Shloka 6.41.16

युद्धलक्षण-निमित्तदर्शनं तथा लङ्काद्वारव्यूहः (War Omens and the Encirclement of Lanka’s Gates)

Devanagari script

आदित्यमभिवाश्यन्तिजनयन्तोमहद्भयम् ।दीनादीनस्वराःघोरानप्रशस्तामृगद्विजाः ।।6.41.16।।

Transliteration

rajanyām aprakāśaś ca santāpayati candramāḥ |

kṛṣṇa-raktāṃśu-paryanto yathā lokasya saṅkṣaye ||6.41.17||

Translation

At night the moon gives no light and seems oppressive, ringed with black and crimson rays—like the hour of the world’s dissolution.

Context

"The desperate inauspicious sounds of ominous beasts crying pitifully facing the sun are causing great fear."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• candramāḥ (moon)
• rajanyā (night)
• loka-saṅkṣaya (dissolution of the world)

FAQs

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

Dharma is heightened accountability at moments that feel apocalyptic: when the world-order seems shaken, one must adhere more firmly to truth and righteous restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma describes a final, cosmic-scale omen—an ominous moon—framing the coming battle as momentous and devastating.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gravitas and foresight—Rāma interprets signs with a sense of moral consequence.