Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 27

वालिवधः

The Slaying of Vali

Devanagari script

वालिना भग्नदर्पस्तु सुग्रीवो मन्दविक्रमः।वालिनं प्रति सामर्षो दर्शयामास लाघवम्4.16.27।।

Transliteration

vālinā bhagnadarpaḥ tu sugrīvo mandavikramaḥ |

vālinaṃ prati sāmarṣo darśayāmāsa lāghavam || 4.16.27 ||

Translation

With his pride broken by Vālin and his prowess diminished, Sugrīva—burning with anger—displayed quickness and tactical nimbleness against him.

Word by Word

• vālinā: by Vāli
• vālinā: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhagna-darpaḥ: (whose) pride was crushed
• bhagna-darpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhagna (कृदन्त, √bhaj/भञ्ज् ‘to break’) + darpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘bhagnaḥ darpaḥ yasya’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/contrastive (निपात)

• sugrīvaḥ: Sugrīva
• sugrīvaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• manda-vikramaḥ: of diminished prowess
• manda-vikramaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manda (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (कर्मधारय) ‘mandaḥ vikramaḥ’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• vālinam: Vāli
• vālinam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• prati: towards/against
• prati: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Direction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prati (अव्यय)
• Form: Preposition-like indeclinable (उपसर्गसदृश अव्यय) governing accusative

• sa-amarṣaḥ: with anger/resentment
• sa-amarṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश ‘with’) + amarṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘amarṣeṇa saha’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• darśayāmāsa: displayed/showed
• darśayāmāsa: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (दृश्) Causative (णिच्) + Perfect periphrastic (लिट्)
• Form: Causative (णिजन्त) of √dṛś; Periphrastic perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• lāghavam: agility/lightness
• lāghavam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Context

With his strength waning and pride crushed, Sugriva, anguished, exhibited shrewdness.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Vālin

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse suggests a dharmic response to adversity: when strength fails, one should not collapse into despair; one should use बुद्धि (skillful means) and persistence in a rightful cause.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva, though weakening, continues the fight by relying on agility and technique rather than raw strength.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Resilience and tactical intelligence under pressure.