Rama to Vali

[Guest guest]

> > There is a popular story that after shooting Vali, Lord Rama benedicted

> > Vali that he would be able to shoot Him in the next life. Apparently

> > this supposed lila is not from Valmiki Ramayana but is an interpolation.

> >

> > Does anyone know clearly?

>

> This story is found in the Oriya version of Ramayan composed by the poet

> SaDala Das.

 

It may also be in other regional versions of Ramayan. Although such regional

editions are much revered in their language areas, our acaryas always defer

to Valmiki as the authority on Rama-lila. So unless this incident is

specifically accepted by our acaryas, it cannot be considered authorized and

thus it would be improper to propound it. It doesn't seem to fit with the

Bhagavatam version (see below), which states that it was Bhrgu Muni, not

Vali, who became the hunter Jara, and that Bhrgu's taking that role was due

to Bhrgu's offense.

 

The story of Vali getting the opportunity to take revenge on Lord Rama seems

against the spirit of bhakti. Rather, it was a benediction for Vali to have

been killed by Rama. Of course, in lila there may be many subtle

considerations, but nevertheless this tale should probably be considered

doubtful unless proved otherwise.

 

 

 

 

In order to counteract the offense of improperly placing his foot on the

Lord's chest, Bhrgu had to take birth as a degraded hunter. But even though

a great devotee willingly accepts such a low birth, the Personality of

Godhead cannot tolerate seeing His devotee in such a fallen condition. Thus

the Personality of Godhead arranged that at the end of Dväpara-yuga, when

the Lord was winding up His manifest pastimes, His devotee Bhrgu, in the

form of the hunter Jarä, would cast the arrow into a material body created

by the Lord's illusory energy. Thus the hunter would become remorseful, gain

release from his degraded birth and go back to Vaikuntha-loka.

 

============ REF. SB 11.6.35 purport.