Shloka 71
दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः
The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess
रामोऽपिदारयेदेषां बाणेनैकेन च द्रुमम्।वालिनं निहतं मन्ये दृष्ट्वा रामस्य विक्रमम्4.11.71।।
rāmo 'pi dārayet eṣāṃ bāṇenaikena ca drumam |
vālinaṃ nihataṃ manye dṛṣṭvā rāmasya vikramam || 4.11.71 ||
Si Rāma peut, lui aussi, fendre ces arbres d’une seule flèche, alors—ayant vu la vaillance de Rāma—je tiendrai Vālī pour déjà abattu.
'If I see Rama splitting these trees with one arrow, I will believe he can kill Vali with his prowess.
FAQs
Dharma is upheld through demonstrable competence and truthful assurance: before taking a life in the name of justice, Sugriva seeks a clear sign that Rama’s intervention will succeed and not become unjust recklessness.
Sugriva sets a test for Rama—splitting the trees with one arrow—as the evidence needed to trust that Vālī can be defeated.
Sugriva’s discernment and reliance on satya: faith is grounded in witnessed capability, not mere words.