SUGREEVA |
Other names- Sugriv, Sugreev
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In Hindu mythology, Sugriva Sanskrit also spelled Sugreeva. Sugreeva was born as a fragment of Surya (the Sun God).And he was the grand son of Bhrahma
After there mother death, Bali and Sugreev lived amicably together like brothers. Baliwas married to Tara and Sugreev to Roma.Balibecame the king of Vanara or monkeys and his capital was Kishkindha. Sugreev lived respectfully doing his brother's bidding. Hanuman was a minister and dear friend of Sugreev. One day a danava named Durmad challenged Bali to a fight. Bali was angry and gave him such a blow that he fell down in a swoon. Then he ran and hid in a cave in the hills. Bali ran after him, with Sugreev in tow. Bali was about to enter the cave when he told Sugreeva, "If I do not come out from here within a month, consider me dead." After a month a stream of blood flowed out of the cave. Sugreev thought that Balihad been killed. To prevent the demon from escaping, he shut the mouth of the cave with a huge cliff and returned to Kishkindha. The monkeys declared him to be the new king and coronated him.
But Bali had not been killed. He killed Dhrupad and tried to come out of the cave but he found the entrance blocked. He was filled with rage. Somehow he managed to remove the rock and returned to Kishkindha. When he saw Sugreev seated on the throne, his anger knew no bounds. He leapt to attack Sugreev. But Sugreev took to his heels. He ran all over, but Bali was close at heel. Sugreeva got weary of running when Hanuman suggested a way out. Bali could not go to Rishyamukha Mountain, the abode of Matanga Rishis, because of a curse placed on him. Therefore Sugreev could find a safe place to stay there. Sugreev and his followers began to stay on Rishyamukha Mountain. Hanuman, Jambvant, Nal, Neel were with him.
One day Hanuman was sitting on Rishyamukha Mountain with his companions. Just then Ravan was carrying Sita away in his chariot via the aerial route. Sita was crying bitterly and calling out. The five monkeys seated on the Mountaintop were visible to her. So she threw some of her jewels down to them. Sugreeva kept them safe with him.
When Ram and Lakshman came there in search of Sita, they went to the ashram of sage Matanga. They met Shabari who advised them to meet Sugreev. Hence Ram went to Rishyamukha Mountain with Lakshman. Sugreev saw them coming from afar. He wondered if they were spies sent by his estranged brother Bali. So he sent Hanuman to them to find out. Hanuman took the guise of a Brahmin and spoke to them. After he knew who they were, Hanuman introduced Ram and Lakshman to Sugreev, who showed them the jewels thrown down by Sita. Ram recognized them as hers. Sugreev offered to help Ram in his search for Sita. But he said, I have to stay hidden here for fear of my brother. He narrated all the events leading to the animosity between the two brothers. Ram heard his tale and offered to kill Bali and get Roma, Sugreeva's wife who had been taken away by Bali.
Sugreev said that to be able to kill Bali there are some tasks you must be able to complete. First is lifting the carcass of Dundubhi demon and the second is piercing seven saal trees with a single arrow. Shri Ram lifted the skeleton of Dundubhi with ease, using just the big toe of his foot and threw it into the sea. Then with one sharp arrow, he pierced the seven-saal trees at one. So, Sugreev was assured of Rama's prowess.
Sugreev and Ram pledged their friendship with fire as their witness. Ram said, "Now you challenge Bali to a wrestling match and I will kill him." Sugreeva called Bali to fight and the two were engaged in a battle between equals. Hurt by Bali, Sugreev fell near Ram. Now Ram said, both of you look so alike, I cannot tell you apart. How could I aim my arrow? So Ram put a garland of flowers around Sugreeva to identify him. Now Sugreev fought Bali again. Rama aimed an arrow at Bali's while concealed behind a tree. Bali fell down unconscious.
Bali asked Ram "Why have you killed me when I have not done you any harm?" Ram said "Sugreeva is your younger brother and his wife should have been treated like a daughter by you. But due to your animosity, you have taken her away and kept her as your wife it is because of this grave sin and my friendship with Sugreeva that I have killed you." Bali asked for forgiveness. He placed his wife Tara and son Angad in Rama's care, then respectfully bowing to Rama's feet, he breathed his last.
Ram made Sugreev the King of Kishkindha and Bali son Angad was declared Yuvaraj (prince designate). Sugreev lived happily with his wife Roma and Tara who was also with him. Sugreev gathered monkeys from all over and sent them out to search for Sita in all directions. Under Angad's leadership the team headed for the South including Hanuman and Jambvant. Hanuman leapt over the ocean and searched for Sita and set Lanka on fire. Under Sugreev command, Nal-Neel made a huge bridge across the ocean and Shri Ram with his entire army crossed over to Lanka.
Ravan was being entertained with song and dance in the evening when Sugreev reached him in one leap and stood before him. He pushed Ravan off his throne, kicked and boxed him and returned to the camp.
The battle between Ram and Ravan began. When Sugreev led the army and killed the son of Kumbhakarn, named Kumbh Mahodar and Virupaksh were also killed by him. In the end Ravan was killed by Ram. Sugreev maintained his friendship with Ram and proved to be a true, reliable ally.
Sugreev end his life with Ram and The story of Sugreev is part of the Ramayan and, in an abbreviated version, can also be found in the Mahabharata.
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