Shloka 6.70.67

त्रिशिरा–देवान्तक–महोदर–मत्त (महापार्श्व) वधः | Slaying of Trisira, Devantaka, Mahodara, and Matta (Mahaparsva)

Devanagari script

तस्मिन्न्हतेभ्रातरिरावणस्यतन्नैरृतानांबलमर्णवाभम् ।त्यक्तायुधंकेवलजीवितार्थंदुद्रावभिन्नार्णवसन्निकाशम् ।।।।

Transliteration

tasminn hate bhrātari rāvaṇasya tan nairṛtānāṃ balam arṇavābham |

tyaktāyudhaṃ kevalajīvitārthaṃ dudrāva bhinnārṇavasannikāśam ||

Translation

When Rāvaṇa’s brother was slain, that ocean-like force of the Rākṣasas cast away its weapons and fled for life alone—like a sea driven beyond its bounds.

Context

When Ravana's brother was killed, the ocean of Rakshasas left the battlefield for the sake of their own life, and it looked as if the ocean had burst into shores.।। ityārṣēvālmīkīyēśrīmadrāmāyaṇēādikāvyēyuddhakāṇḍēsaptatitamassargaḥ ।।This is the end of the seventieth sarga Of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rāvaṇa’s brother (name not given in this snippet)
• Nairṛtas/Rākṣasas
• battlefield

FAQs

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

When adharma loses its champions, it abandons even its proclaimed loyalties; dharma, by contrast, is sustained by principle rather than fear—highlighting the Ramayana’s insistence on truth-aligned steadfastness.

What is the narrative situation?

After the death of Rāvaṇa’s brother, the Rākṣasa forces panic, drop weapons, and flee to save themselves.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indirectly, the dharmic side’s effectiveness and resolve; negatively, the Rākṣasa side’s lack of steadfastness under pressure.