The Importance Of Sugriva In The Ramayana

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As a constant and seemingly essential presence throughout the majority of The Ramayana, it is not a surprise that Sugriva is viewed as a wise and great ruler and a good friend. The reality is, however, that while the narrator and other characters assert that Sugriva is essential to Rama’s success, his actions throughout the epic suggest that he is not as competent as his supporters believe him to be.
Sugriva and Rama form a close bond as soon as they meet, each pledging eternal friendship and aid to the other. However, whereas Rama is willing to risk his karma for his friend by killing Sugriva’s brother Vali, Sugriva fails to honor his oath to search for Sita when he becomes king. Instead, “Sugriva [is] mired in an orgy of indulgence” (4.11.254) …show more content…

During the battle of Lanka Sugriva is seen as a general and consultant for the army and Rama, a position requiring great wisdom and intelligence. However, whereas a wise ruler analyzes a situation and considers possible actions and consequences before making a decision, Sugriva makes snap decisions that often do more harm than good. In the midst of a battle against Ravana’s brother, Kumbhakarna “[sweeps] up a huge stone from the ground and [brings] Sugriva down with it like a bird from the air. With a triumphant yell, the demon [bends] down and pick[s] up the unconscious vanara in his arms like a baby” (6.21.431). Sugriva manages to regain consciousness, but instead of taking this opportunity to cripple the Rakshasa army, “he bit[es] Kumbhakarna viciously in his nose and ear, drawing a font of blood” and then “In a flash, the vanara [flies] up into the sky and back to Rama’s side” (6.21.431). When presented with a similar situation Hanuman, Sugriva’s advisor, singlehandedly decimates the city of Lanka. In a few short hours he manages to kill hundreds of thousands of rakshasas and destroy most of the buildings in the city. Sugriva on the other hand does not even stop to consider this option, instead he decides to attack Kumbhakarna and use the distraction to get away. This manages to anger Kumbhakarna further and brings him back to the battlefield to wreak his revenge on the Vanara army. Sugriva’s snap decision leads to an immense loss of Vanara life. His inability to think before reacting does not reflect an adept and wise consultant. Instead one sees an impulsive and foolish Vanara trying to save his own skin without considering the consequences of his

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