Sri Rama - 1

"Whatever you may say, Rama's treatment of Vaali and attitude towards Sita weren't right"

"Possibly. Let us break down the Vaali episode for the moment"

"OK"

"You know that Rama was directed to meet Sugriva by Kabandha, a demon freed from his curse by Rama, in the forest. Right?"

"Maybe. I do not know to that level of detail. But if he had to direct, he would have directed Rama to the more powerful Vaali who could have made the task of finding Sita easier. Why Sugriva?"

"Good. Now Kabandha possibly knew the whole Vaali/Sugriva story. He knew Vaali was powerful yet he directed Rama to Sugriva because partnering with Vaali would have been Adharmic or unethical for Rama. Vaali had taken away Sugriva's wife so technically he was to Sugriva what Ravana was to Rama"

"Hmmm.. Ok"

"Sugriva, on the other and, was a natural ally because of their shared situation of losing the wife and wandering in the forests"

"OK. Go on"

"Now Rama knew none of the story between Vaali & Sugriva. His objective was to find Sita. So he just followed the direction provided by a helpful soul. After he solemnized his friendship with Sugriva is only when he came to know the story of Vaali and Sugriva"

"True. Still doesn't make any sense as to why he had to kill Vaali from behind the tree"

"I am coming there. Helping Sugriva is now part of Rama's Sneha-Dharma - Rama being a strict adherent of Dharma. However, Vaali wasn't bad except for his blind and unjustified rage for Sugriva"

"Well, that doesn't mean that Rama must kill Vaali and that too in an unjust way"

"If Rama did not kill Vaali, Ravana would have found a natural ally in Vaali at the time of war. Rama & a handful of Sugriva, Hanuman and other monkeys could not have possibly fought the combined army. Could they have?"

"Maybe not. OK. Makes sense that Vaali had to be killed. Why that approach?"

"The alternative to the hiding behind the tree approach for Rama was to come face to face with Vaali. Correct? Now Vaali knew about Rama and his prowess. The discussion between him and his wife Tara before he ventures out to fight Sugriva proves that"

"Yes. The alternative was a face to face fight"

"Now knowing from Sugriva's account that Vaali was generally Dharmic, Rama's quandary would have been - What-if Vaali seeks protection from him (Rama)? What'd be his options then? He cannot keep his promise to Sugriva, he cannot take help from Vaali's army because of the ethical dilemma and his quest to find Sita would hit a severe roadblock. And finding Sita was paramount to his Dharma"

"Hmmm...Interesting. But then killing from behind a tree was still adharma, right?"

"That is where Rama's critical thinking comes handy. Remember those were the times when kings were taught Nyaya Shastra because they were also the Chief Justices"

"Agreed"

"Rama resolved the problem by deciding to hit from behind the tree because - 1) At the time of parting with Bharata, Rama promises to be the ruler of forests while Bharata can rule the civil society. So Rama can deliver justice in the forests. 2) It is normal for kings of that time to hunt animals from hidden locations. Vaali being a monkey qualifies to be hunted"

"Hmmm.... but if Vaali was Dharmic, how can he be equal to an animal?"

"Excellent question. This was probably what bothered Rama the most. However, on his death bed, the first thing Vaali asked Rama was 'How can you kill a mere animal like me?'. That probably relieved Rama because Vaali probably followed Dharma only as a fashion but in reality, he felt free to act like an animal when he wanted, like in case of handling Sugriva. If Vaali had not said that, then Rama probably would have been guilty and lost his status as a torch bearer of Dharma"

"So you are saying, helping Sugriva get his wife Ruma back was more important for Rama than the method of killing Vaali"

"Not just that. There was a critical thinking and justification along with tactical preparation for the upcoming war. Sugriva was the right ally and, in partnership with Ravana, Vaali could have been the wrong enemy"

"I think it makes sense now. What about Rama's attitude towards Sita?"

"Some other time. Trust me, if you believe that Rama was always just and then evaluate his actions, you will always find reason somewhere. The problem is when you try to judge Rama through the modern day concepts of right and wrong"

"Maybe. Will look forward to that next interaction then"

"Sure. Ram-Ram until then"