As the great sage sat in his tranquil hermitage, his meditation was disturbed by the sudden, unexpected sensation of warm drops falling upon him. When he looked, he saw that it was blood. Anger flared within him, and he wondered, “Who is this wicked one who has caused blood to fall upon me? Who is this evil-minded, unrestrained, and foolish person who has dared to defile my presence so suddenly?” With these thoughts, the eminent sage rose and stepped outside. There, before his eyes, lay a mighty buffalo, its form vast as a mountain, lifeless upon the ground. Drawing upon his ascetic power, the sage realized that this act had been committed by a monkey. Incensed, he pronounced a great curse upon the one who had hurled the buffalo’s body. “This place is now forbidden to him,” the sage declared. “If he enters, he will die—he who has defiled my hermitage, my refuge, with streams of blood. By hurling trees, he has shattered the demonic body, and broken the peace of this place. If anyone dares enter my hermitage, which stretches for a yojana all around, that wicked-minded one will surely perish. And any of his counselors who seek refuge in my forest must not dwell here either; let them leave as they wish upon hearing this curse. Should any remain, I will certainly curse them as well. “In this forest, which I guard as my own son, for the sake of its leaves, shoots, fruits, and roots, today is the limit. If tomorrow I see that monkey, he will become a mountain for many thousands of years.” When the monkeys heard the words of the sage, fear gripped their hearts, and they departed from the forest. Vali, their king, saw them and asked, “Why have you all, dwellers of the Matanga forest, gathered here? Is all well with the forest-dwellers?” The monkeys explained everything to Vali, telling him of the curse the sage had pronounced upon him. Hearing their words, Vali, adorned with golden garlands, approached the great sage and, with joined palms, begged for forgiveness. But the sage, unmoved, entered his hermitage, ignoring Vali’s pleas. Stricken with fear of the curse, Vali became distraught. Thus, out of fear of the sage’s curse, Vali never entered the great mountain Rishyamuka, nor did he even look upon it. Knowing Vali’s inability to enter, Sugriva, accompanied by his counselors, wandered the vast forest, free from anxiety. Sugriva showed Rama a gleaming heap of bones, saying, “This is the skeleton of Dundubhi, vast as a mountain peak, cast down by Vali’s might. And here are seven great sala trees with spreading branches—Vali can shake down the leaves of one by his strength alone. Thus, Rama, I have shown you his unmatched strength. How, O king, will you be able to slay Vali in battle?” Lakshmana laughed and said to Sugriva, “What deed accomplished would convince you to trust in Vali’s death?” Sugriva replied, “These seven sala trees—Vali once pierced each one, and not just once. If Rama can split these trees with a single arrow, then, seeing his power, I will believe Vali can be slain. Once, Vali lifted and hurled the bones of a slain buffalo two hundred bow-lengths with one foot.” Having spoken, Sugriva, his eyes bloodshot with emotion, paused and then addressed Rama again. “Vali is a hero, proud of his valor, renowned for his strength and prowess. That mighty monkey is undefeated in battle. Even the gods find his deeds difficult to match. Reflecting on his might, I fled to Rishyamuka out of fear. Thinking of that unconquerable, unassailable, wrathful monkey king, I have not left Rishyamuka. Anxious and suspicious, I wander the great forest with my devoted ministers, led by Hanuman. “But now, I have found a praiseworthy friend, devoted to friendship. I rely on you, Rama, as one would rely on the Himalayas. Yet I know the strength of my powerful, wicked brother. Still, your valor in battle, Raghava, is not yet visible to me. I do not compare you to him, nor do I disrespect or fear you, but his terrifying deeds have made me fearful. Indeed, Raghava, your words, courage, and bearing are proof enough, hinting at a great energy, like fire hidden beneath ash.” Hearing these words, Rama smiled warmly at the noble Sugriva and replied, “If you do not yet have confidence in our prowess, O monkey, I will give you a praiseworthy assurance in battle.” Having spoken thus, Rama, the elder brother of Lakshmana, comforted Sugriva. With his toe, he playfully touched the dried body of Dundubhi. Then, with mighty strength, Rama lifted and flung the demon’s body ten yojanas away with just his toe. Seeing this incredible feat, Sugriva spoke again to Rama, shining like the sun before Lakshmana and the foremost monkeys. He said, “Once, my friend, when my body was fresh, with flesh and full of vigor, my brother Vali—though exhausted and intoxicated—threw me. But now, O Raghava, this body is light, without flesh, and like straw; yet, in your delight, you have thrown it in this state, O joy of the Raghu line.