Loyal Allies

You must be valiant, capable, and wise, best of monkeys, since you have been able to breach the stronghold of the rakshasas single-handedly. You are to be greatly praised for your valor, for in leaping you have crossed the mighty ocean, a hundred leagues in breadth, the lair of sea monsters, as easily as if it were a puddle in a cow’s hoof-print.

— “Sundara” 34.5-34.10

Rama is undoubtedly one of literature's greatest heroes; however, his many successes would not have been possible without the support of his allies. Hanuman is one of Rama's most devoted followers. He joins the search to rescue Sita from the rakshasa Ravana after Rama seeks the help of the powerful monkey Sugriva. Sugriva agrees to send out monkey armies if Rama helps him take back his kingdom — an issue that Rama, whose crown was stolen bevcause of palace corruption, could certainly sympathize with.

When this task is completed, Hanuman joins the search party that is headed to the south of India. His party learns that Ravana lives in Lanka, a kingdom across the sea. At first, it seems impossible for the monkeys to get there. Yet Hanuman is not deterred. Powered by incredible strength and devotion to Rama, the monkey flies across the sea and lands safely in Lanka. 

Hanuman finds Sita in a closed-off garden, surrounded by hideous female rakshasas who taunt and hiss at her. When the demons finally leave, the brave moneky sneaks in and shows Sita a ring of Rama's to prove his loyalty. But Sita refuses to leave, explaining that it must be Rama who rescues her. Shocked, Hanuman instead accepts a piece of jewelery as proof that he has found Rama's wife.

This is one of the most emotionally gripping scenes in the epic. Both Hanuman and Sita love and respect Rama, yet they have very different ideas of how to best honor him. In the end, Hanuman makes the correct decision by respecting Sita's choice — after all, she is Rama's wife and an avatar of the goddess Lakshmi — but his internal struggle humanizes the monkey.

From earliest childhood Lakshmana, bringer of glory, was always especially fond of his older brother, Rama, delight of the world. Performing every service for him, glorious Lakshmana was like another life breath outside his body, for without him, the best of men could get no sleep.

— "Boyhood" 17.15-17.20

While Rama was the one destined to become a true hero, his three brothers were also considered to be incarnations of the god Vishnu. However, there was no jealousy amongst them; in fact, younger brother Lakshmana was Rama's best friend since childhood. When a wise sage comes to the city of Ayodhya, asking that Rama come on a journey with him to help fight off rakshasas, King Dasaratha only feels comfortable with the idea when it is agreed that loyal Lakshamana will join Rama.

This spiritual journey allows the brothers to hone their skills as warriors, which is expecially helpful when Rama is exiled to the rakshasa-filled forest. Lakshmana has no obligation to go with him, but he knows that the banishment is wrong and wishes to support Rama. While he is married to Sita's sister, Urmila, Lakshmana's ultimate loyalty is to his eldest brother.

His devotion to Rama is clear on the day that Ravana kidnaps Sita. While Rama is off catching a golden deer for Sita, Lakshmana is assigned to watch over her. He does this dutifully until Ravana tricks him by making him believe that Rama is screaming far away. Although Lakshmana respects Rama's orders, he is willing to break them if he thinks Rama is in trouble. Lakshmana even obeys Rama when it causes him pain, such as when he follows Rama’s orders to banish Sita due to false rumors of infidelity. This level of devotion makes Lakshmana a deeply honorable character in the Ramayana.