Shloka 27
दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः
The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess
समीपस्थान्द्रुमान्भञ्जन्वसुधां दारयन्खुरैः।विषाणेनोल्लिखन् दर्पात्तद्द्वारं द्विरदो यथा4.11.27।।
samīpasthān drumān bhañjan vasudhāṃ dārayan khuraiḥ |
viṣāṇenollikhan darpāt tad-dvāraṃ dvirado yathā || 4.11.27 ||
Dia mematahkan pepohon yang dekat, mengoyak tanah dengan kuku-kukunya, lalu dengan angkuh mengorek pintu gerbang itu dengan tanduknya, bagaikan seekor gajah.
'Mighty Dundubhi assuming the form of a frightening buffalo with pointed horns looking like a huge, dark raincloud in the sky in monsoon marched to the entrance of Kishkinda and roared like a wardrum as if shaking the earth.
FAQs
Dharma disapproves of darpa (pride) expressed as public violence; righteousness protects communities rather than damaging their boundaries and peace.
Dundubhi escalates his challenge by physically damaging the surroundings and defacing the city gate.
The verse highlights reckless pride (darpaa) as a vice, showing how arrogance manifests as needless destruction.