SUGREEVA was keen on regaining his kingdom and family, but be could not see how this was to be. Vaali's strength stood as an impossible barrier between him and the fulfillment of his desire.

Hanumaan, his minister, tried to convince him that he would succeed with Rama's help, but Sugreeva's doubts persisted. Could Rama's strength overcome Vaali's? It all looked hopelessly impossible. Vaali's body was like steel. How was Rama going to kill him?

Sugreeva had these doubts about Rama. But he had none else to help him. And he was not prepared to give up his desire. He decided to test Rama's strength.

But how is one to subject a friend to a test without discourteously betraying one's suspicion? Rama had promised to get the thing done. How was an occasion to be created to measure his ability? Sugreeva thought long and formed a plan.

He told Rama softly: "My Lord Rama! Your words have banished sorrow from my heart. I know your valour. An arrow from your bow can destroy the three worlds. How can Vaali's frame stand against it? Still it is my duty to tell you all about Vaali's strength. He can go round to the four oceans to take up in his palm and sip the water with the morning prayers. He can toss and play with a heavy rock as if it were a ball. He can pull out mighty forest trees as if they were blades of grass. Once Dundubhi, an Asura in buffalo form possessing the strength of a thousand elephants, challenged Ocean to a fight. Ocean evaded saying: "You should fight with an equal. There in the north stands Himavaan. Go and challenge him. Leave poor me alone'. Dundubhi agreed and speeding northwards met and challenged Himavaan, going his rocky side with his horns. Himavaan controlled his temper and said: 'Why do you assault me? I am not a fighter. I spend my life in the company of sages who love to stay with me.' Dundubhi answered: 'Very well, then. But tell me of some one I can fight with. I want a worthy foeman today.

"Himavaan said: 'There is one in the south who is a foe worthy of you. He is Vaali, the Vaanara King. His strength is like his father Indra's. If you care, you may go to him and challenge him to fight.'

"Dundubhi went straight to Vaali's place and raised a loud uproar at the entrance of Kishkindha. He tore up trees and pulled down the gate and roared, 'Come out and prove your strength in a fight with me.'

"Vaali was then resting with his queen. On hearing the challenge he came out accompanied by the women of his palace. 'Why, 0 Dundubhi, do you raise this clamour at my city gate?' he asked. 'Are you tired of life?'

"Vaali's scornful address enraged the Asura who said: 'Don't boast of your strength in the presence of Your admiring women. I have come here for a fight with you. If you have any manliness in you, come out and show it. You will say you are too drunk now to fight; but I am willing to wait till you become sober. If you like you may spend the night in your pleasures and bid a tearful leave of all your dear ones and come to me in the morning to be slain by me.'

"Vaali laughed at Dundubhi's words and said: 'My dear women. go inside. 0 Asura, I am not the worse for drink and if you want a fight, there is no time like the present. Have at you!' So saying and with a laugh he took hold of the Asura by his tail and whirled him round and flung him. Dundubhi spat blood and fell on the ground.

"After a while the Asura rose again and a great battle followed. Vaali, son of Indra, pounded the Asura to death. And he flung the dead buffalo so that it fell on the ground at the distance of a yojana.

"Drops of blood from the Asura's body were carried by the wind and fell on the aashrama of Matanga. The sage was wroth and soon found out who was responsible for this contamination. He saw at once that Vaali in his pride had flung a bleeding carcass and desecrated the holy spot. The sage pronounced a curse, 'If this Vaali enters the precincts of this aashrama, he will loses his life.' That is why, 0 Rama, with my friends I am living here in safety. Vaali dare not approach this place for fear of the curse. Look at these sal trees. He can pluck one of them and just shake all the leaves off as one dusts a jacket. Such is his strength. How could I, having incurred this terrible brother's enmity, feel secure?"

Lakshmana understood that Sugreeva needed a demonstration of Rama's prowess to give him confidence and he said: "How would you like Rama to show you his confidence to conquer Vaali?"

Sugreeva answered: "Indeed, I have no doubts. I know Rama's prowess though now it is hidden as embers in ashes. I have sought refuge under him. And yet, when I recall Vaali's mighty deeds, I tremble. That is all."

Seeing Sugreeva's faith in him and his great fear of Vaali, Rama resolved to put an end to his doubts. By a playful Hip of his toe he sent the enormous skeleton of Dundubhi which was lying there, flying in the air to a distance of ten yojanas. But Sugreeva though impressed was not convinced. "When my brother sent Dundubhi's carcass hurling in the sky, it was full of flesh and blood and far heavier than this weather-beaten skeleton," he said.

Then Rama bent his bow and, pulling the string to his ear, sent forth an arrow. It pierced the sal tree pointed out by Sugreeva and six other trees standing behind it. Piercing the seven trees the beautiful arrow touched the earth and returned to Rama's quiver.

Sugreeva, seeing this, was beside himself with joy. He was now certain that Rama's arrow could pierce the adamant frame of Vaali. He fell prostrate before Rama and said: "With my own eyes I have now seen your prowess. Even if all the gods with Indra at their head should come and oppose you, your victory is certain. Why then talk of Vaali? I have gained your friendship and I have no more use for fear or grief. Slay Vaali and save me. Let us go to Kishkindha today."

Both Rama and Lakshmana agreed. They talked how to set about and it was finally agreed that Sugreeva should

appear in Kishkindha and challenge Vaali to single combat. Vaali was sure to come out, and as the brothers were fighting, Rama would kill Vaali with an arrow. They proceeded to Kishkindha. Sugreeva went ahead. Rama followed him and stood away behind a tree in the dense forest.

Sugreeva shouted. Vaali heard the shout and in great rage emerged from the fortress, radiant like the morning sun.

The two brothers fought each other fiercely.

But Rama, who was standing bow in hand behind a tree, was bewildered. As they wrestled together the brothers were so similar in form and feature, in equipment and method of fighting, that Rama could not distinguish Vaali from Sugreeva and was afraid to shoot lest he kill the wrong combatant.

Meantime Sugreeva, having the worst of the fight, broke from his brother's grip with a desperate effort and, wounded and weary, disappointed and despondent, Red for life and reached Rishyamooka forest.

Even this he was able to do because Vaali did not wish to slay him and was not unwilling to give his brother another lease of life.

Rama and Lakshmana rejoined the woebegone Sugreeva. He looked down at the ground without lifting his eyes. He was angry that Rama had broken his word and failed to help him.

"If you did not like to kill Vaali," said Sugreeva, "you could have told me so earlier. In that case, I, who know Vaali's might, would never have challenged him to fight. On the contrary, you made me believe you, and I have had such a drubbing that it is a wonder I am alive."

"Do not be angry, Sugreeva, but listen," said Rama. "There, was a good reason why I could not send forth my deadly arrow. You and Vaali were alike in height and girth, in gait and shouts, in dress and ornaments. Once the fight began, I could not tell you from Vaali. And I stood bewildered and helpless. It would have been terrible if I killed you instead of Vaali. Do not be angry. Challenge Vaali once again. This time I shall surely slay him. Here, Lakshmana, fetch that flowering creeper. Tie it round Sugreeva's neck as a garland. I shall then know who is our friend and who is Vaali as they fight. Now, Sugreeva, you shall see Vaali rolling on the ground."

Sugreeva was satisfied. His spirits recovered. Lakshmana tied the creeper round his neck. Once again, and handsomer-than ever, Sugreeva proceeded to Kishkindha. And Rama and Lakshmana followed him as before.