Shloka 6.24.5
लङ्कानिरीक्षणं व्यूहविन्यासश्च (Survey of Lanka and Deployment of the Battle Formation)
राक्षसास्तुप्लवङ्गानांशुश्रुवुश्चाऽपिगर्जितम् ।नर्दतामिवदृप्तानांमेघानामम्बरेस्वनम् ।।।।
sāgarasyeva me vegaḥ mārutasyeva me gatiḥ |
na hi dāśarathir veda tena māṃ yoddhum icchati ||
“My force is like the ocean’s surge, and my swiftness like the Wind. Daśaratha’s son does not know this—therefore he wishes to fight me.”
Even the Rakshasas heard the roaring of Vanaras in their pride that was bellowing like that of clouds in the sky.
The verse serves as a caution against अहंकार (pride): self-exaltation blinds one to truth and justice; Dharma is upheld through humility and accurate self-knowledge, not boasting.
Rāvaṇa, anticipating battle with Rāma, boasts about his power and interprets Rāma’s challenge as ignorance of his might.
By contrast (implicitly), Rāma’s steadfast courage in Dharma is highlighted; explicitly, Rāvaṇa displays pride and overconfidence.