Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 93, Shloka 42
Sarga 93: Rāvaṇa’s Grief and Fury after Indrajit’s Fall; Move to Slay Vaidehī and Ministerial Restraint
अद्यैनंतावुभौदृष्टवाभ्रातरौप्रव्यधिष्यतः ।लोकपालाहिचत्वारःक्रुद्धेनानेनतर्जिताः ।।।।बहवःशत्रवश्चान्येसम्युगेष्वभिपातिताः ।
adyainaṁ tāv ubhau dṛṣṭvā bhrātarau pravyadhiṣyataḥ |
lokapālāś catvāraḥ kruddhenānena tarjitāḥ |
bahavaḥ śatravaś cānye saṁyugeṣv abhipātitāḥ ||
Today, on seeing him, those two brothers will tremble. Even the four world-guardians, threatened by his wrath, would be shaken; and many other enemies besides have been struck down by him in battles.
In a totally confused state on account of the death of his son, he went to Mythili taking the excellent sword, which was shining resembling pure sky, feeling enraged, accompanied by his wife, and surrounded by the ministers.
FAQs
The verse shows how adharma rationalizes itself through intimidation and past violence. Dharma is not measured by whom one can frighten, but by justice and restraint.
Rākṣasas, seeing Rāvaṇa’s wrathful advance, boast that even Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa—and even cosmic rulers—would tremble before him.
No true virtue; the focus is on pride and fear-based power, a hallmark of adharma-centered kingship.