Shloka 84
दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः
The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess
एवमुक्त्वा तु सुग्रीवं सान्त्वं लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः।राघवो दुन्दुभेः कायं पादाङ्गुष्ठेन लीलया4.11.84।।तोलयित्वा महाबाहुश्चिक्षेप दशयोजनम्।असुरस्य तनुं शुष्कं पादाङ्गुष्ठेन वीर्यवान्4.11.85।।
evam uktvā tu sugrīvaṃ sāntvaṃ lakṣmaṇa-pūrvajaḥ |
rāghavo dundubheḥ kāyaṃ pādāṅguṣṭhena līlayā || 4.11.84 ||
tolayitvā mahābāhuś cikṣepa daśa-yojanam |
asurasya tanuṃ śuṣkaṃ pādāṅguṣṭhena vīryavān || 4.11.85 ||
Having thus spoken to Sugrīva in a soothing manner, Rāghava—the mighty elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa—playfully lifted Dundubhi’s dried body with his toe and hurled that demon’s carcass a full ten yojanas away.
Rama,the mighty elder brother of Lakshmana, having said so to Sugriva in a pleasing manner, lifted the dried body of Dundubhi easily with his toe, shook it and flung it with ease to a distance of ten yojanas.
FAQs
Dharma in alliance requires credible commitment: Rama provides tangible proof to remove fear and establish truthful trust before undertaking a righteous task.
To reassure Sugriva about his capability to face Vali, Rama demonstrates extraordinary strength by flinging Dundubhi’s remains ten yojanas.
Rama’s controlled might (tejas) used for reassurance and protection, not for cruelty—strength governed by purpose.