Shloka 6.40.4

सुवेलारोहणं रावण-सुग्रीव-नियुद्धम् (Ascent of Suvela and the Ravana–Sugriva Duel)

Devanagari script

तस्यांगोपुरशृङ्गस्थंराक्षसेन्द्रंदुरासदम् ।।6.40.3।।श्वेतचामरपर्यन्तंविजयच्छत्रशोभितम् ।रक्तचन्दनसंलिप्तंरत्नाभरणभूषितम् ।।6.40.4।।नीलजीमूतसङ्काशंहेमसञ्छादिताम्बरम् ।ऐरावतविषाणाग्रैरुत्कृष्टकिणवक्षसम् ।।6.40.5।।शशलोहितरागेणसंवीतंरक्तवाससा ।सन्ध्यातपेनसंवीतंमेघराशिमिवाम्बरे ।।6.40.6।।

Transliteration

utpapāta tadā ākāśaṃ jitakāśī jitaklamaḥ |

rāvaṇaḥ sthita evātra harirāja iva vañcitaḥ ||

Translation

Then, wearing the air of victory and unwearied, Rāvaṇa sprang up into the sky; yet he remained there, as though outwitted by the vānara king.

Context

From there Rama saw on the peak of the tower the Rakshasa king, who is difficult to approach. He was fanned by white whisks on both sides, graced with triumphal parasol, decorated his body with red sandal paste, adorned in redcoloured ornaments, resembling dark clouds, attired in red like the hare's blood, embroidered with golden thread, with scars on his chest caused by indentations made by the tusks of Airavata the elephant of Indra, looked like a mass of cloud covered by sunshine at dusk.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sugrīva (harirāja implied)
• Ākāśa (sky)

FAQs

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

Pride (ahaṅkāra) is unstable: even when one displays ‘victory,’ dharma favors steadiness and right strategy over show. The verse critiques performative dominance.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa attempts an aerial move—projecting superiority—yet ends up effectively stalled, as if Sugrīva has outplayed him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s tactical presence (implied) and the narrative’s emphasis that true strength includes strategy, not merely display.