Hearing the whole history, Rāma, the descendant of Raghu, said to
Agastya "O Reverend Sir, Riksharaja is the name of the father of Vāli
and Sugriva but thou hast not told me the name of their mother. However
I am curious to learn who was their mother, where was their residence,
and how they had been named so—do thou favour me with the account." Rāma
having said this Agastya said:—"O Rāma, I shall relate to thee
everything in short of what I had heard from Nārada when he came to my
hermitage. Once on a time whilst travelling that highly pious ascetic
arrived at my hermitage; I duly worshipped and welcomed him; and when I
asked him out of curiosity, he, seated at pleasure, said:—’Hear, O great
ascetic, the foremost of the pious; there is a mountain named Meru,
highly picturesque, made of gold and greatly charming. The middle peak
is much liked by the celestials, on which is situate the beautiful
assemblage hall of Brahmā extending over a hundred leagues. The
four-mouthed deity, sprung from lotus, always resideth there. And from
his eyes while going through the _Yoga_ practices tears trickled down.
No sooner the Patriarch Brahmā, with his hands, wiped them off into the
ground than a monkey originated from those tears. O foremost of men, as
soon as that monkey was produced, the high-souled Brahmā consoled him in
sweet accents and said—"Do thou proceed to that leading mountain where
the celestials perpetually reside. O foremost of monkeys, living upon
many a fruit and root in that picturesque mountain thou shouldst always
live by me. And while thou shall live in this wise for some time thou
shalt be crowned with auspiciousness." Brahmā having said this, O
Rāghava, the foremost of monkeys saluted that god of gods, placing his
head at his feet and said to that Primaeval deity, the creator of beings
and the lord of the universe. "O god, thou art placing me under thy
behests—verily I shall follow them." Having said this to Patriarch that
monkey immediately went to a forest abounding in fruits and flowers.
There living on fruits and collecting honey and various flowers, he,
every day, used to come to Brahmā in the evening. O Rāma, in this wise
he used to make an offering of excellent fruits and flowers at the feet
of Brahmā, the god of gods. Journeying in this way over the mountain he
spent many long years. Some time having elapsed in this way, O Rāghava,
Riksharaja, the foremost of monkeys, being distressed with thirst,
repaired to the excellent mountain Meru. There is a pond of pure water,
resonant with the notes of various birds. Having shaken his manes with a
delighted heart, Riksharaja saw his reflection in the waters. Beholding
his own image there that monkey-chief, stricken with anger and anxiety
thought—"What arch-enemy of mine is living in the waters? I shall
destroy the excellent abode of the vicious-souled one." Thinking thus
within himself, that monkey, out of fickleness, jumped down into the
lake. And he again sprang up therefrom. And at the time of rising, O
Rāma, that leading monkey found himself metamorphosed into a female
form, which was highly charming, graceful and beautiful. Her waist was
spacious, eye-brows beautiful and hairs were black and curling; her
countenance was beautiful and smiling, breast high and beauty matchless.
And there appeared charming on the banks of the lake, lighting up all
quarters that female, agitating the mind of all, and beautiful in the
triple world like unto simple _Sastilatā_, Ramā, without lotus, pure
rays of the moon, Parvati more beautiful than even Lakshmi. At this time
was returning by that way, Indra, the leader of the celestials after
having worshipped the feet of Brahmā. And the sun too journeying arrived
there. They both simultaneously espied that female form and were
possessed by desire. What more, their whole body, as soon as they saw
her, was moved and the firmness of the mind shaken. Thereupon Indra
begot on her a son named Vāli for he originated from her hairs and the
sun begot on her another son, who was named Sugriva for he originated
from her neck. Thus the two highly powerful monkeys being born, Indra
went back to his region having conferred upon Vāli an un-ending garland
of gold. And having engaged Hanumān, the Wind-god’s son in the service
of Sugriva, the sun too went back to the sky. O king, the sun having
risen after, that night Riksharaja again obtained his own real monkey
shape. Having thus regained his monkey form he made his two highly
powerful sons,—leading monkeys, assuming shapes at will and having tawny
eyes, drink honey, like nectar. Thereupon taking them, he came to the
abode of Brahmā. Beholding his son Riksharaja with his sons, Brahmā, the
grand-father of the celestials, consoled him in diverse ways. Then he
ordered the celestial messenger saying—"At my behest, O emissary, do
thou proceed to the highly picturesque city of Kishkindhā. That golden,
big and charming city is worthy of Riksharajā. There live many thousand
monkeys besides others assuming shapes at will. It abounds in various
jewels, invincible, is inhabited by four _Varnas_, holy and sacred. At
my command Visvvakarmā has constructed the celestial and picturesque
city of Kishkindhā. Do thou place there Riksharāja, the foremost of
monkeys, with his sons; and having invited the leading monkeys and
others and received them courteously do thou install him on the throne.
On beholding this monkey-chief, gifted with intelligence they shall be
all subject to him." Brahmā, having said this, the celestial emissary,
with Riksharāja before him, proceeded to the highly picturesque city of
Kishkindhā. And having entered there with the velocity of the wind, he,
at the command of the Patriarch, crowned the leading monkey Riksharāja
as king. And being sprinkled according to the ceremonies of
installation, and adorned with a crown and various other ornaments he,
with a delighted heart, engaged in governing the monkeys. All the
monkeys, residing on earth consisting of seven insular continents and
bounded by ocean, came under his subjection. Thus Riksharāja was both
the father and mother of Vāli and Sugriva. May good betide thee. The
learned who listen to and make others hear this story, conducing to the
enhancement of their delight, get all their desires and objects
accomplished. I have duty described to thee at length all events and
have recounted the stories relating to the birth of the Kings of monkeys
and Rākahsasas.’"