Shloka 19
समुद्रलङ्घनारम्भः
Commencement of the Ocean-Crossing
शिरोभिः पृथुभिः सर्पा व्यक्तस्वस्तिकलक्षणैः।वमन्तः पावकं घोरं ददंशुर्दशनैः शिलाः।।।।
śirobhiḥ pṛthubhiḥ sarpā vyaktasvastikalakṣaṇaiḥ |
vamantaḥ pāvakaṃ ghoraṃ dadaṃśur daśanaiḥ śilāḥ ||
Schlangen mit breiten, aufgerichteten Hauben – deutlich mit Swastika-Zeichen markiert – spieen schreckliches Feuer und bissen mit ihren Fangzähnen in die Felsen.
The snakes spread out their broad hoods manifesting swastika marks on them and bit the rocks with their fangs pouring out terrible fire.
FAQs
Dharma here is steadfastness in a righteous mission despite fearsome portents—danger exists, but duty is not abandoned.
During Hanumān’s journey toward Laṅkā, the poem depicts ominous, hazardous phenomena in nature—part of the perilous seascape.
Courage and resolve (dhṛti): the ability to proceed through threatening signs without losing commitment to the task.