Rama helps the exiled prince Sugriva regain his throne from his brother Vali, and in gratitude the vanaras pledge their armies to find Sita. Search parties are sent in every direction; the southern band, led in spirit by Hanuman, learns from the aged eagle Sampati that Sita is held captive across the sea in Lanka — setting the stage for Hanuman’s great leap.
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The story of the Kishkindha Kanda
The Kishkindha Kanda (“Book of Kishkindha”) tells how Rama gains his great allies. In the forest he meets Hanuman and the exiled vanara (monkey) prince Sugriva. Rama helps Sugriva regain his kingdom and his throne, and in return Sugriva pledges his armies to the search for Sita.
Vast bands of vanaras are sent to the four quarters of the earth. It is the southern party, guided by Hanuman’s wisdom and the aged vulture Sampati, that finally learns Sita is held captive across the ocean, in Ravana’s island fortress of Lanka — setting the stage for Hanuman’s great leap.