Shloka 32
दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः
The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess
न त्वं स्त्रीसन्निधौ वीर वचनं वक्तुमर्हसि।मम युद्धं प्रयच्छाद्य ततो ज्ञास्यामि ते बलम्4.11.32।।
na tvaṃ strīsannidhau vīra vacanaṃ vaktum arhasi |
mama yuddhaṃ prayacchādya tato jñāsyāmi te balam ||
“വീരാ, സ്ത്രീകളുടെ സന്നിധിയിൽ ഇത്തരത്തിലുള്ള വാക്കുകൾ പറയുന്നത് നിനക്കു യോജിച്ചതല്ല. ഇന്ന് എനിക്കു യുദ്ധം അനുവദിക്ക; പിന്നെ ഞാൻ നിന്റെ ബലം അറിയും.”
'O hero! speaking such words in the presence of women is not proper. Come to me for a combat and I will let you know your strength.
FAQs
Maryādā (propriety) in speech and conduct: public honor-culture demands restraint and appropriate talk, especially in mixed company, and directs conflict into formal combat.
Dundubhi rejects Vali’s warning and challenges him to a direct duel, objecting to the manner of speech before women.
A warrior’s insistence on formal contest and public propriety—though driven by pride, Dundubhi frames the challenge within a code of conduct.