Shloka 6.53.1

युद्धकाण्डे त्रिपञ्चाशः सर्गः — धूम्राक्षवधश्रवणं, वज्रदंष्ट्रप्रेषणं, अङ्गद-राक्षसयुद्धम् (Ravana Dispatches Vajradamshtra; Portents and Angada’s Assault)

Devanagari script

धूम्राक्षंनिहतंश्रुत्वारावणोराक्षसेश्वरः ।क्रोधेनमहताऽविष्टोनिश्श्वसन्नुरगोयथा ।।।।दीर्घमुष्णंविनिश्श्वस्यक्रोधेनकलुषीकृतः ।अब्रवीद्राक्षसंक्रूरंवज्रदंष्ट्रंमहाबलम् ।।।।

Transliteration

dhūmrākṣaṃ nihataṃ śrutvā rāvaṇo rākṣaseśvaraḥ |

krodhena mahatāviṣṭo niśśvasann urago yathā ||

dīrgham uṣṇaṃ viniśśvasya krodhena kaluṣīkṛtaḥ |

abravīd rākṣasaṃ krūraṃ vajradaṃṣṭraṃ mahābalam ||

Translation

Hearing that Dhūmrākṣa had been slain, Rāvaṇa, lord of the Rākṣasas, was seized by mighty wrath and hissed like a serpent. Drawing a long, burning breath, his mind darkened by anger, he addressed the cruel Rākṣasa Vajradaṃṣṭra, a warrior of immense strength.

Context

The Lord of Rakshasas was overcome with anger on hearing about Dhumraksha's death. He was hissing like a serpent, heaving a deep burning sigh, for having done a dirty task. He spoke to cruel Vajradamshtra of mighty prowess.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Dhūmrākṣa
• Vajradaṃṣṭra
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

The verse warns that uncontrolled krodha (anger) clouds judgment and taints one’s inner state; Dharma requires self-mastery even amid grief and war.

What is the narrative situation?

After Dhūmrākṣa is killed, Rāvaṇa reacts in fury and summons/addresses Vajradaṃṣṭra to continue the war effort.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (through negation), the virtue emphasized is restraint (dama) and clarity of mind—qualities absent in Rāvaṇa’s anger-driven response.