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| Vali | |
|---|---|
| Ramayana character | |
 Painting of Vali | |
| In-universe information | |
| Family | |
| Spouse | Tara |
| Children | Angada |
| Nationality | Kishkindha |
Vali (Sanskrit:वाली) also known asBali, was avanara and the king ofKishkindha in theHindu epicRamayana. He was the son ofIndra, the husband ofTara, the elder brother ofSugriva, and the father ofAngada through his wife,Tara.
Vali obtained a pendant from his father,Indra, that which allowed him to restore his energy even when nearing death, making him a formidable fighter. He banished his brotherSugriva, who had assumed his throne, believing him to be dead. Sugriva sought the assistance ofRama, anavatar ofVishnu, to intervene in their conflict. During a duel between the brothers, Rama shot Vali in the chest with an arrow.
According to the epic, fourteen types of gems or treasures were produced from thechurning of the ocean during the time of theKurma avatar. Among these treasures were variousapsaras (divine nymphs), one of whom wasTara. Tara was produced from the churning of the ocean, and Vali, who was assisting his fatherIndra in the churning, took Tara and married her.[citation needed]
Vali was courageous, as shown when Tara tried to stop him and begged him not to fightSugriva, warning that Rama was aiding Sugriva. Vali replied to Tara that, even if he were to face a god in battle, he could not ignore a challenge and remain silent. He added that even if the challenger had been his own son,Angada, orSugriva's wife, Ruma, he would still accept the fight.[2]
According to theRamayana, a fierce demon named Mayavi came to the gates ofKishkindha and challenged Vali to a fight. Vali accepted the challenge, but as he approached, the demon grew terrified and fled into a cave. Vali entered the cave, instructing Sugriva to wait outside. When Vali didn’t return, and Sugriva heard demonic voices and saw blood oozing from the cave, he mistakenly concluded that Vali had been killed. Sugriva then sealed the cave with a large boulder and assumed the kingship of Kishkindha. However, inside the cave, Vali had defeated and killed the demon and soon returned home. Seeing Sugriva acting as king, Vali believed his brother had betrayed him. Though Sugriva tried to explain his actions, Vali refused to listen, forcing Sugriva to flee to Rishyamuka Mountain, the only place Vali couldn’t enter due to a curse from the sage Matanga.[3]
Vali was granted a golden pendant by his father,Indra. According to theValmiki Ramayana, the pendant significantly increased Vali's energy during combat.[4]
Vali wore the powerful pendant given to him by his father,Indra, during his battle with the demon Dhundubhi and defeated him. TheValmiki Ramayana also describes Vali as having great strength, although it does not mention any duel between Vali andRavana.
While wandering in the Kronch forest with his brother Lakshmana in search of his wifeSita, who had been kidnapped by the rakshasa kingRavana,Rama encounters a gandharva stuck in the body of a distorted demon named Kabandha and kills him, freeing him from a curse. The freed Kabandha then advises Rama to seek Sugriva’s help in finding Sita.[5]
As Rama continues his journey, he meetsHanuman and is impressed by his intelligence and oratory skills, which also boosts his confidence in Sugriva. Sugriva then tells Rama the story of how Vali became his enemy. In Sugriva's version, he is entirely innocent, and Rama believes him.[6]
Sugriva is very fearful of Vali and doubts that Rama can defeat him. He tells Rama many remarkable stories of Vali's strength and, as proof, shows him a hole in asal tree that Vali had made with a single shot. When it is Rama's turn, he pierces seven sal trees in a row with one arrow. After passing through the trees, the arrow even strikes a large rock, splitting it into pieces. Delighted, Sugriva exclaims, "O Rama, you are great!"
Rama asks Sugriva to challenge Vali and lure him outside ofKishkindha. As Rama explains later, he has been unable to enter a city for 14 years. Additionally, Rama does not want to provoke an unnecessary bloodbath with Vali's army, with whom he wishes to maintain friendly relations. Despite this, killing Vali would not be impossible for Rama, as Sugriva and Vali are identical twins. Just a few days earlier, Rama had killedKhara andDushana along with their army of 14,000 rakshasas.
Sugriva formed an alliance with Rama, who had been traveling across India in search of his kidnapped wife, Sita. In return for Rama's help, Sugriva promised his assistance in defeating Ravana and rescuing Sita. Together, they devised a plan to topple Vali from the throne.
Sugriva challenged Vali to a fight. When Vali emerged to meet the challenge, Rama stepped out from the forest and shot him with an arrow, killing him.
The dying Vali told Rama, "If you are searching for your wife, you should have come to me for help and friendship. Whoever tookSita, I would have brought them to your feet, at your mercy."[7]
Vali asked the following questions:[8]
Rama makes the following replies to Vali:
After the death of Vali, Sugriva recaptures his kingdom and regains his wife, Ruma.Angada, the son of Vali and Tara, is appointedYuvaraja, or crown prince.[9]
Rama's slaying of Vali held special significance. Initially, Vali argued with Rama about his killing, but Rama explained the various purusharthas and how everything was preordained according to the kalachakra, ultimately granting himmoksha. Vali was then convinced and asked his sonAngada to stand by his uncleSugriva and assist in the divine work of Rama.[citation needed]
Vali's son,Angada, joinedRama's army and was given important responsibilities in the war against Ravana.[10]
Because Rama had killed Vali, he blessed Vali, stating that he would die from an arrow he would fire while disguised when he took the incarnation of Krishna. Later, Vali was born as Jara the hunter inDvapara Yuga destined to killKrishna, the next avatar ofVishnu, in the same manner as foretold byRama. While searching for prey in the forest, Jara saw what he thought was a deer, but it was actually Krishna's bare foot. However, Vali's rebirth as the hunter Jara is not mentioned in either theValmiki Ramayana or theMahabharata.
He shot an arrow with an iron mace attached to it. This event took place at a location known asBhalka Tirtha, situated in western India in the state ofGujarat. It marks the spot where Krishna's disappearance occurred, signifying the end ofDvapara Yuga and the commencement ofKali Yuga.
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