Shloka 44

दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः

The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess

Devanagari script

परस्परं घ्नतो स्तत्र वानरासुरयोस्तदा।आसीदसुरो युद्धे शक्रसूनुर्व्यवर्धत4.11.44।।

Transliteration

parasparaṃ ghnato statra vānarāsurayos tadā |

āsīd asuro yuddhe śakrasūnur vyavardhata || 4.11.44 ||

Translation

అక్కడ వానరుడు మరియు అసురుడు పరస్పరం దాడి చేసుకుంటుండగా, యుద్ధంలో అసురుని బలం క్షీణించింది; ఇంద్రపుత్రుడైన వాలి యొక్క శౌర్యం మరింత వృద్ధి చెందింది।

Word by Word

• parasparam: each other
• parasparam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paraspara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Reciprocal adverb (अन्योन्यवाचक अव्यय), used with dual participle

• ghnatoḥ: of the two striking (each other)
• ghnatoḥ: Kāla/Avadhāraṇa (काल/सापेक्ष)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √han (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti (6th), Dvivacana; genitive absolute-like usage: 'while the two were striking'

• tatra: there
• tatra: Deśa (देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Locative adverb (देशवाचक अव्यय)

• vānarāsurayoḥ: of the monkey and the demon
• vānarāsurayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara + asura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Dvivacana; dvandva: vānaraś ca asuraś ca (the monkey and the demon)

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Temporal adverb

• āsīt: was / became
• āsīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √as (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ lakāra (लङ्/imperfect), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• asuraḥ: the demon
• asuraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• yuddhe: in battle
• yuddhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana

• śakrasūnuḥ: Indra’s son
• śakrasūnuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakra + sūnu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: śakrasya sūnuḥ (son of Indra)

• vyavardhata: grew / increased
• vyavardhata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ava-√vṛdh (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ lakāra (लङ्/imperfect), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; ātmanepada

Context

'Then as the monkey and demon fought pouncing on each other, the prowess of Dundubhi got diminished and that of Vali, the son of Indra, increased.

Characters & Entities

• Vālī
• Dundubhi
• Śakra/Indra

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the shifting nature of power; dharma-oriented reading emphasizes humility—victory and defeat can reverse, so ethical restraint remains essential.

What is the narrative situation?

The battle turns decisively: Dundubhi weakens while Vālī gains the upper hand.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indomitable vigor and rising confidence under trial, attributed to Vālī.