Shloka 6.90.5
इन्द्रजित्-लक्ष्मणयुद्धम् तथा वानरप्रोत्साहनम् (Indrajit–Lakshmana Battle and the Rallying of the Vanaras)
विभीषणस्यानुचरास्तेपिशूलासिपट्टसै: ।चिच्छिदुःसमरेवीरान्राक्षसान्राक्षसोत्तमाः ।।।।
teṣām adhiṣṭhitānāṃ tair vānaraiḥ parvatopamaiḥ | mukhebhyo rudhiraṃ raktaṃ hayānāṃ samavartata ||
As those mountain-like vanaras climbed upon them, red blood began to stream from the mouths of the horses.
Followers of Vibheeshana, the foremost of Rakshasa heroes, were shattered by the pikes, swords, and sharp-edged spears in the battle.
It soberly records the cost of war: even necessary tactical acts bring suffering. Ramayana’s dharmic lens repeatedly reminds readers that violence has tangible, painful consequences.
The vanaras overpower the horses by mounting them; the horses bleed from the mouth.
Determined force in service of the allied cause, paired with the narrative’s realism about harm.