Abandoning the ways of desire and setting grief aside, you do not recognize your own true nature, O great-souled and self-controlled one—thus was Rāma gently admonished. Hearing these words, Rāma, whose heart was heavy with sorrow, gathered himself, casting off his grief and delusion, and regained his composure. With his mind now undisturbed, Rāma, a hero of unfathomable prowess, crossed the beautiful Pampā lake, its banks adorned with lush trees. As he and Lakṣmaṇa journeyed onward, Rāma surveyed the forest around them—its waterfalls cascading and caves hidden in its depths. Though his heart was troubled, he pressed forward with Lakṣmaṇa by his side, both weighed down by sorrow. Yet as they walked, Rāma moved with the majesty of a rutting elephant, his mind steady. Lakṣmaṇa, ever devoted to his elder brother, remained close, protecting Rāma with both righteousness and strength. Approaching the slopes of Mount Ṛṣyamūka, the brothers caught sight of two extraordinary monkey chiefs. These two, leaders among the monkey bands, neither trembled nor moved as Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa drew near. But the great-souled leader of the monkeys, observing the strangers as they wandered, was seized by fear and anxiety, falling into deep despondency. The other monkeys, too, were frightened at the sight of the mighty Rāghava brothers and hurried toward a hermitage—a holy and blissful refuge, often frequented by monkey chiefs. Here begins the second sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa. Sugrīva, the noble monkey king, beheld the two brothers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, armed with fine weapons and radiant with valor, and his heart was filled with apprehension. Unable to remain calm in their presence, the greatly frightened Sugrīva became unsettled in mind. Reflecting deeply on the gravity of the situation, Sugrīva, righteous by nature, was distressed, and so were all the monkeys who followed him. Extremely anxious, Sugrīva informed his counselors while keeping his gaze fixed on Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. "These two must have entered this difficult forest at Vāli’s command," he said. "Disguised in ascetic garb, they wander here with some hidden purpose." Sugrīva’s counselors, seeing the formidable archers, quickly moved from one mountain slope to another, reaching an excellent peak. There, the monkey leaders surrounded Sugrīva and approached him in a group. As they moved together, leaping from mountain to mountain, their speed shook the peaks. In their leaps, the powerful monkeys broke blossoming trees that grew in the most inaccessible places, and their movements frightened the deer, wild cats, and tigers of the forest. Gathered on the lordly mountain with their chief, Sugrīva’s counselors stood together, palms joined in respect. Then Hanumān, skilled in speech and wise in counsel, addressed the terrified Sugrīva, who was suspicious of Vāli’s schemes. "Let this great anxiety about Vāli be set aside by all," Hanumān said. "This Malaya mountain is excellent and safe; there is no danger from Vāli here." He continued, "You have fled in fear, O foremost monkey, but I do not see that cruel-hearted Vāli here. Your fear arises from the misdeeds of your elder, but that wicked Vāli is not here, and I perceive no danger for you. Ah, your monkey nature is clear, O leaping one—your mind is fickle and does not remain steady." Hanumān urged, "Endowed with intelligence and discernment, you must act according to signs in all matters. A king who lacks wisdom cannot rule all beings." Hearing Hanumān’s auspicious words, Sugrīva responded with even more auspicious speech. "With long arms and wide eyes, bearing bow, arrows, and sword—who would not fear these two, who resemble the sons of the gods? I suspect they have been sent by Vāli. Even among kings with many allies, trust is not always wise. Enemies who act in disguise must be recognized, for those who are not trusted by the trusting may strike at weakness. Vāli is clever and kings are farsighted; one must recognize destroyers, even if they appear ordinary." Sugrīva instructed Hanumān, "You must approach them and discern their intentions as if you were just another monkey, observing their gestures, manner, and speech. See if their hearts are joyful—win their trust with praise and by reading their gestures. Stand before me and ask, O foremost of monkeys, what purpose these two bowmen have in entering this forest. If they are pure in heart, discern it by their words or appearance; wickedness must be recognized." Thus instructed, Hanumān, the son of the Wind, resolved to go to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Honoring Sugrīva’s wise command, Hanumān said, "So be it," and departed to where Rāma, strong and accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, was. Now begins the third sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa. Understanding Sugrīva’s words, Hanumān leapt from Mount Ṛṣyamūka to the place where the two descendants of Raghu stood. There, abandoning his monkey form, Hanumān, son of the Wind, assumed the guise of a mendicant, acting with cunning intent to approach the noble brothers.