RamarpaNam 391 => 396.

Jai Sri Ram.

Vali's accusations and self-remorse :

Hit by Rama's arrow, Vali sank on the ground like a banyan tree cut off its roots. Though fallen he is still alive with the kAnchana-hara glittering around his neck, sustaining his radiance and splendour. Rama and Lakshmana neared him with due respect and Vali trivialised by the one arrow from Rama, launched several questions as missiles with anger in eyes and caring for Dharma, his propriety.

As though praising Rama, he ridicules Him - in that His Nobility, good Conduct, Truthfulness and His lovable character as King etc. valued by others and His own Self-demeanour such as control of Self , control of Senses, Endurance, Firmness, Bravery and Dharmic outlook etc. are a mere farce. As He shot down Vali :-

1. hiding behind a tree,

2. bringing Himself without-enmity in a fight between two others

3. when there is no dispute directly of land or right over any other property

4. When one is a city-dweller and the other is forest-dweller, and

5. if hunted so, for what gain like skin, nail, hair or meat?

This sort of ninda-sthudi, appear sarcastic but in effect lords the praise worthy qualities of Rama. Perhaps His arrow, a quick means to salvation, has brought about a change in Vali for good.

He pleaded not guilty of

1. any misdeed in the land under the control of Ayodhya or

2. he is chargeable for treason, as

3. he lives far away from the city, deep in the jungle

4. subsisting on fruits and roots and

it will not be fair to hit

5. from a hide out

6. such a person who is facing away and

7. while engaged in a combat with another.

Will anybody born of Kshatriya family, a learned one in Vedas, who can perceive what is right or wrong, can execute such a ruthless act in the name of honesty?

People will not touch the skin, bone, nail, hair or meat of five-clawed animals. Then why kill an un-offending one, who is a monkey?

Disregarding Tara's words in delusion is the only mistake committed , submits Vali and has now been hit, like a sinner bitten by a snake while sleeping.

How can Rama, born of great soul like Dasharatha, forsake Virtue? Perhaps Maithili's separation has rendered His reasoning faculty fail throwing His actions in disarray.

Instead of Sugreeva, Vali says if Rama approached him for finding Seetha, he would have brought the evil minded Ravana by a noose around his neck and presented Maithili to Him. But that was not his mistake..

Rama knows that Vali's accusations springing out of agony but will end with drying up of his mouth. He kept quite until then and justifies Vali's elimination, asserting the following :

1. This entire earth with its mountains, woods, and forests, belongs to Ikshvaku with the authority to censure or forgive its Subjects, be it the animals, birds or humans and Bharatha is the ruler of this vast land..

2. Vali not abiding by the conduct of a King has transgressed the rules and ethics of Society and so is liable for punishment. To be specific Vali, while Sugreeva is alive has usurped Ruma,his wife, who should be counted as his daughter-in-law.

3. Jungle also has to abide by laws like the strong should not oppress the weak. Vali is strong and Sugreeva, the weaker of the two was not given space to live in Kishkindha, despite his seeking apology and surrender at the feet of Vali, for his assuming the Kingship not by choice but by compulsion from his subjects, when Vali did not emerge out of the cave fight with Mayavi.

4. Punishment to the erring is not handed by the King personally. He orders it to be carried out. Like wise Rama shot Vali from behind a tree as he need not go in front of Vali to carry out His decision to punish him.

5. Vali is hunted not for any gain of flush, skull, nail, skin or hair as contended by him but Rama felled Vali in combat with His arrow considering him a tree-animal, with out need for Him to confirm whether Vali is not combating with Rama or combating against Rama.

When kings impose proper punishment on their humans who have sinned, they become sinless. According to this code of Manu, Rama is blemish less in eliminating Vali. Vali too at the end acknowledges that what all Rama said and did are proper, and sought His pardon.