The Vanara Army
In the timeless expanse of eons past, there was a powerful and wise king by the name of Sugriva who presided over the kingdom of Kishkindha. Sugriva, a noble king and leader of the Vanara race, was known for his strength, loyalty, and mercy. This is the tale of how Sugriva and his Vanara army stood with Rama, the prince of Ayodhya in his quest to rescue his wife, Sita.
The tale begins with Rama entering the forest in exile, accompanied by his devoted wife, Sita, and loyal brother, Lakshmana. One day, when Rama and Lakshmana were away, the demon king Ravana abducted Sita. Devastated by this sudden loss, Rama and Lakshmana ventured further into the forest in search of Sita.
During their journey, Rama and Lakshmana crossed paths with Sugriva and Hanuman, Sugriva's trusted aide and a loyal Vanara warrior. Sugriva himself was in exile, driven out by his brother Bali for a misunderstanding. Recognising a common sadness, Rama approached Sugriva. Rama offered his help to Sugriva in regaining his kingdom, the kingdom of Kishkindha, from Bali. In return, he wanted Sugriva's aid in finding Sita.
With this pact established between them, Rama helped Sugriva to vanquish Bali and reclaim his throne. Upon becoming king once again, Sugriva appointed ambassadors to all corners of the world, calling upon the Vanara chiefs of the four quarters, together with their armies. They came 'in myriads that no man could count,' ready to serve Sugriva and, in turn, Rama.
This formidable army called the Vanara Army was characterised by individuals of immense strength, courage, and loyalty. Yet, despite their powerful might, they faced many challenges in their mission. Their first major obstacle lay in not having any information about Sita's whereabouts. The Vanara army split into groups, each assigned to different directions, but the southern direction proved most challenging. The southern region was unknown, filled with vast oceans, insurmountable mountains and dense forests.
Yet, it was here that they finally found hope. A vulture by the name of Sampati told them Sita was in Lanka, a fortress on the other side of the great ocean. The strongest among the Vanaras, Hanuman, took a great leap of faith, his flight path bridging the gap between despair and hope. He not only located Sita in Lanka but also brought back vital strategic information, paving the way for Rama to plan his attack.
Their bond, their unity, their unwavering determination in the face of adversity were the strengths of the Vanara army. They helped Rama build a bridge to Lanka, paved the way for his path to victory, all the while standing by his side. In the grand tapestry of Rama’s journey, the chapter of the Vanara Army led by Sugriva remains a resounding tale of alliance, strength, faith, and above all, the triumph of good over evil.