Shloka 6.21.17

सागरप्रतीक्षा-क्रोधप्रादुर्भावः (Rama’s Vigil at the Ocean and the Rise of Wrath)

Devanagari script

अद्यमद्बाणनिर्भग्नैर्मकरैर्मकरानिलयम् ।निरुद्धतोयंसौमित्रेप्लवभदिःपश्यसर्वतः ।।6.21.17।।

Transliteration

adya madbāṇanirbhagnair makaraiḥ makarānilayam | niruddhatoyaṃ saumitre plavabhṛdiḥ paśya sarvataḥ ||6.21.17||

Translation

“Saumitri, look: today the ocean—abode of the makaras—has its makaras shattered by my arrows; they leap and float about, while the waters surge and splash on every side.”

Context

"Saumithri! Witness the crocodiles shattered by my ruthless arrows jumping and floating in the ocean with water splashed on all sides."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitri)
• Samudra/Sāgara (Ocean)
• makara (sea-creatures)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is coercive power used as a last resort to remove obstruction—force is depicted as instrumental, aimed at compelling cooperation for a righteous end.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma begins to attack the sea with arrows, causing turmoil among sea-creatures, to compel the ocean to respond.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Decisiveness and capability—Rāma demonstrates that he can enforce consequences when rightful requests are ignored.