Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 20
समुद्रतट-प्रयाणम् तथा वेलावन-निवेशः
March to the Seacoast and Encampment at the Shore
जाम्बवांश्च सुषेणश्च वेगदर्शी च वानरः ।ऋक्षराजो महासत्त्वः कुक्षिं रक्षन्तु ते त्रयः ।।।।
jāmbavāṃś ca suṣeṇaś ca vegadarśī ca vānaraḥ | ṛkṣarājo mahāsattvaḥ kukṣiṃ rakṣantu te trayaḥ ||
ஜாம்பவான், சுஷேணன், வானரன் வேகதர்ஶி—இம்மூவரும், மகாபலமிகு ரிக்ஷராஜனுடன் சேர்ந்து, உமது பக்கத்தையும் பின்புறத்தையும் காக்கட்டும்।
"Let Rksharaja the mighty strong Jambavan and Sushena even Vegadarsi protect the rear side (of the army)".
FAQs
Dharma as collective responsibility: safeguarding the vulnerable parts of the force ensures the righteous mission is protected, not merely the glory of the front line.
Rāma assigns experienced leaders to protect the army’s flank/rear as part of battle organization.
Reliability and guardianship—senior warriors are entrusted with protective duty rather than display.