In the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana, Sugriva is depicted as having profound knowledge of the geography and significant locations across the three worlds—earth, heaven, and the netherworld. This knowledge becomes particularly evident when Sugriva divides his army into four groups and dispatches them in the four cardinal directions to search for Mata Sita. Each group is given detailed instructions and warnings about the places they will encounter and the hidden dangers they might face on their journeys.
Intrigued by Sugriva's extensive geographical knowledge,
Rama inquires about the source of his insights. Sugriva explains that his
familiarity with these places stems from his time fleeing from his brother,
Vali. The relentless fear of Vali forced Sugriva to become a wanderer,
constantly seeking refuge in new places to stay one step ahead. Vali's
unmatched speed and strength meant that Sugriva could never remain in one place
for long, leading him to traverse vast expanses and explore numerous territories
across the three worlds.
Sugriva’s constant movement and need to find safe havens
made him intimately acquainted with a multitude of regions and their specific
characteristics. He describes his experiences in vivid detail, outlining the
landscapes, potential threats, and noteworthy landmarks that his troops would
need to navigate. This extensive travel, driven by necessity and fear,
inadvertently provided Sugriva with a comprehensive understanding of the
world's geography.
Thus, Sugriva's knowledge is not merely academic or
second-hand; it is born out of lived experience and the survival instinct. His
ability to offer such precise guidance underscores his strategic acumen and the
breadth of his travels, making him an invaluable ally in the quest to locate
Sita. The narrative showcases how adversity and constant vigilance honed
Sugriva's skills, turning him into a master of geography and a wise leader who
could adeptly direct his forces across the world's diverse and dangerous
terrains.