Shloka 6.66.15

कुम्भकर्णप्रस्थानम् तथा अङ्गदप्रेरणा (Kumbhakarna’s sortie and Angada’s rallying of the Vanaras)

Devanagari script

वध्यमानास्तुतेवीराराक्षसेन च लीलया ।सागरंयेनतेतीर्णाःपथातेनदुद्रुवुः ।।।।

Transliteration

vadhyamānās tu te vīrā rākṣasena ca līlayā | sāgaraṃ yena te tīrṇāḥ pathā tena dudruvuḥ ||

Translation

Though they were heroes, struck down almost playfully by that rākṣasa, they fled along the very route by which they had crossed the ocean.

Context

Struck by Rakshasa, the Vanaras ran in the same path crossing the ocean (by which they came).

Characters & Entities

• Vānara heroes
• Rākṣasa (Kumbhakarṇa implied by context)
• Ocean (sāgara)

FAQs

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

Even the brave may falter when overwhelmed; dharma in epics often includes acknowledging human limits and the need for leadership to restore courage.

What is the narrative situation?

Under severe pressure, the vānara fighters retreat toward the sea-crossing route they originally used to reach Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Their earlier heroism is remembered (‘vīrāḥ’), but the immediate emphasis is on collapse of morale under an overpowering foe.