Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 117
समुद्रतट-प्रयाणम् तथा वेलावन-निवेशः
March to the Seacoast and Encampment at the Shore
अग्निचूर्णमिवाविद्धं भास्वराम्बुमहोरगम् ।सुरारिविषयं घोरं पाताळविषमं सदा ।।।।
agnicūrṇam ivāviddhaṃ bhāsvarāmbumahoragam |
surāriviṣayaṃ ghoraṃ pātāḷaviṣamaṃ sadā ||
The sea seemed as if pierced with sparks of fire, its shining waters filled with mighty serpents—terrible, like the realm of the gods’ foes, ever resembling the dread unevenness of Pātāla.
The sea that was the domain of snakes was shining as though sparks of fire from the sky penetrated the drops of sea water.
FAQs
Dharma is not naïve optimism; it recognizes darkness and danger. The verse models truthful seeing (satya-darśana) as the basis for right action.
The ocean’s surface appears to glitter like fire-sparks while also suggesting an underworld full of serpents and terror.
Truthfulness and realism—acknowledging the severity of the challenge without denial.