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 'You are asking us!' Exclaimed Sugriva. 'You are a learned person and are the very embodiment of wisdom. I submit to you what I sincerely think of, my Lord. Please consider why this Rakshasa came to us in the first instance. There had been no clash between Ravana and Vibishana. Nor did Ravana attempt to kill him. Is it not laughable that a person moves away from the side of his brother, mother, father, teacher or the king in the face of a war? Is it fair?'
Innocence is the other name for Sugriva. He was talking against Vibishana. He was chiding him for leaving his brother and trying to join with his brother's foe. He did not realise the faux pas that he was committing. Was it not true that Sugriva was guilty of a similar sin - if it were a sin - which he was attributing to Vibishana? Did he not seek the help of Rama to dispatch his elder brother? Little did he realise that his a speech would put him in a delicate situation. If the questions that he was raising were turned against him, how would he face them? But Rama remained silent.
There are several other instances where Sugriva shows out his impulsive nature. We will see them later.
Other chiefs rose one after the other. Not a single one of them was in favour of accepting Vibishana. Hanuman remained silent in a corner of the gathering. Rama turned towards him.
'Maruti ennum nEr ilA arivanai nOkkinaan arivin mEl uLLAn.' He asked for his opinion just by glancing at him, with a raised eyebrow and by an inviting nod.
Hanuman did observe the vulnerability of Sugriva's situation, though none made a mention of it. After the formal initial observations he started with a softening remark. 'Vibishana must have heard of the fact that Vali was killed and Sugriva gained his kingdom.
(Vali viN pera arasu iLayavan pera…) It is therefore natural that he came to Rama in search of his welfare. More over, this rakshasa is very virtuous. Look at his face. His very face reveals his intentions. In my search for Sita in Lanka, I had seen his house also. He is a deeply virtuous person. In fact, it was he who spoke to Ravana to leave me, quoting from books of yore. His daughter, Trijada, is by the side of Janaki, consoling her and reducing her pain.
 'I perceive his joining us as a good omen. In my view he has to be granted the surrender that he asks for. But, I don't know my Lord, what you have decided in your holy mind
(Veda nool enath thagaya thiru ullam).'
Rama remained absolutely silent till the last word was spoken to him. 'I think Maruti has a valid point,' he observed. 'When a person comes to me seeking refuge in me, I cannot but grant it. May this end in victory or may this lead to defeat. It is against Dharma to deprive a person of the surrender that he seeks.' He then elaborated his reasons for accepting Vibishana into their fold and convinced the gathering.
And you know what he did? He sent Sugriva to receive Vibishana and bring the latter to him. Protocol was one reason. A king receiving a king-to-be. Ensuring that there were no bitter feelings left in the heart of Sugriva was another.
We will see more.
Hari Krishnan
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