by Vanamali
In the meantime, Rama had been keenly watching the fight and found to his dismay that he couldn’t distinguish between the two brothers, who looked like two peas in a pod. Fearing to discharge his arrow in case he killed Sugriva instead of Vaali, he desisted. He followed Sugriva, who was in a very poor state.
Sugriva could hardly speak, yet he whispered, “If you didn’t want to kill my brother, why did you not refuse at the very outset instead of letting me get battered like this? Fully believing your word, I challenged him and see what has happened!”
Rama tried to pacify him. “My dear friend,” he said, “how can you think that I have betrayed you? Your brother and you resemble each other in stature, costume, and embellishments. Even your roars sound similar. Both of you were clasped in each others arms trying to strangle each other. How could I shoot my deadly arrow when I knew that I might kill you instead of him? Please do return to Kishkinda and challenge him once again, but this time you must wear a garland by which I will be able to distinguish you.”
He told Lakshmana to take a liana from the mountainside, which was covered with flowers and looked like a beautiful garland, and put it round Sugriva’s neck. Battered and bleeding though he was, Sugriva licked his wounds and proceeded toward Kishkinda, followed by Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and a few of his other friends.
Rama urged Sugriva to go and challenge Vaali fearlessly once again, as now he was sure that his arrow would find its mark.
Sugriva went and roared outside the gates. Vaali was in his seraglio lolling about with his wives when he heard the roar. He couldn’t believe his ears. His amorous mood gave way to one of violent loathing. How could Sugriva, whom he had just reduced to pulp a few hours ago, dare to come and challenge him again? He was filled with a blind rage. He was determined to finish off his brother once and for all. He had been a real thorn in his side for a long time and once he was dead, he could enjoy the company of his wife Rumi without feeling any guilt. He was well aware of his crime in consorting with his younger brother’s wife while her husband was still alive. He had somehow stifled his conscience, for he was infatuated with Rumi even though his own wife Tara was very beautiful and wise. With Sugriva out of the way, he could have Rumi without any pangs of shame, for the law allowed a man to marry a deceased brother’s wife in order to protect her! Thinking thus, Vaali gave a big bellow of disgust and rage and rushed out.
The intelligent Tara stopped him as he was going and gave him some sage counsel.
“My Lord!” she said. “This brother of yours was beaten by you and ran off with his life just a short while ago. How is he emboldened to return and roar like this without the assurance of help by some powerful ally? The crown prince Angada, your son, gave me the following report. He said that two young and expert warriors, known as Rama and Lakshmana, the sons of the emperor Dasaratha, have entered this forest and formed an alliance with Sugriva. I’m sure Sugriva has been emboldened by their protection or else he would never have dared to accost you like this. Please don’t go now. Tell him to return tomorrow morning, and then you can fight with him if it pleases you. Better still, you can make friends with him and allow him to return to the court. Be kind to him. Return his wife to him. She is very unhappy here. Somehow my heart sinks within me and I see only bad omens. I beg of you not to go now.”
Vaali’s time had come and he just would not listen to reason. Moreover, he was anxious to appropriate Rumi all for himself. Brushing off Tara’s detaining hand, he ordered her to return to the other women. She placed Indra’s golden garland round his neck and embraced him sadly, for she had a premonition that she would never see him alive again.
Vaali brushed her aside and rushed out. He glared angrily at Sugriva and charged at him like an infuriated bull. They started to grapple in deadly earnest. Sugriva’s strength was flagging, and he looked around desperately for Rama, wondering why he was not coming to his aid. Vaali lifted him above his head in order to dash him on a rock and thus end his career! The golden necklace was shining round Vaali’s neck. Rama had no trouble in recognizing him. He saw Sugriva’s agonized look. He stretched his powerful arrow on his bow and let it fly with a tremendous twang. It found its mark on Vaali’s breast and felled him as easily as it had felled the sal trees. The full moon shone with all its splendor and lighted up the huge fallen body of Vaali, which was now bleeding and weak. Vaali had never thought even for a moment that there was any weapon or power on heaven or earth that could conquer him in a fight. He was invulnerable, according to the promise of the gods, yet here he was, laid low on the bare ground of his own kingdom with just one arrow. He was really anxious to know who this exceptional warrior was who was able to kill him with one arrow. His name must be on the arrow. With his last remaining strength, he pulled the arrow out of his chest. Blood gushed out of his heart like a spring that had been dammed for a long time. Everything was blurring before his dying eyes and he had to hold the arrow close to his eyes before he could spell the name “Rama” on it. For a moment, gratitude filled his heart. All creatures had to die at one time or other and far better for him to die at the hands of Rama, who was thought to be an avatara of Vishnu, than by the weapon of a rakshasa, asura, or wild animal. This feeling was swiftly replaced by anger at the way he had been killed. He looked up feebly as Rama and Lakshmana approached him. Summoning his waning strength, he upbraided Rama for his act.
“You are supposed to be the scion of the line of Ikshavku and noted for your adherence to dharma. How could you have killed me from behind a tree when I was fighting with my brother? When Sugriva challenged me for the second time, my wife Tara warned me not to go, for she feared that he was being helped by you, but I told her that I had no fear of you since I knew you would not stoop to any type of unrighteous act. What have I done that you should have killed me from behind? I hear you are looking for your wife. I could have killed that wretch Ravana and brought her back to you singlehanded. I have already defeated him once and spared his life, but this time I would not have done so. Why did you have to ally yourself with this worthless Sugriva?”
Vaali had exhausted himself by this speech, and he fell back gasping for breath. Rama waited patiently for Vaali to have his say for he knew that on the face of it, he had every right to berate him. At last when Vaali had stopped, he spoke to him with compassion in his eyes.
“O Vaali! How dare you speak to me about dharma and adharma (unrighteousness) when you are living a life steeped in sin? Your younger brother, who is full of good qualities and loves you very much, should have been treated by you as a son. Without giving him a chance to clear his name, you beat him up and banished him to Rishyamukha in order to keep his wife. According to the law of this land, anyone who is guilty of sleeping with his brother’s wife when he is still alive is punishable by death! You have continued your enmity with your brother only to fan your own lust. Sugriva is as dear to me as my brother Lakshmana. I have sworn friendship with him and publicly made a pact to kill you and restore his kingdom and his wife. What sort of a friend would I be if I did not keep my promise?”
Vaali considered Rama’s words and realized that he spoke the truth. He bitterly regretted his cruelty to his younger brother, whom he should have treated as a son. He also knew that his action in having stolen his wife was despicable.
“O Rama!” he said. “You have spoken rightly. I’m not worried about myself. Death is inevitable for all, but I’m worried about my son Angada. Please consider him as your own son and see that he is looked after properly. Please don’t let my beloved wife Tara be insulted by Sugriva. She is wise and good. I realize that I’m fated to meet death at your hands and that is why I refused to listen to her when she urged me to desist from fighting.”
With his last breath Vaali took off his gold chain, which had miraculous powers, and put it over Sugriva’s neck. He begged him to forgive him for all he had done to him and told him to look after Angada as his own son as well as his beloved wife Tara. Sugriva felt such remorse for his act th
at he couldn’t say a word.
Rama promised to see that Sugriva gave the best treatment to Angada and Tara. Hearing of the tragic end of her husband, Tara now ran to his side along with her son Angada. Casting herself over his body, she bewailed his fate. Rama urged her to get up and see to the obsequies, but she refused to budge from the place. Taking up the fatal arrow that had killed her husband, she threatened to plunge it into her own heart and had to be forcibly stopped by her attendants.
Hearing her cries and his brother’s kind words, Sugriva lost whatever courage he had. He told Rama that he would also immolate himself on his brother’s pyre and that Angada could help find Sita. Neither Rama nor anyone else could console him.
At last Hanuman approached Tara and told her in gentle tones, “An embodied soul always reaps the good and evil fruit of his actions done in the past. The body is like a bubble on the water. It might burst at any time and is not worth grieving for. Your duty now is to look after your son Angada who is solely dependent on you. It is your responsibility to see that the last rites are done for your husband in the proper way. That’s the only thing you can now do for him.”
Rama spoke sternly to Sugriva and told him that he had done this only at his request, and for him to wash his hands of the whole matter was not a manly thing to do. It was his duty to see to the obsequies of his dear brother rather than opt to perish in the flames. He commanded Sugriva to bring a palanquin and take his brother’s body to the riverside. At last Sugriva did as he was bidden. The monkeys brought out the royal hearse, which was like a chariot without wheels. They dressed their dead king in jeweled clothes, placed his body on a bier covered with flowers, and placed it on the pyre that had been prepared for him. Angada set fire to it and all of them offered water and did all the usual rites that had to be done for a departed soul.
By the law of the jungle, after Vaali’s death his killer would automatically become king with the right to kill Vaali’s children and to claim his wives. However, Rama wanted to make the vanaras leave their old laws and adopt the law of dharma. So he told Sugriva to ask the monkeys whether they were agreeable to have him as king. When they agreed, Sugriva asked Tara if she was willing to be his queen. When she agreed, he adopted Vaali’s son Angada and made him the heir to the throne. Thus did Rama make the monkeys change their ways and follow the rule of righteousness.
It was at this time that Hanuman, determined to conquer his animal instincts, took a vow of celibacy and service. By the vow of celibacy, he crushed the desire for sensual pleasures and by that of service, he trampled the tendency to inflate his ego.
After this, Hanuman approached Rama, stood with folded palms, and spoke these words to him: “O Lord, by thy grace, this kingdom has now been acquired by Sugriva. Pray enter the palace and crown him king.”
Rama refused to enter the city, since he said that he had given his word to his father not to enter any city for the duration of fourteen years. However, he gave all instructions as to how Sugriva should be anointed king and how Angada should be crowned as the prince regent. He advised Sugriva on the duties of a good king. “Whatever you do, let it be based on the sanctioned codes of good conduct. Never hurt anyone with your words, even if it be an enemy.”
Sugriva said, “I want to serve you. Please command me.” Rama said, “The rainy season is coming. At the end of it, bring your army and come help me find Sita.”
Hanuman begged to be allowed to accompany Rama and serve him during the four months of the rainy season. Again, Rama had to decline his offer.
“Your presence is absolutely necessary for Sugriva. He will need your support and judgment. Come to me after four months, and I’ll tell you what you can do for me.” He and Lakshmana decided to spend the approaching four months of the monsoons in a cave nearby. At the end of the four months, Sugriva promised to gather all the monkeys and start on the great quest to find Sita.
Sugriva duly entered the city in state and was crowned as king with Angada as the crown prince. Tara also drew what comfort she could from the fact that at least her son’s well-being was being looked after.
You rendered great service to Sugriva,
Arranged his meeting with Rama and gave him kingship.
HANUMAN CHALISA BY TULSIDAS
Aum Sri Hanumathe Namaha!
Aum Ramadhutaaya Namaha!
11
Ramadhuta
Messenger of Rama
Anjana garbha sambhuta,
Kapindra sachivottama,
Rama priya namastubhyam
Hanuman raksha sarvada
I bow to the beloved of Rama,
Born from Anjana’s womb,
Greatest of simians,
Hanuman! May thou look after everyone’s welfare.
HYMN TO HANUMAN
Rama and Lakshmana now spent the four months of the monsoon season, from July to October, in a cave on the mountain called Prasravana. The sun now started to move south. Dark clouds heavily laden with water covered the skies so that the sun was not to be seen at all. The heavens burst and gushed down the mountainside and deluged the fields. The birds were silent. No animal stirred outside while the waters poured and roared. Wild vegetation covered the landscape with monstrous creepers and vines. The sky was perpetually overcast. The persistent gloom and dampness were reflected in Rama’s heart.
“The skies are weeping at the fate of my beloved, as indeed I am, too,” thought Rama. For four months, the brothers were confined to the small cave with nothing to do but watch the continuous downpour going on outside. Those four months were months of torment for Rama, since he was always imagining his beloved Sita’s state and how anxious she must be about his whereabouts and whether he would come to rescue her. But there was nothing he could do about it since the monsoon season was not suitable for any sort of travel.
The rains ended at last and the sky began to clear. Rama was waiting anxiously for Sugriva’s arrival, but almost a month passed and still there was no sign of him. Seeing his unhappiness, Lakshmana said, “Brother, I think that the ungrateful monkey has totally forgotten the promise he made to you. I will go and remind him forcibly of his duties!”
Lakshmana was not a calm person by nature and the four months of confinement inside the cave had not improved his temper in any way. And now the sight of his brother’s agitation made his blood boil. He strapped the quiver to his shoulder, took up his bow, and strode toward Kishkinda, looking like a thundercloud. Rama cautioned him not to get angry and to try conciliatory methods with Sugriva.
In the meantime, Hanuman was always conscious of his duty and couldn’t bear this delay any longer. Sugriva was always closeted in the harem with his wives, drinking and cavorting and making merry. He had totally forgotten the passage of time. His bedroom was so gorgeous and comfortable that he had hardly left it for the past four months. He wasn’t even aware of the storms raging outside. He was surrounded by his beautiful wives with long tresses and heavy breasts who provided him with all comforts and sang and danced for him. Having been denied all the pleasures of the senses for such a long time, Sugriva found it impossible to control his appetite for food and sex. He was lying in a euphoric daze when Hanuman entered the harem where he had never gone before.
“O Sugriva!” he said. “It ill befits you to forget the promise made by you to Rama. Because of him, you are now enjoying all these luxuries. The rainy season has long passed, and you have not redeemed your promise. Therefore, issue orders immediately to the monkeys that they should assemble for the great endeavor of finding Sita.”
Hearing these words of his able minister, Sugriva aroused himself a little and told Hanuman to send word to all the monkeys and bears in all the lands under his sway to come and assemble at Kishkinda in a week’s time.
“Let my entire army be assembled under their generals without delay so that Rama may not think that I have been lagging in my duties.” Having made this effort, Sugriva sank back into the arms of his wife.
Lakshmana walked wit
h purposeful strides to Kishkinda. The earth shook with the force of his angry steps. The entrance to the city was through a cave that was guarded by monkeys so that no one could enter without permission. Seeing Lakshmana, they took up trees in order to stop him from entering. When he saw this, he became doubly incensed. Seeing his fury, they fled in all directions. They ran to Sugriva and told him of Lakshmana’s violent mood. The king was totally inebriated and lost to the world in the arms of his brother’s wife. He hardly knew what they were saying. The monkeys now ran to Angada, who hurriedly came out of the gate to meet Lakshmana in order to try to pacify him. Lakshmana ordered him to call his uncle immediately. He could hear the sweet strains of music and signs of revelry floating in the air, and when he thought of the agony that his brother had endured these past four months, his blood boiled. Angada was scared out of his wits and ran to inform his uncle and mother of the situation.