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 There are moments in life when one is put under tremendous pressure. Waves after waves of events would keep splashing up not allowing one to think. You concentrate on one event and try to apply your mind. The next seed of emergency sprouts the very same moment. This is a kind of plant that grows into a tree, within seconds. One event intensifies the other and the next event nurtures the previous while at the same time giving birth to an unending number of events, each moving in the same direction. We have all been through such a virtual whirlpool in a river of fire, when our senses refuse to work and mind goes blank, when it has to function at its highest speed. Let us see a couple of such moments in the Ramayana and how Hanuman handled them.
The killing of Vali and after
Vali was killed by Sri Rama. We know the story and how he was killed. The argument over the way adopted to kill Vali is as old as the Ramayana and it goes on and on. The volume of arguments and explanations has been so immense that these rival the Ramayana in size. There is only one difference. The Ramayana has an end. The rival edition of arguments over the Vali episode will never have an end! We will take this up for discussion one of these days and see what Valmiki and Kamban have to say as well as veterans like Sri VVS Aiyar and Rt. Hon’ble Srinivasa Sastriyar opine.
Sugriva was installed as the King of Vanaras. There are other interesting points in the story, like the advice of Sri Rama to Sugriva, on administration, for instance. However, these will have to wait for sometime now.
Rama had the assurance of Sugriva when they became that the latter would take immediate steps to organise the search for Sita, on becoming the Vanara king. However, when Sugriva became the king, the rainy season was nearing and as always happens with any project in our times too, rains necessitated the postponement of the efforts for four months, until autumn.
A respite for four months
 More over, Rama reconciled to the fact that Sugriva had become the king after a long period of commotion, near-death situations and a series of turbulent times. He needed time to settle down as the new king, get the reins in his hand and take charge. On his personal side, he was reuniting with his wife after a very long time. Therefore it is only natural that he needed some time to cool off. He had to relax and rejuvenate too!
Rama refused to enter Kishkindha saying that he was not supposed to enter any town or village during his period of vanavasa. The coronation of Sugriva was presided over by Lakshmana, instead.
After the ceremony, Lakshmana returned to Sri Rama and they decided to take up their abode in a cave of Mount Prasravana till the rainy season was over. There, Sri Rama spent his time in anguish, caused by his separation from Sita. Lakshmana was his only source of comfort.
(To be continued)
Hari Krishnan
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