Sugriva seeks refuge at the feet of Lord Rama, and since Rama never lets down those who seek His protection, He kills Vali. But it is wrong to refer to this incident as the slaying of Vali, said M.V. Anantapadmanabhachariar, in a discourse. Rather, the proper way to refer to it would be as the granting of moksha to Vali.
When Vali is felled by Rama’s arrow, he asks Rama why He had shot an arrow at him. What is Rama’s quarrel with Vali? Is Vali His enemy? “When I am not your enemy, why do you have to kill me,” asks the mortally wounded Vali. Rama explains to Vali that killing him is justified.
Every man has three men he can look up to as fatherly figures — his own father, his elder brother and he who imparts education to him. Vali, thus, should have been like a father to his younger brother Sugriva. But instead Vali had misbehaved with Sugriva’s wife Ruma. For this alone he should be punished, for so heinous is his crime.
Brotherly act
To Rama Himself, Sugriva is no different from Lakshmana. Just as He would help Lakshmana to avenge any injustice meted out to him, so will He avenge any injustice meted out to Sugriva. Rama further says that He has obeyed the laws laid down for the punishment of wrongdoers. It is said that when a king punishes a wrongdoer, the latter is absolved of his sins and enters heaven, along with the virtuous. If a king does not punish a wrongdoer, then the sins of the man who has erred pass on to the king.
After hearing Rama’s words, Vali repents for his words, and says they were spoken in haste, anguish and ignorance. Vali is now convinced about the correctness of Rama’s act. Vali says that when someone has Rama’s approval, he can rule any kingdom, and so Sugriva, who has Rama’s blessings, will make a good king.
Vali asks Rama to look after his son Angada. Thus Vali entrusts the welfare of his family to Rama. By Rama’s own words, when a king punishes a sinner, the latter will go to heaven. When Vali has been slain by Rama Himself, is moksha not guaranteed to him? Hence the killing of Vali should be seen as the liberation of Vali.
