Sugriva–Ruma relationship

The relationship between Sugriva and Ruma is presented through its violation and restoration: Bali took Sugriva’s wedded wife, and Rama later named that act among the offenses for which Bali was brought down. When Sugriva regained the kingship, Ruma was restored to him as well.

Ruma as Sugriva’s Wife

The account identifies Ruma as Sugriva’s wife, but gives little independent detail about her life or speech. Her place in the story emerges chiefly through what Bali does to her: Rama accuses Bali of taking his brother’s wife, a breach of ancient right that makes the conflict more than a dispute over the monkey throne.

Seizure and Its Consequence

In confronting the fallen Bali, Rama specifically invokes the seizure of Sugriva’s wife as a grave sin. The accusation links the brothers’ political rupture to a personal wrong and supplies a stated moral ground for Rama’s intervention. The relationship is therefore central to the justification Rama gives, even though Ruma herself is not developed as a speaking participant in these scenes.

Restoration with Sugriva’s Rule

After Rama has repaid his debt to Sugriva, he welcomes the restored king and says that Ruma has been returned to Sugriva’s arms. Her return accompanies Sugriva’s recovery of the throne: the settlement repairs, at least in the narrative’s outward terms, both the political dispossession and the marital violation. The text closes this strand through reunion rather than through a separate account of Ruma’s response.