Episode 182 – Lord Rama answers Vaali!!!

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Vaali is asking a set of six questions to Lord Rama as to why is he meeting such a disastrous end to his life. He lists down the questions one by one as Rama observes each of the question keenly. After Vaali finishes his account, Rama slowly and patiently answers all of Vaali’s questions, one after the other. In today’s episode let us see what are the answers given by Lord Rama for each of Vaali’s questions.

Lord Rama says, “Oh Vaali! What was the first question that you asked me? You said that there is no enemity between you and me with respect to land or property. I say that there is a dispute between us in terms of land and property. All you think is that, Kishinta is your kingdom. It’s not like that! Our Ayodhya kingdom is not just restricted to the city of Ayodhya. It is spread far and wide till the southern tip of Bhaarata Desha.

“Ikshvaaku naam iyam bhoomihi sashaila vana kaananaa!

Thaam paalayithi dharmaathmaa bharathaha sathya vaakyathaha!!”

 Our brother Baratha is ruling over the urban part of the Ayodhya kingdom for a while and I’m ruling the forest part of the Ayodhya kingdom. Thus, all the urban area and the forests along with the mountains and the rivers are the property of Ayodhya (“Ikshvaaku naam iyam bhoomihi sashaila vana kaananaa!”) Thus, the moment you told that Kishkinta is your territory; there arose the dispute between you and me in terms of land and property!”

Rama continues.. “Fine! What was your second question? You said that both of us never knew each other before today and what was the reason for you to kill me?” Rama replies.. “Oh Vaali! Listen! If someone has to start fighting with another person, it is not necessary that he knows the other person before. You are a person who has committed the mistake and I’m a king. I’ve come here to give you the apt punishment. You are one among my subjects. For a king it is not necessary that he knows each and every person in his kingdom before he gives the punishment! Hence there is no necessity that I need to know you and your background before giving you the punishment.”

Rama continues again.. “What was the next question? Am I hunting you for your skin or tusk or flesh?” Let me answer you – You are an animal. I’m here to punish you for your wrongdoing. While hunting an animal will anyone come in front of the animal and fight? For instance, if you go to hunt a tiger, will you go in front of the tiger, give it a knife or a gun and go to fight equally with it? The tiger would crush you to pieces! Similarly since you are an animal, there is no necessity that I come in front of you and fight. Similarly, if a king has to give a punishment to the subject, he needn’t directly fight with that person and then give the punishment.”

Now Rama answers the important question – “What wrong did I do so as to kill me?” This was Vaali’s question. Rama answers, “Oh Vaali! You have done a great misdeed! Don’t you remember what you did? Here is your brother Sugriva who came crying to you with total surrender in your feet and was ready to handover the kingdom to you! But what did you do? Didn’t you chase him and abuse him physically and mentally? According to the “Raaja Dharma” this is a great mistake! The “Raaja Neethi” or “Raaja Dharma” says that if someone falls on your feet, as a king you should forgive him and accept him unconditionally. You’ve disrespected this Raaja Neethi and hence you are to be punished!

There is one more blunder that you’ve committed – You have abducted the wife of your own brother! That is another big fault in you! While Sugriva is alive, you abducted his wife Ruma. Do you know what our Manu Bhagawan has said in his Shastra? If you abduct your own daughter, sister or sister in law, you should be killed without even conducting an investigation! Thus, you have misbehaved and abducted with your sister in law! Hence, you are supposed to be killed on the spot! It is only because of these two mistakes that I’ve come here to punish you! Oh Vaali, let me tell you one more thing! If one has to be punished, he should receive the punishment without escaping. If someone has to give the punishment, he should give it away! If this doesn’t happen, both the people would be into the path of “Adharma” (Unrighteousness). It is for this reason – to maintain the “Dharma” I had to give you the punishment and you have to accept it. So Vaali! Don’t feel bad for it! I’ve done what is Dharma to you as well as to me and Sugriva!”

Hearing this from Rama, Vaali was in tears! Did he accept his mistakes? What was Vaali’s reply upon hearing Rama’s answers? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out!