Shloka 6.51.23

धूम्राक्षप्रेषणम् (The Dispatch of Dhūmrākṣa)

Devanagari script

तेबद्धघण्टाबलिनोघोररूपानिशाचराः ।विगर्जमानास्सम्हृष्टाधूम्राक्षंपर्यवारयन् ।।6.51.23।।

Transliteration

te baddha-ghaṇṭā balino ghora-rūpā niśācarāḥ |

vigarjamānāḥ saṃhṛṣṭā dhūmrākṣaṃ paryavārayan ||6.51.23||

Translation

Those mighty, night-roaming rākṣasas—terrible in form, wearing belts of bells—roared in exhilaration and gathered around Dhūmrākṣa.

Context

Mighty army bound with girdles of bells to their waist, of fierce form roaring surrounded Dhumraksha joyfully.

Characters & Entities

• Dhūmrākṣa
• Rākṣasas (niśācarāḥ)

FAQs

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

The verse shows collective zeal and loyalty to a leader; dharma-wise it cautions that enthusiasm and unity, if yoked to adharma, become instruments of harm rather than protection.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa’s rākṣasa troops, energized for battle, loudly assemble around Dhumrākṣa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Cohesion and martial fervor (team solidarity), portrayed as formidable but ethically ambiguous.