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Vali Vadham 10

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Hari Krishnan • December 5, 2002 


The story of Vali


Since Kamban deviated from the basic idea in Valmiki and presents his case in a different manner, showing Sugriva not only as an ally of Rama but one who has been granted protection against his enemies, almost as it was the case with Vibishana, he is necessitated to make some finer adjustments in the events that follow.  This deviation is built in to show that Rama was playing the role of a protector rather than that of an ally, in killing Vali.  That is why he showed him acting a little funny when Rama approached him for help and sought his protection instead, without in the least realising what he was doing.

Kamban has a preset drama before him that has to be moved towards its end that was predefined.  When he makes a deviation in order to build a defence, he has to see that he presents his case convincingly too.  Since he showed his Sugriva in a slightly more than innocent frame of mind initially, his Sugriva has a very limited scope of asking anything openly from Rama.  Valmiki's Sugriva makes an open appeal to Rama to kill Vali.  "By your goodwill, O lion among men, I hope to recover my darling as well as my sovereignty.  (Pray) handle my hostile elder brother in such a way, O heroic prince, that he may not persecute me any more."  (Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, Canto V, Sloka 30)

Now, it would not be a convincing argument if Kamban's Sugriva asks for the killing of Vali openly, for obvious reasons.  He in fact does not say a word after his initial supplication and conclusion of friendship.  Now that Sri Rama raised the question about the absence of Ruma, the wife of Sugriva, Hanuman takes over to explain.  He narrates the story of Vali and how Sugriva was unfortunate to be chased by his own brother, with an intention of killing him.  

Vali, who was the son of Indra, was a devotee of Lord Shiva and was endowed with extraordinary strength.  He assisted the Devas to churn the ocean of milk in their effort to obtain elixir - amrita.  That is, even they depended on his strength in bring their effort to fruition.  He was so valiant that he tied the mighty Ravana with his tail.  Ravana was desirous of a single combat with Vali in order to establish his supremacy.  Unfortunately he did not know that he was no match for Vali.  He sneaked behind Vali when he sitting in an island, with closed eyes in preparation for meditation.  Vali sensed this and tied Ravana in his tail, jumped over hills and scaled all the peaks, dipped in the oceans seven with Ravana hanging precariously from his tail.  He reached home and tied Ravana over the cradle of Angada, as if he were a toy alive.  Angada, the child in the cradle was so amused at the 'ten headed insect.'  Angada uses this as a point of particular mention when he meets Ravana later, as the emissary of Ram

Vali had other special boons as well.  One such was that Vali would receive half the strength of his enemy, just as he encounters them.  But this is a myth, which will be taken up later, as we proceed.  Sugriva was born to the Sun god and was contented to serve his elder brother for a very long time, until Maayaavi challenged Vali for a single combat.   



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