Shloka 4.9.21

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

Devanagari script

ततोऽहं तैस्समागम्य सम्मतैरभिषेचितः।राज्यं प्रशासतस्तस्य न्यायतो मम राघव4.9.21।।आजगाम रिपुं हत्वा वाली तमसुरोत्तमम्।।

Transliteration

nigrahe 'pi samarthasya taṃ pāpaṃ prati rāghava | na prāvartata me buddhir bhrātur gaurava-yantritā || 4.9.23 ||

Translation

O Rāghava, though I was able to restrain that sinner, my judgment did not turn against him, held back by reverence for my brother.

Context

'Then all the ministers assembled together and consecrated me. While I was ruling the kingdom lawfully, Vali, the monkey came back after killing the enemy demon.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Vāli

FAQs

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

Dharma can involve competing obligations: Sugrīva’s respect for an elder brother restrains retaliation, illustrating how loyalty may limit immediate resistance even against wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

After Vāli’s hostile return and abuses, Sugrīva explains why he did not counteract him despite being able to.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and self-restraint—Sugrīva’s deference to fraternal hierarchy curbs his impulse to punish.