Monkey King Bali or Vali, the brother of Sugriva in the
Ramayana, was the ruler of Kishkinda. One of the most popular images of King
Bali is that of him dragging the ten-headed Ravana. The story of Bali and Ravana is very popular as it is funny and also
teaches the valuable lesson that arrogance only leads to downfall.
Bali had got the boon that
he would get half the strength of his opponent who he chooses to fight. Ravana
who heard about this wanted to kill Bali as the demon king thought that Bali would be a threat to him in future.
Bali who realized the
presence of Ravana behind him did not move. Instead he slowly put his long tail
across the body of Ravana. Ravana too thought it as a good opportunity to grab
the tail. But within seconds Ravana found himself bound to the tail of Bali .
Bali then immediately
jumped into the sea with Ravana. He then jumped into the skies. Then to the
mountains. He then went to his city of Kishkinda
and moved around visiting all places. All this time Ravana was bound to his
tail. He was bruised as he had to pass through high trees and rocks.
Ravana decided to kill Bali
from behind when he went to take bath in the sea. He thought that the monkey
could be easily overpowered. He then reached Kishkinda.
Ravana found Bali meditating
on the seashore one morning and slowly reached him from behind. The idea of
Ravana was to hold Bali by his tail and hit
him on the ground and kill him.
The women and children in the kingdom started following Bali . They were amused by the sight of the ten-headed
king getting smashed on to trees and mountains. Children started poking the
demon king.
Finally, Ravana asked for forgiveness. King Bali
then released Ravana. Thus arrogant Ravana was a taught a lesson.