CRISIS MANAGEMENT SKILLS OF SUGRIVA

FAME OF SUGRIVA AS CRISIS MANAGER

Srirama’s wife was abducted by Ravana.  He was in search for her.  On the way, he had an encounter with a demon called Kabandha.  Kabandha got his curse deactivated and retained his old from as a divine person.  In return to Rama’s help, he advised Rama to approach Sugriva, who could help Rama in the crisis.

 यत्कृते व्यसनं प्राप्तं त्वया दारप्रधर्षणम्।

तदवश्यं त्वया कार्यः स सहृत्सुहृदां वर।

“Now, you are in crisis.  So, now you are supposed to make friends with an efficient person, who can bring you out of crisis.”

स च ते नावमन्तव्यः सुग्रीवो नराधिपः।

Do not overlook Sugriva, considering him to be a mere ‘monkey.’

SUGRIVA’S ASSISTANTS

निवसत्यात्मवान् वीरः चतुर्भिः सह वानरैः।

Sugriva is supported by four remarkable ministers, who are distinguished in strategies and solid in warfare.

SUGRIVA’S PERSONAL TRAITS

वानरेन्द्रो महावीर्यः तेजोवानमितप्रभः।

सत्यसन्धो विनीतश्च धृतिमान् मतिमान् महान्।।

Sugriva is a valiant person.  He is brilliant.  He is truthful.  He is deferential.  He is steady by temperament.  He is very wise.

दक्षः प्रगल्भो द्युतिमान् महाबलपराक्रमः।

He is competent.  He is shrewd.  He maintains dignity.  He is sturdy and robust enough to trounce enemies.

कृतज्ञः कामरूपी।

He is grateful.  He can take the guise of any figure according to his wish. 

SUGRIVA’S CAPABILITIES

न तस्याविदितं लोके किञ्चिदस्ति हि राघव।

There is nothing unknown to him, in the world.

नरमांसाशिनां लोके नैपुण्यादधिगच्छति।

He can overpower the demons with his skills.

HOW COULD SUGRIVA HELP RAMA

स नदीर्वुपलान् शैलान् गिरिदुर्गाणि कन्दरान्।

अन्वीक्ष्य वानरैः सार्थं पत्नीं तेऽधिगमिष्यति।।

He can make his monkeys search for Sita along the rivers, vast stretches of the mountains, strenuous hills, caves and get her back for Rama.

वानरांश्च महाकायान् प्रेषयिष्यति राघव।

He can send gigantic monkeys in search of Sita.

स मेरुशृङ्गाग्रगतामनिन्दितां 

प्रविश्य पातालतलेऽपि वा श्रिताम्।

प्लवङ्गमानां प्रवरस्तव प्रियां 

निहत्य रक्षांसि पुनः प्रदास्यति।

Wherever may Sita be present; He can fly to the top of the Meru Mountain.  He can pierce into Patala.  He can kill any number of demons.  He can get back Sita for Rama.

SUGRIVA DURING THE CRISIS OF ENMITY AGAINST VALI

Sugriva tried his best to convince Vali that he was not an enemy of the latter.  Yet, Vali was adamant and hence,

1 Sugriva found a safe place, where there would be no fear of Vali.  (Rshyamuka Mountain) 

2  He was always vigilant. 

3 He impressed his ministers with his modesty and tenderness, so that, they could not desert Sugriva even when he was deprived of his kingdom.  They were very loyal to him as well. 

4 He patiently waited for some help with which, he could get rid of Vali.  Later, with the help of Rama he successfully came out of the crisis.

PATIENCE PAYS, NOT HURRY

Sugriva was desperate to get rid of Vali.  Rama said that he could kill Vali.  Yet, Sugriva did not encourage him to do so in hurry.  He tested Rama’s strength.  When he trusted Rama that he could easily slay Vali, then only, he could design the next plan.  His strategy was proved to be right.

SUGRIVA’S PHILOSOPHY ON CRISIS

(These are the very words of Sugriva toRama.)

व्यसने वाऽर्थकृच्छ्रे वा भये वा जीवितान्तके।

विमृशन् वै स्वया बुद्ध्या धृतिमान् नावसीदति।।

During any crisis, may it be a financial crisis, while enduring some fear, may it be perilous enough to end one’s life, but, one must be steady and cogitate upon the situation by using one’s acumen. 

बालिशस्तु नरो नित्यं वैक्लब्यं योऽनुवर्तते।

स मज्जत्यवशः शोके भाराक्रान्तेन नौर्जले।।

A man who is destitute is heartbroken.  When he loses control by grief, he declines down like a ship with over burden that drowns in the sea.

ये शोकमनुवर्तन्ते न तेषां विद्यते सुखम्।

तेजश्च क्षीयते तेषां न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि।।

Those, who are grief-stricken, have no comfort.  They lose their splendour.  So, never let the grief strike you down.

स शोकं त्यज राजेन्द्र धैर्यमाश्रय केवलम्।

So, shun your grief away, harbour yourself in Courage alone.

मर्यादां सत्त्वयुक्तानां धृतिं नोत्स्रष्टुमर्हसि।

You are not supposed to shed out the decency of a competent man.

पौरुषं श्रय शोकस्य नाऽन्तरं दातुमर्हसि।

One should go after an endeavour.  You are not supposed to give any space to grief.