Hanuman Awakens Sugriva before Lakshmana Reaches the City
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 19
Doha 19 · Movement 1 of 2
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Within Kishkindha, Hanuman has already understood that Sugriva forgot Rama's work. He approaches the king, bows his head at his feet, and explains the danger through all four modes of counsel. Fear enters Sugriva. He sees that enjoyment of the senses has stolen the knowledge he possessed upon Rishyamukha.
The king orders Hanuman to send companies of monkey messengers in every direction. Any messenger who fails to return within a fortnight will die by Sugriva's hand. Hanuman summons them, honors each one generously, and sets both fear and affection before them with wise policy. They bow and race outward toward the monkey hosts.
At that very hour Lakshmana enters the city. The monkeys see his anger and scatter in every direction. Two currents have reached Kishkindha together: Hanuman's inward reminder has set the search in motion, and Lakshmana's visible bow has arrived to demand that motion without delay.
Before Lakshmana's anger crosses the gate, Hanuman has already made Sugriva remember Rama's work.
Read the passage from the Manas
इहाँ पवनसुत हृदयँ बिचारा। राम काजु सुग्रीवँ बिसारा।। निकट जाइ चरनन्हि सिरु नावा। चारिहु बिधि तेहि कहि समुझावा।। सुनि सुग्रीवँ परम भय माना। बिषयँ मोर हरि लीन्हेउ ग्याना।। अब मारुतसुत दूत समूहा। पठवहु जहँ तहँ बानर जूहा।। कहहु पाख महुँ आव न जोई। मोरें कर ता कर बध होई।। तब हनुमंत बोलाए दूता। सब कर करि सनमान बहूता।। भय अरु प्रीति नीति देखाई। चले सकल चरनन्हि सिर नाई।। एहि अवसर लछिमन पुर आए। क्रोध देखि जहँ तहँ कपि धाए।।
Meanwhile, the son of the wind god (Pavanasut Hanuman) reflected in his heart that Sugriva had forgotten Rama's work entirely. Going near, he bowed his head at Sugriva's feet and explained the matter to him clearly, using all four approaches (saam, daam, dand, bhed). Hearing this, Sugriva was struck with great fear, realizing that sensual pleasures (vishay) had stolen away his wisdom. "Now, O son of the wind, send out bands of monkey messengers in every direction. Tell them this: whoever does not return within a fortnight shall be slain by my hand." Then Hanuman summoned the messengers and honored every one of them with great respect. Showing them both the weight of duty (bhay) and the warmth of love (preeti), guided by wise counsel (neeti), they all bowed at his feet and departed. At that very moment, Lakshmana arrived at the city. Seeing his anger, the monkeys scattered and fled in every direction.