Sugriv in the Ramayana: Shri Ram's Friend and Ally
Sugriv is Bali's brother, the king of Kishkindha and Shri Ram's friend and ally in the Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas. Hanumanji brings them together, and their friendship is sealed with fire as witness. Shri Ram helps Sugriv overcome Bali, while Sugriv commits himself and his monkey hosts to finding Mata Sita and serving the Lord.
Hanumanji brings Sugriv to Shri Ram
Friendship begins with concern for another's suffering. In Kishkindha Kand, Doha 4, Hanumanji tells Shri Ram that Sugriv lives in fear and asks Him to grant Sugriv His friendship. He then carries Shri Ram and Lakshman to the hill where Sugriv stays. Sugriv bows at the Lord's feet, and the brothers embrace him. With fire as witness, Hanumanji establishes their alliance.
In Kishkindha Kand, Doha 5, Sugriv offers reassurance about Mata Sita. He recalls seeing Her carried through the air and gives Shri Ram the scarf She dropped. His promise of help gives their friendship a clear purpose: he will serve Shri Ram by helping recover Mata Sita.
Shri Ram gives Sugriv courage and kingship
Sugriv's fear does not disappear merely because he has found a powerful friend. In Kishkindha Kand, Doha 8, Bali strikes him, and Sugriv returns to Shri Ram in distress. Shri Ram explains that the brothers look so alike that He could not distinguish them. He touches Sugriv, removes his pain and places a flower garland around his neck before sending him back with courage.
During the renewed fight, Shri Ram shoots Bali, as Kishkindha Kand, Doha 8 recounts. In Kishkindha Kand, Doha 11, Lakshman crowns Sugriv king and installs Angad as crown prince. The one who approached Shri Ram in fear now receives responsibility for others.
Friendship must become faithful service
Receiving help brings a duty to remember the work entrusted to us. Uttar Kand, Doha 66b recalls Shri Ram's displeasure with Sugriv and Sugriv's dismay. Yet correction does not end their friendship. In Kishkindha Kand, Doha 18, Shri Ram instructs Lakshman to frighten Sugriv and bring him, expressly calling Sugriv His friend.
Sugriv comes before Shri Ram in Kishkindha Kand, Doha 20. In Kishkindha Kand, Doha 22, he commissions the monkey hosts to search for Mata Sita in every direction and return within a month. His task now requires organisation and action. Affection for the Lord must guide how we fulfil the responsibility He gives us.
Sugriv serves beside Shri Ram
Sugriv rejoices when he hears that the returning search party has entered his garden and eaten its fruit. In Sunderkand, Doha 28, he understands their bold happiness as a sign that Shri Ram's task has succeeded. In Sunderkand, Doha 34, he summons the commanders and their troops. His service continues as the search gives way to the coming battle.
The friendship also has quiet tenderness. In Lanka Kand, Doha 11b, Shri Ram rests His head in Sugriv's lap on Mount Suvela. Later, in Lanka Kand, Doha 67, He entrusts Sugriv, Vibhishan and Lakshman with care of the army. Sugriv's example asks us to turn gratitude into dependable service.
Verses
तब हनुमंत उभय दिसि की सब कथा सुनाइ। पावक साखी देइ करि जोरी प्रीति दृढ़ाइ॥४॥
Then Hanumān related all the circumstances of both the sides, and having installed the sacred fire as a witness, he concluded a firm alliance between Śrī Rāma and Sugrīva. (4)
Kishkindha Kand, Doha 4बानर कटक उमा मैं देखा। सो मूरुख जो करन चह लेखा॥ आइ राम पद नावहिं माथा। निरखि बदनु सब होहिं सनाथा॥१॥
(Says Śiva:) “Umā, I saw the army of monkeys; he would indeed be a fool who would try to make a count of them. They came and bowed their head at Śrī Rāma’s feet and found their true lord in Him when they gazed on His countenance. (1)
Kishkindha Kand, Doha 22लछिमन तुरत बोलाए पुरजन बिप्र समाज। राजु दीन्ह सुग्रीव कहँ अंगद कहँ जुबराज॥११॥
Lakṣmaṇa immediately summoned the citizens and the Brāhmaṇas and (in their presence) crowned Sugrīva as the king and installed Aṅgada as the Crown Prince. (11)
Kishkindha Kand, Doha 11इहाँ सुबेल सैल रघुबीरा। उतरे सेन सहित अति भीरा॥ सिखर एक उतंग अति देखी। परम रम्य सम सुभ्र बिसेषी॥ १ ॥
At this end, Śrī Raghuvīra encamped with his vast army on Mount Suvela. Observing a very lofty, supremely lovely, even and remarkably shining peak, (1)
Lanka Kand, Doha 11b
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Are Sugriv and Bali brothers?
Yes. Sugriv and Bali are brothers. Kishkindha Kand, Doha 8 describes their combat and Sugriv's frightened return to Shri Ram after Bali strikes him. Shri Ram explains that their closely similar appearance prevented Him from distinguishing them. He gives Sugriv a flower garland before the brothers fight again.
How does Sugriv help Shri Ram find Mata Sita?
Sugriv first gives Shri Ram the scarf Mata Sita dropped while being carried away, as recounted in Kishkindha Kand, Doha 5. He later sends monkey hosts in every direction to search for Her, giving them a month to return. These instructions appear in Kishkindha Kand, Doha 22.
How does Hanumanji bring Sugriv and Shri Ram together?
Hanumanji tells Shri Ram of Sugriv's fear and asks Him to become Sugriv's friend. He carries Shri Ram and Lakshman to Sugriv, explains the circumstances on both sides and establishes their alliance with fire as witness. Kishkindha Kand, Doha 4 recounts this meeting and the beginning of their friendship.