Vali Vadham 13

[Guest guest]

The banishment and after

 

As we know the rest of the story, Vali killed Mayavi after some more days and

came to the mouth of the cave, only to find that it was sealed. He kicked the

massive rocks and hillocks blocking the mouth of the cave and came out. He had

a strong reason to misunderstand the intention of Sugriva and he did

misunderstand when he saw him seated on the throne.

 

On seeing him, Sugriva fell at his feet and explained how it happened. "Seeing

you here (without you after a year), I for my part was installed (on the throne)

by the citizens as well as the ministers and not through covetousness (on my

part). You alone are the sovereign deserving of honour, while I am ever your

servant as heretofore. This installation of mine on the throne (of Kishkindha)

was brought about due to your absence. I (hereby) restore (to you) your kingdom

including ministers, citizens and the city (of Kishkindha) which vested (in me)

as a (sacred trust) and which has been rid of (all) thorns." (Valmiki Ramayana,

Kishkindha Kanda, Canto 10, Sloka 4-8)

 

Vali did not listen to him. He was not prepared to believe him. 'adal kadandha

thOl avanai anji veng kudal kalangi em kulam odunga,' Our lot was afraid of him

at his enormous and strong shoulders (when he rose). 'mun kadal kadaindha ak

kara thalangalaal udal kadaindhanan ivan ulaindhanan.' He, with his massive arms

that once churned the ocean of milk, shook Sugriva so fiercely and beat him up

so severely that he could not take it any more.

 

We somehow managed to escape from that place and are residing here, in

Rishyamuka Parvata, which belongs to sage Matanga. It so happened that Mayavi's

brother Dundhubhi - who was in the form of a buffalo - challenged Vali. Vali

killed him and hurled his body over a great distance, which fell close to the

hermitage of sage Matanga, spilling blood over the entire place. That angered

the sage and he cursed Vali, preventing him from entering the precincts of the

hermitage and that he would die instantly if he did so.

 

That curse has been protecting Sugriva and the handful of his followers who went

with him all over the globe before they reached Rishyamuka Parvata. Hanuman then

dropped the bomb. 'urumai endru iavRkku uriya thaaram aam aru marundhayum avam

virumbinaan.' Hanuman answered the query of Rama. Sugriva's wife Ruma was

absent because she was forcefully taken into possession by Vali. That shocked

Rama. This is the first time in Kamban that Rama hears that Sugriva is deprived

of his wife by Vali. (The mention is made at least thrice in Valmiki, by the

time the story reaches a parallel scene.) Rama could not bear the very thought.

 

Remember what Kabandha told Rama? One who is overtaken by the height of

misfortune is served only by another who has met with a similar fate. It was

for Rama to see the plight of Sugriva now. He could, he alone could understand

the agony that Sugriva was passing through at that moment. They have a common

grievance that pulls them together. He could bear it no further. He had

already promised Sugriva to partake in his pleasures and pains and alleviate him

from all his past present and future troubles. For the first time, he is

angered at this injustice. His immediate promise to kill Vali is made.

 

We will see the promise in our next instalment. And answer another question.

How does Sugriva - who is under enormous stress and does not speak anything now

- put Rama under test, for that is an essential part of the story.