Sugriva is also known as Sugreeva in the Ramayana. Sugriva in Sanskrit means ‘one with a beautiful neck’. He is Vali’s younger brother and became the king of Kishkindha – the vanara kingdom, after Vali. As per Hindu mythology he had a son named Surya (the Hindu Sun Deity). Sugriva played an important role in freeing Sita, the wife of Rama from captivity in Lanka. Sita was kept captive by Ravana, the Rakshasa king at Lanka. The help Sugriva gave Rama in freeing Sita is termed as Sugrivajne.
Vali (the Vanara – monkey) is presumed as dead in a war with a demon. After the battle, Vali’s brother Sugriva takes up the throne and Tara marries him. Thus she becomes the Queen of Sugriva and the Queen of Kiskindha. One day Vali (who is presumed dead) comes back and takes back Tara. Vali blames Sugriva, his brother as treacherous and exiles him.
Vali is challenged to a contest using deadly weapons by Sugriva. Tara, his wife is wise enough and advises Vali to refrain from taking up the challenge. The reason behind this is that Sugriva has good alliance with the Lord Rama (the avatar of God Vishnu and hero of the Ramayana). Vali does not pay attention to her advice and dies in the duel when Rama’s arrow is shot at him as per the instructions of Sugriva. The lamenting Tara uses her power of chastity and casts a curse on Rama.
Sugriva attains his throne but does not help Rama in recovering Sita, his kidnapped wife. Tara plays role of reconciler between Sugriva and Rama, pacifies Lakshmana (Rama’s brother) and prevents them from destroying the Kishkindha kingdom.
