Shloka 6.53.4

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

Devanagari script

तथेत्युक्त्वाद्रुततरंमायावीराक्षसेश्वरम् ।निर्जगामबलैस्सार्दंबहुभिःपरिवारितः ।।।।नागैरश्वैःखरैरुष्ट्रैःसंयुक्तस्सुसमाहितः ।पताकाध्वजचित्रैश्चरथैश्चसमलङ्कृतः ।।।।

Transliteration

hāra-keyūra-vastraiś ca śastraiś ca samalaṅkṛtā |

bhūmir bhāti raṇe tatra śāradīva yathā niśā ||

Translation

There on the battlefield, the earth—“adorned” with necklaces, armlets, garments, and weapons—shone like an autumn night.

Context

The king of Rakshasas, being a deceit, having spoken in that way, many generals of the army went accompanied by elephants, horses, camels, and donkeys with chariots decorated with banners and pennons, and diadems collected together.

Characters & Entities

• Battlefield
• Necklaces (hāra)
• Armlets (keyūra)
• Garments (vastra)
• Weapons (śastra)
• Autumn night (śāradī niśā)

FAQs

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

The poetic “adornment” is ironic: it suggests that worldly splendor (jewels, fine cloth) becomes meaningless in adharma-driven conflict, reinforcing dharma’s teaching that inner righteousness outweighs outward display.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrator paints a vivid scene of the battlefield strewn with ornaments and weapons, using an autumn-night simile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Aesthetic discernment in narration rather than a character virtue; the epic’s poetic vision conveys moral reflection through imagery.