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Vali Vadham 8

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Hari Krishnan • November 7, 2001 


The point of ambush


That is why, Right Hon'ble Srinivasa Sastriyar, commenting on this scene observes thus.  "On the other hand, it is very interesting to see how at the very first talk between Rama and Sugriva, Lakshmana says to Hanuman on behalf of his brother. 'My brother and I are seeking asylum at the hands of Sugriva.  My brother, having been a wealthy man, distributed all his wealth before he left Ayodhya, and he attained great fame.  Having been himself the protector of the world, he now seeks the protection of Sugriva.  Rama, on whose favour the world used to wait, has now come to the very door of Sugriva, asking for his favour or prasada.' 

"Many other slokas may be quoted.  It shows the perfect contrast between the attitude of Sugriva and Vibishana when they approached Rama.  Rama sought the protection of Sugriva and Vibishana sought the protection of Rama.  That settles everything.  In every respect therefore Sugriva was the equal of Rama and each needed assistance from the other.  They were therefore on a similar or co-ordinate footing."

There are several points that are adduced against Rama, in killing Vali.  The above is one point that deserves our attention when studying the Vali episode.  Another is the idea of killing Vali with a single arrow, ambushed behind a tree.  There was no such idea, initially, says Sastriyar.  He points out this Sloka when the accord of friendship was reached.  "I shall dispose of the notorious Vali, who has wrested your wife. Infallible are these sharpened shafts of mine, glorious as the sun.  Covered (at the end) with the feathers of buzzard and provided with a momentum, and shining brightly like the thunderbolt of the mighty Indra, (the lord of paradise), these arrows with pointed heads and straight joints will descend like angry serpents on that Vali of immoral conduct.  See Vali struck down today on earth like scattered mountain with pointed shafts resembling venomous serpents."

He points out the use of plural, arrows.  Initially it was Rama's idea to kill Vali in a straight fight and that is why he speaks about the use of 'arrows' instead of 'arrow.'  But things take a different shape, when Sugriva is not able to believe in Rama's prowess and puts him to test, once by asking him kick the skeleton of Dundhubi over a distance of 'two hundred bows' length.'  Rama did so.  But Sugriva was still not convinced.  He says that doesn't set his mind at rest.  Vali did the very same thing, of kicking the carcass of Dundhubi to an equal distance.  But Vali was drunk at that time, and that would have limited the power of his kick.  More over, this was a mere skeleton now what Rama kicked, whereas it was a freshly killed body, full with the weight of flesh and blood.  He then puts Rama to another test, that is, to shoot an arrow through at least one of the seven sal trees.  Rama pierces all the seven sal trees with a single arrow.  

At that point of time, a delighted Sugriva tells Rama, "Who is the man that can stand in front of your and fight you?  There is no man who can do it, because you have done all this, destroyed so many things with a single arrow."

Sastriyar emphasises here.  "The single arrow idea comes in now, as between them in conversation.  I want you just to lay hold of these little points.  They are not little, because we are puzzled to find out the mentality of Sri Rama and we cannot go and ascribe to him all sorts of dishonourable motives.  Let us therefore remember that now for the first time, the idea of a single arrow comes in, the idea of how much can be exercised by a single arrow when it is directed properly by Sri Rama."

This is another point that deserves our attention.  



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