Shloka 6.104.24

रावणशूलप्रक्षेपः — Ravana Hurls the Trident; Rama Counters with Indra’s Javelin

Devanagari script

निर्ददाह स तान्बाणान्रामकार्मुकनिःसृतान् ।रावणस्यमहान् शूलःपतङ्गानिवपावकः ।।।।

Transliteration

nirdadāha sa tān bāṇān rāma-kārmuka-niḥsṛtān | rāvaṇasya mahān śūlaḥ pataṅgān iva pāvakaḥ ||

Translation

Rāvaṇa’s great trident burned up those arrows released from Rāma’s bow—like fire consuming moths.

Context

The arrows released from Rama's bow fell on the great trident of Ravana and burnt like moths falling in fire.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma
• śūla (trident)
• kārmuka (bow)
• bāṇa (arrows)

FAQs

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

The verse warns against judging by immediate outcomes: dharma is not disproved by temporary setbacks. Righteous effort may face overpowering resistance, yet perseverance aligned with satya remains the epic’s guiding standard.

What is the narrative situation?

The trident’s power destroys Rāma’s arrows mid-air, showing the weapon’s extraordinary force.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s perseverance is implied: even when conventional measures fail, he must maintain resolve and choose an appropriate counter.