Shloka 6.96.5

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

Devanagari script

उवाच च समीपस्थान्राक्षसान्राक्षसेश्वरः ।क्रोधाव्यक्तकथस्तत्रनिर्दहन्निवचक्षुषा ।।6.96.4।।महोदरंमहापार्श्वंविरूपाक्षं च राक्षसम् ।शीघ्रंवदतसैन्यानिनिर्यातेतिममाज्ञया ।।6.96.5।।

Transliteration

mahodaraṃ mahāpārśvaṃ virūpākṣaṃ ca rākṣasam |

śīghraṃ vadata sainyāni niryāta iti mamājñayā ||6.96.5||

Translation

He addressed the rākṣasas—Mahodara, Mahāpārśva, and Virūpākṣa—saying: “Quickly, by my command, tell the troops to march out.”

Context

Thus spoke the Lord of Rakshasas indistinctly in anger with his eyes burning as though it would consume them (Rakshasas). He commanded Mahodara, Mahaparsva and Virupaksha who stood nearby saying" quickly instruct the army to go."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Mahodara
• Mahāpārśva
• Virūpākṣa
• rākṣasa
• sainyāni

FAQs

How does this verse relate to dharma in Yuddhakāṇḍa?

The verse shows Rāvaṇa exercising royal command to mobilize his forces; within the epic’s ethical frame, this contrasts with Rāma’s dharmic leadership, highlighting how power and obedience can be used either in alignment with righteousness or in service of adharma.

Where is satya (truth) reflected in this command?

Satya here is primarily procedural—an unambiguous order that must be carried out as spoken; the narrative juxtaposes such command-truth with the deeper moral truth of the war’s cause, where truthful speech and rightful intent are central to dharmic authority.