Shloka 18
मैत्रीप्रतिष्ठा
Rama–Sugriva Alliance and Fire-Rite of Friendship
त्वं वयस्योऽसि मे हृद्यो ह्येकं दुःखं सुखं च नौ4.5.18।।सुग्रीवो राघवं वाक्यमित्युवाच प्रहृष्टवत्।
tvaṁ vayasyō ’si me hṛdyo hy ekaṁ duḥkhaṁ sukhaṁ ca nau || 4.5.18 ||
sugrīvo rāghavaṁ vākyam ity uvāca prahṛṣṭavat |
«Tú eres mi amigo amado; para nosotros dos, el dolor y la dicha son una misma cosa». Así habló Sugrīva a Rāghava, rebosante de júbilo.
Then Sugriva cut the branch of a sala tree with luxuriant leaves and flowers, spread it on the ground and sat down along with Raghava.
FAQs
Dharma is shared responsibility: true friendship means adopting the other’s welfare as one’s own—unity in both hardship and happiness.
Immediately after formalizing friendship, Sugrīva verbally declares the unity of their fortunes, reinforcing the oath with explicit commitment.
Loyalty (sauhṛda) and solidarity: Sugrīva pledges emotional and practical alignment with Rāma’s cause.