Shloka 16
मैत्रीप्रतिष्ठा
Rama–Sugriva Alliance and Fire-Rite of Friendship
ततोऽग्निं दीप्यमानं तौ चक्रतुश्च प्रदक्षिणम्।।4.5.16।।सुग्रीवो राघवश्चैव वयस्यत्वमुपागतौ।
tato ’gniṁ dīpyamānaṁ tau cakratuś ca pradakṣiṇam || 4.5.16 ||
sugrīvo rāghavaś caiva vayasyatvam upāgatau |
Entonces ambos dieron la pradakṣiṇā alrededor del fuego ardiente; y Sugrīva y Rāghava entraron en el vínculo de amistad jurada.
Rama and the monkey contented at heart, yet not fully content, continued looking at each other.
FAQs
Dharma is covenantal loyalty: friendship becomes a vowed commitment witnessed by fire, binding both parties to truthful support and mutual obligation.
Rāma and Sugrīva perform pradakṣiṇā around Agni, a ritual act that seals their alliance.
Fidelity to promises: the verse highlights the transition from goodwill to formally established responsibility.