Shloka 35
दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः
The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess
सुदृष्टां कुरु किष्किन्धां कुरुष्वात्मसमं पुरे।क्रीडस्व च सह स्त्रीभिरहं ते दर्पनाशनः4.11.35।।
sudṛṣṭāṃ kuru kiṣkindhāṃ kuruṣv ātmasamaṃ pure |
krīḍasva ca saha strībhiḥ ahaṃ te darpanāśanaḥ ||
Look well upon Kishkindha; appoint in the city someone equal to yourself. Sport with women as you please—then face me, the destroyer of your pride.
'Have a good look a Kishkinda. Assign some one like you kingship. Sport freely with women and come, I shall destroy your arrogance.
FAQs
The verse warns (even if mockingly) against darpa (arrogance): pride invites downfall, and leadership requires continuity (appointing an equal successor).
Dundubhi taunts Vali to make arrangements and enjoy himself before the promised duel, claiming he will crush Vali’s pride.
Implied royal responsibility—ensuring governance continues—set against the vice of pride that the challenger claims to punish.