Shloka 6.58.11

प्रहस्तवधः (The Slaying of Prahasta)

Devanagari script

बहवोराक्षसायुद्धेबहून्वानरयूधपान् ।।।।वानराराक्षसांश्चापिनिजघ्नुर्बहवोबहून् ।

Transliteration

teṣām anyonyam āsādya saṅgrāmaḥ su-mahān abhūt | bahūnām aśma-vṛṣṭiṁ ca śara-varṣaṁ ca varṣatām ||6.58.10||

Translation

When they closed upon one another, a vast battle erupted, as many on both sides rained down showers of stones and torrents of arrows.

Context

In the course of war many Rakshasas killed many Vanara leaders and many Vanaras killed many Rakshasas also.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas (implied combatants)
• Vānaras (implied combatants)

FAQs

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

It underscores the gravity of war: once violence is unleashed at scale, suffering multiplies; dharma therefore treats war as weighty and demands restraint, rules, and right purpose.

What is the narrative situation?

The armies collide at close range and the fight escalates into heavy projectile exchanges—stones and arrows in large quantities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective endurance and martial discipline—withstanding intense volleys requires steadiness, formation, and courage.