Shloka 4.22.1
वालिविलापः — Vali’s Final Counsel and the Succession Charge
वीक्षमाणस्तु मन्दासुस्सर्वतो मन्दमुच्छ्वसन्।आदावेव तु सुग्रीवं ददर्शत्वात्मजाग्रतः।।
vīkṣamāṇas tu mandāsuḥ sarvato mandam ucchvasan | ādāv eva tu sugrīvaṃ dadarśa tv ātma-jāgrataḥ ||
But Vāli, his life-breath weakening, softly exhaling as he looked about, first saw Sugrīva standing before his own son.
Vali, gazing all around, breathing slowly and sighing feably beheld Sugriva at first instance, Sugriva who was standing in front of his own son.
The turning toward reconciliation at life’s end: the scene prepares for dharmic settlement—care for the heir and restoration of rightful order.
In his final moments, Vāli looks around and notices Sugrīva near Angada, setting the stage for Vāli’s instructions about protection and succession.
Composure and clarity in extremity: even while dying, Vāli’s attention moves to family and political responsibility.