In the ancient and majestic era of the Treta Yuga, the kingdom of Kishkindha was a realm of unparalleled natural beauty and strength, nestled among the rugged granite hills and lush greenery of what is now known as Hampi. The kingdom was ruled by the mighty Vanara king Vali, the son of the king of gods, Indra. Vali was not only a ruler of immense wisdom but also possessed a divine boon: any opponent who faced him in battle would lose half of their strength to him. Beside him was his devoted younger brother, Sugriva, the son of the sun god Surya. For years, the brothers lived in harmony, their bond serving as the cornerstone of Kishkindha's stability. They were surrounded by a council of wise advisors, including the brilliant Hanuman and the noble Queen Tara, whose wisdom was said to rival that of the gods themselves.
However, the peace of Kishkindha was frequently tested by the remnants of the asura clans. One such demon was Mayavi, the eldest son of Dundubhi. Mayavi harbored a deep-seated hatred for Vali, as Vali had previously slain his father in a feat of incredible strength. One moonless night, driven by a cocktail of grief and hubris, Mayavi approached the gates of Kishkindha. He unleashed a roar that vibrated through the valleys, challenging Vali to a duel. Vali, never one to back down from a challenge and possessing a fierce warrior's pride, immediately rose from his chambers. Despite the pleas of Tara, who sensed an ill omen in the midnight air, Vali stormed out of the palace. Sugriva, ever the loyal shadow, followed his brother into the darkness, determined to stand by him regardless of the danger.
Seeing the two brothers approaching with such ferocity, Mayavi’s courage wavered. He turned and fled into the deep wilderness, leading them through dense thickets and over treacherous mountain paths. Eventually, the demon reached the mouth of a colossal cave, known as Billasvarga, which spiraled deep into the bowels of the earth. Without hesitation, Mayavi plunged into the darkness of the cavern. Vali stopped at the threshold and turned to Sugriva. His eyes were ablaze with the thrill of the hunt. He commanded Sugriva to remain at the mouth of the cave and keep watch, ensuring the demon did not escape, while Vali went inside to finish the task. Sugriva promised to wait faithfully until his brother's return.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Sugriva stood sentinel at the cave’s entrance, braving the scorching sun and the torrential rains of the changing seasons. He survived on wild fruits and the water of the Pampa lake, never once wavering from his post. However, as the first anniversary of Vali's disappearance approached, Sugriva's heart grew heavy with anxiety. No sound had emerged from the cave for a long time—no clashing of weapons, no roars of triumph. One morning, a terrifying sight met his eyes. A thick, frothy stream of blood began to seep out from the cave's mouth, staining the rocks a deep, visceral crimson. Simultaneously, he heard the muffled, guttural roars of what he believed to be the demon Mayavi, celebrating a victory. Sugriva’s heart shattered. He concluded that his invincible brother had finally met his end at the hands of the demon's sorcery.
Overcome by grief and fearing that the demon would soon emerge to wreak havoc upon the defenseless people of Kishkindha, Sugriva made a fateful decision. He found a boulder of titanic proportions and, using all his strength, heaved it across the opening of the cave, sealing it completely. He believed he was protecting his kingdom by entombing the demon within. With tears streaming down his face, Sugriva returned to the capital. When the ministers and the elders of the Vanara court heard the news of Vali's supposed demise, they were plunged into mourning. However, a kingdom cannot remain without a ruler. Despite Sugriva's protests and his desire to live a life of quiet grieving, the council insisted that he be crowned king to maintain order. Thus, Sugriva was reluctantly anointed the King of Kishkindha, and he took Vali's wife, Tara, and his own wife, Ruma, under his protection as was the custom of the time.