Miscellaneous - Religion   

True friendship

CHENNAI: Of the most celebrated friendships described in the scriptures, the one between Lord Rama and Sugriva stands out. After the killing of Vali and the coronation of his brother Sugriva, Rama and Lakshmana retired to the forest caves waiting for the rainy season to be over to resume the search for Sita with the promised help from Sugriva.

The delay on Sugriva's part, signalling a lapse on the commitment, prompted an irked Rama to send Lakshmana to remind the Vanara king of his promise.

The hallmark of true friendship being spontaneous gratitude, the hard won friendship between Lord Rama and Sugriva at this juncture suffered a setback due to communication gap, pointed out Paranoor Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal in a discourse.

It was Tara, the wise wife of the slain Vali, who confronted the short-tempered Lakshmana with resourcefulness and tact. She assuaged his anger choosing words of great insight, clarity and shrewdness to prevent any breach that could have been detrimental to both sides. She pointed out to Lakshmana that neither was Sugriva ungrateful, nor was there any dilution in his Bhakti towards Rama. Maybe at that point of time he had not reacted with alacrity. No one is blemishless except the Supreme Being. She gently put it to Lakshmana that for all his greatness, he had not been able to conquer anger.

Tara assured Lakshmana that it was not as if Sugriva had not acted at all towards honouring his promise. Where he had failed was in not informing Lord Rama of what he had done. Sugriva's devotion to Lord Rama is evident in the full-hearted involvement and generous help he offers in the search for Sita. His timely help absolves him of any charge of ingratitude.

When the search is on, Hanuman's devotion to Lord Rama and his humility shine in all radiance. Hanuman understood that the Lord had chosen him to find Sita, since He singled him out and gave the signet ring to be handed over to Sita. The bird Sampathi, elder brother of Jatayu, indicated Sita's presence in Lanka to the southbound Vanara army. Hanuman, who accomplished the feat of crossing the ocean and seeing the divine mother, attributed the success to God's grace in all humility.

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