Shloka 6.94.23

रावणस्य सभाप्रवेशः — रामस्य शरवृष्ट्या राक्षससेनाविनाशः (Ravana Enters Council; Rama’s Arrow-Storm Destroys the Rakshasa Host)

Devanagari script

प्रहरन्तंशरीरेषु न तेपश्यन्तिराघवम् ।इन्द्रियार्थेषुतिष्ठन्तंभूतात्मानमिवप्रजाः ।।।।

Transliteration

praharantaṃ śarīreṣu na te paśyanti rāghavam |

indriyārtheṣu tiṣṭhantaṃ bhūtātmānam iva prajāḥ ||

Translation

Though their bodies were being struck, they could not perceive Rāghava—just as people, absorbed in the objects of the senses, do not perceive the inner Self abiding within beings.

Context

Just as created beings experience their senses and do not perceive their soul, the army experienced the hitting of Raghava by their senses but were not able to perceive him who was hitting them.

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Rākṣasas
• indriyārtha (sense-objects)
• bhūtātman (inner self)

FAQs

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

Attachment to sensory appearances clouds discernment; dharma is supported by clarity of perception—seeing causes, not merely feeling effects.

What is the narrative situation?

The enemy feels the blows landing on their bodies but cannot locate the striker, and the narrator explains this with a spiritual analogy.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s subtle mastery—his presence is effective yet elusive, suggesting disciplined control rather than chaotic violence.