Shloka 4.16.24

वालिवधः — The Slaying of Vali

Devanagari script

स तु वाली प्रचलितस्सालताडनविह्वलः।गुरुभारसमाक्रान्तो नौ सार्थ इव सागरे4.16.24।।

Transliteration

sa tu vālī pracalitaḥ sālatāḍanavihvalaḥ |

gurubhārasamākrānto nauḥ sārtha iva sāgare || 4.16.24 ||

Translation

Struck and shaken by the blows of the sāla tree, Vālin reeled—like a merchant ship, heavy with cargo, tossed about in the ocean.

Context

Struck by the blows of the sala tree, Vali also lost his balance like the heavily loaded ship of a trader shaken up in the ocean.

Characters & Entities

• Vālin
• sāla tree
• ocean
• merchant ship (nauḥ, sārtha)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is implicit: even the mighty can be destabilized by consequences of action; the epic repeatedly warns that power without right conduct is not invulnerable.

What is the narrative situation?

Vālin momentarily loses balance after being hit by the uprooted tree wielded by Sugrīva.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s tactical initiative; Vālin’s momentary vulnerability underscores that victory can hinge on timely action.