The story of Vali (also known as Bali) is narrated in the Kishkindha Kanda of the Ramayana. Vali was the mighty king of Kishkindha and was renowned for his strength, courage, and devotion. Lord Brahma had granted him a unique boon: any opponent who faced Vali in combat would automatically lose half of their strength to him. Because of this divine blessing, Vali was considered nearly invincible.
Vali and the Demon Mayavi
One day, a fierce demon named Mayavi arrived at the gates of Kishkindha and challenged Vali to a duel. Accepting the challenge, Vali chased the demon into a deep cave. Before entering, he instructed his younger brother Sugriva to remain outside and wait for his return.
Inside the cave, a long and violent battle took place. After waiting for a long time, Sugriva heard terrifying cries and saw blood flowing out of the cave entrance. Believing that Vali had been killed by the demon, Sugriva sealed the cave with a huge boulder to prevent the demon from escaping and returned to Kishkindha. The kingdom's ministers crowned him king in Vali's absence.
However, Vali had actually defeated Mayavi and survived. After finding another way out of the cave, he returned to Kishkindha and discovered Sugriva ruling the kingdom. Misunderstanding the situation, Vali believed that Sugriva had deliberately betrayed him to seize the throne. Enraged, he drove Sugriva out of the kingdom and even took Sugriva's wife, Ruma, into his own household.
Sugriva Seeks Rama's Help
Sugriva fled to Rishyamuka Mountain, where Vali could not enter because of a curse pronounced by Sage Matanga. According to the curse, Vali would die if he stepped onto the mountain.
While living in exile, Sugriva met Lord Rama and Lakshmana, who were searching for Sita after her abduction by Ravana. Sugriva sought Rama's protection and narrated his tragic story. Rama promised to restore Sugriva's kingdom by defeating Vali. In return, Sugriva pledged to help Rama locate and rescue Sita.
Rama Slays Vali
To fulfill their agreement, Sugriva challenged Vali to a duel. The two brothers fought fiercely, using trees, rocks, fists, and immense physical strength. As the battle continued, Rama, standing concealed, released a powerful arrow that pierced Vali's heart, bringing an end to his life.
Before his death, Vali questioned Rama's decision to strike him from concealment. Rama explained that Vali had violated dharma by taking his brother's wife and unjustly depriving Sugriva of his kingdom. Accepting Rama's explanation, Vali entrusted his wife Tara and his son Angada to Rama and Sugriva.
Sugriva Fulfills His Promise
After Vali's death, Sugriva was crowned king of Kishkindha, while Tara became the queen and Angada was appointed crown prince. Initially, Sugriva became occupied with the affairs of the kingdom and delayed fulfilling his promise to Rama.
Lakshmana grew angry at the delay and confronted Sugriva. Through Tara's wisdom and diplomacy, peace was restored between them, and Sugriva renewed his commitment to Rama.
Sugriva then dispatched his trusted minister Hanuman to search for Sita. Hanuman discovered that she was imprisoned in Ravana's kingdom of Lanka. Sugriva assembled the mighty Vanara army, which built the legendary bridge across the sea to Lanka. After a great battle, Rama defeated Ravana, rescued Sita, and returned to Ayodhya aboard the celestial Pushpaka Vimana, accompanied by his companions.
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