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Vali Vadham 21

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Hari Krishnan • December 11, 2002 


The decision takes shape


Now that everything is settled, Hanuman feels that this is the time to press for the demand.  Remember.  Rama has already promised and even asked them to show where Vali resided, so that he could be killed.  'avan uraividam kaatu,' was what Rama told Sugriva before he was put to the sal tree test.  After Rama sees the ornaments of Sita and after he is consoled, Hanuman makes the plea, half hesitating and half negotiating.  This is the first time that such a plea is made after they have met.  That is 165 verses after Hanuman's meeting with Rama and 128 verses after Sugriva met Rama.  

'kodun thozhil vaaliyaik kondru,' (unless) the cruel natured Vali is killed, 'kOmagan kadung kadhirOn Magan aakki' and the sun of Son (Sugriva) is made the emperor, 'kai vaLar nedum padai kootinaal andri' (thus enabling him to) call the Vanara army forth, 'nEdal aridhu' it is difficult to search 'adum padai arakkar tham irukkai aaNayaai' the whereabouts of the ogres (who have Sita in their possession).  

In short, 'if Sugriva has to help you, you have first to empower him by killing Vali and making him the king.  Only that would give him access to an enormous Vanara army of 70 vahinis.  Do you know why I ask for this?  Because it is not possible to know in which corner of the world Ravana has kept Sita imprisoned.  If our search is to be effective, it should be undertaken on a massive scale, at the same time.  'oru murayE parandhu ulagam yaavayum thiru urai vEru idam thEra veNdumaanaal' If we have to undertake a global search to find out where she is hidden, 'varan murai naadida varmbu indraal ulagu,' the area to be sieved is so large, (because we have to scour the entire globe) 'arumai uNdu, aLappa arum aaNdum vENdumaal' not only will it be difficult; but also will take a number of years to achieve success in our endeavours.

Okay.  Where are you coming to?  'We need resources.  But the resources are not at our disposal now.  Kill Vali and make this Sugriva the king so that we can do our job properly.'  

Hanuman simply excels in communication and negotiation skills.  We have seen his role as a trusted deputy, already in our earlier instalments.  (Hanuman the Trusted Deputy)  But see how he waits for the right moment to press for the demand.  Now, it was Rama who first gave his word for killing Vali without Sugriva or Hanuman asking for it explicitly.  It is another matter that when they were discussing aside Hanuman tells Sugriva that this was the right person to kill Vali.  After Rama gave his word and gladly went through the tests to prove himself and everything is settled, Hanuman makes the request.  

Hanuman is playing his role as the minister of Sugriva to whom he owes his responsibility and allegiance in the present situation.  He is discharging his duty and doing it very ably and admirably too.  

Let's now see how the decision to kill Vali from behind the tree is made and conveyed.  And let's discuss why this decision was made, in our later instalments, after Vali is killed.



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