Shloka 6.53.8

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

Devanagari script

यष्टिभिस्तोमरैचशित्रैश्शूलैश्चमुसलैरपि ।भिण्डिपालैश्चपाशैश्चशक्तिभिःपट्टसैरपि ।।।।खडगैश्चक्रैर्गदाभिश्चनिशितैश्चपरश्वधैः ।पदातयश्चनिर्यान्तिविविधाःशस्त्रपाणयः ।।।।

Transliteration

yaṣṭibhis tomaraiś citraiḥ śūlaiś ca musalair api |

bhiṇḍipālaiś ca pāśaiś ca śaktibhiḥ paṭṭasair api ||6.53.8||

khaḍgaiś cakrair gadābhiś ca niśitaiś ca paraśvadhaiḥ |

padātayaś ca niryānti vividhāḥ śastrapāṇayaḥ ||6.53.9||

Translation

Foot-soldiers marched out in array, bearing many kinds of weapons—staves, tomaras, tridents, clubs, bhindipālas, nooses, spears and paṭṭasas, as well as swords, discs, maces, and sharp axes.

Context

Armed with swords, many foot soldiers carrying poles, strange clubs, tridents, iron bars, slings and roped to throw spears and spears with sharp edges, swords, battle axes, javelins, and maces, departed.

Characters & Entities

• padātayaḥ (infantry)
• various weapons (yaṣṭi, tomara, śūla, musala, bhiṇḍipāla, pāśa, śakti, paṭṭasa, khaḍga, cakra, gadā, paraśvadha)

FAQs

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

Dharma is implied as organized, rule-bound warfare: the verse stresses ordered mobilization and preparedness, pointing to war as a disciplined duty rather than chaotic violence.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrative describes the infantry moving out, cataloguing the diverse arms carried as the battle intensifies.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective discipline and readiness—soldiers equipped and moving in formation, reflecting obedience and coordinated effort.