Shloka 6.58.8

प्रहस्तवधः (The Slaying of Prahasta)

Devanagari script

खडगशक्त्यृष्णिबाणाश्चशूलानिमुसलानिच ।।6.58.7।।गदाश्चपरिघाःप्रासाविविधाश्चपरिश्वधाः ।नूंषिचविचित्राणिराक्षसानांजयैषिणाम् ।।6.58.8।।प्रगृहीतान्यशोभन्तवानरानभिधावताम् ।

Transliteration

jagṛhuḥ pādapāṃś cāpi puṣpitān vānararṣabhāḥ | śilāś ca vipulā dīrghā yoddhukāmāḥ plavaṅgamāḥ ||

Translation

Eager to fight, the best of the Vanaras seized flowering trees, and the Plavangamas, longing for battle, also took up huge, long rocks.

Context

The Rakshasas rushing towards Vanaras seeking victory, seizing swords, javelins, double edged swords, pikes, mallets, maces, iron bars, spears and bows of different kinds shone brightly.

Characters & Entities

• Vānararṣabhāḥ (chief Vanaras)
• plavaṅgamāḥ (Vanaras)

FAQs

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

Protecting the righteous cause can demand resolute action; Dharma here is expressed as readiness to defend, not aggression for its own sake.

What is the narrative situation?

The Vanara fighters prepare for combat by taking up their characteristic weapons—trees and rocks.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Utsāha (energetic resolve) and sāhasa (boldness) among the Vanara leaders.