Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 93, Shloka 40
Sarga 93: Rāvaṇa’s Grief and Fury after Indrajit’s Fall; Move to Slay Vaidehī and Ministerial Restraint
उत्प्लुत्यगुणसम्पन्नंविमलाम्बरवर्चसम् ।निष्पपात स वेगेनसभार्यःसचिवैर्वृतः ।।6.93.39।।रावणःपुत्रशोकेनभृशमाकुलचेतनः ।सङ्क्रुद्धःखडगमादायसहसायत्रमैथिली ।।6.93.40।।
adyainaṁ tāv ubhau dṛṣṭvā bhrātarau pravyadhiṣyataḥ |
lokapālāś catvāraḥ kruddhenānena tarjitāḥ |
bahavaḥ śatravaś cānye saṁyugeṣv abhipātitāḥ ||
“Hari ini, sebaik melihatnya, kedua-dua saudara itu akan menggigil. Bahkan empat Lokapāla, apabila diancam oleh kemarahannya, akan tergoncang; dan banyak musuh lain pun telah dia tumbangkan dalam peperangan.”
In a totally confused state on account of the death of his son, he went to Mythili taking the excellent sword, which was shining resembling pure sky, feeling enraged, accompanied by his wife, and surrounded by the ministers.
FAQs
The verse shows how adharma rationalizes itself through intimidation and past violence. Dharma is not measured by whom one can frighten, but by justice and restraint.
Rākṣasas, seeing Rāvaṇa’s wrathful advance, boast that even Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa—and even cosmic rulers—would tremble before him.
No true virtue; the focus is on pride and fear-based power, a hallmark of adharma-centered kingship.