Shloka 4.16.34

वालिवधः — The Slaying of Vali

Devanagari script

तस्य ज्यातलघोषेण त्रस्ताः पत्ररथेश्वराः।प्रदुद्रुवुर्मृगाश्चैव युगान्त इव मोहिताः4.16.34।।

Transliteration

tato rāmo mahātejā ārtaṃ dṛṣṭvā harīśvaram |

śaraṃ ca vīkṣate vīro vālino vadhakāraṇāt || 4.16.32 ||

Translation

Then heroic Rāma, radiant with great energy, seeing the lord of monkeys in distress, looked toward his arrow—intent on Vāli’s death as the means to end that suffering.

Context

As if scared by the twang of the bowstring, winged and feathered birds and animals ran frightened in different directions.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva (harīśvara)
• Vāli

FAQs

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

Dharma here is presented as protective intervention: Rāma acts to end the distress of an ally and to restore a violated moral order, though later verses problematize and debate the method.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma observes Sugrīva suffering in the duel and prepares to act decisively against Vāli.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Resolve (niścaya) in upholding a pledged alliance and acting to remove the cause of injustice.