The might of Vali is seen in the previous chapters where he easily decimated a huge demon Dhundubhi, who himself challenged sea lord, Himavanth - mountain lord and later clashing with, getting killed in the hands of Vali. He was easily the most powerful Vanara and can pierce a Sala tree with his arrow. After the elucidation of Vali’s strength, Rama pierces seven such Sala trees with his matchless arrow in his own display of powers. Sugriva felt meek and prostrated to Rama in disbelief, feeling confident of ending his woes. With the wishes and assurance from Rama of his victory, Sugriva invites Vali for a battle and as the fight progresses Rama didn’t release his arrow since the two brothers looked very similar. This will be rectified by wearing a flower garland and Sugriva again invites Vali for a fight. Sensing the danger from the presence of Rama on Sugriva’s side, Tara, Vali’s wife advice Vali against going into the battle. Overcome by his own arrogance, Vali doesn’t heed the wise words and how his final battle takes shape can be seen in this post.
In chapter 16, Vali dismissing Tara's words, who is dissuading him to confront Rama, starts out to fight out Sugreeva. A ghastly fight ensues in which Vali depletes Sugreeva's strength by the boon and Indra's chest-plate, and thus Sugreeva seeks Rama's help. Rama shoots his arrow which hits Vali on chest, but does not render him dead immediately. Thus that great mighty and unassailable Vali is brought down to ground.
Vali saw no reason to agree with Tara. Not only was her concern met with disdain but questioned. He wanted to know why he should not fight Sugriva, a brother who had turned to an enemy, and why he should suffer Sugriva's arrogant bluster? In his view Tara was a coward who failed to appreciate his prowess and so was advising him to meekly tolerate Sugriva's insolence. "I would rather perish than suffer defiance in silence." seethed Vali. "Sugriva craves to fight and you want me to ignore his challenge? As for Rama, his supreme code of dharma will prevent him from harming me who is innocent". Asking Tara to return to palace, he promised only to destroy Sugriva's arrogance, and not his life. Praying for Vali Tara went back to the palace filled with dread and distress. Hissing like an enraged serpent, Vali looked around for his enemy and his blazing eyes beheld Sugriva's glowing golden hued form. Vali was confident that a single blow would render Sugriva lifeless. Sugriva no less confident uprooted a Sala tree and struck Vali with it. Soon the two massive forms clashed in a fierce fight unto death. No holds were barred and no skill spared, as they clawed, pounded and kicked at each other. Sugriva was tiring and he looked around in fear for Rama to rescue him when swift as the wind Rama's arrow pierced its target - Vali. Promise to Sugriva manifested in the form of an arrow, which sped like the wind, to pierce his target. Like an Asoka tree felled by the raging winds, Vali fell to lie still on the bare ground. Though grievously wounded, Vali lost neither his life, his luminance nor his valor, for he was wearing the gem studded golden chain, which his father Indra had given him.
In chapter 17, Rama's arrow hits Vali on chest and Vali fallen down. But Vali is not dead yet. When Rama and Lakshmana approach dying Vali, he questions the propriety of Rama in killing him. Vali's questioning explicitly is straightforward befitting to the defeated mighty Vanara King. But implicitly, there are ancient commentaries that deduce many more meanings in picturizing Vali as a devotee of Rama, who wanted to die at the hand of Rama, like Viradha and others, as a means of salvation.
Vali's body fell to earth with the suddenness of a royal standard severed of its mooring strings. As he lay still and dying on the hard earth, neither his life nor his dignity deserted him. Rama came with Lakshmana to see Vali, who wanted to behold the skillful archer who had felled him. Glowing with the brilliance of the Sun dropped down to earth Vali asked Rama, "How can you who endowed with every virtue, who are the very embodiment of dharma famed for purity, compassion and courage strike me even as I was fighting someone else? What have you gained from this? I came here disregarding Tara's warning. It comes as a surprise to me to learn that behind the mask of dharma, you are not only treacherous but also deceitful. Killing me too was wasteful for none of the Kshatriyas, Vysyas or Brahmins, eat the flesh of a monkey or wear its skin. You are an evil doer, who pretends to uphold dharma" "How can you a Kshatriya born of a noble lineage kill anyone in stealth. You are a lowly, wicked person masquerading as a man of peace. If only you had fought me face to face I would have killed you. Why do you not use your might and strength against Ravana your enemy who deserves your wrath? If only you had commanded me I would have found Sita in a day no matter where Ravana had hidden her. Just as all those born are destined to die so will I. It is of no consequence. But slaying me deceitfully was unfair. Tell me why you did this Rama? Only think well before you answer" wounded and weary Vali fell silent gazing at Rama who stood by his side radiant as the Sun.
In chapter 18, Rama explains to dying Vali as to why he gave such a punishment. Rama categorically explains all the questions put by Vali in the last chapter from the viewpoint of scriptures that lay down principle for sanaatana dharma, eternal tradition, as well as raaja dharma, king's duty. Vali finally concludes that there is someone superior to him and thus seeks refuge in Rama.
Looking at the Vanara king who lay spent and silent, Rama said "Unaware of dharma, you disregard its norms in your ignorance. This sea girdled earth with its hills, forests and mountains is ruled by the Ikshvaku dynasty, who alone have the right to reward or punish man, bird or beast. Today Bharata rules with dharma and without blame. You, a Vanara, do not walk the path of honorable kings. Slave to your passions you are not fit to be a king." "Dharma enjoins that an older brother and a teacher of knowledge should be considered equal to one's father and a younger brother as a worthy disciple and an equal of one's son. Dharma is subtle and difficult to comprehend even by the most intelligent of men. How can a Vanara understand it? The divinity that dwells in the hearts of creatures alone is aware of the good and the evil. You are fickle and consult those who are equally fickle. It is like the blind leading the blind. How can you understand dharma?"
"It is unfair to condemn me in your anger. Your brother is like your son and his wife is your daughter-in-law. It is a transgression of dharma to steal and live in sin with your brother's wife even as he lives. For that crime death alone is the punishment. How can a Kshatriya of the race of the Ikshvaku ignore such violation of dharma? A man who lives in sin with his sister, daughter or brother's wife is to be slain ' say the Sastras. Sugriva is as dear to me as Lakshmana. You have stolen his wife and so you die. I have promised Sugriva to kill you. How can I commit a breach of promise? A king who lets go of the guilty, himself becomes the victim of its consequences. Bound by dharma, the rulers of the earth are not at liberty to indulge in rebuke or reward according to their whims. They punish not to make the guilty repent and thus be absolved of their sins." "I have spoken to you keeping your human traits in mind, as you too have ruled and have been revered. I now address the Vanara in you. Men hunt and they do so either hiding or in the open. They shoot at animals whether they stand innocently, defiantly or running for their lives. It is not a crime. Even Rajarshis kill animals whose flesh they do not eat. You are a Vanara who belongs to the animal world and killing you is not a felony. Kings are gods in human forms that roam this earth for the protection of dharma. It does not befit anyone to censure him or her. How can you who are a slave to your every fancy accuse me of disregarding dharma enough of your lamentations Vanara. The irrevocable laws of dharma that have pronounced upon you this sentence of death."
Vali finally realized that the fault was his and not Rama's. He regretted his brash out bursts and begged Rama to forgive him. He praised Rama's patience, his devotion to the welfare of his people and for his impeccable sense of justice. He was overwhelmed by the way Rama had tried to comfort him. Tearfully he prayed Rama to show the same affection to Angada and Sugriva that he would towards Lakshmana and Bharata. He also requested that Tara be spared of humiliation from Sugriva." "Angada blessed with your grace will ably rule Kishkinda" said Vali "as for me a wish had always lingered in me that I should die in your hands. That is the reason perhaps, why I refused to heed Tara's warning and lived through the fight with Sugriva.” Rama gently consoled Vali saying that whatever was destined to happen had happened. He was also to rid himself of his sorrows and concerns, as he had admitted and repented his follies. Then to Vali's joy into his fading mind wafted a soft voice filled with infinite compassion, which said, "He has us Vali, Angada, your son will be safe." It was Rama's voice proving that he was not only a noble friend but also a noble enemy.
In chapter 19, Lady Tara rushes out to reach her slain husband while the monkey generals seek of her to anoint Angada as king immediately or leave Kishkindha, for Sugreeva and his men may come occupying the city. She chides their advises away and proceeds to meet Vali. She arrives at that place, sees Rama and his brother Lakshmana, her husband Vali and his brother Sugreeva. She faints and wails for the departing soul of Vali.
Hearing that Vali was mortally wounded, Tara hurried to his side, with her son Angada. She found the Vanara army fleeing in every direction, as Rama had felled Vali with a single arrow. When Tara asked them how they could desert their master and run like cowards, they advised her to do the same, for death in the form of Rama had slain Vali. Tearful Tara told her advisors that having lost Vali the kingdom was no longer of any use for her. It was then that she saw the lone figure of Vali. He who had killed hordes of Rakshasas single-handed whose fame and might were renowned lay dying in the dust. Tara saw Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva, but the noble lady brooked no resentment against them, as she knew the fault to be Vali's. Looking at Tara and Angada grieve, Sugriva also broke down.
In chapter 20, Tara's lamentation for her departing husband Vali will be seen. She unlike other forest beings who just forsake the dead partner, weeps bitterly for Vali and holds Sugreeva and Rama responsible for the untimely death of Vali. The common nature of humans is portrayed through the Vanara empress.
Tara the beautiful queen of Kishkindha wept as she saw the mightiest of the Vanaras lying on the ground. Venting her torment she said, "My lord what do you want to tell me? It does not befit you to lie in this dust. Is this earth dearer to you than I, for you to abandon me and embrace it? You exiled Sugriva disregarding my counsel, you stole his wife and rebuked me when I offered you advice. And now you reap the consequences. Tara could not bring herself to go back to the palace. Deciding to immolate herself on the funeral pyre she sat disconsolately by Vali's body.
In chapter 21, Hanuman tries to console Tara. He asserts that Angada will not be looked down. Though Vali is put to his plight, Hanuman says that Tara alone is the empress to lead Kishkindha kingdom. But Tara prefers self-immolation along with her husband Vali.
On the vast battlefield of Kishkindha, Tara glowed like a fallen star. Hanuman spoke to her gently, "Tara, who do you weep for? Everyone is but an impermanent bubble. Creatures get what they deserve according to their good or bad acts. The merit or demerit can neither be transferred nor exchanged. It is madness to grieve for those who are dead for even the bodies of them who sorrow are equally transient". Trying to dissuade Tara from throwing herself into the flames of the funeral pyre, Hanuman insisted that only those who had no sons died when their husbands died. Angada was the reason for her to live. He said, "The king who had watched over countless monkeys no longer lives. It is not proper to sorrow for one who has gone to the higher regions by merit of his good deeds. Vali was a scholar; he comforted the sorrowing and forgave them who strayed. Tara you are beyond blame and the only refuge of the Vanaras. Let Angada rule with your support. Let us now cremate Vali and crown Angada. Tara said that even if she had a hundred sons like Angada, she would follow her dead husband. "It is a father and after a father it is his brother who should take the responsibility. Sugriva, you will now have to do whatever is to be done and I will rest where Vali does" insisted Tara.
In chapter 22, Vali recovers from his swoon and gives his parting messages to Sugriva and Angada. He also gives his miraculous pendant, given by his father Indra, to Sugreeva and asks him to assume authority of Kishkindha kingdom, for he won it in this fight. Angada is advised to conduct appropriately for he is becoming a father-less son now. Then Vali breathes his last to pave the way for Seetha's search.
Vali's breath was labored as it struggled for its final escape. Looking around he saw Sugriva to whom he said in a voice ringing with affection, "Driven by fate I exiled you. We were not destined to share either kingship or brotherly love. Take over the throne of Kishkinda. I am on my way to the land of the dead, leaving behind my kingship, my fame, my wealth and my very life. Cherish and protect Angada as your own son. He will be your worthy aid as his might matches yours. Also heed Tara's counsel for she is shrewd and wise. Above all fulfill Rama's wish .Now take this gold chain gifted to me by Mahendra for it will lose its lustre the moment I die". Heart broken and woebegone Sugriva silently accepted the gift. Heart broken and woebegone Sugriva silently accepted the gift. Vali told Angada, that from then on Sugriva would look after him with the same affection as he had always received. He advised Angada to regard Sugriva with the same measure of respect that he had always given him." Never spare an enemy of the kingdom. Be alert in your duties towards your king and master. You should neither be unfriendly nor over friendly. Be good at your subjects". Even as Vali spoke his pain peaked, unable to bear it he rolled his eyes and bared his teeth as the last breath of life left his body.
This concludes chapters 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of Kishkindha Kanda where we had seen Rama striking Vali with an arrow when he is in a clash with Sugriva. Upon being questioned by Vali on the path treaded away from dharma, Rama explains the reasons behind the move. Rama punishes Vali for exiling Sugriva and stealing his wife, with whom he forges a friendship. Rama proves to be a noble enemy by winning over Vali and admitting it was destined to happen as such. Tara, the wife of mighty Vali was inconsolable at Vali’s fate as she decides to immolate herself along with her husband’s funeral pyre. Hanuman tries to dissuade Tara who mentions Angada as the reason to defeat the overflowing gloom. Finally, a parting Vali gifts his gold chain given by Indra to Sugriva while asking him to preside over the throne of Kishkindha. This will conclude the epic Vali’s presence on the land and in the holy epic. The succession and accession to the throne of Kishkindha by Sugriva will be seen in subsequent chapters.
No comments:
Post a Comment