Shloka 4.16.7

वालिवधः — The Slaying of Vali

Devanagari script

प्रतियोत्स्याम्यहं गत्वा सुग्रीवं जहि सम्भ्रमम्।दर्पमात्रं विनेष्यामि न च प्राणैर्विमोक्ष्यते4.16.7।।

Transliteration

pratiyotsyāmy ahaṃ gatvā sugrīvaṃ jahi sambhramam |

darpamātraṃ vineṣyāmi na ca prāṇair vimokṣyate ||4.16.7||

Translation

I will go and meet Sugrīva’s challenge in combat—cast off your fear. I shall crush only his arrogance; he will not be deprived of his life.

Context

'I shall accept the challenge and fight with Sugriva. Give up your anxiety. I will destroy his pride, not his life.

Characters & Entities

• Vālī
• Sugrīva
• Tārā

FAQs

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

It asserts a principle of proportionate force: punishment should target wrongful pride and disorder, not escalate into needless killing.

What is the narrative situation?

Before going out to fight Sugrīva, Vālī reassures Tārā that he intends to humble Sugrīva rather than kill him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint is claimed: Vālī presents himself as capable of limiting violence to correction rather than annihilation.