Shloka 6.53.23

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

Devanagari script

केचिदस्त्राणिसन्सृज्यबाहुयुद्धमकुर्वत ।तलैश्चचरणैश्चापिमुष्टिभिश्चद्रुमैरपि ।।।।जानुभिश्चहताःकेचिद्भिन्नदेहाश्चराक्षसाः ।शिलाभिश्चूर्णिताःकेचिद्वानरैर्युद्धदुर्मदैः ।।।।

Transliteration

kecid astrāṇi saṃsṛjya bāhuyuddham akurvata |

talaiś ca caraṇaiś cāpi muṣṭibhiś ca drumair api ||

jānubhiś ca hatāḥ kecid bhinnadehāś ca rākṣasāḥ |

śilābhiś cūrṇitāḥ kecid vānarair yuddhadurmadaiḥ ||

Translation

Some, casting aside weapons, fought hand-to-hand—striking with palms, feet, fists, even with trees and knees. Some Rākṣasas were smashed, their bodies broken; and some were pulverized by rocks hurled by the battle-maddened Vānaras.

Context

Indeed, abandoning the weapons, the Vanaras fought with their palms, fists, feet, trees, and knees and smashed the Rakshasas crushing their bodies like rocks.

Characters & Entities

• Vānara(s)
• Rākṣasa(s)

FAQs

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

It warns how battle-frenzy (durmada) can push beings beyond restraint. Dharma emphasizes self-control; when it collapses, violence escalates from regulated combat to raw destruction.

What is the narrative situation?

Combat devolves into close-quarters fighting, with Vānaras and Rākṣasas using bodies and natural objects as weapons.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearlessness and physical prowess are displayed, but the text also highlights the danger of uncontrolled rage overtaking discernment.