Shloka 17

द्वादशः सर्गः — Rama’s Proof of Power, the First Duel, and the Identification Mark

Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 12

Devanagari script

ततस्सुतुमुलं युद्धं वालिसुग्रीवयोरभूत्।गगने ग्रहयोर्घोरं बुधाङ्गारकयोरिव4.12.17।।

Transliteration

tatas sutumulaṃ yuddhaṃ vālisugrīvayor abhūt | gagane grahayor ghoraṃ budhāṅgārakayor iva ||

Translation

Então irrompeu uma batalha feroz e tumultuosa entre Vāli e Sugrīva, como o terrível choque dos planetas no céu, qual Mercúrio e Marte.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of sequence

• sutumulam: very tumultuous
• sutumulam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + tumula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: su-tumula = 'very tumultuous'; Napuṃsaka, Prathamā/Dvitīyā ekavacana; here agrees with yuddham (neuter)

• yuddham: battle
• yuddham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Prathamā ekavacana

• vāli-sugrīvayoḥ: of Vali and Sugriva
• vāli-sugrīvayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vālin + sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व) in dual sense; Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti dvivacana (genitive dual)

• abhūt: arose/took place
• abhūt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (imperfect), prathama-puruṣa, ekavacana

• gagane: in the sky
• gagane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gagana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Saptamī ekavacana

• grahayoḥ: of the two planets
• grahayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: graha (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī dvivacana (genitive dual)

• ghoram: terrible
• ghoram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Prathamā/Dvitīyā ekavacana; agrees with yuddham (understood in simile)

• budhāṅgārakayoḥ: of Budha and Angaraka (Mercury and Mars)
• budhāṅgārakayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: budha + aṅgāraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व), Ṣaṣṭhī dvivacana

• iva: like
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, comparative particle

Context

Then a tumultuous combat took place between Vali and Sugriva who looked like the planets Mercury and Mars.

Characters & Entities

• Vali
• Sugriva
• Budha (Mercury)
• Angaraka (Mars)
• sky (gagana)

FAQs

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

It highlights the destructive scale of fraternal conflict: when dharma breaks within family, the fallout is portrayed as cosmic and terrifying.

What is the narrative situation?

Vali and Sugriva engage in a violent, chaotic combat after the challenge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Endurance and martial prowess are shown, though the verse chiefly underscores the gravity of the conflict.