Ramayana

by Vālmīki

This incident between Vaali and Sugreeva is a good example of the moral leaching conveyed in the Puraanas. There was nothing terribly wrong in the conduct either of Vaali or of Sugreeva. Anger confuses the mind. One who yields to anger loses the capacity to see the truth. That way lies destruction. Vaali's anger led to his end. Sugreeva humbly confessed the truth, but Vaali would not listen. He was beside himself with rage. Sugreeva too, was guilty of imprudent haste. He concluded too quickly that his brother had died. He was afraid that the Asura who was victorious would come out and kill him also; so he closed the entrance of the cave and returned home. At first he was not keen on becoming king and yet he allowed himself to be persuaded by the people. He yielded to a sub-conscious desire without sufficient thought. So difficulties came upon him. Thoughtless action leads to unhappiness. This is what we learn from the story of Sugreeva. One should not desire what belongs to another. One has to exercise great care, and control one's desires. In contrast to Sugreeva, when the ministers and subjects in Ayodhya pressed Bharata to accept the crown, he was firm in his refusal. Bharata's strength of character was great. But Sugreeva was different. He was weak, and suffered in consequence. Bharata had the courage to refuse and his name lives, forever.