Ramayana – 11: Vaali Vadha and Sugreeva’s coronation

The abduction of Sita having taken place in the waning phase of Caitra in the 14^th year, we come across definite clues on time, only from the time of Sugreeva’s coronation. There is no direct reference to the date of Vaali’s death. It must be inferred from the coronation date of Sugreeva.

The time of coronation also is a little tricky because it throws up are two probabilities: one, immediately after cremating Vaali because the country could not go headless and two, after the 13-day ceremony for Vaali. It is simply said that the Vanara leaders surrounded Sugreeva whose clothes were still wet from having done the rituals for Vaali. And with him they approached Rama to permit them to go to the kingdom of Kishkindha, besides inviting Rama to the kingdom.  

The important information on time was given by Rama in his reply to the Vanara-s. He said that the four-month rainy season had just commenced, and it was the month of Shravana (VR: 4-26-14)

Rama continued to say that it was not right on his part to enter cities or villages due to his exile-status but asked Sugreeva to go ahead with the coronation ceremony (VR: 4-26-15).

Rama said further, “On the advent of Karthika month, say post-rainy season, you shall do your best in the cause of Ravana's elimination, and this is our covenant, and hence oh, gentle Sugreeva, for now enter your mansion, be enthroned in kingdom as well, and exhilarate your friends.” (4-26-17, 18a).  Then, Rama along with Lakshmana went to a cave on Mt. Prasavana to spend his time during the four-month long rainy season.

On reading these verses, we get an impression that Vaali was killed after the month of Shravana started. Three months have gone in between the abduction of Sita and the killing of Vaali.

Let us reconstruct the events of this period:

Rest of Caitra: Rama and Lakshmana were searching for Sita. In this period, they met Jatayu and cremated him on his death.

Encounter with Kabandha: in Vaishakha (probable time)

Meeting Shabari: in Vaishakha (probable time)

Meeting Sugreeva: in Jyeshta (probable time)

First encounter with Vaali: in late Ashadha

Second encounter with Vaali: Early Shravana

Killing of Vaali

In the case of Vaali also, his death time is indicated in an old Tamil song on Jupiter’s transit. We already pointed out that Jupiter was in the Janma rasi of Rama when he was exiled; it was in Sita’s Janma rasi when she was confined. In the same way, the verse says that Jupiter was in the 8^th house from Vaali’s Janma rasi (moon sign) when he was killed.

எட்டினில் வாலி பட்டமிழந்ததும்

This means from the location of Jupiter in the horoscopic re-construction of his death, we can find out his Janma rasi (moon-sign). From that we can check whether the planetary positions were indicative of death for him. So, I started checking the dates from the time Shravana month started in Subhanu year (5077 BCE). In that month, Jupiter was in Virgo (Kanya rasi). Virgo was the 8^th sign from Aquarius (Kumbha rasi). This means Aquarius was his moon sign.

From there, the 12^th sign (death related) had Rahu and Saturn together. They were casting a direct aspect on the 6^th house which signifies enmity, fear from enemies etc. The 7^th is the Maaraka sign (indicating death) which was occupied by the lords of 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th which also happened to be the lords of 8^th, 9^th and the 10^th. The 3^rd lord signifies longevity. It was owned by Mars. Mars was also the lord of the 8^th from the 3^rd house. Its position in the 7^th indicates mortal fear. Jupiter was the lord of another important Maaraka house, namely the 2^nd, and it was in the 8^th. So, the planetary positions were indicative of serious trouble to Vaali. Now positioning the moon will determine the most probable day of death.

     Vaali’s death

On 12^th April, the month of Shravana started. So, after that only, Vaali must have died. On 12^th April, the 8^th lord Mercury was in the process of transiting to Leo (7^th house). At that time the moon was in Gemini, the 5^th house. That was not an afflicted position. On 13^th and 14^th April, the moon was in the 6^th house, joining the 7^th lord, Sun. So, moon in Kataka was a probable time for death of Vaali. I picked out 14^th April when the moon was in Aslesha, in the star of Mercury, the lord of the 8^th house.  

Coronation of Sugreeva

Looking at the planetary positions, the ideal day for coronation would have been when the moon joined Jupiter. If the coronation lagna had Jupiter, that would make it an auspicious one. I zeroed in on 17^th April when Uttara Phalguni was running. 18^th April with Hasta was also probable day, but I picked out the very next day; Uttara Phalguni also scores over Hasta.

    Coronation of Sugreeva

The sequence goes like this:

Vaali’s death: 14^th April, 5077 BCE (Subhanu, Shravana, Shukla Tritiya, Aslesha, Monday)

Cremation: 14^th or 15^th April

Discussion with Rama: 16^th April

Coronation of Sugreeva: 17^th April, 5077 BCE (Subhanu, Shravana, Shukla Shashti, Uttara Phalguni, Thursday)

(Cont'd)