Shloka 4.46.17
पृथिवीमण्डलपरिज्ञानम् — Sugriva on Surveying the Earth’s Regions
पुनरावर्तमानस्तु वालिनाऽभिद्रुतोद्रुतम्।दिशस्तस्यास्ततो भूयः प्रस्थितो दक्षिणां दिशम्।विन्ध्यपादपसङ्कीर्णां चन्दनद्रुमशोभिताम्।।।।
parikālayamānas tu vālinābhidrutas tadā |
punar āvṛtya sahasā prasthito 'haṁ tadā vibho ||
But when Vālī drove me off and pursued me, O king, I would suddenly turn back again and then rush off once more.
'Then chased by Vali, I changed my present direction from the east towards the southern quarter where Vindhya mountain stood with its, beautiful sandal trees.
Dharma in crisis includes preserving life without deceitful harm—Sugrīva’s evasive flight reflects self-preservation while seeking a lawful refuge rather than escalating violence.
Sugrīva describes the immediate chase by Vālī and his repeated attempts to escape by changing course.
Endurance and prudence under threat—continuing to seek safety rather than surrendering to despair.