In the Hindu epic
Ramayana,
Sugriva (
Sanskrit: सुग्रीव, lit.
beautiful necked) was the younger brother of
Vali, whom he succeeded as ruler of the
vanara or monkey kingdom
Kishkindha.
Rumā was his wife. He was the son of
Surya, the Hindu deity of the sun. As king of the monkeys, Sugriva aided
Rama in his quest to liberate his wife
Sita from captivity at the hands of the
Rakshasa king
Ravana. This aid is referred to as
Sugrivajne (Sugriva pledge).