लङ्काप्राकारारोहणम् / Assault on Lanka’s Ramparts and the Opening Clash
निष्पतन्तिततःसैन्याहृष्टारावणचोदिताः ।समयेपूर्यमाणस्यवेगाइवमहोदधेः ।।।।
niṣpatanti tataḥ sainyā hṛṣṭā rāvaṇacoditāḥ |
samaye pūryamāṇasya vegā iva mahodadheḥ ||
Didorong oleh Rāvaṇa, pasukan itu pun melesat maju dengan girang—cepat dan mengembang laksana gelombang samudra agung yang menghebat pada saat pralaya.
Urged by Ravana, the army then joyfully rushed forth swiftly like a great ocean at the time of universal destruction.
The verse highlights how collective force can be driven by a leader’s intent; when leadership is rooted in adharma, even courage and joy become ethically misdirected.
Rāvaṇa spurs his forces into action; the rākṣasa troops rush out to meet the vānaras as the battle escalates.
Not virtue but martial zeal (utsāha) is foregrounded—showing energy and unity, yet under an unrighteous command.