Shloka 6.37.31

लङ्काद्वारव्यूहवर्णनम् / Disposition at the Gates of Lanka

Devanagari script

दैत्यदावनसङ्घानामृषीणांचमहात्मनाम् ।।6.37.29।।विप्रकारप्रियःक्षुद्रोवरदानबलान्वितः ।परिक्रमतियःसर्वान्लोकान्सन्तापयन्प्रजाः ।।6.37.30।।तस्याहंराक्षसेन्द्रस्यस्वयमेववधेधृतः ।उत्तरंनगरद्वारमहंसौमित्रिणासह ।।6.37.31।।निपीड्याभिप्रवेक्ष्यामिसबलोयत्ररावणः ।

Transliteration

na caiva mānuṣaṃ rūpaṃ kāryaṃ haribhir āhave | eṣā bhavatu saṃjñā naḥ yuddhe ’smin vānare bale || 6.37.33 ||

Translation

And in this battle the Vānara warriors should not assume human form; let this be our agreed sign of recognition within the Vānara host.

Context

"That Ravana who is harming Daityas and Danavas, and great souls following wicked practices and armed by the boons is oppressing all people wandering all over. I, with Lakshmana, have determined to persecute and kill him and force my entry to the north gate."

Characters & Entities

• Vānara army (hari-bala)
• Human form (mānuṣa-rūpa)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is truthfulness and non-deception toward one’s own side: clear identification prevents friendly harm and preserves moral order in battle.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma establishes a recognition protocol so allies can distinguish one another during the confusion of war.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Foresight and integrity—setting rules that reduce accidental wrongdoing and uphold disciplined warfare.