Happy Ganesha Chaturthi!
September 10 - Sargas 14 and 15 of Kishkindha Kanda.
Sugriva, wearing the garland fashioned from the gajapushpi creeper full of flowers, reaches the city of Kishkindha. Sugriva, Sri Rama, and others stop behind a clump of thick foliage as Sugriva describes the magnificent entrance of the golden archway to Kishkindha ruled by Vali. He again asks Sri Rama if he will adhere to his word and kill Vali. Sri Rama repeatedly assures Sugriva -
एकेनाहं प्रमोक्ष्यामि बाणमोक्षेण संयुगे ।
मम दर्शय सुग्रीव वैरिणं भ्रातृरूपिणम् ॥
वाली विनिहतो यावद्वने पांसुषु चेष्टते ।
यदि दृष्टिपथं प्राप्तो जीवन् स विनिवर्तते ॥
अनृतं नोक्तपूर्वं मे चिरं कृच्छ्रेऽपि तिष्ठता ।
धर्मलोभपरीतेन न च वक्ष्ये कथञ्चन ॥
"Dear Sugriva, you rest assured that with just a single arrow I will kill the enemy in an encounter. You have seen a demonstration of my capability with the bow and arrow when I split seven sala trees with a single arrow. You just have to arrange for the enemy, who is in the guise of your brother Vali, to appear before me.
"When Vali will be killed by my arrow, he will fall down dead, biting the dust of this forest. He will not escape alive if I set my eyes on him.
"Know that I have never uttered a lie even when I was in adverse circumstances. Out of my attachment to righteousness, I shall never, in future also, utter a lie."
ततः स जीमूतकृतप्रणादो
नादं ह्यमुञ्चत् त्वरया प्रतीतः ।
सूर्यात्मजः शौर्यविवृद्धतेजाः
सरित्पतिर्वाऽनिलचञ्चलोर्मिः ॥
"Thus emboldened by Sri Rama's solemn assurance, Sugriva now shone like the blazing sun, whose son he was, with his radiance and power greatly enhanced, and let out a terrific battle cry that was like the thunder of a huge dark cloud, and also akin to the tumultuous noise raised by waves of the ocean when struck by a hurricane."
***
Sugriva's battle cry rattled Vali into a fierce rage. He was in his women's quarter, along with his wife, Tara. This is the first time we hear of Tara. Tara, Ahalya, Sita, Mandodari (wife of Ravana), and Draupadi (from Mahabharata) are held out as five exemplary women from our Hindu epics.
Vali started to storm out in rage, to go and thrash Sugriva. Tara stopped him with an affectionate embrace. She had important words to say.
"Dear Vali, shake off your anger, although it is quite understandable, just as someone discards a wasted garland. Go and fight Sugriva tomorrow morning. This will in no way imply any fear of the enemy or raise a doubt about your prowess in the encounter.
"I have a specific reason to say this.
"Earlier, when Sugriva came and challenged you, you gave him a thorough thrashing. He went away to Rishyamuka. His return now naturally raises my suspicion. His returning so soon after a sure defeat is suspicious.
"His roar, full of arrogance and a newly found determination, should have some reason behind it. Certainly, he has some external help this time. That too, his ally must be a big one. Sugriva is clever by nature. He would have chosen his friend carefully, considering his ability.
"Oh hero, dear Vali, I have heard from our son Angada some news. Angada reported that when he went out into the forest, he collected reports from our spies that there are two heroic sons of the king of Ayodhya, Sri Rama and Lakshmana. They are invincible in war. They have come to help Sugriva.
"Sri Rama's prowess in war is like the fire of dissolution that destroys the world. He has slain strong enemies like Khara. He has come here to help Sugriva.
निवासवृक्षः साधूनामापन्नानां परा गतिः ।
आर्तानां संश्रयच्यैव यशसश्चैकभाजनम् ॥
ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्पन्नो निदेशे निरतः पितुः ।
धातूनामिव शैलेन्द्रो गुणानामाकरो महान् ॥
"I have heard that Sri Rama is the sheltering tree for the virtuous. He is the ultimate refuge for the destitute and gives protection for all the distressed. He seems to have a monopoly on the reputation for goodness.
"He is full of knowledge as well as higher wisdom. He is very dutiful in fulfilling his father's orders. Just as the mighty mountain is replete with rich minerals, Sri Rama is full of all noble qualities."
"Sri Rama is unconquerable in war. Therefore enmity with him is not desirable for you. Look, my beloved, I have nothing against you, I only wish your ultimate welfare. Please do as I suggest.
"Leave your enmity with Sugriva, Make friendship with Sri Rama. Sugriva is your younger brother and deserves your protection, whether he is here or there. In fact, is he not your nearest and dearest relative on earth? Please abandon your hostility towards Sugriva, appease him with gifts and honour him, extend your brotherly affection towards him. Please do as I say, and trust me as your true well-wisher.
"Quieten your mind, do not give in to anger. The prince of Kosala is like Indra in splendour. Do not fight with Sri Rama."
***
Valmiki says that Tara's wise and beneficial words made no impression on Vali.
पथ्यं न रोचते कालाभिपन्नस्य विनाशकाले Good medicine does not appeal to one who is at death's door.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
