Shloka 6.66.20

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

Devanagari script

निरायुधानांद्रवतामसङ्गगतिपौरुषाः ।।।।दाराह्युपहसिष्यन्ति स वैघातस्तुजीवताम् ।

Transliteration

nirāyudhānāṃ dravatām asaṅgagatipauruṣāḥ |

dārā hy upahasiṣyanti sa vaighātas tu jīvatām ||

Translation

O warriors of irresistible valour—if you flee unarmed, your own wives will mock you. For one who lives after such disgrace, that blow is worse than death.

Context

"Monkeys! Your valour can't be challenged. If you run away for life abandoning weapons even your wives will ridicule you. That is more than death."

Characters & Entities

• Aṅgada
• Vānara (monkeys)
• Wives (dārāḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma is tied to honour and responsibility: living after abandoning duty brings social and inner dishonour that is portrayed as worse than death.

What is the narrative situation?

Aṅgada uses moral pressure and the prospect of ridicule to stop the troops from fleeing the battlefield.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sense of honour (māna) aligned with duty—courage is sustained by accountability to one’s community.