The Ramayana: 7. When the Rains Cease Summary & Analysis

After Sugreeva's coronation, he approaches Rama and asks him what he should do next. Rama instructs Sugreeva to return to the palace and rule, tells him to follow the codes of conduct, and offers advice on how to rule honorably. Sugreeva asks Rama to stay in the capital as a guest, but Rama refuses. He asks Sugreeva to come to him with an army at the end of the rainy season.

Hanuman insists on staying with Rama, but Rama tells Hanuman to remain with Sugreeva and counsel him. The monkeys leave and Lakshmana constructs another dwelling for himself and Rama. The rains arrive and fall for months. Rama grows depressed and guilty, thinking of himself sitting in relative shelter while Sita surely undergoes torture. Everything reminds him of Sita and makes him upset. Lakshmana comforts Rama and reminds him of their goal.

When the rains end, Rama feels better. However, Sugreeva doesn't arrive with an army as the days pass. Rama wonders if Sugreeva forgot them and suggests that if Sugreeva has deceived them, he should be killed. He sends Lakshmana to go see what happened and to threaten Sugreeva if necessary. Lakshmana leaves immediately. Angada sees Lakshmana coming, recognizes that he's in a temper, and goes to fetch Sugreeva.

Sugreeva is in his bedroom, which is so lavish and filled with beautiful women and good wine that he never leaves it. Angada tries to rouse Sugreeva, but he's unshakable. Angada fetches Hanuman and Tara and asks them for help. Tara angrily yells that they've all forgotten their responsibilities—she's been telling them that it's time to help Rama, but nobody listens. She accuses her companions of being selfish and ungrateful. Hearing this, the people of Kiskinda barricade the gates of the city.

Lakshmana kicks the gates open and begins the march to the palace. Seeing this, Hanuman asks Tara to go speak to Lakshmana, knowing that Lakshmana won't harm Tara. Tara and an army of women approach and surround Lakshmana, making him uncomfortable. Tara explains that they're frightened and asks why he's here. Lakshmana feels homesick looking at Tara, and says that he wants to know why Sugreeva hasn't arrived. Tara explains that Sugreeva is gathering his armies. Lakshmana feels relieved.

Hanuman hesitantly comes out to join Lakshmana and Tara. Lakshmana asks Hanuman if he forgot his own promise, but Hanuman explains that he always thinks of Rama. Lakshmana explains that Rama is suffering and worried. Hanuman invites Lakshmana into the palace, and Lakshmana accepts.

Angada tells Sugreeva that Lakshmana is at the palace, and tells him about Lakshmana's anger when he arrived. Sugreeva asks why nobody roused him, and Angada delicately says that Sugreeva must've been asleep when he tried to let him know. Sugreeva praises Angada's delicacy but explains that he was drunk. He lists the bad things that happen when one drinks to excess, and vows to give up alcohol. He decides he's then ready to meet Lakshmana.

Sugreeva greets Lakshmana and they enter the palace hall. Lakshmana insists on sitting on the floor rather than a golden chair. The monkeys try to offer Lakshmana luxuries, but Lakshmana says that Rama lives on little and as Rama's companion, Lakshmana will too. He asks Sugreeva to begin a search for Sita immediately. Sugreeva begs forgiveness and instructs Hanuman to bring the armies to Rama's home when they arrive.

Sugreeva leaves to meet with Rama, and Rama greets him with open arms. Sugreeva is self-critical, but Rama brushes this aside. Sugreeva explains that Hanuman will come soon with an army, and Rama sends Sugreeva back to the city. Lakshmana tells Rama after about what happened in Kiskinda.

Soon, the armies begin to arrive. Rama stands at a high spot to try to count them, but decides that counting will take too long. Sugreeva calls the commanders to each search in a different direction. Sugreeva gives Hanuman and Angada special directions to go south, explaining the terrain they'll encounter. Rama takes Hanuman aside and gives him an explanation of Sita's beauty so he'll recognize her when he finds her. Finally, Rama takes his ring off and gives it to Hanuman to give to Sita.

Hanuman and Angada travel south with an army. They search and search and eventually find themselves in an underground palace. There they find a woman seated in meditation, who explains that she was once a goddess condemned to meditate underground until Hanuman's arrival. Hanuman finally shatters the underworld and they continue their journey. When they reach the ocean, it seems as though all hope is lost. Angada suggests he commit suicide rather than return empty handed, and Hanuman reminds him of Jatayu's noble death, saying they can't die before searching every world.

Hearing Jatayu's name, a grotesque and massive being approaches the group of monkeys. Hanuman challenges the being, but the being cries and introduces himself as Sampathi, Jatayu's older brother. Sampathi asks why Jatayu died, and Hanuman explains what happened. Sampathi says that when he and Jatayu were younger, the irritated sun god charred Sampathi, who protected Jatayu under his wings. Sampathi was told that he'd be redeemed when he heard Rama's name. At that, the army yells "Victory to Rama," and Sampathi is restored to his majestic form.

Sampathi tells the monkeys that he saw Ravana take Sita over the ocean to Lanka. Sampathi leaves and the monkeys discuss how to cross the ocean. One of the advisors turns to Hanuman and explains that Hanuman has been cursed to forget how powerful he is, and says that Hanuman can grow to a great size if he wants to. The advisors tells Hanuman to grow large enough to cross the ocean with one step, and then make himself small and find Sita. Hanuman does as he's told: he grows larger than the mountain and steps across the ocean to Lanka.