Sadhu-sang

In Srimad Ramayana, in the beginning we see Sugreeva, who is stripped of his share of the kingdom, his wife and children by his brother Vali. He is in a state where he does not even get proper food clothes. Above all, he is gripped by a fear of death – that at any moment, his brother could send someone and kill him.
On the other hand, we also see Ravana, the ruler of Lanka. Even Lord Hanuman is astounded by the opulence of Lanka and wonders if it were verily Kubera’s or Indra’s wealth.
At the end of Ramayana, we see that Sugreeva is crowned and made the ruler of Kishkinta, whereas Ravana faces utter defeat and finally loses his life.
If we contemplate on what accomplished this change, we see that even in such an adversity, Sugreeva confided in Lord Hanuman, the Sadhu and Guru . Whereas, Ravana ill-treated Lord Hanuman and set fire to his tail, subjecting himself to ‘apachaara’.
Ramayana thus shows us that one should always be in a satsang and in the shadow of his Guru.
[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]