Rama heard about Sugreeva’s brother Bali who was very powerful and had forcefully kept Sugreeva’s wife Ruma with him. Rama decided to help Sugreeva by killing his brother Bali. Rama and Sugreeva made a plan. Sugreeva approached Bali for a fight and Rama hid behind a tree. However, just as the fight began, he saw two identical monkeys and was unable to differentiate between Bali and Sugreeva. Rama held back his shot. Sugreeva was badly beaten by Bali but somehow managed to escape. Then Rama and Sugreeva made another plan. They decided that Sugreeva should wear a garland to help Rama recognise him. Sugreeva then invited Bali for the second time. As the fight began, Rama shot his arrow at Bali’s chest, but he did not die. Rama then shot at his back and Bali fell down on the ground. In his final moments, Bali asked Rama why he had helped Sugreeva when even Bali could have helped him to get back Sita. Rama told that by making Ruma his queen, Bali had committed a sin. After Rama had explained, Bali with both palms joined in reverence begged for forgiveness and said he was blessed to have been killed by the noble Rama.
RAMA KILLS BALI
