Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 25
सेनानिवेशः रामविलापश्च
Encampment on the Northern Shore; Rama’s Lament and Sandhyā
कदा नु विशिखैस्तीक्ष्णैर्दिग्धैर्गार्धपत्रवाहिभिः । भिन्द्यां राक्षसराजस्य रावणस्य महोरः ॥
kadā nu viśikhaistīkṣṇairdigdhairgārdhapatravāhibhiḥ | bhindyāṃ rākṣasarājasya rāvaṇasya mahoraḥ ||
When, indeed, shall I pierce the broad chest of Ravana, the king of demons, with sharp arrows anointed with oil and feathered with vulture plumes?
FAQs
The term 'digdhaiḥ' means anointed or smeared. In the context of ancient warfare, arrows were often treated with oils for preservation and speed, or poisons to ensure lethality, highlighting Rama's serious intent to destroy Adharma.
This verse signifies a transition from 'Karuna Rasa' (sorrow over separation from Sita) to 'Vira Rasa' (heroic sentiment), where Rama channels his grief into a martial resolve to eliminate Ravana.