As Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the two noble brothers, strode through the forest bearing their excellent weapons and displaying unmistakable valor, Sugrīva watched them from afar. A sense of apprehension gripped his heart. He found it impossible to remain at ease in their presence; the sight of these mighty warriors unsettled his mind, and great fear seized the monkey king. Reflecting deeply on the gravity of this moment, Sugrīva, ever righteous, grew increasingly distressed, and his anxiety spread among all the monkeys gathered with him. Overwhelmed by worry, Sugrīva called his trusted counselors close, his gaze fixed on Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa as he spoke. “Surely,” he said, “these two have entered this difficult forest at Vāli’s command. Disguised in the garb of ascetics, they wander here with some hidden purpose.” Sugrīva’s counselors, too, beheld the supreme archers and, sensing the urgency, quickly moved the group from their mountain slope to another, more secure peak. Once there, the monkey leaders surrounded Sugrīva, their chief, drawing near him for counsel and protection. Together, they moved in a swift line, leaping from mountain to mountain, their speed so great that the very peaks seemed to tremble beneath them. As they leapt, the powerful monkeys broke blossoming trees that grew in the most inaccessible places, their movements startling the forest’s deer, cats, and tigers. All around the great mountain, the monkeys’ leaps brought commotion, and the animals fled in fright. At last, Sugrīva’s counselors gathered with him upon the lordly mountain, standing together with joined palms in reverence and concern. It was then that Hanumān, wise and skilled in speech, addressed Sugrīva, who remained fearful and suspicious of Vāli’s treachery. “Let this great anxiety about Vāli be set aside by all,” Hanumān counseled gently. “This Malaya mountain is excellent and safe; there is no danger from Vāli here. Because you have fled in fear, I see no sign of that cruel-hearted Vāli. Your fear arises from the evil deeds of your elder brother, but that wicked Vāli is not here—I perceive no threat to you.” Hanumān continued, “Ah, your monkey nature is evident, O leaping one. Your mind, ever restless, does not settle in steady thought. But endowed as you are with intelligence and discernment, you must act wisely in all matters. A king who lacks wisdom cannot rule his people.” Hearing Hanumān’s auspicious words, Sugrīva replied with further words of wisdom. “Look at them—long-armed, wide-eyed, bearing bow, arrows, and sword. Who would not feel fear upon seeing such men, who resemble the sons of the gods? I suspect these two have been sent by Vāli; even among kings with many allies, trust is not easily given. Enemies who act in disguise must be recognized, for those who are not trusted by the trusting can strike at one’s weakest points. Vāli is wise and farsighted; you must discern those who are destroyers even if they appear as ordinary men.” Sugrīva continued, “Therefore, approach them as if you were an ordinary monkey. Observe their gestures, manner, and speech to discern their intent. Try to win their trust with praise and careful observation—see if their hearts are joyful. Stand before me and ask them what purpose they have in coming to this forest, armed as they are. If their hearts are pure, you will know it by their words or their appearance; the wickedness of people can be recognized.” Thus instructed by his king, Hanumān, son of the Wind, resolved to go to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Bowing his head in assent, Hanumān honored Sugrīva’s words and set out for the place where Rāma, strong and accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, stood. Now, listen to the next part of the tale from the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā section. Understanding Sugrīva’s instructions, Hanumān leapt from Mount Ṛṣyamūka to where the two descendants of Raghu were. Abandoning his monkey form, Hanumān assumed the guise of a wandering mendicant, acting with thoughtful cunning. Approaching the two heroes, Hanumān honored them with fitting words of praise and respect, according to custom. He spoke to the gentle and truly valiant brothers, ascetics of firm vows, who resembled royal sages and even the gods themselves. “How have you two, of splendid appearance, come to this place, frightening the herds of deer and other forest-dwellers?” Hanumān inquired. “You are energetic, surveying the trees along the banks of the Pampā, enhancing the beauty of this pure river. Who are you, patient and golden-hued, clad in bark garments, sighing deeply, with splendid arms, troubling these creatures? With the gaze of lions, immense strength, and valor, you bear bows like those of Indra, destroyers of enemies. Radiant and handsome, noble in form, your arms like elephant trunks, you are resplendent—foremost among men. By your radiance, even the lord of mountains is illuminated; you are worthy of kingship, equal to the immortals. How have you come to this land?” Hanumān concluded, “With eyes like lotus petals, matted locks, and alike in every way, you seem as if you have come here from the world of the gods.