Shloka 6.55.20

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

Devanagari script

नध्वजोनपताकावाचर्मवातुरगोऽपिवा ।।।।आयुधंस्यन्दनोवापिददृशेतेनरेणुना ।

Transliteration

na dhvajo na patākā vā carma vā turago 'pi vā | āyudhaṃ syandano vāpi dadṛśe tēna rēṇunā ||

Translation

Through that dust, neither standards nor banners were visible—nor shields, nor even horses; weapons and chariots too could not be seen.

Context

By the dust raised, the posts, flags, shields and not even horses, weapons and chariots were visible.

Characters & Entities

• standards/flags (dhvaja, patākā)
• shields (carma)
• horses (turaga)
• weapons (āyudha)
• chariots (syandana)

FAQs

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

Dharma in conflict requires awareness and proportionality; when visibility and recognition collapse, the risk of unjust harm rises—hence the need for restraint and clear rules.

What is the narrative situation?

The dust becomes so thick that the usual markers of armies and warfare—flags, shields, horses, weapons, chariots—disappear from sight.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and careful judgment are implied as necessary virtues when external signs and identities cannot be perceived.