Lakshmana goes to Sugriva

Soon the monsoon was over, and cool autumn season started. Rama used to wonder how Sita was doing, whether she was alive or dead. Rama said Sugriva was enjoying his life as the king and forgotten his promise. I killed Vali for him, and he does not care about his part of the promise. Lakshmana please go to his palace and remind Sugriva about his task.

Lakshmana said he would go immediately and if Sugriva disagreed, he would put an end to the vanara.
Taking his bow in his left hand and arrows in his right, Lakshmana set forth for Sugriva's palace.

When he reached the gates, the guards were scared to see an angry Lakshmana. Lakshmana asked them to tell Sugriva that he had come.

Angada then asked Lakshmana to calm down. Sugriva would help Rama. He then went inside and told Sugriva and Tara that Lakshmana had come. He also said that Lakshmana was very angry. He was saying that Rama had helped Sugriva get his kingdom by killing Vali, and Sugriva was relaxing in his palace, having forgotten his duties.

Sugriva was enjoying the company of women when Angada told him about Lakshmana's arrival. Sugriva said Tell Lakshmana, that I became Rama's friend, that is true but should I give up my life for Rama? Even the Gods were scared of Ravana, so how could a few humans and vanaras defeat Ravana?

Hanumana was there. He said to Sugriva, Rama is none other than Vishnu himself. Do not say things like this. You got this kingdom because of Rama, so do not say thus to Rama. You are spending your days in luxury; you do not see Rama's sufferings. Lakshmana has come to you. Go and please him. I am saying for your good. You are enjoying with women while Rama is alone, suffering. You took a promise, going around the fire. Now, abide by that.

Realizing his mistake, Sugriva asked Hanumana to fetch Lakshmana.

Lakshmana went into the room weher Sugriva was. He started shouting at Sugriva for having swayed from his word. Seeing Lakshmana angry, Sugriva was scared. He did not know what to say. Tara then said : Your elder brother's friend deserves respect. Forgive Sugriva. The vanaras will help you in your task. Control your anger.

Sugriva was standing close by, with garlands of flowers around his neck. He got up and tore the garlands and threw them down. He bowed down before Lakshmana and said he had forgotten about his responsibilities. From now, he would not rest till he had he helped Rama. He said he would be just accompanying Rama. It would be by Rama's grace that the enemy would be defeated.

Lakshmana pleased, left.

Last rites of Vali

A chariot came down the heaven and the soul of Vali left for heaven, on that chariot. Tara broke down and started beating her head with hands and cried away. She said she wanted to go along with her husband. With great difficulty, her maids held her back. Hanumana tried consoling Tara. He said With the blessings of Rama, Vali has gone to his own land. Do not get angry on Sugriva. It was Vali's destiny. Bring up Angada as the ideal prince. All is yours. Do as you please.
Tara said the husband was the ultimate for a pious wife, and she was nothing without her husband.
Sugriva was also crying. Rama tried consoling Sugriva. He said Do not grieve. What has happened, was to happen. Get the best of sandalwood and agarwood. Light up the pyre and burn the body of Vali.
Lakshmana asked Hanumana to get the necessary items needed for the last rites.
Hanumana got many precious gems and clothes. The body of Vali was clad in the clothes and was laid on the pyre, on the banks of river Pampa. The pyre was lit. Slowly Vali's body burnt. Tara kept crying.  

Vali dies

In her palace, Tara heard that Vali had fallen in battle. Taking Vali, Tara rushed out, not bothering to dress properly. On the way, she saw Vali's ministers walking away. She asked them where they were going. They said : O Queen. You begged Vali not to go and fight. He did not listen to your wise words. Vali was killed, shot by Rama. Go back, and make Angada the king.

Tara said, If Angada wants to be king, I will let him go. All I want now, is to go and join my husband.

Tara reached the spot where Vali was lying. She saw Rama and Lakshmana sitting on the ground, near Vali, their bows and arrows lying on the ground. All were quiet, sitting with their heads bent down.You defeated great kings and today you lie defeated by Rama. I tried stopping you but you did not listen. You are the light of my life. With you leaving, what does Tara have to live for? Sugriva did this for the kingdom.

Turning to Rama, Tara said, You are from the dynasty of Raghu. Why did you kill my husband, while hiding behind trees. If you had killed him in face to face, I would not have been so hurt. All say you are kind. You have shown your kindness in a weird way. You the grief of losing a spouse, so why did you give me the same grief? My husband did not curse you, but I will curse you, and my curse will come true. Know for sure, that you will rescue Sita and bring her back to Ayodhya. Sita will not stay for ever with you, and she will leave you and go to the heavens. The way you made my cry, so will Sita make you cry when she leaves. You will loose your own life, after Sita goes. My curse will come true. The way you killed my husband; in another life the same person will kill you, hiding behind bushes.

Vali the said slowly, Tara, I have said may harsh words to Rama. I die because of the sin committed by Ravana, when he abducted Sita.
Turning to Sugriva, Vali said, I have had been cruel to you. Take over the kingdom. Take care of Angada, who grew up in luxuries. Be a father to Angada in my absence. I hand over Angada to you. Rama's arrow burns me. My life will soon leave. I had a garland from Indra. I give that to you, Sugriva.
Vali then said to Angada, Take care of Sugriva. Be heroic and let Sugriva be proud of your achievements like I was. Do not do anything that will bring shame.

Saying this, Vali died.

Vali falls

Rama asked Sugriva to challenge Vali again. He asked Lakshmana to give Sugriva something that would set him apart from Vali. Lakshmana made a garland out of flowers and put that around Sugriva's neck.

They started again, Rama and Lakshmana following with their bows in their hands.
On their way, they saw a forest full of banana trees. Rama asked whose banana grove was it. Sugriva said this grove belonged to seven sages who used to meditate there.

On their way, Sugriva said Please do not fail this time. My promise is there. I will help you get back Sita.

Rama said you are decked with a garland that will distinguish you from Vali. Do not worry. Vali will die today.

Going to the gates, Sugriva called out to Vali again. Vali heard the call and got ready to go out.

Tara, wife of Vali, was a wise woman. She asked Vali not go for the duel. She said Do not go. Who has heard of a person who got beaten up and has come back again, so soon. I see ill omens, so I request you not to go. Sugriva must have some help from someone which is why he is back so soon. Let Sugriva call you. Do not go. Dashrastha was the king of Ayodhya. His sons are in this forest. Sugriva must have taken their help to kill you. Sugriva is your brother after all. Forgive him and rule along with him, as in the earlier days.

Vali asked Tara not to say such things. He said When I went to kill Mayavi, Sugriva locked me inside the tunnel and fled. As you are appealing, I will not kill Sugriva. I will make sure he learns a lesson and never returns again.

Tara said Rama is a great warrior and it would not be possible to escape his arrow, if he is there to help Sugriva.

Vali said What have I done to Rama, that Rama will kill me. Rama is righteous and upholds truth. He will not attack me, without any reason. If Rama does come to help Sugriva, I will make sure I teach Rama also a lesson he will not forget.

With tears in her eyes,Tara let Vali go. When Vali stepped out he saw Sugriva alone.
They began fighting. Vali being stronger, took control. One slap from Vali, and Sugriva fell on the ground. Seeing Sugriva fall, Rama took out his arrow and fitted it on his bow. He released the arrow. Travelling like lightning, the arrow went and pierced Vali in his chest.

Vali fell down. He was in pain and he knew he was dying. He shouted out 'Who did this'.