Shloka 6.23.12

निमित्तदर्शनम् (Portents Before the March to Laṅkā)

Devanagari script

शैलैश्शूलैश्चखढगैश्चविसृष्टैःकपिराक्षसैः ।भविष्यत्यावृताभूमिर्मांसशोणितकर्दमा ।।6.23.12।।

Transliteration

vātāś ca kaluṣā vānti kampate ca vasundharā | parvatāgrāṇi vepante patanti ca mahīruhāḥ ||

Translation

“Dust-laden winds blow; even the earth trembles; mountain-peaks quiver, and great trees snap and fall.”

Context

"The earth will turn into a mass of flesh and blood and will be covered by the mountains and tridents hurled by Vanaras and Rakshasas."

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Earth (Vasundharā)
• Mountains
• Trees

FAQs

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

Dharma is vigilance: reading the environment and responding with restraint and readiness, not negligence, when signs indicate impending upheaval.

What is the narrative situation?

Natural disturbances appear as ominous portents immediately before the decisive military movement toward Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and situational awareness—Rama’s attentive leadership in crisis.