Shloka 21

दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः

The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess

Devanagari script

वाली नाम महाप्राज्ञश्शक्रतुल्य पराक्रमः।अध्यास्ते वानरश्श्रीमान् किष्किन्धामतुलप्रभाम्4.11.21।।

Transliteration

vālī nāma mahāprājñaḥ śakratulya-parākramaḥ |

adhyāste vānaraḥ śrīmān kiṣkindhām atula-prabhām || 4.11.21 ||

Translation

其名为婆梨（Vālī），大智卓绝，勇力堪比释迦罗（因陀罗）；这位吉祥的猿族之主，居于奇什金达，那座光辉无比之城。

Word by Word

• vālī: Vali
• vālī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• nāma: by name
• nāma: Sambandha (नाम-निर्देशः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nāma (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, नामनिर्देशक निपात (indeclinable used for naming: 'by name')

• mahā-prājñaḥ: very wise
• mahā-prājñaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + prājña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: 'महान् प्राज्ञः' (very wise)

• śakra-tulya-parākramaḥ: having valor like Indra
• śakra-tulya-parākramaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakra (प्रातिपदिक) + tulya (प्रातिपदिक) + parākrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: 'शक्रतुल्यः पराक्रमः यस्य सः' (whose valor is like Indra's)

• adhyāste: dwells
• adhyāste: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: adhi-ās (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; अर्थः—'resides/sits upon'

• vānaraḥ: the monkey (king)
• vānaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject in apposition to vālī)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; जातिवाचक

• śrīmān: prosperous; illustrious
• śrīmān: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• kiṣkindhām: Kishkindha
• kiṣkindhām: Karma (कर्म/Object of adhyāste)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kiṣkindhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; देश/पुरी-नाम

• atula-prabhām: of incomparable splendor
• atula-prabhām: Karma (कर्म-विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: atula (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: 'अतुला प्रभा यस्याः सा' (of incomparable splendor); विशेषण (of kiṣkindhām)

Context

'Vali, son of Indra, is a wise, powerful and prosperous monkey. He resides at Kishkinda, a city of incomparable glory.

Characters & Entities

• Vali
• Indra (Śakra)
• Kishkindha

FAQs

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

Dharma here is implied through rightful sovereignty and responsibility: a ruler of great power is also situated as the recognized protector of a realm.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker introduces Vali—his stature, qualities, and seat of power in Kishkindha—setting the stage for the conflict around the monkey kingdom.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prowess joined with wisdom (parākrama + mahāprājñatā), portraying Vali as formidable both in strength and counsel.