SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S
SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ
ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ”)
An insight into Shloka 7 - Sundara Kanda elaborated
Sugreeva warned
The rainy season passed off and the Sharad Ritu set
in. There was no denying the fact that Sugreeva had secured the throne of
Kishkindha the hardest way. He was in the wilderness and was always under a
threat from Vali. Now that he had the royal powers, the riches, the comfort and
so much of attention, Sugreeva forgot about Srirama and the words to be kept
up. He was always enjoying the company of women and it was up to Hanumantha to
remind him about the “task” of finding out Seetha Devi. Hanumantha met Sugreeva
and said:
“Oh Sugreeva! How can you forget Srirama who gave the
access for all these pleasures, the women, the throne, the wealth and the
luxury? A serpent with ego and false pride tends to forget those who fed milk
to it. Similarly, you have forgotten the great help bestowed upon you my Srirama.
People like you deserve to be punished by persons like me. Srirama is the
overlord of the entire universe. There is nothing that we have to help him in
any manner. It is our duty to understand his needs and serve to fulfill them on
our own. Therefore, summon all the monkeys and start the preparations for
searching Seetha Devi instantly.”
Sugreeva ordered Neela and other prominent Monkeys to
summon all leaders of Monkey platoons. He instructed everyone that all monkeys
should be in Kishkindha by the full moon day. “Whoever does not reach here
within seven days from now will be severely punished,” Sugreeva declared.
Almost simultaneously, Srirama discussed with
Lakshmana: “Dear Lakshmana, it appears that after obtaining the throne and the
comforts of life, Sugreeva has forgotten us. The Sharad Ritu has set in and
there is no indication for any efforts being put in by Sugreeva towards the
accomplishment of the task he had agreed to do. You may go and repeat what my words:
‘Oh Sugreeva, beware that the arrow that killed Vali can kill you too, if you
fail to keep up your promise of finding out Seetha Devi’ and let me know his
reaction.”
But, Lakshmana is known for impatience and short
temper. He said: “Dear brother, I will first kill that monkey because he has
enslaved himself to lust and worldly pleasures and has forgotten us. There is
no doubt that Seetha Devi will be searched out even if that monkey is killed.”
Lakshmana rushed out in a hurry to set Sugreeva right.
The monkeys saw Lakshmana entering the palace
frivolously and even reported it to Sugreeva, who did not pay any attention. He
did not come out of the palace room to see Lakshmana, which further enraged
Lakshmana. Meanwhile, Angada came, prostrated in front of Lakshmana, even as
his hands and legs were trembling with fear. Lakshmana was empathetic towards
Angada and told him that he wanted to convey the message of Srirama to
Sugreeva. He asked Angada to inform Sugreeva about his arrival and the
intention. The Monkeys around started screaming in utter fear, which woke up
Sugreeva and brought his senses back. Sugreeva claimed that he had not done any
wrong to Srirama and that Srirama was unnecessarily getting angry. Hanumantha
reminded Sugreeva once again about the pending task of searching Seetha Devi.
Meanwhile, Lakshmana dashed into the harem, ignoring the presence of door
keepers, and saw Sugreeva in the embrace of his wife Rume and Vali’s wife Tara.
Sugreeva was frightened after seeing the fierce face of Lakshmana. He saluted
Lakshmana with both hands folded, apologised and took Lakshmana into his
residence. Lakshmana told Sugreeva: “Oh Monkey, you had vouched with Fire God
as witness that after securing the throne of Kishkindha with the help of
Srirama, you would employ the Monkeys to search for Seetha. Lord Brahma, Rudra
and all the deities yearn to serve Srirama, who is capable of accomplishing any
task independently as he is the overlord of this universe. The whole universe
worships Srirama. There is nothing that a silly bloke like you can favor
Srirama by helping him in searching Seetha Devi.”
Seeing the mood of Lakshmana, Tara told Lakshmana, on
behalf of Sugreeva: “Respected Lakshmana, Sugreeva has certainly not forgotten
his duty or responsibility. Vali had told me that Ravana has abducted Seetha
Devi and it is not possible to get Seetha Devi back without killing millions of
soldiers of Ravana. Sugreeva has instructed his prominent Monkeys to bring all
the Monkeys to Kishkindha. Sugreeva will definitely take appropriate action in
this regard.”
Sugreeva also confessed that he would soon arrange for
the search operation.”
Lakshmana was further informed by Sushena and other
Ministers of Sugreeva that action would
soon be initiated in the direction of finding out Seetha Devi.
Lakshmana was convinced and returned to Rama.
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