Shloka 26

वालिवधः

The Slaying of Vali

Devanagari script

ततोऽवर्धत वाली तु बलवीर्यसमन्वितः।सूर्यपुत्रो महावीर्यस्सुग्रीवः परिहीयते4.16.26।।

Transliteration

tato 'vardhata vālī tu balavīryasamanvitaḥ |

sūryaputro mahāvīryaḥ sugrīvaḥ parihīyate || 4.16.26 ||

Translation

അപ്പോൾ ബലവും വീര്യവും സമന്വിതനായ വാലി കൂടുതൽ പ്രബലനായി; സൂര്യപുത്രനായ മഹാവീര്യൻ സുഗ്രീവൻ ക്രമേണ പിന്നോട്ടായി.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; काल/क्रमवाचक (then/thereupon)

• अवर्धत: grew/increased
• अवर्धत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृध् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वाली: Vali
• वाली: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात

• बल-वीर्य-समन्वितः: endowed with strength and valour
• बल-वीर्य-समन्वितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक) + वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (कृदन्त; सम्-अनु-√इ/√वित्?; ‘endowed with’)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘endowed with strength and valour’

• सूर्य-पुत्रः: son of the Sun
• सूर्य-पुत्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण/उपनाम (of सुग्रीवः)

• महावीर्यः: of great might
• महावीर्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of सुग्रीवः)

• सुग्रीवः: Sugriva
• सुग्रीवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• परिहीयते: is weakened/diminishes
• परिहीयते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-√हा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; ‘declines/is diminished’

Context

In a short while Vali, endowed with great strength, gained the upper hand and Sugriva, son of the Sun-god, was losing ground .

Characters & Entities

• Vālin
• Sugrīva
• Sun (Sūrya)

FAQs

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

Dharma underscores realism about power: righteousness often requires timely support and right strategy, not merely personal might—setting the stage for Rāma’s promised assistance.

What is the narrative situation?

The battle’s momentum shifts: Vālin becomes stronger in the exchange, and Sugrīva weakens.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vālin’s superior combat strength; Sugrīva’s endurance despite decline.