Character
Vali: FAQ & Sources
वालीVanara king of Kishkindha; brother of Sugriva. Also called King of Kishkindha | The one who halved his foe's strength | Father of Angada.
Vali was the mighty vanara king of Kishkindha and elder brother of Sugriva. A misunderstanding turned the brothers into enemies; Rama killed Vali with a hidden arrow to restore Sugriva, raising one of the Ramayana's great questions of dharma.
RoleVanara king of Kishkindha; brother of Sugriva
AllegianceKishkindha (vanara kingdom)
Appears inRamayana
Frequently asked questions
Who was Vali?
The mighty vanara (monkey) king of Kishkindha and elder brother of Sugriva in the Ramayana.
Why did Vali and Sugriva become enemies?
A misunderstanding at a cave led Sugriva to believe Vali dead and seal him in; Vali, surviving, thought Sugriva had betrayed him and drove him out.
Why did Rama kill Vali from hiding?
Rama said Vali had wronged his brother and seized his wife, and that as a king he was bound to punish such adharma; Vali accepted the justice.
Who was Vali's son?
Angada, whom the dying Vali entrusted to Rama's care.
What was Vali's boon?
That any foe who faced him in battle lost half their strength to him, making him nearly invincible.
Sources
- Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda
- Tulsidas, Ramcharitmanas
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