Shloka 22

धूम्राक्षप्रेषणम्

The Dispatch of Dhūmrākṣa

Devanagari script

धूम्राक्षवचनंश्रुत्वाबलाध्यक्षोबलानुगः ।बलमुद्योजयामासरावणस्याज्ञयाद्रुतम् ।।6.51.22।।

Transliteration

dhūmrākṣa-vacanaṃ śrutvā balādhyakṣo balānugaḥ |

balam udyojayāmāsa rāvaṇasyājñayā drutam ||6.51.22||

Translation

Mendengar kata-kata Dhūmrākṣa, panglima bala tentera pun, menurut titah Rāvaṇa, segera menggerakkan dan menyiapkan angkatan perang dengan cepat.

Word by Word

• धूम्राक्ष-वचनम्: Dhumraksha's words
• धूम्राक्ष-वचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्राक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (धूम्राक्षस्य वचनम्)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (having heard)

• बलाध्यक्षः: commander of the army
• बलाध्यक्षः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक) + अध्यक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (बलस्य अध्यक्षः)

• बलानुगः: army-following leader / one accompanied by troops
• बलानुगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (बलम् अनुगच्छति इति/बलस्य अनुगः)

• बलम्: the army
• बलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उद्योजयामास: made ready / mobilized
• उद्योजयामास: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्+युज्/योज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परिप्रास-परफेक्ट/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; causative sense (प्रेरणार्थक) ‘made ready/caused to be prepared’

• रावणस्य: of Ravana
• रावणस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रावण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आज्ञया: by the order
• आज्ञया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (instrumental: by/through)

• द्रुतम्: quickly
• द्रुतम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्रुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण)

Context

On hearing the words of Dhumraksha, the Commander-in-Chief of the large army, he got ready quickly by the order of Ravana.

Characters & Entities

• Dhūmrākṣa
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

The verse highlights obedience to command and disciplined organization; ethically, it invites reflection on how duty and obedience (ājñā-pālana) must be guided by righteous purpose, not merely speed or power.

What is the narrative situation?

After Dhumrākṣa speaks, the military leadership on Rāvaṇa’s side quickly mobilizes troops for action.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Operational discipline and prompt execution of orders (though morally neutral here, it contrasts with the higher dharma pursued by Rāma’s side).