Shloka 18
किष्किन्धायां सुग्रीवस्य नादः
Sugriva’s War-Cry at Kishkindha
रिपूणां धर्षिण शूरा मर्षयन्ति न संयुगे।जानन्तस्तु स्वकं वीर्यं स्त्रीसमक्षं विशेषतः4.14.18।।
ripūṇāṁ dharṣiṇa śūrā marṣayanti na saṁyuge |
jānantas tu svakaṁ vīryaṁ strīsamakṣaṁ viśeṣataḥ || 4.14.18 ||
إنّ الأبطال، العارفين ببأسهم، لا يحتملون في ساحة القتال إهانة العدوّ، ولا سيّما إذا أُلقيت أمام النساء.
The deer were unable to run like wounded horses in a battle. Birds fell down on the ground like planets fall when their merit is exhausted.
FAQs
It warns about the power of provocative speech: insults and public taunts inflame conflict. Dharmic conduct values restraint in speech (vāg-niyama) to prevent needless escalation.
Sugriva explains why Vali will certainly respond: warriors, especially under public scrutiny, feel compelled to answer challenges.
Sense of honor and confidence in valor—though the verse implicitly critiques how social pride can pressure one into rash action.