Sugreeva Forgot His Promise to Lord Rama

After Sugreeva was established upon the throne of Kishkindha, by the Lord, after killing Bali, Sugreeva forgot his part of the deal — that he will search for Seethadevi.

Hanumanji cautioned him that if the Lord gets offended and angry, then it will be the end of Sugreeva and Kishkindha.

Immediately, Sugreeva told Hanumanji to go himself to invite all the kings of vanaras to Kishkindha.

When Hanumanji returned to Kishkindha, there was a messenger waiting for him at the gates.

What he had told Sugreeva itself had happened.

When he was away, Lakshmana had come, angry at the behaviour of Sugreeva. He had even mounted arrow upon his bow to destroy Kishkindha.

Sugreeva did not have the courage to appear before him. He sent Tara and Angada to pacify Lakshmana.

They fell at Lakshmana’s feet, and his heart melted. They told him that Sugreeva did not neglect — Hanumanji is already gone to get the vanaras from all over who would set out in search of Seetha Matha.

They all went to Sugreeva, who paid respects to Lakshmana. That’s when Hanumanji walked in.

Lakshmana said, 'I was looking for you. It looks like you are coming back from a long journey. Where were you? Even you haven’t come to take darshana of the Lord for quite some time.'

Hanumanji told him that he had gone to get the vanaras.

By this time, vanaras from other kingdoms started flowing into Kishkindha — crores and crores of them — led by vanara kings like Sharabha, Baleemukha, Daksheemukha. Crores and crores of vanaras assembled.

Lakshmana was convinced that some action has been taken.

They all together went to Rishyamukachala. Sugreeva fell at the Lord’s feet and apologized for the delay.

Bhagawan performed a miracle — crores and crores of vanaras and their kings, they all got a chance to keep their foreheads at the lotus feet of the Lord.

Every one of them got an opportunity. Each and every one of them felt that they have individually prostrated at His feet.

That was the blessing. Hanumanji and Angada went around and asked, 'Is there anyone left who has not taken darshan?'

'No,' everyone said. 'I could go near Him and keep my head at His feet.'

Sugreeva said, 'Please order them what to do. They don’t need any special preparations. They are ready to go. They will eat fruits and leaves. They don’t need camps. They will take rest on the trees themselves.'

The Lord said, 'You only give them command. You know the whole earth. When Bali was chasing Sugreeva, he had gone to every place on earth before coming to Rishyamukachala.'

Sugreeva addressed the vanaras:

'Seetha Matha is missing. Ravana has hidden her somewhere. Now, you split into small groups, go in all directions and find her.

Don’t walk together. Go in small groups. Don’t go all alone.

I will tell up to which place each group will go. You have to go up to there and come back and report here within one month.

If anyone doesn’t return within one month, he will be punished with death.

If we can’t find Matha, then there is no point in us living on this earth anymore — being a burden on Mother Earth.

If by any chance, we are unsuccessful in finding Seetha Matha, then I will kill all of you and commit suicide myself.'

This is what Sugreeva told the vanaras and sent them in all directions.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi