Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 52
वाली–रामसंवादः
Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma
स ममादर्शनाद्दीनो बाल्यात्प्रभृति लालितः।तटाक इव पीताम्बुरुपशोषं गमिष्यति।।
sa mamādarśanād dīno bālyāt prabhṛti lālitaḥ | taṭāka iva pītāmbur upaśoṣaṃ gamiṣyati ||
ਮੇਰੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਤੋਂ ਵੰਝਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਉਹ ਦਿਨ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ; ਬਚਪਨ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਡ ਨਾਲ ਪਾਲਿਆ ਹੈ। ਜਿਵੇਂ ਪਾਣੀ ਪੀ ਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਤਲਾਬ ਸੁੱਕ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਉਹ ਵੀ ਸੁੱਕ ਕੇ ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ਕ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ।
'I loved him very much from his childhood. He will grow depressed in my absence. He will become like a pond whose waters have been dried up.
FAQs
It underscores the dharma of guardianship: when a protector is lost, others must step in to prevent the dependent from emotional and social ruin.
Vali anticipates Angada’s suffering after his death and uses a vivid simile to convey the urgency of care.
Empathy and responsibility—Vali’s concern is expressed through a poignant image of depletion and neglect.