If a king does not have a messenger of such caliber, O blameless one, how could the outcomes of his endeavors ever succeed? Indeed, when a king’s agents possess such qualities, all his aims are accomplished, guided by the words of his messenger. Thus, Saumitri—Lakshmana—addressed the monkey before him, Sugriva’s minister, who was skilled in speech and the son of the wind, also renowned for his eloquence. “O learned one,” Lakshmana said, “we know the virtues of the great-souled Sugriva; it is Sugriva, the lord of the monkeys, whom we seek.” “As you have spoken, Hanuman, regarding Sugriva’s words here, so indeed shall we act, O best among the virtuous, according to your command.” Hearing these skillful and gracious words, Hanuman, the wind-born monkey, rejoiced. His mind fixed on the prospect of victory, he sought to form a bond of friendship with them. Now, listen to the fourth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa. Then Hanuman, delighted and well aware of his task, having heard those sweet words, mentally approached Sugriva. He understood that the arrival of a kingdom was destined for the great-souled Sugriva, for now a capable ally had come to him, and this momentous task was at hand. Exceedingly joyful, Hanuman—the foremost of monkeys—then spoke to Rama, who was himself skilled in speech. At Rama’s prompting, Lakshmana began to describe the great-souled Rama, son of Dasharatha. “There was a king named Dasharatha,” Lakshmana began, “radiant and devoted to righteousness, who always protected the four orders by upholding their own duties. He bore no hatred toward anyone, nor did anyone hate him; among all beings, he was like another grandsire. He performed many sacrifices, such as the Agniṣṭoma, giving abundant gifts. His eldest son, known among people as Rama, is the refuge of all beings, steadfast in his father’s command, the eldest and most virtuous of Dasharatha’s sons. Endowed with royal marks and fortune, yet deprived of the kingdom, he has come here to dwell in the forest with me. Accompanied by his noble wife Sita, self-controlled and radiant at day’s end like the sun, he lives here. I am his younger brother, Lakshmana by name, who, recognizing his virtues and gratitude, has come to serve him. He, who deserves happiness and great honor, whose heart is set on the welfare of all beings, now deprived of sovereignty, delights in forest life. But his wife was carried off by a demon, one who could assume any form, in a lonely place; neither the demon nor the fate of his wife is known. Danu, son of Diti, became a rakshasa by a curse; he told Sugriva, the powerful lord of the monkeys, about this. That mighty one will discover the abductor of your wife, he said, and having spoken thus, Danu, shining, ascended to heaven. All this has been told to you exactly as you asked; both Rama and I have sought refuge with Sugriva. Rama, who once gave away wealth and attained supreme fame as lord of the world, now seeks Sugriva as his protector. He whose daughter-in-law was Sita, who was a refuge and lover of righteousness, his son—also a refuge—has sought Sugriva’s protection. He who was the refuge and protector of all the world, righteous and worthy of shelter, my teacher Raghava has now sought Sugriva’s protection. By whose favor all people always prospered, that Rama now seeks the favor of the king of the monkeys. By whom all the kings on earth, endowed with every virtue, were always honored—by King Dasharatha indeed. His eldest son, renowned in the three worlds, Rama, has come to take refuge with Sugriva, the king of the monkeys. When Rama, overwhelmed by grief and seeking refuge in his sorrow, has come, Sugriva ought to show him favor together with the leaders of his troop.” To the compassionate Saumitri, who spoke thus with tears falling, Hanuman, skilled in speech, replied, “Men endowed with such wisdom, who have conquered anger and their senses, are indeed fortunate to be seen by the king of the monkeys. For Sugriva has been deprived of his kingdom, made an enemy by Vali, his wife taken, terrified in the forest, and grievously wronged by his brother. That son of the Sun, Sugriva, together with us, will surely assist you both in searching for Sita.” Having spoken thus with gentle and sweet words, Hanuman said to Raghava, “Let us go to Sugriva.” Lakshmana, the righteous one, honored Hanuman as was proper, and then spoke to Rama, “The monkey, son of the Wind, speaks joyfully as he ought; he has come, having fulfilled his duty, and you, Raghava, have accomplished your purpose. With a cheerful face and clear delight, Hanuman, the son of the Wind, this hero, will not speak falsehood.” Then Hanuman, the supremely wise son of the Wind, took the two heroes, the Raghavas, to the king of the monkeys. Casting off the form of a mendicant and assuming his true monkey shape, the mighty Hanuman lifted the two princes onto his back and departed.