Vali Leaves the Body as an Elephant Lets a Flower Garland Fall
Kishkindha Kanda, Doha 10
Doha 10 · Movement 3 of 3
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Vali fixes a firm and unwavering love upon the feet of Rama. No argument remains, no kingdom remains, and no second refuge stands beside the dark Lord whom his eyes have recognized.
With that love held steady, he relinquishes the body. The act is not described as a violent wrenching, even though an arrow has pierced his heart. It becomes a release made weightless by the direction of his awareness.
The poet sees a great elephant moving as a flower garland slips unnoticed from its neck. So lightly does the body fall away from Vali. The garland descends, but the one who wore it is not bound to turn back.
Love holds to Rama's feet while the body falls away like flowers from an elephant's neck.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम चरन दृढ़ प्रीति करि बालि कीन्ह तनु त्याग। सुमन माल जिमि कंठ ते गिरत न जानइ नाग।।10।।
Fixing firm priti, steadfast love, upon the feet of Rama, Bali relinquished his body. As a garland of flowers slips from the neck of a naga, and the serpent does not even notice it falling.