Shloka 24
मैत्रीप्रतिष्ठा
Rama–Sugriva Alliance and Fire-Rite of Friendship
वालिनो मे महाभाग भयार्तस्याभयं कुरु4.5.24।।कर्तुमर्हसि काकुत्स्थ भयं मे न भवेद्यथा।
vālino me mahābhāga bhayārtasyābhayaṃ kuru | kartum arhasi kākutstha bhayaṃ me na bhaved yathā ||4.5.24||
હે મહાભાગ, વાલિના ભયથી વ્યાકુળ મને અભય આપો; હે કાકુત્સ્થ, તમે એવું કરો કે મારું ભય ફરી ન રહે.
'O reverend Kakutstha, I feel helpless with fear from Vali. Save me. You should release me free from fear.'
FAQs
Duty to protect the fearful who seek refuge: Sugrīva’s plea invokes the dharma of the righteous ruler/hero to remove भय (fear) and establish सुरक्षा (safety).
Sugrīva formally requests Rāma’s protection from Vālin, seeking assurance before any alliance can be solidified.
Rāma’s expected virtue of guardianship—being one who grants abhayadāna (fearlessness) to the afflicted.