Shloka 4
अतिकायवधः
The Slaying of Atikāya
स भास्करसहस्रस्यसङ्घातमिवभास्वरम् ।रथमास्थायशक्रारिरभिदुद्राववानरान् ।।।।
sa bhāskara-sahasrasya saṅghātam iva bhāsvaram | ratham āsthāya śakrārir abhidudrāva vānarān || 6.71.4 ||
Resplandeciente como el fulgor reunido de mil soles, el enemigo de Śakra subió a su carro y se lanzó de frente contra los Vānaras.
Adorned with a crown, Ravana glowing like a thousand suns collected together mounted the chariot and darted towards Vanaras.
FAQs
The verse frames the battlefield as a testing ground where power and glory are displayed; dharma here is implicit—mere brilliance and force do not establish righteousness, which the wider narrative measures by intention and justice.
A rākṣasa leader, dazzling and crowned, mounts his chariot and rushes to attack the Vānara forces during the war at Laṅkā.
Not virtue but martial intensity is emphasized—an overwhelming, intimidating display of might that contrasts with the epic’s later evaluation of righteous conduct.