Shloka 18

वालिवधः

The Slaying of Vali

Devanagari script

श्लिष्टं मुष्टिं समुद्यम्य संरब्धतरमागतः।सुग्रीवोऽपि समुद्दिश्य वालिनं हेममालिनम्4.16.18।।

Transliteration

śliṣṭaṃ muṣṭiṃ samudyamya saṃrabdhataram āgataḥ |

sugrīvo 'pi samuddiśya vālinaṃ hemamālinam || 4.16.18 ||

Translation

முத்தியை இறுக்கமாகப் பிணித்து, சுக்ரீவனும் மேலும் அதிகக் கோபாவேசத்துடன் முன்னேறினான்; பொன்மாலை அணிந்த வாலியையே குறியாகக் கொண்டு வந்தான்।

Word by Word

• श्लिष्टम्: clenched/closed
• श्लिष्टम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्लिष्ट (कृदन्त; √श्लिष् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘firmly clenched/closed’ (agreeing with मुष्टिम् by sense; form used adverbially/elliptically)

• मुष्टिम्: fist
• मुष्टिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• समुद्यम्य: having raised
• समुद्यम्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-उद्-√यम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (gerund); ‘having lifted up’

• संरब्धतरम्: more enraged/impetuous
• संरब्धतरम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संरब्ध (कृदन्त; सम्-√रभ् धातु)
• Form: तुलनात्मक (comparative) -तर; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् ‘more furiously/impetuously’

• आगतः: came/approached
• आगतः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आगत (कृदन्त; आ-√गम् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘having come/arrived’ (finite sense)

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

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle); समुच्चय/अपि = also

• समुद्दिश्य: having directed towards
• समुद्दिश्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-उद्-√दिश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (gerund); ‘having aimed at/pointed towards’

• वालिनम्: Vali
• वालिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• हेममालिनम्: wearing a golden garland/necklace
• हेममालिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेम (प्रातिपदिक) + मालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/उपपद-भाव: ‘हेमस्य माला यस्य’); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of वालिनम्)

Context

Sugriva also lifted his fist firmly and advanced more impatiently towards Vali adorned with a golden necklace.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Vāli

FAQs

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

The verse underscores how rivalry between kin can intensify; Dharma values restraint and truth-based resolution over escalation.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva mirrors Vāli’s aggression and closes in, ready to strike.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Determination and resolve—yet driven by agitation rather than calm righteousness.