Shloka 6.62.16

कुम्भकर्णस्य प्रबोधनम् — The Awakening and Commissioning of Kumbhakarna

Devanagari script

येराक्षसामुख्यतमाहतास्तेवानरैर्युधि ।।6.62.16।।वानराणांक्षयंयुद्धे न पश्यामिकदाचन ।नचापिवानरायुद्धेजितपूर्वाःकदाचन ।।6.62.17।।

Transliteration

hanta paśyasva laṅkāyā vanāny upavanāni ca ||6.62.15||

setunā sukham āgamya vānaraiḥ kārṇavīkṛtam |

Translation

Alas, behold Laṅkā’s forests and pleasure-groves—having come easily by the bridge, the vānaras have laid them waste.

Context

"Of the Rakshasas, the chiefs have been killed in war by Vanaras. But I did not see even one Vanara to have been killed in war. Vanaras have not failed to succeed in war."

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Setu (bridge)
• vānaras
• Rāvaṇa
• Kumbhakarṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma’s conflict has real-world costs: even when a cause is righteous, war brings destruction; rulers must recognize the tangible consequences of their prior wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa points out visible damage in Laṅkā caused by the vānaras after crossing the bridge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Operational effectiveness and momentum of the vānaras—rapid movement enabled by the setu.