With the strength and fury of a wild elephant, Vali, the mighty monkey king, seized the asura Dundubhi—who was as massive as a mountain—by his horns and hurled him away with a thunderous roar. The force of Vali’s blow sent Dundubhi crashing to the earth, and as he fell, blood streamed copiously from his ears. Consumed by mutual anger and the fierce desire for victory, a terrible battle broke out between the two, shaking the very ground beneath them. Vali, whose prowess rivaled that of Indra himself, fought with relentless vigor, using his fists, knees, feet, and even hurling rocks and trees at his formidable foe. As the struggle continued, the asura Dundubhi weakened under Vali’s relentless assault, while Vali, the son of Indra, only grew stronger. At last, Vali lifted Dundubhi high and dashed him to the ground with such force that the asura was utterly crushed in that deadly fight. Blood poured from Dundubhi’s wounds as his mighty form collapsed lifeless upon the earth. Not yet finished, Vali grasped the corpse of the unconscious asura in his powerful arms and, with a single motion, flung it a full yojana away. As Dundubhi’s body hurtled through the air, drops of blood from his mouth were carried by the wind and fell near the hermitage of the sage Matanga. When the great sage saw the blood staining his sacred ground, he was angered and wondered aloud, “Who has done this? By whose wickedness have I been suddenly defiled with blood? Who is this evil-minded, unrestrained, foolish being?” Stepping outside, Matanga saw the enormous, mountain-like body of the slain buffalo lying on the ground. With his ascetic vision, he realized that a monkey had committed this act and, in his wrath, pronounced a terrible curse upon the one responsible. “This place is now forbidden to him,” declared the sage. “If he enters, he will die—he who has defiled my hermitage, my refuge, with streams of blood. My trees have been broken by hurled branches, and the demonic body shattered. If anyone fills my hermitage, which extends for a yojana all around—if that wicked one comes, he will surely perish. And any of his counselors who seek refuge here must also leave, for if they remain, I will curse them as well.” Matanga continued, “This forest, which I protect as a son, is meant for the preservation of leaves, shoots, fruits, and roots. Today is the final day; if I see that monkey here tomorrow, he will become a mountain for thousands of years.” Hearing these fearsome words, the monkeys who dwelled in the Matanga forest departed at once. When they came before Vali, he asked, “Why have you all gathered here, O dwellers of the Matanga forest? Is all well with you?” The monkeys explained everything to Vali—the curse that had been placed upon him and the reason for their departure. Vali, adorned with golden garlands, listened to their words and then approached the great sage, humbly begging forgiveness with joined palms. But Matanga, unmoved, entered his hermitage, leaving Vali distraught and fearful of the curse. From that time onward, Vali dared not enter the great mountain Rishyamuka, nor even look upon it. Sugriva, recounting these events to Rama, explained, “Knowing Vali cannot enter here, O Rama, I wander this vast forest with my counselors, free from fear. Behold, this shining heap of bones is all that remains of Dundubhi, whom Vali cast down with his might. And here you see these seven great sala trees; Vali is so strong that he can shake the leaves from one with a single blow.” Sugriva then said, “This is the measure of Vali’s unmatched strength. How will you, O King, be able to slay such a foe in battle?” Lakshmana, amused, asked Sugriva, “What feat would convince you that Vali can be defeated?” Sugriva replied, “Vali once pierced each of these seven sala trees with a single blow, and not just once. If Rama can split these trees with a single arrow, I will believe in his power to slay Vali. Vali even hurled the bones of a slain buffalo two hundred bow-lengths with one foot.” With eyes reddened by anxiety, Sugriva paused and then continued, “Vali is a hero, proud of his valor, renowned for his unmatched strength. No one has ever defeated him in battle; even the gods find his deeds difficult. That is why I fled to Rishyamuka out of fear. Remembering the might and wrath of that unconquerable monkey king, I have not dared to leave Rishyamuka. Anxious and uncertain, I wander this great forest with my faithful ministers, led by Hanuman.” Now, Sugriva looked to Rama with hope. “I have found in you a praiseworthy friend, steadfast in loyalty. I rely on you, O tiger among men, as one would rely on the Himalayas. Yet, though I know my brother’s strength and wickedness, I have not yet seen your valor in battle, O Raghava.