Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 37
लङ्काप्राकारारोहणम् / Assault on Lanka’s Ramparts and the Opening Clash
निष्पतन्तिततःसैन्याहृष्टारावणचोदिताः ।समयेपूर्यमाणस्यवेगाइवमहोदधेः ।।।।
niṣpatanti tataḥ sainyā hṛṣṭā rāvaṇacoditāḥ |
samaye pūryamāṇasya vegā iva mahodadheḥ ||
Urged on by Rāvaṇa, the troops then surged forth in high spirits—swift and swelling like the heaving tides of the great ocean when its hour of fullness arrives.
Urged by Ravana, the army then joyfully rushed forth swiftly like a great ocean at the time of universal destruction.
FAQs
The verse highlights how collective force can be driven by a leader’s intent; when leadership is rooted in adharma, even courage and joy become ethically misdirected.
Rāvaṇa spurs his forces into action; the rākṣasa troops rush out to meet the vānaras as the battle escalates.
Not virtue but martial zeal (utsāha) is foregrounded—showing energy and unity, yet under an unrighteous command.