Vali Vadham 53

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Why weaker of the two?

 

 

Let's now take up the question of why Rama chose a comparatively weaker ally,

Sugriva, who did not have any means of helping him when they entered into

friendship. Sugriva was fleeing away from Vali from place to place and did not

possess any great physical power, nor an army, nor access to the portals of

power. His only blessing at that time was Hanuman, who was always with him.

But even Hanuman was not of very great help at that time, for he was under the

spell of the curse that Rishis pronounced on him to stop his mischief at a very

tender age, that made him unaware of his own strength, until at a very later

date when Jambavan reminded him of it. The point is Hanuman was respected more

for his wisdom, communication skills and other knowledge oriented faculties of

his rather than physical might, before Jambavan reminded him of his strength.

 

Otherwise, he would not have also been fleeing all over the world along with

Sugriva, even though he was more powerful than Vali in many respects. He had

boons from almost all the celestials and the Trinity, was blessed with

immortality and was supreme of all monkeys, including Vali. Why did he not

fight with Vali and vanquish him there and then? This question is asked by Sri

Rama himself, in the Uttara Kanda, after his coronation, when Agastya visits

him.

 

"Sri Rama then interrogated the sage having his abode in the southern quarter;

and full of humility, with joined palms, He addressed the following significant

words to him: "Incomparable indeed was the aforesaid might of Vali and Ravana.

The might of the aforesaid two warriors was, however, not equal to Hanuman; such

indeed is my opinion. Heroism, cleverness, strength, firmness, sagacity,

prudence and prowess and power have taken up their abode in Hanuman. ……… I

wonder wherefore, when hostility sprang up (between Sugriva and Vali), Vali was

not consumed as a tree (by fire) by Hanuman with a desire to please Sugriva. I

think, Hanuman was not conscious of his own might in that he (simply) watched

Sugriva (now the supreme ruler of the monkeys), who was dearer to him than his

life, suffering hardships in exile." (Valmiki Ramayana, Uttara Kanda, Canto 35,

Sloka 1-3, 11-12)

 

Sage Agastya replies to this question as follows. "What you say regarding

Hanuman is true, O jewel among the Raghus! None else is equal to him in might,

speed or intelligence. An imprecation was, however, pronounced on him in the

past by ascetics…" (Ibid, Sloka 15, 16) And then Agastya narrates the story of

Hanuman.

 

Just think of it. It was Hanuman who suggested to Sugriva that they could be

safe in Rishyamuka Parvata, remembering that Vali could not enter there. But it

takes him a long time before he thinks of this solution. Had he suggested this

at the beginning itself, it would have saved poor Sugriva and his friends

(including Hanuman himself) from running everywhere and being beaten repeatedly

everywhere by Vali. Amnesia. That's the answer.

 

Therefore, Sugriva was very, very weak when Rama made friends with him. Even

his only source of strength, his closest friend Hanuman, who had grown with him

from boyhood like fire and wind, was of not much use at that time. Sugriva does

mention to Rama that Vali had defeated Ravana (in Valmiki Ramayana) and Hanuman

gives this piece of information in Kamban, to Rama.

 

What then stopped Rama from seeking the friendship of Vali who was far superior,

who was in power and who had the army at his disposal, and most of all who had

already defeated Ravana?