Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

""Myths of the Hindus & Buddhistsby a hermit until Rama should slay and set him free. \Rama andLakshman burnt him on a mighty pyre, and herose from itand, mounting upon a heavenly car, he spokeito Rama, counselling him to seek the help of the greatmonkey Sugriva and the four other monkeys that dwelton the mountain Rishyamukha. Do not thou despise!for he is !puissant, humble,that royal monkey,"he said,brave, expert, and graceful, good at shifting shapes, and;well acquainted with the haunts of every rakshasa. Doia vow of friendship;thou make alliance with him, takingbefore a fire as witness, and with his help thou shaltsurely win back Then he Sita."departed, bidding them!farewell and pointing out the way to Rishyamukha; and!they, passing by Matanga s hermitage, came to that wooded jmountain, haunt of many birds, beside the Pampa lake.Ramds Alliance with SugrivaIt was not long before Rama and Lakshman reached the;Rishyamukha mountain, where Sugriva dwelt.Now this;Sugriva lived in exile, driven from home and robbed ofjhis wife by his cruel brother Vali ;and when he saw the;two great-eyed heroes bearing arms, he deemed them to!have been sent by Vali for his destruction. So he flediaway, and he sent Hanuman disguised as a hermit to speak;with the knights and learn their purpose. Then Lakshman\told him all that had befallen, and that Rama now soughtSugriva s aid. So Hanuman, considering that Sugrivaalso needed a champion for the recovery of his wife and!kingdom, led the knights to Sugriva, and there Rama!and the monkey-chief held converse. Hanuman made firewith two pieces of wood, and passing sunwise about it,|Rama and Sugriva were made sworn friends, and each!bound himself to aid the other. They gazed at each other62