Chapter 3.12 - The story of Sugriva (Monkey characters, part 6)

Sugriva was living with his brother Bali in Kishkindha. After the death Riksharajas, when Bali became the King, Sugriva served his brother spending his time in the palace. During this time Bali had a fight with an Asura named Mayavi. Sugriva, who was guarding the entrance to cave, was made to believe that Bali was dead because of the magic played on him by Mayavi. Therefore he closed the entrance to the cave and returned to Kishkindha. In the absence of Bali, Suygriva became the king. When Bali returned he misunderstood the intentions of Sugriva and chased him with the intention of killing him. It was the knowledge that Sugriva garnered during his flight that helped him in the search for Sita later.^[1]

Fearing Bali, Sugriva took shelter in the mountain called Rishyamukacala (Rishyamuka-acala). Because of a curse, Bali could not enter that mountain.^[2] Hanuman became the minister of Sugriva. It was around this time that Rama and Lakshmana came there on their way to search for Sita. Hanuman became acquainted with them and brought them to Sugriva. An alliance was made between Shrirama and Sugriva, promising to help each other. The condition was that Bali would be killed and Sugriva would be made the King. In return Sugriva would help Shrirama to find Sita. Shrirama killed Bali and made Sugriva the king of Kishkindha. Sugriva sent his monkey troupes in different directions to look for Sita. In Rama-Ravana battle, Sugriva played a major role. Sugriva fought with Kumbhakarna who did a lot of harm to the monkey troupe.^[3] In the Ashvamedhayaga of Shrirama, Sugriva was in control of the army. After the yaga, Sugriva returned to Kishkindha.