|
The
Vali Episode (July 27th2001)
Was Rama right in killing Vali? How does Valmiki present the
case and how Kamban builds the scenes and adds his own touches
to enrich the drama?
Who
can be the perfect ally?
(July 28th2001)
One who is overtaken by the height of misfortune is served only
by another who has met with a similar fate…
Who
can be the perfect ally? II
(July 29th2001)
Only a person who has gone through a particular kind of
suffering would be able to understand the suffering of the other
person…
The
meeting of the heroes
(July 30th2001)
Hanuman, in private, prepares Sugriva mentally before he brings
him to meet Rama and Lakshmana…
The
unintended faux pas (July 31th2001)
When such a great person as Rama bends down to such a humble
level, see how our frightened hero responds…
The
protector protected
(Aug 1st2001)
Rama sought the help of Sugriva but it turned out to be
otherwise. The seeker sought, the helper helped and the
protector protected…
Where
the difference lies
(Aug 2nd2001)
A threadbare and dispassionate analysis would show us the
difference between the attitudes of Vibishana and Sugriva…
The
point of ambush
(Aug 3rd2001)
Another is the idea of killing Vali with a single arrow,
ambushed behind a tree. There was no such idea, initially, says
Sastriyar.
Superior
among equals
(Aug 4th2001)
Rama doubtless needed the help and support of Sugriva but he
gave his assurance before he was assured of anything…
The
story of Vali
(Aug 5th2001)
Vali, who was the son of Indra, was a devotee of Lord Shiva and
was endowed with extraordinary strength.
The
Mayavi incident
(Aug 6th2001)
Mayavi arrived at dead of night in Kishkindha and challenged
Vali to a single combat. Vali accepted the challenge and soon
Mayavi could resist him no further.
Thus
he became the king
(Aug 7th2001)
We forced him to assume kingship. It was not that Sugriva
desired for his brother’s throne.
The
banishment and after
(Aug 8th2001)
Vali had a strong reason to misunderstand the intention of
Sugriva and he did misunderstand when he saw him seated on the
throne.
I
will kill Vali (Aug 9th2001)
Why did Rama assure Sugriva that he would kill Vali? Was it part
of his duty as a protector or was it a mere business
transaction?
How
do I believe him? (Aug 10th2001)
Sugriva was not convinced that this person could at all kill
Vali. What happens to him, if he fails to slay Vali…
The
sal tree proposal (Aug 11th2001)
The shroud that covers me is a shroud of dust and death; I hate
it, yet I hug it in love." These lines of Tagore describe
Sugriva's state of mind perfectly…
The
examiner examined (Aug 12th2001)
When the Lord puts everyone to test, Sugriva had the luxury of
putting Him to test…
Was
he selfish? (Aug 13th2001)
‘Rama had to do that because Sugriva was supposed to help him
in turn.’ Yes. That was doubtless the position. ‘Does it not
sound selfish?’
Go
through the seven
(Aug 14th2001)
Kamban adds his own touch of humour. ‘Go through all the
seven,’ ordered Rama when shooting the arrow. It went through
all the seven trees…
The
case restated (Aug 15th2001)
Restating preliminaries before we take up the actual issue in
hand, namely, the killing of Vali…
The
decision takes shape
(Aug 16th2001)
‘We need resources. But the resources are not at our disposal
now. Kill Vali and make this Sugriva the king so that we can do
our job properly.’
It
was his decision
(Aug 17th2001)
Clearly it was Rama’s decision to kill him not in a straight
encounter. It was he who decided that Vali be dispatched in this
manner…
Vali
and his regard for Rama (Aug 18th2001)
That shows Tara was not aware who Rama was. But not Vali. He
knew who Rama was. He knew what he did. He had great regards for
him…
A
look before the leap (Aug
19th2001)
It was a look before the leap all right. But what can a person
see when the eyelids are closed?
Strange
pairs of brothers
(Aug 20th2001)
The scene had a strange combination of brotherhood. One fighting
the other and the other so ready and happy to serve his elder
brother.
Unable
to distinguish (Aug 21st2001)
Some are not able to accept this explanation of Rama. ‘If he
could not distinguish, he could have asked Hanuman who was
standing by his side,’ they argue.
Was
it a dilemma? (Aug 22nd2001)
Perhaps he hesitated at the last moment, “Am I going to do
this wrong thing, this unchivalrous thing?” He might have
hesitated thus.”
In
silence I stand before you… (Aug 23rd2001)
He was crest-fallen and went before Rama and bowed to him. He
did not say anything. That silence was more eloquent…
The
killing of Vali
(Aug 24th2001)
Vali wanted to strike Sugriva over the ground and lifted him
above his head by his waist and neck. When he did so, his chest
was fully exposed…
When
‘My Lord’ becomes the accused…
(Aug 25th2001)
‘How can you do such a thing to me!’ Vali started his
arguments, his skills of reasoning, logic and erudition touching
a new high in his final peroration.
When
‘My Lord’ becomes the accused…II
(Aug 26th2001)
This argument is absent in Kamban because he is going to treat
this very concept of ‘being an animal’ from an entirely
different standpoint.
Who
has the authority of whom?
(Aug 27th2001)
One common question asked on this opening argument of Rama is,
‘When did Bharata give Rama such an authority?’
Not
guilty, are you?
(Aug 28th2001)
Kamban confines himself to strong reasons. His Rama’s reasons
are logical and elaborate and he lists seven strong and
indefensible reasons against Vali.
Here
are my charges (Aug
29th2001)
‘You say you have not committed anything that is wrong. Here
are seven. Number one...’ Rama argues his case.
Here
are my charges II (Aug
30th2001)
"You talk of mercy and gentle birth and equity and valour;
depriving another of his wife - is it mercy? Or nobility of
birth? Or justice? Or valour?
You
expect too much out of me, My Lord (Aug 31st2001)
'Do not measure me by human standards,' Vali says. 'I am just a
monkey and your laws are not applicable to us…'
Who
is an animal?
(Sep 01st2001)
Being an animal or not, is not judged by mere appearance. Does
the stature of a being go according to the body it received by
birth?
Crime
or no crime? (Sep 02nd2001)
The fact that you are well versed in all the books that lead a
soul to a life of purity is betrayed by your own words. You
argue so logically…
Thus
you deserve to be punished (Sep 03rd2001)
I therefore punished you because I have a duty to protect the
poor, the lowliest and the lost…
The
hidden point (Sep 04th2001)
'But you killed me from behind a tree, like a hunter would kill
an animal. How do you explain this?' Vali asked.
Would
Vali have fought Rama?
(Sep 05th2001)
Let us think over. When will a person think of a 'fight to the
last'? He should first be convinced about his possibility of a
success…
Would
Vali have fought Rama?II (Sep 06th2001)
It is more than obvious now that Vali did not have the kind of
anger or hatred against Rama...
Instruments
of protection (Sep 07th2001)
The epics show that the divine gifts were of three kinds. They
were boons, weapons of destruction or instruments of
protection…
The
famed gold chain of Indra (Sep 08th2001)
Vali was wearing this chain in his fight with Dundhubhi as well
as Mayavi. Ravana when he wanted to fight Vali, quite
misunderstood this…
Inclusive
or exclusive? (Sep 09th2001)
The fact that the chain that Vali was wearing did not rejuvenate
him, even though his opponent was facing him shows that Rama was
beyond its purview…
The
final diagnosis (Sep 10th2001)
As far as Kamba Ramayana is concerned, the question of Vali
deriving the power of his opponent applying or not applying to
Rama is a non-issue…
The
grandeur of Vali (Sep 10th2001)
It is a pathetic fact that the greatness of Vali comes out at
the time of his death, just minutes before he gives up the
ghost…
The
grandeur of Vali II (Sep 12th2001)
The minds of men have the same kinds of fears at the hour of
death, despite the differences in health, wealth, happiness and
power…
Vali,
the father and husband (Sep 13th2001)
Vali, who is guilty of over-indulgence and frittering away his
power during his lifetime, is now worried about Tara and more
particularly Angada…
The
doors of heaven are wide open (Sep 14th2001)
Kamban's Vali speaks as a person who is convinced with the
intentions of Sugriva…
The
sword of Rama (Sep 15th2001)
'Rama extended his sword to Angada, said 'bear this'. The
interpretations vary. What was the intention of the Poet?
Assurance,
not an apology (Sep 16th2001)
Remember, Rama killed the father moments ago and is now giving
his sword to the son. That is no small thing.
Why
weaker of the two? (Sep 17th2001)
Sugriva was very, very weak when Rama made friends with him.
Even his only source of strength, Hanuman, was of not much use
at that time…
Sugriva
and Vibishana Saranagathi (Sep 18th2001)
With minor differences, Vibishana and Sugriva are saranagathas
Even in Valmiki Ramayana Sugriva says that he is a 'dasa' of
Rama…
Sugriva
and Vibishana Saranagathi II (Sep 19th2001)
If he says, 'I will accept your friends as mine, even if they
are bad,' does it mean that he would stand even by the bad and
wicked?
Comforting,
not compromising (Sep 21st2001)2001)
Sugriva was agitated and at such a time, it is the job of the
protector to assure complete protection, even if he has to go
overboard.
Do
ends justify means? (Sep 22rd2001)
Victory was minutes away for Sri Rama, had he chosen to change
his mind, once he came to know that Vali was the better of the
two…
Right
is right (Sep 23rd2001)
It was important for Rama that she should be set free from
Ravana, by his own valour, his own deeds and his own efforts.
Prudence
was his watchword (Sep 24th2001)
Thinking twice before making a crucial decision is the character
trait seen in Rama’s actions, right from the very beginning…
The
‘maiden’ kill (Sep 25th2001)
Tataka was the grandmother of Ravana. She was the mother of
Marica and Subahu and therefore the latter two were the maternal
uncles of Ravana…
The
‘maiden’ kill II (Sep 26th2001)
Rama should have without a word carried out what Viswamitra
desired. He didn’t. Viswamitra had then to give proof of her
callousness…
The
question of standards (Sep 27th2001)
Rama had always had his reservations about the use of
extraordinary power in the elimination of enemies. Use the
minimum possible force and fight…
When
the normal course fails (Sep 28th2001)
One may see here that despite being hard pressed by time and the
valiant Ravana, Sri Rama observes utmost restraint …
Conviction
beyond compare (Sep 29th2001)
In both the above occasions, one can see Sri Rama thinking it
over and over again before coming to the final decision…
In the following pages we present a study of various major and minor characters of the Ramayana as told by Valmiki and Kamban. This study attempts to go into the character sketch, analyse the different ways in which the two poets have constructed their drama with liberal direct quotations and interpretations. These pages are sure to delight the heart of the devotee as well as the litterateur. Click on a link below to access all the articles under each character. Happy reading!
Ramayana – a character study
By
Hari Krishnan
Epics Generalia
The epics and their
relevance - (Feb. 23rd 2001)
You must read the story as a human story, lived among human beings, by a human being, and, then, Oh, what rich treasures there are of wisdom in it!
| 
