Shloka 6.94.31

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

Devanagari script

अनीकंदशसाहस्रंरथानांवातरम्हसाम् ।अष्टादशसहस्राणिकुञ्जराणांतरस्विनाम् ।।।।चतुर्दशसहस्राणिसारोहाणां च वाजिनाम् ।पूर्णेशतसहस्रेद्वेराक्षसानांपदातिनाम् ।।।।दिवसस्याष्टभागेनशरैरग्निशिखोपमैः ।हतात्यान्येकेनरामेणरक्षसांकामरूपिणाम् ।।।।

Transliteration

te hatāśvā hata-rathāḥ śāntā vimathita-dhvajāḥ |

abhipetuḥ purīṃ laṅkāṃ hata-śeṣā niśācarāḥ ||

Translation

Those night-roamers—horses slain, chariots ruined, and standards shattered—left only as remnants, fell back and fled into the city of Laṅkā.

Context

In the eighth part of the day, in the battlefield, an army of Rakshasas who were capable of changing their forms at will, constituting a myriad of chariots with wind speed, eighteen thousand fleet-footed elephants, fourteen thousand horses with riders, two lakh Rakshasas fighting on foot exterminated by Rama single-handed with his arrows that resembled tongues of fire.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Niśācaras (Rākṣasas)

FAQs

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

When adharma is confronted by righteous force, it collapses into disorder and retreat; the verse underscores the moral consequence of unjust aggression.

What is the narrative situation?

After severe losses, the surviving Rākṣasas withdraw into Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfastness indirectly appears through the enemy’s rout—his unshaken resolve produces their collapse.