Shloka 4.10.28

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

Devanagari script

ऋष्यमूकं गिरिवरं भार्याहरणदुःखितः।प्रविष्टोऽस्मि दुराधर्षं वालिनः कारणान्तरे।।

Transliteration

ṛṣyamūkaṃ girivaraṃ bhāryāharaṇaduḥkhitaḥ | praviṣṭo 'smi durādharṣaṃ vālinaḥ kāraṇāntare ||

Translation

Grieving over the abduction of my wife, I have entered the excellent mountain Ṛṣyamūka—unassailable to Vālī for a different reason.

Context

'Tormented by the abduction of my wife by Vali, I came to the great Rishyamuka mountain inaccessible to Vali for some other reason.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Rāma
• Vālī
• Ṛṣyamūka

FAQs

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

When adharma prevails, seeking lawful refuge and protection is legitimate; dharma includes preserving life and seeking righteous support rather than escalating violence.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva tells Rāma he took shelter on Ṛṣyamūka, a place Vālī cannot easily attack due to a separate constraint.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence (nīti): Sugrīva chooses a defensible refuge to avoid further harm while awaiting rightful help.