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 |
Alors tous deux firent la pradakṣiṇā autour du feu flamboyant, et Sugrīva et Rāghava entrèrent dans le lien d’une amitié jurée.
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.