Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 38
द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 42): Omens in Laṅkā, Report to Rāvaṇa, and the Kinkara Assault
स्वामिसन्देशनिश्शङ्कास्ततस्ते राक्षसाः कपिम्।चित्रैः प्रहरणैर्भीमैरभिपेतुस्ततस्ततः।।5.42.38।।
svāmi-sandeśa-niḥśaṅkās tatas te rākṣasāḥ kapim |
citraiḥ praharaṇair bhīmair abhipetus tatas tataḥ ||5.42.38||
Da stürmten jene Rākṣasas, durch den Befehl ihres Herrn ermutigt und ohne Furcht, von allen Seiten auf den Affen los, mit schrecklichen, mannigfaltigen Waffen.
Obeying their king's commnad, putting aside their fear, the kinkaras freely attacked the vanara from all directions with dreadful weapons.
FAQs
The verse highlights a dharmic warning: obedience to an unrighteous master can propel one into adharma; command alone does not sanctify action.
Rāvaṇa’s guards, driven by orders, surround and attack Hanumān with many kinds of weapons.
From the attackers: discipline/obedience (though ethically misdirected); from the broader frame: the need to align obedience with dharma.