4. The Bond of Friendship and the Struggle for Justice
Rama, sad and anxious, asked Sugriva about the whereabouts of Ravana. Sugriva, overwhelmed by Rama’s agony, replied, “Unfortunately, I do not know where Ravana lives. But rest assured, I will soon find out. I will leave no stone unturned in my efforts to rescue Sita Devi. I too have lost my wife to Vali. However, we must not make ourselves even more miserable by losing hope and patience.”
A True Friend
Consoled by Sugriva, Rama wiped his tears and said, “Sugriva, you have spoken like a true friend. I am fortunate to have you as my friend and guide. Please do your best to gather all information about Ravana and to rescue Sita. Tell me frankly what you expect of me. You can certainly depend on me to vanquish Vali. I have never made a false promise until now, and I will never do so in the future.”
The Shared Burden of Loss
Sugriva and his companions were delighted to hear these words. Sugriva responded, “I am glad you can feel the depth of my agony. Vali has taken away my wife. How can I forget that humiliation? Vali is not satisfied merely with driving me from my home and land; he has tried several times to kill me. Although all those sent by him to kill me were killed by me, I pass my days in continuous fear. You can imagine what would have happened to me had I not been constantly protected by Hanuman and a few other dear lieutenants.”
A Promise of Strength
<p“As far as Vali is concerned, he should fall to a single arrow from my bow. He shall meet his end as soon as he comes before me,” assured Rama.
Vali’s Power
Sugriva narrated the strength Vali possessed and the discipline he followed. Vali would rise before dawn, bathe in four oceans, and offer his prayers. He would then lift enormous rocks and uproot large trees to test his strength.
Vali had once killed the demon Dundhuvi, who was as strong as a thousand elephants. Dundhuvi, boasting of his strength, went to the sea and challenged it to combat, but the sea advised him to seek the Himalayas instead.
A Challenge Accepted
Upon arriving at the Himalayas, the spirit of the mountain warned Dundhuvi to stop disturbing the sages meditating there. In anger, Dundhuvi sought Vali’s challenge. Vali emerged from his palace and mocked Dundhuvi’s empty bravado, eventually preparing for battle.
After a fierce fight, Vali defeated Dundhuvi, whose body fell near the Ashram of the sage Matanga. The aghast sage cursed Vali, declaring he would die if he ever approached the Ashram again. This curse proved to be a boon for Sugriva, who took shelter there.
A Test of Strength
After narrating this tale, Sugriva showed Rama the corpse of Dundhuvi still lying there and pointed to seven strong sal trees. “Vali can pierce any of these trees. O Rama, how can you kill him, who is so strong?”
Lakshmana smiled and asked, “Sugriva, what will give you faith in our strength?” Sugriva replied, “If Rama’s arrow can pierce through one of these sal trees and drive Dundhuvi’s corpse fifty yards away, I will believe that he can indeed kill Vali!”
Rama’s Demonstration
Rama said cheerfully, “All right, I will do something to give you faith in my capacity.” With these words, Rama easily tossed Dundhuvi’s corpse a distance of forty miles with just a light kick. However, Sugriva remained unimpressed, noting that it was a dry corpse.
Rama wasted no time and aimed his arrow at the row of seven sal trees. In an instant, his arrow shot through all seven trees and plunged into the earth. Sugriva’s surprise knew no bounds. He prostrated before Rama, exclaiming, “O Rama! You can defeat not only Vali but Indra and the entire host of gods if you desire!”
Preparing for Battle
Rama embraced Sugriva and, after consulting Lakshmana, said, “Sugriva! Let us proceed to Kiskindhya. You march ahead and challenge Vali to combat.” Upon reaching Kiskindhya, all but Sugriva hid in a nearby woods while he called out a challenge to Vali.
Vali rushed out, and a fierce wrestle commenced. However, since both looked alike, Rama could not identify Vali, and Sugriva, exhausted, soon fled. Vali pursued him, but when they reached Rushyamuk, Vali had to retreat.
A New Strategy
Sugriva turned to Rama, complaining, “Why did you want me to be humiliated again? But for your advice, I would not have fought Vali. Why inspire me only to see me suffer?”
Rama explained, “The reason I didn’t shoot my arrow is that you both looked alike. I couldn’t risk hitting you by mistake. Do not doubt my motives. Wear a garland; it will help me distinguish you from Vali.”
A Renewed Spirit
Encouraged once more, Sugriva put on the garland and turned toward Kiskindhya, ready to reclaim his honor and face Vali again.
