Shloka 4.16.2

वालिवधः — The Slaying of Vali

Devanagari script

गर्जतोऽस्य च सुसम्भ्रश्च भ्रातुः शत्रोर्विशेषतः।मर्षयिष्याम्यहं केन कारणेन वरानने4.16.2।।

Transliteration

garjato 'sya ca susambhraś ca bhrātuḥ śatror viśeṣataḥ |

marṣayiṣyāmy ahaṃ kena kāraṇena varānane || 4.16.2 ||

Translation

“O fair-faced one, for what reason should I endure this enemy—who is in truth my own brother—especially as he roars in heated excitement?”

Context

'O lady with a charming face! why should I tolerate the enemy (Sugriva) who is none other than my own younger brother, especially when he roars excitedly?

Characters & Entities

• Vāli
• Tārā (implied)
• Sugrīva (as brother/enemy, implied)

FAQs

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

The verse exposes the moral tension of treating one’s own kin as an enemy; Dharma urges recognition of true relationships (satya) and restraint before fratricidal violence.

What is the narrative situation?

Vāli speaks (to Tārā) about why he should not tolerate Sugrīva’s aggressive challenge, framing Sugrīva as both brother and enemy.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A distorted sense of honor and intolerance of challenge; the verse implicitly calls for the higher virtue of restraint toward family.