When Vibhishana reaches Rama he was first sighted by Sugriva [ 6-17-05]. Sugriva immediately concludes that Vibhishana is intending tgo kill them [ 6-17-07]. Sugriva immediately orders to kill them [ 6-17-09]. But Vibhishana preempts him claims he has come seeking refuge with Rama abandoning his wife and children [ 6-17-16]. Immediately Sugriva speaks to Rama and Lakshmana. He warns Rama that Vibhishana is from enemy force [ 6-17-19]. Warns that he may trick them after gaining confidence [ 6-17-23]. Questions how he can be Trusted[ 6-17-25]. Rama appreciates this advice and asks everyone to say their opinion. This exactly what Manusmriti advices. Take every bodies opinion and then make your own decision.
7.57 तेषां स्वं स्वम् अभिप्रायं उपलभ्य प्र्तक प्र्तक समस्तानां च कार्येषु विदध्यद्य् हितम् आत्मनः
7.57. Having (first) ascertained the opinion of each (minister) separately and (then the views) of all together, let him do what is (most) beneficial for him in his affairs. After getting every bodies opinion Rama decides to take him But Sugriva persists. Say if he can deceive his own brother why can’t he deceive us. Rama compliments Sugriva again by saying he is well read hence he is speaking like this [ 6-18-08]. Why did he say that? Again because Manusmriti says;
7.180 यथा एनं आतिष्ठेद् अर्रिराष्ट्रं प्रति प्रभुः तदानेन विधानेन ययद् अरिपुरं शनैः
7.180. Let him arrange everything in such a manner that no ally, no neutral or foe may injure him; that is the sum of political wisdom
Thus Sugriva is a person well read and knows dharma. Hence the accolade from Rama.
Sanskrit | English |
6-17-05 | |
तम् आत्म पन्चमम् दृष्ट्वा सुग्रीवो वानर अधिपः | वानरैः सह दुर्धर्षः चिन्तयाम् आस बुद्धिमान् ||६-१७-५ |
Sugriva the valiant of monkeys, who was difficult to be overpowered, having seen Vibhishana, the fifth one along with four others, became thoughtful along with monkeys. Back |
6-17-07 | |
एष सर्व आयुध उपेतः चतुर्भिः सह राक्षसैः | राक्षसो अभ्येति पश्यध्वम् अस्मान् हन्तुम् न संशयः ||६-१७-७ |
“See this demon possessing all types of weapons, coming along with four demons. There is no doubt that he is coming to kill us.” Back |
6-17-09 | |
शीघ्रम् व्यादिश नो राजन् वधाय एषाम् दुरात्मनाम् | निपतन्तु हताः च एते धरण्याम् अल्प जीविताः ||६-१७-९ |
“Do you swiftly order us to slay these wicked doers, O, king? Let us strike these fools down so that they drop to the ground!” Back |
6-17-16 | |
सो अहम् परुषितस् तेन दासवच् च अवमानितः | त्यक्त्वा पुत्रामः च दारामः च राघवम् शरणम् गतः ||६-१७-१६ |
“Reviled by him and humiliated as a slave, I, leaving my sons and my wife, have come to take refuge with Rama.” Back |
6-17-19 | |
प्रविष्टः शत्रु सैन्यम् हि प्राप्तः शत्रुरतर्कितः | निहन्यादन्न्तरम् लब्ध्वा उलूको वायसानिव ||६-१७-१९ |
“Belonging to the enemy force, here is an adversary taking us unawares, who unexpectedly has come here to slay us at the first opportunity like an owl destroying crows!” Back |
6-17-23 | |
अथवा स्वयमेवैष चिद्रमासाद्य बुद्धिमान् | अनुप्रविश्य विश्वस्ते कदाचित्प्रहरेदपि ||६-१७-२३ |
“Otherwise he , intelligent by himself, can get into possession of a weak point in us. Having first gained our confidence by craft, he may even at any time attack us.” Back |
6-17-25 | |
प्रकृत्या राक्षसो ह्येष भ्रातामित्रस्य वै प्रभो | आगतश्च रिपोः साक्षात्कथमस्मिंश्च विश्वसेत् ||६-१७-२५ |
“O, Lord! He is indeed a demon by nature and a brother of an enemy who came directly from an adversary. How can we keep trust in him?” Back |
6-18-08 | |
अनधीत्य च शास्त्राणि वृद्धाननुपसेव्य च | न शक्यमीदृशम् वक्तुम् यदुवाच हरीश्वरः ||६-१८-८ |
“Without studying scriptures and without serving elders, it is not possible to speak such words as Sugreeva spoke.” Back |
All Sloka Translations are from the site Valmiki Ramayana