Search:
Bhakti List Archives

Re: Ramayanam and Divya Prabhandam

From the Bhakti List Archives

Hari Krishnan • November 30, 2002 


The necklace of Indra is very much mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana, in detail.  I have quoted chapter and verse in another mail.  On the contrary, Kamban has mentioned the presence of the neckalce just in only one verse.  However, the power of the necklace to bestow Vali with half the strength of the opponent is not mentioned by Valmiki.  That story has a different origin.  Right Hon'ble Srinivasa Sastriyar has this to say on this:

"You know Indra gave a gold garland to be worn by Vali always, especialy when he went to meet teh enemy in battle.  This was believed to have some mystic power to make Vali strong and to assure him of vitory.  But whether it had anything more than that **is not mentioned by our Poet**.  But somewhere else it is narrated and Govindaraja brings it up."  Sastriyar refers to the commentary of Govindaraja, the great commentator of Valmiki Ramayana.  He gives the commentary of Govindaraja of Sloka 39, Canto 11, Kishkindha Kanda.  The Sloka is this:

"Replying to him thus and throwing (about his neck) a chain of gold gifted (to him) by his father, the mighty Indra, Vali stood prepared for an encounter (with the demon), highly enraged."  This sloka is part of Sugriva's narration of the strength and special powers that Vali enjoyed.  The encounter this Sloka refers to, is the encounter between Vali and Dundubhi.  

Srinivasa Sastriyar then points to the commentary of Govindarja on this sloka, which, as translated by him reads thus:

"You will acquire all the strength of your enemy if he comes in front for battle."  It is **complete** strength that the commentator is mentioning.  However, nothing is mentioned about acquiring half the strength of the opponent.  As I have quoted in another mail, in Canto 17 of Kishkindha Kanda Valmiki speaks vividly about the necklace.  But even there nothing is mentioned about its special powers to bestow Vali with half the strength of the opponent.  Once again, the necklace of Vali **is nothing more than a popular myth**.  

I am surprised to see that Sri Murali associates this 'necklace story' with Kamban.   I have not come across more than a single verse, in Kamban that speaks of the necklace.  Even that verse simply says 'Vali was wearing the necklace given by Indra' and nothing more.  Kindly do tell me where in Kamba Ramayana has it been mentioned that Vali would acquire half the power of his opponent.  Please do give reference.  Let my ignorance be wiped clean.

Hari Krishnan

**If at all it is needed**, I am willing to send the two instalments that I had written on this 'issue of necklace', to this list.  



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "vmkrishna26" 
To: 
Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2002 12:21 AM
Subject: Re: Ramayanam and Divya Prabhandam


| dear sri balakrishna,
|            Invincibility of vaali(i.e VAALI GETS 50% OF THE STRENGTH 
| OF HIS ENEMY IN DIRECT FIGHT) due to the presence of necklace given 
| by indra, is not mentioned in valmiki ramayana. It appears in kamba 
| ramayana, i suppose. other members please correct me if i am wrong.
| 
| Rgds
| V.Murali  

Dear SrI Hari Krishnan:

You are welcome to share your write-up in the list.

-Moderator.



--------------------------------------------------------------
           - SrImate rAmAnujAya namaH -
To Post a message, send it to:   bhakti-list@yahoogroups.com
Group Home: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bhakti-list
Archives: http://ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/
 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/