Shloka 6.8.3

युद्धकाण्डे अष्टमः सर्गः — राक्षससभा-युद्धपरामर्शः (War-Council Boasts and Stratagems)

Devanagari script

सर्वेप्रमत्ताविश्वस्तावञ्चितास्स्महनूमता ।नहिमेजीवतोगच्छेज्जीवन् सवनगोचरः ।।6.8.3।।

Transliteration

sarvāṃ sāgaraparyantāṃ saśailavanakānanām |

karomy avānarāṃ bhūmim ājñāpayatu māṃ bhavān ||6.8.4||

Translation

Let my lord but command me: I will make the whole earth—bounded by the ocean, with its mountains and forests—free of vānara.

Context

All of us were inattentive and confident (of our ability) while Hanuman cheated us. When I am alive how will the wanderer of woods (Hanuman) go with life?

Characters & Entities

• Earth (bhūmi)
• Ocean (sāgara)
• Vānaras

FAQs

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

It shows the danger of hubris: power claimed without moral restraint becomes destructive. Dharma-oriented leadership would curb such violent vows and seek justice rather than annihilation.

What is the narrative situation?

In Laṅkā’s council, rākṣasas respond to Hanumān’s incursion by making sweeping promises of exterminating the vānaras if Rāvaṇa orders it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Negative exemplification: rash bravado and loyalty to an unrighteous cause, rather than discernment (viveka) and righteous counsel.