Because of Matanga's curse, Vali could not set foot on Rishyamukha Hill. If he did, his head would explode into a thousand pieces.

Thus Sugriva took refuge there, thinking he would be safe from Vali.

Vali, however, still found a way to torment his brother. Every day he would fly over Rishyamukha Hill and kick Sugriva in the head, which was painful and humiliating for Sugriva.

Finally, Hanuman grabbed Vali by the ankle. "Stop it!" Hanuman shouted. "If you come back again, I'll pull you down to the ground."

Knowing that Hanuman meant what he said, Vali stopped tormenting Sugriva.

When Sugriva saw Rama and Lakshmana approaching Rishyamukha Hill, he was afraid. "They're agents of Vali coming to kill me!"

He sent Hanuman, disguised as a brahmin, to find out what the strangers wanted. "What brings you here?" Hanuman asked. "I inquire on behalf of my king, Sugriva."

Hearing Sugriva's name, Rama rejoiced. "We ourselves are seeking Sugriva!"

"So we are well met!" exclaimed Hanuman. "Get on my back, and I'll take you to him."

Hanuman changed into his monkey form, growing large enough for Rama and Lakshmana to ride on his shoulders, and he carried them to meet Sugriva.

Hanuman brought Rama and Lakshmana to Sugriva, who was hiding from his brother Vali on Rishyamukha Hill.

"We heard a woman screaming, and we saw a flying chariot. Then, we found these," Sugriva said, showing Rama Sita's jewelry.

Rama wept, and he told Sugriva his story.

Then Sugriva told Rama his story. "I too am in exile. My brother Vali took the throne from me. I too have lost my wife. My brother Vali took her from me."

Rama and Sugriva became allies.

"I will help you kill Vali," said Rama.

"And I will help you find Sita," said Sugriva.

Sugriva and Rama made a plan: Sugriva would fight Vali, and Rama would shoot Vali from a hiding place in the bushes.

Sugriva and Vali fought, but Rama couldn't tell who was who, so he didn't shoot.

Sugriva fled, and Vali scoffed.

"You didn't shoot him!" Sugriva said to Rama.

"I couldn't tell you apart," Rama explained.

Sugriva put on a flower-garland and challenged Vali again.

Rama aimed at Vali, shooting an arrow in his back.

Vali fell, fatally wounded.

Vali's wife Tara wept bitterly and cursed Rama. "You will rescue your wife," she said, "but still meet with grief."

As he promised Sugriva, Rama fatally wounded Vali.

Vali's wife Tara wept, and Hanuman consoled her. "Vali's great deeds earned him a place in heaven; don't grieve," he said. "You must help your son Angada honor his father with funeral rites."

Before dying, Vali gave his amulet of invincibility to Sugriva. "It mustn't touch my corpse," he told his brother.

Then Vali died, and all the monkeys bewailed him.

Tara begged Rama to slay her with the arrow that slew Vali, but Rama refused. "God made us as we are," he said. "There's no escaping our destined happiness and sorrow."

It was time to crown Sugriva as king of Kishkindha.

"Noble Rama," said Hanuman, "we ask you to come to the royal city and conduct the coronation ceremony."

"Dear Hanuman," Rama replied, "by my father's order I may enter no city or village during my exile. I will stay here on Rishyamukha Hill with Lakshmana, awaiting the end of the monsoon. Then we must rescue my Sita!"

"I will come as soon as the monsoon season ends," vowed Sugriva.

So Hanuman and the monkeys went to the city where they made Sugriva their king, with Vali's son Angada as crown-prince.

Rama waited in the forest during the rains, impatient to resume the search. Sugriva, now his ally, had vowed to help.

But when the rains ended, Sugriva continued to eat, drink and make merry with his wives in the palace.

"In my exile, I cannot enter the city," Rama said to Lakshmana. "You must go speak to Sugriva."

Lakshmana stormed into the palace, ready to kill Sugriva in his rage.

Ashamed, Sugriva begged Lakshmana's forgiveness and went to Rama at once. "I will send out search parties," said Sugriva. "My monkeys will scour the whole world to find your Sita."

Fulfilling his promise to help Rama, Sugriva assembled the monkeys and sent them in the four directions to search for Sita. To the south, he sent Hanuman and Angada, together with Jambavan, king of the bears.

"I give you one month's time to return with news!" commanded Sugriva.

Rama then spoke with Hanuman. "Take this ring, engraved with my name," Rama said. "Sita gave it to me. Now give it as a remembrance to Sita so that she will know you are my messenger."

Hanuman took the ring and bowed, and then he flew away with his companions, heading south.

Hanuman led the search party southwards, and they fell into a vast cave, filled with trees and lakes, mansions and palaces.

There they met Swayamprabha.

"What is this place?" Hanuman asked her.

"Mayasura built this place for his beloved apsara, Hema," she replied. "I guard it for her."

Then Hanuman told her of their quest.

Swayamprabha smiled. "Normally those who enter here do not leave, but I will use my powers to help you. Close your eyes."

The monkeys put their hands over their eyes.

Then Swayamprabha transported them out of the cave, towards the south, ever closer to Sita.

The southern search party reached the ocean; they could go no farther.

Angada despaired. "It is better that we should all die here rather than return in failure," he said.

Jambavan and Hanuman sought to console him, but Angada wouldn't listen. "Maybe Jatayu was wrong all along!" he shouted.

At that moment an enormous eagle approached the monkeys, limping along the water's edge.

"Did you say Jatayu?" asked the eagle. "I am Sampati, and Jatayu is my brother. Tell me more! Perhaps I can help. While I cannot fly, my eyesight is keen. But first, speak to me of Jatayu."