Sri: Srimathe Ramamnujaya nama: Now the author(Dr. Benjamin Khan) gives his own reasons for SriRama's action. It is possible that SugrIva having come to know through HanumAn[Cf IV.6.2-4]that Rama's wife had been ravished,placed himself in a similar situation to play upon the feeling sof Rama to win his support[Cf IV.5.17]. And Rama finding SugrIva in the same situation in which he himself was placed,readily made a promise to punish the culprit and to get him back his wife. SugrIva after attaining the kingdom of his brother makes a promise to help Rama[Cf. IV.5.10,11 and IV.30.17]. Thus killing of VAli was part of the contract which Rama accepted under very compelling circumstances. Rama says to VAli:"I too promised and how could a man of my position neglect his promise?" prathij~nA ca mayA dhaththA thadhA vAnara sanniDhau prathij~nA ca kaTham shAkyA madhviDhEnAnavEkshithum IV.18.27 It should be noted that promise keeping was considered as Dharma and eternal virtue[Cf. II.11.29,II.112.25 and I.21.8] in Valmiki Ramayana. truth,Dharma and keeping a promise have been identified[Cf. I.107.8],for it is said: "If having promised I will do so,you do not act up to your word,the merit you have achieved by digging a tank and by performing sacrifices shall come to nought",and in another place SriRama says: apyham jIvitham jahyam thvAm vA sIthE sa lakshmaNAm | na thu prathij~nAm samshruthva brahmaNEbhyO visheShatha: || III.10.18 (I can renounce my life,LakshmaNa and SItha but I can not break my promise) We find that promise breaking has been c onsidered a sin or deviation from the path of truth[Cf. IV.30.82],whether the promise is good or bad it must be kept. Thus SriRama says to LakshmaNa,"He who breaks his promise made unto a powerful benefactor who solicits his favour,is regarded by people as vile. He is a true hero and an excellent person who fulfils his word whether good or bad"[Cf. IV.30.72]: shubham vA yadhi vA pApam yO hi vAkyamudhIritham | sathyEna parigrhNAthi sa vIra: puruShOththama: || Therefore,it can be concluded that Rama's killing of Vali can be justified on the ground that Rama gave his promise to SugrIva and a promise is equal to Sathya and Sathya is equal to Dharma-thus the killing of VAli was in accordance with Dharma. to be continued... AzhvAr EmperumAnAr Jeeyar ThiruvadigaLE sharaNam NC Nappinnai
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