Shloka 20
अङ्गदस्य प्रायोपवेशननिश्चयः
Angada’s Resolve to Fast unto Death
मतं तद्वालिपुत्रस्य विज्ञाय प्लवगर्षभाः।।4.55.19।।उपस्पृश्योदकं तत्र प्राङ्मुखास्समुपाविशन्।दक्षिणाग्रेषु दर्भेषु उदक्तीरं समाश्रिताः।।4.55.20।।मुमूर्षवो हरिश्रेष्ठा एतत् क्षममिति स्म ह।
mataṁ tad vāliputrasya vijñāya plavagarṣabhāḥ |
upaspṛśyodakaṁ tatra prāṅmukhāḥ samupāviśan |
dakṣiṇāgreṣu darbheṣu udaktīraṁ samāśritāḥ |
mumūrṣavo hariśreṣṭhā etat kṣamam iti sma ha ||
Connaissant la résolution du fils de Vāli, les singes les plus éminents—résolus à mourir—accomplirent le rite de l’eau en en prenant une gorgée, puis s’assirent, tournés vers l’est, sur l’herbe darbha aux pointes vers le sud, rassemblés sur la rive nord, déclarant : «Ceci est juste».
Overtaken by the fear of death, the monkeys kept talking about Rama's exile into the forest, Dasaratha's death, destruction of demons in Janasthana, the death of Jatayu, abduction of Sita, Vali's death and Rama's anger.
FAQs
Ritual form is used to frame a moral crisis; dharma is portrayed as not merely intention but also disciplined conduct—yet the narrative tension remains about choosing death over duty.
This verse repeats the description of the monkeys’ ritual seating for the fast, a feature consistent with some Southern Recension transmissions.
Discipline and unanimity in decision.