Shloka 47
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation
Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17
त्वयाऽदृश्येन तु रणे निहतोऽहं दुरासदः।प्रसुप्तः पन्नगेनेव नरः पानवशं गतः।।
tvayādṛśyena tu raṇe nihato 'haṃ durāsadaḥ | prasuptaḥ pannageneva naraḥ pānavaśaṃ gataḥ ||
ಆದರೆ ನೀನು ರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷನಾಗಿ ನನ್ನನ್ನು—ದುರಾಸದ ಯೋಧನನ್ನು—ಹತಮಾಡಿದೆ; ಮದ್ಯವಶನಾಗಿ ನಿದ್ರಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಮನುಷ್ಯನು ಸರ್ಪದ ದಂಶದಿಂದ ಬಿದ್ದಂತೆ.
bitten to death by a snake while fast asleep.
FAQs
The verse argues that dharma in combat requires transparency; killing from concealment is likened to an ignoble act against a defenseless person.
Vāli compares Rāma’s unseen shot to a snake killing a sleeping drunk—an image meant to underscore vulnerability and unfairness.
Sportsmanship/fairness in conflict—victory should not come through exploiting an opponent’s inability to respond.