Vali, the mighty King of Kishkindha, heaped accusations upon Rama. In his blind fury, he likened Rama to the sun bereft of its rays, to a cloud emptied of its waters. Yet, is it not the way of the vanquished, the scorned, the wounded, and the irrational to cast blame upon those who do not favor them? However, for kings, rulers, and those of noble lineage, such recklessness is unworthy. A sovereign must weigh his words with care, even in dire straits.
Thus, Rama spoke:
“Vali, without delving into the depths of duty, wealth, desire, and the venerable ways of the world, you hurl accusations upon me. The wise do not speak without first consulting the sacred codes of conduct. Your words betray the fickle nature of fortune—unstable, unrestrained. Know this: the whole of this vast earth, with its forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers, lies under the dominion of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Every creature—beast, bird, and man—is subject to its righteous rule. At present, this realm flourishes under Bharata, a sovereign of unparalleled virtue. Truth is his creed, deception foreign to his soul. He understands the laws of morality, the essence of prosperity, and the tides of human desire. Impartial in his judgments, he upholds righteousness and chastises the wicked. In him dwell justice, humility, and truth unceasingly. Bold and heroic, he acts with wisdom and swiftness in the service of Dharma.
“Under his command, I and other noble rulers serve with vigilance, ensuring the balance of righteousness across the land. When such a just king reigns, bound by sacred tradition, who would dare transgress the law? We must scrutinize and rectify any who defy the rightful order. Vali, you have forsaken the dignity of kingship. Your actions demand correction. You have let pride and unbridled impulse reign over principle, morality, and virtue.”
“In the ordained order of society, the elder brother, father, and guru are as one—a figure of reverence. The younger brother, son, and worthy disciple are to be regarded as sons. Such is the decree of Dharma. O Monkey King, the path of the great is subtle, elusive to the unawakened. Only a soul attuned to the cosmos may discern its truth. Can the blind seek direction from the blind? Likewise, a fickle mind guided by similar folly courts only ruin. Hear me well: your sin is grave. You have usurped your brother’s wife, a transgression against both family and righteousness. In the eyes of Dharma, she is as a daughter-in-law to you. For this crime alone, you are rightly punished. If a king turns a blind eye to such wickedness, the world itself shall crumble. Society’s fabric is safeguarded only when might is tempered by justice. Let all who contemplate sin remember your fate. Those in power who act against virtue cannot be spared, for their misdeeds set perilous precedents for generations to come.”
“Born of a noble lineage, I cannot abide your transgressions. Ancient law decrees capital punishment for any who violate a daughter, sister, or brother’s wife. Bharata reigns now, and I serve under his just command. How then can I disregard your wrongdoing? A king who tolerates even the slightest breach of law must answer for it. O Monkey King, it is our solemn duty to curb the unruly and uphold the righteous order as decreed by Bharata.”
“My alliance with Sugriva is bound as steadfastly as that of Lakshmana and myself. I have vowed before the vanara warriors to aid him in reclaiming his wife and his throne. How, then, can I break my oath? Reflect upon the course of events, Vali. The punishment you now face is just. Law and duty demand it. If you contemplate deeply, you will recognize your wrongdoing and accept the consequence. Those who grasp the true essence of Dharma walk the path laid forth by Manu. When a sinner is chastised by a righteous king, his sins are cleansed. Those who undergo deep introspection in moments of crisis attain clarity and truth. And once truth is realized, the soul is liberated.
“Even the most noble must submit to judgment. In ages past, an ascetic of high renown once wronged a virtuous woman. King Mandhata, upholding the sacred order, cast him into exile. A ruler who fails in his duty is himself deemed guilty by the very laws he neglects. Justice spares none, not even kings who falter in vigilance. In the natural order, a beast on the hunt, whether moving or still, is fair game for the archer’s arrow. So too are the lawless bound to meet their due fate. Whether or not you engaged in battle with me, you could not have escaped this reckoning, for in losing your sense of judgment, you became as a mere beast.”
“O Vali, virtue is not seized by force—it is bestowed by the decree of righteous kings. Sacred life itself is preserved by rulers, who embody the divine essence of Indra, Varuna, Vayu, and Agni, guided by the wisdom of celestial sages. You failed to grasp the nobility of the Ikshvaku tradition, and now, in your folly, you accuse me unjustly. Know that I have neither strayed from duty nor uttered falsehood, nor have I defied the sacred codes of my forebears.”
Hearing these words, Vali, stricken with sorrow and remorse, bowed his head. The fire of his animosity extinguished, his heart unburdened, his eyes brimmed with tears. With folded hands, he spoke:
“Rama, all that you have said is true. I have no defense. A man of my stature cannot hope to answer a scion of virtue like you. Forgive my ignorance. I was blinded by pride, intoxicated by my own strength. You have weighed my deeds and deemed me culpable. O King of Dharma, I lament that I did not seek your counsel sooner. The fortune of your divine presence eluded me. Though I have erred, grant me your blessing.”
Vali, like a mighty elephant sinking into the mire, with failing breath and a faltering voice, made one final plea:
“Rama, I fear not for myself, but for my son Angada. His heart is pure, his devotion unwavering. He is the light of my lineage, yet without me, he shall be as a parched lake in summer’s heat. Since childhood, I have shielded him tenderly. He is the precious gift of my beloved Tara. I beseech you, protect him. Grant him your guidance and favor. You, who uphold the highest ideals, must also safeguard Sugriva and Angada, as you do Lakshmana and Bharata. Tara, too, is blameless—her virtue remains unsullied. Counsel Sugriva to honor and protect her, as custom demands. Under your benevolent grace, all shall thrive.”
Rama, with unwavering resolve, replied:
“O Vali, set aside your sorrow. Neither Tara nor Angada shall suffer. Be assured that your sins are absolved, for realization is the first step to redemption. Your fate serves as a lesson for kings, a warning against heedless transgression. Those who administer punishment and those who receive it—both uphold the sacred order when it is meted out in righteousness. Now, relinquish fear and regret. The path before you leads to higher realms. Cast aside earthly attachments and embrace your destined course. O King of Monkeys, know that Angada shall be cherished by Sugriva and me, just as he was by you.”
Thus, freed from all doubt and distress, Vali, with folded hands, bowed before Rama. He cast away his former grievances and surrendered to the unfolding will of fate, his heart cleansed of resentment.
This passage stands as a testament to the profound codes of conduct, the sanctity of established tradition, and the unyielding execution of righteous law. In the grand script of destiny, each moment imparts its lesson—ever luminous, ever just.