Shloka 18
किष्किन्धायां सुग्रीवस्य नादः
Sugriva’s War-Cry at Kishkindha
रिपूणां धर्षिण शूरा मर्षयन्ति न संयुगे।जानन्तस्तु स्वकं वीर्यं स्त्रीसमक्षं विशेषतः4.14.18।।
ripūṇāṁ dharṣiṇa śūrā marṣayanti na saṁyuge |
jānantas tu svakaṁ vīryaṁ strīsamakṣaṁ viśeṣataḥ || 4.14.18 ||
Các dũng sĩ, biết rõ sức mình, không chịu nổi lời nhục mạ của kẻ thù giữa chiến trận—nhất là khi bị ném ra trước mặt phụ nữ.
The deer were unable to run like wounded horses in a battle. Birds fell down on the ground like planets fall when their merit is exhausted.
FAQs
It warns about the power of provocative speech: insults and public taunts inflame conflict. Dharmic conduct values restraint in speech (vāg-niyama) to prevent needless escalation.
Sugriva explains why Vali will certainly respond: warriors, especially under public scrutiny, feel compelled to answer challenges.
Sense of honor and confidence in valor—though the verse implicitly critiques how social pride can pressure one into rash action.