Sugriva, the king of the Vanaras (monkey army), had assigned Hanuman, Angada, Jambavan, and other vanaras the task of searching for Sita in the southern direction. They scoured the land tirelessly for a month but their search seemed futile, and the ocean loomed as an insurmountable barrier. Disheartened and fearing failure, the vanaras faced a dire dilemma.
Angada’s Fear and Decision
Angada, the son of the slain Vali, voiced the collective
despair. He lamented that the month-long search had yielded no results and that
returning to Kishkindha without news of Sita would mean certain death at
Sugriva’s hands. Angada, perceiving his life under threat not just from this
failure but from Sugriva’s potential enmity, expressed his fear that Sugriva,
who ascended the throne with Rama's support, might view him as a rival and a
thorn in his side. Angada’s apprehension stemmed from the fact that he was
crowned the prince by Rama, not Sugriva, thereby potentially stirring jealousy
in Sugriva.
The Suggestion of Tarak
Among the vanaras, Tarak proposed an escape from their
predicament. He suggested that they retreat to the nether world they recently
explored, a land rich with fruit trees where they could live peacefully, away
from Sugriva's wrath and the current mission’s pressures.
Hanuman’s Intervention
Hanuman, disheartened by the talk of desertion, intervened
with wisdom and resolve. He reminded Angada and the others of their mission’s
importance and the objective they set out to accomplish. Hanuman emphasized
that deviating from their path would not ensure escape from death; rather, it
would brand Angada as a traitor. He pointed out that most vanaras had families
and responsibilities back home, making a permanent escape unfeasible. Hanuman
highlighted that Angada, being unmarried and without such ties, could not
impose this decision on others.
Hanuman’s Persuasion
Hanuman urged the vanaras to continue their search,
suggesting that if all efforts failed, they should report their findings to
Sugriva honestly. He believed Sugriva would not punish them unjustly for a
sincere failure. Hanuman’s argument was rooted in duty and loyalty, contrasting
Angada’s fear-driven rhetoric.
Angada’s Rebuttal and Resolve
Despite Hanuman’s efforts, Angada remained unconvinced. He
recounted the unjust death of his father, Vali, at the hands of Rama,
questioning why Rama didn’t attempt to reconcile with Vali who had once
defeated Ravana, the very abductor of Sita. Angada’s bitterness clouded his
judgment, making him see his demise as inevitable.
Hanuman’s Wisdom
Hanuman tried to soothe Angada’s anguish by extolling the
virtues of Rama, suggesting that invoking Rama’s name could absolve all sins
and perhaps bring clarity and peace. However, Angada remained adamant,
disparaging both Rama and Sugriva. He instructed Hanuman to relay his words to
his mother if the latter chose to return to Kishkindha.
The Decision to Fast Unto Death
Finally, influenced by Angada’s steadfastness, the other
vanaras resolved to support him. They decided to sit down and fast unto death,
a solemn protest against their perceived impending doom and the futility of
their mission.
This poignant episode, found in the Bengali Krittibasi
Ramayana but absent in Valmiki’s version, illustrates the despair and loyalty
within the vanara ranks. It highlights the internal conflicts and the heavy
burden of leadership and duty, enriching the epic's narrative with depth and
emotional complexity.