Shloka 5.47.20
अक्षवधः (The Slaying of Prince Aksha) — Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 47
स बालभावाद्युधि वीर्यदर्पितः प्रवृद्धमन्युः क्षतजोपमेक्षणः।समाससादाप्रतिमं कपिं रणे गजो महाकूपमिवावृतं तृणैः।।5.47.20।।
sa bāla-bhāvād yudhi vīrya-darpitaḥ pravṛddha-manyuḥ kṣata-jopamekṣaṇaḥ | samāsasādāpratimaṃ kapiṃ raṇe gajo mahā-kūpam ivāvṛtaṃ tṛṇaiḥ ||5.47.20||
Young and swollen with pride in his prowess, his wrath grown fierce and his eyes blood-red, Akṣa rushed in battle at the matchless Hanumān—like an elephant charging a great pitfall hidden by grass.
Young Aksha, proud of his valour with eyes blood-shot in anger rushed towards the matchless Hanuman, just as an elephant would approach a huge pitfall covered with grass.
The verse warns that youth and pride can cloud judgment. Dharma requires discernment (viveka) and restraint; rash aggression can lead one into unseen ruin, like a concealed pit.
Akṣa, enraged and confident, directly charges Hanumān in close engagement.
By contrast through warning: the need for self-control and prudence; Akṣa’s lack of restraint is foregrounded.