Rama was deeply moved by Sugreeva’s story. He hugged Sugreeva to his bosom and promised to help him. Hanuman kindled a fire as witness to the vow, as was customary. Both friends started talking. Sugreeva told them about an incident a few days back when he saw a demon dragging a beautiful lady across the sky. He heard her shouting the names of Rama and Lakshmana. He was helpless to do anything. He then saw her dropping her jewels tied in a piece of cloth.
Hearing the words of Sugreeva, Rama and Lakshmana had tears in their eyes. They were anxious to see those jewels and ornaments. Immediately, Sugreeva returned with a bundle.
On seeing the ornaments, Rama immediately recognised them. He then asked Lakshmana to identify the jewels. Lakshmana looked at the anklets and said that they were indeed Seeta’s. “I always looked at her feet only, so these are the only jewels I recognise,” Lakshmana said. Rama was very upset but Sugreeva consoled him that they would find Mother Seeta at any cost.
Now Sugreeva wanted to be sure that Rama was strong enough to deal with Vali. Lakshmana realised this and told Rama who casually kicked Dundubhi’s huge skeleton off the mountain. Then he shot an arrow with such force that it went through the trunks of seven sal trees falling all them at the same time. Sugreeva was finally satisfied about the power of Rama. Plans were prepared for Sugreeva to challenge Vali in Kishkindha so that Rama might slay Vali.
They would meet in a forest where Rama would hide behind a tree and shoot Vali if Sugreeva was unable to kill him. As per the plan, Sugreeva reached Vali’s palace and challenged him to a duel. Vali accepted the challenge and the brothers met in a combat. But Vali proved too strong for Sugreeva who broke free and ran away.
