Shloka 17

द्वादशः सर्गः — Rama’s Proof of Power, the First Duel, and the Identification Mark

Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 12

Devanagari script

ततस्सुतुमुलं युद्धं वालिसुग्रीवयोरभूत्।गगने ग्रहयोर्घोरं बुधाङ्गारकयोरिव4.12.17।।

Transliteration

tatas sutumulaṃ yuddhaṃ vālisugrīvayor abhūt | gagane grahayor ghoraṃ budhāṅgārakayor iva ||

Translation

तब वाली और सुग्रीव के बीच अत्यन्त घोर और कोलाहलपूर्ण युद्ध छिड़ गया। वह आकाश में ग्रहों के भयंकर संघर्ष—मानो बुध और अंगारक के टकराव—के समान था॥

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of sequence

• sutumulam: very tumultuous
• sutumulam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + tumula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: su-tumula = 'very tumultuous'; Napuṃsaka, Prathamā/Dvitīyā ekavacana; here agrees with yuddham (neuter)

• yuddham: battle
• yuddham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Prathamā ekavacana

• vāli-sugrīvayoḥ: of Vali and Sugriva
• vāli-sugrīvayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vālin + sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व) in dual sense; Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti dvivacana (genitive dual)

• abhūt: arose/took place
• abhūt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (imperfect), prathama-puruṣa, ekavacana

• gagane: in the sky
• gagane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gagana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Saptamī ekavacana

• grahayoḥ: of the two planets
• grahayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: graha (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī dvivacana (genitive dual)

• ghoram: terrible
• ghoram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Prathamā/Dvitīyā ekavacana; agrees with yuddham (understood in simile)

• budhāṅgārakayoḥ: of Budha and Angaraka (Mercury and Mars)
• budhāṅgārakayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: budha + aṅgāraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व), Ṣaṣṭhī dvivacana

• iva: like
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, comparative particle

Context

Then a tumultuous combat took place between Vali and Sugriva who looked like the planets Mercury and Mars.

Characters & Entities

• Vali
• Sugriva
• Budha (Mercury)
• Angaraka (Mars)
• sky (gagana)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It highlights the destructive scale of fraternal conflict: when dharma breaks within family, the fallout is portrayed as cosmic and terrifying.

What is the narrative situation?

Vali and Sugriva engage in a violent, chaotic combat after the challenge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Endurance and martial prowess are shown, though the verse chiefly underscores the gravity of the conflict.