Sugrīva, chief among the monkeys, summoned all the vanaras together. With the authority of a king, he addressed them, urging them to devote themselves wholly to the fulfillment of Rāma’s purpose. “You are the best of the vanaras,” he declared. “Heed the stern command of your lord, O leaders of the monkey hosts, and search diligently as you have been instructed.” At his command, the vanaras spread out in all directions, covering the earth like a great swarm of locusts. Meanwhile, Rāma remained at Prasravaṇa with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, waiting out the month allotted for the search for Sītā. There, by the delightful northern slopes encircled with great mountains, preparations were made for the search. Śatabali, the heroic monkey, swiftly departed for the northern quarter, while Vinata, another leader, set out towards the east. Hanuman, son of the wind, joined by Tāra, Aṅgada, and others, journeyed to the southern lands—the region sanctified by the great sage Agastya. To the west, Suṣeṇa, lord of the monkeys and fierce as a tiger among his kin, led his force to the domain protected by Varuṇa. Having dispatched his commanders to all four directions, Sugrīva, the heroic king, rejoiced, his heart lifted with hope. Thus urged, the leaders of the monkey hosts, each intent on searching their assigned direction, set out with speed and determination. The mighty vanaras roared, bellowed, and shouted as they ran, their voices echoing across the land. Their cries rang out: “We will bring back Sītā! We will slay Rāvaṇa!” Filled with zeal, they boasted, “If Rāvaṇa comes to battle, I alone will slay him and swiftly restore Janaka’s daughter. Even if she trembles with exhaustion, I will not falter; I will bring back Jānakī, even from the netherworld itself. I will shatter trees, split mountains, rend the earth, and stir the oceans. I can leap vast distances—hundreds of yojanas if need be. Nothing can hinder me: not earth, sea, mountain, forest, nor the depths below.” Thus, each mighty monkey, swelling with strength and pride, spoke these words before the monkey king, their confidence and resolve shining forth. Now, hear the continuation of this tale as told in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa. After the monkey lords had departed, Rāma turned to Sugrīva and asked, “How is it that you know the entire expanse of the earth so well?” Sugrīva, with humility, replied, “Listen, Rāma, and I will tell you everything in detail. Once, when Vāli confronted the demon Dundubhi—who had taken the form of a buffalo—they went towards the Malaya mountain. Dundubhi entered a cave there, and Vāli followed him inside, intent on slaying the demon. I remained at the cave’s entrance, waiting faithfully for my elder brother. But a whole year passed, and Vāli did not emerge. “Then, suddenly, blood gushed out, filling the cave. Overcome with shock and grief, I believed my brother had been slain. In my confusion, I sealed the cave’s mouth with a great stone, thinking the buffalo would perish within, and returned to Kiṣkindhā, having lost all hope for Vāli’s life. “Having gained the great kingdom, and the companionship of Tara and Rumā, I lived there with friends, free from anxiety. But one day, Vāli, victorious, returned after slaying the demon. Out of respect and fear, I immediately returned the kingdom to him. “However, Vāli, disturbed in mind and harboring evil intent, sought to kill me. He pursued me as I fled with my ministers. Driven by Vāli, I ran through many rivers, forests, and cities. “To me, the earth seemed to shrink, as if I were looking into a mirror or watching a firebrand whirling in the dark, until it appeared no larger than a cow’s hoofprint. First, I fled east, seeing wondrous trees, delightful mountains, rivers, and many lakes. I saw the mountain of sunrise, radiant with minerals, and the Milk Ocean, home to celestial nymphs. Yet, harassed by Vāli, I was forced to turn back. “Next, I traveled south, to the lands at the roots of the Vindhya mountains, fragrant with sandalwood. Among the trees and mountains I ventured further, but again Vāli pursued me relentlessly. I saw many lands and the great western mountain, but was driven northward. There, I beheld the Himalayas, the golden Meru, and the northern ocean, but nowhere could I find refuge from Vāli. “At last, Hanuman, wise in counsel, spoke to me: ‘O King, I remember how Vāli was cursed by the sage Matanga. If Vāli should ever enter this hermitage, his head will shatter into a hundred pieces.’” Thus, Sugrīva recounted to Rāma the story of his wanderings and the curse that finally gave him sanctuary, explaining how he came to know the breadth of the earth.