Shloka 23

वालिविलापः

Vali’s Final Counsel and the Succession Charge

Devanagari script

न चातिप्रणयः कार्यः कर्तव्योऽप्रणयश्च ते।उभयं हि महान्दोष स्तस्मादन्तरदृग्भव।।

Transliteration

na cāti-praṇayaḥ kāryaḥ kartavyo 'praṇayaś ca te | ubhayaṃ hi mahān doṣas tasmād antar-dṛg bhava ||

Translation

不可过分亲昵，也不可全无善意；二者皆成大过。故当内观明察，常自警醒。

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• अतिप्रणयः: excessive intimacy
• अतिप्रणयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अति + प्रणय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (अतिशयः प्रणयः)

• कार्यः: should be done
• कार्यः: Kriya-visheshya (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (gerundive); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय (should be done)

• कर्तव्यः: should be done
• कर्तव्यः: Kriya-visheshya (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: कर्तव्यतार्थक कृदन्त (gerundive); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; (understood with अप्रणयः)

• अप्रणयः: lack of affection
• अप्रणयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ + प्रणय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नञ्-निषेध (lack of affection)

• च: also
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• ते: for you/of you
• ते: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (for you/by you)

• उभयम्: both
• उभयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उभय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; समाहार (both)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• महान्: great
• महान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (of दोषः)

• दोषः: fault
• दोषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसक, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थ (therefore/from that)

• अन्तरदृक्: discerning
• अन्तरदृक्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तर + दृश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (अन्तरं पश्यति) = discerning/insightful; विशेषण

• भव: be
• भव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

'You are not to be excessively friendly or otherise as both are serious mistakes. Therefore, be insightful.'

Characters & Entities

• Vali
• Angada
• Sugriva (implied as the ruler to relate with)

FAQs

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

Dharma recommends the middle path in relationships with power: neither reckless closeness nor hostile distance—balanced conduct preserves truth, safety, and order.

What is the narrative situation?

Vali gives Angada practical counsel on how to conduct himself under Sugriva’s reign—maintaining balanced relations.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (discernment) and moderation—knowing appropriate boundaries while preserving goodwill.