Sugríva

Also known as: King Sugríva / Lord of the Vánar race · Family: Vánars · Role: Vánar chief · First appears: Book I, Canto 1 · Nárad

Nárad’s summary tells of the alliance Sugríva and Ráma swore before the sacred flame, and of Ráma’s promise to allay Sugríva’s fear of Báli. The poet’s summary likewise tells of their sought-for friendship and Báli’s death, after which Sugríva became king. Book I, Canto 16 names the Sun as Sugríva’s sire. In Book III, Báli defeats and expels his brother.

In Book IV, Sugríva, dispossessed and separated from his wife, sends Hanumán to learn the purpose of Ráma and Lakshmaṇ. He and Ráma swear a solemn friendship: Sugríva promises to help find Sítá, while Ráma promises to slay Báli and restore his kingdom and wife. After one fight ends with Sugríva wounded and fleeing to Rishyamúka, Lakshmaṇ places a garland around his neck so Ráma can recognize him. In their next combat, Sugríva wounds Báli with a Sál tree; after Báli is slain, Sugríva regains the throne, accepts his golden chain, and appoints Angad partner of his sway.

After his consecration, Sugríva at first neglects his pledge to help Ráma, until Hanumán counsels him to act. He then gathers the Vánar hosts and sends search parties in every direction to find Sítá. In Book V, Dadhimukh reports the monkeys’ misconduct at the honey grove; Sugríva takes it as a sign of their success and sends them onward. In Book VI, he marches with Ráma’s army to the ocean, approves receiving Vibhishaṇ, and defies Rávaṇ. He fights in the war, is wounded by Rávaṇ and carried into Lanká by Kumbhakarṇa, but escapes; he also kills Kumbha and strikes down Nikumbha. After the victory, Sugríva travels with Ráma and Vibhishaṇ to Ayodhyá, where Bharat welcomes him as a fifth brother.