Shloka 5
राघव-रावणयोः घोर-द्वैरथ-युद्धम्
The Fierce Chariot-Duel of Rama and Ravana
रक्षसांरावणंचापिवानराणां च राघवम् ।पश्यतांविस्मिताक्षाणांसैन्यंचित्रमिवाबभौ ।।6.109.5।।
rakṣasāṁ rāvaṇaṁ cāpi vānarāṇāṁ ca rāghavam | paśyatāṁ vismitākṣāṇāṁ sainyaṁ citram ivābabhau ||6.109.5||
রাক্ষসেরা বিস্মিত নয়নে রাবণকে এবং বানরেরা রাঘবকে দেখিতে লাগিল; সেই সমগ্র সেনা যেন এক আশ্চর্য চিত্রের ন্যায় প্রতিভাত হইল॥
The army of Rakshasas was looking at Ravana and the Vanaras were looking at Raghava with astonishment as though it was a wonderful picture.
FAQs
The verse points to the dharmic centrality of rightful leadership: armies orient themselves around their leaders, and moral destiny in war is perceived through the conduct of those leaders.
Each side watches its own champion—rākṣasas watch Rāvaṇa; vānaras watch Rāma—creating a momentary tableau of suspended battle.
Leadership that commands attention and loyalty; the leaders’ presence becomes the focal point of collective will.