Shloka 4.57.25

सम्पाति–अङ्गदसंवादः / Sampati and Angada: Genealogy, Jatayu, and the Search Vow

Devanagari script

ते वयं कपिराजस्य सर्वे वचनकारिणः।।।।कृतां संस्थामतिक्रान्ता भयात्प्रायमुपास्महे।

Transliteration

te vayaṃ kapirājasya sarve vacana-kāriṇaḥ | kṛtāṃ saṃsthām atikrāntā bhayāt prāyam upāsmahe ||

Translation

We all, obedient to the command of the monkey-king, have overstepped the appointed time; therefore, out of fear, we have resolved to undertake prāya—fasting unto death.

Context

'Because of the fear of king Sugriva all of us have decided to stay here fasting unto death,since we have exceeded the time fixed for us (to find Sita).

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva (Kapirāja)
• Angada
• Vānara search party

FAQs

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

The verse raises the dharmic tension between responsibility and despair: accepting fault is dharmic, but surrendering to fear-driven self-destruction can conflict with the higher duty to continue serving a righteous mission.

What is the narrative situation?

Having missed Sugrīva’s deadline to find Sītā, the vānaras decide to fast unto death, expecting punishment if they return.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A sense of accountability and seriousness about duty—though clouded by fear and hopelessness.