Shloka 6.44.38

चतुश्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 44): निशायुद्धम्, धूलिरुधिरप्रवाहः, इन्द्रजितो मायायुद्धम्

Devanagari script

तेनतौपुरुषव्याघ्रौक्रुद्धेनाशीविषैश्शरैः ।।।।सहसानिहतौवीरौतदाप्रैक्षन्तवानराः ।

Transliteration

te hayān kāñcanāpīḍān dhvajāṃś cāśīviṣopamān |

āplutya daśanais tīkṣṇair bhīmakopā vyadārayan ||

vānarā balino yuddhe 'kṣobhayann rākṣasīṃ camūm ||

Translation

Then the mighty vānaras, dreadful in their wrath, sprang upon the horses with golden head-gear and upon the standards like venomous serpents, and with sharp teeth tore them to pieces, throwing the rākṣasa ranks into turmoil in the battle.

Context

Then the Vanaras beheld the two brothers, tigers among men bound forcibly by the angry Rakshasas like venomous monkeys.

Characters & Entities

• Vānaras
• Rākṣasa army (camū)
• Horses
• Battle standards (dhvaja)

FAQs

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

Dharma in warfare includes protecting one’s side against aggression; the vānaras’ fierce counterattack is portrayed as resistance to hostile force rather than wanton harm.

What is the narrative situation?

In the night battle, vānaras leap onto enemy horses and banners, ripping them apart and destabilizing the rākṣasa formation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and resolve (śaurya, utsāha): the vānaras act decisively despite darkness and danger.