Shloka 164
The Origin of the Daṇḍaka Forest and Rāma’s Dharma-Judgment
Vulture vs. Owl
तत्र युद्धं महद्वृत्तं देवदानवनाशनम् । वरुणस्य क्रतौ घोरे संग्रामे मत्स्यकच्छपाः
tatra yuddhaṃ mahadvṛttaṃ devadānavanāśanam | varuṇasya kratau ghore saṃgrāme matsyakacchapāḥ
तत्र महद्युद्धं वृत्तं देवदानवनाशनम्। वरुणस्य घोरे क्रतौ संग्रामे मत्स्यकच्छपाः अपि (युद्धे) आसन्॥
Unknown (narrative voice; broader dialogue context not provided)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महद्वृत्तम् = महत् + वृत्तम् (कर्मधारय); देवदानवनाशनम् = देव + दानव + नाशनम्; मत्स्यकच्छपाः = मत्स्य + कच्छपाः (द्वन्द्व).
FAQs
Varuṇa is a Vedic deity associated with cosmic order and the waters; mentioning his kratu (sacrificial rite) frames the conflict within a ritual-cosmic setting where events affect multiple realms.
The verse suggests the scale and spillover of violence: even aquatic beings like matsya (fish) and kacchapa (tortoise) become entangled, emphasizing a disturbance that reaches beyond armies to the natural world.
It highlights how unchecked conflict harms not only the direct opponents (devas and dānavas) but also innocent life and the wider environment, implying the need for restraint and restoration of order (dharma).