Shloka 72
दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः
The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess
हतस्य महिषस्यास्थि पादेनैकेन लक्ष्मण।उद्यम्याथ प्रक्षिपेच्चेत्तरसा द्वे धनुश्शते4.11.72।।
hatasya mahiṣasyāsthi pādenaikena lakṣmaṇa |
udyamyātha prakṣipet cet tarasā dve dhanuḥśate || 4.11.72 ||
लक्ष्मण, यदि रामः हतस्य महिषस्य अस्थि पादेनैकेन उद्यम्य, त्वरया द्वे धनुश्शते प्रक्षिपेत्॥
'O Lakshmana! and if Rama can also lift the dead buffalo's (Dundubhi's) skeleton and hurl it to a distance of two hundred bows with one of his feet.
FAQs
Dharma in leadership and alliance-making requires due diligence: Sugriva proposes measurable proof so that the pursuit of justice against Vālī proceeds with truthful certainty and minimal needless risk.
Sugriva proposes another demonstration of strength—moving Dundubhi’s remains a great distance—to confirm Rama’s capacity.
Sugriva’s careful judgment: he seeks objective confirmation before committing to a decisive, morally weighty conflict.