Shloka 4.65.28

पञ्चषष्टितमः सर्गः — वानराणां प्लवन-पराक्रम-निरूपणम् (Assessment of the Vanaras’ Leaping Capacity; Jambavan Motivates Hanuman)

Devanagari script

उक्तवाक्यं महाप्राज्ञं जाम्बवन्तं महाकपिः।प्रत्युवाचोत्तरं वाक्यं वालिसूनुरथाङ्गदः।।।।

Transliteration

ābabhāṣe gajaḥ tatra plaveyaṃ daśa-yojanam |

gavākṣo yojanāny āha gamiṣyāmīti viṃśatim ||

Translation

Then Gaja declared that he could leap ten yojanas, and Gavākṣa said that he could go as far as twenty.

Context

Jambavan, the wise monkey having said that, Angada, the great son of Vali, replied:

Characters & Entities

• Gaja
• Gavākṣa
• vānaras

FAQs

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

Dharma here appears as honest self-assessment in service of a collective mission—each leader states his true capacity so the group can choose a workable plan.

What is the narrative situation?

The vānaras are evaluating who has the strength to cross the great distance (toward Laṅkā) and are publicly stating their leaping range.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical truthfulness (satya) and responsibility—speaking one’s real capability for the success of the mission.