Shloka 5.45.2
मन्त्रिणां सुतयुद्धम् — Battle with the Sons of the Ministers
ततस्ते राक्षसेन्द्रेण चोदिता मन्त्रिणस्सुताः।निर्ययुर्भवनात्तस्मात्सप्तसप्तार्चिवर्चसः।।5.45.1।।महाबलपरीवारा धनुष्मन्तो महाबलाः।कृतास्त्रास्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठाः परस्परजयैषिणः।।5.45.2।।हेमजालपरिक्षिप्तैर्ध्वजवद्भिः पताकिभिः।तोयदस्वननिर्घोषैर्वाजियुक्तैर्महारथैः।।5.45.3।।तप्तकाञ्चनचित्राणि चापान्यमितविक्रमाः।विस्फारयन्तस्संहृष्टास्तटित्वन्त इवाम्बुदाः।।5.45.4।।
tataste rākṣasendreṇa coditā mantriṇaḥ sutāḥ |
niryayur bhavanāt tasmāt sapta saptārcivarcasāḥ || 5.45.1 ||
mahābala-parīvārā dhanuṣmanto mahābalāḥ |
kṛtāstrā astravidāṃ śreṣṭhāḥ paraspara-jayaiṣiṇaḥ || 5.45.2 ||
hema-jāla-parikṣiptair dhvaja-vadbhiḥ patākibhiḥ |
toyada-svana-nirghoṣair vāji-yuktair mahā-rathaiḥ || 5.45.3 ||
tapta-kāñcana-citrāṇi cāpāni amita-vikramāḥ |
visphārayantaḥ saṃhṛṣṭās taṭitvanta ivāmbudāḥ || 5.45.4 ||
Then, urged on by the lord of rākṣasas (Rāvaṇa), the seven sons of the ministers—blazing like fire—marched out from that palace, surrounded by great forces: mighty archers, accomplished in weapons, foremost among the skilled, each eager to outdo the other in victory. They rode in great chariots yoked with horses, decked with golden netting, banners and flags, rumbling like thunderclouds; and, exultant, they brandished splendid bows inlaid with heated gold, shining like lightning among clouds.
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 valiant heroes 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 purpose: martial excellence and royal command, when aligned to adharma (protecting wrongdoing), become mere spectacle. Dharma requires that strength and skill be governed by righteous ends.
Rāvaṇa orders the seven sons of his ministers to go out from the palace with a large, well-equipped force to confront Hanumān.
On the rākṣasa side, competitive pride and martial confidence are highlighted; implicitly, the epic sets these against Hanumān’s dharmic resolve and service-motivation.