Rama and Sugriva entered into a pact of friendship in the presence of Hanuman and other Vanaras. The giving and receiving between these two friends will drive the Kanda ahead. First, Rama is going to provide help to alleviate the sorrow of Sugriva and Sugriva in turn will help Rama mitigate his woes. This will succinctly be the main force behind all the action ahead. Rama is going to help Sugriva by reinstating him as the king of Kishkindha after eliminating his brother Vali. The story behind the enmity between Vali and Sugriva is seen in the last post. While Sugriva is powerful, Vali is much more powerful than Sugriva invoking fear and becoming the reason behind his fleeing. For the Vanara army to unite behind Rama and Sugriva in search of Sita, there should not be a wrong foe in between who goes against the reasons behind their forging a friendship. To regain the lost territory and uplift from his woeful life, Sugriva needs to eradicate Vali. How this is done will be seen in the next many chapters and to know the enemy better, the mighty strength of Vali is put in front of Rama immediately.
In chapter 11, Sugriva narrates Vali's bravery and intrepidity in fighting and how he fought with a mountainous buffalo demon named Dhundubhi. Also narrated is the curse of Sage Matanga that prohibited Vali's entrance into Mt. Rishyamuka area. In order to imbibe confidence in Sugriva, Rama displayes his valour and might.
Upon Rama’s assurance to kill Vali, Sugriva felt free and fearless. He knew Rama's arrows could incinerate the three worlds if ever his anger was aroused. He wanted Rama to know all about Vali so he said, "Rama listen to me of Vali's might before you meet him. Rising long before the Sun, he traverses the four oceans offering them his worship. With his endless energy and matchless strength, he can uproot massive trees and break mountain peaks. At that time there lived an Asura named Dhundubhi who had the strength of a thousand elephants, the body of a giant and a mind deluded into believing that his might had no match. That arrogance one day led him to the ocean whose white crested waves rose and fell and whose depths hid priceless gems. Entering the billowing sea, he challenged it to war. Looking at the demon whose form was not human and whose life was soon to cease, the sea lord said, "I am not the one to fight with you Dhundubhi. In the land of the ascetics lives the father-in-law of Lord Siva whose name is Himavanth. He is the Lord of mountains and a fit opponent.
Taking the sea Lord's refusal to combat for fear, Dhundubhi turned around and shot away like an arrow released towards the Himalayan groves. Reaching his destination he hurled himself on the mountains dislodging boulders the size of elephants. Himavanth appeared in human form on his own summit, like a soft white cloud and said, "Do not trouble me Dhundubhi, I am not fit to fight. I am the abode of many holy men and I cannot disturb them". Dhundubhi's eyes turned red as he bellowed out his rage, "Is this denial because of fear or is it lack of skill? I need to fight, and fight now. Tell me of an equal who can face me." Annoyed at Dhundubhi's haughty insistence Himavanth said, "In the city of Kishkindha lives the majestic Vanara, Vali whose skills of combat are without equal. He is unconquerable and invulnerable". Excited at the prospect of meeting his match, Dhundubhi arrived at the portals of Kishkindha booming like a kettledrum. The earth shook as the Rakshasa tore at trees, cleaved the ground with his hooves and battered the gates with his horns.
Disturbed and angered by the uproar, Vali came out followed by the women of the palace. His voice thundered above the clamor as he said, "I know who you are Dhundubhi, why are you breakings the gates? Go away, save your life." But the foolish intruder stood his ground saying, "You are a bragger Vali. Fight me and prove your strength. If you so desire I will give you time till the morrow to revel with your women. I will wait, for he who kills the intoxicated, the unwary, the sleeping, the unarmed and the likes of you who are stupefied by passion, is deemed a murderer. He is held as guilty as having killed an unborn infant."
Vali dismissed the ladies. He looked at Dhundubhi and smiled mockingly, "If you are not afraid of fighting me, do not consider my stupor. This passion of which you accuse me will now manifest as the arrow of victory. Putting on the golden chain that his father Indra had gifted him Vali fell on Dhundubhi and each wanting to emerge triumphant, they both fought furiously. Vali finally held his enemy by his horns, hurled him around and threw him on the ground. Dhundubhi roared with pain as blood gushed out of his ears and life imperceptibly drifted out of his body. Picking up the lifeless form, Vali flung it a league away. And as it went hurting, drops of blood fell on the hermitage of sage Matanga. The power of his penances enabled the great sage to visualize the culprit behind the atrocity and he pronounced his curse, "May he who bears the blame of this act die if he ever ventures within a league of this place. I demand that every Vanara leave this place now or turn into a stone to remain here for a thousand years." The Vanara hoards fled and reaching Kishkindha told their king of the curse. Vali hurried to the sage to seek forgiveness, but Matanga would not even meet Vali, who went back full of fear and remorse.
It was that curse which rendered Rishyamukha out of bounds for Vali and a safe haven for Sugriva. Rama was then shown the mountainous skeletal remains of Dhundubhi and the seven Sala trees, any one of which Vali could pierce with a single arrow. It was Sugriva's way of inferring that Vali's might was such that he may even vanquish Rama. Rama quietly picked up Dhundubhi's skeleton with his toe and tossed it, to land ten leagues away from where it had rested. But Sugriva was not impressed. He said that Vali's strength could still be superior to Rama's, as Dhundubhi's body must have surely weighed more than his skeleton." If you too can cleave a Sala tree with your arrow, you could be his equal perhaps", suggested Sugriva.
In chapter 12, Rama to imbue confidence in Sugriva hurtles his arrow that penetrates seven sala trees and also the subterranean planes of earth and returns into his quiver. Sugriva obliging the prowess of Rama submits himself to Rama, who encourages Sugriva to challenge Vali for a duel.
Noticing Sugriva's wavering confidence in him, Rama took out the gold tipped arrow that left his bow like a streak of lightening. After splitting all the seven Sala trees and the mountain, the arrow dived into the earth and shot out instantly to plunge into the quiver where it belonged. The incredible display lasted but for one ear-splitting moment under Sugriva's disbelieving gaze. In the silence that followed the awe struck Vanara prostrated to Rama. He wondered aloud how any one could vanquish him whose superb skills were beyond comprehension. Basking in Rama's precious friendship, Sugriva once again begged Rama, "In anguish and fear I endure a life of woe. Get me my wife, my empire and kill Vali my enemy, masquerading as my brother. Embracing Sugriva, Rama asked him to go to Kishkindha and challenge Vali to battle while he and the others would watch, hidden in the woods just outside the city.
Upon reaching Kishkindha, Sugriva's teeth were clenched in anger, a passion lit his eyes and a tempest brewed in his heart. He roared out his defiance shattering the silence of the night. The earth shuddered beneath his proud and haughty tread as he strode purposefully to vent his vengeance. Hearing the commotion Vali sprang out like the rising Sun, coming out from behind mountains. In a great rage he fell on Sugriva and the two brothers pounded each other with their fists, whose power was equal to that of 'Indra's Vajra'. Like the twin Aswinis, the two Vanaras were impossible to differentiate, and the perplexing identities made Rama wary of releasing his arrow. Meanwhile Vali's supreme might left Sugriva battered and bleeding, who unable to take any more blows fled towards Rishyamukha. Remembering Matanga's curse Vali left in disgust.
Safe in the Matanga grove, Sugriva was aggrieved and to add insult to injury he felt humiliated. Hanging his head in shame he voiced his complaint looking at Rama "You asked me to invite Vali to a fight and got me trounced. What have you done? If only you had told me you could not kill Vali, I would never have ventured here. Rama quietly tried to impress it upon Sugriva, that he could not shoot at Vali, as their identities were so confusing. It is an unpardonable transgression to slay, even by mistake the one who has sought and been granted asylum. Since I saw no difference between the two of you, I had no choice but to hold my arrow". Rama then suggested that Sugriva go back wearing a garland of the Gajapushpi to differentiate him from Vali. With renewed confidence Sugriva once again marched towards Kishkindha.
In chapter 13, after encouraging Sugriva to challenge Vali for a second time duly wearing a flower garland as a mark of identification between the two brothers, Rama and others proceed to Kishkindha. On their way, they chance to see a divine hermitage called sapta jana aashrama 'Hermitage of Seven Sages.' On worshipping it they proceed to Kishkindha.
Protected by Rama's divine weapons, accompanied by Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Nala and Nila, Sugriva walked through the most enchanting groves, mountains and caves. Shimmering lakes and rippling rivers sparkled like diamonds sporting the most exotic buds and blooms of water lily. Beautiful birds flew the blue skies and elephant herds colored the panorama like dark gray clouds. As they journeyed on, Rama asked of a little green grove filled with many banana plants that came into view. Sugriva said that seven great ascetics, known as the Saptarishis had once inhabited it. After living for seven hundred years on nothing but air, which they took, every seventh day, they had bodily reached the land of gods. "None, neither the gods nor the Asuras can penetrate the wall of trees that surround the hermitage". Paying respect to such great souls wards off inauspiciousness and disease. So do pay them obeisance", said Sugriva. That done, charmed by the captivating display of nature, the little army marched, looking forward to combat and victory. They soon sighted the invincible fortress of Vali, hard to even behold for his enemies.
In chapter 14, Sugriva again requests Rama to ascertain whether he is prepared to eliminate Vali this time. Rama assures Sugriva that he will not deviate from what he has promised, and he never would, and asks Sugriva to challenge Vali by inviting him for a duel. Sugriva blares out inciting Vali to the duel.
Just outside Kishkindha was a thick fort like jungle where Sugriva's companions hid. Sugriva alone went ahead chafing for war vengeance and victory. He told Rama that they were now in the land of the Vanaras with its gates of gold, weapon lined battlements and bristling banners. He also reminded Rama that it was now the time for him to fulfill his promises. "Yes" said Rama, pledging that he would forever liberate Sugriva from his fears and enmity of Vali. "That strength which destroyed the Sala trees will now destroy Vali. Do not ever doubt me Sugriva. Bound by dharma, even in the midst of the greatest calamities I have not resorted to anything opposed to truth nor will I ever. Now call Vali. Boastful of his victories, unafraid, arrogantly aware of his strength and ever ready to battle, he will come bounding. The valiant do not brook defiance especially if challenged in the presence of women". Sugriva's roars seemed to rend the skies as he followed Rama's counsel. Cattle turned pale and fearful like women pursued by evil men, petrified deer lost their speed and birds fell to earth. Raging like a tempest, heaving like the wind lashed ocean, Sugriva chafed for war.
In chapter 15, lady Tara, granddaughter of Brihaspati, the Jupiter and wife of Vali enters. Here she advises Vali not to confront Sugriva, as long as Rama stands guard to him. Further she says after a logical discourse and reasons, why not Sugriva be made the Prince Regent of Kishkindha, even at this juncture, where she foresees a calamity to Vali. But Vali, maddened in his intellect by his brawny might, slights her far-fetching advice.
Armed with the confidence of Rama's support, Sugriva swaggered into Kishkindha roaring like a lion. Hearing the noisy commotion from the inner chambers of his palace and furious, Vali came leaping out. Red with rage he glowed like an arani readied for worship and his angry tread shook the earth, as he raced out to meet his enemy. Tara his wife sprang to her feet holding him gently in her embrace, she cautioned him, "Why this anger that swells like a rain fed torrent? Cast it away my lord. Think, wait for another dawn. You are no less than your enemy and your enemy is no greater than you. This haste is unwise and I will tell you the reason why? Consider on what strength your once humbled foe and fugitive from your wrath has comeback". She felt that Sugriva who had crushed in combat and who had fled in pain and terror would have never returned to fight without help.
Tara continued to dissuade Vali saying Sugriva's voice rang with confidence and that Vali should not even for a moment delude himself into believing that he would emerge victorious. She suspected that Sugriva, being shrewd and intelligent by nature would have never permitted himself to accompany anyone without assessing his strength. And that the might of his ally must certainly be far superior to Vali's. Tara said that their son Angada had been told by the loyal informers who roamed the forest, that those allies were not feeble but a force to reckon with. "They were born of the dynasty of the Ikshvaku, and are none other than Rama and Lakshmana, sons of the great king Dasaratha. Peerless warriors and destroyers of many an Asura they are men of great virtue, respected and revered by the world. Rama's brilliance like the cosmic fire is hard to behold. Bane of his enemies and refuge of the virtuous, he grants shelter to every creature that seeks it. Rama is divine. Against such divinity, I beg you do not wage war." Tara pleaded with great concern to ward off a fight, which would prove disastrous to Vali. She implored him to accept Sugriva, for he would never find any other dearer kin. "As a brother and a warrior let Sugriva stand by you. Make him regent and make him your heir" wailed the queen of Kishkindha. But the lord of the Vanaras unaware of his fast-approaching destruction, was in no mood to heed Tara's anguished pleas.
This concludes chapters 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of Kishkindha Kanda where the conversation between Sugriva and Rama continues. Sugriva apprises about the strength, might of Vali through a story of Vali’s fight with buffalo-shaped demon Dhundubhi and how he kills him by hurling him to mount Rishyamukha. Incensed at the flung and the blood which fell on his place, Sage Matanga curses Vali against entering the mountain which provided a safe habitat for Sugriva to hide. Rama, then displays his valour by piercing seven sala trees with a single arrow before the arrow dives into the earth and sprung out returning to his quiver. A disbelieved Sugriva prostrate to Rama and invites Vali for a fight. Unable to differentiate between the two, Rama doesn’t release the deadly arrow in the battle where Sugriva was taken to the task. Rama then advises Sugriva to wear a garland for identification and call Vali for a battle again. Tara, wife of Vali senses the danger and counsels Vali against the duel. The arrogant Vali pays no heed and how he was taken down in the battle can be seen in subsequent chapters.
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