Shloka 6.23.15
निमित्तदर्शनम् (Portents Before the March to Laṅkā)
सविभीषणसुग्रीवास्ततस्तेवानरर्षभाः ।प्रतस्थिरेविनर्दन्तोनिश्चिताद्विषतांवधे ।।6.23.15।।
śailaiḥ śūlaiś ca khaḍgaiś ca visṛṣṭaiḥ kapirākṣasaiḥ | bhaviṣyaty āvṛtā bhūmir māṁsaśoṇitakardamā ||
With mountains, tridents, and swords hurled by vānaras and rākṣasas, the earth will be covered over—turned into mire of flesh and blood.
Then Vibheeshana, Sugriva and all bulls among Vanaras determined in the matter of slaying (the enemies) went roaring.
Dharma includes the tragic cost of violence: even when fighting for righteousness, one must recognize war’s horror and avoid needless cruelty.
Rama anticipates the coming battlefield conditions—immense missiles and massive casualties—as the armies prepare for full engagement.
Grave responsibility—Rama’s awareness that righteous ends do not erase the suffering caused by war.