Shloka 4.53.34

स्वयम्प्रभा-विमोचनम् — Svayamprabha Leads the Vanaras Out (Time-Limit Crisis and Counsel)

Devanagari script

तीक्ष्णः प्रकृत्या सुग्रीवः प्रियासक्तश्च राघवः।।।।अदृष्टायां तु वैदेह्यां दृष्ट्वाऽस्मांश्त समागतान्।राघवप्रियकामार्थं घातयिष्यत्यसंशयम्।।।।

Transliteration

tīkṣṇaḥ prakṛtyā sugrīvaḥ priyāsaktaś ca rāghavaḥ |

adṛṣṭāyāṃ tu vaidehyāṃ dṛṣṭvā 'smāṃś ca samāgatān |

rāghavapriyakāmārthaṃ ghātayiṣyaty asaṃśayam ||

Translation

Sugrīva is harsh by nature, and Rāghava is devoted to his beloved. Therefore, if Vaidehī is not found and he sees us returned, he will—without doubt—have us killed to please Rāghava.

Context

'By nature Sugriva is harsh. Rama is devoted to his wife. Therefore, if Sugriva sees that we have not found Vaidehi and have returned (without fulfilling the mission) he will award death sentence to us in order to please Rama.There is no doubt.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Sītā (Vaidehī)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how fear of authority can dominate decision-making; dharma requires clear discernment and truthful action rather than panic based on assumptions about rulers’ motives.

What is the narrative situation?

The vānaras reason that returning without finding Sītā will provoke Sugrīva to execute them, allegedly to satisfy Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Pragmatic foresight (though colored by fear), assessing likely consequences of failure.