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

Khi vượn và ác quỷ nơi ấy liên tiếp giáng đòn lên nhau, sức lực của ác quỷ trong chiến trận dần suy giảm, còn con của Đế Thích (Vālī) thì càng thêm hùng mạnh, khí thế tăng trưởng.

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.