The abduction of Sita having taken place in the waning phase of Caitra in the 14th 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 8th
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 8th sign from Aquarius (Kumbha rasi). This means Aquarius
was his moon sign.
From there, the 12th sign (death related) had
Rahu and Saturn together. They were casting a direct aspect on the 6th
house which signifies enmity, fear from enemies etc. The 7th is the
Maaraka sign (indicating death) which was occupied by the lords of 3rd,
4th and 5th which also happened to be the lords of 8th,
9th and the 10th. The 3rd lord signifies
longevity. It was owned by Mars. Mars was also the lord of the 8th from
the 3rd house. Its position in the 7th indicates mortal
fear. Jupiter was the lord of another important Maaraka house, namely the 2nd,
and it was in the 8th. So, the planetary positions were indicative
of serious trouble to Vaali. Now positioning the moon will determine the most
probable day of death.
On 12th April, the month
of Shravana started. So, after that only, Vaali must have died. On 12th
April, the 8th lord Mercury was in the process of transiting to Leo
(7th house). At that time the moon was in Gemini, the 5th
house. That was not an afflicted position. On 13th and 14th
April, the moon was in the 6th house, joining the 7th
lord, Sun. So, moon in Kataka was a probable time for death of Vaali. I picked
out 14th April when the moon was in Aslesha, in the star of Mercury,
the lord of the 8th 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 17th
April when Uttara Phalguni was running. 18th 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: 14th April, 5077 BCE (Subhanu, Shravana,
Shukla Tritiya, Aslesha, Monday)
Cremation: 14th or 15th April
Discussion with Rama: 16th April
Coronation of Sugreeva: 17th April, 5077 BCE (Subhanu, Shravana,
Shukla Shashti, Uttara Phalguni, Thursday)
(Cont'd)
