Before the Witnessing Fire, Hanuman Joins Rama and Sugriva in Friendship
Kishkindha Kanda, Doha 4
Doha 4 · Movement 2 of 2
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Hanuman stands between the forest prince and the exiled monkey king, carrying each one's story to the other. Fear, loss, purpose, and possible service become known on both sides.
Then fire is kindled as witness. Before its flame, the two enter the bond of friendship. What began with a guarded question below the mountain receives the solemnity of sacred testimony.
Hanuman joins their hands and makes the affection firm. The search for Sita and the terror of Vali are now held within one promise. Fire watches as two separate griefs become the beginning of mutual action.
The flame rises between Rama and Sugriva, witnessing two sorrows become one friendship.
Read the passage from the Manas
तब हनुमंत उभय दिसि की सब कथा सुनाइ।। पावक साखी देइ करि जोरी प्रीती दृढ़ाइ।।4।।
Then Hanuman narrated each side's story to the other. With fire as witness, he bound their friendship firm, making it unshakable.