Shloka 6.7.23

राक्षसपरिषद्वाक्यम् — Counsel of the Rakshasa Court to Ravana

Devanagari script

शक्तितोमरमीनंचविनिकीर्णान्त्रशैवलम् ।गजकछपसम्बाधमश्वमण्डूकसंकुलम् ।।6.7.22।।रुद्रादित्यमहाग्राहंमरुद्वसुमहोरगम् ।रथश्वगजतोयौघंपदातिपुलिनंमहत् ।।6.7.23।।अनेनहिसमासाद्यदेवानांबलसागरम् ।गृहीतोदैवतपतिर्लङ्कांचापिप्रवेशितः ।।6.7.24।।

Transliteration

rudrāditya-mahā-grāhaṃ marudvasu-mahōragam |

rathaśva-gaja-toyaughaṃ padāti-pulinaṃ mahat ||6.7.23||

Translation

That vast ocean had Rudras and Ādityas as its great crocodiles, Maruts and Vasus as its mighty serpents; its surging waters were chariots, horses, and elephants, and its broad sandbanks were the masses of foot-soldiers.

Characters & Entities

• Rudras
• Ādityas
• Maruts
• Vasus

FAQs

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

Dharma here is implicit through contrast: true strength is aligned with the devas’ order, yet the counselors weaponize memory of defeating them to justify adharma; the ethical lesson is that rhetoric can be used to mask wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

The counselors continue a grand metaphor to magnify Rāvaṇa’s past prowess, attempting to remove his fear of Rāma’s advance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse foregrounds martial grandeur, but the narrative emphasizes the need for viveka (discernment), which the counselors notably lack.