A tail’s tale

And we’re back with Vali. Amma’s Tales always likes an underdog, especially one that loses rather unfairly! Amma says, Vali’s strength lay in his tail, and any adversary who got caught in its twisted embrace was crushed by its power (see Original baby crib mobile)! The story of Vali’s powerful tail goes thus:

Once upon a time, Vali was the monkey king of Kishkindha and all was well in his world. He had a beautiful wife and a baby son, Angada. His brother, Sugriva, was not yet feeling mutinous and Rama was still far away in the future! Vali however, had minor irritants cross his path. The occasional asura would come by (see Buffalo goooooal), challenge him, Vali would dispose off the problem and life was good again.

“Ah! thought Vali. “This is the life. My people are prosperous, food is aplenty and I am content.” But of course, the alpha male of  a monkey pack has his adversaries- like other would-be alpha males! And so one day, Vali was challenged, not just to a duel but had to defend the entire kingdom from the invading armies of the neighbouring monkey king. In the fierce battle that followed, Vali’s tail was cut off.

Vali was appalled. “I will be the laughing-stock of my people. Whoever heard of a monkey-king without a tail? I had better disappear before someone sees me like this.”

Dispirited and under cover of the vanishing light, Vali slunk away from the battlefield. “At least the battle was won,” he comforted himself. “I did not need to desert my men and watch them lose as well. I hope Sugriva has the sense to guide them all back to Kishkindha.”

Back at the battlefield, the victorious army of Vali marched back to Kishkindha without their king. Leading the army back, Sugriva wondered, “Where IS Vali? We waited nearly two days and he hasn’t shown up yet. I don’t want the men to think their king is lost. He wasn’t lost in battle either. I hope he’s waiting for us back in Kishkindha.”

Of course, Sugriva was going to be disappointed because as he was thinking that very thought, Vali was bounding off into the deepest depths of the newly acquired forest property adjoining Kishkindha. The loss of his tail was seriously bothering Vali. “What am I going to do? What AM I going to do? Lizards grow back their tails with impunity, but I’m a monkey! There has got to be a way!”

Staring disconsolately at the little stump of tail that was left behind, Vali was struck by a thought. “Desperate times call for desperate measures! I am going to see if praying changes anything!”

Focusing all his thoughts upon Shiva, Vali prayed like he had never prayed before. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva appeared before him. “Vali,” said Shiva. “Rise! I am pleased with you. What is it that you want (so much for all knowing)?”

Suddenly feeling foolish for what he was asking, Vali mumbled, “Shiva, I only want one thing and that is for my tail to grow back. Can you do that?”

Shiva laughed, “Is that all, Vali? No special powers, no amazing riches, no fantastic muscles? Just a tail?”

Even more embarrassed that Shiva was mocking him now, Vali said, “Just a tail. As a king I must have the respect of my people. And so, as a monkey king, I must have a tail!”

Shiva was impressed by Vali’s humility. He said, ‘Vali, you have shown yourself to be a true leader. even when you had a chance, to ask for anything you wanted from the gods, you chose the one thing that you knew would help everyone around you- a safe and secure kingdom in the hands of a good king.”

Shiva bent down and touched the remaining little bit of Vali’s tail and it began to regrow, long and magnificent. Vali was delighted and fell at Shiva’s feet in gratitude.

Shiva said, “Vali, your tail has been regrown by me. It is now your strongest weapon and has unmatched power. Your enemies will never be able to escape its fatal embrace. Go back to Kishkindha now. Your people await you!”

Overjoyed at the bonus of great power bestowed to his now beautiful tail, Vali ran back to Kishkindha. All the vanaras (monkeys) celebrated the return of their king. Vali’s tail, blessed by Shiva himself, became his greatest asset making light of amazing warriors including Ravana.

And to this day, at the Gardadeswara temple near Papanasam in Tamil Nadu, you can see the temple dedicated to the Shiva who helped grow back Vali’s tail!

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