Shloka 3
चित्रकूटे सैन्यधूलिशब्ददर्शनम्
Alarm at Chitrakūṭa: Lakṣmaṇa sights the approaching army
तथा तत्राऽसतस्तस्य भरतस्यौपयायिनः।सैन्यरेणुश्च शब्दश्च प्रादुरास्तां नभस्पृशौ।।2.96.3।।
tathā tatrāsatas tasya bharatasyaupayāyinaḥ | sainyareṇuś ca śabdaś ca prādurāstāṃ nabhaspṛśau || 2.96.3 ||
Während Rāma dort saß, erhoben sich plötzlich der Staub, den Bharatas herannahendes Heer aufwirbelte, und sein Getöse—beides, als berührte es den Himmel.
O mighty warrior, let both of us take up the bows and station ourselves on this mountain or we shall stay here itself armed with weapons fully prepared for the battle.
FAQs
The verse sets the stage for a dharmic crisis: power and rightful succession are approaching in visible force, and the coming encounter will test restraint, duty, and truthfulness in action.
Bharata’s army draws near to Rāma’s location; its dust and noise become visible and audible from afar, signaling an imminent meeting or confrontation.
Rāma’s steadiness (dhairya) is implied: he remains seated and composed even as a massive army approaches.