SUGREEVA CONFERS WITH RAM

Hanumana made Rama and Lakshmana sit at a hilltop as he himself went to Malaya hill to call Sugreeva. He said to Sugreeva, “The two young men are Rama and Lakshmana, princes of Ayodhya. They are spending the years of exile to fulfill the wishes of their stepmother. They are searching for mother Sita. She is Lord Rama’s beloved better half who has been abducted by demon King, Ravana. They need your help to search Sita. They are very valiant and courageous. They can help you to gain your wife and kingdom back from Bali.” 

Sugreeva felt very happy on hearing this. He at once accompanied Hanumana and went to meet Rama and Lakshmana. After some conversation, he had confirmed all that Hanumana had said. Then Sugreeva said, “Lord, I was as devoted to Bali as Lakshmana to you. One day, Bali was fighting a demon named, Mayavi. While fighting, both of them entered a dark cave. Bali asked me to stand at the mouth of the cave. A little while later, I heard Bali scream out in pain and river of blood flowed out of the cave. I thought my brother had been killed by Mayavi. So, I closed the mouth of cave to prevent Mayavi from coming out and killing others. Then I had to become the king of Kishkindha, as there was no one else to look after the kingdom. But, actually Bali had not died. He escaped from the cave and came to the royal court. He accused me of treachery. He has now captured my wife and the kingdom and is after my life now. A curse will not let him come up this mountain, so I am living here with some of my followes.”
“I am grieved to here your tale of woe,” Rama said. “I shall surely help you out. How can I see you in such grief now that I have taken you as my friend?”
Sugreeva said, “I too shall do my best to help you search mother Sita. I have a force of monkeys. I will send them in various directions in search of mother Sita.” So Rama and Sugreeva became friends. To cement their friend-ship, they performed a small ritual. Sugreeva asked Hanumana to collect some logs which he gathered and lit a small fire. Then keeping Agnideva, the fire god as their witness, Rama and Sugreeva swore to remain friends forever. They promised to always share their joys and sorrows.