Shloka 6.73.11

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

Devanagari script

तंप्रस्थितंमहात्मानमनुजग्मुर्महाबलाः ।सम्हर्षमाणाबहनोधनुष्प्रवरपाणयः ।।6.73.10।।गजस्कन्धगताःकेचित्केचित्प्रवरवाजिभिः ।व्याघ्रवृश्चिकमार्जारखरोरोष्ट्रैश्चभुजङ्गमैः ।।6.73.11।।वराहैश्श्वापदैस्सिंहैर्जम्बुकैःपर्वतोपमैः ।काकहंसमयूरैश्चराक्षसाभीमविक्रमाः ।।6.73.12।।प्रासमुद्गरनिस्त्रिंशपरश्वथगदाधराः ।भुशुण्डिमुद्गरायष्टिशतघ्नीपरिघायुधा ।।6.73.13।।

Transliteration

gaja-skandha-gatāḥ kecit kecit pravara-vājibhiḥ | vyāghra-vṛścika-mārjāra-khara-uroṣṭraiś ca bhujaṅgamaiḥ ||

Translation

Some rode on elephant-backs, some on excellent horses; others mounted tigers, scorpions, cats, donkeys, camels, and even serpents.

Context

Many Rakshasas of terrific valour, endowed with extraordinary strength, happily, wielding excellent bows, taking barbed missiles, hammers, whetted axes, maces, Bhusandi mallets, Ayasthis, Sataghnis, and Parighas, making noise, went following great Indrajith. Some went on the back of elephants and horses, tigers as large as mountains, scorpions, cats, donkeys, and camels. As well as on serpents, lions, tigers, and jackals.

Characters & Entities

• Indrajit (contextual identification)
• Rākṣasas
• elephants
• horses
• tigers
• serpents

FAQs

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

The epic contrasts civilized restraint with chaotic intimidation: terrifying displays can project power, but dharma values measured force and moral intention over spectacle.

What is the narrative situation?

A vivid catalogue describes the diverse (and uncanny) mounts and conveyances used by Indrajit’s following troops.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not virtue so much as martial intimidation and resourcefulness—used to heighten the atmosphere of fear surrounding the Rākṣasa forces.