Kanda 4 of 7 · 67 sargas
किष्किन्धाकाण्ड
Book of Kishkindha
Kiṣkindhā-kāṇḍa
Setting: The vanara kingdom of Kishkindha and the search expeditions
Central figure: Hanuman emerges — and Sugriva's loyalty is tested
Kanda summary
Rama meets Hanuman, then Sugriva at Rishyamukha. They make an alliance: Rama will help Sugriva regain his throne from his brother Vali; Sugriva will help find Sita. Rama slays Vali (controversially, from concealment). After the monsoon, Sugriva mobilises vanara armies in four directions to search for Sita. The southern party, led by Angada and including Hanuman, reaches the southern coast and meets Sampati (Jatayu's brother), who confirms Sita is in Lanka. Hanuman leaps the ocean.
Key episodes
- ●Rama-Sugriva alliance
- ●Slaying of Vali
- ●Monsoon at Prasravana hill
- ●Four-directional vanara search
- ●Sampati's sighting of Sita
- ●Hanuman's preparation to leap the ocean
Central teaching
Alliances are sealed by promises kept. The right team is half the battle.