HomeRamayanaSundara KandaSarga 48Shloka 5.48.18
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Shloka 5.48.18

इन्द्रजित्प्रेषणम्—ब्रह्मास्त्रबन्धः, हनूमद्ग्रहणं, रावणसभाप्रवेशः (Indrajit’s Deployment—Brahmāstra Binding, Hanuman’s Capture, Entry into Ravana’s Court)

स पक्षिराजोपमतुल्यवेगैर्व्याळैश्चतुर्भिः सिततीक्षणदंष्ट्रैः।रथं समायुक्तमसहयवेगं समारुरोहेन्द्रजिदिन्द्रकल्पः।।।।

sa pakṣirājopamatulyavegair vyāḷaiś caturbhiḥ sitatīkṣṇadaṃṣṭraiḥ | rathaṃ samāyuktam asahaya-vegaṃ samārurōhendrajid indrakalpaḥ ||

Indrajit, like Indra himself, mounted a chariot yoked to four fierce beasts—white, sharp-fanged, and swift as Garuḍa; and the chariot surged forward with irresistible speed.

Like Indra, Indrajit ascended the chariot (which had the standard of Indra as it was seized from him as a token of his having conquered Indra) yoked to four sharp-toothed tigers. It moved in swiftness vying with Garuda, the king of birds in speed.

I
Indrajit (Meghanāda)
I
Indra
G
Garuḍa (pakṣirāja)
C
chariot (ratha)
F
four fierce beasts (vyāḷa)

The verse is primarily descriptive, but it reinforces the epic theme that power and status must be matched with responsibility in action—martial might is not value-neutral.

Indrajit mounts his swift, formidable chariot as he sets out to engage Hanumān.

Martial prowess and royal magnificence (tejas expressed through arms and conveyance).