Shloka 4.8.44

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

Devanagari script

हृष्टः कथय विस्रब्धो यावदारोप्यते धनुः।सृष्टश्च हि मया बाणो निरस्तश्च रिपुस्तव।।

Transliteration

balavān hi mamāmarṣaḥ śrutvā tvām avamānitam |

vartate hṛdayotkampī prāvṛḍ-vegam ivāmbhasaḥ ||

Translation

Indeed, hearing that you have been humiliated, my indignation rises powerfully; my heart trembles in agitation, like waters driven by the force of the rainy season.

Context

'Tell me freely and cheerfully before I string the bow. Your enemy will be destroyed as soon as I release my arrow.'

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• Prāvṛṭ (rainy season/monsoon)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes moral outrage against dishonor and injustice; righteous anger becomes legitimate when it motivates protection of the wronged.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma reacts emotionally to Sugrīva’s humiliation, signaling readiness to oppose the offender.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective empathy—Rāma’s intolerance of adharma directed at an ally.