Shloka 1.17.27

सप्तदशः सर्गः — देवसंवादः तथा वानर-ऋक्ष-उत्पत्तिः (Divine Council and the Generation of Vanara Allies)

Devanagari script

गृह्णीयुरपि मातङ्गान्मत्तान्प्रव्रजतो वने।नर्दमानाश्च नादेन पातयेयुर्विहङ्गमान्।।।।

Transliteration

gṛhṇīyur api mātaṅgān mattān pravrajato vane |

nardamānāś ca nādena pātayeyur vihaṅgamān ||

Translation

Even in the forest, they could seize rutting elephants that roamed at large; and while roaring, by the sheer force of their cry, they could make birds in flight fall down.

Context

They could capture wild elephants sojourning in the forest and make the flying birds drop down screaming.

Characters & Entities

• Forest (vana)
• Elephants (mātaṅga)
• Birds (vihaṅgama)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse highlights disciplined strength: extraordinary power is presented as a capability that supports righteous protection (kṣatriya-dharma), implying that true might is meaningful when governed by restraint and duty.

What is the narrative situation?

A narrator describes the exceptional prowess of the royal princes, using vivid hyperbole—subduing elephants and startling birds—to convey their martial excellence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vīrya (heroic strength) joined with controlled confidence—power that is impressive yet implicitly meant for safeguarding order and dharma.