Shloka 6.2.9

युद्धकाण्डे द्वितीयः सर्गः — Sugriva’s Counsel: From Grief to Strategy (Bridge to Lanka)

Devanagari script

सेतुरत्रयथाबध्येद्यथापश्येमतांपुरीम् ।तस्यराक्षसराजस्यतथात्वंकुरुराघव ।।।।

Transliteration

setur atra yathā badhyed yathā paśyema tāṃ purīm | tasya rākṣasa-rājasya tathā tvaṃ kuru rāghava ||

Translation

Arrange it, O Rāghava, so that a bridge is built here and we may behold the city of that king of the rākṣasas.

Context

"Raghava! You think that we will be building a bridge and then seeing that city of the king of Rakshasas."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Rāghava)
• setu (bridge)
• Laṅkā (implied by ‘that city’)
• rākṣasa-rāja (Rāvaṇa, implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as responsible leadership: righteous ends require orderly, truthful planning and disciplined execution rather than impulsive action.

What is the narrative situation?

Before entering Laṅkā, the immediate logistical necessity—building the bridge across the sea—is pressed upon Rāma as the next step.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom (nīti) in service of dharma—turning resolve into concrete, coordinated action.