Shloka 6.108.1
रावणरथवैभव–निमित्तदर्शन–राममातलिसंवादः (Ravana’s Chariot, Portents, and Rama–Matali Instructions)
स रथंसारथिःहृष्टंपरसैन्यप्रधर्षणम् ।गन्धर्वनगराकारंसमुच्छ्रितपाताकिनम् ।।।।युक्तंपरमसम्पन्नैर्वजिभिर्हेममालिभिः ।युद्धोपकरणैःपूर्णंपताकाध्वजमालिनीम् ।।।।ग्रसन्तमिवचाकाशंनादयन्तंवसुन्धराम् ।प्रणाशंपरनैन्यानांस्वनैन्यस्यप्रहर्षणम् ।।।।रावणस्यरथंक्षिप्रंचोदयामाससारथिः ।
sa rathaṃ sārathiḥ hṛṣṭaṃ parasainyapradharṣaṇam |
gandharvanagarākāraṃ samucchritapātākinam ||
yuktaṃ paramasampannair vājibhir hemamālibhiḥ |
yuddhopakaraṇaiḥ pūrṇaṃ patākādhvajamālinīm ||
grasantam iva cākāśaṃ nādayantaṃ vasundharām |
praṇāśaṃ parnainyānāṃ svanainyasya praharṣaṇam ||
rāvaṇasya rathaṃ kṣipraṃ codayāmāsa sārathiḥ |
His delighted charioteer swiftly urged on Rāvaṇa’s chariot—terrible to the enemy host, shaped like a city of Gandharvas, and bristling with lofty banners. Yoked to superb horses adorned with golden garlands, it was filled with every implement of war; with its flags and standards it seemed to swallow the sky and make the earth resound—ruin to the opposing ranks, and exhilaration to its own.
Delighted charioteer drove the chariot of Ravana with speed. It was of the shape of the abode of Gandharvas, capable of destroying enemy's army. It had rows of excellent flags, richly endowed, like the best piece of artwork. It was fixed with flag posts in rows touching the sky and filling space. It was yoked to excellent horses adorned with gold chains and equipped with implements for war. The earth was resounding as it was driven as if to crush the enemy's army and its own army was happy.
The verse contrasts power with righteousness: magnificent war-machinery can inspire armies, but Dharma in the Ramayana judges warfare by purpose—whether it protects the innocent or serves pride and domination.
Rāvaṇa’s chariot is driven rapidly into battle, described in grand, intimidating imagery to heighten the tension before the clash with Rāma.
Implicitly, vigilance and preparedness in conflict: the scene sets the stage for Rāma’s disciplined response to overwhelming force.