Shloka 6.21.21

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

Devanagari script

नदर्शयतिसाम्नामेसागरोरूपमात्मनः ।।6.21.21।।चापमानयसौमित्रेशरांश्चाशीविषोपमान् ।सागरंशोषयिष्यामिपद् भ्यांयान्तुप्लवङ्गमाः ।।6.21.22।।

Transliteration

na darśayati sāmnā me sāgaro rūpam ātmanaḥ |

cāpam ānaya saumitre śarāṃś cāśīviṣopamān |

sāgaraṃ śoṣayiṣyāmi padbhyāṃ yāntu plavaṅgamāḥ ||6.21.21–6.21.22||

Translation

“The Ocean does not reveal his true disposition to me, even when addressed with conciliation. O Saumitrī, bring the bow and the arrows like venomous serpents; I shall dry up the ocean—let the vānaras then go on foot.”

Context

"The ocean has not shown his own form to me. O! Lakshmana! Get the bow and venomous snake like arrows, I will dry up the ocean and the Vanaras can walk by foot and go."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitrī)
• Sāgara (Ocean)
• Plavaṅgamas (Vānaras)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes upāya (appropriate means): when sāman (conciliation) fails against obstinacy, firm action may be invoked to protect a righteous objective.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma orders Lakṣmaṇa to bring bow and arrows, declaring he will force a passage by drying the sea so the vānaras can cross.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Leadership and resolve—Rāma takes responsibility for removing obstacles to the mission of rescuing Sītā.