Shloka 4.16.25

वालिवधः — The Slaying of Vali

Devanagari script

तौ भीमबलविक्रान्तौ सुपर्णसमवेगिनौ।प्रवृद्धौ घोरवपुषौ चन्द्रसूर्याविवाम्बरे।परस्परममित्रघ्नौ च्छिद्रान्वेषणतत्परौ4.16.25।।

Transliteration

tau bhīmabalavikrāntau suparṇasamaveginau |

pravṛddhau ghoravapuṣau candrasūryāv ivāmbare |

parasparam amitraghnau chidrānveṣaṇatatparau || 4.16.25 ||

Translation

Both, possessed of dreadful strength and prowess, swift as Garuḍa, grew ever more formidable—like the sun and moon in the sky—each intent on striking down the other and searching for an opening.

Context

Both of them endowed with terrible strength, fierce in appearance, and each seeking the weak points of the other advanced, as fast as Garuda, striking at the enemy. Their fight grew more and more fierce like the fight between Sun and Moon in the sky.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Vālin
• Suparṇa (Garuḍa)
• Sun
• Moon
• sky

FAQs

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

The verse reflects the dharma of vigilant struggle: in conflict, one must maintain awareness, self-control, and discernment—seeking the ‘opening’ without abandoning rightful conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

The duel intensifies; both fighters become more aggressive and watchful, each trying to find the other’s weakness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and strategic intelligence (chidra-anveṣaṇa), paired with extraordinary vigor.