Vali is killed using the very laws he used to make himself king. Ram now demands that a new set of laws be established, one based not on power and domination but on love and generosity. Thus Ram becomes the harbinger of civilized conduct. He supports Sugriva only when he is convinced that as king, Sugriva will abandon the law of the jungle and embrace dharma. So while Vali behaves like an alpha male, driving Sugriva out and claiming his wife, Ruma, Ram insists that Sugriva treat Vali’s wife, Tara, with respect and even declare Vali’s son, Angad, as his heir. Had Sugriva still subscribed to the law of the jungle, he would have killed Vali’s son and forced Tara to be his concubine.
But shortly after becoming king, Sugriva slips back into his animal instinct. He forgets that the foremost principle of dharma is to keep one’s word. For this lapse, he is severely reprimanded by Lakshman.
Monsoons
After the death of Vali, Sugriva was made king of Kishkindha. He promised Ram to uphold dharma in his kingdom and accordingly accepted Vali’s widow, Tara, as his wife and Vali’s son, Angad, as his heir. It was decided to wait for the rainy season to pass before starting the search for Sita for during the rainy season the ground is slippery and treacherous and movement is impossible. Ram waited patiently for the rains to pass. When autumn arrived, Ram expected Sugriva to start the search for Sita. Unfortunately, Sugriva was lost in merrymaking following his coronation and had forgotten all about his promise to Ram. A furious Lakshman strode into the monkey king’s palace to teach Sugriva a lesson. The merrymaking stopped and a terrified Sugriva hid behind the throne while Tara went to Lakshman and pacified him. A chastised Sugriva immediately summoned all the monkeys of the forest and ordered them to scour all four directions of the earth and not return until one of them found Sita.
In Lanka, Ravana’s brothers who supported him when he drove Kuber away, refuse to support him when he abducts Sita. Both Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna feel what Ravana is doing is not right. Sita is another man’s wife. To desire her is ethically and morally wrong, especially when she is clearly resisting. That being said, when Sita’s husband finally launches a campaign to rescue his wife, Ravana’s two brothers respond quite differently to the situation. Vibhishana simply parts ways with his brother but Kumbhakarna continues to stand by his brother.