Vali Falls before the Dark Archer and Questions the Dharma of His Death
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 9
Doha 9 · Movement 1 of 2
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The arrow throws Vali stricken upon the earth. Then he sees the Lord before him and raises himself to sit. Rama stands dark beneath matted locks, reddish eyes fixed upon the fallen king, bow drawn and arrow ready. Vali looks again and again at those feet. His mind fastens there, recognition dawns, and he counts his birth fulfilled.
Love fills his heart, but hard words emerge from his mouth. He asks how the one incarnated to uphold dharma has slain him like a hunter. Why is Sugriva dear and Vali the enemy? What fault has brought this hidden arrow into his heart? The wounded king directs accusation and adoration toward the same beautiful figure.
Rama answers without concealment. A younger brother's wife, a sister, a son's wife, and a daughter must be regarded alike as daughters. To look upon any of these with corrupt desire is an offense for whose punishment there is no sin. Vali's immense arrogance closed his ear even to Tara's counsel. Knowing Sugriva sheltered by Rama's arms, he still sought to kill him.
Vali fixes his mind upon Rama's feet even as his wounded voice demands an answer from dharma.
Read the passage from the Manas
परा बिकल महि सर के लागें। पुनि उठि बैठ देखि प्रभु आगें।। स्याम गात सिर जटा बनाएँ। अरुन नयन सर चाप चढ़ाएँ।। पुनि पुनि चितइ चरन चित दीन्हा। सुफल जन्म माना प्रभु चीन्हा।। हृदयँ प्रीति मुख बचन कठोरा। बोला चितइ राम की ओरा।। धर्म हेतु अवतरेहु गोसाई। मारेहु मोहि ब्याध की नाई।। मैं बैरी सुग्रीव पिआरा। अवगुन कबन नाथ मोहि मारा।। अनुज बधू भगिनी सुत नारी। सुनु सठ कन्या सम ए चारी।। इन्हहि कुद्दष्टि बिलोकइ जोई। ताहि बधें कछु पाप न होई।। मुढ़ तोहि अतिसय अभिमाना। नारि सिखावन करसि न काना।। मम भुज बल आश्रित तेहि जानी। मारा चहसि अधम अभिमानी।।
Struck by the arrow, Bali fell to the earth in agony. But then, seeing the Lord standing before him, he rose and sat upright. There stood Rama: dark-complexioned body, matted locks upon his head, reddish eyes, arrow fitted, bow drawn. Again and again Bali gazed at those sacred feet and fixed his mind upon them. He recognized the Lord and knew his birth to be fulfilled. Love flooded his heart, yet the words that came from his lips were harsh. Looking toward Rama, he spoke. 'O Gosain, you have taken birth to uphold dharma, yet you killed me like a hunter from hiding!' 'Am I the enemy and Sugriva the beloved? Tell me, O Lord, for what fault have you slain me?' 'Listen, O fool: a younger brother's wife, a sister, a son's wife, and a daughter. These four are equal in standing. Whoever looks upon any of them with wicked intent, there is no sin whatsoever in slaying such a person.' 'O dull one, your arrogance is beyond all bounds. You did not heed even a woman's wise counsel. Knowing Sugriva to be sheltered by the strength of my arms, still, you wicked and arrogant creature, you sought to destroy him.'