Shloka 5.48.56

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

Devanagari script

हन्यतां दह्यतां वापि भक्ष्यतामिति चापरे।राक्षसास्तत्र सङ्क्रुद्धा: परस्परमथाब्रुवन्।।।।

Transliteration

hanyatāṃ dahyatāṃ vāpi bhakṣyatām iti cāpare | rākṣasās tatra saṅkruddhāḥ parasparam athābruvan ||

Translation

Then other rākṣasas, enraged, said among themselves: “Let him be killed, or burned, or even devoured.”

Context

Thereafter other ogres angrily said 'Let us kill him, burn him or otherwise devour him,' thus they spoke to one another.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas
• Hanumān (implied target)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights adharma-driven anger and mob-cruelty: punishment is proposed without inquiry, proportion, or due deliberation—contrasting with dharma, which requires restraint and discernment.

What is the narrative situation?

After Hanumān is seized in Laṅkā, different rākṣasas argue over how to deal with him—kill, burn, or devour.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (implicitly), Hanumān’s steadiness under threat is foregrounded; the rākṣasas display the vice of uncontrolled wrath.