Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 69, Shloka 31
त्रिशिरा-प्रबोधनम् तथा नरान्तक-वधः
Trisira’s Counsel and the Slaying of Naranthaka
देवान्ककस्समादायपरिघंवज्रभूषणम् ।परिगृह्यगिरिंदोर्भ्यांवपुर्विष्णोर्विडम्बयन् ।।।।
Devāntakaḥ samādāya parighaṃ vajrabhūṣaṇam |
parigṛhya giriṃ dorbhyāṃ vapur Viṣṇor viḍambayan ||
தேவாந்தகன் வைரம்போல் கடின அலங்காரங்களால் அலங்கரிக்கப்பட்ட பரிகத்தை எடுத்தான். அதை இரு கரங்களாலும் பற்றிக் கொண்டு, மலைத் தாங்கும் விஷ்ணுவின் உருவையே போல நடித்தான் போலத் தோன்றினான்।
Devanthaka, holding a bar encrusted with diamonds in both hands, seemed like Vishnu in disguise with a mountain (to churn the milky ocean).
FAQs
By using the word ‘viḍambayan’ (mimicking), the verse hints at a dharmic contrast: merely resembling divine power is not the same as embodying divine righteousness; form without dharma is hollow.
Devāntaka is introduced in battle-array, lifting a massive weapon and being described through a grand comparison to Viṣṇu.
Physical might and intimidation (bala, bhīṣaṇatā), presented through hyperbolic, divine imagery.