Shloka 6.30.11

शार्दूलचरवृत्तान्तः (Saardula’s Spy-Report on Rama’s Camp and the Vanara Host)

Devanagari script

एषशैलैश्शिलाभिश्चपूरयित्वामहार्णवम् ।द्वारमाश्रित्यलङ्कायारामस्तिष्ठतिसायुधः ।।6.30.11।।

Transliteration

cārāṇāṃ rāvaṇaḥ śrutvā prāptaṃ rāmaṃ mahābalam | jāto dvego 'bhavat kiñcit śārdūlaṃ vākyam abravīt ||6.30.2||

Translation

Hearing from his spies that mighty Rāma had arrived with a great force, Rāvaṇa grew somewhat uneasy and spoke to Śārdūla.

Context

"Having filled the great ocean with rocks and stones in that way, taking position at the entrance of Lanka Rama stands equipped with arms."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma
• Śārdūla
• spies (cārāḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma here implicitly highlights responsible kingship: a ruler must heed truthful intelligence reports and respond with clear judgment rather than denial.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa receives spy reports that Rāma has reached Laṅkā with a powerful force, and he turns to Śārdūla to speak further.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic awareness (though mixed with fear): the verse underscores the importance of intelligence-gathering and timely counsel in governance.