Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 11
निमित्तदर्शनम्
Portents Before the March to Laṅkā
काकाश्श्येनास्तथानीचागृध्राःपरिपतन्तिच ।शिवाश्चाप्यशिवान्नादान्नदन्तिसुमहाभयान् ।।6.23.11।।
kākāḥ śyenās tathā nīcā gṛdhrāḥ paripatanti ca | śivāś cāpy aśivān nādān nadanti sumahābhayān ||
“Crows, hawks, and even low-flying vultures are tumbling down; and jackals, too, cry out with inauspicious, terrifying calls.”
Rama, the subduer of enemies in war, a celebrated one having spoken this way proceeded towards Lanka going in front wielding a bow.
FAQs
Dharma is preparedness and protection: ominous signs call leaders to safeguard their people through disciplined action rather than panic.
Unnatural animal behavior and inauspicious cries appear as war-omens just before the forces move against Rāvaṇa’s Laṅkā.
Steadfast leadership—Rama observes fear-inducing signs without losing clarity of purpose.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.