By: Rajendra Kapil

The Ascetic Who Saved the Lives of the Vanaras

The Ramayana contains many famous episodes, but it also has lesser-known stories that reveal the compassion, wisdom and courage of its characters. One such episode is the story of Swayamprabha, the ascetic who saved the lives of the Vanaras during their search for Sita.

After Sita’s abduction, Shri Rama and Lakshmana reached the region near Kishkindha. Sugriva, fearful of his elder brother Vali, was living on Rishyamukha Mountain. Seeing Rama and Lakshmana approaching, Sugriva suspected that they might have been sent by Vali. He asked Hanuman to discover their identity.

This became the first meeting between Hanuman and Rama. Once Hanuman realized that they had not come on Vali’s behalf, he brought Rama and Sugriva together. Rama shared his troubles, while Sugriva promised to help find Sita. Rama, in return, promised to free Sugriva from Vali’s fear.

Hanuman advised Sugriva:

तेहि सन् नाथ मयत्री कीजे, दीन जानि तेहि अभय करीजे

Explanation:
Hanuman advises: “Make friendship with him and, knowing his distress, assure him of protection and freedom from fear.”

The friendship was then formally established with the sacred fire as witness:

तब हनुमंत उभय दिसी की सब कथा सुनाइ
पावक साखी देइ करि, जोरी प्रीति बढ़ाई

Explanation:
Hanuman explained the circumstances of both sides and, with the sacred fire as witness, strengthened their bond of friendship.

Rama killed Vali and made Sugriva the secure ruler of Kishkindha. After the monsoon, Sugriva gathered the Vanara army and ordered them to search all four directions for Sita. They were given one month to complete the mission.

The southern group, led by Angada and accompanied by Hanuman and Jambavan, searched forests, mountains and caves but found no trace of Sita. As the month neared its end, the exhausted Vanaras lost hope.

Angada expressed their desperate situation:

कह अंगद लोचन भरि बारी, दुहूँ प्रकार भइ मृत्यु हमारी
इहाँ न सुधि सीता कै पाई, उहाँ गएँ मारिहि कपिराई

Explanation:
Angada says: “Death awaits us either way. Here we have failed to find Sita, and if we return without news, Sugriva will kill us.”

The Vanaras became so desperate that they considered giving up their lives.

Swayamprabha Comes to Their Rescue

At this critical moment, Hanuman noticed birds coming out of a mysterious cave with wet bodies, suggesting that water was inside. The Vanaras entered and discovered a beautiful place filled with water, trees and fruits. There they met a female ascetic named Swayamprabha.

Hanuman respectfully introduced himself and explained that they were Sugriva’s Vanaras searching for Sita. They were lost, hungry and thirsty.

Swayamprabha explained that the place had once belonged to the powerful Danava Mayasura and was associated with the apsara Hema, whose friend Swayamprabha was. She had become the guardian of the hermitage.

उवास सुखितः कालं कञ्चिदस्मिन्महावने । तमप्सरसि हेमायां शक्तं दानवपुङ्गवम्‌ ॥१४॥

विक्रम्येवाशनि गद्य जधानेशः पुरन्दरः । इदं च ब्रह्मणा दत्तं हेमाये वनमुत्तमम्‌ || १५॥

Explanation:

These verses describe Mayasura’s association with Hema and his death at the hands of Purandara, another name for Indra. The beautiful woodland was subsequently given by Brahma to Hema.

Moved by the Vanaras’ condition, Swayamprabha allowed them to eat the roots and fruits and drink the water.

इमान्यभ्यवहायोणि मूलानि च फलानि च। भुक्त्वा पीत्वा च पानीयं सव मे वक्तुमहेथ ॥ १९ ॥

Explanation:
She tells them, in essence: “Eat these roots and fruits and drink the water. After you have regained your strength, tell me your story and what you need.”

Her compassion saved the Vanaras from hunger and thirst when they were close to death.

Hanuman then explained their mission:

अगस्त्यचरितामाशाँ दक्षिणां यमरक्षिताम्‌ । सहैभिर्वानरैघोरेरङ्गदपर्ुखैवयम्‌ ॥ ७ ॥

रावणं सहिताः सर्वे राक्षसं कामरूपिणम्‌ । सीतया सह वैदेह्या मागध्वमिति चोदिताः ॥ ८ ॥

Explanation:

They explain that they were sent south, under Angada’s leadership, to search for Sita and Ravana. Their long and difficult search had brought them to this desperate situation.

The Vanaras thanked Swayamprabha:

अस्माभिरुपथुक्तानि बुभुक्षापरिपीडितेः । यत्त्वया रक्षिताः सर्वे म्रियमाणा बुभुक्षया ॥ १७॥

Explanation:

They acknowledge that they had been suffering from severe hunger and were close to death, and that Swayamprabha had protected and saved them by providing food and water.

Swayamprabha then used her spiritual powers to bring the Vanaras safely out of the mysterious cave and to the seashore.

इहैव पायमासिष्ये पुण्ये सागररोधसि । एतच्छुत्वा कुमारेण युवराजेन भाषितम्‌ ॥ ३३ ॥

सर्वे ते वानरश्रेष्ठाः करुणं बाक्यमत्रवन्‌ । तीक्ष्ण; प्रकृत्या सुग्रीवः प्रियासक्तश्च राघवः ॥ ३४ ॥

Explanation:

The supplied text of these verses contains some textual variations, but in the context of the episode, the passage relates to the Vanaras reaching the seashore and continuing their mission despite their difficulties.

Jambavan Awakens Hanuman’s Strength

At the seashore, the Vanaras learned from Sampati, Jatayu’s brother, that Sita was in Lanka. But another challenge remained: who could cross the vast ocean?

The wise Jambavan reminded Hanuman of his forgotten powers:

कहइ रीछपति सुनु हनुमाना, का चुप साधि रहेहु बलवाना
पवन तनय बल पवन समाना, बुधि बिबेक बिग्यान निधाना
कवन सो काज कठिन जगमाहि, जो नहीं होइ तात तुम्ह पाहीं
राम काज लगि तव अवतारा, सुनतहि भयउ पर्वताकारा

Explanation:

Jambavan reminds Hanuman that he possesses immense strength, wisdom, intelligence and knowledge, and that no task is too difficult for him. He reminds him that his very birth is connected with the service of Rama.

Hearing this, Hanuman remembered his divine powers and assumed a gigantic form. He was now ready to leap across the ocean to Lanka and continue Rama’s mission.

The story of Swayamprabha is a beautiful reminder that great missions are often made possible by acts of compassion that may receive little attention. When the Vanaras had lost hope and were close to death, Swayamprabha gave them food, protection and a way forward.

Her compassion restored their strength; Sampati gave them hope by locating Sita; and Jambavan awakened Hanuman’s courage.

Thus, before Hanuman made his legendary leap across the ocean, the Vanaras’ journey was first saved by the kindness of a spiritually accomplished woman.

Jai Shri Ram!