Chapter 22: The Death of Vali
The time had come.
After years of living in exile and fear, Sugriva stood at the foot of Mount Rishyamuka, ready to face the brother he once loved.
Beside him stood Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman.
The promise made before the sacred fire was about to be fulfilled.
Rama looked at Sugriva and said,
"Go to the gates of Kishkindha and challenge Vali. I shall remain hidden. When the moment is right, I will strike."
Sugriva nodded.
Though fear lingered in his heart, he trusted Rama completely.
With great determination, he marched toward the gates of Kishkindha.
Standing before the royal city, Sugriva let out a mighty roar.
"Vali! Come out and face me!"
The roar echoed across the mountains.
Inside the palace, Vali heard his brother's challenge.
He laughed.
"So... the coward has finally returned."
As Vali prepared to leave, his queen, Tara, stepped before him.
She was known throughout Kishkindha for her wisdom and foresight.
"My lord," Tara said calmly, "something is different today."
"Sugriva would never challenge you without powerful support."
"I have heard that two princes from Ayodhya have become his allies."
"One of them is Rama, renowned for his righteousness and unmatched skill in archery."
"I fear this is a trap."
Vali smiled confidently.
"No force on earth can defeat me."
"My strength is unmatched."
Ignoring Tara's warning, Vali walked out of the palace.
The two brothers faced one another after years of separation.
Neither spoke.
Their eyes alone revealed the pain, anger, and betrayal they had carried for so long.
Then the battle began.
The clash shook the forests of Kishkindha.
Trees snapped beneath their blows.
Rocks shattered.
Mountains echoed with their roars.
The brothers were almost identical in appearance, speed, and strength.
Hidden among the trees, Rama watched carefully.
But as the battle continued, he realized he could not distinguish one brother from the other.
Fearing that he might accidentally strike Sugriva, Rama lowered his bow.
Unable to overcome Vali's superior strength alone, Sugriva was badly wounded.
He escaped the battlefield and fled back toward Mount Rishyamuka.
Breathing heavily, he turned to Rama.
"My friend... why did you not help me?"
Rama answered honestly.
"Both of you looked exactly alike."
"I could not risk harming you."
To prevent another mistake, Lakshmana placed a garland of forest flowers around Sugriva's neck.
"This will allow Rama to recognize you during the next battle."
Strengthened by Rama's assurance, Sugriva returned once more to Kishkindha.
Again he challenged Vali.
Again the mighty king emerged.
Tara pleaded with him one final time.
"My lord, please do not fight today."
"But Vali's pride refused to listen.
The second battle began.
Once again, the forest trembled beneath the force of their combat.
This time, Rama could clearly recognize Sugriva by the garland around his neck.
As Vali pressed his advantage, Rama drew a divine arrow.
He closed his eyes briefly in prayer.
Then he released it.
The arrow sped through the air like a bolt of lightning.
It struck Vali in the chest.
The mighty Vanara king staggered.
The battle stopped.
Vali fell to the ground.
The forest became silent.
Rama stepped forward.
Looking at him, Vali spoke with difficulty.
"O Rama... you are celebrated as the protector of Dharma."
"Why did you strike me while hidden?"
"What wrong had I done to you?"
Rama replied calmly.
"You were the ruler of Kishkindha, yet you violated Dharma."
"You took your younger brother's wife, Ruma, and treated him unjustly."
"A king who abandons righteousness must face justice."
"As a prince of the Ikshvaku dynasty, it is my duty to uphold Dharma wherever it is threatened."
Vali listened carefully.
As Rama explained the principles of kingship and righteousness, the dying king realized his own mistakes.
His anger faded.
He accepted the truth.
Turning to Sugriva, Vali said,
"My brother... forgive me."
"I allowed pride and suspicion to destroy our bond."
Then he called his beloved son, Angada.
Placing Angada's hand into Sugriva's, he spoke,
"Protect him as your own son."
"Guide him wisely."
Finally, Vali looked toward Rama.
"I leave my son and my kingdom in your care."
With those final words, the mighty king closed his eyes.
Vali, the greatest warrior of the Vanaras, departed from the world.
The forests of Kishkindha mourned their fallen king.
Tara wept beside her husband.
Angada bowed his head in grief.
Even Rama offered prayers for Vali's soul, honoring his courage despite his faults.
In accordance with sacred tradition, Vali was given a royal funeral.
After the rites were completed, Sugriva was crowned the new king of Kishkindha.
Angada was appointed as the crown prince.
Standing before the assembled Vanaras, Sugriva fulfilled the promise he had made to Rama.
"I swear before all present," he declared, "that every Vanara in my kingdom shall search the earth until Sita is found."
A mighty roar rose from the Vanara army.
Thousands pledged their loyalty.
For the first time since Sita's abduction, Rama possessed an army capable of challenging Lanka.
The alliance had been fulfilled.
The kingdom of Kishkindha stood united.
Now only one task remained.
To find Sita.
And among all the Vanaras, one hero was destined to accomplish the impossible.
His name was Hanuman.
The greatest chapter of his life was about to begin.