31. Searching For Sita (Devotional)

      As explained in Vali and Sugriva, Rama and Sugriva became good friends and decided to help each other. Rama promised Sugriva that he will kill Vali and make Sugriva the king of Kishkindha. Sugriva promised Rama that he will send his troops all over the world to search for Sita once he becomes king of Kishkindha. But Vali was not confidant that Rama can kill Vali. There were 9 trees in that forest and vanaras believed that ho ever can cut all those trees with a single arrow, will be capable to kill Vali. To gain their confidence, Rama strike an arrow and cut all those trees in one shot. Then Rama told Sugriva to go and challenge Vali and planned to kill Vali while he was fighting with Sugriva. As planned, Sugriva challenged Vali to fight and they started fighting. Rama hid behind a tree and waiting to strike an arrow on Vali to kill him. But as Vali and Sugriva look a like, Rama couldn't distinguish between them. Finally Sugriva lost and fled. Rama explained him about his confusion and advised Sugriva to wear a garland and fight again with Vali. Sugriva wore a garland and challenged Vali again. This time while Vali and Sugriva were fighting, Rama hid behind a tree and killed Vali with his arrow.

      Before dieing, Vali asked Rama why he did wrong by not fighting face to face to which Rama explained that as Vali took his brother's wife forcibly, he is like an animal so he did right thing according to Kiratha nyayam (Rule of hunters). Rama promised Vali that Vali's son Angada will be the prince of Kishkindha and Vali died peacefully. Sugriva became the king of Kishkindha and Angada became the prince. Now its time Sugriva had to fulfil his promise. He had to send his troops to search for Sita. But due to rainy season, he asked Rama to wait till winter. Rama agreed and was waiting for winter. Sugriva was enjoying his royal pleasures and forgot about his promise to Rama. Rama asked Lakshmana to approach Sugriva and remind about the promise. Lakshmana did the same and Sugriva came to Rama will all his troops and asked his forgiveness. He divided his troops into some groups and sent them to all sides to search for Sita. Rama gave his ring to Hanuman and told him to show it to Sita if he meet her so that she can recognise him as Rama's friend.

      Hanuman, Angada, Jambavantha and some other vanaras headed south side. They reached the edge of south region of India and ocean ahead. They were sad that they couldn't find Sita. While they were talking, they spoke about Jatayu who sacrificed his life while trying to save Sita. Then Jatayu's brother Sampati (Refer Jatayu and Sabari) was around and heard their talk. Sampati asked them about his brother Jatayu as he was searching for him for a long time. Vanaras told him that his brother is died while trying to rescue Sita. Sampati felt sad about his brother's death and informed vanaras that while flying over Lanka, he saw Lanka's king Ravana recently with a beautiful lady who was pleading him to release herself. She might be Sita. Now vanaras were thinking how to cross the ocean to reach Lanka and confirm about Sita's presence.