Valmiki Ramayana 6.21.27: Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 27
सागरप्रतीक्षा-क्रोधप्रादुर्भावः
Rama’s Vigil at the Ocean and the Rise of Wrath
Spoken by ValmikiSetting: Samudra (the ocean) at the seashore where the bridge-to-Lanka episode unfoldsPlaces named: SamudraApproach to Lanka; coercing the ocean to yield passage
तेज्वलन्तोमहावेगास्तेजसासायकोत्तमाः ।
प्रविशन्तिसमुद्रस्यसलिलंत्रस्तपन्नगम् ॥२७॥
te jvalanto mahāvegāstejasā sāyakottamāḥ |
praviśanti samudrasya salilaṃ trastapannagam ||27||
वो चमकते हुए तीर बहुत तेज़ी से गए। समुंदर के पानी में घुस गए। अंदर साँप डर गए।
Sandhi Notes
- तेज्वलन्तो → ते + ज्वलन्तः
- महावेगास्तेजसा → महावेगाः + तेजसा
- सायकोत्तमाः → सायक + उत्तमाः
- समुद्रस्यसलिलम् → समुद्रस्य + सलिलम्
Glowing in brilliance like flame, the arrows of the best among the arrows pierced like snakes into the water of the ocean.
The teaching
When righteous purpose is obstructed, tejas and resolve may be deployed—but the collateral fear reveals the need for measured power and eventual negotiated order.
Duties in tension
- Kṣatriya duty to remove obstacles and protect the mission
- Dharma of restraint toward beings of nature not directly culpable (serpents as collateral)
- Ethical theme
- Rāja-dharma / daṇḍanīti
- How it resolves
- Assertive coercion as expedient (daṇḍa) to compel cooperation from a cosmic entity
For your practice
Meditation on tejas (inner fire) and unwavering saṅkalpa; channeling intensity without losing dharmic aim.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Raudra (fury), with Bhayanaka (fear)
- Mood
- Blazing, menacing, unstoppable
Themes
- Kopa
- Divya Astra
- Valour
- Nature
Tejas as the outward sign of inner saṅkalpa; the jīva’s will (icchā-śakti) pressing against māyā-like obstruction (the unfathomable ocean).
Imagery of tejas entering waters recalls Upaniṣadic motifs where fire/tejas pervades elements (e.g., tejas as a principle within bhūtas), though here dramatized as martial force.
- Rama and Ocean
- Cosmic-nature obstacle confronted by hero (hostile)
- Rama and Serpents (sarpa)
- Collateral intimidation through weapon-force (threatening)
- Arrows and Serpents (sarpa)
- Weapon induces fear in beings of the deep (terrifying)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddhakāṇḍa 6.21 (ocean-subjugation sequence); Mahābhārata, Ādiparvan (serpents and fear imagery in nāga contexts, broadly parallel in tone)
Vedic tejas/fire imagery (Agni entering waters motif, generalized)
Rāma’s ocean confrontation leading to Samudra’s appearance and counsel (same sarga context)
Anuṣṭup
Commanding
Tīvra (high, forceful)
FAQs
Lord Rama fired these arrows in anger to force the Ocean God (Samudra) to yield a path for the Vanara army.
The blazing arrows entered the water with such intensity and speed that they caused immense fear among the serpents (Pannagas) and other marine life residing therein.
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