SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S
SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ
ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ”)
Srirama kills Vali/ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮನಿಂದ ವಾಲಿಯ ಸಂಹಾರ – III
In a majority of versions of Sri Ramayana, including
Sri Valmeeki Ramayana, it is mentioned that Srirama hit Vali with an arrow by
hiding behind a tree. Further, when Srirama appeared in front of fallen Vali,
the latter took serious objection against Rama for “deceitfully” murdering him.
Srirama is also projected as justifying his action.
It is also stated in some versions that Vali had
secured a boon by which anyone confronting him from front side would lose half
of his power to Vali or fifty percent of the rival would automatically get
transferred to Vali. Several commentators have condemned the second version by
saying that hundreds of demons, who had secured boons of being invincible,
indefatigable and so on, were killed by Rama and other incarnations of Lord
Vishnu. It is also said that there is no information in any version of Ramayana
or its commentaries about Vali having secured such a boon. Even if he should
have secured that boon, Srirama could easily ignore it.
The final battle:
Vali stormed out of his royal palace in Kishkindha and
like an arrow shot from a bow, he rushed towards Sugreeva. A fierce battle took
place between Vali and Sugreeva. Because of the grace and kindness of Srirama,
Sugreeva had become very strong, initially. During that period, Sugreeva
punched Vali frequently with his fist and Vali lost his consciousness for a
while. After Vali recovered, a more severe war began, when the strength of Sugreeva
began declining, steadily. He started looking around for help. Srirama decided
that the time was ripe to fire a sharp arrow. He instructed the arrow to kill
Vali, but not immediately. Vali should be alive for some time.
The arrow pierced through the chest of Vali and halved
his skull, besides breaking other organs. Vali fell on the ground and Rama
slowly went near the fallen Monkey King. Vali wanted to get up and prostrate in
front of Rama but he could not do so. He saluted Rama in his heart and whispered:
“Oh Rama, the royal principle of war prevents anyone
from killing a person fighting against another person, a person with his
attention diverted, an innocent or non-criminal, a person living in a forest
and anyone who is like a beast or animal. I was fighting against Sugreeva and
my whole focus was on defeating Sugreeva. I have not committed any sin and I am
living in a forest. Moreover, I am an animal (monkey). Thus, your act is
against the principles of war. Being a Rajarishi, how could you commit such a
thing? You might be desirous of killing me and eating my flesh. The Shastras
say that animals having five nails can only be eaten. Even among such animals, the
meat of rabbit, porcupine, an animal called Godha which has a small head and
crocodile shape, squirrel, tortoise can only be consumed by Kshatriyas. I do
not belong to any of these five animal species. I am a monkey and Kshatriyas
are not permitted to eat monkey flesh. From that angle too, you have wronged
me.”
Srirama replies: “Oh Vali, you have not understood the
subtlety of philosophy. You are abusing due to your ignorance. You have agreed
that you are a monkey. Monkey is an animal and not human. There is no rule to
kill an animal by going in front of it. One can catch or trap in a net and then
kill it. It can be killed by hiding behind a tree. Black magic can be employed
to kill an animal. Therefore, I have followed the perfect principle as you are
an animal.
Despite being an animal, it appears from the way you
are speaking that you are assuming yourself to be a human being. Even if it is
granted that you are a human being, I can justify my act. Sugreeva is your younger
brother and he has equal right to rule the kingdom. Do you have the authority
to banish him? His wife is like your daughter-in-law. How can you have physical
relationship with her? Is it wrong to punish a morally corrupt person? Yet,
please let me know if you want to survive. I will grant your life.”
Vali realized his plight. He wept and apologised. He
had no voice to speak since Rama had offered to grant “life”. He said:
“My Lord, I blabbered due to despair. Please pardon me
for all the sins. I request you to kindly protect my son Angada. My Lord,
Rishis, saints and the entire humanity prays to at least remember you at the
time of their death. I am so lucky that I am dying at your hands and in front
of you. Therefore, I do not want to live any longer. Please let me die.”
Lord Devendra had given a garland to Vali and he could
not die till that garland was around his neck. He only lost consciousness.
Tara and other women in the royal apartments came to
know about the imminent end of Vali. They ran towards the battlefield. Tara
appealed to Sugreeva not to continue vengeance and to take care of Angada. Vali
recovered a bit, removed the garland from his neck and surrendered it to the
feet of Rama and breathed his last. Sugreeva too wept inconsolably. He had no
enmity with Vali. He loved Vali. It was only because of the threat and fear
that Vali had instilled in his mind that Sugreeva started hating Vali. But, the
hatred died after the death of Vali. After the funeral of Vali, Sugreeva
appealed to Rama to stay in Kishkindha. Rama rejected the request and said that
he was bound by the order of Dasharatha that he should live in forests for
fourteen years. Coronation of Sugreeva will be narrated in the next episode.
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