Shloka 90
दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः
The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess
स एव संशयस्तात तव तस्य च यद्बले4.11.90।।सालमेकं तु निर्भिद्या भवेद्व्यक्तिर्बलाबले।
sa eva saṁśayas tāta tava tasya ca yad bale |
sālam ekaṁ tu nirbhidya bhaved vyaktir balābale ||
Ese es, querido, el mismo motivo de duda acerca de la fuerza, la tuya y la de él. Pero si logras atravesar un solo árbol śāla, quedará manifiesta la verdad sobre fuerza y debilidad.
'I was unable to gauge whether your strength is more than his (Vali's) since there is a great difference between a dry body and a wet one.
FAQs
Dharma as fair procedure: before undertaking a morally charged act (killing Vali), Sugrīva requests a clearer, more reliable demonstration.
Sugrīva proposes an alternative test—piercing a śāla tree—to better assess whether Rama can match or exceed Vali’s prowess.
Practical wisdom: Sugrīva seeks verifiable proof to minimize risk and ensure the alliance proceeds on truthful grounds.