सर्गः 34

Indeed, Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, having been released by Arjuna and treated in such a manner, roamed all over the earth undeterred.

This arrogant Ravana, upon hearing of any Rakshasa or human superior in strength, would approach them and challenge them to battle.

Then, once, having gone to the city of Kishkindha, which was protected by Vali, he challenged Vali, who was adorned with a golden garland, for battle.

But then, Sushena, the powerful minister of the monkeys and father of Tara, spoke words to the one who had come near, desirous of battle.

O king of Rakshasas, Vali, who would be an equal opponent to you, has departed; what other monkey is capable of standing before you?

O Ravana, Vali is returning in a moment, having performed his twilight prayers from all four oceans; wait for just a moment.

O king, behold these conch-white piles of bones, which are the remains of those who desired battle, vanquished by the might of the king of monkeys.

O demon Ravana, even if you have drunk the nectar of immortality, your life will surely end once you encounter Valin.

O son of Vishravas, behold this wonder of the world now, and wait for a moment, for such an opportunity will be rare for you in the future.

Alternatively, if you are eager to die, go to the southern ocean, where you will see Valin, who is like a fire standing on the earth.

Indeed, that Ravana, the tormentor of the worlds, having severely rebuked Tara, ascended his Pushpaka chariot and set off towards the southern ocean.

There, Ravana saw Valin, who resembled a golden mountain with a face like the rising sun, intently engaged in his twilight prayers.

Then, Ravana, dark like collyrium, descended from the Pushpaka chariot and quickly approached Valin with silent steps, intending to seize him.

By chance, Valin then saw that Ravana, who had evil intentions, but upon seeing him, Valin showed no agitation.

Just as a lion does not worry about a rabbit, or Garuda about a serpent, so Valin did not consider that evil-minded Ravana a threat.

Valin thought, "I will make this evil-minded Ravana, who is coming to seize me, hang from my armpit and then I shall traverse the three great oceans."

Valin further thought, "They will see my enemy Dashagriva, with his thighs, hands, and clothes slipping, hanging from my side like a serpent from Garuda."

Vali, having adopted this resolve, resorted to a secluded spot and stood there, chanting Vedic mantras, appearing like the king of mountains.

Those two kings, Vali and Ravana, both proud of their strength and desiring to seize each other, engaged in that struggle with great effort.

Vali, perceiving Ravana by the sound of his footsteps and considering him within reach, seized him even while facing away, just as a bird seizes a snake.

The monkey king Vali, having seized Ravana, the lord of demons, who had intended to capture him, swiftly flew up into the sky, holding Ravana hanging from his armpit.

Vali carried away Ravana, who was being oppressed and repeatedly scratching him with his nails, just as the wind carries away a cloud.

Then, those Rakshasa ministers, seeing Dashanana being carried away by Vali, rushed after him, shouting, desiring to free their king.

Vali, being followed by those Rakshasas in the middle of the sky, shone like the sun in the sky being followed by masses of clouds.

Those chief Rakshasas, unable to reach Vali due to his immense speed, became exhausted and stopped.

Indeed, even a great mountain would move away from Vali's path as he flew, so how much more would those Rakshasas, who were mere beings of flesh and blood desiring to live, be unable to keep up.

The immensely swift king of monkeys, Vali, flew through regions where even flocks of birds could not reach, successively worshipping all the oceans as the twilight hour arrived.

Vali, the best among sky-dwellers, being honored by various celestial beings, indeed reached the western ocean with Ravana.

Having performed his evening prayers, bathed, and chanted mantras there, Vali, the monkey, proceeded to the northern ocean, still carrying Ravana.

The great monkey, carrying his enemy for many thousands of yojanas, traveled with the speed of wind and thought.

After performing his evening prayers in the northern ocean, Vali, still carrying Ravana, then proceeded to the eastern great ocean.

Having performed his evening prayers there as well, Vali, the lord of monkeys, returned towards Kishkindha, still holding Ravana.

After performing his twilight prayers in all four oceans, the monkey (Bali), exhausted from carrying Ravana, landed in the pleasure grove of Kishkindha.

Then, the best of monkeys (Bali) released Ravana from his armpit and, laughing repeatedly, asked Ravana, "Where are you from?"

Having experienced great astonishment and with his gaze unsteady from fatigue, the king of Rakshasas (Ravana) spoke these words to that king of monkeys (Bali).

Ravana addressed Bali, saying, "O king of monkeys, resembling Mahendra, I am Ravana, the king of Rakshasas, who arrived here desirous of battle, and that desire has been fulfilled by you today."

Ravana exclaimed, "Oh, what strength, what valor, and what profundity, by which I was seized like an animal and carried around all four oceans!"

O hero, who else but you, carrying me and the great oceans, will swiftly and tirelessly traverse them?

O monkey, this speed belongs to only three beings: the mind, the wind, and Suparna (Garuda), and there is no doubt that it also belongs to you.

O best of monkeys, having witnessed your strength, I desire to establish a very firm and lasting friendship with you in the presence of fire.

O lord of monkeys, our wives, sons, city, kingdom, enjoyments, clothing, and food, all will indeed be undivided between us.

Then, having kindled a fire, both the monkey (Hanuman) and the Rakshasa (Vibhishana) established their brotherhood and embraced each other.

Then, those two, the monkey (Vali) and the demon (Ravana), with hands clasped, joyfully entered Kishkindha, just like two lions entering a mountain cave.

Ravana, having stayed there for a month like Sugriva, was then led away by his ministers who had arrived, desiring the destruction of the three worlds.

O Lord, thus did this happen formerly: Ravana was humiliated by Vali and also made his brother in the presence of fire.

O Rama, Vali possessed supreme and unequalled strength, yet even he was completely destroyed by you, just as a moth is consumed by fire. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे चतुस्त्रिंशः सर्गः ।। 34 ।। Thus ends the thirty-fourth sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.