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Vali Vadham 20

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Hari Krishnan • December 11, 2002 


The case restated


We have been discussing the preliminaries to the Vali Episode this long.  We have not even touched the fringe of the issue.  Nor can we do so for a couple of days more until we see the complete background as shown by the two Poets and the deviations that Kamban makes so that these can be reviewed in full when we reach the actual scene, when Vali argues his case against Sri Rama and how Kamban justifies the act of Rama.  I am stating this here because several readers - or that is the impression I get from their mails - seem to believe that we are discussing the justifications in favour of or against Rama, in this particular instance.  No.  We have not yet entered into the subject.  We are just looking at how it started and how it develops.  Because this forms the basis of Kamban's portrayal, it is important to see them as elaborately and as minutely as possible before we discuss the actual issue and try to find answer to the other major criticisms.  

Yesterday, we saw Kamban making another deviation from Valmiki.  The ornaments of Sita are shown to Rama immediately after Sugriva and Rama became friends.  Here in Kamban, the ornaments are shown after the test.  Kamban has built the drama and rearranged the events so carefully to emphasise the fact that it was Saranagathi that was granted to Sugriva, rather than a you-do-this and I-do-that pact.  By this reordering of events, Kamban suggests that Rama did not know the existence of such valuable evidence available with Sugriva.

Let us recapitulate the events thus far.  Rama approached Sugriva for his help in his search for Sita.  Sugriva had a grievance and he wanted the protection of Rama.  Sugriva, without answering Rama or assuring him that he would do whatever he could in assisting him in his efforts, sought his protection.  'saran unaip pugundhEn enaith thaangudhal dharumam endraan.'  I am seeking refuge unto you.  It is your Dharma to protect me.  Though they become friends, Rama still plays the role of a protector only.  Neither Sugriva nor Hanuman who speaks on his behalf make an open request to Rama to kill Vali, though when they are alone Hanuman comforts Sugriva that Vali will be killed by Rama.  

Another thing to be observed is that neither Sugriva nor Hanuman have given any open commitment about their help to be rendered to Sri Rama in return for his help in killing Vali.  In the first instance, they did not ask for the killing of Vali.  It was Sri Rama who assured protection to Sugriva.  

Kamban is eliminating the least little possibility here in showing the ornaments to Rama, after he accomplished what was required of him.  So, till Rama made a promise to dispatch Vali and till he proved his strength to Sugriva, he was not promised of anything nor was he aware of the fact that Sugriva possessed any knowledge about Sita or Ravana who took her by force.  The promise to kill Vali was therefore done not in return for a favour.  It was an act of benevolence that a protector is supposed to show to the one who has surrendered unto him.  

Then what is the difference between these two versions?  How does this Saranagathi serve the purpose?  Saranagathi shows the entire episode in a different light.  But that can be elaborated only after we discuss the killing of Vali.  



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