Vali Vadham 25

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Strange pairs of brothers

 

 

Yes, it was quite surprising that Tara (of Valmiki Ramayana) who went to the

extent of advising Vali to install Sugriva as the Prince Regent did not advise

him to return Ruma to her rightful husband. To think of it, even Mandodhari

could not do so. At least she had an opportunity to give vent to her feelings

when lamenting over the dead body of Indrajit in the presence of Ravana.

'anjinEn anjinEn ach-Seethai ennum amudhaal seydha nanjaal ilangai vEndhan

naaLai ith thagayan andrO?' I am afraid that the king of Lanka would meet such

an end tomorrow because of that Sita, poison made out of manna.

 

Tara or Mandodhari. They had the first right to stop their husbands when they

violated natural laws in coveting the wife of another person. But they could

not do so. Agreed that in those days people had more than one wife. But a

civilised society did not approve of coveting another man's wife, ever. I can

see a wry smile over there. Vali was not a human being. He was an animal. A

monkey. And therefore these laws would not apply to him. Please bear with me

for a while. Let us see the drama as it develops. The point I wanted to make

here is that even Tara who should have been the first to feel offended and

affected by her husband's act in violating his younger brother's wife, despite

her wisdom, despite her love for Vali could not advise him on this. Obviously.

Vali would not have tolerated such an advice!

 

Vali then leapt forward and dashed towards Sugriva. They fought each other with

such fierceness that even Lakshmana was awe struck. 'Look at them brother,' he

told Rama. 'Leave alone the Devas and Asuras. 'ev vElai em mEgam ek kaala ven

thee vev vEru ulagathu ivar mEniyai maanum?' Which sea, which clouds, which

wind or which fire would match their body (in swiftness and speed).

 

And here occurs the famous observation of Rama. Lakshmana could not see two

brothers warring among themselves. It was so totally alien to his nature. He

could not even think of arguing against the views of Rama. That had been his

nature throughout. He could not believe that two brothers could kick, punch,

bite and roll over and over with anger seething out like fire. 'If Sugriva

fights his own brother so furiously, how would he move with strangers? How far

can we trust him?' He asked Rama anxiously.

 

Rama smiled. 'Do not go by the animal instincts that guide these two. 'eth

thaayar vayitrinum pin pirandhaargal ellam,' If all the sons born of any mother,

as younger brother, 'oththaal Bharathan peridhu uthaman aadhal uNdO?' behave

lovingly, affectionately and amiably, how can Bharata be called the best among

brothers? Not all brothers behave like Bharata. There is nobody equal to him

in love and brotherly affection.

 

These are the words uttered to another younger brother, who is the very alter

ego of Rama, who has sacrificed his own life in the service of Rama, who is

happy at his happiness, who is able to nurse him out of bouts of depression, who

is the very epitome of love. Normally such a remark should have offended any

younger brother in the position of Lakshmana. Lakshmana was not offended. He

did not feel bad at all that Rama did not mention his name instead of Bharata's.

But this is a different kind of brotherhood altogether. The scene had a strange

combination of brotherhood. One fighting the other and the other so ready and

happy to serve his elder brother.

 

Let us come back to these two brothers who were bent upon taking the life of the

other.