As Rāma journeyed with Sugrīva and his companions, his gaze fell upon a remarkable grove. It seemed to hover in the sky, vast like a great cloud, its expanse bordered by clusters of plantains. Intrigued, Rāma turned to Sugrīva, his friend, voicing his curiosity: “What is this place? My heart longs to know—please dispel my wonder.” Sugrīva heard the words of the noble Rāghava, but as they continued onward, he did not immediately speak of the mysterious forest. Soon, however, he explained, “O Rāghava, this is the vast hermitage that soothes all fatigue. It is rich with gardens and groves, abundant in sweet roots, fruits, and pure water. Here dwell the seven sages—the Seven Seers—steadfast in their vows. They lie with their heads downward and rest constantly in water, subsisting only on air for seven nights and dwelling upon mountains. After a hundred years, they ascended to heaven with their bodies. “By their power, this hermitage, surrounded by a wall of trees, is difficult to approach—even for gods and demons together with Indra. Birds and other forest creatures avoid this place; those who enter out of delusion do not return. Here, you can hear the sounds of ornaments, the music of instruments and singing, and sense a divine fragrance, O Rāghava. Even the sacrificial fires of the Tretā age burn here—the smoke, dense and tinged with pigeon-colored red, seems to envelop the treetops. The trees themselves appear with their tops covered in smoke, like mountains of beryl veiled by clouds.” Sugrīva then advised, “O Rāghava, together with your brother Lakṣmaṇa, offer your reverent salutations to these sages with focused mind. For those who bow to these purified souls, no misfortune befalls them.” Hearing this, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, with joined palms, offered their salutations to the great sages. Having paid their respects, Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, Sugrīva, and the monkeys continued on their journey, their hearts joyful. After traveling a long distance from the hermitage of the Seven Sages, they beheld the formidable city of Kiṣkindhā, ruled by Vāli. Rāma, his brother, and the monkeys, their weapons ready and their brilliance heightened, returned to the city protected by the strength of the son of the lord of the gods, intent on destroying their enemy. Let us now hear the fourteenth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā section. All of them quickly approached Kiṣkindhā, Vāli’s city, and, concealing themselves among the trees, stood in the dense forest. Sugrīva, broad-necked and delighted by the woods, cast his gaze all around and became greatly enraged. Surrounded by his retinue, he let out a terrible roar, challenging Vāli to battle, the sound seeming to split the sky. Roaring like a great cloud driven by the wind, Sugrīva moved forward, his gait proud like a lion and radiant like the rising sun. Seeing Rāma, ever skilled in action, Sugrīva spoke: “We have reached Kiṣkindhā, adorned with golden gates and covered by a net of monkeys. We have arrived at the city of Vāli, rich with banners and machinery. O hero, fulfill now the vow you made before—to slay Vāli. Fulfill that promise quickly, like Time itself that has arrived.” Thus addressed, Rāma replied, “This garland, called Gajasāhvaya, which Lakṣmaṇa placed around your neck as a sign of recognition— with this garland, you shine even more, O hero. Just as the sun appears different in the sky when encircled by a garland of stars, so today, O monkey, your fear and enmity arising from Vāli— I will release a single arrow in battle; show me, Sugrīva, the enemy who appears as your brother. Until Vāli, struck down, lies struggling in the dust of the forest, if he comes within my sight and turns back alive— then, because of fault, you might immediately find blame with me; yet, right before you, seven sala trees have been pierced by my arrow. “Overcome by desire for righteousness, I will never speak falsely; I will fulfill my promise—cast aside your hesitation. Just as Indra brings forth a field of ripened grain with rain, so too, for the sake of this challenge from Vāli, the one adorned with a golden garland— Sugrīva, make that call by which the monkey will come forth, the one who boasts of victory and has been provoked by you before. Vāli, eager for battle, will emerge without delay; hearing that his enemies have been challenged, he will not tolerate it in combat.” Knowing his own strength, especially before women, Sugrīva, golden-hued, listened to Rāma’s words. He roared with a fierce sound, as if splitting the sky; at that noise, the cows, terrified, lost their brightness and fled. Struck by the king’s offense, like noble women in distress, the animals ran swiftly, like horses broken in battle; birds fell to the earth, as if their merit was spent like planets. Then, with a thunderous cry like a rain cloud, Sugrīva, son of the sun, his valor and brilliance increased, released his sound with urgency, like the lord of rivers stirred by the wind. Let us now listen to the fifteenth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā Book.