Shloka 6.96.13

युद्धाय रावणस्य निर्याणं तथा उत्पातदर्शनम् (Ravana’s Mobilization for War and the ظهور of Fatal Portents)

Devanagari script

अद्यवानरमुख्यानांतानियूथानिभागशः ।धनुषाशरजालेनवधिष्यामिपतत्रिणा ।।6.96.13।।

Transliteration

adya vānar-mukhyānāṃ tāni yūthāni bhāgaśaḥ | dhanuṣā śara-jālena vadhiṣyāmi patatriṇā ||6.96.13||

Translation

“Today, with my bow and a net of feathered arrows, I shall slaughter those troops of the foremost vānara—piece by piece,” said Rāvaṇa.

Context

"Today by the network of plumed arrows released from my bow I shall kill the troops of Vanara leaders' part by part."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vānara (monkey-warriors)
• Vānara leaders (vānaramukhyāḥ)

FAQs

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

The verse shows the adharma of dehumanizing opponents and delighting in destruction. Dharma in war (yuddha-dharma) demands restraint and righteousness of cause, not cruelty.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa threatens to annihilate the vānaras in a systematic barrage as the battle escalates.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is courage in service of dharma (as embodied by the vānaras supporting Rāma), contrasted with Rāvaṇa’s violent intent.