Shloka 4.22.26

वालिविलापः — Vali’s Final Counsel and the Succession Charge

Devanagari script

किष्किन्धा ह्यद्य शून्याऽसीत्स्वर्गते वानराधिपे।उद्यानानि च शून्यानि पर्वताः काननानि च।।हते प्लवगशार्दूले निष्प्रभा वानराः कृताः।

Transliteration

kiṣkindhā hy adya śūnyā ’sīt svargate vānarādhipe | udyānāni ca śūnyāni parvatāḥ kānanāni ca || hate plavaga-śārdūle niṣprabhā vānarāḥ kṛtāḥ |

Translation

Now Kiṣkindhā has become desolate, for the lord of the Vānaras has gone to heaven. The gardens stand empty, and so do the mountains and forests; with the tiger among monkeys slain, the Vānaras themselves have grown dim and spiritless.

Context

Lord of monkeys having gone to heaven, Kishkinda looked desolate including the pleasure gardens, the mountains and forests. The monkeys also became dull.

Characters & Entities

• Kiṣkindhā
• Vāli
• Vānaras

FAQs

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

The verse highlights rāja-dharma’s social dimension: a ruler’s presence stabilizes the realm, and his fall impacts not only politics but collective morale—reminding that power must be exercised responsibly because many depend upon it.

What is the narrative situation?

The Vānaras describe how Kiṣkindhā and its environs feel emptied and joyless after Vāli’s death.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective kingship (rakṣaṇa) is remembered as Vāli’s defining trait from the people’s perspective, even as they grieve his loss.