Shloka 6.51.5

धूम्राक्षप्रेषणम् (The Dispatch of Dhūmrākṣa)

Devanagari script

तौतुबद्धौशरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्भ्रातरौरामलक्ष्मणौ ।अयंचसुमहान्नादशङ्कांजनयतीवमे ।।6.51.5।।

Transliteration

tau tu baddhau śarais tīkṣṇair bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau |

ayaṃ ca sumahān nādaḥ śaṅkāṃ janayatīva me ॥6.51.5॥

Translation

Though the two brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are bound fast by sharp arrows, this tremendous roar still raises doubt in my mind—what has happened that they rejoice so?

Context

"The two brothers Rama and Lakshmana are bound by sharp arrows. By the loud noise that I hear I doubt in my mind!"

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• śara (arrows)

FAQs

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

Even an adversary recognizes the need to seek truth: dharma values accurate understanding of reality before action, especially in crisis.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa hears the vānaras’ triumphant roar and is unsettled because he believes Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa have been immobilized.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence: the impulse to reassess assumptions when evidence (the roar) contradicts one’s expectations.