Shloka 6.97.17

सप्तनवतितमः सर्गः (Yuddha Kāṇḍa 97): Sugrīva’s Onslaught and the Fall of Virūpākṣa

Devanagari script

सतुविद्धश्शितैर्बाणैःकपीन्द्रस्तेनरक्षसा ।चुक्रोध स महाक्रोधोवधेचास्यमनोदधे ।।।।

Transliteration

sugrīve sa śarān ghorān visasarja camūmukhe | sthāpayāmāsa codvignān rākṣasān sampraharṣayan ||

Translation

At the head of the army he loosed dreadful arrows at Sugrīva, steadying the shaken rākṣasas and filling them with delight.

Context

The king of Vanaras, pained by the shafts of Rakshasa, roared, and became very furious. He set in his mind to kill the Rakshasa.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Virūpākṣa
• Rākṣasas
• Vānaras

FAQs

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

Dharma is contrasted with morale-building for an unjust cause: leadership can embolden followers, but righteousness depends on the cause served, not merely on courage or strategy.

What is the narrative situation?

Virūpākṣa attacks Sugrīva and the Vānara front line with arrows, rallying the Rākṣasa troops.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Command and battlefield leadership (nīti/saṅgrāma-kauśala) is emphasized—used here to restore confidence among allies.