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Vali Vadham 25

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Hari Krishnan • December 13, 2002 


Strange pairs of brothers


Yes, it was quite surprising that Tara (of Valmiki Ramayana) who went to the extent of advising Vali to install Sugriva as the Prince Regent did not advise him to return Ruma to her rightful husband.  To think of it, even Mandodhari could not do so.  At least she had an opportunity to give vent to her feelings when lamenting over the dead body of Indrajit in the presence of Ravana.  'anjinEn anjinEn ach-Seethai ennum amudhaal seydha nanjaal ilangai vEndhan naaLai ith thagayan andrO?'  I am afraid that the king of Lanka would meet such an end tomorrow because of that Sita, poison made out of manna.  

Tara or Mandodhari.  They had the first right to stop their husbands when they violated natural laws in coveting the wife of another person.  But they could not do so.  Agreed that in those days people had more than one wife.  But a civilised society did not approve of coveting another man's wife, ever.   I can see a wry smile over there.  Vali was not a human being.  He was an animal.  A monkey. And therefore these laws would not apply to him.  Please bear with me for a while.  Let us see the drama as it develops.  The point I wanted to make here is that even Tara who should have been the first to feel offended and affected by her husband's act in violating his younger brother's wife, despite her wisdom, despite her love for Vali could not advise him on this.  Obviously.  Vali would not have tolerated such an advice!

Vali then leapt forward and dashed towards Sugriva.  They fought each other with such fierceness that even Lakshmana was awe struck.  'Look at them brother,' he told Rama.  'Leave alone the Devas and Asuras.  'ev vElai em mEgam ek kaala ven thee vev vEru ulagathu ivar mEniyai maanum?'  Which sea, which clouds, which wind or which fire would match their body (in swiftness and speed).  

And here occurs the famous observation of Rama.  Lakshmana could not see two brothers warring among themselves.  It was so totally alien to his nature.  He could not even think of arguing against the views of Rama.  That had been his nature throughout.  He could not believe that two brothers could kick, punch, bite and roll over and over with anger seething out like fire.  'If Sugriva fights his own brother so furiously, how would he move with strangers?  How far can we trust him?'  He asked Rama anxiously.

Rama smiled.  'Do not go by the animal instincts that guide these two.  'eth thaayar vayitrinum pin pirandhaargal ellam,' If all the sons born of any mother, as younger brother, 'oththaal Bharathan peridhu uthaman aadhal uNdO?' behave lovingly, affectionately and amiably, how can Bharata be called the best among brothers?  Not all brothers behave like Bharata.  There is nobody equal to him in love and brotherly affection.

These are the words uttered to another younger brother, who is the very alter ego of Rama, who has sacrificed his own life in the service of Rama, who is happy at his happiness, who is able to nurse him out of bouts of depression, who is the very epitome of love.  Normally such a remark should have offended any younger brother in the position of Lakshmana.  Lakshmana was not offended.  He did not feel bad at all that Rama did not mention his name instead of Bharata's.   But this is a different kind of brotherhood altogether.  The scene had a strange combination of brotherhood.  One fighting the other and the other so ready and happy to serve his elder brother.

Let us come back to these two brothers who were bent upon taking the life of the other.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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