Shloka 54

युद्धलक्षण-निमित्तदर्शनं तथा लङ्काद्वारव्यूहः

War Omens and the Encirclement of Lanka’s Gates

Devanagari script

राक्षसाविस्मयंजग्मुःसहसाऽभिनिपीडिताः ।।6.41.54।।वानरैर्मेघसङ्काशैश्शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमैः ।

Transliteration

rākṣasā vismayaṃ jagmuḥ sahasā ’bhinipīḍitāḥ |

vānarair meghasaṅkāśaiḥ śakratulya-parākramaiḥ ||6.41.54||

Translation

മേഘസമൂഹംപോലെ ഘനവും ഇന്ദ്രനോടു തുല്യമായ പരാക്രമവുമുള്ള വാനരയോദ്ധാക്കൾ ഒരുമിച്ച് അമർത്തിയപ്പോൾ, രാക്ഷസർ വിസ്മയത്തിലായി പിന്നോട്ടു വഴങ്ങി.

Word by Word

• rākṣasāḥ: Rakshasas
• rākṣasāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1), Bahuvacana

• vismayam: astonishment
• vismayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vismaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (2), Ekavacana

• jagmuḥ: went/entered (into)
• jagmuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (गम्) (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect, Parasmaipada, Prathama (3rd), Bahuvacana

• sahasā: suddenly/violently
• sahasā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb

• abhinipīḍitāḥ: pressed hard/oppressed
• abhinipīḍitāḥ: Hetu (हेतु) / Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-ni-√pīḍ (पीड्) (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-participle, Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1), Bahuvacana; predicate to rākṣasāḥ

• vānaraiḥ: by the monkeys
• vānaraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3), Bahuvacana

• megha-saṅkāśaiḥ: cloud-like
• megha-saṅkāśaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: megha + saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (मेघवत् सङ्काशः); Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3), Bahuvacana; agrees with vānaraiḥ

• śakra-tulya-parākramaiḥ: having valor equal to Indra
• śakra-tulya-parākramaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakra + tulya + parākrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (शक्रतुल्यः पराक्रमः येषाम्); Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3), Bahuvacana

Context

Caught by Vanaras like clouds and equalled Indra in valour gave way to wonder for the Rakshasas.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas
• Vānaras
• Śakra (Indra)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma here is expressed as righteous strength: when a just cause is supported by disciplined valor, adharma-driven forces lose confidence and clarity.

What is the narrative situation?

The Vānara forces surge forward in battle; the Rākṣasa defenders are suddenly overwhelmed and become astonished at their might.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vīrya (heroic prowess) and collective courage—power guided by purpose rather than cruelty.