Shloka 4.55.21

अङ्गदस्य प्रायोपवेशननिश्चयः (Angada’s Resolve to Fast unto Death)

Devanagari script

रामस्य वनवासं च क्षयं दशरथस्य च।।।।जनस्थानवधं चैव वधं चैव जटायुषः।हरणं चैव वैदेह्या वालिनश्च वधं रणे।।।।रामकोपं च वदतां हरीणां भयमागतम्।

Transliteration

mataṁ tad vāliputrasya vijñāya plavagarṣabhāḥ |

upaspṛśyodakaṁ tatra prāṅmukhāḥ samupāviśan |

dakṣiṇāgreṣu darbheṣu udaktīraṁ samāśritāḥ |

mumūrṣavo hariśreṣṭhā etat kṣamam iti sma ha ||

Translation

Knowing the decision of Vāli’s son, the foremost of monkeys—ready to die—performed the water-sipping rite and sat together there, facing east, on darbha grass with its tips laid to the south, assembled on the northern shore, saying, “This is fitting.”

Context

Overtaken by the fear of death, the monkeys kept talking about Rama's exile into the forest, Dasaratha's death, destruction of demons in Janasthana, the death of Jatayu, abduction of Sita, Vali's death and Rama's anger.

Characters & Entities

• Angada (Valiputra)
• Vali
• monkey chiefs (plavagarṣabhāḥ / hariśreṣṭhāḥ)
• darbha grass
• udaktīra (northern shore)

FAQs

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

It shows a dharma-coded ritual posture (water-sipping, darbha, orientation) applied to a tragic resolve; the epic also implicitly questions whether despair-driven self-destruction truly serves dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

After accepting Aṅgada’s decision, the monkey leaders formally prepare to undertake the fast unto death together.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Group solidarity and determination, expressed through ritual discipline.