“O son of Visravas,” a voice resounded, “wait but a moment, for you are about to witness the wonders of the world—wonders that will soon be forever beyond your reach.” Yet if you are so eager to meet your end, you need only journey to the southern ocean; there you will find Vali, shining like fire upon the earth. But Ravana, the terror of the worlds, paid no heed to Tara’s warning. Rebuking her, he ascended the Pushpaka chariot and sped toward the southern sea. There, as the sun dipped low, Ravana beheld Vali, whose face glowed like the rising sun and whose frame was as resplendent as a mountain of gold. Vali was absorbed in his evening worship, his mind fixed in sacred recitation. Ravana, dark as collyrium, descended quietly from the Pushpaka, intent on seizing Vali unawares. But by chance, Vali caught sight of Ravana, his heart full of malice. Yet the mighty monkey showed not the slightest agitation—just as a lion ignores a hare or Garuda disregards a serpent, so did Vali disregard Ravana’s evil intentions. Seeing Ravana approach with wicked purpose, Vali thought to himself, “I will take this enemy beneath my arm and traverse the three great oceans. All will witness Ravana, his thigh-cloth and upper garment slipping, hanging from my flank like a serpent caught by Garuda.” Resolving thus, Vali, steadfast as a mountain peak and confident in his strength, completed his Vedic recitations. The two—Vali, the lord of the monkeys, and Ravana, king of the Rakshasas—each sought to seize the other, both proud of their might and striving with all their effort. As Ravana attempted to grapple him, Vali, even while facing away, caught Ravana with his foot, just as Garuda seizes a serpent. Having thus captured the lord of the Rakshasas, Vali leapt into the sky, carrying Ravana pressed under his armpit. Though Ravana struggled fiercely, scratching with his nails, Vali bore him away effortlessly, as the wind carries a rain-laden cloud. Hearing Ravana’s cries as he was carried off, the ministers of the Rakshasa king rushed after, eager to rescue their lord. But Vali, shining in the sky, was like the sun among clouds that vainly chase him. The foremost Rakshasas, unable to reach the mighty monkey, were soon exhausted by the force of his arms and thighs, and abandoned their pursuit. Even the lord of mountains would flee from Vali’s path as he advanced—how much more so any creature of flesh and blood who cherished his life? Swift as the wind, the monkey king passed flocks of birds and bowed in reverence to each of the oceans at twilight. Honored by the beings of the sky, Vali reached the western ocean with Ravana still captive. There, after bathing and reciting his evening prayers, Vali carried Ravana to the northern ocean. For thousands of yojanas, the great monkey sped, his swiftness rivaling that of the wind or the mind itself. Having worshipped at twilight by the northern ocean, Vali then carried Ravana to the eastern great ocean. There too, after worship and prayer, the lord of monkeys, with the lord of the gods beneath his arm, returned toward Kishkindha. Having honored the twilight at all four oceans, Vali—now weary from his burden—descended in a grove near Kishkindha. There, the foremost of monkeys released Ravana from his armpit and, laughing heartily, asked, “Who are you? From where have you come?” Ravana, filled with amazement and his eyes unsteady from fatigue, gazed at Vali and replied, “O king of the monkeys, radiant as Indra, I am Ravana, lord of the Rakshasas. I came here seeking battle, and today you have overpowered me. “What strength, what heroism, what unfathomable might you possess! I, the terror of the worlds, have been whirled about the four oceans as if I were a mere beast. Who else, O tireless hero, could carry me so swiftly across the vast oceans as you have done? Among all beings, such speed belongs only to the mind, the wind, and Garuda—and, without doubt, to you as well. “Now that I have witnessed your strength, O foremost of monkeys, I desire a deep and lasting friendship with you, sealed before the sacred fire. Wives, sons, city, kingdom, pleasures, garments, and food—all shall be shared equally between us, O lord of monkeys.” So, after kindling the fire, the monkey and the Rakshasa embraced and entered into brotherhood. With arms entwined, the two mighty ones—Vali and Ravana—entered Kishkindha, like two lions entering a mountain cave. There, Ravana dwelled for a month, just as Sugriva had, until his ministers, intent on conquering the three worlds, came and took him away. Thus, O lord, in ancient times Ravana was subdued by Vali and made his brother in the presence of fire. Yet, O Rama, though Vali possessed incomparable and supreme strength, he too was vanquished by you—as a moth is consumed by fire. Then Rama, with joined palms and deep reverence, addressed the sage of the southern hermitage: “The strength of Vali and Ravana is indeed unmatched, but in my heart, I believe that neither equals Hanuman.