Shloka 6.31.26

मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम् (The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma)

Devanagari script

सुग्रीवोग्रीनयासीतेभग्नयाप्लवगाधिपः ।निरस्तहनुकश्शेतेहनुमान्राक्षसैर्हतः ।।।।

Transliteration

vibhīṣaṇaḥ samutpatya nigṛhīto yadṛcchayā | diśaḥ pravrājitaḥ sarvaiḥ sa lakṣmaṇaḥ plavagaiḥ sahā ||

Translation

When Vibhīṣaṇa sprang up, he was seized unexpectedly; and Lakṣmaṇa—along with the vānara hosts—was driven to scatter in all directions.

Context

"O Sita! Vanara Lord Sugriva with his neck broken, Hanuman with chin broken were killed by Rakshasas and are lying down fallen on the ground."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Lakṣmaṇa
• vānara-s (plavaga-s)

FAQs

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

It implicitly warns that reports in war can be framed to demoralize; dharma demands discernment and commitment to truth (satya) before acting.

What is the narrative situation?

A rākṣasa-side narration claims Vibhīṣaṇa was captured and Lakṣmaṇa with the vānara army fled—part of a larger attempt to portray Rāma’s side as collapsing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vibhīṣaṇa’s steadfast alignment with dharma is highlighted indirectly—his presence on Rāma’s side makes him a target of hostile propaganda.