Shloka 6.51.24

धूम्राक्षप्रेषणम् (The Dispatch of Dhūmrākṣa)

Devanagari script

विविधायुधहस्ताश्चशूलमुद्गरपाणयः ।गदाभिःपट्टसैर्दण्डैरायसैर्मुसलैर्भृशम् ।।6.51.24।।परिघैर्भिण्डिवालैश्चभल्लैप्रासै: परश्वथै: ।निर्ययूराक्षसादिभ्योनर्धन्तोजलदायथा ।।6.51.25।।

Transliteration

vividhāyudha-hastāś ca śūla-mudgara-pāṇayaḥ |

gadābhiḥ paṭṭasair daṇḍair āyasair musalair bhṛśam ||6.51.24||

parighair bhiṇḍivālaiś ca bhallaiḥ prāsaiḥ paraśvadhaiḥ |

niryayū rākṣasā dibhyo nardhanto jaladā yathā ||6.51.25||

Translation

With many kinds of weapons in hand—tridents and hammers, maces, swords, staffs, iron clubs and heavy cudgels; also iron bars, stone-hurlers, arrows, spears, and axes—the rākṣasas surged forth, roaring like thunderous rain-clouds.

Context

The dreadful Rakshasas set out roaring like rain clouds armed with different kinds of weapons, like tridents, darts, maces, spears, iron bars, rods, even clubs, spears and slings, arrows in thousands.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas (niśācarāḥ)
• Dhūmrākṣa (implied commander of the sortie)

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes the terrifying readiness for violence; it implicitly contrasts mere force (bala) with righteous restraint—dharma teaches that power without right cause becomes destructive.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa’s forces arm themselves heavily and march out in a roaring mass to engage the vānaras.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial preparedness and intimidation (a battlefield capability rather than a moral virtue).