Splitting of Aacha Trees
Then Rama in order to instill confidence in Sugreeva took the Kothanda (Bow), made a Noise which reverberated in all directions and created scare everywhere by pulling the string of the Bow and shot the Bhanam(Arrow with Feather).That Arrow split all the 7 Aacha Trees and then exploded the Hill and pierced the Earth and came out of Earth from another point and went very quickly and sat back in the Quiver on Rama’s shoulder.
Sugreeva was awestruck as he wanted to pierce only one Aacha Tree, whereas in few seconds it had pierced 7 Aacha Trees by the speed of Rama’s Bhana and stood too stunned.Then with all humility kept his head on Rama’s feet and said “ in all worlds amongst Archers you are the greatest; there is non who can match you in Missile Technology; you can playfully kill Indra(Lord of Celestials) and all other universe with your Bhanas. Is Valli is of any significance? With single Arrow you had pierced 7 Huge Aacha Trees and also exploded the Mountain. Who can stand before you in the battle? Like Mahendra and Like Varuna(God of water) you have PARAKRAM (Achievement,Might , Puissance,Exploits,Valor,Heroism,Gallantry,Prowes,Ability,Valour) and I am fortunate to beget you as a Friend and now I have left the sorrow; uncontrollable happiness has engulfed me.
My enemy who has the label of being my elder brother, kill him now and allieviate my agony, and give me immeasurable bliss I pray unto thee” said Sugreeva. Rama hugged him and as per Lakshmana’s suggestion said “ Sugreeva , let us go to Kishkinda. You go little ahead and call the person named Valli , who is born with you , for a Battle”.
Then they went to Valli’s capital and stood behind the thick forest full of dark trees. Sugreeva went ahead and roared like Lion which made sky and earth tremble and invited Valli for a Battle. Hearing that the strongman Valli got enraged like Sun sets in asthagiri came out of his city.
Like the Mercury opposed Mars in Sky Valli and Sugreeva did fierce battle. They hit each other with hands like Thunderbolts.They punched each other with their fists & kuckles like the Vajhrayudha(Weapon of Indra). Then Rama bent the Kothanda and while he was about to mount the Bhana Both Valli & Sugreeva looked exactly alike similar to the Ashwini Deva brothers.Hence Rama could not ascertain who was Valli & who is Sugreeva? Hence he did not shoot the Bhana which would have taken the Life of Valli. By then Sugreeva was won over by Valli looked back and not seeing Rama, ran out of fear to Rishya Mukha Mountain. His bones had broken, blood pouring and extremely tired being chased by Valli ran into Mathanga Muni Ashrama and hid himself.Seeing that Valli afraid of Rishi’s curse said “ Today I spared you”. and returned to Kishkinda.
Then Rama Lakshmana and Maruthi(Hanuman) came to where Sugreeva was. Seeing them he hung his head in shame and said in a low voice “ Lord ! you asked me to call Valli for a Battle; showed your prowess by splitting the Aacha Trees; finally you kept me in a poisition where I could have died.Does this adorn you? If you had told me that I will not kill Valli then would I have left this place?” said Sugreeva.
Rama hearing this felt sorry for him “ Sugreeva! You can get angry after hearing my reasons. Do you know the reason for not sending this Bhana on Valli? Your Body Shape, Walking gait, dress,Voice and the aura , prowess ,Vision, speech, adorning ornaments in all these I could not see any difference between Valli and You. I was afraid by any chance I may kill you, hence I did not send this Arrow.If due to ignorance ot carelessness if I kill you then I would have uprooted our task. I would have been called Fool and idiot by the world. It is said there is no other sin greater than killing a person to whom shelter has been assured. Myself,Lakshmana and Sita are totally dependent on you. In this Forest whom do we have as refuge other than you? Hence you batte with him once again. Do not have doubt that like earlier time I will ignore you. Valli would be torn apart by my arrow and will be rolling on the ground that you will see, in order that I can identify you, please make an evidence by which I will locate you.
‘Lakshmana! Please make a garland of this GajahPushpi flowers and tie this to Sugreeva’s neck.Lakshmana tied the same. Sugreeva looked like the Sun surrounded by stars and surrounded by storks . Then he got emboldened by Rama’s words.Again he took all of them to Kishkinda. (Slokas 41)
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