Shloka 4.48.18

विन्ध्यगुहाविचयः — Searching the Vindhya Caves and the Cursed Forest (Southern Search)

Devanagari script

तं दृष्ट्वा वानरा घोरं स्थितं शैलमिवापरम्।गाढं परिहितास्सर्वे दृष्ट्वा तान्पर्वतोपममान्।।।।

Transliteration

te praviśyāśu taṃ bhīmaṃ latāgulmasamāvṛtam |

daddṛśuḥ krūrakarmāṇam asuraṃ suranirbhayam ||

Translation

Entering at once that dreadful place overgrown with creepers and bushes, they saw an Asura of cruel deeds—one who feared not even the gods.

Context

The monkeys beheld the dreadful demon standing firmly like a huge, incomparable mountain in front of them.

Characters & Entities

• vānarāḥ (monkeys)
• asura (demon)
• sura (gods, as a class)

FAQs

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

Dharma is discernment and courage: recognizing adharma (cruelty, godless arrogance) and not shrinking from confronting it while pursuing one’s rightful task.

What is the narrative situation?

The Vānara party enters an overgrown, fearsome area and encounters a powerful demon described as violently immoral and arrogant.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bravery in the face of threatening forces that embody cruelty and lawlessness.