Shloka 5.45.1
मन्त्रिणां सुतयुद्धम् — Battle with the Sons of the Ministers
ततस्ते राक्षसेन्द्रेण चोदिता मन्त्रिणस्सुताः।निर्ययुर्भवनात्तस्मात्सप्तसप्तार्चिवर्चसः।।।।महाबलपरीवारा धनुष्मन्तो महाबलाः।कृतास्त्रास्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठाः परस्परजयैषिणः।।।।हेमजालपरिक्षिप्तैर्ध्वजवद्भिः पताकिभिः।तोयदस्वननिर्घोषैर्वाजियुक्तैर्महारथैः।।।।तप्तकाञ्चनचित्राणि चापान्यमितविक्रमाः।विस्फारयन्तस्संहृष्टास्तटित्वन्त इवाम्बुदाः।।।।
tatas te rākṣasendreṇa coditā mantriṇaḥ sutāḥ | niryayur bhavanāt tasmāt sapta saptārci-varcasaḥ ||
mahā-bala-parīvārā dhanuṣmanto mahā-balāḥ | kṛtāstrā astravidāṃ śreṣṭhāḥ paraspara-jayaiṣiṇaḥ ||
hema-jāla-parikṣiptair dhvaja-vadbhiḥ patākibhiḥ | toyada-svana-nirghoṣair vāji-yuktair mahā-rathaiḥ ||
tapta-kāñcana-citrāṇi cāpāny amita-vikramāḥ | visphārayantaḥ saṃhṛṣṭās taṭitvanta ivāmbudāḥ ||
Then, urged on by the lord of the Rakshasas, the seven sons of the ministers—blazing like sevenfold fire—rode out from the palace. Surrounded by great forces, mighty and skilled with bows, accomplished in weapons and foremost among the knowers of sacred astras, each eager to outdo the other in victory, they advanced in great horse-yoked chariots. Those chariots were netted with gold, bearing standards and flags, rumbling like storm-clouds; and the warriors, exultant, twanged their bows inlaid with molten-gold brilliance, like thunderclouds flashing with lightning.
Commanded by Ravana, the seven sons of minister blazing like fire followed by large army of experts in archery, possessing great valour, armed with weapons, being distinguished wielders of weapons, skilled in the use of weapons, who were equally capable of conquering each other sallied forth gladly to fight with Hanuman. They drove chariots yoked with horses which were decked with golden mesh, holding totem staffs (a figure engraved to identify a hero) and flags, neighing like clouds. The valiantheroes were sporting and making sounds like stormy clouds wielding wonderful bows glittering like molten gold, shining like lightning. As they marched from the palace they looked like stormy clouds accompanied by lightning.
The passage contrasts outer splendor with inner rightness: power, armies, and display do not by themselves constitute Dharma; they can also serve adharma when directed by an unjust ruler.
After earlier fighters fail, Ravana orders a new contingent—seven ministerial princes—to march out with armies and chariots to confront Hanuman.
On the Rakshasa side, competitive ambition and martial confidence are highlighted—energy that is ethically neutral and becomes problematic when employed for an unrighteous cause.