Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 30, Shloka 38
शरत्प्रवेशे रामविलापः तथा सुग्रीवप्रमादे लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम्
Autumn’s Onset: Rama’s Lament and Lakshmana Sent to Sugriva
शरद्गुणाप्यायितरूपशोभाःप्रहर्षिताः पांशुसमुत्क्षिताङ्गाः।मदोत्कटास्सम्प्रति युद्धलुब्धावृषा गवां मध्यगता नदन्ति।।
śaradguṇāpyāyitarūpaśobhāḥ praharṣitāḥ pāṃśusamutkṣitāṅgāḥ | madotkaṭāḥ samprati yuddhalubdhā vṛṣā gavāṃ madhyagatā nadanti ||
Bulls, amid the herd of cows, bellow now—exultant, their limbs dust-coated, their looks made splendid by autumn’s qualities; driven by rut, they are eager for combat.
'The bulls surrounded by cows are bellowing with the dust settled on their limbs. Excited by passion they are happy, ready to fight. They look attractive, blessed by the attributes of Autumn.
FAQs
By showing rut turning to conflict, the verse warns that unchecked passion readily becomes violence; Dharma requires governance of impulses so strength does not harm the community.
Seasonal imagery: autumn intensifies animal vitality; bulls in rut display dominance and readiness to fight.
Implied virtue: restraint (saṃyama) as the counterbalance to passion and aggression.