30. Vali and Sugriva (Devotional)

      Vali and Sugriva are vanaras (monkeys) and sons of Surya, the sun god. Vali ruled the kingdom of Kishkindha where all Vanaras live. Vali had a boon that when he fights with anyone, half of the opponant's strength will be transfered to Vali. So he was invincible. Sugriva was a loyal brother serving him as his minister. Tara was Vali's wife and Ruma was Sugriva's wife. One day a demon challenged Vali to a fight. Vali accepted the challenge, but when he sallied forth, the demon fled in terror into a deep cave. Vali entered the cave in pursuit of the demon, telling Sugriva to wait outside. He advised Sugriva before entering cave to close the cave with a big stone if Vali didn't return back in 3 days so that demon cannot come out. When Vali did not return in 3 days, and upon hearing demonic shouts in the cave and seeing blood oozing from its mouth, Sugriva concluded that his brother had been killed. With a heavy heart, Sugriva rolled a boulder to seal the cave's opening as per Vali's advise and returned to Kishkindha and assumed kingship over the vanaras.

      After some days Vali ultimately prevailed in his combat with the demon and returned home. Seeing Sugriva acting as king, he concluded that his brother had betrayed him. Though Sugriva humbly attempted to explain himself, Vali would not listen. As a result, Sugriva was ostracized from the kingdom, Vali forcibly took Sugriva's wife Ruma. From then Vali and Sugriva became biggest enemies. Sugriva tried to defeat Vali many times but failed. As per Surya's request, Hanuman joined forces with Sugriva (refer Birth of Hanuman). As per the mild curse on Hanuman, he doesn't know his own strength. He was just like any other vanara acing as Sugriva's minister. One day when Hanuman was leaving penance to Surya in the early morning, Ravana was taking away Sita on the same way. Sita removed all her garments and left it on the ground which fell directly in Hanuman's hands. Hanuman got surprised and gave them to Sugriva for safekeeping.

      As per sabari's advise, Rama and Lakshmana reached Sugriva's place (refer Story of Jatayu and Sabari). Sugriva saw them from distance and doubted whether they are friends or enemies. So Hanuman disguised himself as a brahmin and approached them. When he asked Rama about his where abouts, Rama called him Hanuman and told him that the chain in Hanuman's neck is showing his real form. Hanuman remembered that his mother Anjana told Hanuman that who ever can see that chain, will be his master (refer Birth of Hanuman). So he took his real form and fell on Rama's feet. From then Hanuma started serving Rama. He introduced Rama to Sugriva. When Rama told them about Sita's abduction, Hanuman showed them the garments he found the other day. Rama confirmed them as Sita's garments. Rama promised Sugriva that he will help him killing Vali and make him the king of Kishkindha. Sugriva promised him that he will send his troops all over to search for Sita once he become king of Kishkindha.