Vali Vadham 54

[Guest guest]

Sugriva and Vibishana Saranagathi

 

 

When we opened this discussion on the Vali Episode, we started with the

suggestion of Kabandha who told Rama that he would need the help of someone to

accomplish his endeavour of vanquishing Ravana and retrieving Sita. He

suggested the name of Sugriva and told Rama that Sugriva is in an almost similar

mental state - of being chased away from kingdom and living estranged from wife

- as that of Rama and will be able to empathise with him much better, as they

have at least one point in common.

 

It has to be remembered here that the fact Vali established his might over

Ravana was revealed to Rama - both in Valmiki and Kamban - only after the

promise of friendship is made. In Valmiki, the friendship is made before fire.

But Kamban does not mention that they became friends with fire as 'saakshi'. It

was just words of assurance and nothing more than that. The word fire is not

mentioned in the verse. Let's see the verse in question once again.

 

'endra ak kurakku vEndhanai iraamanum irangi nOkki,' Rama looked at the Vanara

king with eyes full of compassion 'undhanakku uriya inba thunbangal' whatever be

your pleasures and pains; 'uLLa mun naaL sendrana pOga mEl vandhu uruvana

theerpal' whatever be your pains originating from the past or arising in the

future, I will alleviate. 'anna nindrana enakkum nirkkum nEr ena mozhiyum

nEraa.' All such (pains and pleasures) are mine too and he gave his word for it.

Your pleasures are my pleasures and all your past, present and future pains are

mine. I will do everything in my power to rid you of them.

 

There was a question raised here, on this point. "Whoever is your friend, even

if they are bad (and of questionable character) is my friend. 'un kilai

enadhu.' Your relatives are mine" This is a bit disconcerting to me in that when

discussing Vibishana, you clearly pointed out how he stood by the side of dharma

and defended his action. Now in this column Rama's above mentioned words kinda

give me the impression that Rama was willing to compromise on dharma, so that he

can get Sugriva to help him. This sounds selfish to me...." was the question

raised by a reader. (See: Was he selfish?)

 

This question has to be gone into first before answering why he chose the weaker

of the two.

 

With minor differences, Vibishana and Sugriva are saranagathas - who sought

refuge in the Lord. We have seen that Kamban has built up his drama mainly on

the theme that Sugriva was granted refuge. Even in Valmiki Ramayana Sugriva

says that he is a 'dasa' of Rama, though the latter treats him as his friend.

In his fight against Ravana, Sugriva tells him: "I am a friend and servant of

Sri Rama, O ogre! You shall not be spared this day..." (Valmiki Ramayana,

Yuddha Kanda, Canto 40, Sloka 10)

 

Srinivasa Sastriyar interprets this Sloka as follows. "You know who I am. Rama

and I are allies. I have come here to assist him in his cause. He regards me

as an ally, as if I were a co-ordinate part. Really, I am his 'dasa'. Though

in his judgement an ally, I am truly at heart his 'dasa'."

 

Well, there are three aspects to consider why Rama told Sugriva, 'Whoever is

your friend, even if they are bad (and of questionable character) is my

friend'.