Shloka 4.17.12

वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation (Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17)

Devanagari script

तं तदा पतितं सङ्ख्ये गतार्चिषमिवानलम्।बहुमान्य च तं वीर वीक्षमाणं शनैरिव।4.17.9।।ययातिमिव पुण्यान्ते देवलोकादिहच्युतम्। आदित्यमिव कालेन युगान्ते भुवि पातितम्।4.17.10।।महेन्द्रमिव दुर्धर्षंमुपेन्द्रमिव दुस्सहम्।महेन्द्रपुत्रं पतितं वालिनं हेममालिनम्।।4.17.11।।सिंहोरस्कं महाबाहुं दीप्तास्यं हरिलोचनम्।लक्ष्मणानुगतो रामो ददर्शोपससर्प च।।4.17.12।।

Transliteration

siṃhoraskaṃ mahābāhuṃ dīptāsyaṃ harilocanam |

lakṣmaṇānugato rāmo dadarśopasasarpa ca ||4.17.12||

Translation

Rāma, followed by Lakṣmaṇa, saw Vālī—lion-chested, long-armed, radiant-faced, tawny-eyed—and approached him.

Context

Rama followed by Lakshmana slowly approached the longarmed, lionchested, brightfaced, tawnyeyed Vali, and admiringly observed this unchallengeable son of Indra, unassailable like Indra himself. Adorned with a golden necklace, he had fallen on the ground like fire without flame, like king Yayati descended on the earth from the celestial realm on the exhaustion of his merits, or like the Sun cast down on the earth at the end of the aeon.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Vālī

FAQs

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

After decisive action, dharma requires facing consequences directly—approaching the fallen opponent with moral seriousness rather than indifference.

What is the narrative situation?

Following Vālī’s collapse, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa move toward him to engage with what has occurred.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s composure and accountability are implied—he does not withdraw from the moral confrontation that follows the act.