Shloka 5.46.37

षट्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः — Ravana Deploys Five Generals; Hanuman Destroys the Commanders and the Remaining Host

Devanagari script

अश्वैरश्वान् गजैर्नागान् योधैर्योधान् रथैरथान्।।।।स कपिर्नाशयामास सहस्राक्ष इवासुरान्।

Transliteration

aśvair aśvān gajair nāgān yodhair yodhān rathair rathān |

sa kapir nāśayāmāsa sahasrākṣa ivāsurān ||

Translation

The monkey annihilated them in matched ranks—horses against horses, elephants against elephants, warriors against warriors, chariots against chariots—like the thousand-eyed Indra destroying the asuras.

Context

The vanara pitted horses against horses, elephants against elephants, warriors against warriors and chariots against chariots as Indra destroyed demons.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Indra (Sahasrākṣa)
• asuras
• horses
• elephants
• warriors
• chariots

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined, proportionate force: the verse stresses ordered engagement (like-with-like), suggesting controlled power rather than chaotic violence.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān devastates the enemy formations across cavalry, elephants, infantry, and chariots, likened to Indra’s victories over the asuras.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Tejas (martial brilliance) combined with strategic clarity.