वध्यमानास्तुतेवीराराक्षसेन च लीलया ।सागरंयेनतेतीर्णाःपथातेनदुद्रुवुः ।।।।
vadhyamānās tu te vīrā rākṣasena ca līlayā | sāgaraṃ yena te tīrṇāḥ pathā tena dudruvuḥ ||
Aunque eran héroes, abatidos casi como en juego por aquel rākṣasa, huyeron por la misma senda por la que habían cruzado el océano.
Struck by Rakshasa, the Vanaras ran in the same path crossing the ocean (by which they came).
Even the brave may falter when overwhelmed; dharma in epics often includes acknowledging human limits and the need for leadership to restore courage.
Under severe pressure, the vānara fighters retreat toward the sea-crossing route they originally used to reach Laṅkā.
Their earlier heroism is remembered (‘vīrāḥ’), but the immediate emphasis is on collapse of morale under an overpowering foe.