Shloka 6.108.3
रावणरथवैभव–निमित्तदर्शन–राममातलिसंवादः (Ravana’s Chariot, Portents, and Rama–Matali Instructions)
स रथंसारथिःहृष्टंपरसैन्यप्रधर्षणम् ।गन्धर्वनगराकारंसमुच्छ्रितपाताकिनम् ।।6.108.1।।युक्तंपरमसम्पन्नैर्वजिभिर्हेममालिभिः ।युद्धोपकरणैःपूर्णंपताकाध्वजमालिनीम् ।।6.108.2।।ग्रसन्तमिवचाकाशंनादयन्तंवसुन्धराम् ।प्रणाशंपरनैन्यानांस्वनैन्यस्यप्रहर्षणम् ।।6.108.3।।रावणस्यरथंक्षिप्रंचोदयामाससारथिः ।
grasantaṃ iva cākāśaṃ nādayantaṃ vasundharām |
praṇāśaṃ parasainyānāṃ svasainyasya praharṣaṇam ||
rāvaṇasya rathaṃ kṣipraṃ codayāmāsa sārathiḥ ||
As though swallowing the sky and making the earth resound—bringing ruin to the enemy host and exhilaration to his own—the charioteer swiftly urged forward Rāvaṇa’s chariot.
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.
Power and spectacle are ethically neutral; when yoked to adharma, they become instruments of destruction and self-deception, foreshadowing collapse.
Rāvaṇa’s charioteer drives his formidable chariot into action, heightening the war’s intensity and setting the stage for ensuing omens and conflict.
The verse highlights martial energy and confidence, but implicitly warns that true virtue is restraint and righteousness—not mere might.