Shloka 36
विस्फारस्तस्य धनुषो यन्त्रस्येव तदा बभौ । वितत्रास तदा वाली शरेणाभिहतोरसि,महाधनुर्धर श्रीरामचन्द्रजीने सुग्रीवको चिह्न धारण किये देख वालीको लक्ष्य बनाकर अपना महान् धनुष खींचा। उस धनुषकी टंकार मशीनकी भयंकर आवाजके समान जान पड़ती थी। उसे सुनकर वाली भयभीत हो उठा। इतनेमें ही श्रीरामके बाणने उसकी छातीपर भारी चोट की
visphāras tasya dhanuṣo yantrasyeva tadā babhau | vitratrāsa tadā vālī śareṇābhihatorasi ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Then the twang of his bow resounded like the harsh roar of a machine. Hearing it, Vālī was struck with fear; and in that very moment, pierced in the chest by the arrow, he reeled under the heavy blow. Thus Rāma, the great archer, having seen Sugrīva bearing the agreed sign, took Vālī as his target and drew his mighty bow.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the gravity of righteous force: when action is taken as part of a pledged alliance and a moral judgment, it must still be executed with clarity and responsibility. The narrative underscores that power (archery, kingship) carries ethical weight—its use should be tied to dharma, not impulse.
After confirming Sugrīva by the agreed identifying sign, Rāma draws his great bow. The bowstring’s thunderous twang frightens Vālī, and immediately Rāma’s arrow strikes Vālī in the chest, delivering a severe wound—marking the decisive moment of Vālī’s downfall.