Shloka 43

दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः

The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess

Devanagari script

अयुद्ध्यत तदा वाली शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमः।मुष्टिभिर्जानुभिश्चैव शिलाभिः पादपैस्तथा4.11.43।।

Transliteration

ayuddhyata tadā vālī śakratulyaparākramaḥ |

muṣṭibhir jānubhiś caiva śilābhiḥ pādapaiḥ tathā || 4.11.43 ||

Translation

Da kämpfte Vālī, dessen Kraft der des Śakra (Indra) glich, und schlug mit Fäusten und Knien, ebenso mit Felsen und Bäumen.

Word by Word

• ayuddhyata: fought
• ayuddhyata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√yudh (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ lakāra (लङ्/imperfect), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; ātmanepada

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Temporal adverb

• vālī: Vālī
• vālī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• śakratulyaparākramaḥ: having prowess equal to Indra
• śakratulyaparākramaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakra + tulya + parākrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi: śakratulyaḥ parākramaḥ yasya saḥ (whose prowess is like Indra's) qualifying vālī

• muṣṭibhiḥ: with fists
• muṣṭibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• jānubhiḥ: with knees
• jānubhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jānu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• eva: indeed / also
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (अवधारण)

• śilābhiḥ: with rocks
• śilābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śilā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• pādapaiḥ: with trees
• pādapaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pādapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Manner adverb (प्रकारवाचक अव्यय)

Context

'Then Vali who was equal to Indra in prowess fought, hitting him with fists, knees, rocks and trees.

Characters & Entities

• Vālī
• Śakra/Indra

FAQs

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

The epic often separates capability from righteousness: extraordinary skill is acknowledged, while the broader story later asks how such power should be directed under dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The verse describes the intensity and improvisational nature of the fight, using bodily strikes and natural weapons.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strength and battle-readiness—Vālī’s relentless effectiveness in combat.