Rama, steadfast and patient, addressed his dear companion, saying, “O auspicious one, I am waiting for the proper time, desiring the favor of Sugriva and also of the rivers. For a hero repays a favor with a favor; but one who is ungrateful and does not reciprocate wounds the hearts of the virtuous.” Hearing these words, Lakshmana, hands joined in reverence, honored Rama’s speech and replied, revealing his own auspicious presence: “O king, all that you have said is your wish; the lord of the monkeys will soon act. Wait for the autumn, bear with this rainfall, and be steadfast in subduing the enemy.” Now, hear the twenty-ninth sarga in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, within the Kishkindha Kanda. The rains had passed, and the sky was clear, free of lightning and clouds, filled with the cries of cranes and adorned with delightful moonlight. Sugriva, now prosperous and having achieved his aims, was slow to pursue righteousness and wealth, his mind absorbed in pleasure. His tasks were accomplished, his desires fulfilled; he spent his days and nights in the company of women, his cherished wishes attained, and his beloved wife and Tara by his side. Enjoying himself freely, his purpose achieved and his anxieties gone, Sugriva sported like the lord of the gods among hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases, entrusting his duties to his ministers and disregarding their counsel. With all doubts about his kingdom dispelled, Sugriva lived as he pleased, confident in his purpose, understanding wealth and the special law of time. At this moment, Hanuman, son of the Wind and skilled in speech, sought to persuade Sugriva with charming and reasoned words—words that were beneficial, true, wholesome, and in accord with propriety, righteousness, and policy, joined with affection and love, inspiring confidence. Hanuman approached Sugriva and spoke: “The kingdom has been attained, fame as well, and the prosperity of your lineage has increased. The gathering of friends remains; that, O lord, you ought to accomplish. For he who knows the proper time among friends always acts rightly. His kingdom, fame, and power increase, O king, whose treasury, punishment, friends, and self are all in harmony; he alone enjoys great sovereignty. Therefore, you, endowed with good conduct and firmly established, ought to accomplish, as is fitting, the purpose undertaken for the sake of a friend. He who, abandoning all duties, does not act for the sake of a friend, whose enthusiasm is disturbed by confusion, is not overcome by misfortune. He who acts for a friend’s sake after the proper time has passed, even having accomplished great things, does not fulfill the purpose of friendship. Therefore, this task for our friend has not passed its time; let the search for Vaidehī on behalf of Raghava be undertaken. Nor does the wise one, who knows the proper time, report to you that the time has passed, even though he is eager and devoted to your command, O king. Raghava is the cause of your flourishing race, a long-standing kinsman, of immeasurable power, and unmatched in virtues. Therefore, you should indeed do for him what he has previously done for you; O lord of monkeys, you ought to command the foremost of the monkey chiefs. For the time does not pass without an order; only when commanded does the time for action lapse. Even if another does not act, you, O lord of monkeys, are the doer of the task; what then, when you are to reciprocate, with the kingdom and even with your life? Mighty and exceedingly valiant lord of the monkeys and bears, why do you delay in carrying out the command that would please the son of Dasharatha? Indeed, the son of Dasharatha is able, with his arrows, to subdue gods, demons, and great serpents; yet he looks to your promise. He, unhesitating even to give up his life, has done a great favor; therefore, search for Vaidehī on earth and even in the sky. Neither gods, demons, gandharvas, nor the hosts of asuras and maruts, nor yakshas could cause him fear—what then of the rakshasas? Therefore, as he who is endowed with such power has previously acted for you, O lord of tawny ones, you ought to do what is dear to Rama with all your heart. By your command, O lord of the monkeys, for us there is no obstacle below on earth, in the waters, nor above in the sky for anyone. Therefore, instruct who should do what and from where; for, O faultless one, countless, invincible monkeys stand before you.” Hearing those timely and well-spoken words, Sugriva, endowed with virtue, formed an excellent plan. He said, “Let my entire army and all the troop leaders assemble without delay at the forefront of the army. Let those swift and resolute monkeys who guard the borders quickly bring them together at my command; and you yourself, after this, should observe the work closely. If any monkey arrives here after more than fifteen days, the penalty is death; there should be no deliberation about this. Let the elder monkeys, together with their followers, come, having firmly taken up my command.” Thus, the lord of the foremost monkeys, full of vigor, having established this order, entered his residence. Now, hear the thirtieth chapter. When Sugriva had entered his house and the clouds had cleared from the sky, Rama, standing in the night of the rainy season, was tormented by longing and grief. He gazed upon the pale sky, the spotless orb of the moon, and the autumn night anointed with moonlight.