Shloka 4.54.13

अङ्गद-उपदेशः — Hanuman’s Counsel to Angada on Succession and Strategy

Devanagari script

यां चेमां मन्यसे धात्रीमेतद्बिलमिति श्रुतम्।एतल्लक्ष्मणबाणानामीषत्कार्यं विदारणे।।।।

Transliteration

yāṃ cemāṃ manyase dhātrīm etad bilam iti śrutam |

etal lakṣmaṇa-bāṇānām īṣat kāryaṃ vidāraṇe || 4.54.13 ||

Translation

And this earth-cleft that you take to be a ‘cave’—so it is said—would be only a trifling task for Lakṣmaṇa’s arrows to split apart.

Context

'You may think it safe to stay here in this opening of the earth. It is a petty task for the arrows of Lakshmana to break open this so-called cave.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• bāṇa (arrows)
• bila (cave/opening)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires clear-eyed truth (satya) about one’s situation: false security and self-deception lead to adharma through irresponsible decisions.

What is the narrative situation?

The counsellor undermines the plan of hiding in a ‘cave’ by stressing that Lakṣmaṇa can easily breach it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthful realism—dispelling complacency so that duty can be pursued without illusion.