Ravana vowed to take revenge on Rama for the attack on his sister,Surpanakha and the death of Khara. In consultation with his wicked uncle, Maricha, he hatched a plot to kidnap Sita and take her to Lanka. Rama entered into an agreement with Sugriva, the king of a tribe of monkey-men, who proposed to find Sita on the condition that Rama would first kill his brother, Bali.

The powerful Bali ruled over Kishkindhya, the land of monkey-men. When he seduced Sugriva's wife, the brothers became bitter enemies. Vali had earned through the power of a boon by which half the strength of his enemy was transferred to him as soon as an enemy confronted him in battle. There were several encounters between Sugriva and Bali, in all of which Sugriva was badly beaten. So, accompanied by his counselors, chief of whom was Hanuman, Sugriva retired to a hill called Rissyamuka, where on account of a sage's curse Bali could not enter. Sugriva lived in constant fear of Bali.

One day Sugriva espied two young men (Rama and Lakshmana), who looked handsome and brave, approaching his retreat. He sent Hanuman in disguise to find out who they were, and when satisfied that they were not enemies he came to an understanding with Rama.

Bali was  killed by Rama's arrow, as Rama hid behind a tree and shot at him.