Shloka 47
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation
Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17
त्वयाऽदृश्येन तु रणे निहतोऽहं दुरासदः।प्रसुप्तः पन्नगेनेव नरः पानवशं गतः।।
tvayādṛśyena tu raṇe nihato 'haṃ durāsadaḥ | prasuptaḥ pannageneva naraḥ pānavaśaṃ gataḥ ||
Doch ich—ein schwer zu bezwingender Krieger—bin von dir im Kampf getötet worden, während du ungesehen warst; wie ein Mensch, vom Trunk überwältigt und tief schlafend, von einer Schlange niedergestreckt.
bitten to death by a snake while fast asleep.
FAQs
The verse argues that dharma in combat requires transparency; killing from concealment is likened to an ignoble act against a defenseless person.
Vāli compares Rāma’s unseen shot to a snake killing a sleeping drunk—an image meant to underscore vulnerability and unfairness.
Sportsmanship/fairness in conflict—victory should not come through exploiting an opponent’s inability to respond.