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Vali (Ramayana)

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Vali
Ramayana character
Painting of Vali
In-universe information
Family
SpouseTara
ChildrenAngada
NationalityKishkindha

Vali (Sanskrit: वाली) also known as Bali, was a vanara and the king of Kishkindha in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He was the son of Indra, the husband of Tara, the elder brother of Sugriva, and the father of Angada through his wife, Tara.

Vali obtained a pendant from his father, Indra, that which allowed him to restore his energy even when nearing death, making him a formidable fighter. He banished his brother Sugriva, who had assumed his throne, believing him to be dead. Sugriva sought the assistance of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, to intervene in their conflict. During a duel between the brothers, Rama shot Vali in the chest with an arrow.

Early life

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According to the epic, fourteen types of gems or treasures were produced from the churning of the ocean during the time of the Kurma avatar. Among these treasures were various apsaras (divine nymphs), one of whom was Tara. Tara was produced from the churning of the ocean, and Vali, who was assisting his father Indra in the churning, took Tara and married her.[citation needed]

Vali was courageous, as shown when Tara tried to stop him and begged him not to fight Sugriva, warning that Rama was aiding Sugriva. Vali replied to Tara that, even if he were to face a god in battle, he could not ignore a challenge and remain silent. He added that even if the challenger had been his own son, Angada, or Sugriva's wife, Ruma, he would still accept the fight.[2]

The Quarrel

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According to the Ramayana, a fierce demon named Mayavi came to the gates of Kishkindha and challenged Vali to a fight. Vali accepted the challenge, but as he approached, the demon grew terrified and fled into a cave. Vali entered the cave, instructing Sugriva to wait outside. When Vali didn’t return, and Sugriva heard demonic voices and saw blood oozing from the cave, he mistakenly concluded that Vali had been killed. Sugriva then sealed the cave with a large boulder and assumed the kingship of Kishkindha. However, inside the cave, Vali had defeated and killed the demon and soon returned home. Seeing Sugriva acting as king, Vali believed his brother had betrayed him. Though Sugriva tried to explain his actions, Vali refused to listen, forcing Sugriva to flee to Rishyamuka Mountain, the only place Vali couldn’t enter due to a curse from the sage Matanga.[3]

Vali's pendant

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Vali was granted a golden pendant by his father, Indra. According to the Valmiki Ramayana, the pendant significantly increased Vali's energy during combat.[4]

Vali wore the powerful pendant given to him by his father, Indra, during his battle with the demon Dhundubhi and defeated him. The Valmiki Ramayana also describes Vali as having great strength, although it does not mention any duel between Vali and Ravana.

Rama meets Sugriva

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While wandering in the forest with his brother Lakshmana in search of his wife Sita, who had been kidnapped by the rakshasa king Ravana, Rama encounters the rakshasa Kabandha and kills him, freeing him from a curse. The freed Kabandha then advises Rama to seek Sugriva’s help in finding Sita.[5]

As Rama continues his journey, he meets Hanuman and is impressed by his intelligence and oratory skills, which also boosts his confidence in Sugriva. Sugriva then tells Rama the story of how Vali became his enemy. In Sugriva's version, he is entirely innocent, and Rama believes him.[6]

Sugriva is very fearful of Vali and doubts that Rama can defeat him. He tells Rama many remarkable stories of Vali's strength and, as proof, shows him a hole in a sal tree that Vali had made with a single shot. When it is Rama's turn, he pierces seven sal trees in a row with one arrow. After passing through the trees, the arrow even strikes a large rock, splitting it into pieces. Delighted, Sugriva exclaims, "O Rama, you are great!"

Rama asks Sugriva to challenge Vali and lure him outside of Kishkindha. As Rama explains later, he has been unable to enter a city for 14 years. Additionally, Rama does not want to provoke an unnecessary bloodbath with Vali's army, with whom he wishes to maintain friendly relations. Despite this, killing Vali would not be impossible for Rama, as Sugriva and Vali are identical twins. Just a few days earlier, Rama had killed Khara and Dushana along with their army of 14,000 rakshasas.

Sugriva formed an alliance with Rama, who had been traveling across India in search of his kidnapped wife, Sita. In return for Rama's help, Sugriva asked for assistance in defeating Ravana and rescuing Sita. Together, they devised a plan to topple Vali from the throne.

A stone bas relief at Banteay Srei in Cambodia depicts the combat between Vali and Sugriva. In the middle, the two brothers are shown fighting. To the right, Rama fires his bow. To the left, Vali lies dying in the arms of another monkey.

Sugriva challenged Vali to a fight. When Vali emerged to meet the challenge, Rama stepped out from the forest and shot him with an arrow, killing him.

The dying Vali told Rama, "If you are searching for your wife, you should have come to me for help and friendship. Whoever took Sita, I would have brought them to your feet, at your mercy."[7]

Vali asked the following questions:[8]

  • He made my wife a widow and stole my kingdom. What was my crime?
  • Even if I committed a crime (with my brother), what is your right to kill me? I would have helped you in getting Sita; your father King Dasharatha helped my father King Indra to fight against rakshasas.

Rama makes the following replies to Vali:

  • The younger brother should be treated like a son. Even if he made a mistake you should forgive him, especially when he promised to respect you for your whole life.
  • About his authority, he said he had permission from King Bharata to spread righteousness and punish evils. You lost your kingdom while fighting with Mayavi and you are no more a king, so how can I ask you for your help?
Killing of Vali

After Vali's Death

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After the death of Vali, Sugriva recaptures his kingdom and regains his wife, Ruma. Angada, the son of Vali and Tara, is appointed Yuvaraja, or crown prince.[9]

Rama's slaying of Vali held special significance. Initially, Vali argued with Rama about his killing, but Rama explained the various purusharthas and how everything was preordained according to the kalachakra, ultimately granting him moksha. Vali was then convinced and asked his son Angada to stand by his uncle Sugriva and assist in the divine work of Rama.[citation needed]

Vali's son, Angada, joined Rama's army and was given important responsibilities in the war against Ravana.[10]

The miniature panel in Pullamangai, Pasupathi Koil, Thanjavur captures the scene of Vali's death. Tara his wife, Angada his son, his brother Sugreeva and other Vanaras are lamenting his death.

Rebirth as Jara

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Because Rama had killed Vali, he blessed Vali, stating that he would die from an arrow he would fire while disguised when he took the incarnation of Krishna. Later, Vali was born as Jara the hunter in Dvapara Yuga destined to kill Krishna, the next avatar of Vishnu, in the same manner as foretold by Rama. While searching for prey in the forest, Jara saw what he thought was a deer, but it was actually Krishna's bare foot. However, Vali's rebirth as the hunter Jara is not mentioned in either the Valmiki Ramayana or the Mahabharata.

He shot an arrow with an iron mace attached to it. This event took place at a location known as Bhalka Tirtha, situated in western India in the state of Gujarat. It marks the spot where Krishna's disappearance occurred, signifying the end of Dvapara Yuga and the commencement of Kali Yuga.

References

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  1. ^ As per Kathasaritsagara
  2. ^ Silas, Sandeep (27 May 2012). "By myself in Bali". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  3. ^ Bhat, Rama (September 2006). The Divine Anjaneya: Story of Hanuman. iUniverse. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-595-41262-4.
  4. ^ "Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda - Sarga 11". www.valmikiramayan.net. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Episode 173 – Hanuman nurtures friendship between Rama and Sugriva!!!". The Indian Dharma. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Lasting friendship". The Hindu. 1 April 2012. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Friendship of Śrī Rāma & Sugreeva, and Vāli Vadh by Śrī Rāma". lordrama.co.in. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda". www.valmikiramayan.net. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Dussehra Special: Why and how did Ram kill Kishkindha's King Bali? How did Bali avenge his death? - FYI News". India Today. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Who was Angad? What is Angad's role in Ramayana?". www.timesnownews.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
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