Kishkindha Kand · Chapter 24
The Fall of Bali
The story so far
Ram and Sugriv have become friends with fire as witness. Ram has promised to win back Sugriv's kingdom and wife.
At Ram's word, Sugriv went to Kishkindha and challenged Bali. The brothers fought fiercely. But they looked so alike that Ram, standing behind a tree, could not tell which was Bali. He could not shoot, and Sugriv fled back, badly beaten.
Sugriv complained bitterly. Ram explained that one wrong arrow would have killed his own friend. This time he put a garland of a flowering creeper around Sugriv's neck so he could be recognised in battle.
Sugriv challenged Bali again. Bali's wife was very wise. She stopped him: one who was just defeated has returned so soon, so he must have strong support. They say Prince Ram of Ayodhya has become his friend. But proud of his strength, Bali would not listen.
In the middle of the fight Ram released an arrow, and Bali fell. He asked Ram: why did you strike me from hiding? Ram answered: you took your younger brother's wife, a grave . This land is under Bharat's rule, and punishing wrongdoing is a king's duty. Scholars still discuss this exchange today.
At the end Bali's heart changed. He bowed to Ram and placed his son Angad in Ram's care. He spoke lovingly to Sugriv too. Sugriv became king of Kishkindha, and Angad was made crown prince.
अनुज बधू भगिनी सुत नारी। सुनु सठ कन्या सम ए चारी॥
Ram tells Bali: a younger brother's wife, a sister, a son's wife and a daughter are all to be honoured alike.
— Ramcharitmanas, Kishkindha Kand
A lesson for today
Pride in one's own strength stops us hearing good advice. Had Bali listened to Tara, the story might have ended differently.
All chapters
- 1How the Ramayan Began: Valmiki and Narad
- 2Dashrath's Yagya and the Birth of the Four Brothers
- 3Vishwamitra and the Fall of Tadaka
- 4Ahalya Set Free
- 5Sita's Swayamvar and Shiv's Bow
- 6The Anger of Parshuram
- 7The Coronation Plans and Manthara
- 8Kaikeyi's Two Boons
- 9Ram Leaves for the Forest
- 10The Boatman's Love: Crossing the Ganga
- 11The Death of King Dashrath
- 12Bharat's Love and Sacrifice
- 13Bharat Meets Ram: The Sacred Sandals
- 14The Blessings of Atri and Anasuya
- 15Through the Dandak Forest to Panchavati
- 16Shurpanakha
- 17The Battle with Khar and Dushan
- 18Maarich and the Golden Deer
- 19Sita Is Taken
- 20Jatayu's Sacrifice
- 21Shabari's Berries
- 22Ram Meets Hanuman
- 23Friendship with Sugriv
- 24The Fall of Bali
- 25The Search Parties and Sampati
- 26The Decision to Cross the Ocean
- 27Surasa and Simhika
- 28Hanuman Enters Lanka
- 29Sita in the Ashok Vatika
- 30Hanuman Gives Ram's Ring
- 31The Ashok Vatika Destroyed, and Akshay Kumar
- 32The Brahmastra and Ravan's Court
- 33Lanka in Flames
- 34Return with the Chudamani
- 35Vibhishan Seeks Refuge
- 36Building Ram Setu
- 37Angad, the Envoy
- 38The War Begins
- 39Lakshman Struck, and the Sanjeevani
- 40Kumbhakarna
- 41The Fall of Meghnad
- 42The Fall of Ravan
- 43Sita's Return and the Trial by Fire
- 44The Return to Ayodhya
- 45Ram's Coronation
- 46Ram Rajya
- 47Valmiki's Ashram and the Birth of Luv and Kush
- 48Luv and Kush Sing the Ramayan
- 49Sita Returns to the Earth