Shloka 6.26.41

वानरमुख्य-परिचयः (Catalogue of Principal Vānara Leaders)

Devanagari script

एनंशतसहस्राणांशतार्धंपर्युपासते ।यूथपायूथपश्रेष्ठंयेषांयूथानिभागशः ।।।।

Transliteration

ko hi nāma sapatno māṃ samare jetum arhati |

ity uktvā paruṣaṃ vākyaṃ rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ ||6.26.04||

āruroha tataḥ śrīmān prāsādaṃ himapāṇḍuram |

bahutālasamutsedhaṃ rāvaṇo 'tha didṛkṣayā |

Translation

“Who indeed could be my rival and defeat me in war?”—having spoken these harsh words, Rāvaṇa, lord of the Rākṣasas, then climbed a splendid, snow-white palace, towering like many palm-trees in height, in order to look out upon the approaching forces.

Context

"Fifty lakhs of best warriors are under him. They are in separate units."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rākṣasas
• Palace (prāsāda)

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates how arrogance (mada) and harsh speech undermine dharma: self-exaltation blinds one to reality and sets the stage for downfall, a recurring Ramayana warning against adharma rooted in pride.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa boasts that no rival can defeat him and then ascends his palace to visually assess the enemy host outside Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast rather than praise: it foregrounds Rāvaṇa’s overconfidence and lack of humility, traits the epic treats as moral failings opposed to dharmic self-restraint.