Shloka 6.41.98

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

Devanagari script

तेषामक्षौहिणिशतंसमवेक्ष्यवनौकसाम् ।लङ्कामुपनिविष्टानांसागरंचानिवर्तताम् ।।6.41.97।।राक्षसाविस्मयंजग्मुस्त्रासंजग्मुस्तथापरे ।अपरेसमरोध्धर्षाद्धर्षमेवप्रपेदिरे ।।6.41.98।।

Transliteration

rākṣasā vismayaṃ jagmus trāsaṃ jagmus tathāpare | apare samaroddharṣād dharṣam eva prapedire || 6.41.98 ||

Translation

The rākṣasas were struck with astonishment; others sank into terror; and others, thrilled by the prospect of battle, surged into sheer excitement.

Context

Seeing the large army of a hundred Akshauhinis of monkeys staying near Lanka spreading beyond the sea waiting for war the Rakshasas were wonder struck, some feared, some were alarmed to witness the jubilant Vanaras who exhibited joy alone.

Characters & Entities

• rākṣasas
• samara (battle/war)

FAQs

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

When dharma confronts adharma, inner states get exposed: fear, confusion, or reckless thrill. Ethical clarity steadies the mind; moral disorder fragments it.

What is the narrative situation?

The rākṣasas’ mixed reactions to the scale and firmness of the vānaras are described—astonishment, fear, and battle-lust.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Implicitly, mental steadiness (sthiti) is valued; uncontrolled excitement or panic is shown as spiritually and strategically weakening.