thumb|सप्तदशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे किष्किन्धाकाण्डे सप्तदशः सर्गः ॥४-
Hear now the seventeenth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa.
ततः शरेणाभिहतो रामेण रणकर्कशः। पपात सहसा वाली निकृत्त इव पादपः
Then Vāli, fierce in battle, struck by Rāma’s arrow, fell suddenly like a tree cut down.
स भूमौ न्यस्तसर्वाङ्गस्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणः। अपतद् देवराजस्य मुक्तरश्मिरिव ध्वजः
He, adorned with ornaments of burning gold, fell to the ground, all his limbs outstretched, like Indra’s banner with its radiance released.
अस्मिन् निपतिते भूमौ हर्यृक्षाणां गणेश्वरे। नष्टचन्द्रमिव व्योम न व्यराजत मेदिनी
When that lord of the monkeys and bears fell to the earth, the world shone no more, like the sky bereft of the moon.
भूमौ निपतितस्यापि तस्य देहं महात्मनः। न श्रीर्जहाति न प्राणा न तेजो न पराक्रमः
Even fallen on the ground, his body, though struck down, did not lose its splendor, life, energy, or valor.
शक्रदत्ता वरा माला काञ्चनी रत्नभूषिता। दधार हरिमुख्यस्य प्राणांस्तेजः श्रियं च सा
The golden garland, adorned with jewels, given by Indra, preserved the life, energy, and glory of that foremost monkey.
स तया मालया वीरो हैमया हरियूथपः। संध्यानुगतपर्यन्तः पयोधर इवाभवत्
With that golden garland, the heroic leader of the monkeys looked like a cloud at sunset, fringed with light.
तस्य माला च देहश्च मर्मघाती च यः शरः। त्रिधेव रचिता लक्ष्मीः पतितस्यापि शोभते
His garland, his body, and the arrow that struck his vital spot—these threefold ornaments shone even as he lay fallen.
तदस्त्रं तस्य वीरस्य स्वर्गमार्गप्रभावनम्। रामबाणासनक्षिप्तमावहत् परमां गतिम्
That weapon, cast from Rāma’s bow, which opens the path to heaven for heroes, carried him to the highest state.
तं तथा पतितं संख्ये गतार्चिषमिवानलम्। ययातिमिव पुण्यान्ते देवलोकादिह च्युतम्
He, fallen thus in battle, like a fire whose flames have died out, like Yayāti cast down from heaven at the end of his merit—
आदित्यमिव कालेन युगान्ते भुवि पातितम्। महेन्द्रमिव दुर्धर्षमुपेन्द्रमिव दुःसहम्
Like the sun, fallen to earth by time at the end of an age; like mighty Indra, hard to withstand; like Upendra, difficult to endure—
महेन्द्रपुत्रं पतितं वालिनं हेममालिनम्। व्यूढोरस्कं महाबाहुं दीप्तास्यं हरिलोचनम्
Vali, son of Indra, adorned with a golden garland, broad-chested, mighty-armed, with a radiant face and eyes like a lion, lay fallen.
लक्ष्मणानुचरो रामो ददर्शोपससर्प च। तं तथा पतितं वीरं गतार्चिषमिवानलम्
Rama, accompanied by Lakshmana, saw him and approached—the hero fallen, like a fire whose flames have gone out.
बहुमान्य च तं वीरं वीक्षमाणं शनैरिव। उपयातौ महावीर्यौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ
The two brothers of great valor, Rama and Lakshmana, approached him gently, regarding that honored hero.
तं दृष्ट्वा राघवं वाली लक्ष्मणं च महाबलम्। अब्रवीत् परुषं वाक्यं प्रश्रितं धर्मसंहितम्
Seeing Rama, descendant of Raghu, and the mighty Lakshmana, Vali spoke harsh words—yet courteous and grounded in righteousness.
स भूमावल्पतेजोऽसुर्निहतो नष्टचेतनः। अर्थसंहितया वाचा गर्वितं रणगर्वितम्
Struck down, his brilliance diminished, his senses lost like a demon slain, he spoke with words aimed at reason, proud and proud of battle.
त्वं नराधिपतेः पुत्रः प्रथितः प्रियदर्शनः। पराङ्मुखवधं कृत्वा कोऽत्र प्राप्तस्त्वया गुणः। यदहं युद्धसंरब्धस्त्वत्कृते निधनं गतः
You, famed and pleasing to behold, son of the lord of men—what virtue have you gained here by killing one turned away? For I, enraged in battle, have met my end because of you.
सानुक्रोशो महोत्साहः समयज्ञो दृढव्रतः। इत्येतत् सर्वभूतानि कथयन्ति यशो भुवि
Compassionate, of great resolve, keeper of agreements, steadfast in vows—such is the fame all beings speak of you upon the earth.
दमः शमः क्षमा धर्मो धृतिः सत्यं पराक्रमः। पार्थिवानां गुणा राजन् दण्डश्चाप्यपकारिषु
Self-control, restraint, patience, righteousness, fortitude, truth, valor—these are the virtues of kings, O ruler, and punishment for wrongdoers as well.
तान् गुणान् सम्प्रधार्याहमग्र्यं चाभिजनं तव। तारया प्रतिषिद्धः सन् सुग्रीवेण समागतः
Considering these virtues and your noble lineage, I was restrained by Tara and yet came to meet Sugriva.
न मामन्येन संरब्धं प्रमत्तं वेद्धुमर्हसि। इति मे बुद्धिरुत्पन्ना बभूवादर्शने तव
You ought not to strike me, enraged and careless, by another's hand; such was the thought that arose in me when I did not see you.
स त्वां विनिहतात्मानं धर्मध्वजमधार्मिकम्। जाने पापसमाचारं तृणैः कूपमिवावृतम्
I know you as one whose soul is slain, a banner of righteousness yet unrighteous, evil in conduct, like a well covered with grass.
सतां वेषधरं पापं प्रच्छन्नमिव पावकम्। नाहं त्वामभिजानामि धर्मच्छद्माभिसंवृतम्
A wicked man in the guise of the virtuous, hidden like fire—thus I do not recognize you, concealed by the pretense of righteousness.
विषये वा पुरे वा ते यदा पापं करोम्यहम्। न च त्वामवजानेऽहं कस्मात् तं हंस्यकिल्बिषम्
Whether in your realm or your city, whenever I commit a wrong, I do not disregard you—so why do you slay me, innocent of sin?
फलमूलाशनं नित्यं वानरं वनगोचरम्। मामिहाप्रतियुध्यन्तमन्येन च समागतम्
I, a monkey living in the forest, always eating fruits and roots, not fighting you here, but engaged with another—
त्वं नराधिपतेः पुत्रः प्रतीतः प्रियदर्शनः। लिङ्गमप्यस्ति ते राजन् दृश्यते धर्मसंहितम्
You, son of the lord of men, renowned and pleasing to see, indeed bear the marks of righteousness, O king, visible to all.
कः क्षत्रियकुले जातः श्रुतवान् नष्टसंशयः। धर्मलिङ्गप्रतिच्छन्नः क्रूरं कर्म समाचरेत्
What man, born in a warrior's line, learned and free of doubt, would commit a cruel deed, hiding behind the signs of righteousness?
त्वं राघवकुले जातो धर्मवानिति विश्रुतः। अभव्यो भव्यरूपेण किमर्थं परिधावसे
You are born in the Raghava lineage, renowned for righteousness; why do you, who appear noble, act in a manner unworthy of you?
साम दानं क्षमा धर्मः सत्यं धृतिपराक्रमौ। पार्थिवानां गुणा राजन् दण्डश्चाप्यपकारिषु
Conciliation, generosity, forbearance, righteousness, truth, steadfastness, and valor—these are the virtues of kings, O ruler, as is punishment for wrongdoers.
वयं वनचरा राम मृगा मूलफलाशिनः। एषा प्रकृतिरस्माकं पुरुषस्त्वं नरेश्वर
We are forest-dwellers, Rama, living on roots, fruits, and meat; this is our nature, while you are a man among men, O lord of people.