Shloka 6.24.18

लङ्कानिरीक्षणं व्यूहविन्यासश्च (Survey of Lanka and Deployment of the Battle Formation)

Devanagari script

जघनंकपिसेनायाःकपिराजोऽभिरक्षतु ।पश्चार्धमिवलोकस्यप्रचेतास्तेजसावृतः ।।।।

Transliteration

jaghanaṁ kapisēnāyāḥ kapirājo 'bhirakṣatu | paścārdham iva lokasya pracetās tejasāvṛtaḥ ||

Translation

Let the king of the Vānaras protect the rear of the Vānara host, as Pracetas, wrapped in splendour, guards the western quarter of the world.

Context

"Just as Pracheta who is covered by brilliance, rules the western side of the world, let the king of Vanaras protect the hips and loin portion of the Vanara army."

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva (Kapirāja)
• Vanara army
• Pracetas (Varuṇa)
• west

FAQs

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

Dharma of guardianship: even the rear—often most vulnerable—must be protected by the most responsible authority.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma assigns Sugrīva the duty of securing the army’s rear, using a cosmic simile to stress its importance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s kingly duty (rājadharma): protection and steadiness rather than mere display of force.