Rama Allies with Sugriva and Kills Vali

Miserable at Sita's abduction, Rama reached Lake Pampa, which was a short distance away. It was full of lotuses and blue lotuses. The wind was pleasant and cool, and the forest was redolent with the fragrance of amrita. There, his mind turned to his beloved. That Indra among kings remembered her and lamented, tormented by the arrows of love. Soumitri told him, "O one who honours those who are worthy! Such sentiments should not touch you, like a self-controlled man should not be tainted by disease or the conduct of the aged. You have obtained information about Vaidehi and Ravana. Now use manliness and intelligence to recover her. Let us go to Sugriva, the bull among monkeys in the mountain. Be comforted, since I, your disciple, servant and aide, am with you." At these words of Lakshmana, Raghava recovered his natural state and thought about what should be done next. The brave brothers bathed in the waters of Pampa. After rendering offerings to the ancestors, they departed. They reached Mount Rishyamukha, full of many roots and fruits, and saw the five monkeys on the peak. Sugriva sent his wise adviser, the monkey Hanuman, who was as tall as a mountain, to them. Having first conversed with him, they went to Sugriva. Rama then had an agreement of friendship with the king of the monkeys. When the monkeys were told about what had to be done, they displayed the garment that Sita had dropped while she was being abducted. Having thus obtained assurance, Rama himself instated Sugriva as the king of all the monkeys on earth. Kakutstha also promised to kill Vali in battle. Sugriva promised to bring Sita back. Having concluded the agreement and having reposed trust in each other, all of them went to Kishkindha and based themselves there, desirous of doing battle. Having reached Kishkindha, Sugriva let out a giant roar, like the noise of a flood. Vali could not tolerate this. But Tara restrained him and said, "From the manner in which the mighty monkey Sugriva is roaring, I think that he has obtained a protector. You should not go out." At that, the eloquent Vali, adorned in a golden garland, told Tara, "You are familiar with the voices of all beings and you possess intelligence. See and find out whose protection this fake brother of mine has obtained." Tara thought for an instant. Then the wise one spoke to her husband. "O lord of the monkeys! Listen to everything. The immensely powerful Rama is Dasharatha's son and has lost his wife. That great archer has contracted an agreement of friendship with Sugriva, with one's enemy regarded as the other's too. His brother is unvanquished, mighty-armed and wise Soumitri Lakshmana, who stands by him for accomplishing the task. Mainda, Dvivida, the wind-god's son Hanuman and Jambavan, the king of the bears, are Sugriva's advisers and stand by him. All these great-souled ones are immensely strong and intelligent. Resorting to Rama's valour, they are enough for your destruction." But the lord of the monkeys disregarded her words, which would have ensured his welfare. He was full of jealousy and suspected that her mind was attracted towards Sugriva. Having spoken harshly to Tara, he emerged from the mouth of his cave. He went to Sugriva, who was stationed near Malyavan, and said, "O foolish you! You are fond of life. But you have been defeated by me many times earlier. Considering our relationship, I have freed you earlier. Why do you wish to rush to your death again?" Thus addressed, Sugriva spoke to his brother for a reason, as if to indicate to Rama that the time had come. "O king! Know that I have been robbed of my wife, and robbed of my kingdom, by you. What is the purpose of being alive? That is the reason I have approached you." Speaking to each other in these and many other ways, Vali and Sugriva engaged in a fight, with shala trees, tala trees and rocks as weapons. They smote each other and flung each other down on the ground. Both of them moved wonderfully and struck each other with fists. Both of them dripped with blood, lacerated by nails and teeth. Those brave ones resembled blossoming kimshukas. No difference could be detected between the two fighters. Then Hanuman placed a garland around Sugriva's neck. With that garland round his neck, the brave one was as radiant and handsome as Mount Malaya with a garland of clouds. Recognizing Sugriva through that mark, the great archer Rama drew his giant bow and chose Vali as a target. The twang of the bow was like the sound of a machine. Pierced in the heart through the arrow, Vali fell down. With his heart pierced and wounded, he began to vomit blood through his mouth. He saw Rama standing there, together with Soumitri. He rebuked Kakutstha and fell down unconscious on the ground. Tara saw him on the ground, like a dislodged lord of the stars. With Vali slain, Sugriva obtained Kishkindha back and also Tara, now that her lord had fallen. Worshipped by Sugriva, the wise Rama lived on the beautiful slopes of Malyavan for four months.