Hanuman's Disguise: First Contact with Ram and Lakshman

Ram and Lakshman were walking toward Rishyamook Mountain. As they approached, the monkey Sugreev, the son of the Sun god, became scared. He initially thought they were part of another conspiracy by Bali to harm him. Sugreev lived on Rishyamook Mountain because he feared Bali; a curse by Maharshi Matang prevented Bali from coming to the mountain. To understand the intentions of the two warriors, Sugreev sought help from his loyal friend, Hanuman.

Lord Shiv incarnated as the monkey Hanuman to assist Lord Ram in his quest to conquer the demons. Hanuman's embryo was placed in the womb of the female monkey Anjana by the Wind god. Hence, Hanuman is also known as the son of the Wind and Anjaneya (Anjana's son). Hanuman received his training from the Sun god and, as a gesture of gratitude, promised to always support the Sun god's son, Sugreev, as his guru dakshina.

"Hanuman, transform into an ordinary man and interview those two men," said Sugreev. "Learn about their clothes, voices, behavior, and conduct. If they seem friendly, speak to them respectfully and try to win their trust. Meet them where I can surreptitiously observe the three of you. After that, try to learn what they are doing in this forest with bows and arrows." 

After that, Hanuman obeyed Sugreev, left Rishyamook Mountain, transformed into a Brahmin, and appeared before Ram and Lakshman. "From your radiance, you two appear to be kings or princes," Hanuman sweetly praised them. "Yet you are dressed as Brahmins. Why are you wandering in this forest and scaring the wild animals with your weapons?"

"This is Ram, Emperor Dasharath's oldest son," said Lakshman, introducing Ram to Hanuman. "I am his younger brother, Lakshman. Because of our father's orders, Ram, his wife Seeta, and I have left the kingdom of Ayodhya to live in the forest for fourteen years. Our father, Emperor Dasharath, was helpless because of a promise he had given and was forced to issue such a command. After leaving the palace, we lived in a cottage in Panchavati for several years. We were tricked into abandoning Seeta for a few minutes when the Demon King Ravan kidnapped her. After we released the demon Kabandh from a curse, he told us that the monkey Sugreev could help us. That is why we were walking in this direction. There, I have told you everything you wanted to know. We have come here in the hope of obtaining Sugreev's help."