Shloka 4.9.20

वालि–मायावी–बिलप्रवेशः (Vali’s Pursuit of Mayavi and the Cave Episode)

Devanagari script

अहं त्ववगतो बुद्ध्या चिह्नैस्तैर्भ्रातरं हतम्।पिधाय च बिलद्वारं शिलया गिरिमात्रया4.9.19।।शोकार्तश्चोदकं कृत्वा किष्किन्धामागतस्सखे।गूहमानस्य मे तत्त्वं यत्नतो मन्त्रिभिश्श्रुतम्4.9.20।।

Transliteration

abhiṣiktaṃ tu māṃ dṛṣṭvā vālī saṃraktalocanaḥ | madīyān mantriṇo baddhvā paruṣaṃ vākyam abravīt || 4.9.22 ||

Translation

But when Vāli saw me consecrated, his eyes reddened with rage; he bound my ministers and spoke harsh words to me.

Context

'O friend by those signs I understood that my brother was killed and concluding that way I blocked the entrance of the cave with a rock of the size of a mountain and offered oblations to my brother and came to Kishkinda. I intended to hide the fact of Vali's death. But the ministers came to know the truth with their efforts.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Vāli
• ministers (mantrin)

FAQs

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

Uncontrolled anger leads to adharma: Vāli’s rage results in unjust coercion (binding ministers) and harsh speech.

What is the narrative situation?

Vāli returns, sees Sugrīva enthroned, reacts violently, and intimidates Sugrīva’s supporters.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, the verse highlights the need for restraint and fair conduct in power—qualities absent in Vāli’s reaction here.