अथ दीर्घस्य कालस्य बिलात्तस्माद्विनिस्सृतम्।सफेनं रुधिरं रक्तमहं दृष्ट्वा सुदुःखितः।।4.9.17।।
atha dīrghasya kālasya bilāt tasmād viniḥsṛtam | saphenaṃ rudhiraṃ raktaṃ ahaṃ dṛṣṭvā suduḥkhitaḥ || 4.9.17 ||
แล้วครั้นเวลาล่วงนาน เราเห็นโลหิตสีแดงมีฟองไหลทะลักออกมาจากถ้ำนั้น ครั้นเห็นดังนั้นเราก็เศร้าโศกยิ่งนัก
Acting responsibly on evidence: the verse highlights how visible signs can compel moral and practical decisions, even when certainty is painful.
Sugrīva observes foaming blood emerging from the cave, which he interprets as a sign that Vāli has been killed.
Sensitivity and compassion—his immediate response is grief rather than self-interest.