Shloka 6.108.18

रावणरथवैभव–निमित्तदर्शन–राममातलिसंवादः (Ravana’s Chariot, Portents, and Rama–Matali Instructions)

Devanagari script

शरांश्चसुमहावेगान्सूर्यरश्मिसमप्रभान् ।तदुपोढुंमहद्युद्धमन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणोः ।।।।परस्पराभिमुखयोर्दृप्तयोरिवसिंहयोः ।

Transliteration

yuktaṃ paramasampannair vājibhir hemamālibhiḥ | yuddhopakaraṇaiḥ pūrṇaṃ patākādhvajamālinam ||

Translation

It was yoked to superb horses adorned with golden garlands, filled with the implements of war, and festooned with flags and standards.

Context

The arrows endowed with very high speed, glowing in radiance like the sun's radiance, holding the arrows, each one desirous of killing the other stood facing each other, came near, and started fighting like lions in the great war.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• chariot
• horses (vājin)

FAQs

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

Dharma teaching is implicit: material preparedness and military equipment do not substitute for moral legitimacy; righteous ends require righteous means.

What is the narrative situation?

The epic pauses to detail the enemy king’s war-chariot, heightening the scale of the coming duel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic readiness is highlighted (equipment, horses, standards), though it is framed on the adharma side, foreshadowing that readiness alone cannot secure victory.