Sugriva

 Sugriva

Sugriva, one of Rama's key allies, is to be decorated uniformly as a straightforward and virtuous being. However, the picture that emerges of the Vanara king, first during his exile and then later, is much more real and flesh and blood, with plenty of virtue, but not a trace of innocence.

Familial relationships

Sugriva has a complicated family situation, much before his encounter with Rama. It seems that his relationship with Vali, before the battle with Mayavi, is friendly. His intentions in closing the tunnel, too, do not seem suspect. It makes sense that on receiving news of Vali's death, Kishkindha's ministers want to quickly install somebody as the king. After all, it is made clear in Ayodhya Kanda that kingless kingdoms are magnets for danger. Sugriva is an obvious choice - it is not clear whether Angada, Vali's son, was born or old enough at the time.

Relationships become tense with Vali's return. After Sugriva's exile, Vali takes his brother's wife, Ruma, as his own.

Astute ruler

During his exile, Sugriva wanders across four quarters of the earth, enough to offer the armies a virtual map to follow and chooses to settle close to Kishkindha in a region Vali cannot enter, due to a curse. It is clear then that Sugriva has a real head for policy and has excellent advisers, including Hanuman.

He is also careful, a trait possibly from his time on the run. This compels him to find out more about Rama and Lakshmana when he first sees them. His alliance with the princes is a good example of his shrewdness, at least in Valmiki's Ramayana. He is not willing to accept Rama's skill on his words alone.

There is also the complication of how much he knows of Ravana when Rama first asks him. Many commentators have tried to understand why Sugriva does not tell Rama what he knows, but it seems that it is too early in their friendship for him to give away all his cards. All this suggests that he has the qualities to run an effective kingdom.

It is also obvious from the way the Vanara armies rush to him that they respect and fear him as their ruler. It is as apparent in his treatment of them, indicating that he deserves their respect as their commander.

A true friend

Sugriva puts everything he has at Rama's disposal until they find Sita and achieve victory, marking him as a true friend. He is also able to comfort Rama at a time when he needs it the most, lecturing him ever so gently for his growing hopelessness, while filling him with self-confidence and trust in their victory. Being in a similar situation allows him to address Rama in a way that Lakshmana. finds it hard too.

He is willing to bring his smartness to bear on Rama's decisions as well, as is clear in his suggestion when Vibhishana seeks refuge.

Sugriva's flaws

Sugriva is not without complexity, however, and his greatest flaw, which angers even Rama, is that he forgets his alliance as soon as he gets his kingdom. His relationship with Taaraa is also a cause for censure, for Rama killed Vali for a parallel crime. It is natural, too, that he has a complex relationship with Vali's son, Angada. After all, Sugriva was instrumental in killing his father and marrying his mother. Indeed, it is Angada whom Valmiki utilizes to present an alternative narrative of Sugriva's actions, bringing into suspicion Angada's coronation as the crown prince.