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74
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
According to the UP the deer is not killed but Rama loses his way in the forest. His attendants make a search for him but he is not discovered. Next morning Rama returns. When a search is made for Sītā, her upper garment (uttarīya) is found (68.245). Subsequently a messenger informs Rama of a dream seen by Dasaratha. Dasaratha dreams that Rāhu kidnapped Rohiņi. It meant that Sita was kidnapped by Ravana and was carried away to Laikā. To this effect a letter closed in a casket was sent by Dasaratha to Rama through that messenger. Following that, Rama's brothers and Janaka console Rāma and think over a plan for the recovery of Sită (68.268). The MP follows the UP, but it mentions that Lakṣmaṇa was there when Rāma returned after the sunset and not the next morning (73.1-3) as referred to in the UP.
SECTION VI
FRIENDSHIP WITH SUGRĪVA
A. Sugriva's approach to Rama for help:
According to the PCV, Vānararāja Sugrīva wandering about in distress caused by the appearance of a sham Sugrīva, learns about the slaying of Kharaduṣaṇa. He considers the slayer of Kharaduṣaṇa to be a fit person to help him. Accompanied by his minister Jambūnada he approaches Rāma sojourning at Pātālankarapura. Jambūnada makes Rāma conversant with the plight of Sugrīva and requests him to assist Sugrīva. Rāma promises to do so and asks Sugrīva to search out Sītā. Sugrīva reciprocates with a promise to help him (47.1-31).
According to the VR, Rāma and Lakṣmana themselves are in search of Sugrīva (3.75,7-10: 4.3.37). When they reach near the Ṛṣyamuka hill (4.1.128), Sugrīva observes them from a distance and gets frightened suspecting them to be disguised agents of Vali (4.1.6,21) Sugrīva sends his minister, Hanumat to spy against them. Hanumat disguising himself as a 'bhiksu' (4.3,2) approaches them and finds out their identity. He requests them to make friends with Sugrīva (4.3.32) who was in distress on account of being deprived of his wife and political right by Vali (4.5.22-23). Lakṣmana tells Hanumat of the kidnapping of Sita by some Rākṣasa and requests for the help of Sugrīva (44.18). Hanumat fetches them to Sugrīva. Rāma and Sugrīva take an oath of mutual help. Sugrīva produces before Rama the upper garment and the ornaments of Sită (4.6.15) and promises to kill Rāvana (4.7.4).
The TR agrees with the VR, but it mentions that Hanumat goes to Rama in the disguise of a brahmin ('bipra' or 'batu' 4.1). Hanumat
