Shloka 6.51.35

धूम्राक्षप्रेषणम् (The Dispatch of Dhūmrākṣa)

Devanagari script

सतूत्पातांस्तदादृष्टवाराक्षसानांभयावहान् ।प्रादुर्भूतान्सुघोरांश्चधूम्राक्षोव्यथितोऽभवत् ।।6.51.35।।मुमुहूराक्षसाःसर्वेधूम्राक्षस्यपुरस्सराः ।

Transliteration

sa tūtpātāṃs tadā dṛṣṭvā rākṣasānāṃ bhayāvahān |

prādurbhūtān sughorāṃś ca dhūmrākṣo vyathito 'bhavat ॥6.51.35॥

mumuhū rākṣasāḥ sarve dhūmrākṣasya purassarāḥ |

Translation

Seeing those dreadful portents that brought fear upon the rākṣasas, Dhūmrākṣa was shaken; and all the rākṣasas marching before him swooned.

Context

Then Rakshasa feared seeing the dreadful manifestation and got worried. All the Rakshasas walking in front of Dhumraksha lost consciousness.

Characters & Entities

• Dhumrākṣa
• rākṣasāḥ (rākṣasas)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes heedfulness: when conscience and cosmic order warn, persisting in wrongdoing weakens courage and cohesion.

What is the narrative situation?

After repeated omens, Dhumrākṣa and his vanguard are psychologically destabilized—some even faint—before engaging the enemy.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral courage: true steadiness arises from righteous purpose, not merely from force or numbers.