Valmiki Ramayana 6.57.29 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 57, Shloka 29
प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्
Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host
ततोदुन्धुभिनिर्घोषःपर्जन्यनिनदोपमः ।वादित्राणांचनिनदःपूरयन्निवमेदिनीम् ।।।।शुश्रुवेशङ्खशब्दश्चप्रयातेवाहिनीपतौ ।
tato dundubhi-nirghoṣaḥ parjanya-ninada-upamaḥ |
vāditrāṇāṃ ca ninadaḥ pūrayann iva medinīm |
śuśruve śaṅkha-śabdaś ca prayāte vāhinī-patau ||6.57.29||
Lorsque le chef de l’armée se mit en route, le fracas des tambours, pareil au tonnerre de la pluie, s’éleva ; le tumulte des instruments retentit, et l’on entendit aussi les conques, comme si la terre elle-même était remplie de sons.
As the Commander-in-Chief was going there arose sounds of kettle drums, blasts of fanfares, and noise of blasts of conchs filling the earth was heard.
FAQs
The verse underscores collective coordination in warfare—signals, instruments, and public mobilization. In dharmic reflection, it warns that mass enthusiasm and grand spectacle are not proofs of righteousness; satya and justice must guide power.
Prahastha’s departure is accompanied by deafening martial music—drums, instruments, and conches—marking the army’s movement.
Command-and-control capability: the ability to marshal forces and create unified momentum (though not necessarily moral legitimacy).
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