Shloka 21
किष्किन्धायां सुग्रीवस्य नादः
Sugriva’s War-Cry at Kishkindha
द्रवन्ति च मृगाश्शीघ्रं भग्ना इव रणे हयाः।पतन्ति च खगा भूमौ क्षीणपुण्या इव ग्रहाः4.14.21।।
dravanti ca mṛgāḥ śīghraṁ bhagnā iva raṇe hayāḥ |
patanti ca khagā bhūmau kṣīṇapuṇyā iva grahāḥ || 4.14.21 ||
द्रवन्ति मृगाः शीघ्रं रणभङ्गहयाः इव; खगाश्च भूमौ पतन्ति क्षीणपुण्याः ग्रहाः इव॥
Sugriva, proficient in the performance of any task, one who appeared like the rising Sun and moved like a proud lion, said to Rama:
FAQs
The simile of ‘merit exhausted’ reflects the dharmic worldview that moral force (puṇya) sustains stability; when it declines, downfall follows—an ethical-cosmic linkage common in Itihasa.
The natural world reacts dramatically to the tumult of the challenge—animals flee and birds fall, intensifying the scene’s portent.
Not a direct virtue, but the verse magnifies the awe-inspiring power of the moment, implying the seriousness with which dharmic conflicts shake the world.