Shloka 6.96.15

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

Devanagari script

व्याकोशपद्मवक्त्राणिपद्मकेसरवर्चसाम् ।अद्ययूथतटाकानिगजवत्प्रमथाम्यहम् ।।6.96.15।।

Transliteration

vyākośa-padma-vaktrāṇi padma-kesara-varcasām | adya yūtha-taṭākāni gajavat pramathāmy aham ||6.96.15||

Translation

“Today I will ravage the battalion-ponds of those vānara—whose faces are like fully opened lotuses and whose splendor is like lotus-filaments—just as an elephant tramples ponds,” boasted Rāvaṇa.

Context

"Like an elephant now I shall torment the ponds in the form of battalions of Vanaras shining like the filaments of lotuses, with their faces resembling open lotuses."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vānara battalions
• gaja (elephant)
• padma (lotus)

FAQs

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

The verse warns how cruelty can target even what is beautiful and noble. Dharma protects the innocent and the devoted; adharma delights in trampling them.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa continues to describe, in vivid metaphors, how he intends to crush the vānara formations.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse indirectly honors the vānaras’ vigor and radiance (their “lotus-like” presence), implying purity of purpose in their support of Rāma.