There were only 2 people who were physically strong enough to speak after getting hit by Rama’s arrow — Vaali and Maarecha (Golden deer episode). Even Ravana died instantly at the end of war. Vaali was indeed more powerful than Ravana.
Rama killed Vaali by aiming at his chest contrary to popular belief that he hit Vaali at the back hiding behind a tree.
After getting hit, Vaali spoke for almost 30 mins and questioned Rama on how can he hit him while he was already fighting with Sugreeva!
Questions by Vaali can be found in Valmiki Ramayana — Kishkindakanda, Sarga/Chapter 17, from Sloka # 14 onwards.
Vaali sarcastically asks - how come Rama who is known to follow Dharma hit him with an arrow while he was fighting with someone else. He says he didn’t come into Rama’s territory nor he was fighting with someone related to Rama. He was in fact fighting with his own brother. Vaali says — None of his body parts, or skin or hair or his meat is useful for anyone so why did he have to hunt him like an animal. He questions how come Dasaratha had a son like Rama even after doing Aswamedha yagna. If you were a man, you could have directly fought with me.
Vaali further says — My wife Tara told me that you got into an agreement with Sugreeva. He must have asked to kill me so that he can get his vanara kingdom and then all vanaras can help you get your wife Sita back from Ravana. Instead, if you had approached me, I alone could have got Sita for you since Ravana fears me. I want you to answer all my questions.
Sri Rama replies by asking if Vaali had any knowledge about Dharma? To learn about Dharma one should approach Great Rishis which you never did and instead believe what you know is Dharma. I am not roaming in this jungle without any reason. This whole area is currently under King Bharata of Ayodhya and my responsibility and duty is to make sure Dharma is being followed by whomever or where ever I am, be it in Jungle or animals.
Rama says — Vaali, you are the head of the family and so Sugreeva wife is like your daughter-in-law but what did you do to her? If King himself does Adharma, he is eligible for punishment and for the sin you committed, you deserve to be killed.
My friendship with Sugreeva is like that of with Lakshmana that means I treated him like my brother, but you didnt even treat Sugreeva as your brother. Since you took the punishment for your sins, you may now be eligible to go to Heaven.
Rama further says — You said I hit you while you were fighting. Human beings and animals are separate. With human beings one would fight, and as per Dharma if human being does not have weapon or sleeping or eating, we cannot kill. But in the case of animal, a king can hunt in any way as per Dharma. King can kill while animal is running or even set up a trap to kill that animal. You are Vanara and I am human being. And as per Dharma I can hit you even if you are running or sleeping.
You do not know Dharma actually. If you had known Dharma, you would not have behaved in such a way with your brother’s wife. “Tath Sastram Pramananthey”. We have take Sastram as base. You or I cannot decide what is Dharma.
Realizing his mistake, Vaali with folded hands says — Rama, you explained me with patience even though I didnt know anything about Dharma. Please forgive me so that my sins end here. Vaali asks — Please take care of my son Angadha just like you protect my brother Sugreeva.
Rama assures about Angadha and Vaali falls on to ground with one more Namaskaram to Sri Rama.
Conclusion Notice that Vaali asked more questions at that time it self than any common man now asks! Since Vaali himself convinced with Rama’s explanation, no one should have any doubts about this incident. This abstract definetely didnt cover the full conversation between Rama and Vaali. One has to read through the whole chapter to get all the conversation between Vaali and Sri Rama.
***Sri Rama Jayam***
