2 days ago
June 12, 2025
A person who commits mistakes will not readily admit his folly. He can get out of any quagmire if he listens to saner advice. A person should lend an ear to his spouse's advice. In the Yaksha Prashna of the Mahabharata, when the Yaksha asked Yudhisthira who the best companion for a man was, Yudhisthira replied that a person's wife would always be a great source of support. If the wife possesses a noble soul, what more does a man want? If she lacks this, what is there in life for him? (Illathen illaval — Kural 53.)
Trichy Sri Kalyanaraman said in a discourse that Tara, Vaali's wife, cautioned him when Vaali's brother Sugreeva rechallenged Vaali to a fight. She told him that she had come to know Sugreeva acquainted with a friend called Rama. Tara said Rama's brothers are like the air of life to him. He gave the kingdom to Bharatha, who ruled in the name of his brother Rama. But 'you set out to wage a war with your brother', she said. When Rama hit Vaali with an arrow from behind, Vaali questioned Rama's act and argued with him. Vaali said others should study and follow dharma, but it flows in your blood. Rama replied that you abducted your brother Sugreeva's wife and also fought with your brother, who surrendered at your feet. You transgressed all the paths of dharma and deserved to be punished.
After a series of arguments and counterarguments, Vaali accepted his mistakes. Vaali said Rama's arrow not only pierced his chest but also purified him. Vaali further said that at his last moment, Rama not only cleansed him from his sins but also purified his soul. He said to his brother Sugreeva, 'Rama gave you only the kingdom, but he gave me the everlasting happiness of moksha.'
