Shloka 6.52.37

धूम्राक्षवधः (The Slaying of Dhumrākṣa)

Devanagari script

धूम्राक्षंनिहतंदृष्टवाहतशेषानिशाचराः ।।6.52.37।।त्रस्ताःप्रविविशुर्लङ्कांवध्यमानाःप्लवङ्गमैः ।

Transliteration

śara-nirbhinna-gātrās te śūla-nirbhinna-dehinaḥ |

jagṛhus te drumāṃs tatra śilāś ca hari-yūthapāḥ ||6.52.7||

Translation

Though their limbs were pierced by arrows and their bodies rent by tridents, the monkey-leaders there seized trees and rocks as weapons.

Context

Those Rakshasas who survived the onslaught, seeing Dhumraksha killed, re-entered Lanka out of fear of being killed by Vanaras.

Characters & Entities

• Hari-yūthapās (monkey troop-leaders)
• Trees
• Rocks
• Arrows
• Tridents

FAQs

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

Righteous struggle requires perseverance: pain does not become an excuse to abandon one’s protective duty toward the just cause.

What is the narrative situation?

Despite severe injuries from rākṣasa weapons, the vānaras continue fighting using trees and stones.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṣānti (endurance) paired with vīrya (valor)—the capacity to act effectively even while wounded.