Shloka 4.8.17

मैत्रीप्रतिज्ञा-वैरकारणप्रश्नः (Friendship Vow and Inquiry into the Cause of Enmity)

Devanagari script

अहं विनिकृतो भ्रात्रा चराम्येष भयार्दितः।ऋष्यमूकं गिरिवरं हृतभार्यस्सुदुःखितः।।

Transliteration

ahaṃ vinikṛto bhrātrā carāmy eṣa bhayārditaḥ | ṛṣyamūkaṃ girivaraṃ hṛta-bhāryaḥ suduḥkhitaḥ ||

Translation

“Betrayed by my brother, I wander here, tormented by fear—on this great Ṛśyamūka mountain—my wife stolen away, and I am sunk in grief.”

Context

'I am sadly roaming here in the great Rishyamuka mountain, my wife stolen, offended by my brother and frightened.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• brother (Vālin implied)
• Ṛśyamūka mountain
• wife (Tārā implied by tradition, not named here)

FAQs

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

Satya in seeking justice: Sugrīva states his suffering plainly, grounding his plea in truth and in the moral wrong of betrayal and abduction.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva explains to Rāma why he is living in fear on Ṛśyamūka: he has been wronged by his brother and separated from his wife.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Candor and vulnerability: Sugrīva openly acknowledges fear and grief while seeking rightful support.