Rama Hears Sugriva's Promise and Asks Why His Friend Lives in Fear
Kishkindha Kanda, Doha 5
Doha 5 · Movement 2 of 2
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Sugriva's promise brings joy to Rama, the ocean of compassion and boundary of strength. The new friend has answered grief not with distant consolation but with a pledge to send his whole people into the search.
Rama now turns toward the sorrow Sugriva carries. He asks why the monkey king lives hidden in the forest instead of dwelling within his own city and kingdom.
The question opens the second half of their friendship. Sugriva has taken Sita's search into his care. Rama now takes Sugriva's exile into his. Around the witnessing fire, service begins to move in both directions.
Having entrusted Sita's search to a friend, Rama asks to hear the fear that drove that friend into hiding.
Read the passage from the Manas
सखा बचन सुनि हरषे कृपासिधु बलसींव। कारन कवन बसहु बन मोहि कहहु सुग्रीव ।।5।।
Hearing his friend's words, the ocean of compassion and the very boundary of strength, Shri Rama, was gladdened. 'Tell me, Sugriva, for what reason do you dwell in this forest?'