Originally posted by: Vibhishna
Vali and Sugreeva were quite similar in stature, strength and looks. That's why even a master archer like Rama had trouble distinguishing one form another. If such an archer couldn't tell them apart they must have been so similar to the point even twins wouldn't be (Remember Rama grew up with a pair of twins as his younger brothers. He must certainly know how to tell twins apart).
So, Sugreeva was probably close to Vali in strength. Its possible that he didn't interfere when his brother fought and was happy being the younger brother (maybe like Lakshmana and Shathrugana). One version says Vali had a boon of stealing half of his opponent's powers but I don't think Valmiki Ramayana mentions that. He was good until he lost his mind thinking his brother betrayed him and became a maniac. Probably that gave him an edge over others.
One of the earlier episodes has Vali dreaming about his final battle. In that scene both the brothers had similar hairstyles. The scene is at the beginning of this episode:
https://youtu.be/0tv5gLUk5GI?si=ljzlYT4AXXV6IqvC
But won't their tilaks tel them apart?
In the actual story they were similar in their mannerisms as well.
As for the heat, I guess being of divine origin, they could withstand more than what a normal living being could. Also while Sugreeva was out in the Sun unarmed, Vali was well protected in the shade, was he not? Besides Anjana seemed unaffected by the heat. Even Kesari had some sores but Anjana seemed to be fine despite walking on fire. Rasha seemed to be fine too. Also, the hunchback assistant of Vali's seems unaffected. Was it due to the shade? Confusing... That being said, its
hot these days ...
But air is something that we breathe and need to stay alive... Hence without air nothing survives. That's probably why the gods panicked and granted Vayu's wish.
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