Shloka 23
मैत्रीप्रतिष्ठा
Rama–Sugriva Alliance and Fire-Rite of Friendship
सोऽहं त्रस्तो वने भीतो वसाम्युद्भ्रान्तचेतनः4.5.23।।वालिना निकृतो भ्रात्रा कृतवैरश्च राघव।
so 'haṃ trasto vane bhīto vasāmy udbhrāntacetanaḥ | vālinā nikṛto bhrātrā kṛtavairaś ca rāghava ||4.5.23||
सोऽहं त्रस्तो वने भीतो वसाम्युद्भ्रान्तचेतनः। वालिना निकृतो भ्रात्रा कृतवैरश्च राघव॥
'O Rama! humiliated by my brother Vali, I have developed enmity with him. Terribly distraught and disturbed I live in this forest in great fear.
FAQs
Recognition of adharma within kinship: the verse frames wrongdoing by a brother as morally destabilizing and calls for restoration of righteous order.
Sugrīva details the fear and mental turmoil caused by Vālin’s actions, explaining why he is living in hiding.
Moral clarity and restraint: Sugrīva portrays enmity as compelled by injustice, not chosen lightly.