Shloka 6.55.16

अकम्पन-प्रेषणम् तथा कपि-राक्षस-रणवर्णनम् (Akampana Dispatched; The Vanara–Rakshasa Battle and Omens)

Devanagari script

सर्वेह्यतिबलाःशूराःसर्वेपर्वतसन्निभाः ।।।।हरयोराक्षसाश्चैवपरस्परजिघांसवः ।

Transliteration

sarve hy atibalāḥ śūrāḥ sarve parvata-sannibhāḥ |

harayo rākṣasāś caiva paraspara-jighāṃsavaḥ ||6.55.16||

Translation

All were of extraordinary strength and valor, all like mountains—Vānaras and Rākṣasas alike—each intent on slaying the other.

Context

Intending to kill one another both Vanaras and Rakshasas who resembled hills, also of extraordinary might and heroic fighting.

Characters & Entities

• Vanaras (harayaḥ)
• Rākṣasas
• Mountain-like warriors (parvata-sannibhāḥ)

FAQs

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

Power and heroism are morally ambiguous: dharma is not measured by strength alone, but by the purpose for which strength is used.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrator describes both armies as immensely powerful and mutually homicidal as the clash intensifies.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śaurya (heroism) is highlighted, while the verse warns that heroism can be consumed by hatred when directed toward mutual destruction.