Shloka 4.24.23
वालिवधोत्तरशोकः — Sugriva’s Remorse and Tara’s Lament after Vali’s Death
कृत्स्नं तु ते सेत्स्यति कार्यमेतन्मय्यप्रतीते मनुजेन्द्रपुत्रकुलस्य हन्तारमजीवनार्हंरामानुजानीहि कृतागसं माम्।।
kṛtsnaṁ tu te setsyati kāryam etan mayy apratīte manujendraputra |
kulasya hantāram ajīvanārhaṁ rāmānujānīhi kṛtāgasaṁ mām ||
O prince among men, even if I should perish, this entire undertaking of yours will be fulfilled. I am a slayer within my own line, sinful and unworthy to live—O Rāma, grant me leave (to die).
'O prince Rama! even if I am dead the entire task of yours, will be accomplished by the vanara race. I have ruined the whole race. I am sinful and not fit to live. Permit me (to enter fire).
Dharma as moral reckoning: Sugrīva articulates that wrongdoing creates unfitness for life unless corrected, and he seeks permission rather than acting impulsively—placing conduct under rightful authority.
Sugrīva, feeling complicit in the fratricidal outcome, tells Rāma the mission will still succeed and asks permission to die as expiation.
Humility and contrition—Sugrīva does not justify himself but confesses moral fault and submits to Rāma’s judgment.