Did Sugreeva know the real strength of Sri Hanuman before Jambavanta narrates the story of Sri Hanuman?

 

 Valmiki Ramayana

A myth that Sri Hanuman forgot his powers due to curse he had received in his childhood, has been prevalent.

According to Valmiki Ramayana, there was no such curse directed against Sri Hanuman.

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Jambavanta narrates the story of Sri Hanuman in the penultimate Sarga of Kishkinda Kanda.

Now a question arises as to whether Sugreeva knew the real strength of  Sri Hanuman before Jambavanta narrates the story of Sri Hanuman??

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After his banishment by Vali, Sugriva was residing on Rishyamuka hill, as Vali did not dare to enter there. Sri Hanuman and other few Vanaras used to follow him.

Due to his long association with Sri Hanuman, Sugriva knew the greatness of Sri Hanuman. As Sri Rama said that Ravana flew in Southern direction with Sita, Sugriva chose to send Sri Hanuman with the troop, headed by Angada, in Southern direction.

At that point of time Sugriva praises Sri Hanuman.

गतिः वेगः च तेजः च लाघवम् च महाकपे | पितुः ते सदृशम् वीर मारुतस्य महा ओजसः || ४-४४-५

"With your unusual mobility, unstoppable celerity, unremitting vivacity, and untold ability you are identical to your father Maaruti, the Air-god of marvelling dynamism.

तेजसा वा अपि ते भूतम् न समम् भुवि विद्यते | तत् यथा लभ्यते सीता तत् त्वम् एव अनुचिंतय || ४-४४-६ "Or even by your radiancy none on earth is coming to mind who can be a coequal of yours, thereby you alone shall think about that process as to how to access Seetha.  

Observing Sugriva praising Sri Hanuman and reposing faith in the latter, Sri Rama gives his ring to Sri Hanuman for showing to Sita.

अनेन त्वाम् हरिश्रेष्ठ चिह्नेन जनकाअत्मजा | मत् सकाशात् अनुप्राप्तम् अनुद्विग्ना अनुपश्यति || ४-४४-१३

"By this emblematic ring, oh, best monkey, Janaka's daughter Seetha identifies you to have reached her from my proximity, without apprehension."

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Then another question arises, as to why Sugriva, who knew the strength of Sri Hanuman, did not take the help of the latter, in defeating Vali?

The answer could be because Sugriva did not want to take the help from his minister.

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If Sri Hanuman did not receive any curse, then why did Jambavantha praise the former, in the Kishkinda kanda?

It is true that Jambavantha narrated the story of birth of Sri Hanuman. However, we have to understand the style of Sage Valmiki in narrating the story in a subtle manner.

Just before that Angada, the troop leader and son of Vali, was in a mood of fast unto death, for the fear of Sugriva. Though Sri Hanuman tried to console him, he did not listen, as he did not understand the strength of Sri Hanuman.

So thereafter Sri Hanuman remained silent, as he did not want to give advice uncalled for.

Jambavantha, being elder and wise, understood the situation and it was his way of admonishing Angada, to make Angada realise the strength of Sri Hanuman.

We have to remember that Angada was the crown prince of Vanana kingdom.

Jambavantha, while narrating the story of Sri Hanuman in the in front of entire troop, was actually making Angada realise the strength of Sri Hanuman.

That is the subtlety of the story.