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Ram and Lakshman continued
their search for Sita. In the process, they came to Rishyamook mountain
where Sugriva, younger brother of Vaali lived with his minister Jambuvant
and associate Hanuman.
Sugriva send Hanuman to find
out whether Ram and Laxman were sent by Vaali. Hanuman appeared before the
Ram and Laxman in the guise of Brahmin but soon realized that Ram was none
other than his revered master. Hanuman took them to his chief, the monkey
Sugriva, who'd seen Sita's abduction from afar. Sugriva promised to help
rescue Sita if Ram in turn helped him overcome his powerful brother Bali,
who had banished Sugriva from his kingdom.
Ram then took Sugriva to
Pampapuri where Sugriva challenged Vaali. Before the fight began, Ram
garlanded Sugriva so that he can identify him among the two similar
looking brothers. In the battle, Vaali proved his might making Sugriva run
for cover. At that instance, Ram hiding behind a tree killed Vaali with
his arrow. On his deathbed Ram clarified to Vaali that since he kept
illicit relationship with the wife of his brother, he is worthy of
punishment. Sugriva was then crowned as King and Vaali's son Angad as
young prince.
After Sugriva became king,
he almost forgot about Sita's search. Ram and Laxman were getting
impatient. Finally, Laxman went to Kiskindha and warned Sugriva of dire
consequence if he did not fulfill his promise of helping find Sita.
Sugriva apologized for his mistake and ordered his monkey army to search
for Sita's whereabouts.
Ram knew that Hanuman would
find Sita, so Ram gave Hanuman his ring, as a token that Sita would
recognize. Searching relentlessly for Sita, the group containing Hanuman,
Jambuvan and Angad met Sampati. Sampati, brother of Jatayu
came to know about passing away of his brother while fighting for
rescue of Sita. Sampati knew details about the whereabouts of Sita. He
revealed that Sita was kept in Ashok-Vatika inside Lanka and added that
whoever cross the vast ocean in one leap would accomplish the task.
The goal was clear but the
question was who could accomplish such feat. Sampati said that he was too
old to perform such a feat. Jambuvant said that in his youth he
circumambulated Vamana in eye blink but he too was old to repeat such
heroism. Angad said he could cross ocean in one leap but he won't be able
to come back. While the discussion was on, Hanuman was seated in silence.
When all the options ran out, everyone's eye were sat on Hanuman.
Jambuvant praised Hanuman
and illustrated about his latent strengths. He also told Hanuman that he
was born to accomplish the work of his master, Ram. Listening to this
words, Hanuman became ready to leap across the ocean.
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