Hanuman was known for his wisdom and for his scholarship. He was capable of handling even difficult situations with ease. When Sugriva sees Rama and Lakshmana, he is worried. Everything about them suggests that they are warriors. Yet they are not dressed like warriors, but are dressed like ascetics.
Sugriva is afraid that this is all Vali’s doing, and that Rama and Lakshmana are there upon Vali’s instructions. But Hanuman is the one who speaks reassuring words to Sugriva and also tells him that such nervousness and agitation are unbecoming of a king. If Sugriva were to be so agitated, how will he be able to rule over his subjects, asks Hanuman.
Knowing that only Hanuman is capable of making a proper assessment of the intentions of Rama and Lakshmana, Sugriva puts his trust in Hanuman, and asks him to judge what sort of persons Rama and Lakshmana are. Hanuman assumes the guise of an ascetic and approaches the two brothers. One of the questions Hanuman puts to Rama is why His shoulders are unadorned by ornaments. This is to be seen as part of Hanuman’s concern for the Lord, said Bhooma Venkatakrishnan, in a discourse. The Lord’s shoulders are lovely to behold, and Hanuman is worried that someone may cast evil eyes on them! Wouldn’t it therefore be better to hide them with ornaments, is what Hanuman is asking here.
The words are also indicative of Hanuman’s tact. He has to find out who Rama and Lakshmana are — princes or ascetics. Instead of putting the question to them directly, he asks them why they are not wearing jewellery, thus expressing his query in a roundabout way. That is why Hanuman is known for his wisdom and clever words.
