Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 14
कुम्भकर्णप्रस्थानम् तथा अङ्गदप्रेरणा
Kumbhakarna’s sortie and Angada’s rallying of the Vanaras
लङ्घयन्तःप्रधावन्तोवानरानावलोकयन् ।केचित्समुद्रेपतिताःकेचिद्गगनमास्थिताः ।।।।
laṅghayantaḥ pradhāvanto vānarā nāvalokayan | kecit samudre patitāḥ kecid gaganam āsthitāḥ ||
தாவி ஓடி சென்ற வானரப் படை பின்னோக்கிப் பார்கவும் இல்லை; சிலர் கடலில் விழுந்தனர், சிலர் வானில் பாய்ந்து உயர்ந்தனர்।
The Vanaras leapt without looking back. Indeed, some dropped into the ocean, and some flew into space.
FAQs
Fear can overpower duty; the verse contrasts the ideal of steadfastness in righteous struggle with the natural impulse to flee when terror strikes.
Kumbhakarṇa’s onslaught causes disarray; the vānara troops scatter in panic toward sea and sky.
Not a virtue but a vulnerability: battlefield भय (fear) disrupting collective discipline.