Shloka 1.17.9

सप्तदशः सर्गः — देवसंवादः तथा वानर-ऋक्ष-उत्पत्तिः (Divine Council and the Generation of Vanara Allies)

Devanagari script

वानरेन्द्रं महेन्द्राभमिन्द्रो वालिनमूर्जितम्।सुग्रीवं जनयामास तपनस्तपतां वर:।।।।

Transliteration

vānarendraṃ mahendrābham indro vālinam ūrjitam |

sugrīvaṃ janayāmāsa tapanas tapatāṃ varaḥ || 1.17.9 ||

Translation

Indra begot Vāli, the king of monkeys, mighty in body and like Mount Mahendra; and Sūrya, best among the radiant, begot Sugrīva.

Context

Indra gave birth to Vali, chief of monkeys resembling Mahendra mountain and having a mighty body. Sun, great among those producing heat, begot Sugriva.

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Vāli
• Sugrīva
• Sūrya (Tapana)
• Mahendra (mountain)

FAQs

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

Dharma advances through rightly empowered leadership: the narrative grounds future social-political order among the vānara hosts by tracing their leaders to divine sources meant for righteous purpose.

What is the narrative situation?

The poem identifies the divine parentage of two central vānara figures—Vāli and Sugrīva—who will shape the alliance dynamics in the epic.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Authority with strength: ‘vānarendra’ and ‘ūrjita’ highlight leadership and power as necessary instruments when aligned with dharma.