Shloka 4.10.10

सुग्रीवस्य वैरानुकथनम् (Sugriva’s Account of Enmity and Appeal to Rama)

Devanagari script

याचे त्वां शिरसा राजन्मया बद्धोऽयमञ्जलिः।बलादस्मिन् समागम्य मन्त्रिभिः पुरवासिभिः।।राजभावे नियुक्तोऽहं शून्यदेशजिगीषया।

Transliteration

yāce tvāṃ śirasā rājan mayā baddho 'yam añjaliḥ | balād asmin samāgamya mantribhiḥ puravāsibhiḥ ||

rājabhāve niyukto 'haṃ śūnyadeśajigīṣayā ||

Translation

O King, I implore you with my head bowed and my palms joined in supplication. The ministers and the townspeople assembled and, compelled by circumstance, placed royal authority upon me, fearing that a realm without a king would invite conquest.

Context

'O king! I bow my head and beg you with folded hands. The ministers and citizens assembled and forced me to take charge, as the kingdom without a ruler was vulnerable to attack.'

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Vālin (implied background)
• ministers
• citizens (puravāsins)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma: governance is a protective duty; leaving a realm without leadership endangers subjects and invites injustice through invasion or disorder.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva explains that he did not seize power out of greed; ministers and citizens pressed him to assume authority to prevent instability.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and accountability—Sugrīva frames his action as compelled by public welfare rather than personal ambition.