Shloka 4.8.38

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

Devanagari script

सङ्क्षेपस्त्वेष मे राम किमुक्त्वा विस्तरं हि ते।स मे ज्येष्ठो रिपुर्भ्राता वाली विश्रुतपौरुषः।।

Transliteration

saṅkṣepas tv eṣa me rāma kim uktvā vistaraṃ hi te | sa me jyeṣṭho ripur bhrātā vālī viśrutapauruṣaḥ ||

Translation

This is my account in brief, O Rāma—why should I speak at length? Vāli, my elder brother, famed for prowess, has become my enemy.

Context

'O Rama! I tell you (my story) briefly. It is not necessary to go into details. My elder brother Vali, who is known for his prowess, is my enemy.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Rāma
• Vāli

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the tragedy of adharma within kinship: when an elder brother becomes an enemy, dharma requires truthful disclosure and righteous intervention to restore order.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva summarizes the central problem for which he seeks Rāma’s help: his powerful elder brother Vāli has turned hostile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s straightforwardness and focus—he states the essential truth without embellishment.