Shloka 7

षोडशः सर्गः (Sarga 16): Hanumān’s Recognition of Sītā and Renewed Lament

Devanagari script

अस्या हेतोर्विशालाक्ष्या हतो वाली महाबलः।रावणप्रतिमो वीर्ये कबन्धश्च निपातितः।।5.16.7।।

Transliteration

asyā hetor viśālākṣyā hato vālī mahābalaḥ |

rāvaṇapratimo vīrye kabandhaś ca nipātitaḥ ||5.16.7||

Translation

Um ihretwillen, der Großäugigen, wurde der überaus mächtige Vālī erschlagen; und auch Kabandha wurde zu Boden gestreckt, ein Held, dessen Kraft an Rāvaṇa heranreichte.

Word by Word

अस्याःof her

हेतोःfor the sake (cause)

विशालाक्ष्याःof the large-eyed (lady)

हतःwas slain

वालीVali

महाबलःmighty-strong

रावणप्रतिमःcomparable to Ravana

वीर्येin prowess

कबन्धःKabandha

चand

निपातितःwas felled / killed

Context

"It was for the sake of this large-eyed Sita that the powerful Vali and the heroic Kabandha who was equal to Ravana in heroism were killed.

Characters & Entities

Sītā

Vālī

Kabandha

Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as righteous resolve: great dangers and powerful foes are confronted to restore what is just—recovering Sītā and upholding marital fidelity and royal duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān, seeking to reassure Sītā, recalls earlier decisive victories achieved as part of the wider effort to find and rescue her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s protective commitment and courage are highlighted indirectly; Hanumān’s own virtue is truthful testimony meant to strengthen Sītā’s hope.