Shloka 6.73.1

इन्द्रजितः ब्रह्मास्त्र-यागः तथा वानरसेनाविध्वंसः (Indrajit’s Brahmastra Rite and the Crushing of the Vanara Host)

Devanagari script

ततोहतान्राक्षसपुङ्गवांस्तान् देवान्तकादित्रिशिरोतिकायान् ।रक्षोगणास्तत्रहतावशिष्टास्तेरावणायत्वरिताश्शशंसुः ।।।।

Transliteration

tato hatān rākṣasa-puṅgavāṃs tān devāntakādi-triśiro-’tikāyān | rakṣo-gaṇās tatra hatāvaśiṣṭās te rāvaṇāya tvaritāḥ śaśaṃsuḥ ||

Translation

Then the surviving bands of Rākṣasas—those left alive after the slaughter—hurried to Rāvaṇa and reported that Devāntaka, Triśiras, and Atikāya, the foremost among them, had been killed.

Context

Then the Rakshasas who survived the killings, hurriedly reported to the Rakshasa king, Ravana about the killing of Devanthaka, Trisira and Atikaya.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Devāntaka
• Triśiras
• Atikāya
• Rākṣasa troops

FAQs

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

The verse highlights karmic consequence and moral causality in itihāsa: violent campaigns grounded in adharma culminate in irreversible loss, which must be faced in truth (satya) through reporting and acknowledgment.

What is the narrative situation?

After major Rākṣasa champions fall in battle, the surviving troops rush to inform Rāvaṇa, escalating the crisis and prompting further decisions.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Candor under pressure: even amid fear and defeat, the survivors deliver factual news, enabling leadership response (whether wise or reckless).