Shloka 6.25.29

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

Devanagari script

एकस्थानगतायत्रचत्वारःपुरुषर्षभाः ।लोकपालसमाश्शूराःकृतास्त्रादृढविक्रमा ।।।।रामोदाशरथि्शीमान् लक्ष्मणश्चविभीषणः ।सुग्रीवश्चमहातेजामहेन्द्रसमविक्रमः ।।।।एतेशक्ताःपुरीलङ्कांसप्राकारांसतोरणाम् ।उत्पाट्यसङ्क्रमयितुंसर्वेतिष्ठन्तुवानराः ।।।।

Transliteration

bhavantau vānaraṃ sainyaṃ praviśyānupalakṣitau | parimāṇaṃ ca vīryaṃ ca ye ca mukhyāḥ plavaṅgamāḥ ||

Translation

You two should enter the Vānara army without being noticed and learn its full measure—its numbers, its power, and who among the plavaṅgamas are the foremost leaders.

Context

"Exuberant Rama and Lakshmana, highly brilliant Vibheeshana, and Sugriva who resembles Indra in his valour, are like rulers of the world and are heroic, wielders of weapons and bulls among men. If all four of them come together there in that manner, they will unearth the arch ways and even the city of Lanka. They are capable even if the Vanaras are kept away."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Suka
• Sāraṇa
• Vānara-sainya (Vānara army)
• Plavaṅgama leaders

FAQs

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

Dharma in governance includes informed decision-making; leaders must seek accurate knowledge before choosing actions that affect many lives.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa commands his agents to infiltrate the enemy camp and report on strength and leadership.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic discipline—gathering reliable information rather than acting on assumptions.