Vali Vadham 7

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Where the difference lies

 

 

Valmiki shows Sugriva to be much saner and in a mood to lead the discussion

though he was weather beaten by the cruel deeds of his brother against him. His

heart was shrunk but was not totally sunk. The moment he met Rama, he greets

him and starts, "You have been trained in the practice of righteousness, and are

highly ascetic and fond of all, your virtues have (already) been recounted by

Hanuman (son of the wind-god) in their reality. It is an honour to myself and

my foremost gain too, my lord, that you seek amity with me, a monkey. If my

friendship is acceptable to you, here is my hand extended (before you). Let

this hand be clasped with yours and an abiding pact entered into (with me.)"

(Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, Canto 5, Sloka 9-11)

 

Shake hands with me. That is what Sugriva says. It is an ally that Rama was

seeking and Sugriva was happy that a great person has come to him seeking his

ally. He has several issues and he needs the help of Rama too, in getting them

sorted out. 'I will do this, this and this if you can do this, this and that.'

That's how he sounds. He then breaks the branch of a sal tree, puts it on the

ground, sits over it and offers Rama a seat by his side. The Poet says,

"Breaking a bough of a sal tree, laden with flowers and thick with beautiful

leaves, and laying it down, Sugriva then sat down on it with Sri Rama (a scion

of Raghu). (Ibid, Sloka 13)

 

He then recounts his woes that he was suffering because of his elder brother's

oppression. "Having been exiled (by my elder brother, Vali) I move about in

this forest, oppressed as I am with fear, O Rama! Alarmed as I am, my spouse

(too) having been taken away, I have sought shelter (for my protection) in this

mountain, which is difficult to access (for Vali). Having been banished and

antagonised by my brother (Vali) O scion of Raghu, I live in the forest

perturbed and alarmed, my mind being confused. (Therefore) grant me security, O

highly blessed one, from Vali, stricken with fear as I am. You ought to ensure,

O scion of Kakustha, that no fear may linger in me."

 

Sugriva, though seeking protection, does so not as a devotee, but as an ally.

There is a lot of difference between the sarana gathi that Vibishana sought and

the friendship that Sugriva asked for. Sugriva was a king too. He had ruled

Kishkindha for some time. He knew that his assistance was sought for.

Therefore when he seeks the protection of Rama, he does it in style. Shaking of

hands and offering a seat by his side!

 

This is not to underestimate the love, affection or devotion that Valmiki's

Sugriva had for Rama. A threadbare and dispassionate analysis would show us the

difference between the attitudes of Vibishana and Sugriva. In fact, one can see

the difference between this first meeting of Sugriva and Sri Rama, and the first

meeting of Vibishana. Sugriva was approached by Rama whereas Vibishana

approached the latter. Sugriva was an essential factor in the elimination of

Ravana whereas Vibishana was not expected at all. This fact is acknowledged by

great scholars. We shall see what Srinivasa Sastriyar has to say on this, in

our next instalment.