeva may be sent to follow his brother Vali, by you."

      After hearing Tara, lakshmana's face softened and his bloodshot eyes turned benign. There was a hint of a smile too from his lips. Seeing the metamorphosis on the face of Lakshmana, Sugreeva heaved a sigh of relief and ripped apart the superb garland wreathing his neck, which (action) helped him to become sober as though the insobriety is ripped from his mind. Sugreeva, the most powerful one among all vanaras, then placatingly addressed Lakshmana "My prosperity, prominence and this perpetual kingdom of vanaras are due to the beneficence of Rama. Who can afford to repudiate Rama, unless he wants to follow Vali.
       "May be Rama reacquires Seetha by exterminating Ravana by himself with his own resplendence and might, while I and my army remain only in name. Actually no succour is needed to him who has ripped seven gigantic trees, a mountain, and the earth as well, all just with one arrow! He who outstretches his bow with a clangour by which the earth with its mountains quakes, does not require any help from any one! Oh, Lakshmana, it is my privilege to become his assistant. I just will tread behind that king of people, Rama, on his charging to eliminate Ravana along with all of his vanguards. If I have overstepped either in faith or friendliness, in the least, that may please be pardoned. May be I am the king of all vanaras, but  I am an attendant of yours and your brother Rama."
      Lakshmana was pleased with the submissive attitude of Sugreeva and told him pleasantly "I am happy to note that my brother has you as an adherent defender with him, oh, king of vanaras Sugreeva, and I find that you are a defender of your own word and a deferential one towards Rama. With this kind of preponderance and plainness you possess, Sugreeva, you are the only merited one to enjoy this unexcelled kingdom of vanaras. Before long, Sugreeva, dauntless Rama will be eliminating enemies in a war with you as his supporter. You are the knower of virtuousness and gratefulness and you do not retreat from battlegrounds, or, on your own word, thus what you have said is conclusive as well as coherent.

          "You are a coequal to Rama by your valour and vigour and gods have given you, after a long time, to Rama to assist him in his endeavor.

           "I would like you to come with me now to Rama and explain to him the steps you have taken regarding the search of Seetha. That would placate and embolden him and also appease him to some extent, at least, in his anguish for the despoilment of his wife.

         "Oh, friend, Rama became highly downhearted due to the anxiety about the delay and he told me querulously to ascertain the action taken by you. Affected by his querulousness I reflexively acted and spoke harshly. I may be pardoned."

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170. Lakshmana gave vent to his anger on Sugreeva.

     On seeing the remarkable Lakshmana who entered unimpededly wearing an angry face looking like a blazing fire, Sugreeva became highly agitated and nervous. He (Sugreeva) hopped up from his golden seat (like a monkey he was) and tottered like the highly decorated flagstaff of Indra, which would be wobbling before it is thrown to the ground after the ritual.

        In his agitation Sugreeva did not disentangle himself from the wreathed wenches. Consequently  his wife Ruma and the other pretty lassies accompanied him in his fall.

        With bloodshot eyes due to excess drinking Sugreeva flurried towards Lakshmana adjoining palms in supplication, and stood in attention, like a soldier.
        Infuriated Lakshmana scoffed at Sugreeva, who, like the star clustered moon, was surrounded by his wife Ruma and other vanara females "It is the well known maxim that the characteristics of a king who desire to thrive are  dynamism, abounding with best troopers, sympathetic, senses conquered, a faithful one and an advocate of truth. Who can be more ruthless than the one who is enthroned as a king but anchored himself to dishonesty and makes fake assurances to helpful friends?

          "A person gets attached to the sin of killing of a hundred horses if he promises to gift one horse but fails to do so, and in promising to gift one cow but failing to do so, then he gets the sin of killing a thousand cows, and if he belies to a person to do the needful help, he then gets the sin of killing himself along with his own kith and kin.

       "He who gets his means fulfilled earlier through his friends but does not requite them, such a treacherous one is ruthlessly eliminable.

        "About such perfidious persons, Brahma has irefully declared this verse which is reverenced by all the worlds

          " 'Savants have ordained atonement for slayers of cows, for drinkers of liquors, for thieves and infringers of solemnity, but no atonement is available to a treacherous person.' Oh, Vanara, you have got your purpose fulfilled and you are not reciprocating help to Rama, thereby you are an uncultured and unfriendly one, and illusive is your word of honour. Oh, Vanara, you achieved your means through Rama, and happily enjoying the fruits, forgetting completely Rama.
           "You are an illusive promisor basking in churlish pleasures. Rama did not realise that you were a serpent with the croaking of a frog. By the kind benevolence of  the highly prudent and compassionate Rama, you, the sinner, got the kingdom of vanaras, and it is now evident that it is a gain for an evil-soul from a noble-soul. If you do not recognize and appreciate what the noble-souled Raghava has done to you, you are liable to be killed instantly with incisive arrows enabling you to see Vali.

         "Oh, Sugreeva, abide by your commitment. The path by which the slain Vali had gone is not shut down, and as such do not tread Vali's path.

        "I am sure that you are not envisaging the Thunderbolt similar arrows from the bow of Rama, thereby you are enjoying luxuries joyously, forgetting or ignoring completely your commitment to Rama."

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169. Lakshmana entered Kishkindha.

                   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.

        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.

         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.

       "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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168. Erudite Hanuman offers his advice.

          On hearing the ministers, Sugreeva came to his senses and said "I agree that it was remiss of me. I have not in the least spoken any ill of them, nor committed any misdeed in their respect. I wonder why Lakshmana is so angry with me. It seems someone who does not like me has fabricated some bad, nasty, horrid, distressing, annoying and irritating faults about me and told the same to Rama and his brother. In this situation, I feel that, first of all we should find the attitude of Lakshmana and the reasons for his anger. I am sure that Rama and Lakshmana would not do any harm to me, but an unfounded ire of a friend(Lakshmana) makes me disquiet.

            "It is not difficult to befriend any, but in turn it is not so easy to hold on to that friendship, as even a trifle may split off that friendship. On that score I am concerned as I am yet to make any concerted efforts to requite the favour that has been done to me by Rama."
          Hearing Sugreeva, one of his ministers  the pedantic Hanuman said "In any case, it is gratifying to hear from you that you with a deep regard have not forgotten the valuable, profitable, significant and  supreme  help rendered to you. On his part Raghava eliminated Vali, whose valour equals to that of Indra, only to fulfill your cherish. Rama is evidently annoyed with you for the obvious reason that he has not heard anything from you regarding the search of his dear wife. Obviously, he has sent his brother Lakshmana to ascertain your plans and intentions in this respect. 
       As you have become ecstatic, you are unaware of the slippage of time. We were waiting for the end of the monsoon. Now the monsoon is over. Clear is the sky with its planets and stars as clouds have vanished from it, and all the ten directions are clear, and the rivers and lakes too are equable. Because the time for action is ripe, oh, Sir, and because you were very slumberous you have not got the drift of it, and as such Lakshmana must have come here to remind you.
      "Raghava's bitterness should be endured by you as he is a very much anguished person. And he is the one whose wife is abducted. And furthermore he is magnanimous in giving you the kingdom. As a blunder is committed by you, I do not foresee any other appropriate means for you,  other than seeking Lakshmana's pardon duly adjoining your palms.

        "As a king is to be advised beneficially and unhesitatingly by his ministers, I, as one of your ministers, am speaking what I consider right and correct, discarding fear. If Raghava becomes highly infuriated, he is capable of keeping the world under his control along with gods, devas, asuras, gandharvas etc. It, therefore, is not prudent to infuriate him. On the other hand, he is to be placated time and again, especially when he is remembering his earlier beneficence to you and when you are beholden to him.

       "Prostrate yourself before him along with your son, friends and relatives to pay deference, oh, king, and abide by your own accord you made with him remaining under his auspices, like a wife abiding in the care of her husband.

          "It will be unwise to fend off the ruling of Rama, or of his brother Lakshmana even in your imagination, oh, king, as you are well aware of the incomparable tenacity of that Rama, whose resplendence vies with that of Indra, and who is associated with the selfsame Lakshmana." 

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167. The ire of Lakshmana.

                 At the time Hanuman made Sugreeva to realize his lapse and take appropriate remedial action, Rama who spent rainy nights on that mountain with much distress owing to the misery of yearning for Seetha, was staring at the immaculate sphere of moon on the clear sky without any cloud. The rains were ceased and the autumnal nights were enamelled  with moonshine. He did not hear anything from Sugreeva regarding the search for Seetha. This made him to ponder the abysmal thought that Seetha was lost hopelessly, and Sugreeva, engrossed in lust was lost to the world intractably, and furthermore, time too, was being lost irretrievably. These despondent, despairing, bleak, resigned, sad, depressed, cynical and pessimistic thoughts raised his blood-pressure too high, and consequently he swooned. When he became conscious after some moments, the thought about his dear wife continued to haunt him.

            On seeing the spic and span sky without any clouds (black or otherwise) and hearing the vibrant shrieks of Saarasa birds, Rama bemoaned in woeful words. Rama was kindled with the memory of his dear wife when he beheld the sky of autumn while sitting on the summit of a mountain that was embellished with gold and other ores, and he,  without realizing it started to soliloquize his thoughts. 

           "Young Seetha with a voice that was very much alike the callings of Saarasa birds used to take delight in these resonant calls of Saarasa birds when we were together in  the hermitage.

             "She used to ask me to get the flowers whenever she was seeing the flawless Asana trees bloomed with its lovely flowers looking like golden flowers. 
             "She who is enchanting to me by her peerless body and sweet voice used to wake me up in tune with the melodious callings of clucking-swans.

         "We used to move together to hear the sharp notes of chakravaka birds that always move together in couples. I am not able to enjoy myself without that deer-eyed darling the wandering around enjoyable lakes, rivers, tanks, forests and woodlands, whose thirst is quenched by rainwater, but my thirsting for her is not. The Love-god, Manmatha, with a plethora of provocative autumnal features will be prolongedly agonising her, because she is separated from me. Or will he exclude her because she is a frailty?" 

                     Rama suddenly felt that someone was looking at him. Rama came out of his trance and looked. It was his dear brother Lakshmana. Now that the monsoon was over, Lakshmana wanted some real good fruits for his dear brother Rama and of course, for self, too. As real good fruits were not seen in the proximity, he meandered the pleasant mountainous terrain.

              Lakshmana on his returning from his pursuit saw the   lone Rama in a lonely place mooning. It was obvious that he was beset with unbearable sadness and his posture was vacuous. Seeing his dear brother in such a state, Lakshamana felt very miserable for the sad condition of his brother. He, therefore tried to cheer him up by saying "Oh, my dear bro, there is absolutely no point in fretting like this. 

Plunge yourself  in your mission  with an undeterred spirit and with a good disposition of mind, and bring time under control with steadfastness and ideation, and the capabilities of your helpmates, namely Sugreeva and others be gathered, and the basis for your achievements, say daily rituals towards gods, be performed by you as your means.  

           "You know very well that Janaki is not attainable for anyone other than yourself. You know the power of her chastity. If anyone nears her in ill-will will be burnt to ashes like a grass-hopper." 

                Rama replied "I agree with what you say. On satisfying the mother earth with rainwater and on effectuating the crops on earth, the Thousand-eyed Indra is complacent as his task is effectuated, whereas my task is yet to take off. I wonder where my dear Seetha is. It seems that Sugreeva, along with the lapse of time lapsed his promised help. 

               "This is the starting time for invasions for kings, but I do not even perceive Sugreeva, or his striving for any invasion as such.

               "Four long months of the monsoon have rolled by and to me they are like hundred years.  king Sugreeva is not benevolent to me.
              "May be he is thinking that I am not worthy one to help as I lost the kingdom and later my wife, too. Lakshmana, I am perhaps scoffed off by the spiteful king of Vanaras Sugreeva. He computed the time for search of Seetha well, and entered into a treaty with me as well. On achieving his means that base-minded one is unmindful of our quid pro quo. 
            "Oh! Lakshmana, I suggest you go to Kishkindha and ascertain what that stupid vanara, Sugreeva, plans to do regarding finding out where Seetha is kept by that rakshash. In case he has not done anything so for and also does not incline to take any action in this regard, then give him a piece of your mind to him."

               Lakshmana nodded and told Rama "As a forester, Sugreeva may not abide by the conduct of gentlefolk. It seems that he is not appreciative of the fruits of the incidental events like gaining kingdom and regaining wife, occurring out of your deed of eliminating Vali. If it is really so, then, I will ensure that he does not enjoy the prosperity of the kingdom anymore. 

          "Remaining adherent in the thick and thin of friends is friendship. That is the least kindness expected of a friend. Because Sugreeva is a fickly vanara, he may not abide by the oath of friendship taken before fire altar, whereby you eliminated Vali, and enthroned Sugreeva. And he may not keep that pact.

           "Hence, kingdoms are not fit for the dishonest. If I find him, that vanara Sugreeva disinclined to honour the pact, then I will kill that unfaithful Sugreeva and the best braving vanaras shall search for that princess Seetha, remaining under the command of Vali's son, Angada." 

            Seeing the mood and fury of Lakshmana, Rama told him "Oh! my dear brother, not so fast. In case you find that Sugreeva has turned into a reneger, try to placate him with good reasons rather than with caustic remarks or drastic actions, as his sin seems to be no more than flouting the time frame." 

    Lakshmana nodded and left immediately for Kishkindha. However, he decided to do only that which would be agreeable and beneficial to his elder brother. Nevertheless, he was fuming and fretting for the procrastination by Sugreeva.

          With this mind-set Lakshmana proceeded to Sugreeva's palace like a furious forest fire, aided and abetted by embittered whirlwind. Knocking down Saala, Palm, Ashvakarna trees with his mighty hands, razing mountain-crests and other trees with his strength, splintering boulders underfoot, Lakshmana hurried through an enmeshed path leaving off one-foot-pathway like an elephant striding fleetly, and impelled by the mission, rushed forward hurriedly. When he saw the formidable vaanaras at the outposts of Kidhkindha, his started quivering owing to the rancour towards Sugreeva. Seeing the angry Lakshmana coming towards them with determination, all the elephantine vanaras on guard in the gorges of mountain grabbed  large stones and hundreds of  gigantic trees, and kept ready. On seeing them and their audacity to keep themselves ready to challenge him, Lakshmana's fury mounted manyfold as with a fire to which much fuel is added. On seeing the angry face of the furious Lakshmana, all the vaanaras were terribly terrified and quickly fled away in all directions with scare coiling their bodies. Some of the more sensible ones went to the palace of Sugreeva to appraise him about the arrival of Lakshmana with a lot of fury. At that time, Sugreeva was in a highly amorous mood in the company of Lady Tara. Completely enmeshed in lust Sugreeva did not take any notice of the information conveyed by those sensible vaanaras who brought the message.

            However, the ministers of Sugreeva quickly decided a course of action. As decided and directed by those ministers some selected elephantine vanaras who were looking very frightful marched out to figure out the mood of Lakshmana. Those elephantine monkeys were frightening just by their appearance, which were similar to mountains and dark-clouds. All of those brave vanaras were armed with their own teeth and nails, were wearing tigerish pride and looked hideous and horrendous by their faces. Some of those vanaras had the strength and the might of ten elephants, some ten times more, and some with vigour matching that of a thousand elephants.
        The furious Lakshmana noticed those great and mighty vanaras flaunting trees are spreading throughout the pathway to Kishkindha. Seeing him, all those vanaras exiting from the inside of the compound-wall of the castle and coming underneath of the iron-latches of the castle's gateway. Thus they became quite visible and stood up to Lakshmana with their ebullient might.

            Lakshmana was amused to look at them.  At the same time Lakshmana's anger shot up. With his long, fiery, and endless exhales and eyes bloodshot in fury, he looked like a fuming fire. He had become identical to a five-faced serpent as his curvy bow looked like the curvy hood of a serpent, the arrowheads in his quivers looked like the poking tongues of the serpent, and his own fervency was proliferating as that of a serpent's venom.

           Angada came to know of the coming of Lakshmana and he rushed to see him. On seeing him, Lakshmana told him "Oh, Angada, please go and tell Sugreeva, 'oh, uncle Sugreeva, distressed by the distress of his brother, this Lakshmana has arrived and waiting at the door. Go out and invite him inside. Else the consequences will be disastrous.' After conveying this message, you comeback quickly." 

           Bewildered Angada went to the palace wearing a very sad face. There he firstly saluted the feet of his uncle Sugreeva and then at the feet of Ruma, wife of Sugreeva. And then clung to the feet of his mother Tara. He then informed his mother and aunt the arrival of Lakshmana and the message he has asked him to convey to Sugreeva. Sugreeva was completely drowned in drowsiness and dizziness and as such could not comprehend clearly what Angada was talking about.
        In the meanwhile the hearts of the mobbing vanaras started flustering with fear. And those vanaras, on observing Lakshmana in his highly furious mood, starting discussing per se as to how to appease him. This caused a hubbub that was similar to a storm of a torrent, thunder of a thunderbolt, and the roar of a lion. With that uproarious noise of the vanaras, Sugreeva came to his senses, but because of the stupor his coppery eyes were helter-skelter and his garlands and ornaments were topsy-turvy.

            On hearing the words of Angada two ministers namely Plaksha and Prabhava,  appraised Sugreeva about the arrival of Lakshmana.

          Those two ministers sitting around and nearby Sugreeva, who was seated like the king of wind-gods, namely Indra, and told him "Rama and Lakshmana are the brothers who abide by truth, highly-providential, and though they are worthy enough to rule the kingdom themselves they have bestowed the kingdom to you. As such they have become your true friends.

         "One among those two, Lakshmana, is biding at the door wielding his bow, and by whom all the vanarass are panicked and venting out alarms and shuddering utterly. This Lakshmana, the brother of Raghava, has arrived here at the decree of Rama on the chariot called his 'endeavour', charioted by the charioteer called 'the word of Rama.'

          "Oh, Sir, even Lakshmana has ushered this Angada hastily to your presence. Lakshmana is now sticking fast at the door with an awning of rancour on his eyes and as if to burn down the vanaras just with his eyes. You may approach him quickly along with your son and relatives, oh, great-king, prostrate yourself before him holding him in reverence, and thus let his bitterness be indeed pacified now.

              "Whatever that virtue-souled Rama says, you have to implement that wholeheartedly. You abide by the forthrightness of your promise, stick up for the pact you made." 

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166. Hanuman's advice to the delinquent Sugreeva.

                   At last the incessant rains came to an end. The sky became clear. Now there was no trace of the black clouds and electric charges. Happy Saarasa birds were vibrantly bustling. The moonshine was delightful to see.

                  The most important person (for Rama) at this time to wit, Sugreeva was immersed in a heavenly bliss. Now his riches were abundant. He seemed to have been affected by some sort of amnesia which had made him to slow down in accumulating probity and prosperity from the viewpoint of rectitude. The sudden release from tension and the embrace of the sensual bliss seemed to have made him a highly engrossed profligate.

                Now that he got what he wanted, he wanted to enjoy and enjoy and consequently turned away from other pursuits of a ruler.  Now he had regained his dear wife, and as a bonus gained the tantalizing Tara,too. Now he was indulging with females, merrymaking day in and day out on a par with Indra. He did not want to be bothered with the activities of his kingdom and hence consigned them to his ministers. He was not checking whether the ministers were performing with rectitude. He assumed that they would, for the reason that the kingdom was being looked after by the very same able ministers, who were performing the same duties under the kingship of Vali. He was therefore, merrily wallowing in promiscuity.

                 Hanuman was pained to see Sugreeva acting in this manner. He felt that it was his duty to try to make his master i.e. Sugreeva realize what he was doing was not proper. He therefore, sought an audience with his monarch, which was of course was duly granted.

                After the usual formalities Hanuman  got down to brass tacks. He said "Now you got much more than what you lost. I feel that now you have compensated much more than what you suffered. 

             "I am sure that you are quite aware that the king who really conducts himself punctually and amicably with friends, will see his kingdom flourish with glory and valour.

            "Matchless kingdom would be his who keeps his treasury, army, friends and his own sovereignty in equiponderance. Therefore, start attending to the obligatory duties of a monarch. That apart, you have an important additional duty. Rama has fulfilled his promise to you. But you are yet to start your part of the deal. One who comports himself with over enthusiasm only in self-indulgences, and who does not expeditiously strive for the sake of his friend, leaving off all other activities of self-indulgence will eventually get into innumerable problems.

             "Delay in fulfilling the promise to a friend is worse than declining to fulfill it. One who belatedly functions for the promised mission of his friend, he will indeed be disassociated with that mission, despite the fact that he has once performed great deeds in respect of the same friend. Hence, the task of our friend is delayed. Searching for Vaidehi is Raghava's mission and nothing in this regard has been initiated by you. 

              "Certainly you have to carry through his mission as he has carried out your mission without any delay. It is high time for you to summon worthy vanaras for searching Seetha. As long as Rama is not going to prod us for action, deem that there is no time lapse, but the minute he does, deem it as lapsed.

               "You are a helpful one even to those who were unhelpful to you.  Then why this procrastination in respect of Rama who helped you so greatly.

               "It is well known that you are a highly adventurous and powerful vanara. And being the lord of multitudes of vanaras and bears, why are you temporizing in issuing orders to fulfill the cherish of Rama. You are well aware that if need be Rama is undoubtedly capable of keeping gods, rakshashas and great-vipers under his control with his arrows. When such a person is waiting for the fulfillment of your promise, your reticence will be construed as an affront by him. He fulfilled an exceptional cherish of yours without any delay whatsoever. It is, therefore, highly incumbent on you to organize a search for his wife Vaidehi, immediately.

            "It is very well known that Gods, gandharvas, asuras or yakshas will not dare to cause any dismay to him. Oh, lord of vanaras, though Rama is energetic to exert himself, he is honouring you by waiting for you to fulfill your part of the agreement. It will be highly befitting of you to requite him appropriately.

             "It is your prerogative to order any of us, your most ardent followers as well as any of your other subjects who have, like us, the unhampered impetus. Therefore, choose, oh, lord, from the over ten million unchallengeable vanaras under your command, as to who should start from where and for which purpose, towards which direction and as to how one should exert himself." 

               On hearing the timely sermon cum advice cum appeal of the most discerning, knowledgeable and astute Hanuman, Sugreeva became ashamed and came to his senses. After pondering for a while, Sugreeva directed Nila, one of the commanders of vanara army, to foregather all of the vanara forces available in all the directions. He also directed him "You have to organise it in such a way that my army in its entirety and from all over, together with corps commanders, is to be marshaled to stay in the cutting edge of the army. 

              "Pass on my this order to every one that all those who are ordered to assemble, should do so immediately. And, the vanara who arrives here after fifteen nights, will be punished with death. And no excuse in this regard will be accepted.

              "Angada will be associated with you for this. I, hereby command you to approach elderly vanaras like Jambavanta and others for advice and suggestions in this regard."

              Then Sugreeva re-entered his palace chambers for some more happy sensual days.

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165 . Anxious days at Mt. Prasavana.

                   Rama along with his brother Lakshmana was plodding towards the Mt. Prasavana while Sugreeva was going for his coronation. Mt. Prasavana was pervaded with noisily growling tigers, mightily roaring lions and other such wild beasts. As it was well compacted with diverse shrubs and creeper-plants, overspread with many a kind of trees, it was adored by bears, monkeys, baboons and  wildcats. 

                Rama and Lakshmana selected a well spaced cave on the cliff of that mountain for their stay for the monsoon season. After settling down there Rama commented "Did you notice that a pleasant lake of lotuses blooming with its blossomy lotuses, is not far away from our cave. This cave with its north-easterly slope will be homely for us since the inrush of rainwater will be less, and also thus with its upraised westerly portion this cave will be less of gusts that come from east. The black stone available at the doorway of the cave that looks like a spattered mound of mascara is broad, even-surfaced, and will be pleasant for a repose.

              "See this mountain peak that looks like a scattered mound of mascara, dear boy, which rose up like a black-cloud on the sky, and it is an auspicious one for it is in the northern side. Look at this mountain in the southerly direction which look like a white cloth spread on the sky. Also it seems to be vying with the Mt. Kailash and abounding with many an ore.

            "See this river flowing from the wide of the cave does not have any sludge. It looks like the river Ganga in Trikuta." 

             In this manner Rama was describing the river, the mountain, the forests and jungles, the trees, the animals, birds etc. with enjoyment.           

                   He concluded by saying "Aha! Soumitri, very exhilarating is this locale and we can happily reside here in this delightful environment.

                  "And also Kishkindha is not far off from here. Don't you hear the singing and the tunes of musical instruments sung and played in Kishkindha? Hear the joyful blares of the vanaras together with their snobbish drumming. 

                "It seems that  Sugreeva, surrounded by his friends, is exuberant, as he got back his wife, too along with the kingdom." 

                Despite the fact that mountainous area was very reasonably comfortable, and though it possessed many exquisite, admirable, enchanting, graceful and captivating objects of nature like flowers, fruits and waters, Rama was far from happy. He felt despondent in reminiscing about his wife who was loftier that his life, especially on seeing the rising moon on the eastern mountain. He could not sleep as the thoughts of his dear wife was haunting him.

               Seeing the constant gloomy mood of his dear brother, Lakshmana tried to cheer him up by saying "Oh, my dear brother, you know very well that there is no point to anguish like this.  All objectives will backslide for them who  anguish ceaselessly like you. That you know clearly.

             "Oh, Raghava, in this world you are a result-oriented person, and a devotee of gods for achieving those desired results. And you are the theist, moralist, and also the mobiliser.

            "There is no need for me to tell you that this your lackadaisical attitude is very likely to make you to become incapable to eliminate the enemy in a war, specially with rakshashas and especially a trickster, despite all of your daring enterprises. Only on completely rooting out that agony you can stabilise your endeavour. And then you will be able to eliminate that rakshash Ravana along with his followers. Oh, bro, you are capable to inverse the order of earth along with all of its oceans, forests, and mountains. You yourself are aware of this.

              "With an optimistic outlook await for this rainy season to end, and thereafter, you will certainly eradicate that Ravana along with his city-state and his followers. I am just awakening the fast sleeping vitality of yours, like rekindling fire concealed under the embers with the timely offerings of flammable fire-oblations." 

               Looking at Lakshmana with a pensive face, Rama smiled approvingly and said "What is to be said by an affectionate, amiable and cordial person, also whose courage is truth itself, that you have said it, Lakshmana. Yes! Distress is retrogressive to all the functions. I am casting-off this distress completely. As an undefeatable and an unconquerable one in my triumphs I am invigorating my ebullience. Awaiting for the kind-heartedness of Sugreeva, and for the kindness of the rivers in their abatement, I look forward for the end of this rainy season, remaining true to your words.

                 "A valiant one who is succoured will be indebted with some requital on his part, but besides being unfaithful, if one who does not make requital for all the favours done in his interest, he will be wounding the hearts of soft-hearted people." Rama said so to Lakshmana, keeping Sugreeva in view.

               Lakshmana was happy to note that Rama took his advice. He then told him "Oh, my dear brother, Sugreeva will be effectuating everything you have desired and said, not later but soon. You therefore, should be patient until the end of this rainfalls, besides bearing with the idea of disciplining the enemy.

             "Let autumn be awaited while containing your anger, and along with me you may stay on this mountain which is adored by lions, and spend these four rainy months here like a monsoon lion, although you are capable to eliminate the enemy at any moment like a lion."

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