Friday, March 6, 2020

Why Rama seeked help from Sugriva instead of Vali?

Rama killed a demon named Kadamba while wandering in the forest with his brother Lakshmana in search of his kidnapped wife Sita by Ravanasura. Then Kadamba freed from a curse and advised Rama to seek help from Sugriva to find Sita.

On his way to meet Sugriva, Rama met Hanuman, dear friend of Sugriva and got amazed by his talents, skills and intelligence. Hanuman took Rama and Lakshmana to Sugriva. Sugriva asked Rama's help to kill his elder brother Vali, in return, to defeat Ravana and rescuing Sita and explains his story of how Vali became his enemy:

The demon bull Dundubhi was killed maliciously by Vali. Later Maayavi, son of the Dundubhi decided to take revenge for his father's death. His body structure was many more times bigger and stronger than his father. 

One fine day he came in front of Vali and provoked to fight by his haughty words. Vali told him that if he did not bow to him that instant and flee forever, he would be given no mercy in the brewing fight. But Maayavi stood stubborn and challenged.

Vaali put on his battle armor and ordered Sugriva to accompany him in the battlefield but not to interfere. The battle continued for months with no break, then fatigued Maayavi ran into a cave to hide himself from Vali. But Vali spotted his stash, instructed Sugriva "you stay outside the cave entrance, if I lose the battle, run the kingdom and continue my son Angada as an in charge of the military" and entered the cave.

Sugriva faithfully followed his brother's orders for two years. But one day, Sugriva saw the heavy flow of red blood raging out of cave. Then agonized Sugriva shouted for Vali, but of no response. His family and soldiers convinced him about Vali's death, then all returned to the castle.

Then the elders advised Sugriva to take in charge of the kingdom, because Maayavi might come out of the cave and claim to include Kishkinda as his own acquaintance. Sugriva obeyed their advice.

After many days, amazingly Vali came and stood before Sugriva. Sugriva went to hug Vali out of busted happiness. But mistaken Vali yelled that "you tried to trap me in the cave for your own selfish reasons. I will kill you for your betrayal". Sugriva tried to explain, but Vali least bothered his words and attacked.

Sugriva understood the mess he was in, remembered Matanga's curse to Vali and escaped to his mountain. Later, con minded Vali lived in with Sugriva's wife without her interest in him.

After listening to the Sugriva's story version, Rama soothened him with his kind words and promised him he would kill Vali. As advised by Rama, Sugriva decorated himself with a garland and challenged Vali to a fight. Because brothers were identical twins and Rama needed clue to differentiate. Both started wrestling furiously with each other, after a while Rama emerged from the forest and killed Vali with an arrow from the back of a tree, as Vali was blessed with a boon that his opponents would instantly loose half of their strength before him.

Vali asked Rama while dying that "I could have helped you to find your wife Sita, whoever your opponent would be and brought them to your feet! Sugriva made my wife widow and stole my kingdom. What is my crime? Even if I committed a crime, what is your right to kill me?"

Then Rama replied to Vali, "Despite of mistakes, younger brother should be treated like a son, especially when he promised to respect you for your whole life. He took permission from the elders about his authority, you did not show any interest to know back and forth facts, raised to kill your own brother. Dharma is on Sugriva's side, so I supported him".

Convinced Vali asked his son Angada to stand by his uncle Sugriva and assist in the work of Rama.

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