Ravana, the king of
Lanka, was at the height of his glory. He had fought and defeated
many kings. He lived a life of luxury. However, Lord Indra, King
of the Gods, lived in greater luxury. Ravana was jealous of Lord
Indra and he waited for a chance to wage war against Him.
When the opportunity arrived, Ravana waged ware against Lord Indra
and defeated Him and held Him captive in his kingdom. For many days,
Lord Indra remained a prisoner. On praying to the Gods, Lord Vishnu
heard his prayers and requested Lord Brahma to help Lord Indra.
Lord Brahma was one of the few Gods that Ravana respected.
Lord Brahma told Ravana that was he had done was incorrect and
asked him to release Lord Indra. Ravana did not wish to displease
Lord Brahma, so Lord Indra was immediately set free.
Ravana ordered a grand festival in Lanka to celebrate his victory
over Lord Indra. There were big feasts everywhere. While these celebrations
were going on, Sage
Narada visited Lanka. Ravana received him with
great courtesy and respect. "The entire world is singing your praise," said Sage
Narada, "except someone whom I met on the way.”
"Who is that?” roared Ravana.
"Oh, it is only a monkey," replied Sage Narada. "But
it is a big monkey, Vali, the monkey king. Vali feels that you, the
great Ravana, are no match for him, that you know it and that is
why you dare not face him. I think that monkey should be taught a
lesson. It is dangerous to keep him free. He must be beaten. "
Ravana was furious and decided to attack Vali with his army
"It is a shame for you to fight a mere monkey with an army," said
Sage Narada. "The whole world will laugh at you, if you take
an army to fight a monkey. It is a pity you don't know your own strength.
To deal with a monkey there is no need for an army or weapons. You
can deal with him yourself. If you like, I shall come with you.”
Ravana thought for a moment and agreed to go with Sage Narada.
They set out immediately and reached the place where Vali resided
“Look,” said Sage Narada “There is Vali.”
"Where is he?" asked Ravana. I see only a hill. Is he
behind the hill?"
Sage Narada replied: "No, no that is not a hill. It is Vali
himself. Remember, I told you he was big. Don’t be afraid of
him, though. He is only a monkey. When he sees you, he is sure to
jump and climb some tall tree. You must catch him before that. See
his tail at the back? Why not catch hold of him by the tail, so that
he can't run away?”
Ravana looked at Vali from head to foot. He was frightened. Vali
was such a huge monkey.
"He seems to be praying," Ravana told Sage Narada. "Let
us wait a little while, until he has finished praying. Then I shall
deal with him.”
Sage Narada said: "Your words are fine, but they are not the
words of Ravana, the great and mighty Lord of Lanka. Tell me, O Ravana,
are you afraid of Vali, a mere monkey? It is true that Vali is praying,
but that is the best time to catch him."
Ravana went forward, but he stopped when Vali's huge tail moved
a little. Sage Narada looked at Ravana and smiled at him with scorn.
Ravana saw that. Quickly, he went forward again and caught hold of
Vali's tail with one hand. Vali's tail moved a little, formed a loop,
and tied up Ravana's arm in a knot. Ravana could not draw his hand
back. He looked at Sage Narada for advice.
Sage Narada said: "Use the other hand, Ravana, and pull that
monkey's tail quickly."
Ravana tried that and the other hand was also caught in Vali's
long tail. In a moment, the tail moved round and round over Ravana's
body. Ravana found himself completely bound and helpless. He lay
like a bundle, tied up in Vali's tail.
Sage Narada went to Ravana and said, “O great and mighty
King Ravana, I have to go now. Please don't be upset. I shall go
and tell your great son, who defeated Lord Indra, to come and help
you out.”
Sage Narada went on his way, without even looking back at helpless
Ravana.
Vali finished his prayers and stood up. He did not take any notice
of Ravana, who was still tied up in his tail. Vali set out on a pilgrimage.
He jumped over mountains and crossed seas and oceans. He took his
bath in many sacred rivers. Ravana remained firmly bound by his tail
the entire time.
Vali held a grand feast after his return from the pilgrimage. All
the monkeys of the world attended the feast to pay their homage to
Vali. During the feast, someone noticed something strange on Vali's
tail. The monkeys gathered around it. They saw that it was a large
man bound by Vali’s tail. The monkeys were amused. They teased
Ravana. Then Vali turned round to see what was going on. He saw Ravana
bound by his tail. Vali immediately released Ravana. He asked Ravana
how he came to be there and how long he had been there. Ravana looked
very miserable. With his head bowed, he told Vali the whole story.
He said he was sorry for having come to fight Vali. Vali was kind
to Ravana. He said he was sorry for all that had happened. He requested
Ravana to go back home. Vali said to Ravana: “Please don't
have any ill feeling towards me. Please don't be jealous of people
or of the Gods.”
Ravana went home, sad and ashamed of himself, but he was a wiser
man after this adventure. |
