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Vali Vadham 50

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Hari Krishnan • December 21, 2002 


The doors of heaven are wide open


Vali then handed the gold chain given to him by Indra that was supposed to give the wearer half the strength of the enemy he encounters, to Sugriva.  "Also wear this ethereal chain of gold, O Sugriva; for the exalted goddess of victory abides in it and may leave it for good (if it remains on my dead body) when I am dead." (Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, Canto 22, Sloka 16)  Wear this for the goddess presiding over it would leave it, if the chain is left on my dead body and thus defiled.  Soon after the chain of gold is removed from his body, Vali dies.

The verses of Kamban however, do not show Vali in such a desperate mood, not a single word of suspicion or uncertainty expressed about the possibility of Sugriva ill-treating Tara or Angada.  We see him speaking with the maturity of a realised soul.  He does not say anything about how Sugriva should treat Tara or protect Angada.  In fact these two names are not mentioned at all in his speech either to Rama or to Sugriva.  

We see the advices that Vali gives to Sugriva and Angada centre around just two points here.  'Do not lament over my death.  I am only leaving for good.  Never falter in your duty to this person, Rama.  Help him in his mission.  That is your duty.  That is what you are supposed to do.'

Vali (in Kamba Ramayana) speaks as a person who is convinced with the intentions of Sugriva and who is clear in his mind about what he would and would not do to them after his death.  It is therefore that we do not find any reference to Angada or Tara when he speaks to Sugriva.  After he completed saying whatever he wanted to say to Sugriva, he turns to Rama and tells him 'mannavarkku arasan maindha' O son of king of kings! (Son of Dasaratha!)  'matru ivan sutrathOdum un adaikkalam' this Sugriva, with all his kith and kin, take refuge in you.  It is for you to protect them.' 'endru uithE uyar karam uchchi vaiththaan.' So saying, he raised his hand and touched Sugriva's head, blessing him.

It is to be seen here that he asks Sugriva to bring Angada to his presence.  That itself is a testimony of his trust.  Once again, he gives his advice to Angada, on similar lines as given to Sugriva.  Turning to Rama he said, 'This is Angada, my son.  'neenira  nirudhar ennum thui adai kanali anna thOLinan.'  He possesses shoulders of fire that would turn to embers the rakshasas like pieces of cotton.  'thozhilum thooyan.'  He is pure in his deeds.  'un kai adai aagum.'  Please take him under your protection.  

This supplication does not say that this is required because he was Vali was not sure of what Sugriva would do.  It simply stops with seeking the protection of Rama for Angada as he sought for Sugriva.  With those words, Vali dies.  The verses do not speak anything about Tara.  Kamban changes the order of events and makes Tara to come only after Vali dies.  

When Vali solicited the protection of Rama for Angada, Rama did something that was unexpected and remarkable.  That stands in testimony to the trust that he placed in Angada, apart from conferring honours on Angada.




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