Shloka 6.25.28

शुकसारण-चारप्रवेशः (Suka and Sāraṇa’s Espionage and Release)

Devanagari script

विभीषणगृहीतौतुवधार्तौराक्षसेश्वर: ।दृष्टवाधर्मात्मनामुक्तौरामेणामिततेजसा ।।।।

Transliteration

sāgare setubandhaṃ tu na śraddadhyāṃ kathañcana | avaśyaṃ cāpi saṅkhyeyaṃ tan mayā vānaraṃ balam ||

Translation

I could not, by any means, believe that a bridge had been built across the sea. Yet I must surely ascertain the strength and the numbers of that Vānara host.

Context

"O king of Rakshasas! Vibheeshana held us captive for slaying us. But righteous self, Rama, the highly effulgent one released us on seeing."

Characters & Entities

• Sāgara (the sea)
• Setu (bridge)
• Vānara-bala (Vānara army)

FAQs

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

Dharma here aligns with responsible judgment: before acting, one must seek truthful assessment of facts (satya) rather than relying on disbelief or pride.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa’s agents have witnessed the astonishing sea-bridge; the speaker admits disbelief but insists on accurately assessing the Vānara forces.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and realism—valuing verification and strategic clarity over denial.